Optimal timing for performing percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage to severe acute cholecystitis patients who visit the emergency department

Objective@#Severe acute cholecystitis is an infectious disease that requires immediate gallbladder drainage. Although percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is the most common method of gallbladder drainage, the optimal timing remains unclear. @*Methods@#This study is a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with severe acute cholecystitis who underwent PTGBD between July 2018 to June 2021. This study investigated the effect of time from emergency department arrival to PTGBD (tPTGBD) on patient prognosis. @*Results@#Totally, 48 patients were included in this study. Based on the cutoff value calculated using the Youden index, the group with tPTGBD of <5.93 hours had a shorter hospital stay (10 vs. 13.5 days, P=0.021), lower portion of progression (27:5 [15.6%] vs. 7:9 [56.3%], P=0.004), even they had a higher initial SOFA score (6 vs. 4.6, P=0.049). However, no statistical difference was obtained for the length of ICU stay between both groups (1 vs. 2, P=0.617). @*Conclusion@#Executing PTGBD to severe acute cholecystitis patients within 5.93 hours after presenting at the emergency department is associated with reduced progression and hospital stay.

Long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on emergency department utilization in a metropolitan emergency department in Korea

Purpose@#As coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has been prolonged, it became crucial to analyze the long-term impact of the pandemic on emergency department (ED) utilization for efficient use of emergency medicine resources. @*Methods@#We reviewed the data of children (≤ 18 years) who visited the ED in Daejeon, Korea, from February 2019 through January 2021. This period was dichotomized by February 2020 into the reference and pandemic periods. The latter period was further divided into the early (February-August 2020) and late pandemic periods. Between the reference and pandemic periods, and between the early and late pandemic periods, we respectively compared proportions of children in all patients (including adults), age groups, high acuity (the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale 1-2), diagnostic codes, visits via ambulances, ED length of stay, and ED disposition. @*Results@#Compared to the reference and early pandemic periods, the pandemic and late pandemic periods respectively showed changes as follows: proportion of children in all patients (from 29.8% to 19.0% and from 19.8% to 18.1%; all Ps < 0.001), children younger than 5 years (from 56.7% to 49.9% and from 52.1% to 47.4%; all Ps < 0.001), high acuity (from 12.0% to 7.8% [P < 0.001] and from 8.8% to 6.7% [P = 0.004]), “Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T98; from 30.0% to 49.0% and from 48.3% to 49.8%),” and “Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99; from 29.6% to 10.3% and from 12.8% to 7.5%).” Increases in the visits via ambulances, ED length of stay, children undergoing intensive care unit hospitalization or death were noted only in comparison between the reference and pandemic periods. @*Conclusion@#A long-term impact of the pandemic on ED use may be a decrease in the proportion of young or ill children.

Association between measurement time of fractional excretion rate of sodium and mid-long term clinical prognosis in acute kidney injury patients

Objective@#Rapid identification of the cause for acute kidney injury (AKI) is very crucial. Among the diagnostic indicators of AKI, the fractional excretion rate of sodium (FENa) is clinically considered the most useful indicator. Numerous studies have reported that rapid identification and treatment of AKI improves the short-term clinical prognosis of AKI patients. However, insufficient studies have reported on the benefits of early assessment of FENa to help improve the mid-long term clinical prognosis of AKI patients. @*Methods@#We analyzed the timing of FENa in AKI patients who were admitted through our hospital emergency department, over a period of 3 years. The experimental groups are divided into the early group, measuring FENa within 3 hours after arrival in the emergency room, and the late group, measuring FENa later than 3 hours after arrival in the emergency room. The prognostic outcomes determined are major adverse kidney events (MAKE), including new dialysis, deterioration of kidney function to chronic kidney disease (CKD), and death, as well as MAKE and AKI recurrence (MAKER). @*Results@#Significant differences were obtained between the early group and late group in time taken to start fluid resuscitation (P=0.001), intermittent hemodialysis (P=0.005), and continuous renal replacement therapy (P=0.016), as well as in the mid-long term clinical prognosis of new dialysis (P=0.018) and deterioration of kidney function to CKD (P=0.004). Differences between early group and late group in MAKE (P<0.001) and MAKER (P<0.001) were also statistically significant. In the mid-long term clinical prognosis of death (P=0.706) and AKI recurrence (P=0.466), no significant differences were obtained between the two groups. @*Conclusion@#Early measurement of FENa (within 3 hours) for AKI patients visiting the emergency room showed better mid-long term clinical prognosis than patients with delayed FENa measurement.

Association between measurement time of fractional excretion rate of sodium and mid-long term clinical prognosis in acute kidney injury patients

Objective@#Rapid identification of the cause for acute kidney injury (AKI) is very crucial. Among the diagnostic indicators of AKI, the fractional excretion rate of sodium (FENa) is clinically considered the most useful indicator. Numerous studies have reported that rapid identification and treatment of AKI improves the short-term clinical prognosis of AKI patients. However, insufficient studies have reported on the benefits of early assessment of FENa to help improve the mid-long term clinical prognosis of AKI patients. @*Methods@#We analyzed the timing of FENa in AKI patients who were admitted through our hospital emergency department, over a period of 3 years. The experimental groups are divided into the early group, measuring FENa within 3 hours after arrival in the emergency room, and the late group, measuring FENa later than 3 hours after arrival in the emergency room. The prognostic outcomes determined are major adverse kidney events (MAKE), including new dialysis, deterioration of kidney function to chronic kidney disease (CKD), and death, as well as MAKE and AKI recurrence (MAKER). @*Results@#Significant differences were obtained between the early group and late group in time taken to start fluid resuscitation (P=0.001), intermittent hemodialysis (P=0.005), and continuous renal replacement therapy (P=0.016), as well as in the mid-long term clinical prognosis of new dialysis (P=0.018) and deterioration of kidney function to CKD (P=0.004). Differences between early group and late group in MAKE (P<0.001) and MAKER (P<0.001) were also statistically significant. In the mid-long term clinical prognosis of death (P=0.706) and AKI recurrence (P=0.466), no significant differences were obtained between the two groups. @*Conclusion@#Early measurement of FENa (within 3 hours) for AKI patients visiting the emergency room showed better mid-long term clinical prognosis than patients with delayed FENa measurement.

Effect of Hospitalization Decision by Emergency Physicians on Patient's Emergency Department Length of Stay: Before and After Study using Historical Control

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the effects of the hospitalization decisions made by emergency physicians (EP) on the emergency department length of stay (ED-LOS). METHODS: From March 2016, the hospitalization decisions of six internal medicine departments were made by EP, which has been implemented gradually since 2015. Through a retrospective electronic record review, the ED-LOS between EP hospitalization decision departments (group A) and others (group B) was analyzed and the ED-LOS before and after the hospitalization decision method change was compared (2014 vs. 2016). RESULTS: Compared to 2014, in 2016, the ED-LOS in departments that hospitalization decision made by EP was reduced significantly (median with interquartile range; 478.0 minutes [319.0 to 900.5 minutes] vs. 259.0 minutes [177.0 to 384.0 minutes]; p < 0.001). In addition, the ED-LOS in Group A was reduced more than in Group B (219.0 minutes (45.8%) vs. 30.0 minutes (10.2%). CONCLUSION: ED-LOS can be reduced by the EP hospitalization decisions.

Is it Adequate to Determine Acetaminophen Toxicity Solely on Patients' History? An Analysis on Clinical Manifestation of Intoxication Patients with Positive Serum Acetaminophen Concentrations

PURPOSE: Acute acetaminophen intoxication is a common occurrence that can cause lethal complications. In most domestic emergency departments, clinicians tend to treat acetaminophen intoxication based on patients' history alone, simply due to the lack of a rapid acetaminophen laboratory test. We performed a 20-month study of intoxication patients to determine the correlation between the history of patients and serum laboratory tests for acetaminophen. METHODS: We took blood samples from 280 intoxication patients to evaluate whether laboratory findings detected traces of acetaminophen in the sample. Patients were then treated according to their history. Laboratory results came out after patients'discharge. Agreement between patients' history and laboratory results were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 280 intoxicated patients enrolled, 38 patients had positive serum acetaminophen concentrations; 18 out of 38 patients did not represent a history suggesting acetaminophen intoxication. One patient without the history showed toxic serum acetaminophen concentration. Among the patients with the history, two patients with toxic serum acetaminophen concentration did not receive N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment due to their low reported doses, while other 2 patients without significant serum acetaminophen concentration did receive NAC treatment due to their high reported doses. CONCLUSION: This study showed a good overall agreement between history and laboratory test results. However, some cases showed inconsistencies between their history and laboratory test results. Therefore, in treating intoxication patients, a laboratory test of acetaminophen with rapid results should be available in most domestic emergency departments.

Comparison of Fat Mass Percentage and Body Mass Index in Koreans With Spinal Cord Injury According to the Severity and Duration of Motor Paralysis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship of the change in fat mass percentage (FMP) and body mass index (BMI) with the change in obesity rate according to gender, extent of spinal cord injury (SCI) and the duration. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted with medical records of 915 patients. FMP was calculated with BMI and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Statistical analysis of the relationship between FMP and gender, extent of SCI and the duration after SCI was done. RESULTS: FMP increased in relation to the duration. The mean FMP was higher in the motor complete tetraplegia group, as compared to the motor incomplete group. The rate of obesity was 69.8% with cutoff FMP values of over 22% and 35% for male and female patients, respectively. Rate of obesity was correlated with the duration after SCI and degree of paralysis. The rate of obesity was 17.1% with a cutoff value of BMI 25 kg/m2 and 51.3% with a cutoff value of 22 kg/m2. For evaluation of the diagnostic value of BMI to predict obesity according to FMP standards, a cutoff value of 25 kg/m2 showed a sensitivity level of 22.3% and specificity level of 94.9%. When the cutoff level for BMI was set at 22 kg/m2, the sensitivity and specificity were 59.3% and 67.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In Korean SCI patients, FMP showed good correlation with the duration of SCI and the extent of SCI, while BMI did not. Especially in the motor complete tetraplegia group, the diagnostic value of BMI decreased as the duration after SCI increased. This study suggested that FMP could be used complementarily when evaluating the obesity of SCI patients.

True Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Following Hyperabduction during Sleep: A Case Report

True neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is an uncommon disease and is difficult to diagnose at the early stage and then completely cure. We experienced a case of true neurogenic TOS with typical clinical symptoms and electrophysiologic findings as a result of repetitive habitual sleep posture. A 31-year-old woman who had complained of progressive tingling sensation on the 4th and 5th fingers with shoulder pain was diagnosed of brachial plexopathy at the lower trunk level by electrodiagnostic studies. There was no other cause of brachial plexopathy except her habit of hyperabduction of shoulder during sleep. This case demonstrated that the habitual abnormal posture can be the only major cause of neurogenic TOS. It is of importance to consider TOS with the habitual cause because simple correction of the posture could stabilize or even reverse disease progress.

Analysis of Ankle Bony Abnormality in the Patients with Chronic Ankle Sprain and Marked Ankle Instability / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: We analyzed the ankle bony abnormality of patients with marked ankle instability who had chronic ankle sprain more than 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the chronic ankle sprain (more than 3 years) patients with marked ankle instability tested by varus stress test and anterior draw test from March 2000 to December 2005. Eighty-nine patients (104 ankle) were evaluated and there were 38 males and 51 females. The mean age of patient at the time of diagnosis was 34.5 (range, 18 to 56 years). The average duration of morbidity was 7 years and 3 months (range, 3 years and 3 months to 21 years). The patients who had history of dislocation, fracture, malalignment, operated patients, and rheumatoid ones were excluded. Plain radiographs of AP, lateral, oblique and mortise view were checked. RESULTS: Radilologic abnormalities were found at 74 ankles (71%) among 104 ankles. Frequent sequences of location were anterior talotibial osteophyte, medial malleolar osteophyte, Os subfibulare, lateral malleolar osteophyte. Posteior osteophyte, ankle arthritis, talar articular defect were rarely found. CONCLUSION: Seventy-one percent among patients with chronic ankle sprain and marked ankle instability showed more than one radiologic abnormalities. Thus, more exclusive and accurate ankle examination should be performed in these patients.

A case of advanced ovarian cancer which was treated with topotecan after taxol-cisplatin treatment failed / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynecologic malignancies in developed countries. Most women present with advanced disease and require a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. One patient presented with recurrent ovarian cancer was initially treated with taxol and platinum-based compounds. Although response to these agents occurred, tumor progression was evident by elevated CA 125 levels and CT findings after a period of 4 months. This patient was then treated with topotecan and exhibited a response and stopped therapy. Topotecan exhibited activity in this patient with ovarian cancer resistent to both platinum and paclitaxel. We report a case of advanced ovarian cancer which was treated with topotecan after taxol-cisplatin treatment failed.

Hysterectomy: A comparative statistical study of abdominal versus vaginal approach / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: The most often perfomed major operation in gynecology is hysterectomy.Our purpose was to compare the indications, charateristics and outcomes of patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy and total vaginal hysterectomy and to help to establish guidelines to determine the route of hysterectomy. METHOD: The hospital charts of 400 women who underwent elective inpatient hysterectomy at Kyung-Hee University hospital from January 1994 to January 1999, were abstracted retrospectively. Data were collected regarding patients, age, parity, preoperative indications, the route of hysterectomy, uterine weight, operative and postoperative complications and the length of stay. The operative indications were benign uterine disease except from uterine prolapse. Bisection or combined morcellation were used in most cases to obtain reduction in uterine size. RESULT: Patients in whom the vaginal route was successful included 18% of those with uterine weights exceeding 280gm. There was statistically significant difference for uterine weight, operative time, bleeding amount, the length of stay in two camparative group. 4% of vaginal hysterectomy and 7% of total abdominal hysterectomy has documented operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal hysterectomy is safe operation with few intraoperative and postoperative complications without notable blood loss. Vaginal hysterectomy allow one to shorten the operating time and allows early postoperative discharge of some patients from hospital. Skilled performance of vaginal hysterectomy is worth greater attention and should be used more often in gynecological study.

A Clinical Study of Comparison with Success Group and Failure Group in Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Delivery / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: Vaginal birth or trial of labor after previous cesarean section has become one of the most remarkable changes in obstetric practice. The safety and efficacy of a trial of labor and vaginal birth after previous cesarean are well documented. The purpose of this report is to predict the likelihood of vaginal birth in patients undergoing a trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery using factors known at the time of hospital admission. METHOD: In this retrospective study, 120 women who attempted vaginal birth at Kyung-Hee University Hospital from March 1997 to March 1999. An attempt to identify possible prognostic factors for success of such a trial was made and we evaluated the variables of significant predictive value and the patients' characteristics in the success group and failure group of women who attempted VBAC. RESULT: 87 cases(72.5%) in 120 cases succeeded in VBAC and 33 cases(27.5%) failed. In this comparative groups in VBAC, there was significant difference in CPD index(cephalopelvic disproportion index) and Bishop score, but no significant difference in gestational age, the estimated fetal weight by sonography and newborn birth weight. CONCLUSION: In this study, Bishop score and CPD index and age may be useful and valid predictor of success in VBAC and this information could be particularly valuable. The CPD index may prove most important in determining if a vaginal birth should occur after a cesarean section because it can clearly identify some patients who need a repeat cesarean section.