• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.668-675
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• 2024

Aortic anastomotic leak is an uncommon complication after ascending aortic replacement for acute aortic dissection. Redo-surgery is the traditional standard treatment despite high mortality and morbidity. Recently, endovascular treatment has been attempted as an alternative approach in a few case reports. Here, we present two cases of aortic anastomotic leak due to suture line dehiscence after aortic graft replacement for type A aortic dissection, which were successfully treated by coil with subsequent N-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization and an Amplatzer^TM vascular plug.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.156-161
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• 2001

배경: 식도암의 절제술에 있어 식도 위 문합술은 중대한 합병증, 즉 문합부 누출, 양성협착, 종양의 재발 등을 유발한다. 수술 후 재원기간동안 환자가 느끼는 주관적인 증상과 합병증이 식도와 위장관의 문합부 위치에 따라 달라질 수 있으므로 서로간에 비교분석할 필요가 있겠다. 대상 및 방법: 1995년 1월부터 1999년 5월까지 식도암 근치술로 식도 위 문합술을 시행 받은 55명의 환자를 대상으로 문합위치에 따라 경부문합한 23명의 환자와 흉부문합을 한 32명의 환자를 비교 분석하였다. 절제술 후 AJCC분류에 따라 I기 5명, II기 27명, III기 23명으로 판정되었으며, 종양이 상흉부에 위치한 경우 3명, 중흉부 34명, 하흉부 18명이었다. 조직학적으로 55명의 환자 2명의 선암을 제외하고 53명이 편평상피세포암이었다. 55명 전원이 남자였으며 평균연령은 경부문합의 경우 59세였고, 흉부문합은 55세였다. 경부 문합의 경우 1명의 staple봉합을 제외하고 나머지 22명이 수봉합을 하였으며, 흉부문합술의 경우는 9명이 수봉합, 23명이 staple봉합을 하였다. 결과: 수술 후 사망자는 경부문합 1명, 흉부문합 2명이었다. 경부 문합환자의 경우 23명 중 15명에서 호흡기, 소화기등의 합병증 46례가 발생하였고, 흉부 문합환자의 경우 32명중 13명에서 합병증 37례가 발생하였다. 경부문합환자는 중등도 혹은 심한 연하곤란을 나타내는 경우가 11명에서 있었으며, 흉부문합환자는 2명에서 나타났다. 또한 수술 후 20일 이후까지 재원한 경우는 경부문합환자 18명, 흉부문합환자는 13명이었다. 결론: 식도암에서 식도 위 문합술의 경우 호흡기, 소화기, 감염등의 합병증이 발생하였으며, 특히 호흡기 합병증에 의한 사망률이 높았다. 문합부 누출은 staple봉합보다 수봉합에서, 흉부문합보다 경부문합에서 빈도가 높았다. 경부문합의 경우 문합부 누출률이 높고, 연하곤란을 많이 호소하며 재원기간이 의미있게 길었다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1217-1221
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• 1998

Background: The advent of EEA stapler has lowered the leakage rate of esophagogastric anastomoses and thereby contributed to a decrease in the operative mortality of the easophageal resection. Recent surgical reports, however, have documented 10% to 20% prevalence of benign anastomotic stricture formation after the use of EEA stapler to construct an esophagogastric anastomosis. We analyzed the cases of anastomotic strictures to reduce the incidence of anastomotic strictures with EEA stapled esophagogastrostomy. Material and Method: EEA stapled esophagogastrostomy was performed in 195 parients during the period of over 11 years from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1996 in Kosin Medical Center. Ten patients of them died in the early postoperative days. In the remaining 185 patients, we studied the incidence and the onset time of anastomotic strictures, relationship between the patients' ages, the anastomotic sites, and the size of the cartridges with incidence of anastomotic stricture. We also studied the method of treatment and its effect in the anastomotic strictures. Result: Benign anastomotic strictures occurred in 39 cases among 185 patients(21%), 25 cases(64.1%) of the 39 cases developed in one to three months postoperatively. The patients' ages and the anastomotic sites did not effect with the incidence of anastomotic stricture, but high incidence of anastomotic stricture in EEA stapled esophagogastrostomy(p=0.04)was observed in small cartridge sizes. One or two balloon dilatation(89%) relieved the anastomotic strictures. Conclusion: We conclude that a larger size cartridge is recommended in EEA stapled esophagogastrostomy to reduce the incidence of anastomotic stricture if possible, and one or two balloon dilatation would seem to be a safe and reliable method in treating anastomotic stricture when the anastomotic stricture was occurrs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.799-805
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• 1999

Background: Leakage, stricture formation, and tumor recurrence at the anastomotic site are serious problems after esophagectomy for cancer of the esophagus or cardia. The prevalence of these postoperative complications may be affected by whether an anastomosis is made in the neck or in the chest, therefore a comparison was made between anastomoses made at these two sites. Material and Method: Between 1987 and 1998, 36 patients with cancer of the esophagus underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with cervical(NA, n=20) or thoracic anastomosis(CA, n=16). The tumors were staged postoperatively(stage IIA, n=13; s tage IIB, n=7; stage III, n=16) and were located in the middle thoracic(n=22) or lower thoracic esophagus and cardia(n=14). Result: The overall operative mortality was 8.3%(5% for NA group, 12.5% for CA group). The anastomotic leak rate for the NA group was 15.0% and 12.5% for the CA group. The anastomotic leak rate differed according to the manual(27.3%) or stapled(8.0%) techniques(p < 0.05). The median proximal resection margins in the NA and CA groups were 9.6 cm and 5.8 cm, and the corresponding rates of anastomotic tumor recurrence were 5.3% and 28.6%(p < 0.05). The prevalence of benign stricture formation (defined as moderate/severe dysphagia) was higher in the NA group(36.8%) than in the CA group(21.4%). When an anastomosis was made by the stapled technique, smaller size of the staple increased the prevalence of stricture formation - 41.7% with 25-mm staple and 9.1% with 28-mm staple(p < 0.05). Conclusion: Wider resection margin could decrease the anastomotic tumor recurrence, and the stapled technique could decrease the anastomotic leak. The prevalence of benign stricture was higher in the cervical anastomosis but the anastomotic leak and smaller size(25-mm) of the staple should be considered as risk factors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.711-717
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• 1998

Background: Although various anastomotic techniques and suture materials have been used in esophageal anastomosis, anastomotic leakage and stenosis are still somewhat frequent and serious complications when compared to other intestinal anastomoses. We have used interrupted single-layer suture technique using monofilament polypropylene suture in various esophageal anastomoses, including repair of the esophageal atresia, since 1990. Methods and method: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of this technique on postoperative leakage and stenosis in several esophageal reconstructions. The esophageal reconstructions using this technique were performed in 90 patients at Dong-A University Hospital from April 1990 through December 1996. Results: Anastomotic leakage occurred in 5 patients(5.6%) with one operative death. Stenosis at the anastomotic site occurred in 15 patients(n=86, 17.4%), which was most common in esophagogastrostomy(22%) and least common in esophagocolostomy (5%). This result was comparable to other methods including the autosuture technique. Conclusions: We concluded that this suture technique in esophageal anastomosis can be used with reasonable results in various esophageal reconstructions including correction of the esophageal atresia.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.164-168
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• 2004

Purpose: The most feared complication of gastrointestinal tract operations is anastomotic leakage, not only because of the presumed individual surgeon's culpability but also because of the assumption that this event is often fatal. We have experienced 32 cases of anastomotic leakage after elective gastric resection during 8 years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the result of their treatment. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the records of 1335 patients who had undergone elective gastric resection for an adenocarcinoma of stomach from January 1995 to October 2003 and conducted a retrospective, multivariate analysis. Results: Of the 1335 patients, 32 ($2.4\%$) sustained an anastomotic leakage. Anastomotic leakages usually developed on mean postoperative day $9.1\pm3.2$ (range:$1\∼18$ days).Overall, $31.3\%$ (10/32) of patients who sustained an anastomotic leakage died. The anastomotic leakages were identifed by radiological study or by operative finding at the site of the duodenal stump (20 patients), the esophagojejunostomy (7), the gastroduodenostomy (4), and the gastrojejunostomy (1). Fourteen patients ($43.8\%$) underwent a relaparotomy, a drainage procedure in the main, and 18 patients ($56.3\%$) were treated conservatively. The mortality rates were $42.9\%$ (6/14) and $22.2\%$ (4/18), respectively, but this difference was not statistically significant. A cox's proportional hazard analysis showed that a body-mass Index < 24 kg/m2 (odds ratio 5.55, $95\%$ CI: $0.69\∼44.82$) and non-enteral feeding (odds ratio 18.27, $95\%$ CI 2.22.150.69) were independent factors of mortality due to anastomotic leakage. Conclusion: Our observations show that anastomotic leakage after an elective gastric resection has a high risk of being fatal. Moreover, for a patient with a body-mass index lower than $24\;kg/m^{2}$ and/or non-enteral feeding, an anastomotic leakage after an elective gastric resection has a higher risk of being fatal.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.843-847
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• 2001

Background: Replacement of the esophagus remains a challenge for surgeons involved in esophageal disease. From 1996 to 1999, a total of 27 patients with esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal transfer(12cases) or esophagogastrostomy(15cases). To determine the results such as leakage of anastomosis site, stenosis, reflux esophagitis and operation time, respiratory complications, etc. we reviewed the 4 years experiences. Material and method: Palliative bypass surgery or esophageal prosthesis and cancers of the pharyngoesophageal or esophagogastric junction were excluded in this study. Resection was usually peformed through right thoracotomy and anastomosis was made with EEA staplers in esophagogas-trstomy. In cases of jejunal free transfer, 6cases of proximal esophagojejunostomy were stapled anastomosed and remaining 6 cases and all distal site were hand-sewn anastomosed. All reconstruction was done through posteromediastinal route. Result: There were two mortalities from thoracic esophagogastrostomy and one from jeunal free transfer. Major and minor complications(anastomosis site leakage: 3 cases, graft failure: 2cases etc) occurred in 27 cases. In 15 thoracic esophagogastrostomy cases, 11 patients had mild to moderate reflux esophagitis and 5 patients incurred stricture of the anastomosis. Operation time was about 550$\pm$280 minutes in jejunal free transfer, and about 300$\pm$ 160 minutes in esophagogastromy patients. Conclusion: Post operative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia were more frequent in Ivor-Lewis operation group than jejunal free transfer group; however, respiratory complications and operation time were significantly longer in jejunal (roe transfer group(p<0.05). To minimize the incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia, patient evaluation focused on jejunal free transfer surgery is better than esophagogastrostomy followed by adequate post operative care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.573-578
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• 1999

Background: After an esophageal resection for an esophageal disease, the stomach becomes the most common organ for a substitute. The stomach has the advantages of being simple with fewer complications when used properly. The complications of an esophageal reconstruction using the stomach as the substitute are assessed and discussed. Material and Method: Between 1990 and 1998, 44 patients who underwent esophagogastric anastomosis were treated in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Yongdong Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Result: The rate of postoperative complications and mortality in these 44 patients were 70.5% and 13.6%, respectively. The major complications in our series involved the stricture of anastomosis(13.6%), pneumonia(11.4%), and wound infection(9.1%). The most frequent causes of postoperative deaths were pulmonary complications and sepsis(6.8%). Conclusion: Anastomotic leakage is no longer a major complication of an esophagogastrostomy. Most postoperative stricture can be overcome with frequent esophageal dilations. Postoperative pulmonary infection, nutrition, and physiotherapy are very important in reducing the rate of pulmonary morbidity and mortality.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.108-108
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• 2003

식도 천공의 치료는 최근 치료법의 발전에도 불구하고 여전히 난해한 문제이다. 이 환자들은 천공의 원인이나 위치, 심한 정도가 다양한 이질적인 군이며, 반수 이상이 이미 식도에 기존의 질환을 가지고 있어 문제를 더욱 복잡하게 한다. 따라서 절대적이고 획일적인 치료방법은 아직 확립되어 있지 않으며 많은 다양한 방법들이 제시되고 있다. 2002년 11월부터 2003년 7월까지 총 8명의 환자가 식도 천공으로 동아대학교병원 흥부외과에서 치료를 받았으며, 원인별로는 의인성(iatrogenic) 손상이 6례, 자발성(spontaneous) 손상이 2례였고 부위별로는 경부가 3례, 흥부가 5례였다. 의인성 손상에는 내시경 검사중 정상 경부 식도에 발생한 1례, 부식성 식도협착 환자의 풍선 확장술과 스텐트 삽입시 흉부 식도에 발생한 경우가 각각 1례씩, 외상성 경추손상의 수술시 정상 경부 식도에 발생한 경우가 2례, 선천성 식도폐쇄증(esophageal atresia)의 술후 문합부 누출이 생긴 경우가 1례 있었으며, 자발성 손상에는 하부식도에 발생한 기압성(barogenic) 손상 1례와 상흉부 식도암 천공 1례가 있었다. 경부 식도 천공 3례는 모두 경부 배액(drainage)과 식이용 장루술(feeding jejunostomy)을 시행하였고, 부식성 식도협착이 있던 환자 2례는 식도절제술과 흉부내 식도-위 문합을 시행하였으며, Boerhaave씨 증후군 환자는 1차 봉합술, 술후 문합부 유출이 있었던 환자와 식도암 천공이 있었던 환자는 식도절제 및 경부 식도루(esophagostomy), 배액용 위루(gastrostomy), 식이용 장루술을 시행하였다. 모든 환자는 패혈증 등의 심각한 합병증으로의 진행 없이 회복되었다. 현재 위장관의 연속성이 유지 혹은 복원된 환자는 경구식이 중이며 그 외의 환자들은 장루를 통해 영양을 공급하며 식도재건술을 기다리고 있다. 식도 천공은 최근 항생제의 사용, 과영양요법(hyperalimentation), 술후 환자관리의 개선 등으로 치료에 많은 발전이 있었으나, 치료 방침에 있어서는 여전히 논란이 있으며 높은 사망률을 보이는 난제로 남아있다. 비록 일반적인 지침이 도움이 되겠지만, 치료 방침은 환자 개개인의 상황에 따라 적절하게 선택해야 하며, 임상경과에 따라 언제라도 방침을 변경할 수 있는 유연함이 필요하리라 생각한다.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2004

Purpose: Esophagojejunal anastomotic complications after a total gastrectomy include leakage, stenosis, bleeding, and abscess formation. Especially, the mortality rate for esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage is $80\%$. Although these complications hare been reduced by the usage of the EEA stapler, they are still serious and depend on various factors: the surgeon's experience, the stage of disease, the extent of surgical intervention, the method of operation, and the patient. Some local factors, such as vascularization of the graft, traction on the anastomosis suture line, and local infections, have been implicated as contributing to these complications. Materials and Methods: During the period $1995\∼2003$, of the 850 gastrectomies for gastric carcinomas, 171 were intra-abdominal total gastrectomies. All of these 171 operations were performed by one surgeon using a routine D2 lymph-node dissection and a 25-mm EEA stapler on an antecolic end-to-side esophagojejunostomy. In the 77 cases a seromuscular reinforced suture at the esophagojejunostomy site was performed, and in 94 cases, a whole layer reinforced suture with absorbible materials was used. We evaluated the incidence of complications according to age, sex, stage of patients, and combined resection. Also, we compared the incidences of complications for seromuscular and whole layer reinforced sutures. Results: The complications are major leaks ($2.9\%$), minor leaks ($3.5\%$), stenosis, bleeding ($1.8\%$), and abscess formation formation ($1.8\%$). In the five cases of major leaks, there were four mortalities with operative methods. The other patients with stenosis, bleeding, and abscess formation were treated conservatively with success. The incidences of complications were not related with age, sex, stages, and combined resection. The incidences of complications for the whole layer reinforced suture group ($2.9\%$) were less than those for the seromuscular reinforced group ($8.8\%$, P=0.04). Conclusion: The most serious complication of esophagojejunal anastomosis is major leakage with an $80\%$ mortality. The other complications are stenosis, bleeding, and abscess formation, for which no mortalities occurred during this study. Whole layer suture of the esophagojejunal anastomotic site is an important method for preventing leakage.