• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 2019

Background: Although case reports have suggested that the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) may help analgesia for patients after breast surgery, no study to date has assessed its effectiveness. This retrospective observational study analyzed the analgesic effects of the ESPB after total mastectomy. Methods: Forty-eight patients were divided into an ESPB group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 28). Twenty patients in the control group were selected by their propensity score matching the twenty patients in the ESPB group. Patients in the ESPB group were injected with 30 mL 0.375% ropivacaine, followed by catheter insertion for further injections of local anesthetics every 12 hours. Primarily, total fentanyl consumption was compared between the two groups during the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity levels (visual analogue scale) and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Results: Median cumulative fentanyl consumption during the first 24 hours was significantly lower in the ESPB ($33.0{\mu}g$; interquartile range [IQR], $27.0-69.5{\mu}g$) than in the control group ($92.8{\mu}g$; IQR, $40.0-155.0{\mu}g$) (P = 0.004). Pain level in the early postoperative stage (<3 hr) and incidence of PONV (0% vs. 55%) were also significantly lower in the ESPB group compared to the control (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Intermittent ESPB after total mastectomy reduces fentanyl consumption and early postoperative pain. ESPB is a good option for multimodal analgesia after breast surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of traditional korean medicine treatment on patients with olfactory disorder who did not respond to steroid treatment. Methods : A retrospective chart review was conducted on 16 patients who visited the outpatient clinic with olfactory disorder for over 1 month. The patients were treated with Herbal medicine, acupuncture, electronic moxibustion, intranasal pharmacopuncture, and olfactory training. The treatment effect was evaluated by KVSS I test. Results : There was no significant difference in KVSS I test score according to sex, age, duration of treatment, number of treatment, the days after onset. There was no significant difference in the KVSS I test scores before and after the treatment for the cases of sinonasal disease, head trauma, and idiopathic cases. However, there was a significant difference in cases of post-viral olfactory disorder. Conclusion : Traditional korean medicine may be effective for patients with post-viral olfactory disorder that did not show improvement in steroid treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.247-251
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• 2020

Objectives: Ganglion cysts require a sustainable treatment that suppresses their frequent recurrence. This study aimed to explore the clinical effects of Scolopendra pharmacopuncture (SP) and electroacupuncture on ganglion cysts. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patient records and follow-up reports for 20 patients with wrist ganglion cysts who received SP and electroacupuncture from April 2016 to March 2017. The cyst diameter, recurrence, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, the Korean version of the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (K-DASH) score, and the Korean version of the patient-rated wrist evaluation (K-PRWE) score before and after treatment were noted. Results: After treatment, the cyst diameter decreased significantly from 13.61 ± 6.41 mm to 5.15 ± 6.18 mm (p < 0.001), and VAS score for pain decreased from 1.31 ± 1.77 to 0.41 ± 0.33 (p = 0.021). Further, the K-DASH score decreased significantly from 8.97 ± 12.66 to 2.21 ± 7.39 (p = 0.016), and score for the function subscale of K-PRWE decreased from 11.37 ± 4.48 to 9.1 ± 3.67 (p = 0.046). No recurrences were reported from the followed-up patients. Any complication related to SP or electroacupuncture was not observed, except mild rash, itching, and swelling at the injection site in four patients. Conclusion: Combination of SP and electroacupuncture may be effective in treating ganglion cysts; further prospective studies with large population are needed to clarify the effect of SP and electroacupuncture.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.83-94
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• 2019

Article 17 of the Marine Insurance Act (MIA) states that "A contract of marine insurance is a contract based upon the utmost good faith, and if the utmost good faith be not observed by either party, the contract may be avoided by the other party." In the Carter v. Boehm case, Lord Mansfield was the first to provide a comprehensive description of the duty of utmost good faith, which is analyzed here. This judgement not only laid the foundation for the Modern English Insurance Act, but it also influenced the draft of the English Insurance Act of 2015, which aimed at correcting distortions that occurred during the application of statue law and common law thereafter. The duty of utmost good faith, applied between Lord Mansfield's insured and insurer presents the context of information asymmetry of the insured and insurer entering contracts. In the absence of information asymmetry, in contrast to the effects of being in both sides of the duty of utmost good faith, alleviating the duty of disclosure of the insured, and it is also clear that the warning of the severity of the retrospective avoidance of the breach of duty of disclosure and the need for its limited application have already been pointed out. Furthermore, considering the principle of retrospective avoidance, the duty of utmost good faith should be understood as a concept limited to the duty of disclosure before a contract is concluded

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.194-205
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the long-term outcomes after peri-implantitis treatment and the factors affecting these outcomes. Methods: This study included 92 implants in 45 patients who had been treated for peri-implantitis. Clinical data on the characteristics of patients and their implants were collected retrospectively. The change in the marginal bone level was calculated by comparing the baseline and the most recently obtained (≥3 years after treatment) radiographs. The primary outcome variable was progression of the disease after the treatment at the implant level, which was defined as further bone loss of >1.0 mm or implant removal. A 2-level binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the effects of possible factors on the primary outcome. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.7 years (range, 22-79 years). Progression of peri-implantitis was observed in 64.4% of patients and 63.0% of implants during an observation period of 6.4±2.7 years (mean±standard deviation). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that full compliance to recall visits (P=0.019), smoking (P=0.023), placement of 4 or more implants (P=0.022), and marginal bone loss ≥4 mm at baseline (P=0.027) significantly influenced the treatment outcome. Conclusions: The long-term results of peri-implantitis treatment can be improved by full compliance on the part of patients, whereas it is impaired by smoking, placement of multiple implants, and severe bone loss at baseline. Encouraging patients to stop smoking and to receive supportive care is recommended before treatment.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.163-170
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• 2022

Background: Personal mobility devices (PMDs) have become an increasingly popular transport modality globally. With increasing social interest in and demand for PMDs, the number of individuals visiting emergency departments with PMD-related injuries has also increased annually. This study aimed to evaluate injury patterns and treatment costs for patients treated in the department of plastic surgery in a trauma center. Methods: In this retrospective study, data concerning patients with PMD-related injuries from January 2017 to December 2021 were reviewed. The data retrieved included age, sex, alcohol consumption, helmet use, the type of impact, onset of injury, place of first visit, type of injury, admission status, operation status, and treatment cost. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of various factors on cost. Results: Data were collected from 93 patients. Until 2019, the annual number of PMD-related accidents was less than 10; however, this number increased sharply in 2020. The average cost of hospitalization was USD 7,698 whereas the average cost of non-hospitalization was USD 631. Only fractures had a significant association with total cost in linear regression analysis (p< 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of PMD use and related injuries requiring plastic surgery during the study period showed significant health and financial costs both to the patients involved and to society. This cost could be reduced through stricter regulations concerning PMD use, advocating the use of protective gear, and promoting greater awareness of safety measures and of the consequences of PMD-related accidents.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.85-93
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• 2021

Objectives This study aims to compare the effect of an ultrasound on a guided group and an unguided group on Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy on the facet joint in patients with acute low back pain caused by traffic accidents. Methods 21 patients with acute low back pain caused by traffic accidents from March 1, 2021 to May 31, 2021 were included in this study. The study was conducted as a retrospective study which analyzes the patient's medical records. 11 patients (Group A) received ultrasound guided Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy and 10 patients (Group B) received unguided Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy on the facet joint. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate improvements in functions and pain, and five point Likert scale to evaluate patient's satisfaction. Results Both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the VAS and ODI on the 5th day of hospitalization. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Difference in the Likert scale between the groups was not statistically significant either. Conclusions We found that ultrasound guided Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy on the facet joint showed similar efficacy compared with unguided Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy at facet joint on acute low back pain patients caused by traffic accidents.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.1-20
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm the relavance between the dependent variables and the treatment effects of nonsurgical spinal decompression(NSD). Methods: 105 patients suffering from disc herniation and treated with NSD were investigated and analyzed. Results: The intention of retreatment showed a tendency to be higher in having occupation, western treatment only before NSD(WTB) and non-western treatment(WTN) group. As the number of NSD increased, satisfaction score and the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS) difference increased and the NRS after NSD decreased. On the other hand, as western treatment after NSD increased, satisfaction score and the NRS difference decreased and the NRS after NSD increased. The odds ratio of having intention of retreatment was lower in western treatment only after NSD(WTA) group than WTN group. The NRS difference showed a high tendency in the age group of 20s, 60s, and 70s and older. The NRS difference of group with NSD more than 10 times was higher than that of the group with less than 10 times. Satisfaction score of WTN and WTB group was higher than that of WTA group. Adjusted NRS after NSD was the lowest in non-western treatment group and the highest in WTA group. Adjusted NRS after NSD was the lowest in the group with NSD over 21 times, and the NRS after NSD increased as the number of NSD decreased. Conclusion: This study included patients with cervical or lumbar disc herniation and showed that occupation, the number of NSD, western treatment and age statistically affected the treatment effect.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2022

Background: To prepare for future work stoppages in the medical industry, this study aimed to identify the effects of healthcare worker strikes on the mortality rate of patients visiting the emergency department (ED) at six training hospitals in Daegu, South Korea. Methods: We used a retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter design to analyze the medical records of patients who visited six training hospitals in Daegu (August 21-September 8, 2020). For comparison, control period 1 was set as the same period in the previous year (August 21-September 8, 2019) and control period 2 was set as July 1-19, 2020. Patient characteristics including age, sex, and time of ED visit were investigated along with mode of arrival, length of ED stay, and in-hospital mortality. The experimental and control groups were compared using t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-square test, and Fisher exact tests, as appropriate. Univariate logistic regression was performed to identify significant factors, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: During the study period, 31,357 patients visited the ED, of which 7,749 belonged to the experimental group. Control periods 1 and 2 included 13,100 and 10,243 patients, respectively. No significant in-hospital mortality differences were found between strike periods; however, the results showed statistically significant differences in the length of ED stay. Conclusion: The ED resident strike did not influence the mortality rate of patients who visited the EDs of six training hospitals in Daegu. Furthermore, the number of patients admitted and the length of ED stay decreased during the strike period.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2023

Background: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a localized bone disorder in which fibro-osseous tissue replaces the normal bone structure. Patients with craniofacial FD often present with gradual swelling, deformity, and compromised vision or hearing. We previously introduced "the core extirpation method," a novel surgical technique that is minimally invasive like traditional bone shaving but has longer-lasting effects. This study presents the long-term outcomes of our core extirpation method. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent core extirpation for FD of the zygomaticomaxillary region from 2012 through 2021. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed 6 to 12 months before the operation, immediately before and after the operation, and during follow-up visits. We performed all operations using the upper gingivobuccal approach, and we extirpated the core of the lesion while preserving the cortical structures of the zygoma and the maxilla to maintain symmetrical facial contour. Results: In 12 patients with lesions in the growth phase, anteroposterior/mediolateral (AP/ML) length discrepancies and the volume increased between preoperative and immediate postoperative CT scans. All patients' immediate postoperative AP/ML discrepancies were stable up to 12-17 months postoperatively. Postoperative volume showed continuous lesion growth; the median volume growth rate was 0.61 cc per month. Conclusion: In this article, we present our experiences managing FD using the minimally invasive core extirpation technique, which entails small expected blood loss and can be performed as day surgery. It provides similar cosmetic outcomes as traditional bone shaving but with longer-lasting results. Although there are some limitations with the study's retrospective nature and small sample size, our 4-year follow-up results show promising results of the core extirpation method in well-indicated patients.