• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.56-62
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• 2006

Background: Balloon kyphoplasty is the new technique that helps to decrease the pain and improve mobility as well as restore the vertebral body height and kyphotic curve in fractured vertebrae. We evaluated the outcome of balloon kyphoplasty in the reduction of vertebral body height, kyphotic curve and clinical improvement in the patients with painful vertebral compression fractures. Methods: From July 2002 to February 2005, 84 levels of vertebral compression fractures in 66 patients were treated with balloon kyphoplasty. The assessment criteria were the changes over time in visual analogue scale (VAS) and mobility score. We evaluated the vertebral body height and kyphotic curve at preoperative 1 day and postoperative 1 day. Results: Procedures were performed in 66 patients with a total of 84 affected vertebral bodies. The anterior wall height was restored in 74 / 84 (88%) levels with a mean increment of 2.9 mm, and the mid-vertebral body height was restored in 79 / 84 (94%) levels with a mean increment of 4.2 mm. Kyphosis correction was achieved in 60 / 84 (71.4%) from 10.1 degrees to 7.5 degrees. Pain intensity reduced by 60% in one day after operation and by 75-85% in later time. Mobility scores of all patients were improved immediately after the procedure. Cement leakage occurred in 3 levels but there was no clinical problem. Conclusions: Kyphoplasty is an efficient and safe treatment of painful vertebral compression fracture in pain relief, mobility improvement, and reduction of deformity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.374-378
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• 2013

Background: Incisional pain is particularly troublesome after hysterectomy. A method called transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) has shown promise in managing postoperative pain. In this study, we evaluated the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided TAPB after hysterectomy at different time points and at each time point separately for 48 hours. Methods: Forty-two patients (ASA I, II) who were electively chosen to undergo total abdominal hysterectomy were divided into 2 groups, control (group C) and intervention (group I). Twenty-one patients underwent TAPB (group I) and 21 patients received only the standard treatment with a fentanyl pump (group C). Both groups received standard general anesthesia. For patients in group I, following the surgery and before emergence from anesthesia, 0.5 mg/kg of ropivacaine 0.2% (about 20 cc) was injected bilaterally between the internal oblique and transverse abdominis muscles using sonography. Pain scores using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and drug consumption were measured at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after TAPB. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics between the two groups. VAS scores appeared to be lower in group I, although there was no interaction with time when we compared mean VAS measurements at different time points between group I and group C (P > 0.05). The amount of fentanyl flow was consistently higher in group C, but when we compared the two groups at each time point separately, the observed difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.053). The incidence of vomiting was 10% in group I and 28% in group C. There were no complaints of itching, and sedation score was 0 to 3. There were no complications. Conclusions: This study showed that TAPB did not result in a statistically significant decrease in VAS scores at different time points. TAPB did lead to decreased fentanyl flow, but when we compared the two groups at each time point separately, the observed difference was not statistically significant.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.363-366
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• 2007

Objective : Kyphoplasty performed in the middle thoracic spine presents technical challenges that differ from those in the lower thoracic or lumbar region due to small pedicle size and angular severity for thoracic kyphosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach for the treatment of intractable osteoporotic compression fractures in the middle thoracic spine. Methods : The patients who were performed with one level balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach due to painful osteoporotic compression fractures at T5-T8 from June 2003 to July 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging and clinical features were analyzed including involved vertebrae level, vertebral height, Injected cement volume, clinical outcome and complications. Results : Eighteen female patients (age ranged from 60 to 77 years old) were included in this study. The average amount of the implanted cement was $4.2{\pm}1.5\;cc$. The mean cobb angle and compression rate were improved from $12.1{\pm}6.5^{\circ}$ to $8.5{\pm}7.2^{\circ}$ and from 30% to 15%, respectively. The mean pain score (visual analogue scale) prior to kyphoplasty was 7.9 and it decreased to 3.0 after the procedure. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc (2 cases) and paravertebral soft tissues (1 case) were seen but there were no major complications such as pneumothorax, segmental arte 이 Injury, pulmonary embolism, or epidural leakage. Conclusion : Balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach is considered as a safe and effective in treating the middle thoracic regions with low complication rate.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.137-140
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• 2011

Background: Although early reviews of clinical findings were mostly negative, there is still a widespread belief for the efficacy of preemptive analgesia among clinicians. In this study, we evaluated whether the preemptive use of ketamine decreases post operative pain in patients undergoing appendectomy. Methods: In double-blind, randomized clinical trials, 80 adult male patients undergoing an operation for acute appendicitis were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. In the operating room, patients in the ketamine group received 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine IV 10 minutes before the surgical incision. In the control group, 0.5 mg/kg of normal saline was injected. The pain intensity was assessed at time 0 (immediately after arousal) and 4, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively using the 10 points visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Eighty patients (40 for both groups) were enrolled in this study. For all of the evaluated times, the VAS score was significantly lower in the ketamine group compared to the control. The interval time for the first analgesic request was $23.1{\pm}6.7$ minutes for the case group and $18.1{\pm}7.3$ minutes for the control (P = 0.02). The total number of pethidine injections in the first 24 hours postoperatively was $0.6{\pm}0.6$ for the case group and $2.0{\pm}0.8$ for the controls (P = 0.032). There were no drug side effects for the case group. Conclusions: A low dose of intravenously administered ketamine had a preemptive effect in reducing pain after appendectomy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.145-149
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• 2013

Objective : We analyzed the clinical and radiologic features of posterior apophyseal ring separation (PARS) with lumbar disc herniation and suggest the proper management options according to the PARS characteristics. Methods : We reviewed case series of patients with PARS who underwent surgery of lumbar disc herniation. Preoperative symptoms, neurologic status, Body Mass Index, preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean-Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI) scores, operation types were obtained. PARS size, locations, the degree of resection were assessed. Results : PARS was diagnosed in 109 (7.5%) patients among 1448 patients given surgical treatment for single level lumbar disc herniation. There were 55 (50.5%) small PARS and 54 (49.5%) large PARS. Among the large PARS group, 15 (27.8%) had lower endplate PARS of upper vertebra at the level of disc herniation. Thirty-nine (72.2%) were upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra. Among the group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra, unresected PARS was diagnosed in 12 (30.8%) cases and resected PARS was diagnosed in 27 (69.2%) cases. VAS and K-ODI scores changes were $3.6{\pm}2.9$ and $5.4{\pm}6.4$ in the unresected PARS group, $5.8{\pm}2.1$ and $11.3{\pm}7.1$ in the resected PARS group. The group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra showed significant difference of VAS (p=0.01) and K-ODI (p=0.013) score changes between unresected and resected PARS groups. Conclusion : The large PARS of upper endplate in lower vertebra should be removed during the surgery of lumbar disc herniation. High level or bilateral side of PARS should be widely decompressed and arthrodesis procedures are necessary if there is a possibility of secondary instability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.218-227
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• 2020

Objective : To evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic features of 25 patients with infectious spondylitis treated with anterior debridement and reconstruction using autogenous bone grafts vs. a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts. Methods : The study analyzed 25 patients diagnosed with infectious thoracolumbar spondylitis who underwent anterior radical debridement and reconstruction. Autogenous bone grafts were used in 13 patients (group 1), and a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts was used in 12 patients (group 2). Clinical outcomes were assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and neurological status. Additionally, the serological results and the radiographic results using the sagittal Cobb angle were compared. Fusion was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) imaging at 24 months postoperatively. Results : Both groups showed a significant decrease in the postoperative mean VAS scores; however, only, group 1 patients showed a significantly higher VAS score than group 2 patients, 1 month postoperatively (p=0.002). The postoperative neurological status significantly improved. Elevated C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values returned to normal limits at the 2-year follow-up without recurrent infection. No significant intergroup difference was observed in Cobb angle. Bony fusion was confirmed in all patients at CT 24 months postoperatively. Conclusion : Although the use of a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts for anterior column reconstruction remains controversial, our results suggest that it can be considered as an effective treatment of option for anterior column reconstruction in patients with infectious spondylitis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.410-415
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• 2005

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of unilateral hemilaminectomy for bilateral decompression in elderly patients with degenerative spinal stenosis. For this purpose, we studied the co-morbid condition and clinical outcome of patients who underwent decompressive surgery using the unilateral approach technique. Methods: Thirty-four patients over 65years of age who underwent unilateral partial laminectomy for bilateral decompression from January 2000 to October 2003 were analyzed. These patients were studied for preoperative co-morbid condition and physical status according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) classification, postoperative morphometrical change, and clinical outcomes, including visual analogue scale(VAS) score. The mean follow-up was 23months (range 6 - 48months). Results: A patient's physical status was recorded as class I, II, or III by ASA classification, which correlated to 41.2%, 44.1%, and 14.7% of patients, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the pre- and postoperative dural sac at the level of the stenosis was $52.5{\pm}19.9mm^2$ and $110.6{\pm}18.2mm^2$, respectively. The outcome was excellent in 8.8%, good in 58.8%, fair in 23.6%, and poor in 8.8% of the patients. The VAS was changed postoperatively to $3.1{\pm}1.2$. There was no operation-related transfusion yet there was no evidence of postoperative instability at the follow-up examination. Conclusion: Unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression, in spite of the limited exposure, can result in satisfactory decompression of the lumbar spinal stenosis and tolerable clinical outcome. This approach is thought to be appropriate for elderly patients who have a greater surgical burden.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.67-73
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• 2009

Objective : Although endoscopic procedures for lumbar disc diseases have improved greatly, the postoperative outcomes for high grade inferior migrated discs are not satisfactory. Because of anatomic limitations, a rigid endoscope cannot reach all lesions effectively. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of endoscopic transforaminal suprapedicular approach to high grade inferior-migrated lumbar disc herniations. Methods : Between May 2006 and March 2008, a suprapedicular approach was performed in 53 patients with high grade inferior-migrated lumbar disc herniations using a rigid endoscope and a semi-rigid flexible curved probe. One-to-four hours after surgery, the presence of remnant discs was checked with MRI. The outcomes were evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) one week after surgery. Results : The L2-3 level was involved in 2 patients and the L3-4 level was involved in 14 patients, while the L4-5 level was involved in 39 patients. There were single piece-type in 34 cases and a multiple piece-type in 19 cases. Satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. The mean preoperative VAS for leg pain was $9.32{\pm}0.43$ points (range, 7-10 points), whereas the mean ODI was $79.82{\pm}4.53$ points (range, 68-92 points). At the last follow-up examination, the mean postoperative VAS for leg pain was $1.78{\pm}0.71$ points and the mean postoperative ODI improved to $15.27{\pm}3.82$ points. Conclusion : A high grade inferior migrated lumbar disc is difficult to remove sufficiently by posterolateral endoscopic lumbar dscectomy using a rigid endoscope. However, a satisfactory result can be obtained by applying a transforaminal suprapedicular approach with a flexible semi-rigid curved probe.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.26-30
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• 2013

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the results of three types of short segment screw fixation for thoracolumbar burst fracture accompanying osteopenia. Methods : The records of 70 patients who underwent short segment screw fixation for a thoracolumbar burst fracture accompanying osteopenia (-2.5< mean T score by bone mineral densitometry <-1.0) from January 2005 to January 2008 were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups based on whether or not bone fusion and bone cement augmentation procedure 1) Group I (n=26) : short segment fixation with posterolateral bone fusion; 2) Group II (n=23) : bone cement augmented short segment fixation with posterolateral bone fusion; 3) Group III (n=21) : bone cement augmented, short segment percutaneous screw fixation without bone fusion. Clinical outcomes were assessed using a visual analogue scale and modified MacNab's criteria. Radiological findings, including kyphotic angle and vertebral height, and procedure-related complications, such as screw loosening or pull-out, were analyzed. Results : No significant difference in radiographic or clinical outcomes was noted between patients managed using the three different techniques at last follow up. However, Group I showed more correction loss of kyphotic deformities and vertebral height loss at final follow-up, and Group I had higher screw loosening and implant failure rates than Group II or III. Conclusion : Bone cement augmented procedure can be an efficient and safe surgical techniques in terms of achieving better outcomes with minimal complications for thoracolumbar burst fracture accompanying osteopenia.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.127-145
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of oriental-western medicine integrative care after gynecology surgery by DSOM((Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine) and improvement of major symptoms. Methods: 66 patients belonged to the experimental group and 47 patients belonged to the control group out of 113 patients taken gynecology surgery. We studied general characteristics and difference on DSOM results between the two groups. And we had patients answer questionnaires about major symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, headache, fatigue, urinary discomfort, constipation, lumbago, edema, tingling, digestive disorder, cough, pruritus, arthralgia, cold feeling by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) in order to analyze improvement and difference between two groups. Results: Experimental group had significantly high score on deficiency of blood, blood stasis, dryness, spleen, kidney, phlegm and high frequency on deficiency of blood, dampness, kidney, phlegm pathogenesis in DSOM. It had significantly high intensity in symptoms of abdominal discomfort, headache, fatigue, urinary discomfort, constipation, lumbago at the first time, and headache at 1 month after western hospital discharge out of symptoms associated with surgery. And it had significantly high improvement in symptoms of abdominal discomfort, headache, urinary discomfort, constipation at oriental-western integrative hospital discharge, and headache, fatigue, urinary discomfort, constipation, lumbago at 1 month after western hospital discharge out of symptoms associated with surgery. Conclusion: We recognized that oriental-western medicine integrative care after gynecology surgery has significant effect.