• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.813-817
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• 2007

Purpose: The zygomatic arch is a key element which composes the facial contour. In many cases of zygomatic arch fracture, it is difficult to fix rigidly the fractured segments. If reduced bone segments were not fixed rigidly, they are proven to be displaced by mastication or unintentional external forces. So, unfixed zygomatic arch fracture after reduction may require a external device of prevention of collapse. We introduce a new protector which stabilizing the fractured segments to prevent for collapse of the reduced zygomatic arch fracture. Methods: After reduction of zygomatic arch with blind approach(Gillies', Dingman or Keen's approach), bone segments was pulled with percutaneous traction suture in medial aspect of zygomatic arch. Then, the suture was fixed with Aqua $splint^{(R)}$, externally. And intraoperative and postoperative X-ray was done. The splint was removed on 14 days after the operation. Results: 5 patients were treated with this method. 4 patients of total patients had no collapse in zygomatic arch. There was minimal collapse in one patient. Postoperative complications such as facial nerve injury, mouth opening difficulty, contour deformity, infection, scar were not observed. Conclusion: In comparison with other techniques, this technique has several advantages which are simple and easy method, short operation time, no scar, less soft tissue injury, and facilitated removal of splint. Therefore, Aqua $splint^{(R)}$ would be a good alternative to prevent for collapse in unstable zygomatic arch fractures

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the effects of local vibration on ankle plantarflexion spasticity and clonus in patients with spinal cord injury. METHODS: The subjects were 14 inpatients with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) whose scores were higher than 1 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Spinal Cord Assessment Tool for Spastic Reflexes (SCATS) scale of paraplegia. A randomized single-blind cross-over design was used. Vibration treatment involved a single application of vibration for 10 min in the sitting position, and placebo treatment involved the patient remaining in the sitting position for 10 min. One day after treatment, vibration and placebo treatments were crossed over. Spasticity was measured by using the MAS, and resistance force, by using a hand-held dynamometer; clonus was gauged by using the SCATS scale and clonus burst duration. Additionally, the burst maximal frequency and voluntary ankle dorsiflexion angle of the triceps surae were measured. RESULTS: The application of vibration treatment in the sitting position significantly reduced the MAS scores and resistance force, but significantly increased the dorsiflexion angle of the ankle joint (p<0.05). Furthermore, the vibration treatment diminished the clonus burst duration and SCATS score significantly (p<0.05). Although it reduced the burst maximal frequency of the lateral gastrocnemius and medial soleus, this was significant only for the lateral gastrocnemius. The placebo treatment did not significantly affect any of the test parameters. CONCLUSION: Vibration treatment in the sitting position was effective in cases of spasticity and clonus caused by SCI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study's aim was to investigate the effects of an action observational training in subactue stroke patients with moderate impairment. METHODS: 22 participants (men=13, women=9) with hemiparesis were randomly assigned to action observation training group or task-oriented training group. Patients in both group underwent a patient-specific multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Participants in the action observation group (mean age, $62.78{\pm}9.85$) were asked to watch the video scene, in the knowledge that they would then attempt to perform the same movement task after watching. The control group (mean age, $61.49{\pm}8.64$) practiced the same tasks, without watching the video. To evaluate upper limb function, the upper extremity part of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper extremity and the Box and Block Test were used. The modified Barthel index was used to assess ADLs, and the modified Ashworth scale were used to assess spasticity in the upper extremity. RESULTS: The action observational training group exhibited greater changes in the Fugl-Meyer assessment upper extremity (P<0.05; 95% CI, 0.929 - 6.403), the Box and Block test (P<0.05; 95% CI, 0.086 - 5.913), and the modified Barthel index (P<0.01; 95% CI, 2.483 - 12.627) between groups. And the modified Ashworth scale (P>0.05; 95% CI, -0.402 to 0.624) did not show significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that action observational training may be more helpful to improve upper-extremity function than physical training only in subactue patients with moderate impairment after stroke.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine effects of acupuncture treatment on the autonomic nervous systems of Hwa-byung patients with insomnia. Methods: The study was performed through a patient-assessor blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which the volunteers, data collectors, and analysts were unaware of which individuals were receiving the treatment. A total of thirty-seven volunteers were divided into 2 groups. Eighteen subjects were placed into a trial group and 19 subjects into a control group using a randomization table. The trial group was treated with bilateral Shigu, Ahnmyun, B62 (Shinmaek), and K6 (Chohae), while the control group was not given any other treatment. The ISI (Insomnia Severity Scale) was measured as the first evaluative instrument, and then a comparative analysis was conducted by comparing the results with those measured by ANS (BVP/HR, respiration rate, peripheral temperature, skin conductance, EMG). Results: In the BVP/HR, statistically significant decreases were found in those from the trial group compared to those of the control group. Skin conductance was found to be significantly increased in the trial group, as compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to peripheral temperature, respiration rate, and EMG. Conclusions: The results suggest that acupuncture treatment is effective in the treatment of hwa-byung patients who suffer from insomnia due to their autonomic nervous systems.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.87-90
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• 2006

Background: There are many ways to provide superior analgesia for postoperative pain after abdominal surgery of which epidural analgesics with opioids and local analgesics are the most useful. In an effort to maximize the level of analgesia and to minimize the side effects, ketamine, midazolam, clonidine, and adrenalin can be co-administrated as an adjuvant. This study examined the analgesic effect and side effects of midazolam compared with those given an epidural injection of bupivacaine, fentanyl and ketamine. Methods: In a double blind randomized controlled trial, 50 patients received either fentanyl $0.3{\mu}g/kg/h$ and ketamine 0.1 mg/kg/h (Group FK) or fentanyl $0.3{\mu}g/kg/h$, ketamine 0.1 mg/kg/h and midazolam 0.4 mg/h (Group FKM), added to 0.125% of bupivacaine at a rate of as much as 2 ml/h, for patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) after low abdominal surgery. Ten minutes before surgery, the patients received either 10 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine with 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine or 10 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine with the same amount of normal saline, added to fentanyl $50{\mu}g$. The pain score and the side effects were recorded at 1, 3, 6, and 24 hours after surgery. Results: There was no difference in the pain score except for the VAS on coughing 1 hour after surgery. FKM group had fewer side effects. Conclusions: There was a better analgesic effect and fewer side effects with the addition of epidural midazolam to bupivacaine and fentanyl with ketamine formula. However, more study on the dose and route of administration will be needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.138-141
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• 2005

Background: There have been many attempts to alleviate pain after surgery, but there is no common approach to the control of postoperative pain. The use of epidural opioids, with local anesthetics, has been a widely employed formula to date. Ketamine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, has an excellent analgesic effect. Although there have been many reports on the dose and route of administrating analgesics, there have been few concerning the continuous epidural infusion of ketamine with fentanyl. We designed this study to find the effects of ketamine compared to those of epidurally injected bupivacaine and fentanyl, and used this trial to study any potential side effects. Methods: In a double blind trial, 55 patients received either fentanyl, $0.3{\mu}g/kg/h$ (Group F), or fentanyl, $0.3{\mu}g/kg/h$, and ketamine, 0.1 mg/kg/h (Group FK), added to 0.125% bupivacaine, at rates as high as 2 ml/h, for patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) following a transabdominal hysterectomy. Ten minutes before the operation, patients received 10 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine, with either 0.5 mg/kg ketamine or the same amount of normal saline with $50{\mu}g$ fentanyl added. The pain scores and the side effects were recorded at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hour post operation. Results: There were no differences in the pain scores or side effects between the two groups. Conclusions: We failed to find any effect of the addition of epidural ketamine compared to the that of the bupivacaine and fentanyl formula. However, it is suggested that further investigations will be required on the dose and route of administration.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2017

Background: Surgeon satisfaction and patient analgesia during the procedure of laparoscopic surgery are important issues. The aim of this work was to study if an intrathecal (IT) Bupivacaine combined with Magnesium sulfate may or may not provide good surgeon satisfaction in addition to improvement of intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Methods: Sixty female patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial study. All patients were operated for gynecological laparoscopic surgery under spinal anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups (Bupivacaine and Magnesium). Group Bupivacaine (30 patients) received intrathecal Bupivacaine 0.5% only (15 mg), while 30 patients in group Magnesium received intrathecal Bupivacaine (15 mg) in addition to intrathecal Magnesium sulfate (50 mg). The sensory block level, the intensity of motor block, the surgeon satisfaction, the intraoperative visual analog scale (VAS) for pain assessment, the postoperative VAS, and side effects were recorded during the intraoperative period and within the first 24 hours after surgery in the post-anesthesia care unit. Results: Surgeon satisfaction, intraoperative shoulder pain, postoperative pain after 2 h, and perioperative analgesic consumption (ketorolac) were significant better in group Magnesium than in group Bupivacaine. (P < 0.05). The onset of motor and sensory blocks was significant longer in group Magnesium than the other one. The incidence of PONV, pruritus and urinary retention was insignificant statistically between both groups. Conclusions: Magnesium sulfate if used intrathecally as an adjuvant to Bupivacaine would provide a better surgeon satisfaction and would improve the analgesic effect of spinal anesthesia used for gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.144-148
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• 2018

Background: Panax ginseng is a well-known immune modulator, and there is concern that its immune-enhancing effects may negatively affect patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by worsening symptoms or increasing the risk of adverse effects from other drugs. In this randomized, crossover clinical trial, we evaluated the impact of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on disease activity and safety in RA patients. Methods: A total of 80 female RA patients were randomly assigned to either the KRG (2 g/d, n = 40) treatment or placebo (n = 40) groups for 8 wk, followed by crossover to the other treatment group for an additional 8 wk. The primary outcome was the disease flare rate, defined as worsening disease activity according to the disease activity score 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). The secondary outcomes were development of adverse events (AEs) and patient reported outcomes. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 8 wk and 16 wk. The outcomes were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: Of the 80 patients, 70 completed the full study. Their mean age was 51.9 yr, and most exhibited low disease activity (mean DAS28-ESR $3.5{\pm}1.0$) at enrollment. After intervention, the flare rate was 3.7% in each group. During KRG treatment, 10 AEs were reported, while five AEs were developed with placebo; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.16). Gastrointestinal- and nervous system-related symptoms were frequent in the KRG group. Conclusion: KRG is not significantly associated with either disease flare rate or the rate of AE development in RA patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4125-4129
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• 2016

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) places a significant burden on the patient. Herbal agents are the most commonly complementary therapies used among the public. This study was done to determine the effect of ginger and chamomile capsules on nausea and vomiting in cases undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC). Materials and Methods: In a randomized, double-blind and clinical trial study, 65 women with BC undergoing chemotherapy were referred to Breast Cancer Research Center, Tehran, Iran, between May 2013 to June 2014. Regimen for ginger group for 5 days before and 5 days after chemotherapy was: 2 times a day and 500 mg capsules of powdered ginger root in addition to a routine antiemetic regimen consisting of dexamethasone, metoclopramide and aprepitant (DMA) capsules. Chamomile group similarly was: 2 times a day and 500 mg capsules of Matricaria chamomilla extract in addition to a routine antiemetic regimen consisting of DMA capsules. Control group, routine antiemetic regimen consisting of DMA capsules. Results: There were no significant differences between the ginger, chamomile and control groups regarding age. Drugs used for chemotherapy were identical and duration of disease was also matched (1-4 months). Ginger and chamomile were both significantly effective for reducing the frequency of vomiting, there being no significant difference between the ginger and chamomile groups. Moreover, unlike the chamomile, ginger significantly influenced the frequency of nausea. Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, it should be declared that taking ginger capsules (1 g/day) might relieve CINV safely. Nurses dealing directly with cancer patients should be responsible for providing educational programs for patients and their families about how to deal with their drug regimens and associated side effects.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2017

Background: Every patient who undergoes mandibular third molar surgery is concerned about post-operative pain. Indeed, previous researchers have used various methods to treat such pain. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of sublingual injection of dexamethasone (8 mg) to treat post-operative pain after mandibular third molar surgery. Method: This was a randomized, double-blind, split-mouth, clinical trial, involving 48 healthy patients who required surgical removal of two mandibular third molars with similar bilateral positions. All operations were performed by the same experienced surgeon. The patients were randomized into a study group (8 mg dexamethasone injection) and a placebo group (normal saline injection). Both interventions were injected into the sublingual space immediately after local anesthesia, 30 min before the first incision. The study group received an 8 mg dexamethasone injection, while the placebo group received a normal saline injection. The wash period between the patients' two operations was 3 to 4 weeks. Pain was assessed by recording the number of analgesic tablets (rescue drug) consumed, as well as by noting the patients' responses to the visual analog scale (VAS) on the first, second, and third days after surgery. Results: The study group differed significantly from the placebo group in terms of VAS score and analgesic consumption. Conclusion: Dexamethasone (8 mg), injected sublingually, significantly eased post-operative pain after surgical removal of the mandibular third molar.