Clinical Course and Outcomes of 3,060 Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Korea, January–May 2020

Background@#The fatality rate of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies among countries owing to demographics, patient comorbidities, surge capacity of healthcare systems, and the quality of medical care. We assessed the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the epidemic in Korea. @*Methods@#Using a modified World Health Organization clinical record form, we obtained clinical data for 3,060 patients with COVID-19 treated at 55 hospitals in Korea. Disease severity scores were defined as: 1) no limitation of daily activities; 2) limitation of daily activities but no need for supplemental oxygen; 3) supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula; 4) supplemental oxygen via facial mask; 5) non-invasive mechanical ventilation; 6) invasive mechanical ventilation; 7) multi-organ failure or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy; and 8) death. Recovery was defined as a severity score of 1 or 2, or discharge and release from isolation. @*Results@#The median age of the patients was 43 years of age; 43.6% were male. The median time from illness onset to admission was 5 days. Of the patients with a disease severity score of 3–4 on admission, 65 (71.5%) of the 91 patients recovered, and 7 (7.7%) died due to illness by day 28. Of the patients with disease severity scores of 5–7, 7 (19.5%) of the 36 patients recovered, and 8 (22.2%) died due to illness by day 28. None of the 1,324 patients who were < 50 years of age died; in contrast, the fatality rate due to illness by day 28 was 0.5% (2/375), 0.9% (2/215), 5.8% (6/104), and 14.0% (7/50) for the patients aged 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80 years of age, respectively. @*Conclusion@#In Korea, almost all patients of < 50 years of age with COVID-19 recovered without supplemental oxygen. In patients of ≥ 50 years of age, the fatality rate increased with age, reaching 14% in patients of ≥ 80 years of age.

Positive culture rate and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum

OBJECTIVE: To assess positive culture rate and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Mycoplasma hominis (MH) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) in symptomatic general population and pregnant women admitted with preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who have undergone culture test and antimicrobial susceptibilities at our center from January 2017 to April 2018. Patients with positive culture for MH, UU, or both were included in this study. RESULTS: There were 200 patients who were eligible for enrollment. Of these patients, 34 (17%) were pregnant women and 166 (83%) were non-pregnant women. Of these 200 patients, positive culture results were as follows: MH only, n=10 (5%); UU only, n=58 (29%); and both MH and UU, n=36 (18%). Susceptibilities of MH only to doxycycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin were 100%, 10%, 40%, and 0%, respectively. Susceptibilities of UU only to doxycycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin were 94.8%, 87.9%, 5.2%, and 81%, respectively. Susceptibilities of both MH and UU to doxycycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin were 97.2%, 5.6%, 11.1%, and 11.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: UU only was the leading causative pathogen for genitourinary infection in our study. MH only accounted for about one sixth of UU only infections. Doxycycline was still the best antibiotics as most patients with MH only, UU only, or both MH and UU positive culture showed susceptibility. For ciprofloxacin, less than 12% of those with UU only and both MH and UU culture positive results showed susceptibility.

Laminoplasty for Treatment of Transverse Sacral Fracture: A Case Report

The transverse sacral fracture is rare; however, if it accompanies neurological injury or instability, difficult surgical treatment may be necessary. We performed surgical decompression and laminoplasty in a patient with neurological deficits and anterior displacement of S2 on S1. The patient showed a successful clinical outcome by neurological improvement.

A Case of Surgically Treated by Transperitoneal Approach in Delayed Neurological Deficit after Sacral Fracture: A Case Report

This study reviews a case of sacral fracture with delayed onset neurological deficit that showed good results after decompressive surgery. The delayed neurological deficit appeared at 4 weeks after injury and it was treated with anterior decompression through transperitoneal approach. A 23-year-old woman was injured in a car accident and had bilateral pubic rami fractures and fractures of the sacral ala on the right side. She was treated with external fixation devices for approximately four weeks, but complained of pain and numbness. The dorsiflexion and plantalflexion of the right ankle was weakened and graded as grade 2. Preoperative pelvic and sacral radiographs, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and electromyelography, and nerve conduction study were performed to identify the region of neurological deficit, and we decided to implement neurological decompression. By transperitoneal approach, we performed bone curratage and decompression around the region of sacral alar slope and S1 foramen. The pain and numbness of the right foot cleared up. Dorsiflexion and plantalflexion of the right ankle improved to grade 5. Anterior decompression by transperitoneal approach proved to bring satisfactory results in a patient, who presented delayed neurological deficit after sacral fracture.

The Treatment of Intertrochanteric Femoral Fracture with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the results of treating intertrochanteric fracture with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed PFNA on 41 intertrochanteric femur fracture patients from May 2008, to August 2010. We analyzed the operation time, blood loss, recovery of ambulatory function, T-score, the tip apex distance (TAD), the sliding distance of the blade, neck-shaft angle, and complications. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 51 minutes and the mean amount of blood loss was 350 ml. The time to ambulation averaged 7.2 days. Thirty-two cases (79%) recovered their previous walking status at 6 months after operation. The average T-score was 3.3 and TAD was 12.3 mm (8.6~27 mm). 35 cases (87%) achieved acceptable reduction. The average amount of PFNA blade sliding was 3.3 mm. The neck-shaft angle was changed 2.6 degrees varus displacement at the final follow-up. There was one case of nonunion due to tuberculosis infection. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study indicate that PFNA is a useful and reliable choice for the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture of the femur.

Subtrochanteric Femur Fracture after Multiple Drilling for Treatment of Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Case Report

Multiple drilling of the femoral head is a commonly-used surgical technique for the treatment of osteonecrosis. Several holes are drilled into the femoral head using a small-diameter Steinmann pin. This decompression technique promotes revascularization and regeneration of necrotic tissue in the femoral head. Known complications are heterotopic ossification and femoral subtrochanteric fractures, although these have only been rarely reported. Our case study focuses on a subtrochanteric fracture 6 weeks after a multiple drilling operation.

Useful Method for Minimizing Leg Length Discrepancies in Hip Arthroplasty: Use of an Intraoperative X-ray

PURPOSE: There are numerous opinions about the methods and usefulness of minimizing leg length discrepancies after hip arthroplasty. In this study, we tried to evaluate the usefulness of an intraoperative x-ray in addition to preoperative templating for minimizing leg length discrepancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed pre- and post-operative pelvis AP x-rays of 46 patients who underwent hip arthroplasty due to a traumatic femoral neck fracture or intertrochanteric fracture between May 2008 and February 2009. A leg length discrepancy is the difference in vertical distance between a horizontal line drawn along the bottom of the ischial tuberosities and the most inferior points of the lesser trochanter. It was measured in a pelvis AP x-ray. In each case, pre-operative templating was performed and an intraoperative pelvis AP x-ray was taken again to assess the accuracy of preoperative planning. Implant positions were readjusted when necessary. RESULTS: The mean post-operative leg-length discrepancy was 0.3 mm (SD, 3.1 mm). The range was from -5.8 mm to +5.9 mm. CONCLUSION: Combining preoperative templating and intraoperative x-rays is a useful method of minimizing leg length discrepancy during hip arthroplasty.

Operative Treatment of the Fracture of the Fourth and Fifth Metacarpal Bone Base

PURPOSE: We intend to set up the plan by analyzing the case applying operative treatment for the diagnosis and treatment of the fourth and fifth metacarpal bone base fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 15 cases treated operatively from January of 2004 to October of 2009, there were 9 cases being fifth isolated carpometacarpal fracture, 5 cases being the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal comminuted fracture, 2 cases accompanied by hamate body fracture, 10 cases were comminuted fracture of carpal bone or metacarpal bone. RESULTS: The 13 cases of 15 cases which have got operative treatment for the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal fracture were men, average age were 26.3 years old, injury mechanism were direct hit for 9 cases, slip-down for 6 cases. 12 cases were done closed reduction and pinning, 3cases were done open reduction because of comminution or accompanied by hamate fracture. CONCLUSION: Appropriate diagnostic tool such as computed tomography and careful physical examination are essential for good result of the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal fracture treatment.

Perineural Cyst in Upper Lumbar Spine: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

Spinal perineural cyst rarely appears in the upper lumbar spinal region as compared it occurrence at other spinal region. These cysts seldom cause radiating pain and neurologic symptoms because the majority of these cysts involve the sacral portion of the spine. Spinal perineural cyst can be recognized incidentally on magnetic resonance imaging while differentiating other diseases that cause back pain. The differential diagnosis of symptoms is needed to rule out whether or not the intraspinal cystic mass is the actual cause of radiculopathy. We report here on a case of perineural cyst at a left neural foramen of L2-3 and the patient displayed neurologic manifestations. The patient had progressively aggravated low back pain and sciatica of two years duration. MRI well demonstrated neural compression of the left 2nd lumbar neural root. Relief of symptoms were achieved by performing posterior decompression (hemilaminectomy, fascectomy & decompression of the ligamentum flavum), excision of the cyst and posterolateral fusion of L2-3.

Anastomosis Protection with Mallecot in Low Rectal Anastomosis

PURPOSE: Anastomotic leakage following surgery is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, prevention of anastomotic leakage is crucial for safe rectal surgery. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Mallecot(R) insertion on the prevention of anastomotic leakage after low rectal anastomosis. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2006, 264 rectal cancer surgeries were performed in one center and by one surgeon. Among them, 110 cases whose anastomosis was located below 6 cm from the anal verge were collected and reviewed retrospectively. We made a diverting stoma on 6 out of 20 patients with high risk of anastomotic leakage, and inserted Mallecot(R) on the remaining 14 patients transanally. Removal of Mallecot(R) was done at the 7th postoperative day after a digital rectal examination to identify the completeness of anastomosis had been performed. RESULTS: Totally, anastomotic leakage occurred in 8 of 110 patients (73%). Among the 90 patients without any preventive measures, 7 incidents of anastomotic leakage were observed; on the other hand, 1 of 14 patients with Mallecot(R) insertion suffered anastomotic leakage. In two of the patients with leakage, including 1 in the Mallecot(R) group, the leakage was resolved via percutaneous drainage; in the other 6 patients were reoperated. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of preventing an anastomotic leakage after low rectal surgery cannot be overemphasized to reduce morbidity and to improve the prognosis. In addition, Mallecot(R) insertion may be an alternative method for diverting stoma formation.

Treatment of OTA type A2 Intertrochanteric Fractures of the Femur Using Sliding Hip Screw: An Analysis of Risk Factors

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the risk factors affecting the failure of fixation and to analyze the clinical and radiologic results after operation with using a sliding hip screw for treating OTA type A2 intertrochanteric fractures of the femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to June 2005, we reviewed the clinical records and the serial radiographs of 53 patients (OTA type A2 intertrochanteric fractures of the femur) who were treated with a 135-degree angled sliding hip screw. We analyzed the change in the neck-shaft angle, the sliding distance and failure of the sliding screw, according to the reduction of the lesser trochanteric fragment and the stability of the lateral buttress. RESULTS: Among 53 patients, there were 15 cases (28.3%) of failures to reduce the lesser trochanteric fragment. Losses of the lateral buttress were observed in 35 cases (66.0%). There were 8 cases (15.1%, 8/15) that failed radiologically, including cutting out of the sliding hip screw from a femoral head (3 cases), metal failure (1 case) and excessive sliding (4 cases). There were significantly differences for the changes of the angle of the neck-shaft, the distance of sliding and the length of penetration of the sliding hip screw, according to the reduction of the lesser trochanteric fragment and the stability of the lateral buttress. CONCLUSION: It is important to consider the reduction of the lesser trochanteric fragment and the stability of lateral buttress when treating OTA type A2 intertrochanteric fractures with using a sliding hip screw.

Radiological Comparison between 60 degrees Distal Chevron Osteotomy and 40 degrees Distal Chevron Osteotomy in Hallux Valgus / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: We made a radiological comparison between 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy with short armed two parts and 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy with long armed one part performing operation in cases of hallux valgus angle of less than 40 degrees, intermetatarsal angle of less than 15 degrees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 cases with 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy and 12 cases with 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy were selected from October 2000 to March 2005. We have analysed the hallux valgus angle, 1-2 intermetatarsal angle, metatarsal length, distal metartarsal articular angle and angulation at osteotomy site on lateral view in each radiological films taken at preoperative, postoperative and 3 months after operation presuming bone union. All cases were women, both sides were 9 cases and average age was 52.3 years old. RESULTS: Data taken at preoperative, postoperative and 3 months follow up films in 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy were as follows; the hallux valgus angles were 32.1 degrees, 10.9 degrees, 13.8 degrees, the 1-2 intermetatarsal angles were 13.6 degrees, 8.5 degrees, 8.4 degrees, the metatarsal length were 60.6 mm, 58.8 mm, 58 mm, the distal metartarsal articular angles were 13 degrees, 6 degrees, 6.6 degrees and 3 cases were over 3 degrees angulation at lateral view. In 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy, the hallux valgus angles were 34.5 degrees, 11.6 degrees, 15.3 degrees, the 1-2 intermetatarsal angles were 12.7 degrees, 8.2 degrees, 7.8 degrees, the metatarsal length were 59.2 mm, 56.9 mm, 55.9 mm, the distal metartarsal articular angles were 12 degrees, 7.3 degrees, 7.3 degrees and there were no case with angulation over 3 degrees at lateral view. CONCLUSION: In comparison between 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy and 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy measuring at postoperative and follow up, most of all data were similar, but 3 cases over 3 degrees angulation at lateral view happened in 60 degrees Chevron osteotomy. This result showed that 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy fixing with screws through long armed one part may have benefit than 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy fixing with K-wires through short armed two parts in making rigid fixation, even though there is a personal difference of technigue.

Radiological Comparison between 60 degrees Distal Chevron Osteotomy and 40 degrees Distal Chevron Osteotomy in Hallux Valgus / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: We made a radiological comparison between 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy with short armed two parts and 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy with long armed one part performing operation in cases of hallux valgus angle of less than 40 degrees, intermetatarsal angle of less than 15 degrees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 cases with 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy and 12 cases with 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy were selected from October 2000 to March 2005. We have analysed the hallux valgus angle, 1-2 intermetatarsal angle, metatarsal length, distal metartarsal articular angle and angulation at osteotomy site on lateral view in each radiological films taken at preoperative, postoperative and 3 months after operation presuming bone union. All cases were women, both sides were 9 cases and average age was 52.3 years old. RESULTS: Data taken at preoperative, postoperative and 3 months follow up films in 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy were as follows; the hallux valgus angles were 32.1 degrees, 10.9 degrees, 13.8 degrees, the 1-2 intermetatarsal angles were 13.6 degrees, 8.5 degrees, 8.4 degrees, the metatarsal length were 60.6 mm, 58.8 mm, 58 mm, the distal metartarsal articular angles were 13 degrees, 6 degrees, 6.6 degrees and 3 cases were over 3 degrees angulation at lateral view. In 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy, the hallux valgus angles were 34.5 degrees, 11.6 degrees, 15.3 degrees, the 1-2 intermetatarsal angles were 12.7 degrees, 8.2 degrees, 7.8 degrees, the metatarsal length were 59.2 mm, 56.9 mm, 55.9 mm, the distal metartarsal articular angles were 12 degrees, 7.3 degrees, 7.3 degrees and there were no case with angulation over 3 degrees at lateral view. CONCLUSION: In comparison between 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy and 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy measuring at postoperative and follow up, most of all data were similar, but 3 cases over 3 degrees angulation at lateral view happened in 60 degrees Chevron osteotomy. This result showed that 40 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy fixing with screws through long armed one part may have benefit than 60 degrees distal Chevron osteotomy fixing with K-wires through short armed two parts in making rigid fixation, even though there is a personal difference of technigue.

Ganglion and Synovial Cyst on the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

Ganglion cyst and synovial cyst are rarely found in the lumbar spinal canal. Synovial cysts usually arise from degenerative apophyseal joints, and ganglion cysts arise from articular facet joints. We present here two cases: one ganglion cyst that arose from the posterior longitudinal ligament at the L2-3 intervertebral space level, and a synovial cyst that also arose from the posterior longitudinal ligament at the level of the L4 body. Both patients progressively developed low back pain with radiating pain. The lesions were detected by magnetic resonance imaging in both cases. The dural sac was displaced by the cysts in both cases. Relief of symptoms was achieved by decompressive laminectomy and excision of the ganglion cyst, and excision of the synovial cyst and PLIF at L3-4. Because these lesions have not been reported on before, we report here on 2 cases with synovial and ganglion cyst from the posterior longitudinal ligament at lumbar spinal level.

Operative Treatment of Intraarticular Calcaneal Fracture According to the Fracture Type / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical results of operative treatment of the intraarticular calcaneal fracture according to fracture classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 25 cases (24 patients) which had at least one year follow up, 17 men and 7 women who were treated from June 1997 to March 2003. We have analysed the Bohler's angle, cruciate angle, width and posttraumatic osteoarthritis in radiological evaluation, and evaluated clinical results according to the Creighton-Nebraska health foundation score. RESULTS: Excellent results were noted in 7 cases, good results in 6 cases, fair results in 4 cases and poor results in 8 cases. Radiological changes showed as follows: Bohler angle 17 degrees, Crucial angle 0.1 degrees, Width 6mm. CONCLUSION: Type II showed satisfactory results and type IV showed unsatisfactory results in Sanders classification. Proper evaluation of the intraarticular calcaneal fracture by X-ray and CT scan is necessory to predict prognosis and decise method of operative treatment.