• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.142-146
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate changes in quality of life (QoL) in patients with neurogenic bladder treated with clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), who changed from a multiple use catheter (MUC) to single use catheter (SUC). Methods: The Modified Intermittent Self-Catheterization Questionnaire (mISC-Q) was used to determine potential changes in patients' QoL as a result of switching from MUC to SUC. The mISC-Q consists of questions within four categories: ease of use, convenience, discreetness, and symptomatic benefit. Answers were graded as Strongly agree (+2), Agree (+1), Not sure (0), Disagree (-1), and Strongly disagree (-2). Overall patient QoL, as well as by sex, disease (presence of augmentation cystoplasty), and catheterization route (via urethra or urinary diversion), were analyzed. Results: Thirty-eight patients (21M:17F; mean age: $21.7{\pm}5.3y$) submitted questionnaires. For ease of use, SUC was significantly better than MUC (score: 0.364, P=0.002) in all patients. Patients with catheterization via the urethra showed significant favor for SUC in ease of use (score: 0.512, P<0.001) and convenience (score: 0.714, P=0.011), but patients with catheterization via the abdominal stoma of urinary diversion gave negative scores in all categories, though no categories were significant. Conclusion: This study suggested that changing from MUC to SUC may lead to improvements in QoL, especially regarding ease of use. This benefit was clearly found in patients with catheterization via urethra rather than abdominal stoma of urinary diversion.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2006

Central venous catheter (CVC) for long-term venous access is indispensable for various reasons including hyperalimentation, frequent blood sampling, frequent IV drug use in pediatric patients. We report clinical experience of surgical neonates in whom CVC was inserted primarily via great saphenous vein into suprarenal inferior vena cava. From March 2004 to March 2006, we performed CVC insertion via saphenous vein - contralateral side to main wound - into suprarenal inferior vena cava in surgeries of neonates. 2.7Fr or 4.2Fr, single lumen, tunneled Broviac catheters (Bard Access system, Inc, Salt Lake City, Utah) were used. Skin exit site of tunneled catheter was located in ipsilateral flank area just below edge lower rib. At the end of the procedure, location of the catheter tip was confirmed by plain radiography of abdomen. We retrospectively reviewed the admission records of the patients including nursing staff charts. Nine (50.0 %) patients were male and nine (50.0%) were female. Median gestational age was 38 weeks (range, 29-42 weeks) and median birth weight was 3,105 gm (range, 1,040-3,720 gm). Median age at catheter insertion was 38.5 days (range, 1-236 days). The purpose of CVC insertion was short-and long-term hyperalimentation in nine (50.0 %) patients. CVC insertion was performed in operation room under general anesthesia in sixteen (88.9 %) patients (in these cases, CVC insertion was performed just prior to concurrent operation) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) under local anesthesia with adequate sedation in two (11.2%). During the admission period (total catheter-indwelling time: 553 days), CVC functioned well without any significant side effects. Transient swelling of the ipsilateral leg (n=1, 5.6 %) and transient migration of catheter tip (n=1, 5.6 %) were noted, which did not affect function of the indwelled CVC. Mean catheter-indwelling time was 30.7days (range, 3-72 days). All catheters were removed electively except two mortality case. Complications, such as thrombosis, infection, kinking or extravasation of drugs, were not observed in our study period. Tunneled trans-great saphenous vein inferior vena cava catheters are not only comparable to cervical CVCs in terms of function and complication rates, but also very beneficial in selected patients, especially those in whom cervical approach is technically impossible or contraindicated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.120-125
• /
• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a Fogarty arterial embolectomy catheter (Fogarty catheter) in intraoperative balloon angioplasty of the cephalic vein, in order to determine its effect on the patency of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) created for hemodialysis access. Methods: A total of 156 patients who underwent creation of an AVF were divided into two groups, based whether a Fogarty catheter was used during AVF creation. Group A (89 patients) comprised the patients who underwent balloon angioplasty with a Fogarty catheter during the operation. Group B (67 patients) included the patients in whom a Fogarty catheter was not used during the operation. Patient records were reviewed retrospectively and documented. The patency rate was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The records of 156 patients who underwent the creation of an AVF from January 2007 to October 2011 were included. The mean follow-up duration was $40.2{\pm}19.4$ months (range, 1 to 97 months). The patency rates in group A at 12, 36, and 72 months were $83.9%{\pm}3.9%$, $78.3%{\pm}4.6%$, and $76.3%{\pm}4.9%$, respectively, while the corresponding patency rates in group B were $92.5%{\pm}3.2%$, $82.8%{\pm}0.5%$, and $79.9%{\pm}5.7%$, respectively. The patency rates in group B were found to be slightly higher than those in group A, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.356). Conclusion: Intraoperative balloon angioplasty of the cephalic vein using the Fogarty catheter is a simple and easily reproducible procedure, and it can be helpful in increasing AVF patency in cases of insufficient runoff or a suboptimal cephalic vein.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.116-123
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of targeting risk factors for the control of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) among high-risk infants in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: Infants admitted to the NICU and diagnosed with CLABSI from January to December 2013 were eligible for inclusion to the study. The CLABSI group (n=47) was matched in a 1:2 ratio to the control group (n=94) based on gestational age, birth weight, and Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-II. Risk factors for CLABSI were identified using the Cox proportional hazard model, and analysis of the effect of these risk factors targeting infection control was performed. Results: The risk factors associated with CLABSI were prolonged central line dwell days (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.028; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011 to 1.045; P=0.001), use of a silicone catheter (adjusted HR, 5.895; 95% CI, 1.893 to 18.355; P=0.002), surgical treatment (adjusted HR, 3.793; 95% CI, 1.467 to 9.805; P=0.006), and less probiotic supplementation (adjusted HR, 0.254; 95% CI, 0.068 to 0.949; P=0.042). By targeting these risk factors with a quality improvement initiative, the mean CLABSI incidence rate per 1,000 catheter-days decreased from 6.6 to 3.1 (P=0.004). Conclusion: Targeting risk factors for infection control significantly reduced the rate of CLABSI among high-risk infants in the NICU.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.24-31
• /
• 2010

Purpose: A central venous catheterization (CVC) is frequently used for delivering anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents, blood products, parenteral nutrition, and other intravenous therapy in patients with cancer. Major complications of CVC use are thrombosis, infection, and mechanical complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of CVC complications and related factors. Methods: The records of cancer patients who received a CVC at our university hospital from March 2001 to October 2006 were retrospectively investigated. Chi square test was used to determine whether there was a related factor for thrombosis or infection, and Kaplan-Meier analysis for univariate analysis, or Cox-regression analysis for multivariate analysis was used for catheter life span. Results: Three hundred and ten CVCs (235 nontunneled, 75 tunneled) were inserted in 310 patients (157 males, 153 females). Among them, 104 had hematologic cancers and 206 had solid cancers. The mean age of the patients was 52 years (range, 19~82 years). CVC complications occurred in 60 cases (19%). CVC-related thrombosis occurred frequently in patients with infection (P=0.003), whereas diagnosis, catheter type, transfusion, and TPN history did not affect infection or thrombosis. The mean duration of the catheter was 102 days (range, 2~1,330 days), and the duration was prolonged in patients with tunneled catheters (P=0.000), or without transfusion through CVC (P=0.030). Conclusion: The major complications for long-term use of a CVC were infectionand thrombosis. Tunneled catheter was effective tool for long term use, especially in cases without transfusion through CVC. The studies on the prevention or treatment ofthrombosis and infection are, therefore, warranted by using CVC for an extended period of time.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.65 no.3
• /
• pp.198-206
• /
• 2008

Background: Tracheobronchial suctioning using the closed suctioning system has physiological benefits for critically ill patients. Despite these benefits, there are concerns about increased colonization of tracheobronchial tree by pathogenic organisms. The cost is another hinder to the introduction of closed suction system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of colonization and ventilator associated pneumonia and the cost-effectiveness of closed suction compared with open suction. Methods: During separated one month period, patients admitted MICU were cared by multiple-use, open suction, single-use, open suction and multiple-use, closed suction method, consecutively. Costs, colonization of tracheobronchial tree by MRSA and the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were analyzed. Results: One-hundred and six patients were enrolled. Twenty patients were treated with multiple-use, open suction, while 42 and 44 patients were cared with single-use, open catheter and multiple-use, closed catheter, respectively. Colonization by MRSA and the incidence of VAP were not different among three ways of suctioning. The overall costs per patient per day for suctioning were $10.58 for multiple-use, open suction, $28.27 for single-use, open suction and $23.76 for multiple-use, closed suction. Conclusion: Multiple-use, closed suctioning, when suction catheters were changed every 48 hrs, has the similar incidence of colonization of MRSA and occurrence of VAP and is a cost-efficient way of endotracheal suction.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.133-143
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), evaluate the patients' clinical characteristics, and identify the etiologic agents for guidance in prevention and treatment. Methods: A retrospective chart review study of infants classified as having CLABSI was conducted at the NICU of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. Results: Of the 45 infants, 53 had CLABSIs within a follow-up period of 18,622 catheter days. The incidence of CLABSIs was 2.85 per 1,000 catheter days. The most common catheter type was a peripherally inserted central catheter (n=47, 81%). A total of 57 pathogens were isolated, of which 57.9% (n=33) were Gram-positive bacteria, 36.8% (n=21) were Gram-negative bacteria, and 5.3% (n=3) were Candida spp. The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (n=12, 21%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=12, 21%), followed by Klebsiella aerogenes (n=8, 14%). The median duration of bacteremia was 2 days, and 19 episodes showed bacteremia for 3 days or more. The mortality rate of infants within 14 days of CLABSI was 13.3% (n=6). Conclusions: This study analyzed the incidence of CLABSI and the distribution of pathogens in the NICU. Continuous monitoring of CLABSI based on active surveillance serves as guidance for empiric antibiotic use and also serves as a tool to assess the necessity for implementation of prevention strategies and their impact.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.180-184
• /
• 2003

The intrauterine inseminator (IUI) was developed to provide the method of depositing dog semen into the uterine body instead of the vagina. The IUI consists of a vaginal endoscope, a balloon sheath, and injection catheter. When the endoscope is inserted into the vagina and the balloon expanded with air, the cervical os becomes visible so a injection catheter can be inserted through the cervix for deposition of the frozen-thawed semen. The efficacy of the IUI device was compared to intra-vaginal artificial insemination using semen that had been collected and frozen from pooled sperm-rich fraction of ejaculates collected from two Jindo dog donors. Aliquots of semen were extended with a Tris-egg yolk diluent, centrifuged, the seminal plasma removed, the pellet resuspended with the same diluent, and cooled to $5^{\circ}C$ over a 2 h period. A Tris-egg yolk-glycerol extender was added at $5^{\circ}C$; after 1 h, semen was loaded into 0.5 ml straws, and straws were frozen in LN vapor for 5 min, and immersed in LN for storage. The final sperm concentration for freezing was approximately $100{\times}10^{6}cells/ml$. The straws were thawed at $70^{\circ}C$ for precisely 6 sec, 1.5 ml Tris-egg yolk buffer at $38^{\circ}C$ added, and the 2 ml of thawed semen was used for a single insemination using the IUI device. Each bitch was inseminated at optimal insemination point, which was estimated by vaginal epithelial cells staining and progesterone concentration analysis. Use of the IUI device resulted in 21 of 26 females giving birth to 89 pups ($4.2{\pm}1.6$ pups per litter), while intra-vaginal AI resulted in 6 of 15 females whelping a total of 17 pups ($2.8{\pm}1.2$ pups per litter). We believe the IUI device is easier to use than previously described devices used for intrauterine insemination. In our experience the expansion of the balloon has a calming effect on the bitch that aids the inseminator. These results indicate that the IUI device was able to provide high fertility with 50 million frozen sperm per insemination and two inseminations.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.67 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2024

Objective : The primary treatment goal of current endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for emergent large-vessel occlusion (ELVO) is complete recanalization after a single maneuver, referred to as the 'first-pass effect' (FPE). Hence, we aimed to identify the predictive factors of FPE and assess its effect on clinical outcomes in patients with ELVO of the anterior circulation. Methods : Among the 129 patients who participated, 110 eligible patients with proximal ELVO (intracranial internal carotid artery and proximal middle cerebral artery) who achieved successful recanalization after EVT were retrospectively reviewed. A comparative analysis between patients who achieved FPE and all others (defined as a non-FPE group) was performed regarding baseline characteristics, clinical variables, and clinical outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were subsequently conducted for potential predictive factors with p<0.10 in the univariate analysis to determine the independent predictive factors of FPE. Results : FPE was achieved in 31 of the 110 patients (28.2%). The FPE group had a significantly higher level of functional independence at 90 days than did the non-FPE group (80.6% vs. 50.6%, p=0.002). Pretreatment intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) (odds ratio [OR], 3.179; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.025-9.861; p=0.045), door-to-puncture (DTP) interval (OR, 0.959; 95% CI, 0.932-0.987; p=0.004), and the use of balloon guiding catheter (BGC) (OR, 3.591; 95% CI, 1.231-10.469; p=0.019) were independent predictive factors of FPE. Conclusion : In conclusion, pretreatment IVT, use of BGC, and a shorter DTP interval were positively associated with FPE, increasing the chance of acquiring better clinical outcomes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.69 no.2
• /
• pp.75-80
• /
• 2010

The year of 2009~2010 brought a number of concepts and new ideas were evaluated with promising results. However, some studies that challenged many beliefs. In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), recent clinical studies took into consideration of pathophysiologic changes of respiratory system compliance. Meta-analysis of positive end-expiratory pressure trials showed survival benefit of high positive end-expiratory pressure in ARDS. Until now, prone positioning did not show survival benefit in patients with ARDS. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) based management improved survival in patients with severe ARDS. ECMO can be a management option in severe ARDS. Sedation is a standard practice in critically ill patients needing mechanical ventilation. However, Danish group reported less sedation of critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation was associated with an increase in days without ventilation. Although this single center study has some limitations, the overall results are promising. Use of maximal sterile barrier precautions (mask, sterile gown, sterile gloves, and large sterile drapes) with chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing reduced central venous catheter related infection. Selective oropharyngeal decontamination (application of topical antibiotics in the oropharynx) reduced the mortality rate of an intensive care unit (ICU) population. Normoglycemia in Intensive Care Evaluation and Survival Using Glucose Algorithm Regulation (NICE-SUGAR) trial reported intensive glucose control increased mortality among adults in the ICU. Some of the results of above papers are promising. However, some ideas may need for more frequent individual assessment and increase the workload of ICU staffs. Before implementation of new practice in ICU, we should take into consideration of individual hospital situation including human and material resources.