摘要
Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Jeollabuk-do Suicide Prevention Training Program for professional gatekeeper instructors, using psychological questionnaires. @*Methods@#Eighty-three participants were recruited from mental health centers and relevant organizations in Jeollabuk-do. All the participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=41), where they took part in the suicide prevention training program developed by Jeollabuk-do for professional gatekeeper instructors, or a control group (n=42), receiving no treatment. Four participants from the control group dropped out, and the final participants for each group were 41 and 38. We analyzed the changes in the two groups, before and after the program, using the Korean Suicide Literacy Scale, Counselors’ Professional Scale for Self-injury Behaviors, Attitudes towards the Suicide Scale, and Help-Giving. @*Results@#Participants in the experimental group exhibited a significant improvement in their knowledge of suicide prevention and their attitude toward suicide compared to those in the control group. @*Conclusion@#This study suggests that the Jeollabuk-do Suicide Prevention Training Program for professional gatekeeper instructors may serve as an effective means of improving the participant’s knowledge of suicide prevention and changing the attitude towards suicide, and may fulfill its purpose of preventing suicides.
摘要
Background@#In patients with congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), single-stage removal of large lesions can be difficult because the high tension created by excising and repairing a large lesion may result in scar widening. Herein, we introduce a method to effectively excise lesions while minimizing scarring and compare its outcomes to those of existing surgical methods. @*Methods@#We compared patients who underwent surgery using the anchoring technique (n=42) or the conventional elliptical technique (n=36). One side of the lesion was removed via en bloc resection up to the superficial fascia. The other side of the lesion was removed via de-epithelialization. The de-epithelialized dermal flap was then fixed by suturing it to the superficial fascia on the opposite side. The length of the lesion’s long axis and amount of scar widening were measured immediately after surgery and at 2, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. At 12 months, patients were assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. @*Results@#The lesion locations included the face, arms, legs, back, and abdomen. The anchoring method resulted in shorter and smaller scars than the conventional method. There were no cases of postoperative hematoma or wound dehiscence. Significant differences in postoperative scar widening were found in the arm and leg areas (P<0.05). @*Conclusions@#The anchoring method introduced in this study can provide much better outcomes than the conventional method. The anchoring method is particularly useful for the removal of CMN around the joints or extremities, where the surgical site is subjected to high tension.
摘要
Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia or Masson's hemangioma is a rare vascular tumor. The reactive proliferation of endothelial cells in this disease mimics other benign or malignant vascular proliferation such as angiosarcoma or Kaposi's sarcoma. It is important to make an accurate distinction to avoid confusion with these malignant tumors. This would facilitate a proper diagnosis, which is essential so that the patient is not subjected to unnecessarily aggressive or inappropriate treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Diagnosis , Endothelial Cells , Hemangioma , Hemangiosarcoma , Hyperplasia , Sarcoma, Kaposi摘要
BACKGROUND: Steroid injections are commonly used in pain clinics to relieve pain and treat inflammation. In Korea, these steroid injections are well known as ‘ppyeojusa’, which means to inject into the bone in Korean. Some patients often have a negative perception of this treatment method due to inaccurate information about the treatment and side effects of steroids. The purpose of this study is to investigate patients’ perception and knowledge of ppyeojusa. METHODS: A questionnaire about ppyeojusa was completed by patients who visited one of the pain clinics in nine university hospitals, from August 1 to September 10, 2017. RESULTS: Three-hundred seventy-four patients completed the survey. Eighty-five percent of patients had had ppyeojusa, and 74% of the respondents had heard of ppyeojusa from the mass media, friends or relatives. Only 39% of the patients answered that this injection was safe without side effects if properly spaced. Of the patients surveyed, 21% responded that ppyeojusa are “injections into the bone”; while 15% responded that ppyeojusa are “terrible injections that melted ‘the bone if used a lot’”. Half of the patients did not know what the active constituent is in ppyeojusa. If steroid injections are advised by the pain specialists, 89% of the patients would consent. CONCLUSIONS: Most pain clinic patients have heard of ppyeojusa. Most patients obtained information about ppyeojusa from mass media, rather than their physicians. Therefore, it is likely that most patients have inaccurate knowledge.
Subject(s)
Humans , Friends , Hospitals, University , Inflammation , Korea , Mass Media , Methods , Pain Clinics , Specialization , Steroids , Surveys and Questionnaires摘要
BACKGROUND: Capsular contracture is the most common complication after breast augmentation using implants. In case of severe capsular contracture, surgical correction is inevitable. We introduce a treatment for severe capsular contracture with serial fat grafting before augmentation using implants. METHODS: In severe cases of capsular contracture, we removed the implants and performed partial capsulectomy. We harvested fat from the flanks or thighs using liposuction. The first fat graft was performed in the subdermal, subcutaneous, and subglandular layers of the breast. The harvested fat was frozen and stored. One month after implant removal and the first graft, a second fat graft was performed. One month later, a third fat graft was performed. Six months after implant removal, we augmented the breasts with implants. RESULTS: The cases of severe breast contracture were treated without any complications. The volume and contour of the breasts were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: After implant removal in cases of severe capsular contracture, breast augmentation may be needed. Serial fat grafting before augmentation using implants prevents scarring of the breast envelope and provides sufficient volume with a secure breast envelope.
Subject(s)
Breast , Cicatrix , Contracture , Implant Capsular Contracture , Lipectomy , Thigh , Transplants摘要
A 49-year-old female patient suffered a suspicious scalding burn in her right hand and forearm during a seizure, and visited the clinic 16 hours after injury without appropriate initial treatment. The wound was covered with multiple bullae, was cold and pale, and the extension and flexion functions were decreased. The intrafascial pressure was measured as 19~95 mmHg (mean 46.9), confirming compartment syndrome. The pressure was improved following fasciotomy to 23~32 mmHg (mean 27); escharectomy, split thickness skin grafting and partial ostectomy was then performed, and an abdominal flap operation was conducted. The patient underwent a delayed procedure 14 days after the operation, and on the 18th day, subcutaneous fat and fascia tissues from the subcutaneous layer were removed from the skin; after sculpturing, split thickness skin grafting was performed. On the 21st day after flap separation, stump revisions were performed. The patient is currently undergoing rehabilitation; the metacarpophalangeal joint exhibits a normal range of motion, and the proximal interphalangeal joint has a range of motion of 30~45°. The abdominal flap operation was performed for soft tissue defects in the extensor tendon and bone exposure. Thus, various long-term processes were avoided, and by implementing a short operation time and low-cost surgery, relatively quick rehabilitation treatment could be initiated.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Burns , Compartment Syndromes , Fascia , Fingers , Forearm , Hand , Joints , Metacarpophalangeal Joint , Range of Motion, Articular , Reference Values , Rehabilitation , Seizures , Skin , Skin Transplantation , Subcutaneous Fat , Tendons , Wounds and Injuries摘要
BACKGROUND: Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) influencing cellular growth and differentiation is recognized to promote wound healing by stimulating tissue repair. Although PDRN can be extracted from human placentas, PDRN medications have recently been extracted from the semen of trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). The present study was designed to evaluate the wound healing effects of O. keta-derived PDRN for injection (Rejuvenex) and PDRN cream (Rejuvenex Cream) in comparison with those of O. mykiss-derived PDRN injection (Placentex). METHODS: Full-thickness skin defects were made on the back of mice (n=60). The mice were divided into the following four groups according to the dressing used for the wounds: O. mykiss-derived PDRN injection group, O. keta-derived PDRN injection group, O. keta-derived PDRN cream group, and normal saline soaked dressing group (control group). We analyzed the gross findings, wound sizes, histological findings, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the groups immediately after the treatment, and again after 4, 7, and 10 days of treatment. RESULTS: The wound healing effects were the greatest in the O. keta-derived PDRN injection and O. mykiss-derived PDRN injection groups, which showed similar scores, followed by the O. keta-derived cream and normal saline soaked dressing groups. CONCLUSION: The injection of PDRN extracted from O. keta was found to be as effective at healing full-thickness skin defects as the O. mykiss-derived PDRN injection, which is currently used in the clinic. Moreover, the O. keta-derived PDRN injection was also found to reduce the time required for wound healing.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , Bandages , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Immunohistochemistry , Oncorhynchus , Placenta , Salmon , Semen , Skin , Trout , Wound Healing , Wounds and Injuries摘要
BACKGROUND: Mandibular contouring surgery to produce a more slender and small face has become popular, especially in East Asia. Narrowing genioplasty should be simultaneously performed with mandibular angle resection to achieve satisfactory results. In Korea, T-genioplasty has been frequently performed for chin narrowing. The authors developed a new, safe, and reliable method, termed M-genioplasty, that can provide a more slender and attractive lower face. METHODS: From June 2013 to December 2017, 36 patients underwent M-genioplasty with mandibular angle resection for lower facial contouring. Horizontal and vertical osteotomies were performed obliquely. The resected bone segments were wedge-shaped. The remaining two bone segments were rotated and approximated centrally. The lateral mandible bony stepoff was trimmed off for mandibular angle resection. RESULTS: In all patients, the facial contour sufficiently improved, and most patients were satisfied with the outcome. No severe complications took place during postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: M-genioplasty can provide more mandibular angle resection and can create a more acute chin angle without bone resorption than other methods, including T-genioplasty. M-genioplasty with mandibular angle resection is a safer, more accurate, and more reliable method for lower facial contouring.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bone Resorption , Chin , Asia, Eastern , Follow-Up Studies , Genioplasty , Korea , Mandible , Methods , Osteotomy摘要
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the critical diabetes duration in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat calvarial defect model for experimentation regarding bone regeneration by evaluating the association between diabetes duration and bone healing capacity through histological and radiographic analyses. METHODS: Experimental diabetes was induced in 50 of 60 rats by an STZ injection. The rats were divided into 5 groups, including a control group (group 1), according to diabetes durations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, respectively. Eighteen rats survived: 4 in group 1, 4 in group 2, 4 in group 3, 5 in group 4, and 1 in group 5. Calvarial defects were created at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after STZ injection in groups 1–5. Cone-beam computed tomography scanning was performed at baseline and at 5 and 7 weeks after surgery. The rats were sacrificed 7 weeks after surgery, followed by histological evaluation. RESULTS: The voxel gray values (VGVs) of group 1 and group 2 increased, whereas the VGVs of group 3 and group 4 decreased starting 5 weeks after surgery, although this trend did not reach statistical significance between groups. On the reconstructed 3-dimensional images and based on an analysis of histological features, groups 1 and 2 showed apparent bone regeneration, while groups 3–5 showed very limited bone regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The critical diabetes duration in an STZ-induced diabetic rat calvarial defect model for experimentation regarding bone regeneration was between 2 and 4 weeks. It is suggested that researchers who use STZ-induced diabetic rats wait for more than 2 weeks following diabetes induction before placing implants or conducting bone regeneration studies to allow definite disturbances in bone healing to emerge.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Bone Regeneration , Cone-Beam Computed Tomography , Diabetes Mellitus , Streptozocin摘要
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess correlation between pain and degenerative bony changes on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of temporomandibular joints (TMJs). METHODS: Two hundred eighty-three temporomandibular joints with degenerative bony changes were evaluated. Pain intensity (numeric rating scale, NRS) and pain duration in patients with degenerative joint disease (DJD) were also analyzed. We classified condylar bony changes on CBCT into five types: osteophyte (Osp), erosion (Ero), flattening (Fla), subchondral sclerosis (Scl), and pseudocyst (Pse). RESULTS: Degenerative bony changes were the most frequent in the age groups of 10~19, 20–29, and 50~59 years. The most frequent pain intensity was “none” (NRS 0, 34.6%) followed by “annoying” (NRS 3–5, 29.7%). The most frequent condylar bony change was Fla (219 joints, 77.4%) followed by Ero (169 joints, 59.7%). “Ero + Fla” was the most common combination of the bony changes (12.7%). The frequency of erosion was directly proportional to NRS, but the frequency of osteophyte was inversely proportional. The prevalence of Ero increased from onset until 2 years and gradually decreased thereafter. The prevalence of Osp, Ero, and Pse increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Osp and Ero can be pain-related variables in degenerative joint disease (DJD) patients. “Six months to 2 years” may be a meaningful time point from the active, unstable phase to the stabilized late phase of DJD.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cone-Beam Computed Tomography , Joint Diseases , Joints , Osteophyte , Prevalence , Sclerosis , Temporomandibular Joint摘要
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new technique for localizing impacted mesiodens using its horizontal magnification ratio on panoramic radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Location-magnification equation of a panoramic equipment was obtained from horizontal magnification ratio of a metal ball which was located variable positions from the center of image layer at interval of 2 mm. Panoramic radiographs were obtained from a skull phantom with a metal ball which was a substitute for impacted mesiodens and was embedded 10mm(Group 1), 15mm(Group 2), and 20mm(Group 3) posterior to the central incisor. Each group obtained 7 panoramic radiographs at variable positions and one periapical radiograph. Three methods were used to estimate the actual width of the incisors and the balls which were used to calculate the magnification ratio. The methods included using the actual incisor width and the calculated ball width (Method 1), using the actual incisor width and the ball widths measured on periapical radiograph (Method 2), and using the incisor and the ball widths measured on periapical radiograph (Method 3). The location of the metal ball was calculated by using the location-magnification equation. RESULTS: The smallest difference between the calculated and the actual distance was 0.1+/-0.7 mm in Group 1/Method 3. The largest difference was -4.2+/-1.6 mm in Group 3/Method 2. In all groups, method 3 was the most accurate. CONCLUSION: Quantitative localization of impacted mesiodens is possible by using panoramic radiograph.
Subject(s)
Incisor , Radiography, Dental , Radiography, Panoramic , Skull , Tooth, Supernumerary摘要
Bisphosphonates are compounds used to treat osteoporosis and malignant bone metastasis. Despite the benefits related to the use of these medications, osteonecrosis of the jaws is a significant complication in a subset of patients receiving these drugs. This complication occurs either spontaneously or after a simple dento-alveolar surgery. Recently there were two patients who showed the features of bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in Gangneung-Wonju National University Dental Hospital. The patients revealed the clinical and radiological features of classical osteomyelitis. This report presents two cases of BRONJ which were examined by plain radiography and computed tomography.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw , Diphosphonates , Jaw , Neoplasm Metastasis , Osteomyelitis , Osteonecrosis , Osteoporosis , Tomography, X-Ray Computed摘要
PURPOSE: This study provides comparative measurements of absorbed and effective doses for newly developed cone beam computed tomography (CT) in comparison with these doses for conventional CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thermoluminescent dosimeter rods (TLD rod: GR-200, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA, USA) were placed at 25 sites throughout the layers of Male ART Head and Neck Phantom (Radiology Support Devices Inc., Long Beach, USA) for dosimetry. Implagraphy, DCT Pro (Vatech Co., Hwasung, Korea) units, SCT-6800TXL (Shimadzu Corp., Kyoto, Japan), and Cranex 3+ (Soredex Orion Corp., Helsinki, Finland) were used for radiation exposures. Absorption doses were measured with Harshaw 3500TLD reader (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA, USA). Radiation weighted doses and effective doses were measured and calculated by 2005 ICRP tissue weighting factors. RESULTS: Absorbed doses in Rt. submandibular gland were 110.57 mGy for SCT 6800TXL (Implant), 24.56 mGy for SCT 6800TXL (3D), 22.39 mGy for Implagraphy3, 7.19 mGy for DCT Pro, 5.96 mGy for Implagraphy1, 0.70 mGy for Cranex 3+. Effective doses (E2005draft) were 2.551 mSv for SCT 6800TXL (Implant), 1.272 mSv for SCT 6800TXL (3D), 0.598 mSv for Implagraphy3, 0.428 mSv for DCT Pro and 0.146 mSv for Implagraphy1. These are 108.6, 54.1, 25.5, 18.2 and 6.2 times greater than panoramic examination (Cranex 3+) doses (0.023 mSv). CONCLUSION: Cone beam CT machines recently developed in Korea, showed lower effective doses than conventional CT. Cone beam CT provides a lower dose and cost alternative to conventional CT, promising to revolutionize the practice of oral and maxillofacial radiology.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Absorption , Cone-Beam Computed Tomography , Head , Korea , Neck , Radiography, Panoramic , Radiometry , Submandibular Gland , Tomography, X-Ray Computed摘要
PURPOSE: To examine whether the maxillofacial skeletal morphology correlates with the condylar position and the anatomic characteristics of articular eminence using measurements of lateral cephalometric radiographs and individualized sagittal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tomographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: I compared measurements of 202 TMJs of 101 orthodontic patients of Kangnung National University Dental Hospital. I used Pearson's correlation for comparison of the measuring values in lateral cephalometric radiographs and individualized sagittal TMJ tomographs. RESULTS: Large occlusal plane angle tendency showed decreased width of posterior eminence slope, decreased depth of articular fossa and decreased posterior slope angle of eminence. Large mandibular plane angle tendency showed decreased superior joint space, decreased depth of articular fossa and decreased posterior slope angle of eminence. Large gonial angle tendency showed decreased depth of articular fossa, decreased posterior slope angle of eminence and anterior position of condylar head. Large anterior facial height and large posterior facial height tendency showed increased width of posterior slope of eminence, increased depth of articular fossa, increased posterior slope angle of eminence and posterior position of condylar head. CONCLUSION: Maxillofacial skeletal morphology has correlation with the anatomic characteristics of TMJ. Individualized sagittal TMJ tomographs can provide useful information for anatomical analysis of TMJ.
Subject(s)
Humans , Dental Occlusion , Head , Joints , Temporomandibular Joint摘要
Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare, autosomal dominant congenital disorder. A 12-year old female visited with chief complaint of unerupted permanent teeth. Also her father showed severe class III malocclusion. The extraoral radiography and computed tomography showed delayed closure of the cranial sutures and underdevelopment of maxilla, maxillary sinuses, and frontal sinus. Both clavicles were underdeveloped and thoracic rib cage was bellshaped. Both zygomatic process appeared as hypoplastic feature. There were many unerupted permanent and supernumerary teeth in the maxilla and mandible. We examined location and number of the unerupted teeth using 3D CT. Finally we could conclude this case was cleidocranial dysplasia based on the clinico-radiologic findings.
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Clavicle , Cleidocranial Dysplasia , Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities , Cranial Sutures , Fathers , Frontal Sinus , Malocclusion , Mandible , Maxilla , Maxillary Sinus , Radiography , Ribs , Tooth , Tooth, Supernumerary , Tooth, Unerupted摘要
The present study reports a case of developmental salivary gland defect. On panoramic examination, large radiolucent lesion surrounded by a sclerotic wall was noted in the right posterior mandible. On CT examination, large lingual bone concavity with extra-osseous course of the inferior alveolar nerve bundle was detected. In atypical cases, it is suggested that confirmatory imaging using CT or MRI should be taken.
Subject(s)
Hyoid Bone , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Mandible , Mandibular Nerve , Radiography, Panoramic , Salivary Glands , Tomography, X-Ray Computed摘要
PURPOSE: To make a focal trough (image layer) for an average maxillary dental arch of 6-year-old korean in panoramic radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phantom for the maxillary dental arch was designed using intercanine width, intermolar width, tooth size, and interdental spacing to record the data of 6-year-old child. The characteristics of pre-corrected panoramic machine (for adult) was evaluated using the phantom, resolution test pattern for margin of the image layer, and metal ball for the center of the image layer. Panoramic image layer of the child was developed by means of decreasing the speed of film-cassette and positioning the phantom backwards, and then the characteristics of post-corrected panoramic machine (for child) were reevaluated. RESULTS: At post-corrected panoramic image layer, beam projection angles at all interdental areas increased for about 2.6-3.8 degrees, the position of the image layer was shifted toward the rotation center for about 2.5 mm at the deciduous central incisior area. The width of image layer decreased at all areas. CONCLUSION: Increased beam projection angle will reduce the disadvantage of tooth overlap, and the same form between the center of the image layer and dental arch will improve image resolution.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Dental Arch , Radiography, Panoramic , Tooth摘要
Thirteen-year-old girl complaining of the swelling and pain on the left midface visited our dental hospital. On the radiographic examination, well-defined radiolucent lesion with hyperostotic border was found in the left maxilla accompanying with the external root resorption of the involved teeth and the displaced second molar. CT showed calcified bodies, thinning of hard palate, inferior orbital wall and lateral wall of nasal fossa, and thinning and perforation of the buccal plate of the maxilla. Enucleation and curettage of the lesion and nasoantrostomy was carried out and histopathologic examination mainly showed a solid tumor tissue composed of odontogenic epithelium and pulp tissues admixed with dentin and enamel formation. And some part of reduced follicular epithelium of tooth germ showed a change mimicking calcifying odontogenic cyst. Taken together, we concluded the lesion is an ameloblastic fibro-odontoma with a change of calcifying odontogenic cyst.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Ameloblasts , Curettage , Dental Enamel , Dentin , Epithelium , Maxilla , Molar , Odontogenic Cyst, Calcifying , Odontogenic Cysts , Odontogenic Tumors , Odontoma , Orbit , Palate, Hard , Root Resorption , Tooth , Tooth Germ摘要
Fibrous dysplasia is believed to be a hamartomatous developmental lesion of unknown origin. This disease is divided into monostotic and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. Polyostotic type can be divided into craniofacial type, Lichtenstein-Jaffe type, and McCune-Albright syndrome. In this case, a 31-year-old female presented spontaneous loss of right mandibular teeth before 5 years and has shown continuous expansion of right mandibular alveolus. Through the radiographic view, the coarse pattern of the mixed radiopaque-lucent lesion was seen on the right mandibular body, and there was diffuse pattern of the mixed radiopaque-lucent lesion with ill-defined margin in the left mandibular body. In the right calvarium, the lesion had cotton-wool appearance. Partial excision for contouring, multiple extraction, and alveoloplasty were accomplished under general anesthesia for supportive treatment. Finally we could conclude this case was polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of cranio-maxillofacial area based on the clinical, radiologic finding, and histopathologic examination.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Alveoloplasty , Anesthesia, General , Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic , Skull , Tooth摘要
PURPOSE: Although varicella outbreakes have frequently occured, the epidemiology of varicella in Korea has not well been delineated. Furthermore without enough investigation with regard to safety and efficacy of varicella vaccine in Korean population, the vaccine has begun to be used in healthy children. Therefore the authors analized the clinical features of patients diagnosed of varicella to aid in understanding the epidemiology of varicella in Korea, and also compared the difference depending on varicella vaccination status. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1154 otherwise healthy patients diagnosed of varicella by six private pediatricians (5 in Seoul and 1 in Incheon) from March 1994 to February 1996. The information pertaining to clinical features of varicella was obtained through questionnaires answered by pediatricians. RESULTS: 1) Among the total 1154 patients, sex ratio was 1.2:1 with male predominance. The average age was 4.1+/-2.5 years old with the range of 1 month to 15 years of age. One thousand and thirty patients (89.2%) were younger than 6 years old and 126 patients (10.9%) were younger than 1 year old. 2) Occurrence of varicella was reported every month during the study period and peak in June, July, and November to January. 3) Two hundreds and eight-four patients (24.6%) had a history of previous varicella vaccination. 4) Four hundreds and fifty-five patients (53.3%) had a history of exposure to patients with varicella and the mean incubation period was 13.7+/-4.1 days with no difference according to varicella vaccination status. 5) Prodromal symptoms were reported from 615 patients (53.3%) with temperature elevation being most frequent. Except for temperature elevation, occurrence of all other prodromal symptoms was not different between unvaccinated and vaccinated patients. 6) Duration of new rash development was 3.9+/-1.3 days with the range of 1 to 9 days and longer in unvaccinated patients (4.1+/-1.2 days) compared to vaccinated patients (3.1+/-1.1 days). Atypical rash was observed in 144 patients (12.5%) and more frequently among unvaccinated patients. 7) Sixty-eight patients suffered from complications which were skin infection (49), conjunctivitis (20), neurologic complication (1), and pneumonia (1), with no difference between unvaccinated and vaccinated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The current study is reporting, for the first time, the epidemiologic features of varicella in Korea. Bedsides, the result of the study, illustrating that 1/4 of the patients reported to have varicella were vaccinated with varicella vaccine, indicates the necessity of the investigation for the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in Korean population.