한국인 직무 스트레스 측정도구의 개발 및 표준화

장세진,고상백,강동묵,김성아,강명근,이철갑,정진주,조정진,손미아,채창호,김정원,김정일,김형수,노상철,박재범,우종민,김수영,김정연,하미나,박정선,이경용,김형렬,공정옥,김인아,김정수,박준호,현숙정,손동국 大韓産業醫學會 2005 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.17 No.4

Background and Purposes: Over the past three decades, numerous studies performed in Korea have reported that job stress is a determinant risk factor for chronic diseases and work disability. Every society has its own culture and occupational climate particular to their organizations, and hence experiences different occupational stress. An occupational stress measurement tool therefore needs to be developed to estimate it objectively. The purpose of this study is to develop and standardize the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) which is considered to be unique and specific occupational stressors in Korean employees. Subjects and Methods: Data were obtained from the National Study for Development and Standardization of Occupational Stress (NSDSOS Project: 2002-2004). A total of 12,631 employees from a nationwide sample proportional to the Korean Standard Industrial Classification and the Korean Standard Occupational Classification were administered. The KOSS was developed for 2 years (2002-2004). In the first year, we collected 255 items from the most popular job stress measurement tools such as JCQ, ERI, NIOSH and OSI, and 44 items derived from the a qualitative study (depth interview). Forty-three items of KOSS, in the second year, were retained for use in the final version of the KOSS by using Delphi and factor analysis. Items were scored using conventional 1-2-3-4 Likert scores for the response categories. Results: We developed eight subscales by using factor analysis and validation process: physical environment (3 items), job demand (8 items), insufficient job control (5 items), interpersonal conflict (4 items), job insecurity (6 items), organizational system (7 items), lack of reward (6 items), and occupational climate (4 items). Together they explained 50.0% of total variance. Internal consistency alpha scores were ranged from 0.51 to 0.82. Twenty-four items of the short form of the KOSS (KOSS-SF) were also developed to estimate job stress in the work setting. Because the levels of the subscales of occupational stress were gender dependent, gender-specific standard norms for both the 43-item full version and the 24-item short form using a quartile for the subscales of KOSS were presented. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that KOSS might be an appropriate measurement scale to estimate occupational stress of Korean employees. Further and more detailed study needs to be conducted to improve the validity of this scale.

한국인 알코올 의존 환자에서 알코올 대사 효소 유전자형 빈도의 남녀 차이

김성곤,김철민,이덕기,황인복,이현숙,김성연,전은숙,송영상,박제민,최병무,김명정 大韓神經精神醫學會 2005 신경정신의학 Vol.44 No.2

Objectives : There are a number of preceding epidemiological studies reporting gender differences in the genetic etiology of alcohol dependence. The author investigated gender difference in the frequencies of ADH2 and ALDH2 genoypes between the patients with alcohol dependence and normal control. Methods : The subjects were 141 alcohol dependent patients (104 males, 37 females) and 138 normal control (79 males, 59 females). The frequencies of 1/1 and 1/2+2/2 (2+ afterward) genotypes for ADH2 and ALDH2 were investigated in male and female between alcohol dependence and normal control group. DNA was extracted from WBC in peripheral venous blood and PCR-RFLP method was used out for genotyping. Results : First, the frequency of ADH2 1/1 genotype was significantly higher in alcohol dependent patients than normal control in both genders. Second, while there was no gender difference in the frequency of ADH2 1/1 genotype in normal controls, in the patient group however, the frequency was significantly higher in females than males. Third, in male subjects with alcohol dependence, the frequency of ALDH2 1/1 genotype was significantly higher than in male normal control subjects. On the other hand, in female subjects with alcohol dependence, the frequency of ALDH2 2+ genotype was significantly higher than in female normal control subjects. Conclusion : These results suggest that while the risk of alcohol dependence is predominantly affected by ALDH2 1/1 geno-type in male, the female ADH2 1/1 genotype is mainly associated with the risk of alcohol dependence. This means that there are gender differences in the genetic etiology of alcohol dependence.

한국 천식아동의 기질특성

김승태,최성구,김상엽,정유숙,홍성도,김선우,이상일,이흥재 大韓神經精神醫學會 1997 신경정신의학 Vol.36 No.6

이 연구의 목적은 기관지 천식아동의 기질특성을 알아보기 위한 것이다. 저자중 일인의 예비연구에 의하면 천식아동집단은 습진이나 알러지성 비염 등의 만성질환을 가진 아동집단이나 정상아동과는 다른 기질특성을 갖는다. 세 살에서 일곱 살 사이의 정상아동과 기관지 천식을 앓는 아동 85명의 어머니들에게 한국판"부모기질설문(Parental Temperamental Questionnaire)"을 완성하도록 하여 기질을 측정하였다. 기질의 9가지 범주 및 요인 A점수를 비교하기 위하여 비모수적 통계법을 사용하였으며, 아동들의 기질진단을 비교하기 위하여 Chi-square통계법을 사용하였다. 그 결과 천식을 앓는 여아집단은 정상 여아집단에 비해 적응성과 반응의 역치 범주에서 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다. 또 정상아동집단의 11%가 기질진단적으로 양육곤란형인 반면 천식아동집단은 22%를 차지했다. 두 집단은 기질진단면에서도 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보였다. 이와 같은 결과는 천식아동에 특징적인 기질양상이 있음을 시사한다. 기질양상의 조기발견은 부모들에게 천식아동의 건강한 발달을 이해하고 행동장애 고위험집단인 만성질환을 앓는 소아들에게 적절한 양육을 제공하는데 도움을 줄 것이다. The objective of this study was to determine temperamental characteristics of children with bronchial asthma. An earlier preliminary study(Kim SP, Ferrara A, Chess 5, 1980) results show that the asthmatic children, as a group, are significantly different from two other control groups(1. children with eczema, allergic rhinitis, or both without asthma : Ⅱ. normal healthy children in their temperamental profile). The parents of 85 Korean children with bronchial asthma, ages 3 to 7 years, completed the Korean version of Parental Temperamental Questionnaire developed by Thomas and Chess. The data collected were of ordinal type, ranked from 1 to 7 and the non-parametric Mann-whitney U Test was utilized. Any child with a suspected history or diagnosis of premature birth, organic brain syndrome, mental retardation, childhood psychosis, congenital physical anomaly, hereditary disease or any other medical or surgical conditions, other than asthma, requiring continuous physicians care was excluded from the study population. The results showed that asthmatic female children were characterized by lower adaptability and lower threshold of responsiveness. And 22% of asthmatic children were of the difficult type, compared to 11% of normal children. Both groups were statistically different in terms of temperamental constellation. The findings strongly suggest the existence of a distinct temperamental profile of asthmatic children. Early detection of the profile may be of great value for parents and child health care providers in understanding the asthmatic children's correct developmental needs and in determining appropriate parenting approaches for the chronically ill children at the risk of behavioral disorder.

골다공증의 위험인자 : 아산시 지역 주민을 대상으로

김용배,장원기,황보영,김화성,안규동,이병국,이용진,이남수,이상건,이상범,이상우,이선정,이성수 순천향대학교 2006 Journal of Soonchunhyang Medical Science Vol.12 No.1

Objective : As the average lifespan of human increases, osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures have become major health care problems. Despite recent advances in medical treatment, few studies have assessed the recognition of osteoporosis in general adults. This study examined the recognition of osteoporosis and analyzed the relating factors. Method : A population-based sample of 1086 adults in Asan-city, Korea was investigated with questionnaires and height, weight, Information regarding the general characteristics(gender, age, economic state), lifestylef exercise, smoking, alcohol),medical history(progestin, GH, steroid, calcitonin, PTH), demographic parameter, obesity, stress, and family history was collected through an interview using a structural questionnaire. The level of obesity was measured by the body mass index(BMI). BMD(Bone mineral density) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteoporosis was considered to be T-score below -2.5. Results : The prevalence of osteoporosis increased progressively with age, decreased with BMI and predominant in women by the result of x^(2) -test, T-test. Age, weight, BMI were significantly correlated with osteoporosis by the result of Pearson correlation ana1ysis(P<0.05). And age, gender, BMI, family history of osteoporosis were proved to be significant risk factors of osteoporosis by the result of multiple logistic regression(P<0.05). Conclusion : These results suggest that age, gender, BMI might be the most important risk factors of osteoporosis. And the history taking about family history of osteoporosis is helpful for diagnosing osteoporosis.

병원획득 Klebsiella pneumoniae 균혈증 분석을 통해 본 Ciprofloxacin 내성과 Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase생성 간의 연관성

김미영,추은주,곽이경,송문희,나성수,송태준,김성혜,전재범,최상호,정진용,김남중,김양수,우준희,류지소 대한감염학회 2004 감염과 화학요법 Vol.36 No.5

목적 : K. pneumoniae는 ciprofloxacin내성 증가가 전세계적으로 문제가 되고있는 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)를 생성하는 대표적인 세균으로 최근 외국에서 ciprofloxacin 내성과 ESBL 생성사이에 관련이 있다는 2-3편의 보고들이 있었다. 본 연구에서는 병원획득 K. pneumoniae 패혈증이 있었던 환자들을 대상으로 ciprofloxacin 내성과 관련된 인자를 알아보고자 하였다. 재료 및 방법 : 2001년 1월 부터 2002년 12월 사이에 2200병상의 3차 의료기관인 한 대학병원에서 입원 후 72시간 이후에 나간 혈액배양에서 K. pneumoniae가 배양된 입원환자를 대상으로 의무기록과 전산기록을 분석하여 환자의 성별, 나이, 병동, 기저질환, 이전의 항생제 사용력, 패혈증 발생당시까지의 재원기간, 이전 입원력, 원인균의ESBL 생성유무 등을 파악하였고 이들 변수가 ciprofloxacin 내성과 관련이 있는지를 분석하였다. 재발성 패혈증의 경우는 첫 번째 경우만을 분석에 포함하였다. 결과 : 연구대상 환자는 총154명이었고 K. pneumoniae의 ciprofloxacin에 대한 내성률은 28.6% (44/154)였다. Ciprofloxacin 내성균주 중 ESBL 생성균주의 비율은 95.5% (42/44)였고 ciprofloxacin 감수성균주에서 ESBL 생성균주의 비율은 24.5% (27/110)였다(P<0.001). ESBL생성외에 단변량 분석에서 유의한 관련을 보인 변수로는 남자, 나이가 많은 경우, 패혈증 당시 중환자실 재원, 기저질환이 고형암, 혈액암, 담도계 질환인 경우, 패혈증 발생이전 1달 이내의 항생제 사용력, 3세대 cephalosporin, metronidazole, fluroquinolone, carbapenem 투여력이 있었다. 다변량 로지스틱 분석을 시행 하였을 때는 나이가 많은 경우(Adjusted odds ratio[A0R]; 1.04, 95%confidence interval[CI]; 1.01-1.06)와 ESBL 생성(AOR; 81.35, 95% CI; 17.76-372.53)이 유의하게 ciprofloxacin 내성과 관련이 있었다. 결론 : 패혈증을 일으킨 병원획득 K. pneumonias에서의 ciprofloxacin 내성은 ESBL 생성과 유의한 관련을 보였고 향후 이에 관련된 원인이나 기전을 분석하기위한 분자역학적·분자생물학적 연구가 필요하겠다. Background : Strains of ciprofloxacin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae have emerged worldwide. We investigated the epidemiology of ciprofloxacin resistance and its relationship to ESBL production in nosocomial K. pneumoniae bacteremia. Materials and Methods : Using the computerized database of clinical microbiology, we identified all patients whose blood culture had yielded K. pneumoniae between January 2001 and December 2002 at a 2200-bed university-affiliated tertiary-care hospital. During the study period, total of 392 episodes of K. pneumoniae bacteremia were documented of which 163 episodes were acquired nosocomially. 9 cases of recurrent episodes were excluded. Results : The resistance rates to ciprofloxacin was 28.6% (44/154). ESBL-production was significantly more common in ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates than in ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates (95.9% [42/44] vs. 24.5% [27/110], P<0.001). In univariate analysis, following factors were significantly associated with resistance to ciprofloxacin: older age, male sex, ICU admission at the time of bacteremia, prior use of antibiotics within 1 month before bacteremia, solid tumor, hematological malignancy, or biliary disease as underlying disease, and ESBL-production. The prior use of 3^(rd)-generation cephalosprins, metronidazole, fluroquinolone, or carbapenem were also risk factors. Independent risk factors for ciprofloxacin resistance were older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]; 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.01-1.06) and ESBL production (AOR; 81.35, 95% CI; 17.76-372.53). Conclusion : The close relationship between ciprofloxacin resistance and ESBL production was documented in nosocomial K. pneumoniae bacteremia. Further epidemiological and molecular studies to determine factors and mechanisms involved in the relationship are needed.

혈우병 환자에 동반된 자발성 후복막강 출혈

김광일,김동호,우상민,이석주,김홍성,조인성,윤환중,조덕연,김삼용 충남대학교 의과대학 지역사회의학연구소 1997 충남의대잡지 Vol.24 No.1

Spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to hemophilia A with impaired coagulopathy is very rare. Spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage has been recorded as having originated from many retroperitoneal organs and blood vessels, and it may be due to local and/or systemic factors. In the majority of the patients, kidney and adrenal gland were the major site of hemorrhage. The systemic causes of spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage are anticoagulation therapy and chronic hemodialysis. During the course of these treatments, hemorrhagic complications may occur at many site, including the retroperitoneal space. Blood dyscrasias including leukemia, polycythemia, sickle cell trait and hemophilia have been reported associated with spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage. We report a case of spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage occurred in a gemophilia A patient with brief review of literature

구내 골신장술 후 식립된 전치부 임플란트보철 치험보고

김한석,김명래,이성근,강상원,김기환,김형섭 大韓顎顔面成形再建外科學會 2003 Maxillofacial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Vol.25 No.1

Objective : This is to report the effectiveness of intraoral distraction osteogenesis for alveolar augmentation in the extremely atrophied alveolar defects and to review the clinical results of the 2 cases. Subjects and Methods : Anterior segmental osteotomy was performed and the trans-oral alveolar distractors(Martin, Germany) were applied in 2 patients with the severe acquired anterior maxillary and mandibular defect. After latent period for 1 week, the osteomized alveolar segments were distracted by 1 ㎜ a day (0.5 ㎜/l turn) for 8 days in case Ⅰ and 0.6 ㎜ a day(0.3 ㎜/l turn) for 10 days in case Ⅱ. The consolidation period was about 8 weeks in each case. Thereafter, 6 titanium threaded implants(Branemark, Restore) were simultaneously installed with removal of distractor. The implants were tested clinically and radiographically. Results : Amounts of acquired alveolar bone were 8 ㎜ in case Ⅰ and 6 ㎜ in case Ⅱ respectively, with the increased width of the ridge crests and soft tissue expansion. Dental implants installated on the augmented alveolar ridges in 8 weeks after distrction were confirmed as in good osseointegration and in good function without any complications. Conclusion : Intraoral distraction osteogenesis can be a good option for alveolar ridge augmentation of the severely atrophied ridges and soft-tissue defects. However, for the better vector control of distracting segments and for anterior esthetics, customized distraction devices could be considered later.

구미지역 직업성질환 감시체계

김성아,김진석,전혜리,정상재,김상우,이채용,함정오,유재영,최태성,하봉구,조민환,우극현 大韓産業醫學會 2003 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.15 No.1

목적: 구미지역 내 대학병원이자 특수건강진단·보건관리대행기관의 산업의학전문의, 보건관리대행 간호사, 사업장 간호사를 중심으로 직업성질환감시체계를 구축하여 주요 직업성질환들의 발생현황과 규모를 파악하고자 하였다. 또한 연차적으로 산업, 직업, 업무내용 등에 따른 분포나 원인을 기존 자료원(특수건강진단의 직업병 유소견자와 산재요양승인 되는 직업병자)과 비교하여 분석·기술하고 예방 및 관리를 포함한 보건의료기술개발까지을 포함하는 종합적인 감시체계를 구축하고 운용하고자 하였다. 방법: 구미지역의 산업적 특성에 맞는 직업성질환감시체계를 구축하고 지역 감시체계의 모델을 제시하였다. 6대 감시대상 직업성질환(독성 간염, 직업성천식, 직업성 근골격계질환, 직업성 피부질환, 직업성 암, 수지진동증후군)의 실행적 환례정의, 보고양식 및 보고체계 개발, 분석양식 및 결과 배포 형식을 개발하였으며, 그 유병규모를 파악하고, 감시질환의 분포 및 특성, 관련인자 등을 분석·기술하고자 하였다. 이때, 1년간의 환례분석시 직업병 유소견자 및 직업병 요양자에 대한 자료와 함께 비교 분석하였으며, 노동통계자료를 이용하여 년간 발생률을 추정하였다. 결과: 2001. 1. 1일부터 2002.4.30일까지 총 287건이 보고되었으며, 직업성 근골격계질환 132건(46.0%), 직업성 피부질환 100건(34.8%), 독성간염 34건 (11.8%), 직업성천식 16건 (5.6%), 수지진동증후군 5건 (1.7%) 이었으며 직업성 암은 한건도 보고되지 않았다. 보고경로별로는 보건관리대행에서 33건 (11.5%), 해당 유해인자별로 실시되는 특수검진 외의 각종 건강진단업무 수행 중 발견된 환례에 대한 보고가 206건(71.7%)이었다. 직종별 분류의 결과는 섬유업종사자, 단순노무종사자, 음식업종사자 등이 다수를 차지하였다. 근골격계질환의 경우, 수근관증후군이 42건(33%), 외상과염/내상과염이 39건(30%)로 가장 많았다. 직업성 피부질환은 97건이 접촉성 피부염으로 유기용제류가 59건(59%)으로 가장 많고, 니켈 및 에폭시수지에 의한 알레르기성 접촉성 피부염이 각각 6건과 5건이었다. 독성 간염은 모두 DMF 나 DMAc에 의한 것으로, 근무시작 후부터 간기능이상이 발견되기까지의 근무기간은 대부분이 3개월 이하이며, 1개월 이하인 경우도 10건이나 되었다. 동 기간 중 감시환례에 대해 산재요양 자료와 중복여부를 확인한 결과, 중복되는 것은 하나도 없었다. 특수건강진단에서 직업병유소견자로 판정된 경우는 독성간염에서 3건이 있었으며, 나머지 질환은 중복되는 것은 없었다. 2001도 구미지역의 근로자수와 보고환례건수를 이용하여 연간 발생률을 추정하였다. 근로자 10만 명당 연간 발생률은 상지 근골격계질환은 63.6명, 피부질환 48.2명, 독성 간염 17.9명, 천식 7.7명, 수진진동증후군 2.4명이었다. 참여예상인원은 총 46명이었으며, 실제 참여자수는 21명, 평균참여율은 46%, 실제 참여 1이당 평균 보고건수는 산업의학전문의가 28건으로 가장 많았고, 대행간호사는 45,건, 사업장 간호사는 3.3건이었다. 결론: 지역 감시체계는 기존 통계자료들에서 발견되지 않았던 직업성질환의 발견에 유용한 통계원이며, 특히 지역의 특성과 여건을 고려하여 체계화된 시스템을 구축하여 운용한다면 더 성과가 클 것이다. Objectives: Area-based occupational disease surveillance in Kumi (KODS) was used to collect data on occupational diseases. The data was used to estimate the magnitude of the diseases, to analyze for their characteristics and to find links for their intervention and prevention. Methods: Since January 2001, occupational physicians and nurses in Occupational Health Service (OHS) have reported six major occupational diseases; occuaptional musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities (MSDUE), occupational dermatoses, toxic hepatitis, occupational asthma (OA), hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), and occupational cancer. For the respective diseases, a reporting sheet and operational diagnostic criteria were developed by the KODS. An analysis of the KODS data, collected over a certain period, was compared with data from the Korea Labor Workers Corporation (KLWC) and the Specific Health Examination (SHE), and the incidence rates of the diseases estimated. Results: Between Jan 2001 and Apr 2002, 287 cases of the six major occupational disease were reported. Of these, there were 132 (46.0%), 100 (34.8%), 34 (11.8%), 16 (5.6%), and 5 (1.7%), cases of MSDUE, occupational dermatoses, toxic hepatitis, OA, and HAVS, repectively. But, there were no cases of occupational cancer. 33 (11.5%) of the incidence were reported via the OHS, 206 (71.7%) from health checkups, and the other 48(16.8%) from other routes. The synthetic fibers and electronic components manufacturing industries accounted for the greatest number of reported cases. With resport to occupation, the greatest numbers of incidence were reported from the elementary occupations, textile workers, assemblers, and cooks and food services worker, in that order. Of the MSDUE cases, carpal tunnel syndrome and epicondylitis were the two most common diseases. Most of the occupational dermatoses were due to contact dermatitis, with organic solvents (59%), nickel (6%), and epoxy resin (5%) accounting for the majority of these cases. All cases of toxic hepatitis were induced by dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide, which were reported by a unique monitoring system. During same period, there were no cases claimed by workers to the KLWC, and only three cases from SHE, were identified. Using data from workers' number and surveillance, the annual incidence of MSDUE, dermatoses, hepatitis, OA, and HAVS, per 100,000 workers were 63.6, 48.2, 17.9, 7.7, and 2.4, respectively. Conclusions: These results show that an area-based surveillance system can be very effective for the collection of data on work-related diseases, at least in Kumi.

제주 우수 육상경기 선수들의 년중 훈련효과 분석 및 처방

김철원,임상용,김승곤,오만원,김성찬,이창준,남사웅,이세형,류재청 濟州大學敎 體育科學硏究所 1996 체육과학연구 Vol.2 No.-

The study was undertaken to analysis, evaluate, and prescribe t h e annual effect of training of periodically anaerobic and aerobic motor ability for Che-Ju representive team of elementary, middle and high school athletes. first. the performance can be obtained when it was prescribed proper training after analysis of physical fitness by each events. second, individually fitness. scientific analysis. prescription. proper management of athlete will be necessary to apply. In addition to physiology aspect, it is essential to consider sport biomechanics. sport psychology when we prescribe specific events and necessary approach in demension coach-athlete-researcher for individual.

생체분해성 망막압정을 이용한 망막고정에 대한 실험적 연구

김용백,민병무,김창식,박근성,김승영,길숙종,조항진,이성복,노승무,송규상,강대영,조준식,양준묵,정경수,최선웅,이진호,김학용,인현빈 충남대학교 의과대학 지역사회의학연구소 1998 충남의대잡지 Vol.25 No.1

Biodegradable retinal fixation devices obtain mechnical fixation of the retina with desirable chorioretinal scarring and with the potential for local, sustained release of antimetabolites and steroids to inhibit proliferative vitreoretinopathy. We manufactured a biodegradable retinal tack with barb that was designed in order to prevent intrusion from implantation of retinal tacks. This study was carried to evaluate the efficacy for retinal fixation and the capability for sustained release of drugs with a newly designed biodegradable retinal tack Biodegradable retinal tacks were made of polymers of glycolic acids and were designed with barbs in a shape to prevent the disinsertion. Biodegradale retinal tacks are divided into 3 parts, a conical portion that is inserted into the sclera, a cylinder portion that remains in the vitreous, and a neck portion between the pin and the cylinder. The tapered conical end was manufactured to allow easy insertion through the retina and choroid into the sclera. A cylinder portion was manufactured with a tapered angle that fixes firmly into the orifice of 19 gauge spinal needle. A neck portion, 0.4 mm in diameter, was designed to prevent disinsertion from following implantation of retinal tack. The applicator was a 19 gauge spinal needle and its orifice was prepared to 15°angle to accept the tapered cylinder portion of the retinal tack. The retinal tacks, secured in the needles, were passed through the formed vitreous and inserted into the retina, choroid, and sclera and were released by pushing the internal needle, usually within 2-3mm of the medullary ray of the posterior rabbit retina A retinal tack was placed in each of 8 pigmented rabbit eyes. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus photography were performed periodically from 1 day to 8 weeks after surgery. Eight eyes were enucleated and studied by light microscopy at 8 weeks. Biomicroscopic evaluation of the animals revealed edemas adjacent to the retinal surfaces immediately after insertion of the biodegradable retinal tacks in all the animals. These edemas disappeared after 1 week. The first noticeable change in the size of retinal tacks was shown after 2weeks. The size of the retinal tacks gradually got smaller, decreasing to about one-half at 4 weeks and about one-third at 8 weeks. All retinal tacks remained in inserted places without any movement for an 8 week period. On light microscopy, epiretinal proliferations were seen to extend into the vitreous cavity. Cellular capsules that lined the inner aspect of the scleral defect caused by tack insertion were found. However the adjacent retina had a normal cytologic appearance and architecture in all specimens. We manufactured a biodegradable retinal tack that is designed to prevent intrusion from implantation of retinal tacks. All biodegradable retinal tacks reduce in size with time, but no retinal tacks extruded from the inserted place. The newly designed biodegradable retinal tack can be used for retinal fixation and may be used as a vehicle for the introduction of pharmacologic agents to prevent the cellular events that promote proliferative vitreoretinopathy.