A Population-Based Case-Control Study on the Risk Factors of Congenital Heart Malformations / 한국역학회지

The multifactorial hypothesis is proposed as a working hypothesis which encompass both the genetic and environmental factors known to participate in the etiology of congenital heart malformations. So, it is believed that avoidance of suspected environmental factors in early pregnancy is the most certain preventive measure of congenital heart malformations. This study has been undertaken in order to find the possible environmental risk factors for congenital heart malformations in Korea. A total of 114 mothers of first graders of the elementary schools with congenital heart malformations confirmed through the screening program in Kyonggi Province from 1992 to 1995 were included as cases. And 206 mothers of healthy students matched by sex and elementary schools comprised the control group. Environmental risk factors including drug use during the first trimester of pregnancy, and other confounders were collected by telephone interview using standardized questionnaires by well trained interviewers. The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that congenital heart malformation were associated with family history of congenital heart malformations(OR=2.94, 95% CI: 1.08, 7.96), the order of birth(OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.79). And the coffee consumption over 14 cups/week during early pregnancy showed marginal significance(OR=3.52, 95%CI: 0.98, 12.62). The mother's age at the subject birth and father's smoking at home were significant in linear trend test(p<0.05). It is recommended that the genetic counselling and the avoidance of known environmental risk factors in early pregnancy were needed to prevent congenital heart malformations.

Treatment of Intertrochanteric Fractures of the Femur under 50 yrs. of age with Ender Nails / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Since Ender introduced the concepts of multiple flexible intramedullary nailing in 1970, Ender nailing has been mostly used in intertrochanteric fractures of the elderly patients, but it has been rarely used in younger patients because of serious complications such as shortening and external rotation deformity. Authors already contended that the incidence of such complications had intimate connection with the quality of bone, and accordingly with the age. To substantiate the contention, we analyzed thirty-four cases with more than one year follow-up among forty cases of intertrochanteric fractures treated with Ender nails during the period from 1982 to 1989. And the results are summarized as follows;1. The average age was 39 yrs., and the most common cause of fractures was fall from a height. 2. According to the Kyle et al. clsssification, stable fractures(type I & II ) were 13 cases(38%), and unstable fractures (type III & IV) were 21 cases(62%). 3. According to the Singh's index, the good in bone quality(Grade 4, 5, & 6) were 31 cases(91 %), and the poor(Grade 1, 2, & 3) were only 3 cases(9%). 4. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 cases(17%), which included ROM limitation of knee joint in three cases(9%), proximal migrations of nails in two(5%), and distal migrations of nails in one(3%). Among them, 4 cases required revisional operations. There was no case with apparent external rotation deformity over 20 and shortening over 2cm. 5. It is thought that, contradictory to common beliefs, Ender nailingis a safe method for intertrochanteric fractures of femur in younger patients with good bone quality, but requires some experiences and cautions to prevent such complications as external rotation deformity and shorterning.

Clinical Study on Progression of Kyphosis in Spinal Tuberculosis Treated by Anterior Arthrodesis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Even the antituberculous drugs could cure the disease itself, it might not prevent progressive kyphosis and its sequelae. Therefore, radical curettage and anterior arthrodesis with autogenous strut bone graft has been used to prevent this deformity. From May 1982 to May 1989, twenty four cases of spinal tuberculosis treated with anterior arthrodesis were analysed about the progression of postoperative kyphosis. These cases were followed up for more than 1 year at least, and the following results were obtained; 1. Lumbar spine was most commonly involved. There was involvement of one disc space in 12 cases, only narrowing of disc space in 7 cases, and two disc spaces in 5 cases. 2. The degree of vertebral loss was under 1 in 15 cases, 0 (disc space narrowing only) in 7 cases, and over 1 in 2 cases. 3. Compared with immediate postoperative kyphotic angle, there was increase of kyphotic angle in 15 cases but most of them were under 10 degress. 4. Preoperative degree of vertebral loss of 15 incerased cases was 0.5 and that of 9 decreased of maintained cases was 0.2 in average. 5. Preoperative vertebral involvement of 15 increased cases was 1.3 and that of 9 decreased or maintained cases was 1.2 in average.