• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.761-768
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• 2015

Background Surgical scars on the palmar surface of the hand may lead to functional and also aesthetic and psychological consequences. The objective of this study was to introduce a new incision technique for periarterial sympathectomy of the hand and to compare the results of the new two-step incision technique with those of a Koman incision by using an objective questionnaire. Methods A total of 40 patients (17 men and 23 women) with intractable Raynaud's disease or syndrome underwent surgery in our hospital, conducted by a single surgeon, between January 2008 and January 2013. Patients who had undergone extended sympathectomy or vessel graft were excluded. Clinical evaluation of postoperative scars was performed in both groups one year after surgery using the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) and the Wake Forest University rating scale. Results The total patient score was 8.59 (range, 6-15) in the two-step incision group and 9.62 (range, 7-18) in the Koman incision group. A significant difference was found between the groups in the total PS score (P-value=0.034) but not in the total observer score. Our analysis found no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative Wake Forest University rating scale scores between the two-step and Koman incision groups. The time required for recovery prior to returning to work after surgery was shorter in the two-step incision group, with a mean of 29.48 days in the two-step incision group and 34.15 days in the Koman incision group (P=0.03). Conclusions Compared to the Koman incision, the new two-step incision technique provides better aesthetic results, similar symptom improvement, and a reduction in the recovery time required before returning to work. Furthermore, this incision allows the surgeon to access a wide surgical field and a sufficient exposure of anatomical structures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.214-219
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• 2013

Background We established the Microvascular Research Center Training Program (MRCP) to help trainee surgeons acquire and develop microsurgical skills. Medical students were recruited to undergo the MRCP to assess the effectiveness of the MRCP for trainee surgeons. Methods Twenty-two medical students with no prior microsurgical experience, who completed the course from 2005 to 2012, were included. The MRCP comprises 5 stages of training, each with specific passing requirements. Stages 1 and 2 involve anastomosing silicone tubes and blood vessels of chicken carcasses, respectively, within 20 minutes. Stage 3 involves anastomosing the femoral artery and vein of live rats with a 1-day patency rate of >80%. Stage 4 requires replantation of free superficial inferior epigastric artery flaps in rats with a 7-day success rate of >80%. Stage 5 involves successful completion of one case of rat replantation/transplantation. We calculated the passing rate for each stage and recorded the number of anastomoses required to pass stages 3 and 4. Results The passing rates were 100% (22/22) for stages 1 and 2, 86.4% (19/22) for stage 3, 59.1% (13/22) for stage 4, and 55.0% (11/20) for stage 5. The number of anastomoses performed was $17.2{\pm}12.2$ in stage 3 and $11.3{\pm}8.1$ in stage 4. Conclusions Majority of the medical students who undertook the MRCP acquired basic microsurgical skills. Thus, we conclude that the MRCP is an effective microsurgery training program for trainee surgeons.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.300-305
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• 2004

Background : Due to increased interest in herbal medicines is recent years, medical circles have made studies of toxicity and side effects of herbal medicines. Particularly the kidney is sensitive to toxicity. A few reports concerning the side effects and toxicity of herbal medicine have been presented recently. This has bought on some distrust in herbal medicines among patients and western doctors. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to determine what effects long-term prescription of one herbal medicine may have on renal function. Methods : Nineteen patients took herbal medicine for eight weeks. Tests of their Blood Urea Nitrogen(BUN), Creatinine of blood plasma, and urine (chemical and microscopic) were taken before taking medicine and at the 2nd, 4th, 8th weeks. Results : After taking a herbal medicine, BUN and Creatinine decreased significantly or remained the same in comparison with the prior interval. Chemical and microscopic examination of urine showed no changes. Conclusions : The results suggest that taking this herbal medicine for a long time does not induce nephrotixicity. Further study is needed for investigating safety and toxicity of herbal medicines.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.4 s.193
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• pp.115-122
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• 2007

Recently, remarkable progress has been made in both technology and production of optical elements including aspheric lens. Especially, requirements for machining glass materials have been increasing in terms of limitation on using environment, flexibility of material selection and surface accuracy. In the past, precision optical glass lenses were produced through multiple processes such as grinding and polishing, but mass production of aspheric lenses requiring high accuracy and having complex profile was rather difficult. In such a background, the high-precision optical GMP process was developed with an eye to mass production of precision optical glass parts by molding press. This GMP process can produce with precision and good repeatability special form lenses such as camera, video camera, aspheric lens for laser pickup, $f-\theta$ lens for laser printer and prism, and me glass parts including diffraction grating and V-grooved base. GMP process consist a succession of heating, forming, and cooling stage. In this study, as a fundamental study to develop molds for GMP used in fabrication of glass lens, we conducted a glass lens forming simulation. In prior to, to determine flow characteristics and coefficient of friction, a compression test and a compression farming simulation for PBK40, which is a material of glass lens, were conducted. Finally, using flow stress functions and coefficient of friction, a glass lens forming simulation was conducted.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.354-359
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• 2012

Background During the planning of a thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) free flap, preoperative multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography is valuable for predicting the locations of perforators. However, CT-based perforator mapping of the thoracodorsal artery is not easy because of its small diameter. Thus, we evaluated 1-mm-thick MDCT images in multiple planes to search for reliable perforators accurately. Methods Between July 2010 and October 2011, 19 consecutive patients (13 males, 6 females) who underwent MDCT prior to TDAP free flap operations were enrolled in this study. Patients ranged in age from 10 to 75 years (mean, 39.3 years). MDCT images were acquired at a thickness of 1 mm in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Results The thoracodorsal artery perforators were detected in all 19 cases. The reliable perforators originating from the descending branch were found in 14 cases, of which 6 had transverse branches. The former were well identified in the coronal view, and the latter in the axial view. The location of the most reliable perforators on MDCT images corresponded well with the surgical findings. Conclusions Though MDCT has been widely used in performing the abdominal perforator free flap for detecting reliable perforating vessels, it is not popular in the TDAP free flap. The results of this study suggest that multiple planes of MDCT may increase the probability of detecting the most reliable perforators, along with decreasing the probability of missing available vessels.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.227-231
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• 2012

Background : The ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) is a simple, useful method for diagnosing peripheral artery disease (PAD). Although the ABI is an objective diagnostic method, it has limited reliability in certain scenarios. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of the toe brachial index (TBI) as a diagnostic tool for detecting stenosis in PAD, associated with normal or low ABI values. Methods : ABI and TBI values were measured in 15 patients with diabetic gangrene who were suspected of having lower extremity arterial insufficiency. The ABI and TBI values were measured using a device that allowed the simultaneous measurement of systolic blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities. In addition, the ABI and TBI values were compared pre- and post-angiography. Results : Patients with an ABI of 0.9-1.3 showed almost no difference between the 2 measurements. The patients with TBI >0.6 had no arterial insufficiency. The patients with TBI <0.6 required vascular intervention with ballooning. After the angiography, the gangrenous wounds decreased in size more rapidly than they did prior to the intervention. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that TBI is the method of choice for evaluating lower limb perfusion disorders. This result requires further studies of TBI in a larger number of patients. Future long-term studies should therefore evaluate the utility of TBI as a means of screening for PAD and the present findings should be regarded as preliminary outcomes.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.40-43
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• 2006

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a relatively common disorder, and is characterized by episodic vertigo and nystagmus which was provoked by head motion. However, little is known about the short and long-term outcome and the prognostic factors for recurrence of BPPV. In this pilot study, we tried to identify the prognostic factors of BPPV for short-term outcome. Methods: We analyzed clinical features of 32 patients (men=21, mean $age=60.4^{\circ}{\pm}12.6y$) with BPPV that was diagnosed by typical nystagmus induced by positioning maneuver. The induced nystagmus was recorded using video-oculography (VOG). According to the semicircular canal involved, BPPV patients were classified into horizontal, posterior, or anterior canal type. Univariate analysis for age, sex, and history of vertigo, and Kaplan-Meier analysis for each canal type were performed. Results: Horizontal (n=21, 65.6%) semicircular canal type BPPV was more common than the posterior one (n=11, 34.4%). Median follow-up period was 113 day (from 34 to 216 days). Four patients with horizontal canal type BPPV had recurrent attacks. Age, history of vertigo, and days prior to diagnosis were not different between canal type. Overall recurrence rate of horizontal canal type BPPV by Kaplan-Meier estimation was 19% at 60 days (p=0.13). Conclusions: Horizontal canal type BPPV was more common and recurred more frequently than posterior canal type in the present study. However, we did not find prognostic factors for recurrence of BPPV.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2008

Background: Conventional ascending aortic cross clamping is often limited. This study was carried out to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an endovascular aortic clamping technique with an intraaortic balloon catheter. Material and Method: From April 2004 to January 2007, surgery with endoaortic clamping was performed in seven patients. A retrograde access perfusion (RAP) catheter was used in six patients and a Pruitt's balloon catheter in two patients. The indication for the operation was a retrosternal pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root in six patients, diffuse calcification of the ascending aorta with aortic regurgitation in 2 patients and an atrial septal defect in one patient. Five patients had at least two prior cardiac surgeries. Result: Successful insertion of the catheter and endoaortic clamping was achieved in all patients. Conclusion: The endovascular aortic clamping technique with a balloon catheter was a useful alternative method for patients in whom conventional cardiac surgery was limited.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.185-190
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• 1997

Background: Preemptive analgesia is an antinociceptive treatment that prevents the establishment of altered central processing which amplifies postoperative pain. A controversy exists over the effectiveness and clinical value of preemptive analgesia. We studied whether epidural bupivacaine and fentanyl prior to surgery could possibly affect postoperative pain and analgesic demands, as compared to administration of same at end of surgery. Methods: Forty patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to one of two groups and prospectively studied in a double-blind method. Group 1(n=20) received epidural injection of 15 ml bupivacaine 0.25% with fentanyl 100 y g before surgery while group 2(n=20) received the same injection at the end of their surgery respectively. Postoperative analgesia consisted of basal plus patient-controlled mode of epidural bupivacaine and fentanyl from PCA system. Postoperative visual analog pain scores(VAPS), analgesics consumption, supplementary analgesics requirement and side effects were assessed for 3 postoperative days. Results: There were no significant difference in analgesics requirement and pain scores, at any time, during rest or after movement, in measurement between the groups. Conclusions: We conclude no clinical value of effectiveness in administering epidural bupivacaine-fentanyl before surgery as compared to administration after surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.220-224
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• 1997

Background: The incidence of pain on injection of propofol varies between 30 and 100%. A variety of pretreatments have been tried to alleviate this problem such as a local anesthetics, cooling and opioids. However, none of these pharmacological maneuvers were satisfactory yet. In a recent study, subhypnotic doses of both thiopental sodium and propofol decrease the acute pain. We report a comparison of thiopental sodium, lidocaine and placebo on the incidence and severity of pain on injection of propofol. Method: A controlled, double-blind study was performed to compare the prior administration of intravenous saline 2 ml(n=30, group S), lidocaine 20 mg(n=30, group L) and thiopental sodium 50 mg(n=30, group T) in alleviating the pain by propofol. Injection pain was assessed with the four-point verbal categorical scoring system. Result: The incidence of injection pain during induction was lower in group L(30%) and T(17%) than group S(77%). The incidence of injection pain was lower in group T(17%) than group L(30%), but not significant statistically. The pain scores for recall of pain in the recovery room was simlar to those pain during propofol induction. Conclusion: The pretreatment of thiopental sodium can be effective in reducing both incidence and severity of propofol injection pain and has similar effect to lidocaine to prevent propofol injection pain.