Standardizing the job description of public health dentists in South Korea / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study addressed longstanding issues in Korea’s public health dentist system by defining and standardizing job duties. A practical job description was drafted based on job analysis results to promote work efficiency and lay the groundwork for future educational programs. @*Methods@#The job description elements were selected and drafted based on previous studies.These drafts were revised and refined with expert panel validation. @*Results@#The main job duties of public health dentists encompass community oral health, dental practice, public oral health research, and special oral health, tailored for institutions such as health sub-centers, health centers, health clinics, national health organizations, and correctional facilities. For community oral health at public health subcenters involves 12 key duties including projects, education, and community engagement. Public health centers/clinics focus on 16 key duties mainly around health project planning and evaluation. Dental care across both settings has 15 main duties. Public oral health research emphasizes community surveys and epidemiology. Special oral health in correctional facilities covers 11 main duties including education and external resource linking. @*Conclusions@#It concluded that for the development of public health dentists in South Korea, it is necessary to develop public health dentist education programs to promote the performance of public health dentists and to equip them with the competencies necessary to perform such duties, focusing on job descriptions organized around the characteristics of workplaces and major tasks.

Changes in Patients Who Receive Coverage for Positive Airway Pressure Therapy According to Alterations in National Health Insurance Benefit Standards for Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 대한이비인후과학회지

Background and Objectives@#The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of indicators of National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage for positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy and to investigate the changes in patients receiving coverage for PAP therapy after the alterations were made in the insurance benefit standards for mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Subjects and Method We divided the mild OSA patients into two groups according to altered categorization in insurance benefit standards (Mild1: 5≤AHI<10; Mild2: 10≤AHI<15). Eight indicators related to the NHI coverage were identified: four symptoms, three complications, and the minimal blood oxygen saturation during polysomnography (min SpO2) of ≤85% during polysomnography. We also investigated the change in the number of patients receiving insurance benefits under the altered insurance benefit standards. @*Results@#Of the 233 OSA patients, 66, 57, and 110 patients were diagnosed as mild, moderate and severe OSA, respectively. For all of them, the most common indicator related to NHI coverage for PAP therapy was the minimum SpO2 of less than 85% during polysomnography, and the second most common indicator was daytime sleepiness. In the mild OSA group, however, daytime sleepiness was found to be the most common indicator, found in 46 (70%) patients, followed by 38 (58%) patients with min SpO2 of less than 85%. In this group, 59 (89.4%) would have been benefited before the change in the insurance benefit standards whereas 51 patients (77.3%) would now be benefited under the changed insurance benefit standards. @*Conclusion@#Daytime sleepiness was the most commonly observed indicator in the mild OSA patients. The number of patients receiving insurance benefits for PAP therapy significantly decreased after the change was made in the NHI benefit standards for mild OSA

Clinical utilization of radiation therapy in Korea between 2017 and 2019

Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the clinical infrastructure and utilization of radiotherapy (RT) services in Korea between 2017 and 2019. @*Materials and Methods@#We extracted the data of patients who underwent RT between 2017 and 2019 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We further analyzed this data according to the diagnosis and treatment modalities of patients diagnosed with International Classification of Disease 10 (ICD-10) diagnostic codes C00–C97 and D00–D48. In addition, we collected statistics on RT facilities in Korea using a nationwide survey. @*Results@#The total number of patients who received RT in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were 77,901, 81,849, and 87,460, respectively. The number of patients diagnosed with ICD 10 C- and D-codes in 2019 was 86,339, of whom 39,467 were men and 46,872 women. The rate of utilization of RT among cancer patients was 30.4% in 2017 and 2018 and 30.9% in 2019. In 2019, the most common types of cancers treated with RT were breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers. Regarding the RT infrastructure in Korea, there were 95 radiation oncology centers, 237 megavoltage (MV) teletherapy units, 35 brachytherapy units, and two proton accelerators in 2019. There were 4.5 MV teletherapy machines per million. @*Conclusion@#The number of patients treated with RT has increased consistently from 2017 to 2019. As the number of patients with cancer increases, it is expected that the RT infrastructure will be further expanded in Korea.

Antimicrobial effects of green tea extract-containing dentifrice / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of green tea extract containing dentifrice on oral disease-causing bacteria. @*Methods@#The antibacterial activity of green tea extract containing dentifrice was examined on the gram-positive bacteria Actinomyces israelii, Enterococcus faecalis, Filifactor alocis, Streptococcus mutans, and gram-negative bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis. A. israelii, E. faecalis, F. alocis, S. mutans, F. nucleatum, and P. gingivalis were cultured with green tea extract containing dentifrice or control dentifrice; they were then incubated at 37°C under anaerobic conditions and cultured. Following incubation, a microplate reader was used to measure the absorbance and observe the number of bacteria. Statistical significance tests were conducted using the Mann-Whitney test and SPSS 24.0. @*Results@#Green tea containing dentifrice has antibacterial activity against A. israelii, E. faecalis, F.alocis, S. mutans, F. nucleatum, and P. gingivalis. Furthermore, green tea containing dentifrice killed more than 99.99% of 4 strains of gram-positive bacteria and 2 strains of gram-negative bacteria. @*Conclusions@#The detergent with green tea extract is significantly reduced the bacteria applied in this experiment; dentifrice has a bactericidal and antibacterial effect against oral bacteria. Therefore, the detergent with green tea extract is thought to be helpful in preventing dental caries and periodontal disease.

Preventive effect of dentifrice containing 1,450 ppm fluoride and sodium pyrophosphate / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a toothpaste containing sodium pyrophosphate and a high concentration (1,450 ppm) of fluoride on dental plaque, gingivitis index, and calculus index in a clinical trial. @*Methods@#This study used an eight-week, randomized, double-blinded, controlled, comparative, parallel design. The participants, who voluntarily signed a consent form, were screened through visit evaluation if they met the selection/exclusion criteria. After a one-week run-in period, the selected participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group in the order of their enrollment. Subsequently, the participants were asked to brush their teeth with the study toothpaste using the rolling method for 3 min, thrice daily, for 8 weeks. Oral examinations were performed at baseline and after 3 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Evaluation of papillary marginal attachment index (PMA index), Talbott’s gingival index, patient hygiene performance index (PHP index), Turesky plaque index, and calculus index were performed during the oral examination. @*Results@#After 8 weeks, the PMA indices were 7.12 for the control group and 5.00 for experimental groups. In addition, the PHP index was 2.06 for the control group and 1.66 for the experimental group. Significant differences were observed between the control and experimental groups in all indice (P<0.05). @*Conclusions@#This study shows that using a toothpaste containing sodium fluoride, sodium pyrophosphate, tocopherol acetate, and dental-type silica improves dental plaque removal, reduces gingivitis, and inhibits calculus formation.

Lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% antibacterial and sterilizing effect of mouth freshener / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#This study aimed to assess the antibacterial, bactericidal, and mouth freshener effects of lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05%. @*Methods@#Eight oral disease-related bacteria were cultivated anaerobically. Four samples were prepared with or without 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride, 0.2% sodium fluoride, and 0.1% lysozyme hydrochloride. Antimicrobial activity was tested in 96-well microplates. After assessing the bacterial count, the bacterial suspension was mixed with samples and spread on agar. The bactericidal rate was calculated by counting and comparing treated and untreated colonies. @*Results@#Lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouth fresheners sterilized 99.99% of 8 oral bacteria, including Streprococcus mutans. Lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouth fresheners showed 99.97% bactericidal activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus. @*Conclusions@#Lysozyme hydrochloride 0.01%, sodium fluoride 0.02%, and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouth fresheners confirmed the sterilization and antibacterial effects on oral disease-causing bacteria.

Adherence to Positive Airway Pressure therapy as Severity of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 대한이비인후과학회지

Background and Objectives@#The aim of this study was to compare adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) of different severity.Subjects and Method We conducted a retrospective study including 270 adult OSA patients who used a PAP device for at least 3 months. We assessed the percentage of days on which the device was used, the percentage of days on which the device was used for ≥4 h, and the average duration of PAP device usage at 12 weeks of PAP therapy. We also evaluated adequate adherence to PAP therapy using a PAP device for ≥4 h/day and during ≥70% of nights. @*Results@#The percentage of days on which a PAP device used did not differ significantly according to OSA severity (median [Q1-Q3]; mild: 91.40% [81.25%-97.65%], moderate: 94.50% [86.90%-100%], severe: 95.90% [88.10%-100%], p=0.268). We also found that the percentage of days on which a PAP device was used during sleep for ≥4 h was not significantly different in patients with different OSA severity (median [Q1-Q3], mild: 76.20% [69.70%-89.90%], moderate: 89.30% [67.65%-95.70%], severe: 85.70% [75.85%-95.45%], p=0.097). The percentage of patients with adequate PAP adherence did not differ significantly according to OSA severity (mild: 74.2%, moderate: 72.1%, severe: 83.0%, p=0.084). Moreover, the mean duration (minutes) of PAP device usage during sleep did not differ significantly according to OSA severity in the mild, moderate, and severe OSA groups (mean±standard deviation, mild: 348.03± 47.78 min, moderate: 358.58±85.22 min, severe: 363.79±57.21 min, p=0.440). @*Conclusion@#Adherence to PAP therapy did not differ significantly according to OSA severity. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously expand and maintain the insurance for health promotion in OSA patient in South Korea.

The Benefit of Supplemental Cough Suppression Therapy for Chronic Refractory Cough

Background and Objectives@#Cough suppression therapy (CST) is a physiotherapy that can be used for patients with chronic refractory cough (CRC). We aimed to investigate the efficacy of CST for CRC.Materials and Method A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in 27 patients with CRC. Participants were randomized to receive either standard mucolytic medications for CRC combined with supplemental CST (CST group) or standard medications alone (control group). CST consists of laryngeal hygiene management, humidification, cough suppression technique, breathing method, and counseling. We assessed the symptoms change at baseline and week 4 with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Secondary efficacy outcomes included the degree of cough Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score (0 to 100 scale). @*Results@#From 2019 to 2021, 14 CST group patients and 13 control group patients were included. The improvement was significantly greater in the CST group than in the control group for cough VAS score (36.67 to 13.33 vs. 74.29 to 16.43, p<0.001). Patients in the CST group had a significant improvement in total (70.14 to 107.71, p=0.005), physical (31.42 to 43.86, p= 0.015), psychological (23.57 to 40.14, p=0.003), and social (15.14 to 23.71, p=0.005) LCQ scores. However, there was not a significant pre- to post-treatment LCQ score improvement in control group. @*Conclusion@#CST might be an effective supplemental intervention for CRC.

A study on the significant caries (SiC) index of Lao students / 대한구강보건학회지

Objective@#This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the high-risk group for dental caries among 12- and 15-year-old children in Laos. @*Methods@#Oral health survey was conducted on 12-year-old (N=537) and 15-year-old (N=490) children in Laos. The oral examination data were listed from highest to highest based on the permanent caries experience index. Then the caries experience permanent index of the participants corresponding to the top third was calculated. In the final high-risk group, 179 and 163 children aged 12 and 15 years, respectively, were analyzed for the Significant Caries (SiC) Index. @*Results@#The Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index of 12-year-old children in Laos was 1.59 (urban area 1.72, rural area 1.46), and the SiC index of the high-risk group for dental caries was 3.93 (urban area 4.01, rural area 3.85). DMFT index of the 15-year-old group was 2.04 (2.37 in urban areas, 1.74 in rural areas), and the SiC index of the high-risk group for dental caries was 5.17 (5.90 in urban areas, 4.49 in rural areas). @*Conclusions@#Children aged 12 and 15 in the high-risk group for dental caries in Laos showed a higher caries experience permanence index than the overall average in the high-risk group. Based on the outcome of the investigation that the high-risk group had a lot of experience with dental caries, it is thought that the priority dental caries prevention project for the high-risk group of dental caries should be carried out.

Preventive effects of shiitake mushroom extract on candida stomatitis

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate antifungal activity of shiitake mushroom yeast and hyphal type of Candida albicans. @*Materials and Methods@#The extract from shiitake mushroom was collected by drying the supernatant after soaking shiitake mushrooms in water or ethanol. The antifungal activity of the extracts against yeast type of C. albicans was investigated by the susceptibility assay using microplate. C. albicans biofilm was formed on 12-well plate using Ham’s F-12 medium in CO 2 incubator and treated with the ethanol extract. Furthermore, C. albicans biofilm was formed on denture base resin disk and treated with or without the ethanol extract in the presence of denture cleanser. Live C. albicans in biofilm was counted by cultured colony forming unit value after inoculated on agar plate. @*Results@#Ethanol extract from shiitake mushroom showed stronger antifungal activity against yeast type of C. albicans compared to its water extract. The ethanol extract significantly reduced count of C. albicans in hyphal biofilm (P < 0.05). Also, the ethanol extract showed synergistically antifungal effect with denture cleanser on candidal biofilm on denture base resin disk (P < 0.05). @*Conclusion@#The ethanol extract of shiitake mushroom may be a candidate for preventing candidal stomatitis as well as denture-related stomatitis.

Heme effects of hemin on growth of peridontopathogens

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of heme on periodontopathogens. Materials and Methods: The experiment was performed using 7 types of anaerobic bacteria present in the periodontal pocket. The bacteria were cultured using suitable medium in an anaerobic condition with or without hemin, and the growth of the bacteria was measured every 6 hours by a spectrophotometer. @*Results@#the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis was different only by the presence or absence of hemin. The growth of other periodontopathogens except Treponema denticola was different in a hemin concentration-dependent manner. The growth of T. denticola was interfered by hemin. @*Conclusion@#Heme may be a factor that leads dysbiosis in the microbial ecosystem of the subgingival plaque and thereby promote a periodontitis-causing environment.

2019 Laos children’s dental caries experience survey / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#The aim of this study was to determine the dental caries experience of children in Laos. @*Methods@#Oral examinations were performed on a total of 1,540 students in 513 primary school students, 537 middle school students, and 490 high school students and the results analyzed. @*Results@#The dft index (decayed-filled primary teeth index) of 6-year-old primary school children was 6.04. The DMFT index (decayed-filled-missing permanent teeth index) was 1.59 in 12-yearold middle school children and 2.04 in 15-year-old middle school children. @*Conclusions@#Caries experience in most of the age groups was on the high side. It is considered that in Laos, a treatment project to stop the progression of caries is necessary in parallel with a prevention project to lower the caries fatality rate.

Antibacterial effect of mouthwash containing CPC against dental caries caused bacteria / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate and report the antibacterial efficacy in relation to oral disease-causing bacteria using a mouthwash containing 0.05% CPC in an in vitro test. @*Methods@#The sterilization test and susceptibility assay of mouthwash containing 0.05% CPC were investigated against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus;Streptococcus sanguinis as oral bacteria related to dental caries; Enterococcus faecalis as apical periodontitis-related bacteria; and Actinomyces israelii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescence, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Filifactor alocis as periodontal disease-related bacteria. @*Results@#In the sterilization test, most of the bacteria had more than 99.99% sterilizing power for all samples but compared to other bacteria, the sterilizing power of these samples was not successful for L. acidophilus and E. faecalis bacteria. When comparing the sterilization power between the samples, sample 3 (0.05% CPC+20% ethanol) was the strongest. @*Conclusions@#In the antimicrobial activity test, sample 3 inhibited growth at the lowest concentration overall.

2019 Laos children’s dental caries experience survey / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#The aim of this study was to determine the dental caries experience of children in Laos. @*Methods@#Oral examinations were performed on a total of 1,540 students in 513 primary school students, 537 middle school students, and 490 high school students and the results analyzed. @*Results@#The dft index (decayed-filled primary teeth index) of 6-year-old primary school children was 6.04. The DMFT index (decayed-filled-missing permanent teeth index) was 1.59 in 12-yearold middle school children and 2.04 in 15-year-old middle school children. @*Conclusions@#Caries experience in most of the age groups was on the high side. It is considered that in Laos, a treatment project to stop the progression of caries is necessary in parallel with a prevention project to lower the caries fatality rate.

Antibacterial effect of mouthwash containing CPC against dental caries caused bacteria / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate and report the antibacterial efficacy in relation to oral disease-causing bacteria using a mouthwash containing 0.05% CPC in an in vitro test. @*Methods@#The sterilization test and susceptibility assay of mouthwash containing 0.05% CPC were investigated against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus;Streptococcus sanguinis as oral bacteria related to dental caries; Enterococcus faecalis as apical periodontitis-related bacteria; and Actinomyces israelii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescence, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Filifactor alocis as periodontal disease-related bacteria. @*Results@#In the sterilization test, most of the bacteria had more than 99.99% sterilizing power for all samples but compared to other bacteria, the sterilizing power of these samples was not successful for L. acidophilus and E. faecalis bacteria. When comparing the sterilization power between the samples, sample 3 (0.05% CPC+20% ethanol) was the strongest. @*Conclusions@#In the antimicrobial activity test, sample 3 inhibited growth at the lowest concentration overall.

Studies on inhibition of gingival fibroblast proliferation by nicotine concentration / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#To investigate the effect of nicotine on the healing of an oral cavity wound, high and low concentrations of nicotine were administered on human gingival fibroblasts. @*Methods@#Nicotine at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mM were administered to gingival fibroblasts to evaluate the survival capability of the cells. Nicotine at 0.1 mM, a nonapoptotic concentration, was administered to evaluate apoptosis using Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide cell staining.Nicotine at 1, 10, and 100 mM were administered to measure the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which was measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. FGF was treated with an additional 1, 10, or 100 mM of nicotine to evaluate cell proliferation and wound healing. @*Results@#As the concentration of nicotine increased (0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mM), the survival capability of the cells reduced. When cells were exposed to low nicotine concentration (0.1 mM) for 24 h, apoptosis occurred. Moreover, if the cell was exposed for 48 h, cell apoptosis occurred with necrosis. As the concentration of nicotine increased (1, 10, and 100 mM), more inflammatory cytokines were expressed. When EC LPS and TF LPS were combined with a low concentration of nicotine (1 and 10 mM), the expression of inflammatory cytokines was suppressed. The FGF level decreased as the nicotine concentration increased (1, 10, and 100 mM). @*Conclusions@#Nicotine interferes with the wound healing process of gingival fibroblasts. To maintain the wound healing process after a surgery or dental procedure, cessation of smoking is recommended.

Studies on inhibition of gingival fibroblast proliferation by nicotine concentration / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#To investigate the effect of nicotine on the healing of an oral cavity wound, high and low concentrations of nicotine were administered on human gingival fibroblasts. @*Methods@#Nicotine at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mM were administered to gingival fibroblasts to evaluate the survival capability of the cells. Nicotine at 0.1 mM, a nonapoptotic concentration, was administered to evaluate apoptosis using Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide cell staining.Nicotine at 1, 10, and 100 mM were administered to measure the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which was measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. FGF was treated with an additional 1, 10, or 100 mM of nicotine to evaluate cell proliferation and wound healing. @*Results@#As the concentration of nicotine increased (0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mM), the survival capability of the cells reduced. When cells were exposed to low nicotine concentration (0.1 mM) for 24 h, apoptosis occurred. Moreover, if the cell was exposed for 48 h, cell apoptosis occurred with necrosis. As the concentration of nicotine increased (1, 10, and 100 mM), more inflammatory cytokines were expressed. When EC LPS and TF LPS were combined with a low concentration of nicotine (1 and 10 mM), the expression of inflammatory cytokines was suppressed. The FGF level decreased as the nicotine concentration increased (1, 10, and 100 mM). @*Conclusions@#Nicotine interferes with the wound healing process of gingival fibroblasts. To maintain the wound healing process after a surgery or dental procedure, cessation of smoking is recommended.

Appropriateness of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in pediatric patients visiting the emergency department due to animal bite

Purpose@#To study the appropriateness of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (rPEP) for children with animal bite who visited the emergency department (ED). @*Methods@#The study enrolled children younger than 18 years with animal bite who visited the National Medical Center ED between January 2014 and October 2017. The children’ electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Data for analysis included age, sex, body parts bitten by animals, species of animals, regions where animal bites occurred, history of recent antibiotics therapy and tetanus vaccination, and justification by the 2017 Guidelines for Rabies Control in Korea and implementation of rPEP. In children who underwent unjustified rPEP or did not undergo justified one, we recorded their guardians’ opinion for or against rPEP. @*Results@#Of the 63 enrolled children, rPEP was justified for 38 children by the Korean guidelines. Of the 38 children, 35 actually underwent rPEP. Among the remaining 3 children, 2 did not undergo the prophylaxis as per the guardians’ requests. Among the 25 children whose rPEP was not justified, 8 underwent the prophylaxis. Of these 8 children, 7 did based on the guardians’ requests. @*Conclusion@#In this study, inappropriate rPEP was usually affected by the guardians’ requests, regardless of the criteria for such prophylaxis. Thus, their requests for or against rPEP should be discussed with emergency physicians who are aware of the relevant criteria to prevent occurrence of rabies or unnecessary use of medical resources.

The Clinical Utilization of Radiation Therapy in Korea between 2011 and 2015 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the clinical utilization of radiation therapy (RT) in Korea between 2011 and 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to estimate the clinical utilization of RT. The source population consisted of all patients who had any of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision cancer diagnoses (C00-C97) and those with diagnostic codes D00-D48, who were also associated with at least one of the procedure codes related to RT. RESULTS: The total number of patients who received RT in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 were 54,810, 59,435, 61,839, 64,062, and 66,183, respectively. Among them, the total numbers of male and female patients were 24,946/29,864 in 2011, 27,211/32,224 in 2012, 28,111/33,728 in 2013, 29,312/34,750 in 2014, and 30,266/35,917 in 2015. The utilization rate of RT in cancer patients has also increased steadily over the same period from 25% to 30%. The five cancers that were most frequently treated with RT between 2011 and 2012 were breast, lung, colorectal, liver, and uterine cervical cancers. However, the fifth most common cancer treated with RT that replaced uterine cervical cancer in 2013 was prostate cancer. More than half of cancer patients (64%) were treated with RT in the capital area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon). CONCLUSION: The total number of patients who underwent RT increased steadily from 2011 to 2015 in Korea. The utilization rate of RT in cancer patients is also increasing.

Comparison of Surgical Results between Soft Ruptured Disc and Foraminal Stenosis Patients in Posterior Cervical Laminoforaminotomy / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: Posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy is used to relieve cervical nerve root compression caused by a laterally herniated soft cervical disc or spondylotic spur and its several advantages and disadvantages compared with anterior cervical discectomy were reported. We compared surgical results between soft ruptured disc and foraminal stenosis in posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 47 patients performed single level posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy for cervical radiculopathy between 2004 and 2012. We divided these patients into two groups, Group A: 27 patients for ruptured disc and Group B: 20 patients for foraminal stenosis and analyzed the demographic factors, amount of medial facetectomy, postoperative instability with neck pain and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: According to the modified Odom's criteria, laminoforaminotomy for the ruptured disc showed 92.6% excellent results and 7.4% good results. For the foraminal stenosis, it was 55.0% excellent and 25.0% good results, which was statistically significant. However when both groups were included, overall success rate showed 91.5%. The extent of medial facetectomy for ruptured disc (31.2%) was smaller than for stenosis (48.8%) and it was statistically significant. Thirteen patients complained of postoperative neck pain for 2 months. There was no instability on dynamic X-ray until the last follow up period and we had two cases complications (4.3%). CONCLUSION: Although the extent of facetectomy for ruptured disc was smaller than it for stenosis, posterior laminoforaminotomy for the ruptured disc showed the better outcomes than foraminal stenosis.