Clinical and Physical Characteristics That Affect Apnea-Hypopnea Index in Suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients : The Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to find the influential clinical and physical characteristics which affect apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. METHODS: We evaluated the comprehensive factors including sleep related symptoms, clinical scales, medical history, substance use, and anthropometric data of the 119 participants who complained of the symptoms of OSA. All the participants underwent attended-full night laboratory polysomnography. The correlation and multiple regression analysis were conducted to find the influential and predictive factors of AHI. RESULTS: A multiple linear regression model 1 showed that higher AHI was associated with higher body mass index (BMI)(p < 0.001) and higher frequency of observed apnea (p = 0.002). In multiple linear regression model 2, AHI was associated with higher BMI (p < 0.001) and loudness of snoring (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The present preliminary results suggest that BMI and observed apnea are most influential factors that affect AHI in suspected OSA patients. In the future study we will design the prediction formula for the OSA and AHI, which is useful in the clinical medical field.

Correction of Closed Outer Table Fracture of Frontal Sinus using Upper Eyelid Incision and Autogenous Bone Graft

PURPOSE: The bicoronal incision, traditional procedure to correct the frontal sinus fracture, could remain a long scar, alopecia etc. Hence, the authors introduce the procedure to fix the outer table fracture of the frontal sinus through the upper eyelid incision as a concealed scar. MATERIAL & METHODS: From November, 2007 to December, 2010, five patients who suffered from outer table fracture of frontal sinus fracture underwent operation to correct the depressed contour of forehead. Instead of the reduction of depressed outer wall, autogenous bone was grafted trough the upper eyelid incision. The result of operation was evaluated with VAS score system(score arrange 0 to 5). VAS score was taken from patients as well as 4 plastic surgeons. RESULTS: Both patients and surgeons were satisfied about result of operation. The overall average score from plastic surgeon was 4.2. Especially to the scar of upper eyelid incision, the score was 4.7. Average score from the patients was 4.1. And there were no other complications as follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: This technique could be one of good options to correct the depression after the outer table fracture of the frontal sinus. And this technique has some benefits to overcome the disadvantage of previous introduced methods.

Using of a Straw as Liposuction Protector at the Treatment of Osmidrosis

Osmidrosis could have not cured completely with non-surgical treatment. Surgical methods are most effective but they usually make visible scar and complications. So less-invasive methods as liposuction assisted operation are performing broadly. However, contact burn had occurred by frictional stress of liposuction cannula. Several manufactures are commercialized for skin protection but they makes visible scar due to their large size. Therefore we had designed a device for skin protection using a straw. Regarding the method we have used, the end of sterilized straw into 4 strips for fixation to skin was divided. And skin incision about 7mm was performed and the straw was inserted through it. Fixation suture was done to each 4 strips by nylon 4-0. During liposuction, the cannula was inserted through the straw. After operation, straw was removed and subcutaneous suture is done by PDS 5-0, skin closure is done by Dermabond(R) (Ethicon, USA). Remarkably lesser scar had ranged from 7mm to 10mm had developed. And most patients had been satisfied with invisible scar. Using this device at the treatment of osmidrosis by liposuction, it is not only effective for skin protection but reduces length of incision scar.