Limb Length Estimation Based on Height in Normal People in Busan and Kyungnam Area

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relation between height and limb length using anthropometric data in healthy people. METHOD: One hundred and fifty healthy subjects between the age of 7 months and 67 years were subdivided into five groups: group I (age under 5), group II (5~10), group III (11~20), group IV (21~60), and group V (61 or more). Each group included 15 males and 15 females. Upper arm was measured between acromion and olecranon, and forearm was measured between olecranon and thumb tip. Thigh was measured between ASIS and medial plateau of tibia, and lower leg was measured between medial plateau of tibia and the floor vertically. RESULTS: Ratios of upper arm to height were 0.18+/-0.01 in group I, 0.19+/-0.02 in group II, 0.19+/-0.01 in group III, 0.19+/-0.01 in group IV, and 018+/-0.01 in group V. Ratios of forearm to height were 0.23+/-0.03, 0.23+/-0.03, 0.23+/-0.02, 0.22+/-0.01, and 0.22+/-0.01, respectively. Ratios of thigh to height were 0.27+/-0.03, 0.29+/-0.02, 0.31+/-0.02, 0.31+/-0.01, and 0.31+/-0.01 in each age group. Ratios of lower leg to height were 0.22+/-002, 0.25+/-0.02, 0.25+/-0.01, 0.26+/-0.01, and 0.25+/-0.01, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ratio of each body segment to height was useful in producing prosthesis for the people lost their both upper or lower extremities calculating the ultimate length of extremities through it.

The Influence of Stimulation Site on the Conduction Study of Palmar Cutaneous Branch of Median Nerve

OBJECTIVE: Nerve conduction study of palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve is infrequently evaluated in spite of its importance because of perceived technical difficulties. This study reports the different nerve conduction responses of palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve by change of stimulation site. METHOD: Conduction study of palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve was performed in 42 normal individuals stimulated at the site of 7 cm proximal to the recording electrode. Results were compared to those of stimulated at the site of 10 cm proximal to the recording electrode with t-test by SPSS 7.5. RESULTS: Values of conduction study stimulated at the site of 10 cm proximal to the recording electrode were 2.37+/-0.48 msec (mean+/-SD) for peak latency, 15.67+/-8.31 micro V for amplitude and 34.52+/-5.97 mA for supramaximal intensity.Those values stimulated at 7 cm proximal were 1.72+/-0.33 msec for peak latency, 24.48+/-11.41 micro V for amplitude and 12.82+/-2.18 mA for supramaximal intensity. Amplitude stimulated at the site of 7 cm was significantly larger than that stimulated at the site of 10 cm (p<0.01). Supramaximal intensity stimulated at the site of 7 cm was significantly smaller than that stimulated at 10 cm (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The different stimulation site influences on the nerve conduction study of the palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve. Conduction study of palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve with stimulation at 7 cm proximal is a more reliable and convenient method compared to 10cm proximal in respect of larger amplitude and smaller supramaximal intensity.

Expected Durability of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Foley Catheter

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study are to estimate the proper replacement time of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy Foley catheter for prevention of accidental expulsion from the stomach, and to identify factors influencing deflation of balloon. METHOD: Silicone Foley catheters (22 Fr) were placed and compared in the different environments: 1) different acidity (pH 1, 2, 3, 4, 7), 2) static versus dynamic (100 RPM) environment. The balloon capacity of 30 ml versus 5 ml inflated with 5 ml of normal saline were compared. Mean time interval of deflation of balloon down to the capacity of 2.5 ml and 1 ml was estimated and compared respectively. RESULTS: The results showed no significant difference of the decrease of the balloon of the Foley catheters in each acidity except for pH 1 and dynamic environment. But capacity of balloon could affect deflation. The mean days of deflation of total Foley catheter down to 2.5 ml and 1 ml were 23.5+/-5.3 and 42.2+/-7.2 days respectively. CONCLUSION: Physiological gastric acidity and dynamic environment did not affect the deflation of the Foley catheter significantly, but the capacity of the balloon affected it. And suggested proper time of the replacement of the Foley catheter gastrostomy tube is ranged from 24 to 42 days after exchange.