• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.146-151
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• 2007

Purpose: Pledget is a PTFE felt that is usually used for suture reinforcement in cardiovascular surgery. In order to minimize the difficulty in intracorporeal continuous gastrointestinal suturing by reducing the number of tied knots, we have used pledget as substitute for a knot (pledget suturing). Materials and Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent totally laparoscopic uncut Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy after distal gastrectomy in our institution were enrolled in this study, and the patients were divided into three groups according to the method of intracorporeal anastomosis. Basically, intracorporeal anastomosis was performed by several firings of linear staplers; however, the entry holes for the stapler at the jejunojejunostomy and the gastrojejunostomy were closed by pledget suturing in group A (8 patients), the entry hole for the stapler at jejunojejunostomy was closed by conventional suturing in group B (8 patients), and all of the entry holes for the stapler were closed by stapling in group C (16 patients). The surgical outcomes of each group were compared to each other. Results: The anastomotic time in group A was not longer than in group B, although there were more sutures used in group A, but it was longer than in group C. The number of stapler cartridges used in group A was the smallest among the three groups. In group B, there were two cases of a break of suture material during anastomosis, there were no such cases in group A. There was no complication related to anastomosis in all of the groups. Conclusion: Pledget was found to be useful for minimizing the difficulty in intracoproreal continuous gastrointestinal suturing and reducing the number of stapler cartilages used in intracorporeal anastomosis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2005

Purpose: In Korea, the number of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomies for early gastric cancer patients has been increasing lately. Although minimally invasive surgery is more beneficial, no reported case of a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy has been reported because of difficulty with intracorporeal anastomosis. This study attempts, through our experiences, to determine the feasibility of a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using an intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy in treating early gastric carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We investigated surgical results and clinicopatholgic characteristics of eight(8) patients with an early gastric carcinoma who underwent a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at the Department of Surgery, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, between June 2004 and September 2004. The intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy was performed with a delta-shaped ananstomosis by using only laparoscopic linear staplers (Endocutter 45mm; Ethicon Endosurgery, OH, USA). Results: The operative time was $369.4\pm62.5$ minutes (range $275\∼465$ minutes), and the anastomotic time was 45.1\pm14.4$ minutes (range $32\∼70$ minutes). The anastomotic time was shortened as surgical experience was gained. The number of laparoscopic linear staplers for an operation was $7.1\pm0.6$. The number of lymph nodes harvested was $31.9\pm13.1$. There was 1 case of transfusion and no case of conversion to an open procedure. The time to the first flatus was 2.8$\pm$0.5 days, and the time to the first food intake was $4.1\pm0.8$ days. There were no early postoperative complications, and the postoperative hospital stay was $10.0\pm3.9$ days. Conclusion: A totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using an intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy with a delta-shaped anastomosis is technically feasible and can maximize the benefit of laparoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.132-138
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• 2007

Purpose: In Korea, the number of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomies for early gastric cancer patients has been on the increase. Although minimally invasive surgery is more beneficial, no reported case of a total laparoscopic gastrectomy has been reported because of difficulty with intracorporeal anastomosis. This study attempts, through our experience, to determine the safety and feasibility of a total laparoscopic gastrectomy with various types of intracorporeal anastomosis using laparoscopic linears stapler in treating early gastric carcinomas. Materials and Methods: We investigated the surgical results and clinicopatholgical characteristics of 81 patients that underwent a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at our department between June 2004 and May 2007. The intracorporeal anastomoses were performed by using laparoscopic linear staplers. Results: The mean operative time was 287 minutes, the mean anastomotic time was 40 minutes, and the mean number of laparoscopic linear staplers used for an operation was 7.5. The mean time to the first flatus, the first food intake, and discharge from hospital was 2.9, 3.6, and 10.3 days respectively. There were 11 cases of postoperative complications, but no case of postoperative mortality or conversion to an open procedure. In 75 patients with an adenocarcinoma, the mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 38.1 and the stage distribution was as follows: stage I, 72 patients; stage II, 2 patients; stage IV, 1 patient. During the mean follow-up period of 14 months, 5 patients died of other causes and there were no cases of cancer recurrence. Conclusion: A total laparoscopic gastrectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis by using a laparoscopic linear stapler was found to be safe and feasible. We were able to obtain acceptable surgical outcomes in terms of minimal invasiveness.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2010

Purpose: We wanted to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) for treating early gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 11 consecutive patients who underwent TLTG after being diagnosed with early gastric cancer at Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea from February 2005 to September 2009 were retrospectively reviewed and their clinicopathologic characteristics and the surgical results wereinvestigated. Results: The mean operation time was $385.6{\pm}94.1$ minutes, the mean time for creating an intracorporeal anastomosis was $97.5{\pm}60.0$ minutes and the mean number of the harvested lymph nodes was $46.6{\pm}15.4$ The mean number of days after operation until starting a liquid diet was the $6.1{\pm}7.6^{th}$ postoperative day and the mean hospital stay after surgery was $14.2{\pm}11.9$ days. There was no case of open conversion, but there were 2 cases of intraoperative complication and 3 cases of postoperative complication. There was one case of postoperative mortality. The patient suffered from thrombocytopenia of an unknown cause, which was refractory to platelet transfusion, on $4^{th}$ postoperative day and the patient died of intraabdominal bleeding on the $6^{th}$ postoperative day. Conclusion: TLTG was a technically feasible and relatively safe procedure. However, a long time for creating the intracoproeal anastomosis and a long operation time are still problems to be solved.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1106-1110
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• 2006

Chylous ascites is a rare condition caused by various diseases and conditions that interfere with the abdominal or retroperitoneal lymphatics, and uncommonly it can manifest as a post-operative complication after abdominal, retroperitoneal or mediastinal surgery. Chylous ascites can be diagnosed by a high triglyceride content in ascites. The authors experienced a 5-year-old girl with congenital hepatic fibrosis who presented with chylous ascites after a splenorenal shunt operation, who was successfully managed by fasting and total parenteral nutrition, followed by a lipid-free diet with medium chain triglyceride supplementation. Here, the authors report this case of post-operative chylous ascites after a splenorenal shunt (Warren shunt) operation with a review of the pertinent literature.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2006

A 69-year old man presented with severe epigastric pain for 1 day. He had early gastric cancer at the antrum and underwent a distal subtotal gastrectomy and Billorth II gastrojejunostomy one month later without any post-operative complications. Radiologic examination revealed a large amount of retroperitoneal free air formation. Because of unremitting pain and unstable vital sign, exploratory laparotomy was followed. During the operation, a perforated duodenal diverticulum at the posterior wall of the 2nd portion of the duodenum was identified. He underwent diverticulectomy and primary closure. He was discharged on the 18th post operative day and has been followed up without any evidence of comlpication for several months.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.396-400
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• 2009

Operations using the da Vinci robot have performed in for many surgeries, but the adoption of robotics to general thoracic surgery has been slow. The patient (age 74, male) visited our hospital complaining of hiccups and dysphagia. The CT scan and endoscopic biopsy revealed esophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). We performed transthoracic esophagectomy using a da Vinci robot and this was followed by gastric tube mobilization via laparoscopy. Cervical esophago-gastric anastomosis was done using the hand-sewn method. The gastric tube was brought into the neck through the retrosternal route. The patient was discharged without any complications. We report here on a case of successful da Vinci robotic esophgagectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.886-893
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• 2000

배경: 흉복부 대동맥류는 질환 자체가 광범위하고 수술 중 척수를 포함한 각종 장기의 보호 및 허혈 방지라는 면에서 아직도 수술 합병증이 높은 질환이다. 본 연구에서는 그 동안의 임상경험을 바탕으로 치료성적, 합병증 발생, 사망률 등을 검토하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1990년 1월부터 1999년 12월까지 흉복부동맥류로 수술을 시행한 38명의 환자를 대상으로 의무 기록 검토을 통한 후향적 분석을 시행하였다. 결과: 남자가 22명, 여자가 16명, 평륜 연령은 46.2$\pm$12.3세였고, 크로포드 진단분류 상 1형 이 13례(34.2%), 2형이 19례(50%), 3형이 4례(11%), 4형이 2례(4.8%)였다. 만성 대동맥박리증에 관련된 경우가 29례(76.3%)로 가장 많았고, Marfan 증후군이 동반된 경우가 9례(23.7%)에서 있었다. 원위부 대동맥 관류를 35례에서 시행하였으며, 고동맥-고정맥 심폐바이패스를 31례에서, 좌심방-고동맥 바이패스를 4례에서 시행하였다. 심폐바이패스를 이용한 31례중 4례에서 초저체온하 완전순환정지를 이용하였다. 대동맥 차단 중 복강내 주요 대동맥 분지로의 선택적 관류를 시행하였다. 대동맥류의 최대직경은 평균 8.2$\pm$2.4cm이었고, 동맥류가 파열된 경우는 11례(28.9%)에서 있었다. 전례에서 인조혈관을 이용한 대동맥의 치환술을 시행하였다. 단계적으로 흉복부 대동맥을 겸자하면서 인공혈관을 문합하였고, Adamkiewicz 동맥으로 생각되는 부위의 늑간 동맥을 문합해주었는데, 8번째부터 12번째 흉추 사이의 늑간 동맥 중 역류혈류가 나타나고 상대적으로 내경이 큰 것들을 문합해 주었다. 술 후 조기사망은 3례에서 있었으며, 사인은 심폐기 이탈 실패 (2례), 저혈압 및 산증(1례) 등이었다. 조기 합병증으로는 애성 5례, 출혈 5례, 창상간염 3례, 장기간의 인공호흡기보조가 3례 등이 있었다. 치명적인 조기 합병증인 하지마비는 2례(5.3%)에서 발생하였고, 이 중 1례는 대동맥의 심한 석회화로 늑간동맥을 문합해 주지 못했던 경우였다. 35명의 환자에서 평균 추적기간은 103.1$\pm$6.1 개월, 2년 생존율은 93.8%, 5년 생존율은 86.1%, 8년 생존율은 80.7%였다. 추척기간 동안 4례의 만기사망이 관찰되었고, 사인은 2례에서는 갑작스런 의식소실이 발생하여 규명하기 어려웠으며, 대동맥-식도루 발생에 의한 경우가 1례, 경동맥류 파열에 의한 경우가 1례 등이었다. 만기 합병증으로는 복부 대동맥류(2례), 상행 대동맥 및 대동맥 근부 확장(1례), 대동맥-늑막루(1례), 창상 부위 탈장(1례), 역행성 사정(1례) 등이 있었다. 결론: 저자들은 흉복부대동맥류의 수술에 있어 심폐우 회술 혹은 좌심방-고동맥 바이패스를 통한 원위부 관류 및 저체온법, 수술 시 척수의 혈류공급과 관련된 늑간동맥의 연결 등으로 주요 신경합병증의 발생을 줄이고 좋은 성적을 거두고 있다고 판단하였으며 향후 임상 경험 축적과 함께 보다 정련된 위험인자의 분석이 필요하다고 본다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1182-1190
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• 1996

The best treatment of congenital or acquired tracheal stenosis is resection and end to end anastomosis. Various prosthetic material and tissue graft replacement can be considered when the stenotic segment is too long, but their uses are still limited due to many serious complications. The present study examined the effect of immunosuppression and cryopreserved allograft trachea after intraperitoneal omental implantation for evaluation of the possibility of tracheal transplantation. Thirty tracheal segments were harvested from fifteen donor Wistar rats. Among them eighteen segments were implanted immediately(group I, II, III) and twelve segments were used for cryopreservation(group IV, V). Heterotopical intraperitoneal implantation was performed in five groups of rats(n=6); Group I was Wistar syngeneic controls and received no immunosuppression. Group II and III were those of Sprague-Dawley recipients, the former receiving no immunosuppression and the latter receiving immunosuppression(Cyclosporin A 15mg/kg/day, Methylprednisolone 2mg/kg/day). Group IV and V were groups of Sprague-Dawley recipients, the former receiving immunosuppression and the latter receiving no Immunosuppression. After 28 days, rats were sacrificed and the tracheal segments were histologically evaluated. Epithelial thickness was significantly decreased in group II, IV. Epithelial regeneration score was also significantly decreased in II. All rats maintained well their round tracheal contour. In conclusion; I) trachea could be preserved for a long time with cryo method, 2) epithelium could regenerate fully with omentopexy in cryopreserved trachea, 3) immunosuppresion was not necessary with cryopreserved trachea.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2002

Objective : A retrospective study was peformed to evaluate whether postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can improve survival and decrease recurrence as compared with surgery alone in resected esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods : From Jan. 1985 to Dec. 1993, among 94 esophageal cancer Patients treated with surgery, fifty-one patients were included in this study. Transthoracic esophagectomy was peformed in 35 patients and transhiatal esophagectomy in 16. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy was peformed 4 weeks after surgery in 26 among 38 patients in stage II and III. A total dose of $30\~60\;Gy$ in 1.8 Gy daily fraction, median 54 Gy over 6 weeks, was delivered in the mediastinum+both supraclavicular lymph nodes or celiac lymph nodes according to the tumor location. Forty-seven patients$(92\%)$ had squamous histology. The median follow-up period was 38 months. Results : The overall 2-year and 5-year survival and median survival were $56.4\%,\;36.8\%$ and 45 months. Two-year and 5-year survival and median survival by stage were $92\%,\;60.3\%$ for stage I, $63\%,\;42\%$ and 51 months for stage II and $34\%,\;23\%$ and 19 months for stage III (p=0.04). For stage II and III patients, 5-year survival and median survival were $22.8\%$, 45 months for the surgery alone group and $37.8\%$, 22 months for the postoperative RT group (p=0.89). For stage III patients, 2-year survival and median survival were $0\%$, 11 months for the surgery alone group and $36.5\%$, 20 months for the postoperative RT group (p=0.14). Local and distant failure rates for stage II and III were $50\%,\;16\%$ for the surgery alone and $39\%,\;31\%$ for the postoperative RT group. For N1 patients, local failure rate was $71\%$ for the surgery alone group and $37\%$ for the postoperative RT group (p=0.19). Among 10 local failures in the postoperative RT group, in-field failures were 2, marginal failures 1, out-field 5 and anastomotic site failures 2. Conclusion : There were no statistically significant differences in either the overall survival or the patterns of failure between the surgery alone group and the postoperative RT group for resected stage II and III esophageal cancer. But this study showed a tendency of survival improvement and decrease in local failure when postoperative RT was peformed for stage III or N1 though statistically not significant. To decrease local failure, a more generous radiation field encompassing the supraclavicular, mediastinal, and celiac lymph nodes and anastomotic site in postoperative adjuvant treatment should be considered.