The Effect of the National Health Insurance Coverage of Chuna Therapy on the Costs and Service Uses of Chuna Therapy in Automobile Insurance Oriental Medical Institutions / 보건행정학회지

Background@#The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of national health insurance coverage of Chuna therapy in April 2019 on the costs and service uses in automobile insurance. @*Methods@#This study used the claim data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. A total of 189,912 inpatients and 1,550,497 outpatients who received Chuna therapy covered by automobile insurance in oriental medical institutions were included.The analysis period was from July 2018 to December 2019, and a total of 18 months before and after April 2019, when Chuna therapy was covered by national health insurance. Interrupted time series analysis was applied to analyze the impact on the costs and service uses of Chuna therapy in automobile insurance before and after April 2019. @*Results@#From July 2018 to December 2019, for 189,912 inpatients the cost and the number of times for Chuna therapy per capita were increased by 22.0% and decreased by 7.3% respectively right after the implementation of the policy. In the case of 1,550,497 outpatients, the cost of Chuna therapy per capita tends to be increased by 0.4% in overall study periods and increased 28.4% immediately after the implementation of the policy. Meanwhile, the number of times and visits for Chuna therapy per capita tends to be increased by 0.4% in overall study periods but decreased by 0.4% after the implementation of the policy. @*Conclusion@#Results suggest that if the national health insurance coverage of oriental medicine services increases according to the policy stance for benefit expansion in national health insurance, the criteria for providing national health insurance benefits should be considered with the comprehensive impacts on the costs and service uses of automobile insurance.

Rupture, Breakdown, and Pulmonary Artery Embolism of a Balloon Catheter Tip during Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty of Arteriovenous Fistula

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a well-known treatment for arteriovenous fistula stenosis. Balloon rupture during endovascular procedures is a rare but possible complication. The bursting balloon itself does not cause a serious problem, but it can occasionally cause entrapment, especially in case of breakdown of the balloon catheter tip. Here, we present four cases of balloon rupture during angioplasty in the hemodialysis circuit. In three cases, the ruptured balloon catheter was removed by cutdown of access conduit, while in one case, tip of ruptured balloon catheter was migrated into the pulmonary artery and was removed surgically. The operator must attempt to reduce the risk of balloon rupture by gradually expanding the balloons under bursting pressure. If the balloon bursts, it should not be removed excessively and attempt should be made to remove it using endovascular techniques. Surgical removal is considered after careful evaluation of the condition of the balloon and vessel.

Aortic Arch Endarterectomy Associated with On-Pump Cardiac Surgery in Patients with a Mobile Arch Atheroma / 대한흉부외과학회지

We describe aortic arch endarterectomy performed concomitantly with on-pump cardiac surgery in 2 patients with grade V arch atherosclerosis. In both patients, transesophageal echocardiographic findings led to the diagnosis of severe arch atherosclerosis associated with a mobile atheromatous plaque in the aortic arch. The severe arch atherosclerosis was managed with endarterectomy under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. In patients with severe grade V atherosclerosis in the aortic arch, performing endarterectomy simultaneously with primary cardiac surgery may be justified as a way to reduce the risk of peripheral embolism, including cerebrovascular accidents, with minimal additional surgical risk.

Aortic Arch Endarterectomy Associated with On-Pump Cardiac Surgery in Patients with a Mobile Arch Atheroma

We describe aortic arch endarterectomy performed concomitantly with on-pump cardiac surgery in 2 patients with grade V arch atherosclerosis. In both patients, transesophageal echocardiographic findings led to the diagnosis of severe arch atherosclerosis associated with a mobile atheromatous plaque in the aortic arch. The severe arch atherosclerosis was managed with endarterectomy under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. In patients with severe grade V atherosclerosis in the aortic arch, performing endarterectomy simultaneously with primary cardiac surgery may be justified as a way to reduce the risk of peripheral embolism, including cerebrovascular accidents, with minimal additional surgical risk.

Two-stage Surgical Treatment of a Giant Solitary Fibrous Tumor Occupying the Thoracic Cavity

A solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a mesenchymal fibroblastic tumor inside the pleura, for which complete surgical resection is the standard treatment. For large SFTs, preoperative identification of tumor-feeding vessels using angiography is important for achieving complete resection without unexpected operative bleeding. Extensive adhesions can make resection difficult in a limited operative window, and pulmonary resection may be required to achieve complete SFT resection. Herein, we report successful resection of a large pleural SFT in a 39-year-old man without any complications using a 2-stage approach, in which ligation of the feeding vessels through small another operative window was the first step.

Periodontitis is associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a study with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis patients in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate the association between severity of periodontitis and clinical manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Two hundred sixty-four RA patients and 88 age- and sex-matched controls underwent dental exam. Additionally, clinical manifestations including disease activity and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies were evaluated in RA patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of moderate or severe periodontitis was higher in RA patients compared to controls (63.6% vs 34.1%, p < 0.001). In markers of periodontal inflammation, bleeding on probing was correlated with disease activity score 28 (r = 0.128, p = 0.041), RA disease duration (r = 0.211, p = 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; r = 0.141, p = 0.023), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (r = 0.183, p = 0.009), and anti-citrullinated α-enolase peptide-1 antibody (r = 0.143, p = 0.025). Gingival index was correlated with RA duration (r = 0.262, p < 0.001), ESR (r = 0.162, p = 0.009), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (r = 0.203, p = 0.004) and anti-citrullinated α-enolase peptide-1 antibody (r = 0.225, p < 0.001). Periodontal structural damage represented by probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were less in RA patients with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 shared epitope compared than those without shared epitope (p = 0.005 and p =0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of moderate or severe periodontitis was increased in RA patients compared to controls. Periodontal inflammation was correlated with RA disease duration, ESR, and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. Periodontal structural damage was less in RA patients with HLA-DRB1 shared epitope.

Cost-Effectiveness of Carotid Endarterectomy versus Carotid Artery Stenting for Treatment of Carotid Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with significant carotid artery stenosis (range, 70% to 99%) generally undergo either carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) to prevent stroke. In this study, we evaluated the cost effectiveness of these two treatment modalities. METHODS: A total of 47 patients (mean age, 67.1+/-9.1 years; male, 87.2%) undergoing either CEA (n=28) or CAS (n=19) for the treatment of significant carotid artery stenosis were enrolled in this study. Hospitalization costs were subdivided into three parts, namely pre-procedure, procedure and resource, and post-procedure costs. RESULTS: Total hospitalization costs were similar in both groups of CEA and CAS (6,377 thousand won [TW] vs. 6,703 TW, p=0.255); however, the total cost minus the pre-procedure cost was higher in the CAS group than in the CEA group (4,948 TW vs. 5,941 TW, p<0.0001). The pre-procedure cost of the CEA group was higher than that of the CAS group (1,429 TW vs. 762 TW, p<0.0001). However, the procedure and resource cost was higher in the CAS group because the resource cost was approximately three times higher in the CAS group than in the CEA group. The post-procedure cost was higher in the CEA group because hospital stays were approximately two times longer. CONCLUSION: The total hospitalization cost was not different between the CEA and the CAS groups. The pre-procedure cost was high in the CEA group, but the cost from procedure onset to discharge, including the resource cost, was significantly lower in this group.

Aortic Valve Replacement Using Continuous Suture Technique in Patients with Aortic Valve Disease

BACKGROUND: The continuous suture (CS) technique has several advantages as a method for simple, fast, and secure aortic valve replacement (AVR). We used a simple CS technique without the use of a pledget for AVR and evaluated the surgical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2007 and 2012, 123 patients with aortic valve disease underwent AVR alone (n=28) or with other concomitant cardiac procedures (n=95), such as mitral, tricuspid, or aortic surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: the interrupted suture (IS) group (n=47), in which the conventional IS technique was used, and the CS group (n=76), in which the simple CS technique was used. RESULTS: There were two hospital deaths (1.6%), which were not related to the suture technique. There were no significant differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time or aortic cross-clamp time between the two groups for AVR alone or AVR with concomitant cardiac procedures. In the IS group, two patients had prosthetic endocarditis and one patient experienced significant perivalvular leak. These patients underwent reoperations. In the CS group, there were no complications related to the surgery. Postoperatively, the two groups had similar aortic valve gradients. CONCLUSION: The simple CS method is useful and secure for AVR in patients with aortic valve disease, and it may minimize surgical complications, as neither pledgets nor braided sutures are used.

Predictive Factors of Sustained Sinus Rhythm and Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation after the Maze Procedure

BACKGROUND: We examined perioperative predictors of sustained sinus rhythm (SR) in patients undergoing the Cox maze operation and concomitant cardiac surgery for structural heart disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 1999 to December 2008, 90 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent the Cox maze operation and other concomitant cardiac surgery. Eighty-nine patients, all except for one postoperative death, were followed-up with serial electrocardiographic studies, 24-hour Holter monitoring tests, and regular echocardiographic studies. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients undergoing the maze operation were divided into two groups according to the presence of SR. At the time of last follow-up (mean follow-up period, 51.0+/-30.8 months), 79 patients (88.8%) showed SR (SR group) and 10 patients (11.2%) had recurrent AF (AF group). Factors predictive of sustained SR were the immediate postoperative conversion to SR (odds ratio, 97.2; p=0.001) and the presence of SR at the 6th month postoperatively (odds ratio, 155.7; p=0.002). Duration of AF, mitral valve surgery, number of valves undergoing surgery, left atrial dimension, and perioperative left ventricular dimensions and ejection fractions were not predictors of postoperative maintenance of SR. CONCLUSION: Immediate postoperative SR conversion and the presence of SR at the 6th postoperative month were independent predictors of sustained SR after the maze operation.

Prevalence of Significant Coronary Arterial Disease in Adult Patients who Underwent Valvular Surgery in Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The identification of significant coronary arterial disease (CAD) is important to reduce perioperative ischemic insult and the possibility of repeated open-chest surgery in patients scheduled to undergo valvular surgery. However, there are no published data on the incidence of significant CAD in these patients. Thus, we examined the prevalence of significant CAD in patients scheduled to undergo valvular surgery. METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2011, all consecutive adult patients diagnosed with significant valvular disease and scheduled for an elective open valvular operation were retrospectively investigated at Chungnam National University Hospital and Chonbuk National University Hospital. Patients who underwent emergent valvular operations due to acute aortic dissection or trauma and concomitant valvular operations at the time of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery were excluded. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 431 patients (58 +/- 13 years old, 204 males) were included. The distributions of mitral (241 patients) and aortic valvular disease (230 patients) were similar. Coronary angiography was performed in 297 patients (68.9%). Of these, 36 (12.1%) showed significant CAD and 32 underwent concomitant CABG operations. Based on a multivariate analysis, the presence of CAD was significantly associated with old age (> or = 65 years old) [odds ratio (OR) = 3.081, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.372-6.921, p = 0.006], more cardiovascular risk factors (> or = 3) (OR = 3.002, 95% CI = 1.386-6.503, p = 0.005), and the presence of aortic stenosis (OR = 2.763, 95% CI = 1.269-6.013, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of significant CAD was 12.1% in adult patients who underwent valvular operations in Korea. CAD was more common in patients with old age, aortic stenosis, and multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Routine Shunting is Safe and Reliable for Cerebral Perfusion during Carotid Endarterectomy in Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this report is to describe the perioperative outcomes of standard carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with general anesthesia, routine shunting, and tissue patching in symptomatic carotid stenoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2007 and July 2011, 22 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (male/female, 19/3; mean age, 67.2+/-9.4 years) underwent a combined total of 23 CEAs using a standardized technique. The strict surgical protocol included general anesthesia and standard carotid bifurcation endarterectomy with routine shunting. The 8-French Pruitt-Inahara shunt was used in all the patients. RESULTS: During the ischemic time, the shunts were inserted within 2.5 minutes, and 5 patients (22.7%) revealed ischemic cerebral signals (flat wave) in electroencephalographic monitoring but recovered soon after insertion of the shunt. The mean shunting time for CEA was 59.1+/-10.3 minutes. There was no perioperative mortality or even minor stroke. All patients woke up in the operating room or the operative care room before being moved to the ward. One patient had difficulty swallowing due to hypoglossal nerve palsy, but had completely recovered by 1 month postsurgery. CONCLUSION: Routine shunting is suggested to be a safe and reliable method of brain perfusion and protection during CEA in symptomatic carotid stenoses.

Postintubation Tracheal Ruptures: A case report

Tracheobronchial ruptures (TBR) rarely complicate surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Seemingly uneventful intubations can result in injury to the trachea, which often manifests as hemoptysis and subcutaneous emphysema. We present 2 patients with postintubation TBR who were treated surgically and discuss considerations in the management of this potentially lethal injury.

Pericardiectomy by a Left Limited Anterolateral Thoracotomy for Constrictive Pericarditis after Cardiac Surgery: 2 case reports / 대한흉부외과학회지

Although it is a rare complication of cardiac surgery, constrictive pericarditis still remains a difficult problem that needs an appropriate treatment after cardiac surgery. We had two patients with constrictive pericarditis presenting with unexplained right heart failure early after cardiac surgery, and the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was made by a specific finding of septal bounce shown in echocardiographic study. On the postoperative 40th day and 31st day, they underwent pericardiectomy by a left limited anterolateral thoracotomy. For one to two weeks since pericardiectomy, the cardiac failure symptoms were gradually relieved. For patients without improvement of the constrictive symptom and sign even with conservative medical therapy for constrictive pericarditis developed early after cardiac surgery, pericardiectomy by a left limited anterolateral thoracotomy is considered as a useful therapeutic mode.

A Chronic Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia Presenting 36 Years after Preceding Injury: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

We report a distinctive case of a large traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH) that presented 36-years after the preceding injury. We believe this case represents the most delayed (TDH) presentation ever reported in Korea. This paper describes the particular presentation, including the operative and postoperative management of this patient. We also review the management of long delayed TDH presentation and the postoperative issues concerning thoracic cavity dead space and propensity of the repaired diaphragm for developing abdominal compartment syndrome.

Extraanatomic Aortic Bypass through a Median Sternotomy in a Patient with Coarctation of Aorta Associated with Annuloaortic Ectasia: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Coarctation of the aorta is frequently associated with intracardiac disease. It is very difficult to decide on the best method for surgically treating adult patients with these combined heart diseases. We performed single-stage repair via a modified Bentall operation and by creating an intrapericardial ascending-descending aortic bypass through a median sternotomy in a patient with coarctation of the aorta and annuloaortic ectasia, and the latter was associated with aortic valve regurgitation.

Intramural Dissection and Mucosal Laceration of the Esophagus in a Patient Who Was on Antiplatelets Medication : A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Intramural esophageal dissection is a rare disorder that's characterized by a lengthy laceration between the mucosal and submucosal layers of the esophageal wall, and the esophageal wall is without perforation. The three different types of acute esophageal injury are a mucosal tear (Mallory-Weiss syndrome), full-thickness rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome) and intramural esophageal dissection. Most intramural esophageal dissections respond to conservative management with a very good prognosis. This rare condition should be considered in patients who present with acute chest pain, dysphagia or odynophagia, and particularly in the presence of a bleeding disorder or where there has been recent administration of antiplatelet medication, anticoagulants or thrombolytics to avoid inappropriate treatment with surgery. We present here a rare case of intramural dissection of the esophagus that occurred when the patient was taking antiplatelet medication.

Result of Cox Maze Procedure with Bipolar Radiofrequency Electrode and Cryoablator for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Compared with Cut-sew Technique / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The Cox maze procedure has been used as a standard surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation for about 20 years. Recently, the creators have used a bipolar radiofrequency electrode (Cox maze IV procedure) instead of the incision and suture (cut-sew) technique to make atrial ablation lesions for persistent atrial fibrillation. We investigated clinical outcomes for the Cox maze procedure with a bipolar radiofrequency electrode and cryoablator in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, and compared results with clinical outcomes of the cut-sew procedure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between April 2005 and July 2007, 40 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent Cox maze IV procedure with a bipolar radiofrequency electrode and cryoablator (bipolar radiofrequency group). Surgical outcomes were compared with those of 35 patients who had the cut-sew technique for the Cox maze III procedure. All patients had concomitant cardiac surgery. Postoperatively, the patients were followed up every 1 to 2 months. RESULT: At 6 months postoperatively, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm was not significantly different between the two groups: 95.0% for the bipolar radiofrequency ablation group; 97.1% for the cut-sew technique (p=1.0). At the end of the follow-up period, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm was also not significantly different (92.5% vs. 91.6%, p=1.0). In multivariate analysis using a Cox-regression model, the postoperative atrial dimension was an independent determinant of sinus conversion in the bipolar radiofrequency ablation group (hazard ratio 31, p=0.005). In the Cox-regression model for both groups, atrial fibrillation at 6 months postoperatively (hazard ratio 92.24, p=0.003) and the postoperative left atrial dimension (hazard ratio 16.05, p=0.019) were independent risk factors of continuance or recurrence of atrial fibrillation after Cox maze procedures. Aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were significantly shorter in the radiofrequency group than in the cut-sew group. CONCLUSION: In the Cox maze procedure for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, the use of bipolar radiofrequency ablation and a cryoablator is as good as the cut-sew technique for conversion to sinus rhythm. The postoperative left atrial dimension is an independent determinant of postoperative continuance and recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Evaluation and development of digital device for measuring proximal tooth contact tightness / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The proper contact relation between adjacent teeth in each arch plays an important role in the stability and maintenance of the integrity of the dental arches. Proximal contact has been defined as the area of a tooth that is in close association, connection, or touch with an adjacent tooth in the same arch. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a digital device for measuring the proximal tooth contact tightness by pulling a thin stainless steel strip (2mm wide, 0.03mm thick) inserted between proximal tooth contact. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This device consists of measuring part, sensor part, motor part and body part. The stainless steel strip was connected to a stain gauge. The strain gauge was designed to convert the frictional force into a compressive force. This compressive force was detected as a electrical signal and the electrical signal was digitalized by a A/D converter. The digital signals were displayed by a micro-processor. The pulling speed was 8mm/s. RESULTS: For testing reliability of the device in vivo, two healthy young adults (A, B) participated in this experiment. The tightness of proximal tooth contact between the second premolar and the first molar of mandible (subject A) and maxilla (subject B) was measured fifteen times for three days at rest. We double-checked the accuracy of the device with a Universal Testing Machine. Output signals from the Universal Testing Machine and the measuring device were compared. Regression analysis showed high linearity between these two signals. In vivo test, no significant differences were found between measurements. CONCLUSION: This device has shown to be capable of producing reliable and reproducible results in measuring proximal tooth contact. Therefore, it was considered that this device was appropriate to apply clinically.

Granular Cell Tumor Arising from the Left Main Bronchus : A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Granular cell tumors (GCT) are uncommon benign neoplasms. Their location is mostly in the the skin, tongue, and breast; appearance in other parts of the body is rare, but it has been reported. They have also been reported to occur synchronously in multiple organs and metachronously in a single organ. The incidence of GCTs in the tracheobronchial tree is unknown and pulmonary GCTs are uncommon, with approximately 100 reported cases in the literature. We present the case of a 33-year-old man with a granular cell tumor of the left main bronchus. The tumor was found at bronchoscopy performed to exclude suspected endobronchial mass with symptoms of pneumonia. Biopsies revealed the histological pattern of a benign granular cell tumor. He underwent resection of the left main bronchus followed by end to end anastomosis of left main bronchus. He has not had any recurrence of the tumor during the 1 year follow-up.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 conjugated chitosan film for enhanced osteoblastic activity / 대한치주과학회지

No abstract available.