• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.591-596
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• 2004

Recently, thoracic sympathicotomy for craniofacial hyperhidrosis (FH) is increasingly avoided contrast to palmar hyperhidrosis. We recently demonstrated that selective T2 sympathicotomy for FH in woman might be recommended because of differences of the postoperative satisfaction between man and woman. Therefore, this study was designed to analyze the postoperative long term results, evaluate the effectiveness of T2 sympathicotomy and establish the new strategy in treatment of FH in woman. Material and Method: From May 1998 to July 2001, 27 cases of FH in woman that were performed T2 sympathicotomy and minimum 2 years have passed since then at the follow up period. Among them, 20 cases were evaluated by telephone review and medical record. Bilateral sympathetic trunks were severed on the 2nd rib with 2mm thoracoscopic instruments. 7 patients combined with gustatory sweating (GS). Ages ranged from 25 to 62 (mean age, 46.4 years). Result: All patients were relieved of symptom immediately after operation. At postoperative 1 week, all patients were satisfied: 15 patients, “very satisfaction” and 5 patients, “relatively satisfaction”. However, during long term follow up period (from 25 to 63 months postoperatively), 9 patients (45%) were relatively satisfied, 8 patients (40%) complained that there was no difference of postoperative satisfaction and 3 patients (15%) complained of non satisfactory results (regret for surgery). 16 patients (80%) had complaint of uncomfortable feeling because of postoperative GS. Some degree of compensatory sweating (CS) had occurred in all patients: severe 10 patients (50%), severe but acceptable 6 patients (30%), and just conventional 4 patients (20%). The sites of CS were trunk, back, axilla and extremities. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic T2 sympathicotomy is relatively considerable method for FH in woman and the postoperative satisfaction depends on GS and the degree of individual adaptation for CS. Therefore, it is required that the prediction of preoperative risk factors for GS and CS and then careful selection of patients to increase the postoperative satisfaction, and the development of acceptable new treatment modalities.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.672-683
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• 2004

Background: The treatment results of the advanced lung carcinoma is not satisfactory with the present therapeutic modalities: surgical resection, anti-cancer chemotherapy, and radiotherapy or combination therapy. To predict the prognosis of the non-small-cell lung carcinoma, TNM classification has been was as the basic categorization; however, it has been not satisfactory. It is necessary to consider the causes and the prognosis of the lung carcinoma from another points of view rather the conventional methods. We intended to find out the relationship between the major apoptotic factor, p53 gene and the prognosis of the patient with lung carcinoma. Material and Method: Three hundreds and fifty-nine patients with lung carcinoma who underwent surgery were analysed. We observed p53 protein accumulated in the cellular nuclei. The p53 protein was detected by immuno-histo-chemical method. We collected information of the patient retrospectively. Result: p53 protein densities were observed in 40% in average as a whole. The protein density was 44 percent in man, 25 percent in woman, 49 percent in the squamous cell carcinoma, and 38 percent in the adenocarcinoma. There were significant correlations between the p53 protein density and the mortality in the squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.025), follow-up duration in TNM stage I group (p=0.010), and follow-up duration in the lobectomy patient group (p=0.043), and tumor cell differentiation (p=0.009). p53 protein densities were significantly different between the lobectomy and the pneumonectomy group (p=0.044). Conclusion: The authors found that p53 protein had some correlations with the prognosis of the lung cancer partially in some factors. We suggest the p53 protein density could be used as a marker of prognosis in the non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.381-386
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• 2010

Background: Sternal wound infection (SWI) is an important complication after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors affecting sternal wound infection and preventive factors including short term Vancomycin therapy in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Material and Method: A retrospective study was done using data collected from January 2001 through December 2007. This included 219 patients who had isolated CABG. The definition of SWI was documentation from a microbiological study and a requirement for simple closure or other surgical revision. Result: The overall incidence of SWI was 7.8% (n=17). The causative organisms were methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, n=13), methicillin resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=2), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=1), and Candida albicans (n=1). Ten cases had deep sternal wound infection with mediastinitis; 7 cases had a superficial wound infection. Infection-related mortality was low (1/17; 6%). Diabetes mellitus (p=0.006) and smoking history (p=0.020) were factors that predicted high risk. Short term use of vancomycin decreased the incidence of MRSA-associated SWI (p=0.009). For treatment, curettage and rewiring or flap were needed in most cases (88%, n=14). Conclusion: Patients who had diabetes mellitus and a smoking history need careful management. Short term use of vancomycin is effective for prevention of SWI with MRSA.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.201-205
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• 2007

Purpose: This retrospective study was conducted to assess outcome and to determine the prognostic factors in patients with a desmoid tumor treated with postoperative radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients with a desmoid tumor who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy between June 1984 and October 2005 were analyzed. There were 13 male and 14 female patients. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 79 years (median age, 28 years). Tumors were located in an extra-abdominal area (21 cases), and in the abdominal walls (6 cases). The tumor size ranged from 2.5 to 25 cm (median size, 7.5 cm) in the largest linear dimension. Thirteen cases received radiotherapy after initial surgery, and 14 recurrent cases received radiotherapy after additional surgery. The total radiation dose given was $45{\sim}66$ Gy (median dose, 59.4 Gy), and the fraction size was $1.8{\sim}2.0$ Gy. Results: The median follow-up period was 61 months (range, $12{\sim}203$ months). Two patients developed local progression and six patients experienced local recurrence. The 5-year disease-free survival rate and the 5-year progression-free survival rate were 61 % and 70%, respectively. Wide local excision was associated with better disease free survival with statistical significance (p=0.028). Radiotherapy after initial surgery (p=0.046) and a higher radiation dose of more than 60 Gy (p=0.049) were associated with better progression free survival with statistical significance. At the time of the last follow-up, the number of additional surgeries was higher in patients that received radiotherapy after reoperation (p<0.001). Conclusion: Radiotherapy after the initial operation improved local control and decreased the number of subsequent operations. Thus, postoperative radiotherapy after an initial operation is recommended in patients with a high risk of recurrence for a desmoid tumor.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.136-141
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• 2003

We assessed the intermediate-term result of tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) for tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) associated with congenital heart disease in adults. Risk factors for residual TR were also analysed. Material and Method: From August 1989 to June 2001, seventy three adult patients, 51 females and 22 males, underwent TAP for TR associated with various congenital heart disease. Their age ranged from 46 years to 73 years (mean:43). Associated heart anomalies were atrial septal defect (55), ventricular septal defect (6), partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (4) and others (8). Preoperative and post-operative TR velocities were 3.25 m/sec and 2.56 m/sec respectively, and the types of TAP were De Vega in 43, Kay in 18 and Ring annuloplasty in 12. Postoperative follow-up duration was 2,347 patient-month (mean: 32.6 months), and 134 two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations were done during this period. Residual TR greater than III/IV was considered as TAP failure. Result: TAP failure was observed in 7 patients (9.6%), and one patient among them underwent tricuspid valve replacement. Risk factors for TAP failure were diagnosis other than atrial septal defect (p=0.001), preoperative (p=0.038) and postoperative (p=0.028) high TR velocity. There was no statistical significance in terms of TAP methods. Conclusion: Careful evaluation of valve morphology and aggressive surgical intervention are mandatory for the repair of TR with preoperative or residual RV pressure overload.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 1995

From January 1985 to December 1992, of 1257 patients who underwent a heart valve replacement 210 [16.8% underwent reoperation on prosthetic heart valves, and 6 of them had a second valve reoperation. The indications for reoperation were structural deterioration [176 cases, 81.5% , prosthetic valve endocarditis [25 cases, 11.6% , paravalvular leak [12 cases, 5.6% , valve thrombosis [2 cases, 0.9% and ascending aortic aneurysm [1 case, 0.4% . Prosthetic valve failure developed most frequently in mitral position [57.9% and prosthetic valve endocarditis and paravalvular leak developed significantly in the aortic valve [40%, 75% [P<0.02 . Mean intervals between the primary valve operation and reoperation were 105.3$\pm$28.4 months in the case of prosthetic valve failure, 61.5$\pm$38.5 months in prosthetic valve endocarditis, 26.8$\pm$31.2 months in paravalvualr leak, and 25.0$\pm$7.0 months in valve thrombosis. In bioprostheses, the intervals were in 102.0$\pm$23.9 months in the aortic valve, and 103.6$\pm$30.8 months in the mitral valve. The overall hospital mortality rate was 7.9% [17/26 : 15% in aortic valve reoperation [6/40 , 6.5% in reoperation on the mitral prostheses [9/135 and 5.7% in multiple valve replacement [2.35 . Low cardiac output syndrome was the most common cause of death [70.6% . Advanced New York Heart Association class [P=0.00298 , explant period [P=0.0031 , aortic cross-clamp time [P=0.0070 , prosthetic valve endocarditis [P=0.0101 , paravalvularr leak [P=0.0096 , and second reoperation [P=0.00036 were the independent risk factors, but age, sex, valve position and multiple valve replacement did not have any influence on operative mortality. Mean follow up period was 38.6$\pm$24.5 months and total patient follow up period was 633.3 patient year. Actuarial survival at 8 year was 97.3$\pm$3.0% and 5 year event-free survival was 80.0$\pm$13.7%. The surgical risk of reoperation on heart valve prostheses in the advanced NYHA class patients is higher, so reoperation before severe hemodynamic impairment occurs is recommended.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2009

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Although postoperative AF is regarded as benign, transient and self-limited, it has been associated with increased morbidity, thromboembolic events and an increased duration and cost of hospitalization. Material and Method: From January 1994 to December 2007, 190 patients that had isolated CABG surgery were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=139) involved those who had postoperative atrial fibrillation, and group 2 (n=51) did not have any such events. We reviewed the medical records retrospectively including the incidence of postoperative AF, patient characteristics, surgery related factors and the outcome of the patients with postoperative AF. Result: The frequency of postoperative AF was 26.8%, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm before discharge was 82.4%; 82.4% of the AF developed within the first three postoperative days. Although the postoperative AF group was significantly older and had a prolonged postoperative Intensive care unit (ICU) stay, there was no difference in the aortic crossclamp time or duration of hospitalization. No spontaneous defibrillation at declamping, and longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass were significantly related to the development of postoperative AF. However, postoperative treatment with a beta blocker was associated with a decreased incidence of postoperative AF. The multivariate analysis showed that age and ICU stay were significantly associated with the development of POAF. Spontaneous defibrillation and postoperative beta blocker treatment were significantly associated with a decreased frequency of POAF. Conclusion: AF after CABG surgery is a common complication associated with increased morbidity and a longer ICU stay. Therefore, various strategies aimed at reducing AF, and its complications, such as postoperative treatment with a beta blocker should be considered.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.420-427
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• 2007

Background: Postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE) due to bronchopleural fistula (BPF) can be a surgical challenge for surgeons. We analyzed the follow-up outcomes after performing omentopexy and thoracoplasty for the treatment of PPE with BPF after pneumonectomy. Material and Mehod: Between December 1991 and January 2006, 9 patients underwent BPF closure using an omental pedicled flap for the treatment of PPE with BPF after pneumonectomy. There were 7 males and 2 females (mean age: $45.9{\pm}9$ years). The patients were followed up for a mean of 58 months (median: 28 months, range: $6{\sim}169$). When we performed omentopexy, the surgical procedures for empyema were thoracoplasy for 8 patients and the Clagett procedure for 1 patient. Thoracoplasty was performed for the latter patient due to recurrence of empyema, Result: For the 8 patients who were treated by omentopexy and thoracoplasty, there was 1 operation-related death due to sepsis. During follow up, 1 patient, who was treated by omentopexy and a Clagett procedure, died of acute hepatitis 40 months postoperatively. The early mortality was 11.1% (8/9). Of the 8 patients, including the 1 late death patient, successful closure of the BPF were achieved in all patients (8/9) and the empyema was cured in 7 patients (7/8). Conclusion: The BPF closure using an omental pedicled flap was an effective method for treating PPE with BPF due to 75-destroyed lung, and thoracoplasty with simultaneous omentopexy was effective and safe for removing dead space if the patient was young and in a good general condition.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.464-470
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• 1995

From Jan 1988 to Dec 1993, 196 consecutive patients with various pulmonary diseases underwent pneumonectomy. Mean age was 54.0 years[range:7-74 . The underlying diseases were lung cancer[154 cases , destroyed lung[29 cases with pulmonary tuberculosis or empyema thoracis and others[13 cases . The overall mortality and complication rate were 5.6% and 14.8%. In the groups of more than and less than 60 years of age, there was significant differences in mortality rate[P=0.004 . In the group of pneumonectomy and pleuropneumonectomy, there was no significant differences in mortality[P=0.164 and complication rate[P=0.052 . In the group of normal and abnormal EKG, there was no significant differences in mortality[P=0.560 and complication rate[P=0.693 . In the preoperative FEV1, preoperative FVC and predicted postoperative FEV1, prognostic cut-off points were 1800cc, 2600cc and 1300cc, and at points, positive predicted value were 12.3%, 10.5%.and 7.7% and negative predicted value were 97.8%, 98.3% and 96.2% respectively. The preoperative FEV1 is the most reliable indicator in assessment of prognosis of pneumonectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.741-747
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• 2003

Background: Coronary artery bypass graf t (CABG) has been settled as most safe surgery among the open heart surgeries. However, in patients with cardiogenic shock, the emergency CABG has higher mortality than elective CABG. We analyzed thirty four patients who underwent emergency CABG and report the middle and long-term results. Material and Method: From June 1994 to December 2001, 34 patients who underwent emergency CABG at Kang-dong Sacred Heart Hospital were include in this study. On the basis of hospital databases and Out Patient Department (OPD) follow up data, preoperative diagnosis, risk factor, coronary artery anatomy, operation technique, postoperative mortality, complication, recurrence of symptom, and mid and long term mortality were analyzed retrospectively. Result: Indications for emergency CABG were 29 cardiogenic shocks (85.3%), 4 intractable chest pains (11.8%), and 1 polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (2.9%). Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were triple vessel disease in 16 (47.1%) and left main disease in 8 (23.5%) patients. We used saphenous vein grafts in 81 and left internal thoracic artery grafts in 14 anastomosis. The mean number of grafts per patients was 2.8$\pm$0.8. The mean aortic cross clamp time was 91.9$\pm$34.6 minutes and the mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 262.7$\pm$198.3 minutes. Early mortality was 50% and the most common cause of early mortality was low cardiac output in 7 (20.6%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 30.9$\pm$35.7 months. There were no recurrences of symptom and late mortality. Conclusion: In the case of emergency operation, aggressive and proper management with drugs and IABP should be done for preoperative hemodynamic stability and early surgical intervention is the most important factor for patient salvage.