• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.89-103
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• 2020

As we face an aging society, the demand for personal mobility for disabled and aged people is increasing. In fact, as of 2017, the number of electric wheelchair in the country continues to increase to 90,000. However, people with disabilities and seniors are more likely to have accidents while driving, because their judgment and coordination are inferior to normal people. One of the causes of the accident is the interference of personal vehicle steering control due to unbalanced road surface conditions. In this paper, we introduce a encoder type semantic segmentation algorithm that can recognize road conditions at high speed to prevent such accidents. To this end, more than 1,500 training data and 150 test data including road surface damage were newly secured. With the data, we proposed a deep neural network composed of encoder stages, unlike the Auto-encoding type consisting of encoder and decoder stages. Compared to the conventional method, this deep neural network has a 4.45% increase in mean accuracy, a 59.2% decrease in parameters, and an 11.9% increase in computation speed. It is expected that safe personal transportation will be come soon by utilizing such high speed algorithm.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.88-100
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• 2020

Objective: We aimed to develop and validate a deep learning system for fully automated segmentation of abdominal muscle and fat areas on computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods: A fully convolutional network-based segmentation system was developed using a training dataset of 883 CT scans from 467 subjects. Axial CT images obtained at the inferior endplate level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra were used for the analysis. Manually drawn segmentation maps of the skeletal muscle, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat were created to serve as ground truth data. The performance of the fully convolutional network-based segmentation system was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient and cross-sectional area error, for both a separate internal validation dataset (426 CT scans from 308 subjects) and an external validation dataset (171 CT scans from 171 subjects from two outside hospitals). Results: The mean Dice similarity coefficients for muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat were high for both the internal (0.96, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively) and external (0.97, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively) validation datasets, while the mean cross-sectional area errors for muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat were low for both internal (2.1%, 3.8%, and 1.8%, respectively) and external (2.7%, 4.6%, and 2.3%, respectively) validation datasets. Conclusion: The fully convolutional network-based segmentation system exhibited high performance and accuracy in the automatic segmentation of abdominal muscle and fat on CT images.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 1975

Various factors influencing the lymph flow from thoracic duct were investigated in an attempt to evaluate their contributing degree and the mechanisms. Sixteen mongrel dogs weighing between 10 and 16 kg were anesthetized and polyethylene catheters were inserted into the thoracic duct and femoral veins. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, lymph pressure and lymph flow were measured under various conditions. Electrical stimulation of left sciatic nerve, stepwise increase of central venous pressure, manual application of rhythmical depressions onto abdomen, injection of hypertonic saline solution and histamine infusion were employed. Measurement of cental venous pressure was performed through the recording catheter inserted into abdominal inferior vena cava. Changes in central venous pressure were made by an air-ballooning catheter located higher than the tip of the recording catheter in the inferior vena cava. Lymph flow from thoracic duct was measured directly with a graduated centrifuge tube allowing the lymph to flow freely outward through the inserted cannula. The average side pressure of thoracic lymph was $1.1\;cmH_2O$ and lymph flow was 0.40 ml/min or 1.9 ml/kg-hr. Hemodynamic parameters including lymph flow were measure immediately before and after (or during) applying a condition. Stimulation of left sciatic nerve with a square wave (5/sec, 2 msec, 10V) caused the lymph flow to increase 1.4 times. The pattern of lymph flow from thoracic duct was not continuous throughout the respiratory cycle, but was continuous only during Inspiration. Slow and deep respiration appeared to increase the lymph flow than a rapid and shallow respiration. Relationship between central venous pressure and the lymph flow revealed a relatively direct proportionality; Regression equation was Lymph Flow (ml/kg-hr)=0.09 CVP$(cmH_2O)$+0.55, r=0.67. Manual depressions onto the abdomen in accordance with the respiratory cycle caused the lymph flow to increase most remarkably, e.g,. 5.5 times. The application of manual depressions showed a fluctuation of central venous pressure superimposed on the respiratory fluctuation. Hypertonic saline solution (2% NaCl) administered Intravenously by the amount of 10 m1/kg increased the lymph flow 4.6 times. The injection also increased arterial blood pressure, especially systolic Pressure, and the central venous pressure. Slow intravenous infusion of histamine with a rate of 14-32 ${\mu}g/min$ resulted in a remarkable increase in the lymph flow (4.7 times), in spite of much decrease in the blood pressure and a slight decrease in the central venous pressure.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2001

The numbers of breast cancer are increasing in Korea and the needs for breast reconstruction are also parallel with cancer frequency. The purpose of the study is to define the different state and condition between the delayed reconstruction and the immediate reconstruction of breasts and to suggest how to get more satisfactory outcome. The study included 22 patients who underwent delayed breast reconstruction using transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) free flap from December, 1990 to January, 2001. Their ages ranged from 28 years to 58 years. We have used internal mammary artery and vein as a recipient vessel in 13 patients because of fibrosis and severe scarring in the axillary region and thoracodorsal artery and vein in 9 patients. When we used internal mammary artery with recipient vessel, we would use contralateral deep inferior epigastric artery with donor vessel. We obtained satisfactory result without any flap loss, and most patients satisfied with shape and volume of reconstructed breast. We found that delayed breast reconstruction have some differences compared with immediate breast reconstruction. First, we remove fibrotic and scar tissue as much as possible to achieve satisfactory shape of breast. Second, we plan preoperative design in standing position to obtain symmetrical recreation of inframammary fold. Third, we use internal mammary vessel in many cases with recipient vessel for microvascular anastomosis. Fourth, patients with delayed breast reconstruction feel more satisfaction than patients with immediate breast reconstruction do. Finally, economic burden is much higher in the delayed case than in the immediate case because of no coverage with insurance.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.97-101
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical results of application of bioabsorbable screws in hallux valgus surgery using modified Mau osteotomy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 25 patients. Operations were performed between May 2013 and January 2014. We performed 33 modified Mau osteotomies and fixed using bioabsorbable screws. Mean age of patients was 52 years (range 19 to 71). Mean follow up duration was 13.2 months (range 12.3 to 18.9). The clinical evaluations included pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and satisfaction score. Weight bearing anteroposterior radiographs were taken for measurement of hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA). All radiographs were evaluated in order to detect complications related to bioabsorbable screws such as osteolysis, cyst formation, and fixation failure. Results: The mean pre- and postoperative pain VAS scores were 4.0 and 1.7 (p<0.05). The mean AOFAS score improved from 52.6 to 82.8 (p<0.05). Preoperative HVA and IMA were 31.2 and 13.9, respectively. Postoperative HVA and IMA were 5.2 and 6.2 (p<0.05). The DMAA increased from 7.8 to 9.9 (p<0.05). There was one case of superficial wound infection and one loss of correction, and no case of osteolysis, cystic formation around the screw, or deep infection. All patients showed union without fixation failure. Conclusion: The clinical and radiological evaluation of this study demonstrates reliable results without fixation failure or allergic reaction. The use of bioabsorbable screw appears not to be inferior to metal screw fixation in hallux valgus surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2013

Fusiform aneurysms on the basilar artery (BA) trunk are rare. The microsurgical management of these aneurysms is difficult because of their deep location, dense collection of vital cranial nerves, and perforating arteries to the brain stem. Endovascular treatment is relatively easier and safer compared with microsurgical treatment. Selective occlusion of the aneurysmal sac with preservation of the parent artery is the endovascular treatment of choice. But, some cases, particularly giant or fusiform aneurysms, are unsuitable for selective sac occlusion. Therefore, endovascular coiling of the aneurysm with parent vessel occlusion is an alternative treatment option. In this situation, it is important to determine whether a patient can tolerate parent vessel occlusion without developing neurological deficits. We report a rare case of fusiform aneurysms in the BA trunk. An 18-year-old female suffered a headache for 2 weeks. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance image revealed a fusiform aneurysm of the lower basilar artery trunk. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a $7.1{\times}11.0$ mm-sized fusiform aneurysm located between vertebrovasilar junction and the anterior inferior cerebellar arteries. We had good clinical result using endovascular coiling of unruptured fusiform aneurysm on the lower BA trunk with parent vessel occlusion after confirming the tolerance of the patient by balloon test occlusion with induced hypotension and accompanied by neurophysiologic monitoring, transcranial Doppler and single photon emission computed tomography. In this study, we discuss the importance of preoperative meticulous studies for avoidance of delayed neurological deficit in the patient with fusiform aneurysm on lower basilar trunk.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.441-448
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• 2018

Background Previously, surveys have been used to investigate breast reconstruction statistics. Since 2015, breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy has been covered by the National Health Insurance Service in Korea, and data from breast reconstruction patients are now available from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). We investigated statistics in breast reconstruction in Korea through statistics provided by the HIRA Big Data Hub. Methods We investigated the number of cases in mastectomy and breast reconstruction methods from April 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. Data were furnished by the HIRA Big Data Hub and accessed remotely online. Results were tabulated using SAS Enterprise version 6.1. Results The 31,155 mastectomy cases included 7,088 breast reconstruction cases. Implant-based methods were used in 4,702 cases, and autologous methods in 2,386. The implant-based reconstructions included 1,896 direct-to-implant and 2,806 tissue-expander (2-stage) breast reconstructions. The 2-stage tissue-expander reconstructions included 1,624 expander insertions (first stage) and 1,182 expander-to-permanent-implant exchanges (second stage). Of the autologous breast reconstructions, 705 involved latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, 498 involved pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps, and 1,183 involved free-tissue transfer TRAM flaps, including deep inferior epigastric perforator free-tissue transfer flaps. There were 1,707 nipple-areolar complex reconstructions, including 1,565 nipple reconstructions and 142 areola reconstructions. The 1-year mean number of breast reconstructions was 4,050. Conclusions This was the first attempt to evaluate the total number of breast reconstruction procedures using accurate, comprehensive data, and our findings may prove valuable as a foundation for future statistical studies of breast reconstruction procedures in Korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2013

Background: We present our 12-year experience of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Materials and Methods: Between January 1999 and March 2011, 16 patients underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Eleven patients (69%) were classified as functional class III or IV based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. Seven patients had a history of inferior vena cava filter insertion, and 5 patients showed coagulation disorders. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy was performed during total circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia in 14 patients. Results: In-hospital mortality and late death occurred in 2 patients (12.5%) and 1 patient (6.3%), respectively. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was required in 4 patients who developed severe hypoxemia after surgery. Thirteen of the 14 survivors have been followed up for 54 months (range, 2 to 141 months). The pulmonary arterial systolic pressure and cardiothoracic ratio on chest radiography was significantly decreased after surgery ($76{\pm}26$ mmHg vs. $41{\pm}17$ mmHg, p=0.001; $55%{\pm}8%$ vs. $48%{\pm}3%$, p=0.003). Tricuspid regurgitation was reduced from $2.1{\pm}1.1$ to $0.7{\pm}0.6$ (p=0.007), and the NYHA functional class was also improved to I or II in 13 patients (81%). These symptomatic and hemodynamic improvements maintained during the late follow-up period. Conclusion: Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension shows good clinical outcomes with acceptable early and long term mortality.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2005

Microvascular anastomosis with suture technique is a basic skill but there are several problems such as stenosis, thrombosis and long operating time. Recently plastic surgeons have developed non-suturing mechanical coupling devices for microvascular anastomosis. The authors applied non-penetrating vascular clips (VCS clips) in the field of free flap surgery of head and neck area. Between August of 2004 and January of 2005, we performed 9 free flaps (16 vessels) using small-sized VCS clips. Four stay sutures were applied first and then VCS clips were placed between sutures about 1 mm apart. Vascular pedicle of free flap included the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral vessel, thoracodorsal vessel, deep inferior epigastric vessel and cephalic vein. The recipient vessels were the superior thyroid artery, superficial temporal artery, internal jugular vein, external jugular vein, and superficial temporal vein. We performed 13 end-to-end (4 arteries and 9 veins) and 3 venous end-to-side anastomoses. No flap related complication occurred but we applied additional clips or sutures in two cases due to blood leakage after completion of anastomosis. Primary patency rates seemed to be good and more rapid anastomosis could be done than conventional suture technique. Advantages of VCS technique are high patency rate, low thrombogenecity and rapidity. Although the high cost of VCS instrument may be a problem, this clip could be applied safely in microvascular free tissue transfer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.452-456
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• 2012

Background Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and deoxycholate (DCA) compound has been recently used for the purpose of partial lipolysis and is valued for its efficacy and lower invasiveness compared to liposuction and dermolipectomy used previously. In this article, the authors discuss the efficacy of the PPC dissolved in DCA via an experimental rat study model, along with suggesting a useful animal experimental model for the study of adipose tissue and lipolysis. Methods Bilateral inguinal fat pads of an experimental rat were elevated with the deep inferior epigastric vessel as the sole vascular pedicle. Normal saline was injected on one side as a control group and a PPC and DCA compound was injected on the other side. After 4 days, the rats were euthanized for microscopic tissue examination. The pathology was scored by a sem-iquantitative system in 4 categories: normal fat amount, fat necrosis, inflammatory activity, and stage of fibrosis. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test powered by SPSS packet program was used for statistical analysis and to determine significance. Results Microscopic examination was performed on the obtained samples, and the experimental data of all four categories showed significant histologic differences compared to the control group. All of the data also showed statistical significance by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P<0.01). Conclusions In the inguinal fat pad rat model, the control group and the experimental group had a differed significantly in the amount of normal fat tissue, inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. We recommend the rat inguinal fat pad model used in this study, as it is likely to be useful in related research.