• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2011

Blood glucose information is important for self regulation in daily life, but the frequency of self test remains to be only 17%(9 tests/month) in Korea, mainly due to pain during blood sampling. The present study tried to validate the clinical efficacy of the forearm as an alternative sampling site with minimized pain. Capillary blood was sampled both on the index finger($G_F$) and the forearm($G_A$), immediately followed by glucose measurements in 531 subjects, 25 who visited the Health Enhancement Center of C University Hospital, then venous blood($G_V$) was sampled for glucose test. The blood glucose concentration measured on the forearm was closer to the venous glucose than on the finger. The mean difference between $G_V$and $G_F$ was only 10 mg/dL well within the internationally accepted error limit. Error grid analyses of $G_F-G_V$, $G_A-G_V$ and $G_A-G_F$ revealed that the number of data points in regions A and B took 100%, 99.8%, and 97.9%, respectively. These results demonstrate the forearm blood glucose test is not only accurate but also clinically valid. Therefore, the forearm blood glucose test can be a useful way of self managing the chronic diabetes with minimized sampling pain.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2002

Background: Free flaps have become a very important role in the ablative head and neck surgery with functional preservation of defect sites. The forearm free flap has many advantage of lack of bulk, ease of dissection, vascularity, and malleability. Patients and Methods: A review of 51 radial forearm free flaps performed between may 1990 and feburary 2001 at the Korea University was undertaken to determine outcome. Patient age ranged 27 to 72 years (mean 56). There were 44 men and 7 women. The most prevalent neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma. Results: The tans verse cervical artery and the external jugular vein were the most frequent receipient sites for microvascular anastomosis. Total flap loss occurred in 2 cases (4%) and other complications were seen in 42%. Fifteen patients received preoperative irradiation and the complication was higher than non-irradiation patients, but statistically not significant. Conclusion: The radial forearm free flap offers a variety of reconstructive options for head and neck. Its low flap loss and complication rates offer the best choice for reconstruction of defect of head and neck malignancy.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.212-220
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• 1998

Concomitant ipsilateral fractures of the humerus, radius and ulna are uncommon combined injury and are also called "floating elbow". It was found that this injury was usually a result of rather severe trauma and frequently associated injuries to other organ systems. It is controversial in the treatment of the "floating elbow", but the current treatment recommendations are open reduction and internal fixation of both the humerus and the forearm fracture with early initiation of range of motion exercises. The authors reviewed thirteen cases of ipsilateral fractures of the humerus, radius and ulna treated in our clinic from January 1992 to March 1997, and average follow-up period was over 18 months(range, 12 to 36 months). The results obtained were as follows; 1. The most common cause of injury was traffic accident and most common location of fractures was mid-third in both humerus and forearm. 2. The shape of fractures was transverse or comminuted in most cases. 3. The good clinical results were obtained by open reduction and internal fixation of both the humerus and the forearm fracture with early initiation of range of motion exercises. 4. The recovery was affected by the severity of the initial trauma and method of the treatment. 5. According to the Lange and Foster method, the functional result was good in 8 cases, fair in 4 cases and poor in 1 cases.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2002

As the defects of the penis caused by trauma, surgical amputation, or congenital abnormality give the patients both psychological trauma and functional impairment, reconstruction of the penis is mandatory. Radial forearm free flap is reliable one-stage procedure, which can reconstruct both the phallus and the urethra. Chang and Whang's adaptation of the "tube-in-a-tube" concept and its incorporation into a free flap design represented a major advance in microsurgical phallic construction. Biemer described a modification of the radial forearm flap design in which the neourethra was centered over the radial artery, but the phallic shaft was separated into two paraurethral swatches. The authors have performed one-stage penile reconstruction in two patients since 1998, using a radial forearm free flap. Our present design incorporates the original Biemer triple skin island and includes a fourth distal island for neoglans. One case was the amputation of the penis from felonious assault and the other case was the iatrogenic penile amputation from repetitive urologic surgery for congenital hypospadia. All patients showed aesthetically acceptable results and good tactile sensory recovery. Severe complications such as necrosis, fistula, or urethral stricture were not occurred. Biemer's method modified by the authors is reliable one-stage penile reconstruction providing good aesthetic and functional results.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2017

Robot arms are being increasingly used in various fields with special attention given to unmanned systems. In this research, we developed a high payload dual-arm robot, in which the forearm module is replaceable to meet the assigned task, such as object handling or lifting humans in a rescue operation. With each forearm module specialized for an assigned task (e.g. safety for rescue and redundant joints for object handling task), the robot can conduct various tasks more effectively than could be done previously. In this paper, the design of the high payload dual-arm robot with replaceable forearm function is described in detail. Two forearms are developed here. Each of forearm has quite a different goal. One of the forearms is specialized for human rescue in human familiar flat aspect and compliance parts. Other is for general heavy objects, more than 30 kg, handling with high degree of freedom more than 7.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2007

Introduction: Ulna is nearly equal to radius in function and bony architecture and strength in forearm. But in lower extremity, fibula is 1/5 of tibia in anatomic and functional point so we can find fibula transposition is commonly used in defect of tibia. We cannot find other article about segmental forearm bone transposition in man. The purpose of this study was to report our clinical and functional result of undergoing segmented transposition of ipsilateral ulna with its own vascular supply in defect of radius in 6 cases. Material and method: From June 1994 to October 2007, 7 segmented bone transpositional grafts in forearm were performed in Kyung Hee Medical Center. The distribution of age was from 20 years old to 73 years old. There was male in 6 cases and female in 1 case. The causes of operation were giant cell tumor in 1 case and traumatic origin in 6 cases; it was nonunion in 2 cases and fracture with severe comminution in 4 cases. Ipsilaterally segmented ulna keeping its own vascular supply was transported to defect of radius in severe traumatic patients and one patient whose tumor in radius had been excised. Transported ulna was fixed to proximal and distal radius remnants by plate and screw. In one case with giant cell tumor, transported ulna was connected to radius across wrist joint as wrist joint fusion. Joint preserving procedures were performed in 6 cases with crushing injury of radius. Results: We could obtain solid bony union in all cases and good functional results. The disadvantage was relative shortening of forearm, but we could overcome this problem. Conclusion: We think that ipsilateral segmented ulna transposition keeping its own vascular supply to radius can be perfomed with one of procedures in cases with wide defect in radius.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the gender-differences in vibrotactile responses(sensitivity and displeasure) of residual forearm simulated by vibration stimulation in upper limb(trans-radial) amputees. Background: Several studies have reported that vibration stimulation using the haptic vibrator is one the most effective methods for delivering sensation to an amputees. However, few studies have reported the perception to haptic vibratory stimulus, particularly sensitivity and displeasure. Method: We set up a custom-made vibration stimulation system that included 6 actuators(3 medial parts and 3 lateral parts) and a graphical user interface(GUI)-based acquisition system to investigate changes in residual somatosensory sensibility and displeasure in the forearm of upper limb(trans-radial) amputees. Vibration actuators were attached at the 25%-point on the proximal forearm. Stimulation with 32Hz, 64Hz, or 149Hz of frequency was used for the sensitivity tests and with 32~257Hz of frequency was used for the discomfort experiments. The subjective responses were evaluated on a 10 point scale. Results: The results showed that vibrotactile sensory perception in male amputees were higher than that in female amputees. In male amputees, the response at lateral area of forearm was the most sensitive than medial area; but, female amputees showed similar sensitive areas. Subjects did not experience any discomfort during vibrotactile stimuli. Conclusion: Vibrotactile response in the amputees was dependent on gender as well as area stimulated by vibration. Application: The results might contribute to develop the vibrotactile feedback system for the amputees.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2005

Wide vertical hemilaryngopharyngectomy with immediate glottic and pharyngeal reconstruction using a radial forearm free flap is reported in 1991 by Chantrain et al. This procedure was designed for the preservation of healthy hemilarynx and resection of pharynx with safe oncological margin in especially piriform sinus cancer or supraglottic cancer invading the hypopharynx. In the original paper, they used palmaris longus tendon for reconstruction of neoglottis. In other groups, they used rib cartilage instead of palmaris longus tendon. In this paper, we report two cases of piriform sinus cancer patients who treated with wide vertical hemilaryngectomy with radial forearm free flap reconstruction. In one case, the operation was performed as Chantrain et al described. But in another case, the ipsilateral forearm was impossible due to the positive Allen's test. So the contralateral forearm flap and rib cartilage graft was done. This reconstructive technique make large resection possible. As the dissection of thyroid cartilage and lateral displacement makes direct visualization and manipulation of piriform sinus lesions, sufficient resection margin in lateral and inferior pharyngeal wall cab be obtained.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2022

Reconstruction of subtotal maxillectomy defects with columella deficit is challenging. We report a unique case of facial reconstruction using a free radial forearm flap and a free preauricular flap for the maxillectomy and columella deficit. A 73-year-old woman was diagnosed with recurrent sebaceous carcinoma of the nose. We performed wide excision, including areas of the right cheek, nose, upper lip, maxilla, and columella. The resultant subtotal maxillectomy defect was reconstructed using a three-dimensional flap. First, a free radial forearm flap was transfered to resurface the nasal, oral, and external facial side. Second, a preauricular flap was positioned into the columella defect and anastomosed with the distal portion of the radial forearm flap pedicle. The two flaps survived, and the patient recovered uneventfully. We believe the radial forearm and preauricular double free flaps with the pedicle connection method were effective in reconstructing the present case of subtotal maxillectomy defect.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.106-116
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• 2022

Background: Shoulder external rotation exercises are commonly used to improve the stabilizing ability of the infraspinatus. However, during exercise, excessive activation of the posterior deltoid compared to the infraspinatus causes the humeral head to move anteriorly in an abnormal position. Many researchers have emphasized selective activation of the infraspinatus during shoulder external rotation exercise. Objects: This study aims to delineate the optimal exercise method for selective activation of infraspinatus by investigating the muscle activities of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid according to the four shoulder exercise methods and two forearm positions. Methods: Thirty healthy individuals participated in this study. The participants were instructed to perform shoulder external rotation exercises following four exercise methods: sitting external rotation (SIER); standing external rotation at 90° abduction (STER); prone external rotation at 90° abduction (PRER); side-lying external rotation (SLER), and two forearm positions (neutral, supinated). The electromyography (EMG) signal amplitude was measured during each exercise. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, and biceps brachii. Results: EMG results of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid in PRER, were significantly higher than that of the other exercises (p < 0.01). The EMG ratio (infraspinatus/posterior deltoid) in SIER was significantly higher than that of the other exercises. EMG activation of the posterior deltoid in SIER, PRER, and SLER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the EMG of the infraspinatus in SIER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.01). The EMG ratio (infraspinatus/ posterior deltoid) in SIER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.05.) Contrarily EMG ratios in PRER and SLER were significantly higher in supinated than in neutral (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results show that clinicians should consider these exercise methods and forearm positions when planning shoulder external rotation exercises for optimal shoulder rehabilitation.