The Effects of Laughter Therapy for the Relief of Employment-Stress in Korean Student Nurses by Assessing Psychological Stress Salivary Cortisol and Subjective Happiness

ObjectivesKorean student nurses may be exposed to stress caused by their future employment (employment stress). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a Laughter Program on psychological stress, by assessing salivary cortisol and the subjective happiness of student nurses in order to relieve employment stress.MethodsA quasi-experimental, non-equivalent, control-group, and pre-test/post-test was conducted in 4th year student nurses (n = 48) from 2 universities in Korea at a time when participants’ final exams and job searches were simultaneously occurring. Physiological stress (salivary cortisol), and psychological stress measured using modified Cornell Medical Index questionnaire and the Subjective Happiness Scale were used to determine the effects of the program.ResultsThe results of the study showed that the Laughter Program was effective in relieving employment stress and increasing the subjective well-being of student nurses. Psychological stress (p < 0.001), salivary cortisol levels (p < 0.001), and subjective happiness (p < 0.001) were statistically significantly improved after the intervention compared with before the Laughter Program.ConclusionThis study is an effective evidence-based intervention to reduce student nurses employment stress and improve subjective happiness.

Influence of Resilience and Job Embeddedness on Turnover Intention in General Hospital Nurses / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of resilience and job placement on general hospital nurse's intention to relocate, prepare a practical transfer management plan, and provide basic data on effective personnel management. METHODS: Data were collected from 333 nurses in 2 general hospitals with more than 500 beds in P-city. Data analysis was performed using hierarchical regression with the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. RESULTS: The significant factors influencing turnover intention of hospital nurses were sacrifice, fit, link, interpersonal relationship, followed by experience of turnover. Explanatory power was 42% in the regression model. CONCLUSION: Resilience and job embeddedness have a positive effect on turnover intention in general hospital nurses. Therefore, efforts to improve resilience, job embeddedness, and organizational support are required to decrease turnover intention.

Comparison of Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, and Comfort between Buckwheat and Latex Pillows

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate differences in neck pain, shoulder pain, and comfort between buckwheat and latex pillows in elderly sanatorium residents. METHODS: The crossover experimental study was performed with 30 elderly patients in a convalescent hospital for seniors. The buckwheat and latex pillows were used for 2 weeks, the 7 day was assigned as the washout between each one week intervention, respectively. Pre- and posttest visual analog scale (VAS) scores for neck and shoulder pains and the neck disability index (NDI) were investigated. Data were analyzed using paired-samples t test, and their correlations were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 (IBM Corp., New York, NY, USA). RESULTS: After the 2-week intervention, results showed that the use of buckwheat pillows decreased the VAS scores for neck and shoulder pains and NDI. Further, the use of latex pillows decreased the VAS score for neck pain and NDI, but the VAS score for shoulder pain showed no statistically significant differences (t=1.887, P=0.069). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, using latex and buckwheat pillows is the best option for reducing neck pain. Between the buckwheat and latex pillows, the buckwheat pillow is a better option for decreasing neck and shoulder pains.

Comparison of Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, and Comfort between Buckwheat and Latex Pillows

BACKGROUND@#This study aimed to investigate differences in neck pain, shoulder pain, and comfort between buckwheat and latex pillows in elderly sanatorium residents.@*METHODS@#The crossover experimental study was performed with 30 elderly patients in a convalescent hospital for seniors. The buckwheat and latex pillows were used for 2 weeks, the 7 day was assigned as the washout between each one week intervention, respectively. Pre- and posttest visual analog scale (VAS) scores for neck and shoulder pains and the neck disability index (NDI) were investigated. Data were analyzed using paired-samples t test, and their correlations were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 (IBM Corp., New York, NY, USA).@*RESULTS@#After the 2-week intervention, results showed that the use of buckwheat pillows decreased the VAS scores for neck and shoulder pains and NDI. Further, the use of latex pillows decreased the VAS score for neck pain and NDI, but the VAS score for shoulder pain showed no statistically significant differences (t=1.887, P=0.069).@*CONCLUSION@#In conclusion, using latex and buckwheat pillows is the best option for reducing neck pain. Between the buckwheat and latex pillows, the buckwheat pillow is a better option for decreasing neck and shoulder pains.

Effects of Labor Intensity and Fatigue on Sleep Quality of Clinical Nurses / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of labor intensity and fatigue on the sleep quality of clinical nurses and provide basic data for preparation of nursing interventions to improve sleep quality. METHODS: Data were collected from 198 nurses in 2 general hospitals with more than 500 beds in D-city. Data analysis was performed using stepwise regression with the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. RESULTS: The significant factors influencing sleep quality of the clinical nurses were fatigue, absolute labor intensity, and shift type. Explanatory power was 66% in the regression model. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that nurses with higher level of fatigue, and greater absolute labor intensity which implies extended work hours, had lower sleep quality for all the three shifts. To improve the sleep quality of clinical nurses, an intervention program for fatigue management is needed. In addition, hospitals should establish an internal legal standard to compensate overtime work with breaks. At the same time, as shift work is inevitable for nurses, it is necessary to develop a work system that can minimize the disturbance of daily rhythms.

Applying of Decision Tree Analysis to Risk Factors Associated with Pressure Ulcers in Long-Term Care Facilities / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to use decision tree analysis to explore the factors associated with pressure ulcers (PUs) among elderly people admitted to Korean long-term care facilities. METHODS: The data were extracted from the 2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS)—data of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). A MapReduce-based program was implemented to join and filter 5 tables of the NIS. The outcome predicted by the decision tree model was the prevalence of PUs as defined by the Korean Standard Classification of Disease-7 (KCD-7; code L89*). Using R 3.3.1, a decision tree was generated with the finalized 15,856 cases and 830 variables. RESULTS: The decision tree displayed 15 subgroups with 8 variables showing 0.804 accuracy, 0.820 sensitivity, and 0.787 specificity. The most significant primary predictor of PUs was length of stay less than 0.5 day. Other predictors were the presence of an infectious wound dressing, followed by having diagnoses numbering less than 3.5 and the presence of a simple dressing. Among diagnoses, “injuries to the hip and thigh” was the top predictor ranking 5th overall. Total hospital cost exceeding 2,200,000 Korean won (US $2,000) rounded out the top 7. CONCLUSIONS: These results support previous studies that showed length of stay, comorbidity, and total hospital cost were associated with PUs. Moreover, wound dressings were commonly used to treat PUs. They also show that machine learning, such as a decision tree, could effectively predict PUs using big data.

Factors Affecting Health-related Quality of Life in Middle-aged Male Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to provide a fundamental data and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in increasing population of middle-aged male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by investigating and analyzing the factors affecting the HRQoL. METHODS: The survey was performed with 124 middle-aged male BPH patients of Fatima hospital located in Daegu city. The data were collected by questionnaires and were analyzed by using SPSS WIN ver. 18.0 (IBM Corp., New York, NY, USA). RESULTS: Severity of BPH in participants was classified into moderate (54%), severe (31.5%), and mild (14.5%). The mean HRQoL score was 3.78 points. The scores in each section were 4.18 points for ‘disability of daily living activity’, 3.95 points for ‘discomfort due to BPH’, 3.69 points for ‘psychological state’, 3.65 points for ‘anxiety’ and 2.93 points for ‘sex life’. Perceived health state presented positive correlation with HRQoL and negative correlation with BPH symptoms. The BPH symptoms showed negative correlation with HRQoL. The level of BPH symptoms, perceived health status and prostate volume were revealed to influence the HRQoL in the order of the degree of influence. The factors' determination value was 63.0%. CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed that the lower the patient's level of BPH symptoms is, the better the perceived health status is and that the smaller the prostate volume is, the higher the HRQoL is. Therefore, administration of medicine that relieves BPH symptoms and reduces a volume of the prostate should be encouraged and sustainable education, customized treatment and nursing care should be provided.

The Relationship of Communication Competence, Professional Self-Concept and Stress in Clinical Practice of Nursing Students / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the relationships among communication competence, professional self-concept, and stress in clinical practice of nursing students. METHODS: The study participants were 308 senior year nursing students in D city and K province. Collected data were analyzed using t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS Version 20.0. RESULTS: There were significant differences in participants' stress of clinical practice based on their level of satisfaction on clinical practice, self-confidence of nursing and difficulty with relationships in clinical practice. A negative correlation was detected between stress in clinical practice and the professional self-concept of nursing students. Significant predictors of the perceived stress of clinical practice were satisfaction in clinical practice and pride in nursing. These accounted for 18% of the perceived stress of clinical practice in a regression model. CONCLUSION: The results may serve as basic data in support of the need to the develop effective systematic stress management programs and clinical training courses in order to attenuate the stress experienced during clinical practice of nursing students.

The Perceptions and Needs of Hospice Palliative Care and Shared Decision Making among Middle-Aged Adults / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the level of understanding of hospice palliative care (HPC) and shared decision making (SDM) among middle-aged adults. METHODS: Data were collected from 90 middle-aged adults living in D city using a self-reported questionnaire. The SPSS program was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Among the participants, 76.7% were aware of the HPC while 82.2% of the participants were not aware of SDM. Among all, 85.6% responded positively for needs of HPC, and 77.8% of participants for SDM. Participants with Christian faith (Protestants and Catholics), high income level and present illness were better aware of HPC than others. The most needed services were nursing care and treatment along with systematic counseling and explanation provided by the medical staff. There was also a significant relationship between the HPC factors, gender, income, current health status and current illness status. Participants with high income level were well aware of SDM. Stronger SDM needs were observed among participants with professional jobs or current illness. CONCLUSION: For continued discussion on HPC and SDM, it is necessary to implement and promote various education programs for medical staff and the public.

Prediction Model for Health-Related Quality of Life of Elderly with Chronic Diseases using Machine Learning Techniques / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to identify the factors that affect the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the elderly with chronic diseases and to subsequently develop from such factors a prediction model to help identify HRQoL risk groups that require intervention. METHODS: We analyzed a set of secondary data regarding 716 individuals extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2010. The statistical package of SPSS and MATLAB were used for data analysis and development of the prediction model. The algorithms used in the study were the following: stepwise logistic regression (SLR) analysis and machine learning (ML) techniques, such as decision tree, random forest, and support vector machine methods. RESULTS: Five factors with statistical significance were identified for HRQoL in the elderly with chronic diseases: 'monthly income', 'diagnosis of chronic disease', 'depression', 'discomfort', and 'perceived health status.' The SLR analysis showed the best performance with accuracy = 0.93 and F-score = 0.49. The results of this study provide essential materials that will help formulate personalized health management strategies and develop interventions programs towards the improvement of the HRQoL for elderly people with chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is, to our best knowledge, the first attempt to identify the influencing factors and to apply prediction models for the HRQoL of the elderly with chronic diseases by using ML techniques as an alternative and complement to the traditional statistical approaches.

Predictors of Medication Adherence in Elderly Patients with Chronic Diseases Using Support Vector Machine Models / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish a prediction model of medication adherence in elderly patients with chronic diseases and to identify variables showing the highest classification accuracy of medication adherence in elderly patients with chronic diseases using support vector machine (SVM) and conventional statistical methods, such as logistic regression (LR). METHODS: We included 293 chronic disease patients older than 65 years treated at one tertiary hospital. For the medication adherence, Morisky's self-report was used. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The mean age of the patients was 73.8 years. The classification process was performed with LR (SPSS ver. 20.0) and SVM (MATLAB ver. 7.12) method. RESULTS: Taking into account 16 variables as predictors, the result of applying LR and SVM classification accuracy was 71.1% and 97.3%, respectively. We listed the top nine variables selected by SVM, and the accuracy using a single variable, self-efficacy, was 72.4%. The results suggest that self-efficacy is a key factor to medication adherence among a Korean elderly population both in LR and SVM. CONCLUSIONS: Medication non-adherence was strongly associated with self-efficacy. Also, modifiable factors such as depression, health literacy, and medication knowledge associated with medication non-adherence were identified. Since SVM builds an optimal classifier to minimize empirical classification errors in discriminating between patient samples, it could achieve a higher accuracy with the smaller number of variables than the number of variables used in LR. Further applications of our approach in areas of complex diseases, treatment will provide uncharted potentials to researchers in the domains.

A Social Network Analysis of Research Topics in Korean Nursing Science

PURPOSE: This study was done to explore the knowledge structure of Korean Nursing Science. METHODS: The main variables were key words from the research papers that were presented in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and journals of the seven branches of the Korean Academy of Nursing. English titles and abstracts of the papers (n=5,936) published from 1995 through 2009 were included. Noun phrases were extracted from the corpora using an in-house program (BiKE Text Analyzer), and their co-occurrence networks were generated via a cosine similarity measure, and then the networks were analyzed and visualized using Pajek, a Social Network Analysis program. RESULTS: With the hub and authority measures, the most important research topics in Korean Nursing Science were identified. Newly emerging topics by three-year period units were observed as research trends. CONCLUSION: This study provides a systematic overview on the knowledge structure of Korean Nursing Science. The Social Network Analysis for this study will be useful for identifying the knowledge structure in Nursing Science.

Application of Support Vector Machine for Prediction of Medication Adherence in Heart Failure Patients / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome that marks the end-stage of heart diseases, and it has a high mortality rate and significant cost burden. In particular, non-adherence of medication in HF patients may result in serious consequences such as hospital readmission and death. This study aims to identify predictors of medication adherence in HF patients. In this work, we applied a Support Vector Machine (SVM), a machine-learning method useful for data classification. METHODS: Data about medication adherence were collected from patients at a university hospital through self-reported questionnaire. The data included 11 variables of 76 patients with HF. Mathematical simulations were conducted in order to develop a SVM model for the identification of variables that would best predict medication adherence. To evaluate the robustness of the estimates made with the SVM models, leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) was conducted on the data set. RESULTS: The two models that best classified medication adherence in the HF patients were: one with five predictors (gender, daily frequency of medication, medication knowledge, New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class, spouse) and the other with seven predictors (age, education, monthly income, ejection fraction, Mini-Mental Status Examination-Korean [MMSE-K], medication knowledge, NYHA functional class). The highest detection accuracy was 77.63%. CONCLUSIONS: SVM modeling is a promising classification approach for predicting medication adherence in HF patients. This predictive model helps stratify the patients so that evidence-based decisions can be made and patients managed appropriately. Further, this approach should be further explored in other complex diseases using other common variables.

Knowledge Structure of Korean Medical Informatics: A Social Network Analysis of Articles in Journal and Proceedings / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at exploring the knowledge structure of Korean medical informatics. METHODS: We utilized the keywords, as the main variables, of the research papers that were presented in the journal and symposia of the Korean Society of Medical Informatics, and we used, as cases, the English titles and abstracts of the papers (n = 915) published from 1995 through 2008. N-grams (bigram to 5-gram) were extracted from the corpora using the BiKE Text Analyzer, and their cooccurrence networks were generated via a cosine correlation coefficient, and then the networks were analyzed and visualized using Pajek. RESULTS: With the hub and authority measures, the most important research topics in Korean medical informatics were identified. Newly emerging topics by three-year period units were observed as research trends. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a systematic overview on the knowledge structure of Korean medical informatics.

Weight-related Factors Associated with Active Attitude Toward Weight Loss in Overweight Children and Parents

Background: The purpose of this study was to find the weight-related factors related to active attitude towards weight loss in children who are overweight or obese and their parents. Methods: A total of 252 elementary school children who were overweight or obese and their parents were surveyed on weight-related attitudes for one month in May 2003 in Kimhae. The definition of overweight and obesity was based on age and sex-specific Korean children's BMI references established in 1998. Results: Among the total, 64.5% of children and 76.4% of parents thought frequently about losing weight in children. Among the total, 52.8% of children and 47.6% of parents tried losing weight in children more than three times. In children, the factors related to frequent thoughts of losing weight were gender, body mass index (BMI), body dissatisfaction index, and the score of eating attitude (P<0.05). Parents' thought about their children's losing weight and the efforts to persuade their children to lose weight were related to children's frequent thought about losing weight. The children's factors related to trying to lose weight by themselves were age, BMI, and the score of eating attitude. The parent's factors related to children trying to lose weight were body dissatisfaction index of their children by parents, parent's eating attitude score, parent's thought about children's losing weight and making efforts to persuade children to lose weight by parents. The children's eating attitude was related to frequent thoughts about losing weight (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.03~1.07) and trying to lose weight more than 3 times (odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.003~1.04) after adjusting for other factors. Likewise, parents' effort to persuade their childrento lose weight was related to children's effort to lose weight (odds ratio 2.62, 95% CI 1.34~5.1). Conclusion: Active attitude towards losing weight in overweight or obese children was related to parent's attitude to wards losing weight.

The Effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 on the Apoptosis and the Production of Nitric Oxide in Rat C6 Glioma Cells

BACKGROUND: Ginsenosides, the extract of Panax ginseng, exert various pharmacological effects such as anticancer activity by the mechanism that is not yet defined. In this study, we proposed that the anticancer effect of ginsenoside Rb1 is related to tumor cell apoptosis and ginsenoside Rb1 induces the tumor cell apoptosis via the nitric oxide (NO) production. METHODS: Rat C6 glioma cells were activated by treating with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interferon (IFN)-gamma , and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha on the culture medium to investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rb1. RESULTS: Compared with C6 glioma cells treated with LPS/IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha, C6 glioma cells treated with LPS/IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha/ginsenoside Rb1 showed marked increase in the NO production and apoptosis. Ginsenoside Rb1 induces the NO production in C6 glioma cells in dose-dependent manner. When C6 glioma cells treated with LPS/IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha/ginsenoside Rb1 were incubated with the specific inhibitor of iNOS, S-Methyl-2-thiopseudoureasulfate (SMT), both NO production and apoptosis in C6 glioma cells was significantly decreased. Ginsenoside Rb1 induced the expression of iNOS mRNA and iNOS protein in C6 glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the induction of iNOS expression and subsequent

Core Temperature and Skin-Surface Temperature Gradients of Ketamine and Propofol for Anesthetic Induction in Children / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia after induction of anesthesia results initially from core-to-peripheral redistribution of body heat. Both central inhibition of tonic thermoregulatory vasoconstriction in arteriovenous shunts and anesthetic induced vasodilation contribute to core-to-peripheral redistribution of heat. Ketamine increases peripheral arteriolar resistance uniquely; in contrast, propofol causes profound venodilatation that other anesthetics do not. The aim of the present study is to evaluate core temperature and skin-surface temperature gradients in use of ketamine for anesthetic induction compared with propofol in children. METHODS: Forty pediatric patients of ASA status I or II, undergoing elective surgery for strabismus or inguinal hernia were studied. The patients were allocated randomly to one of two groups: (i) GROUP P (n = 20): Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane in combination with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. (ii) GROUP K (n = 20): Anesthesia was induced with ketamine and maintained with sevoflurane in combination with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Core temperature, forearm skin temperature, fingertip skin temperature and Forearm minus fingertip, skin-temperature gradients were recorded before induction of anesthesia, 3 min after administering ketamine or propofol (just before endotracheal intubation), 5 min, and at 5-min intervals after induction of anesthesia. RESULTS: After induction of anesthesia, core temperature in the two groups was decreased but results did not differ significantly between two groups. Forearm skin temperature was increased significantly after 20 min of anesthesia in propofol group and 15 min of anesthesia in ketamine group, but results did not differ significantly between two groups. Finger tip skin temperature was increased significantly after 3 min of anesthesia in the propofol group and 10 min of anesthesia in the ketamine group. Finger tip skin temperature of 5 min of anesthesia in propofol group increased significantly greater than in ketamine group. Forearm minus finger skin surface temperature gradients was decreased statistically significantly at 3 min of anesthesia in the propofol group and 10 min of anesthesia in the ketamine group, gradients of 5 min of anesthesia was presented statistically significant between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: For pediatric patients, after induction of anesthesia with ketamine arteriovenous shunt vasomoter status was well maintained. And maintaining vasoconstriction during induction of anesthesia reduced the magnitude of redistribution hypothermia.

Sudden Death from Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Case Report

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous inflammation with an unknown cause. The commonly involved sites are the lymph nodes, lungs, skin, eyes, and heart. Although cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is rarely detected clinically, it is reported in 20-50% of autopsied sarcoidosis patients. Cardiac involvement is one of the most severe conditions of sarcoidosis and may cause sudden death. We report a case of a sudden death due to a massive cardiac sarcoidosis in a 43-year-old man. The microscopic examination revealed an extensive noncaseating granulomatous inflammation in the mediastinal lymph nodes and the heart with no evidence of myocyte necrosis. A special stain and molecular study excluded the possibility of other causes such as fungi or mycobacterium. The authors concluded that the cause of death was attributed to arrhythmia due to a cardiac sarcoidosis with massive involvement of the conduction system.

Heterotopic Mesenteric Ossification Following Intraabdominal Surgery

Heterotopic mesenteric ossification is a very uncommon disorder that is characterized by new bone formation in the mesentery, which does not normally undergo ossification. A 52-year-old female experienced a small bowel obstruction 12 days after a segmental resection of the small bowel following a trauma. A laparotomy was performed 16 days after the initial operation, and a 2 cm hard mass was detected in the small bowel mesentery, with severe fibrous adhesions around the mass, involving the jejunum, which required resection. Postoperatively, the patient developed an intraabdominal abscess, followed by intestinal fistulation. The patient gradually recovered by conservative management, and left hospital 70 days after the first operation. Microscopic examination of the mass showed well oriented trabeculae of the osseous tissue, osteoid formation, with fine calcification and osteoblastic activity, but there was no formation of mature lamellar bone or clear evidence of the "zone phenomenon" that is classically described in heterotopic ossification. These findings appeared consistent with an early stage of heterotopic ossification. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown; the heterotopic mesenteric ossification was thought to be associated with the trauma (intraabdominal surgery). The previous literature on heterotopic mesenteric ossification is reviewed, and a new case reported.

Heterotopic Mesenteric Ossification Following Intraabdominal Surgery

Heterotopic mesenteric ossification is a very uncommon disorder that is characterized by new bone formation in the mesentery, which does not normally undergo ossification. A 52-year-old female experienced a small bowel obstruction 12 days after a segmental resection of the small bowel following a trauma. A laparotomy was performed 16 days after the initial operation, and a 2 cm hard mass was detected in the small bowel mesentery, with severe fibrous adhesions around the mass, involving the jejunum, which required resection. Postoperatively, the patient developed an intraabdominal abscess, followed by intestinal fistulation. The patient gradually recovered by conservative management, and left hospital 70 days after the first operation. Microscopic examination of the mass showed well oriented trabeculae of the osseous tissue, osteoid formation, with fine calcification and osteoblastic activity, but there was no formation of mature lamellar bone or clear evidence of the "zone phenomenon" that is classically described in heterotopic ossification. These findings appeared consistent with an early stage of heterotopic ossification. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown; the heterotopic mesenteric ossification was thought to be associated with the trauma (intraabdominal surgery). The previous literature on heterotopic mesenteric ossification is reviewed, and a new case reported.