• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 1998

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP) is one of the most popular surgical procedure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) occurring at the level of oropharynx. However, voice changes after UPPP have been a challenging issue for the professional voice users, because even minor changes in voice quality or articulation may be critical to professional singers, teachers, and so on. Several acoustic changes after UPPP have been proposed. However, based on the authors understanding, there is no report about voice changes after UPPP in Korean. We measured the first, second and third formant frequencies of /a/, /i/, /u/ phonations in 20 adult male patients who had undergone UPPP surgery, and the nasalances of Rabbit, Baby, and Mama passages. These parameters were measured preoperatively, at 1 month and 3 months after the operation. Any subjective voice changes were asked to be reported at the posto-perative visits. The third formant(F3) of /u/ phonation was significantly reduced at postoperative 1 month measurement. The nasalance of Mama passage was singnificantly increased at postoperative 3 months measurement. No one complained of subjective changes in voice quality, timbre, articulation or speech. Even though there are no complaints about postoperative voice changes subjectively, significant changes in the formant characteristics of certain vowel and changes in the nasality after UPPP require the clinicians to be mort cautious and careful in deciding UPPP for the professional voice users.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.129-135
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• 1995

The superiorly based flap tracheostomy(SBFT) has been advocated as an new technique of tracheostomy to manage a wide variety of causes of upper airway obstruction. This technique has particular applicability in patients who require long term tracheostomy such as in bilateral vocal cord paralysis and severe obstructive sleep apnea. SBFT has numerous advantages such as shortening of the gap between the skin and trachea : construction of a self-sustaining tract ; circumferential mucocutaneous junction to reduce infection, granulation tissue, bleeding, and stenosis of the tract : avoidance of the laryngotracheal damage : easy placement of a tracheostomal stent to promote speech, coughing and swallowing. Most of all, this technique can reduces the suprastomal buckling by the support of the superiorly based tracheal flap, and thus prevents the stenosis of suprastomal airway. The disadvantage of SBFT is more time-consuming procedure than the conventional tracheostomy, A retrospective analysis of 8 patients undergoing SBFT between June, 1994 and March, 1995 in Dankook University Hospital was performed to present the surgical technique and com-plication rates. The average duration of follow up was 11 months. The complications were consisted of a wound infection and a sternal granulation. The other complications including wound dehiscence, tracheitis, pneumonia, tracheal granulation, sternal narrowing and subglottic stenosis were not experienced.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• v.59 no.9
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• pp.1079-1087
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• 2018

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are independent risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and their coexistence is known as overlap syndrome (OS). Endothelial dysfunction is the initial stage of CVD; however, underlying mechanisms linking OS and CVD are not well understood. The aim of this study was to explore whether OS can lead to more severe inflammation and endothelial apoptosis by promoting endothelial dysfunction, and to assess the intervention effects of antioxidant tempol. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=66) were exposed to normal oxygen [normal control (NC) group], intermittent hypoxia (IH group), cigarette smoke (CH group), as well as cigarette smoke and IH (OS group). Tempol intervention was assessed in OS group treated with tempol (OST group) or NaCl (OSN group). After an 8-week challenge, lung tissues, serum, and fresh blood were harvested for analysis of endothelial markers and apoptosis. Results: The levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, and apoptosis in circulating epithelial cells were the highest in OS group and the lowest in NC group. These levels were all greater in IH group than in CH group, and were lower in OST group than in OS and OSN groups (all p<0.001). Conclusion: Synergistic effects of IH with cigarette smoke-induced emphysema produce a greater inflammatory status and endothelial apoptosis. OS-related inflammation and endothelial cell apoptosis may play important roles in promoting cardiovascular dysfunction, and antioxidant tempol could achieve a partial protective effect.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.193-202
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to determine the sites of narrowing/obstruction and to measure the regional severity of narrowing through the evaluation of dynamic changes in upper-airway of healthy subjects. The selected 9 subjects were proved not to have any sleep-related disorder such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea through clinical examination, radiological examination, sleep study with a portable recording system. Afterward, the Electron Beam Tomography was performed during the waking and sleeping state of subjects, with their mandible in resting and protruded position. Intravenous injection of Dormicum$^{(R)}$ was used for the induction of sleep. The maximum and minimum cross-sectional areas at each airway level during tidal ventilation were measured and the Collapsibility Index for each level of cross-section was also computed. In a comparison with results under variable conditions, the result was showed that the significant difference between each airway level divided with upper, middle, lower region of upper airway is not observed in the average minimum cross-sectional areas and Collapsibility Index. The significant difference only between in wake and sleep state was observed in the average minimum cross-sectional area at the lower region. Also, in wake state, the significant difference between resting and protrusive position of mandible for the average minimum was also observed in cross-sectional area at middle region. In sleep state, no significant difference between resting and protrusive position of mandible was observed in cross-sectional area and the Collapsibility Index.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2002

Objectives: Daytime sleepiness is a common symptom and is associated with sleep behavior, sleep deprivation, and night shift, etc. It is also one of the most important symptoms of sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to our survey on Korean literature, a few studies have dealt with daytime sleepiness, and we have not been able to locate any study comparing normal subjects with polysomnography-proven sleep disorder patients regarding daytime sleepiness. We aimed at comparing daytime sleepiness among normal healthy daytime workers, medical students being expected to have daytime sleepiness due to chronic sleep deprivation, and patients having sleep disorders diagnosed with polysomnography. We also studied the association between subjective daytime sleepiness and objective polysomnographic findings in patients with sleep disorders. Methods: One hundred three hospital workers, 137 medical students, and patients with sleep disorders were studied. Sleep disorders included OSA, periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), insomnia, and narcolepsy. The degree of subjective sleepiness in each group was measured by the Korean version of Epworth sleepiness scale and compared. The relationship between polysomnographic findings reflecting severity of sleep disorder in each patient group and subjective sleepiness was analyzed. As for patients with narcolepsy, the relationship between the mean sleep latency and subjective sleepiness was studied. Results: There was a significant difference of ESS score (F=68.190, dF=5.752, p<0.001) among daytime workers, medical students, and sleep disorder patients. In OSA patient group, the degree of the sleepiness had no significant correlation either with mean O2 satuaration (p=0.062) or with RDI (p=0.807). In PLMS patient group, there was no correlation between periodic limb movement index (PLMI) and subjective sleepiness (p=0.761). In narcolepsy patient group, the subjective sleepiness had no correlation with mean sleep latency measured with MSLT (p=0.055). Conclusion: We found a significant difference of subjective sleepiness among daytime workers, medical students, and patients with sleep disorders. However, no consistent correlation was found between severity of subjective sleepiness and objective polysomnographic findings reflecting severity of each sleep disorder. This research confirms that the evaluation of subjective sleepiness is important clinically, but it cannot substitute the objective measures such as nocturnal polysomnography and MSLT.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1993.05a
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• pp.100-100
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• 1993

Palatopharyngoplasty has been widely performed for the treatment of chronic snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Lack of literature for long term effectiveness and complications of palatopharyngoplasty made us to report our result with minimum follow up of 5 years, compare to preop and postop 8 weeks deta. We evaluated subjective symptom and objectively documented polysomnographic improvement of 25 among 37 patients undergoing palatopharyngoplasty from 1987 to 1985. The remaining 12 patients were lost to follow up (1) snoring was abolized in 10 patients(40%) of these 25 patients and with vary degree(Grade 1-3), reduced in remainders except 3 patients (2) Sleep apnea seen preoperatively in 15 patient (AI > 20) was reduced to Grade 0 or Grade 1 in 13 patients. And marked change in AI & body weight was not seen at 5 year after operation. (3) 3 cases of mild velopharyngeal insufficiency, 1 case of asymmetry of soft palate 5 cases of pharyngeal dryness, were observed in this retrospective study and there was no nasopharyngeal stenosis loss of taste respiratory and cardiovascular complications.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.7
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• pp.425-451
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• 2023

Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple comorbidities, which impact their quality of life, aggravate HF, and increase mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities include systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic and valvular heart diseases, and atrial fibrillation. Non-cardiovascular comorbidities include diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases, iron deficiency and anemia, and sleep apnea. In patients with HF with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors combined with calcium channel blockers and/or diuretics is an effective treatment regimen. Measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance via right heart catheterization is recommended for patients with HF considered suitable for implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices or as heart transplantation candidates. Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and reperfusion in patients with HF and angina pectoris refractory to antianginal medications. In patients with HF and atrial fibrillation, longterm anticoagulants are recommended according to the CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores. Valvular heart diseases should be treated medically and/or surgically. In patients with HF and DM, metformin is relatively safer; thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and should be avoided in patients with HF and dyspnea. In renal insufficiency, both volume status and cardiac performance are important for therapy guidance. In patients with HF and pulmonary disease, beta-blockers are underused, which may be related to increased mortality. In patients with HF and anemia, iron supplementation can help improve symptoms. In obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps avoid severe nocturnal hypoxia. Appropriate management of comorbidities is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HF.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.305-316
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• 2008

The mandibular advancement device(MAD) has been used to help manage snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. The aims of this study were to specify the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients receiving long-term treatment with MAD and to quantify the compliance with and side effects of the use of the device. Of 103 patients who were treated with MAD for at least one full year after delivery date, 49 were able to be contacted with telephone and complete follow-up questionnaires were obtainable. They were telephoned to determine whether they were still using the device. If not, they were asked when and why they stopped using it. Patients were also asked how much effectiveness of the MAD in decreasing snoring and how much they and their bed-partners were satisfied with the MAD therapy. The initial respiratory disturbance indices and pre-treatment snoring frequency and intensity were obtained from the medical records of initial visit. All the data were compared between users and nonusers. The results were as follows: 1. Of 49 patients 25 are still using the device, but 24 stopped using it. Among nonusers nobody stopped wearing the device within first 1 month, but 37.5% of nonusers stopped wearing it in the following 6 months, and another 4.2% before the end of the first year. 2. The one-year compliance of the MAD therapy was 79.59%. 3. There were no significant differences in mean age, mean body mass index, and gender distribution between users group and nonusers group. 4. There was no significant difference in mean respiratory disturbance index at initial visit between users group and nonusers group. 5. There was no significant difference in pre-treatment snoring frequency and intensity between users group and nonusers group. 6. The degree of decrease in snoring with use of MAD was significantly higher in the users when compared to nonusers. 7. Patient's overall satisfaction with treatment outcome was significantly higher in the users when compared to nonusers. 8. Bed partner's satisfaction with treatment outcome tended to be higher in the users when compared to nonusers. 9. The most frequent reasons why patients discontinued wearing the MAD were: jaw pain(25%), dental pain(20.83%), broken appliance(20.83%), hassle using(16.67%), lost weight(8.3%), dental work(8.3%), no or little effect(4.17%), sleep disturbance(4.27).

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2005

Objectives: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), characterized by excessive motor activity during REM sleep, is associated with loss of muscle atonia. In recent years, it has been reported that RBD has high co-morbidity with CNS disorders (especially, Parkinson's disease, dementia, multiple system atrophy, etc.). We aimed to assess differences in clinical and polysomnographic findings among RBD patients, depending on the presence or absence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Methods: The medical records and polysomnographic data of 81 patients who had been diagnosed as having RBD were reviewed. The patients were classified into two groups: associated RBD (aRBD, i.e., with a clinical history and/or brain MRI evidence of CNS disorder) and idiopathic RBD (iRBD, i.e., without a clinical history and/or brain MRI evidence of CNS disorder) groups. Twenty-one patients (25.9%) belonged to the aRBD group and 60 patients (74.1%) belonged to the iRBD group. The clinical characteristics and polysomnographic findings of the two groups were compared. Results: Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), i.e., PLMI (periodic limb movement index)>5, was observed more frequently in the aRBD group than in the iRBD group (p<0.001, Fisher's exact test). Also, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), i.e., RDI (respiratory disturbance index)>5, was found more frequently in the aRBD group (p=0.0042, Fisher's exact test). The percentages for slow wave sleep and sleep efficiency were significantly lower in the aRBD group than in the iRBD group. Conclusion: We found that 1 out of 4 RBD patients had associated CNS disorders, warranting more careful neurological evaluation and follow-up in this category of RBD. In this category of RBD patients, we also found more frequent PLMD and OSAS. These patients were also found to have lower slow wave sleep and sleep efficiency. In summary, RBD patients with associated CNS disorders suffer from more disturbed sleep than those without them.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study is the changes of upper respiratory airway space in patients with mandibular prognathism after 2-jaw orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal classs III malocclusion. Method: We measured the lines between selected upper airway landmarks on lateral cephalometric x-ray films of skeletal class III 64 persons who had not been operated yet, were 6 months after operation. The test subjects were divided into 3 groups according to maxillary movement, as follows; maxillary advancement (MA) group, maxillary posterior impaction (MPI) group, maxillary posterior impaction and superior repositioning (MPI+MSR) group. Result: In this study, nasopharyngeal airway space in MPI+MSR group was significantly increased after operation (p<0.05). Oropharygeal and hypopharyngeal airway space in MA group and MPI group were significantly decreased after operation (p<0.05). From hyoid bone to anterior mandible point distance in MA group and MPI group were significantly decreased after operation (p<0.05). Conclusion: Oropharygeal and hypopharyngeal airway space were influenced more by mandibular set-back than maxillary movement. Maxillary movement surgery as well as mandibular setback surgery should be taken into consideration in order to minimize symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome after operation.