Cellulitis in Young Adults / 대한정형외과학회잡지

While the microbiology of cellulitis in the pediatric population and systemic diseases(DM, Cirrhosis, etc) is well known,the causative bacteria and clinical aspect of cellulitis in young adults are less descrihed. this study was undertaken to identify the causative organisms and clinical aspect of adult cellulits. We analysed 121 medical records of 115 young adult patients with cellulitis who had been admitted at the department of orthopaedic surgery, National Police hospital from Jan. 1994. to Dec. 1996. The results were as follows. 1. The age of patient was between 21 yrs and 25 yrs, and the sex of all patients was male. 2. The lower leg and foot were the most frequently involved site of cellulitis as 92 cases(74.2%). 3. The potals were suspected in 65 cases(56.5%),of them, traumas were detected in 43 cases(66.1%), non-traumatic skin lesions in 23 cases(33.9%). 4. In most cases, initial systemic symptoms (fever, chill, headache, etc.) and local symptoms (local heating, tenderness, etc.) were found. 5. The laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis in 19%, elevated ESR in 94%, positive CRP in 80%. 6. Microorganism were detected in 16 of 38 pus cultures. Gram positive microorganisms were detected in 15 of 16 cases culture positive. 7. 6.7% of patients with cellulitis experienced recurrence in same lesions. In conclusion, the retrospective analysis of 115 young adult patients with cellulitis showed that primary cause of young adult cellulit was circulatory disturbance and lymphatic obstruction of the lower extremities most often involved by trauma. therefore, supportive treatments such as rest,elevation,ice packs are considered prior to antibiotic treatment.antibiotic treatment aimed at gram-positive cocci appears to be sufficient.

Core Decompression on Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Early stage osteonecrosis of femoral head is a major therapeutic dilemma in orthopedics. Many joint preserving treatment modalities have been proposed, but none of them is entirely satisfactory. Among them, core decompression has been widely performed. The results of twenty two core decompression procedures that were performed for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in fifteen patients were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure. From January 1990 to December 1993, we had treated twenty two cases of the osteonecrosis of femoral head. The average follow-up was 31 months, ranging from 12 months to 58 months and the average age at operation was 39.6 years, ranging from 21 to 58 years. By Ficat-Arlet stage, the stages I were 1 case,IIa 6 cases, IIb 7 cases and III 8 cases. The functional and radiological evaluation was done preoperatively and at final follow up by the Harris Hip score and Ficat stage. The results were as follows. The improved cases were 10 cases and the progressed were 12. Radiologically, none of 1 hip(0%) with stage I, two of 6 hips(33%) with stage IIa, four of 7 hips(57%) with stage IIb, and six of 8 hips(75%) with stage III have progressed. Mean preoperative Harris Hip score was 57 points and it improves to 69 (the improved 13 cases; 85, the progressed 9; cases; 49)at final follow up. In six of the progressed 9 cases, the arthroplasties were performed. Among them, five cases are being observed. In conclusion, the core decompression is not only highly effective in preventing further change in femoral head, but also relieving pain and delaying time for arthroplasty at late stage osteonecrosis of femoral head.