• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.356-363
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• 2019

A patient who went through maxillectomy can have soft palate defects including oronasal fistulas and suffer from dysphagia and dysarthria due to velopharyngeal insufficiency. This defect causes the food to enter nasal cavity and creates hypernasal sound which debilitates a quality of life. An obturator can rehabilitate the substantial oral tissue defects. The maxillary obturator separates the nasopharynx from the oropharynx during speech and deglutition by closing of the defect. For edentulous obturator patient, it is difficult to obtain proper retention due to reduced peripheral sealing. Therefore, the contours of the defects must be used to maximize the retention, stability, and support. Hollow type obturator can improve physiologic function by reducing weight than the traditional obturator. This case report describes a patient with hemi-maxillectomy who recovers mastication, speech, deglutition, and appearance with a maxillary obturator using physiological border molding of the velopharyngeal area and double-processing method.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.619-624
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• 2008

Background: Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is caused by various underlying lung diseases, and this is despite that primary spontaneous pneumotherax is caused by rupture of subpleural blebs. The treatment algorithm for secondary pneumothorax is different from that for primary pneumothorax. We studied the recurrence rate, the characteristics of recurrence and the treatment outcomes of the patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Between March 2005 to March 2007, 85 patients were treated for their first episodes of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. We analyzed the characteristics and factors for recurrence of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax by conducting a retrospective review of the medical records. Result: The most common underlying lung disease was pulmonary tuberculosis (49.4%), and the second was chronic obstructive lung disease (27.6%), The recurrence rate was 47.1% (40/85). The second and third recurrence rates were 10.9% and 3.5%, respectively. The mean follow up period was $21.1{\pm}6.7$ months (range: $0{\sim}36$ month). For the recurrence cases, 70.5% of them occurred within a year after the first episode. The success rates according to the treatment modalities were thoracostomy 47.6%, chemical pleurodesis 74.4%, blob resection 71% and Heimlich valve application 50%. Chemical pleurodesis through the chest tube was the most effective method of treatment. The factor that was most predictive of recurrence was 'an air-leak of 7 days or more' at the first episode. (p=0.002) Conclusion: The patients who have a prolonged air-leak at the first episode of pneumothorax tend to have a higher incidence of recurrence. Further studies with more patients are necessary to determine the standard treatment protocol for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.556-560
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• 1999

Background: The cause of spontaneous pneumothorax is not yet but it is certain that intrathoracic air comes from ruptured bulla. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) or open thoracotomy is recommended for thoracic incision in recurrent pneumothorax. However, recurrent rate after bullectomy with the VATS is very high compared to mini-thoracotomy, 3% to 20% and below 2%, respectively. Material and Method: This retrospective analysis was performed on 16 re-operated cases among 446 surgically treated pneumothorax of the 737 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax diagnosed at Yongdong Severance Hospital from Nov. 1992 to June 1997. Result: Among the 446 surgically-treated patients in 737 case of spontaneous pneumothorax, 16 patients underwent re-operation, showing a 3.5% re-operation rate. Male-to-female ratio was 15 to 1 and mean age at initial attack was 20.2 years(ranging from 15 to 50). Mean hospital stay was 6.34 days(ranging from 2 to 20 days) and mean chest tube indwelling period was 4.2 days(ranging from 1-10 days). Median follow-up was 46 months(range 10-66 months). Three different surgical methods were applied : video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VAST) in 281 cases, of whom 2 underwent local anesthesia; subaxillary mini-thoracotomy in 159 cases and limited lateral thoracotomy in the remaining 6 cases. Three different re-operative surgical methods were applied ; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAST) in 6 cases, subaxillary mini-thoracotomy in 9 cases, and limited lateral thoracotomy in the remaining 1 case. The underlying etiological factors of the recurrent pneumothorax after bullectomy were o erlooking type(9) and new growing type(7). Mean recurrent period from previous operation was 1 month for overlooking type and 18 months for new growing type. Conclusion: The underlying etiological factors of recurrent pneumothorax lead to re-operation were new-growing and over-looking type. We need additional treatments besides resecting blebs of prevent the recurrence rate and more gentle handling with forceps due to less damage to the pleura.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2010

Background: The use of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to perform major pulmonary resection with systematic node dissection (SND) for lung cancer by is commonly used in clinics. However, the feasibility of SND by VATS remains controversial. Video-assisted mediastinal lymphadenectomy (VAMLA) increases the quality of mediastinal lymph node staging in lung cancer. The video-mediastinoscope allows systematic lymphadenectomy by bimanual preparation. This study was conducted to assess safety and usefulness and clinical feasibility of VAMLA expanding Linder-Dahan mediastinoscope with VATS lobectomy for left sided lung cancer. Material and Method: Between February 2004 to April 2008, a total 50 patients who underwent VATS lobectomy for left sided lung cancer were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty patients (group A) underwent VAMLA followed by VATS lymphadenectomy and 20 patients (group B) underwent VATS lymphadenectomy for SND. Result: There were no statistical differences in operation times, chest tube indwelling times, or hospital days between the 2 groups. The number of dissected total nodes (p=0.001) and N2 nodes (p=0.013) were higher in group A than in group B, but there was no difference in N1 nodes. Postoperative complications included 2 prolonged air leakages (${\geq}$10 days) in each group, one pneumonia in group A, and one vocal cord palsy in group B. There were no early operative mortalities. Conclusion: Mediastinal staging of resectable lung cancer is performed by VAMLA. This new technique is the basis for VATS lobectomy particularly for left-sided lung cancer, because a higher percentage of mediastinal lymph nodes undergo complete resection using VAMLA.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 1999

Background: Although treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax by video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) has generally shown better clinical results than conventional thoracotomy, treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax by midaxillary thoracotomy(MAXT) has also shown good clinical results. The author studied to compare the clinical results of MAXT group I and VATS group II. Material and Method : Group I included 30 midaxillary thoracotomy among 83 operative cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from Jan. 1992 to Dec. 1993. Group II included 30 VATS among 101 operative cases of pneumothorax from Jan. 1994 to Aug. 1995. The author selected the 30 patients, age 18 to 25 years, with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax in each group. The author analyzed the operative indication, gender, operating time, amounts of the used staplers, tube drainage, total amounts of analgesics used during postoperative 24hr, tube stay time, postoperative complications and mortality. Result: The follow-up periods of both procedures were from 6 to 43 months. The operating time from start of skin incision to end of skin closure was 84.79${\pm}$21.70(from 40 to 150) minutes in MAXT group I and 108.8${\pm}$42.02(from 58 to 120) minutes in VATS group II(P<0.001). The numbers of the used staples useo was 1.31${\pm}$0.6(from 0 to 3) in group I and 3.41${\pm}$2.37(from 0 to 11) in group II. The amounts of postoperative 24hour tube drainage were 220.76${\pm}$106.73(from 65 to 400) ml in group I and 260.63${\pm}$233.18(from 70 to 320) in group II(P>0.05). The amounts of postoperative 24 hourly used analgesics(Tarasyn ) was 1.38${\pm}$1.32(from 0 to 5) amples in group I and 0.72${\pm}$1.02(from 0 to 4) amples in group II (P<0.05). The postoperative tube stay is 5.45${\pm}$30.9 (from 3 to 7) days in group I and 4.75${\pm}$3.1(9 from 2 to 14) days in group II(P>0.05). The number of complications after operations was 2 cases of prolonged air leakage in group I, and in group II. (P is not significant). The number of recurrence after the operation was one in group I and also one in group II(P is not significant). In conclusion, there were no statistical differences in the postoperative 24 hour chest tube drainage, days of postoperative tube stay, postoperative complications and recurrence in the analysis between group I and group II. Conclusion: The author found that group II of VATS between 18 years and 25 years of age in recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, statistically, requires longer operative time, more number of autosuture staples and less postoperative analgesic dosage than the midaxillary thoracotomy group I.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 1999

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the types of complications, the incidences of complications, and preoperative and postoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of the complication. Material and Method: Between August 1990 and August 1997 in Asan Medical Center, 42 patients(24 men and 18 women) underwent surgical resection for pulmonary aspergilloma. The mean age was 46.6${\pm}$11.5 years(range 29 to 69 years). Hemoptysis(90%) was the most common presentation. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the most common predisposing cause(81%). The associated diseases were bronchiectasis(n=11), active puolmonary tuberculosis(n=9), diabetes mellitus(n=8), lung carcinoid(n=1), and acute myeloblastic leukemia(n=1). Lobectomy was done in 32 cases(76%), segmentectomy or wedge resection in 4, pneumonectomy in 2, and lobectomy combined with segmentectomy in 4. Result: Operative mortality was 2%. The most common postoperative complication was persistent air leakage(n=6). The variables such as age, sex, pulmonary function test, amount and duration of hemoptysis, associated diseases(diabetes mellitus, active pulmonary tuberculosis), mode of preoperative management(steroid, antifungal agent, bronchial arterial embolization), and modes of operative procedures were statistically insignificant. The radiologic extent of infiltration to normal lung parenchyme was statistically significant(p=0.04). Conclusion: We conclude that the extent of the infiltration to normal lung parenchyme in preoperative radiologic studies should be carefully evaluated to reduce the postoperative complications in surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.497-503
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• 2003

Pulmonary aspergillosis usually results from the colonization of the existing lung lesions by chronic pulmonary diseases, such as tuberculosis. Most cases of pulmonary aspergilloma have been treated surgically for many years because it is a potentially life-threatening disease causing massive hemoptysis. Here we reviewed our results from the last 10 years. Material and Method: We reviewed 31 cases surgically treated from Aug. 1992 to Jul. 2002. retrospectively. This investigation is designed to illustrate the peak age incidence, sex ratio, chief complaints, preoperative study, anatomic location of operative site, postoperative pathologic finding and postoperative complications. Result: The peak age Incidence laid in the 3rd and 4th decade of 20 cases (64.5%). The most common complaint was hemoptysis in 27 cases (87.1%). The 31 cases had a history of treatment with anti-tuberculous drugs under impression of pulmonary tuberculosis. The 19 cases (61.3%) showed the so-called “Air-meniscus sign” on the preoperative chest X-ray. In the 31 cases (100%) on the chest computed tomography. as a preoperative diagnostic modality, positivity was shown in 37.9%, 83.3% was shown on the fungus culture of sputum for Aspergillus, serum immunodiffusion test for A. fumigatus, respectively. The anatomical location of aspergilloma was mainly in the upper lobe in 19 cases (61.3%) and the majority of cases were managed by lobectomy. The postoperative pathologic findings showed that 31 cases (100%) were combined with tuberculosis. The postoperative complications include empyema, prolonged air leakage, remained dead space, postoperative bleeding and these numbers of cases is 3 cases (9.7%), 2 cases (6.45%), 2 cases (6.45%), 1 case (3.23%), respectively. one case was died postoperatively due to massive beeding, and asphyxia. Conclusion: Compared with the previous study, there is no significant difference in results. Preoperative chest computed tomography and immunodiffusion test were more commonly available and showed high positivity. Operations often became technically difficult because of pleural space obliteration, indurated hilar structures, and poor expansion of the remaining lung, which were more prominent in the patients with complex aspergillosis. In such cases, medical treatments and interventional procedures like bronchial artery embolization are preferred. However, cavernostomy is also recommanded with few additional morbidity because of its relatively less invassiveness. Early surgical intervention is the recommended management for patients with simple aspergilloma considering the Row surgical mortality and morbidity in recent days.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.983-986
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• 2004

Background: The indications of closed thoracostomy drainage in management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is well known, but there is no special specification for the size to be inserted. Recently, various minimally invasive operational techniques have been introduced and researched. According to the trend, we tried to ascertain the efficacy of 12 Fr. chest tubes instead of the existing 24 Fr. chest tubes. Material and Method: Patients who were younger than 30 years old and diagnosed as primary spontaneous pneumothorax and treated with closed thoracostomy drainage were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively compared group A who were drained with 24 Fr. chest tubes from January to May 2003 with group B with 12 Fr. chest tubes from November 2003 to April 2004 on procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage, duration of chest tube drain, duration of hospital stay, complication, and recurrence. Result: The male to female ratio was 16 : 3 in group A and 18 : 2 in group B. The mean age of patients of group A was 21.7$\pm$4.0 and group B was 20.0$\pm$3.7. The mean procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage in group A (21.6$\pm$2.9 minutes) was significantly longer than group B (10.8$\pm$1.9 minutes)(p < 0.05). The mean duration of chest tube drain was 3.8$\pm$ 1.7 days in group A and 4.3$\pm$2.2 in group B, and the mean duration of hospital stay was 5.6$\pm$1.9 days in group A and 5.2$\pm$1.5 days in group B. There was no complication in both groups and 6 cases in group A (35%) and 5 cases in group B (25%) were operated because of recurrence and persistent air leakage. In conclusion, there was no statistical difference except for the procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage between two groups. Conclusion: We concluded that there were no significant differences in efficacy between 12 Fr. chest tube and 24 Fr. chest tube in closed thoracostomy drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax and we found advantages of 12 Fr. chest tube in shortening procedure time because of easy and simple techniques.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2004

Purpose: Perinatal mortality rates have been used as a summary statistic for evaluating child health and medical status. Neonatal mortality rates have decreased over the past 30 years in Korea. To understand the current status of neonatal surgical gastrointestinal diseases in Daegu Busan area, we have studied about neonatal gastrointestinal diseases with their clinical features, postoperative outcome, and mortality rates. Methods: A clinical analysis on 202 neonates who underwent neonatal surgery from January 1996 to July 2003 at Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, Youngnam University, and Daegu Catholic University was carried out. Results: The main diseases of surgical conditions were anorectal malformation (23.8%), atresia/stenosis of midgut (13.4%) and pyloric stenosis (13.4%). The male to female ratio was 2.8 : 1. Thirty-five cases (17.0%) had one or more associated anomalies including congenital heart disease, cryptoorchidism, hydronephrosis, and chromosomal anomaly. Twenty cases (10.0%) were diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound. Patients with esophageal atresia had the longest hospitalization for 54.6 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 18 cases (8.9%). The main postoperative complications were wound infection (3.5%) and anastomotic leakage (2.5%). Overall mortality was 5.9%. Diaphragmatic hernia showed the highest mortality rate (37.5%), and esophageal atresia (28.6%) and omphalocele (20.0%) were followed. Conclusion: The current status of neonatal surgical gastrointestinal diseases in Daegu Busan area has improved because the disease categories are various, postoperative complications and mortality rates are decreased.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1070-1075
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• 1998

Background: With the advent of thoracoscopy, there has been increasing interest in less invasive surgical bullectomy and pleurodesis. The recurrence rate, however, has been reported higher in surgery with thoracoscopy than with open thoracotomy and it is thought to be caused by inappropriate mechanical pleurodesis during thoracoscopic surgery. Materials and methods: We compared the short-term recurrence rates according to the intensities of pleural abrasion in 62 patients who underwent VATS for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax from April 1996 to August 1997. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A(n=32) included patients who received relatively weak pleural abrasion using Endo-forcep instrument for grasping the gauze, and group B(n=30) received strong pleural abrasion using conventional instrument wrapped tightly with gauze. Each intensity of pleural abrasion allowed petechia on the parietal pleura in group A, and some tearing and bleeding in group B. Results: Indications for operation, sex distribution, and age were comparable in both groups. There were no differences in chest tube indwelling time(3.78±3.35 vs 3.80±2.49 days), hospital stay(4.72±1.87 vs 4.67±2.20 days), and the amount and duration of analgesics required postoperatively. Persistent air-leak more than 7 days after surgery occurred in 4/32(12.5%) and 2/30(6.7%) in group A and B, respectively. No bleeding-related complication occured. Pneumothorax recurred 12.5%(4/32) and 0%(0/30) of patients at a mean follow-up of 9.7 and 9.6 months in group A and B, respectively, and it was statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusions: Proper intensity of pleural abrasion is very important factor to reduce recurrence after VATS for spontaneous pneumothorax. During short-term follow-upafter surgery, we could achieve excellent result in reducing recurrence rate with VATS and strong pleural abrasion which is comparable to thoracotomy.