• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2009

Purpose : Chronic urticaria is a disorder characterized by the appearance of wheals for more than 6 weeks; in most cases, the etiology is unknown. This study was aimed to discover the clinical aspects, the etiologic factors, and the course of chronic urticaria. Methods : 51 children who were diagnosed with chronic urticaria in the past 4 years, and who had had follow-ups more than 6 months after diagnosis in the pediatric department of Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Bucheon, were enrolled in the study. The laboratory findings, clinical aspects, and courses were retrospectively investigated by medical record review and telephone interview. Results : The median age of children with chronic urticaria was 4 years (8 months to 16 years) and the ratio of male to female was 1.4:1. Of the total, 39.2% of patients had a history of atopy. Angioedema occurred concurrently with urticaria in 11.8% of patients, and dermographism was seen in 41.2%. Results of thyroid function tests were normal and thyroid autoantibodies were absent in all cases. Regarding etiology, most cases (74.5%) were forms of idiopathic urticaria. Urticaria was induced by physical factors in 19.6% of patients. Open challenge tests revealed that 3 patients were allergic to food additives (glutamate 2, glutamate, and sulfite 1). In this study, most of the patients reported good response after medication of 1st- or 2nd-generation antihistamines alone. Follow-up at 6 months revealed that 70.6% of patients had experienced remission, and 84.8% of children who had follow-up at 1 year presented remission. Conclusion : Chronic urticaria in most patients was idiopathic. Remission occurred within 1 year of diagnosis, in most cases so chronic urticaria in children seems to have good prognosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.517-522
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• 2002

Background: Congenital heart surgery may lead to myocardial swelling and hemodynamic instability. Delayed sternal closure may be beneficial in this setting. The purpose of this study was to assess mortality and mediastinal infection rate associated with delayed sternal closure after congenital heart surgery and to evaluate the risk factors which affect mortality and mediastinal infection rate. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 40 patients who underwent delayed sternal closure after repair of congenital heart disease at Yonsei Cardiovascular Hospital, from January 1994 to May 2001. In these patients, we assessed the mortality and mediastinal infection rate, and evaluated their risk factors including operation time, bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, duration to sternal closure and postoperative artificial ventilation time. Mediastinal infection was defined to have positive culture in mediastinum. Result: Hemodynamic instability was the most common indication for delayed sternal closure(n=36) and other indications included postoperative bleeding(n=2) and conduit compression(n=2). The median age at operation was $14.4{\pm}33.4$months old(range, 2days-12years). The patients with postoperative bleeding and conduit compression were much older than the others. The sternum was left open for $4.5{\pm}3.4$ days(range, 1-20days). Overall mortality was 25%(10/40) and mediastinal infection occured in 24.3%(9/37) (3 patients were excluded in mediastinal infection for early death). In risk factor analyses, only aortic cross clamp time had statistical significance for mortality in univariate analyses. However, multivariate analyses revealed that there were no significant predictors for risk of mortality and mediastinal infection. Conclusion: Delayed sternal closure after repair of congenital cardiac disease had relatively high mortality and mediastinal infection rate. But, in patients with hemodynamic instability, postoperative bleeding and conduit compression after repair of congenital cardiac disease, delayed sternal closure may be an effective life saving method.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.501-510
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• 2002

Background: The various pathogeneses of acute respiratory distress syndrome have been suggested but not established yet. In the present study, the role of group II phospholipase $A_2$($PLA_2$) in the pathogenesis of gut ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) induced acute lung injury (ALI), especially in the pulmonary oxidative stress with infiltration of neutrophils was investigated. Material and Method: To induce ALI, reperfusion of mesentery was done for 120 min after clamping of superior mesenteric artery for 60 min in Sprague-Dawley rats that weighed about 300g. To exmaine the role of group II $PLA_2$ in ALI, especially endothelial injury associated with the action of neutrophils, lung myeloperoxidase activity, lung leak index, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein were measured, and pulmonary $PLA_2$ activity changes in gut I/R were also measured. The role of group II $PLA_2$in the neutrophilic generation of free radicals was assessed by inhibiting group II $PLA_2$ with rutin, manoalide and scalaradial. Furthermore, to verify the oxidative stress in the lung, histologic and free radical detecting cytochemical electron microscopy were done. Result: After reperfusion, ALI was developed with accumulation of neutrophils in the lung, which was confirmed by the increase of myeloperoxidase activity, lung leak index and bronchoalveolar lavage protein (p<0.001). The pulmonary and intestinal group II $PLA_2$ activities significantly increased after gut I/R which were reversed by rutin(p<0.001). In vitro, cytochrome-c reduction assay denoted the inhibitory effects of rutin, scalaradial and manoalide on the production of free radicals from isolated human neutrophils. Histologically, neutrophilic accumulation and pericapillary edema in the lung after gut I/R was detected by light microscopy which was suppressed by rutin. In $CeCl_3$ cytochemical electron microscopy, the increased production of hydrogen peroxide in the lung after gut I/R was confirmed and also the production of hydrogen peroxide was decreased by rutin. Conclusion: On the basis of these experimental results, the inhibition of group II $PLA_2$ seemed to mitigate gut I/R-induced ALI by suppressing the production of free radicals from the infiltrated neutrophils. Collectively, group II $PLA_2$ seems to play a crucial role in gut I/R-induced ALI by neutrophilic oxidative stress.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the reference ranges of serum albumin levels depending on the gestational ages of preterm infants. We also intended to compare the mean serum albumin levels between groups of preterm infants that did not develop clinical disorders later, and groups that did develop clinical disorders such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, apnea and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We also examined the significance of serum albumin as a predictor for the development of clinical disorders. Methods : The records of 208 neonates with gestational ages from 23 weeks to 41 weeks were reviewed retrospectively. The mean albumin concentrations with reference ranges by gestational ages were determined. Statistics for each two of group were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to model odd ratio, and 95 percent confidence interval as a mean of the association between predictors and outcome. Results : Serum albumin levels were at 23-24 weeks gestation was 2.36 g/dL, rising to 3.43 g/dL in full term babies. There were significant mean differences between the clinical groups and control groups for each clinical disorder such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and apnea in premature babies of 30-36 weeks of gestation. Low serum albumin appeared to be associated with increased risks of clinical disorders. Conclusion : The normal serum albumin levels in preterm infants should be defined according to the gestational ages. Lower albumin levels increase the risks of the later development of clinical disorders, which are common in premature infants.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.471-478
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• 1997

Introduction: The use of rabbits as a cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) animal model is extremely dif%cult mainly due to technical problems. On the other hand, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(CA) is used to facilitate surgical repair in a variety of cardiac diseases. Although steroids are generally known to be effective in the treatment of cerebral edema, the protective effects of steroids on the brain during CA are not conclusively established. Objectives of this study are twofold: the establishment of CPB technique in rabbits and the evaluation of preventive effect of steroid on the development of brain edema during CA. Material '||'&'||' Methods: Fifteen New Zealan white rabbits(average body weight 3.5kg) were divided into three experimental groups; control CA group(n=5), CA with Trendelenberg position group(n=5), and CA with Trendelenberg position + steroid(methylprednisolone 30 mglkg) administration group(n=5). After anesthetic induction and tracheostomy, a median sternotomy was performed. An aortic cannula(3.3mm) and a venous ncannula(14 Fr) were inserted, respectively in the ascending aorta and the right atrium. The CPB circuit consisted of a roller pump and a bubble oxygenator. Priming volume of the circuit was approximately 450m1 with 120" 150ml of blood. CPB was initiated at a flow rate of 80~85ml/kg/min, Ten min after the start of CPB, CA was established with duration of 40min at $20^{\circ}C$ of rectal temperature. After CA, CPB was restarted with 20min period of rewarming. Ten min after weaning, the animal was sacrif;cod. One-to-2g portions of the following tissues were rapidly d:ssected and water contents were examined and compared among gr ups: brain, cervical spinal cord, kidney, duodenum, lung, heart, liver, spleen, pancreas. stomach. Statistical significances were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. Results: CPB with CA was successfully performed in all cases. Flow rate of 60-100 mlfkgfmin was able to be maintained throughout CPB. During CPB, no significant metabolic acidosis was detected and aortic pressure ranged between 35-55 mmHg. After weaning from CPB, all hearts resumed normal beating spontaneously. There were no statistically significant differences in the water contents of tissues including brain among the three experimental groups. Conclusion: These results indicate (1) CPB can be reliably administered in rabbits if proper technique is used, (2) the effect of steroid on the protection of brain edema related to Trendelenburg position during CA is not established within the scope of this experiment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.504-509
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• 2003

Although arterial grafts are widely used due to the advantage of long-term patency in coronary bypass surgery, greater saphenous vein is still an important additional conduit. It was reported that preservation of the adventitia of vein graft and the adjacent tissues may bring the improved long-term graft patency. The aim of this study is to look for a harvest technique that can reduce vein injury and wound complications. Material and Method: In thirty-four patients that vein grafts were used for coronary bypass surgery, 50 harvest sites were included for the study. In 25 harvest sites in calf below knee (group 1), vein was exposed through a long incision and then clearly dissected from the adjacent tissue. Ten endoscopic vein harvests were performed in the thighs (group 2). Fifteen other vein grafts that were bluntly dissected were harvested from the thighs through three separate incisions (group 3). Result: Vein harvest time was longest in endoscopic harvest group (44.7$\pm$9.8 minutes) and shortest in group 3 (24.2$\pm$5.9 minutes) (p＝0.000). Most avulsion injuries of vein branches happened in the endoscopic group. Sequential grafting numbers per vein were 1.72$\pm$0.98 with thigh vein graft and 1.16$\pm$0.37 with calf vein (p＝0.02). Swelling of foot and/or leg, which was the most common wound complication after vein harvest, was most commonly presented in group 1 (20/25 sites; p＝0.000). Tingling, the most common neurologic complication, was also most prevalent in group 1 (7/25 sites; p＝0.013). The risk factor of the wound complication was vein harvest from calf, and the vein harvest technique was not a risk for wound complication. Conclusion: Vein harvest technique through three separate incisions from thigh presented shorter harvest time and less vein injury and wound complication compared with the endoscopic harvest technique from thigh or the harvest through a long incision from calf.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.553-559
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• 1998

Introduction: The most dramatic application of hypothermia in cardiac surgery is in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(DHCA). Because man in natural circumstances is never exposed to this extreme hypothermic condition, one of the controversial aspects of clinical hypothermia is appropriate acid-base management($\alpha$-stat versus pH-stat). This study aims to compare $\alpha$-stat with pH-stat for: (1) brain cooling and re-warming speed during hypothermia induction and re-warming by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); (2) cerebral perfusion, metabolism, and their coupling; and (3) the extent of development of cerebral edema after circulatory arrest, in young pigs. Materials & Methods: Fourteen young pigs were assigned to one of two strategies of gas manipulation. Cerebral blood flow was measured with a cerebral venous outflow technique. After a median sternotomy, CPB was established. Core cooling was initiated and continued until nasopHaryngeal temperature fell below $20^{\circ}C$. The flow rate was set at 2,500 ml/min. Once their temperatures were below $20^{\circ}C$, the animals were subjected to DHCA for 40 mins. During cooling, acid-base balance was maintained according to either $\alpha$-STAT or pH-STAT strategies. After DHCA, the body was re-warmed to normal body temperature. The animals were then sacrificed, and their brains measured for edema. Cerebral perfusion and metabolism were measured before the onset of CPB, before cooling, before DHCA, 15 mins after re-warming, and upon completion of re-warming. Results & Conclusion: Cooling time was significantly shorter with $\alpha$-stat than with pH-stat strategy, while there were no significant differences in rewarming time between the two groups. Nosignificant differences were found in cerebral blood flow, metabolic rate, or flow/ metabolic rate ratio between two groups. Temperature-related differences were significant in cerebral blood flow, metabolic rate, and flow/metabolic rate ratio within each group. Brain water content showed no significant differences between two groups.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.613-620
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• 1999

Background: Recently, regional or isolated organ perfusion is being studied again as a drug administration modality which is able to reduce systemic toxicity while delivering high-dose chemotherapeutic agents. This research was planned to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and long-term pathologic changes of the lung in isolated lung perfusion (ILP) with cisplatin. Material and Method: Twenty-five New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 2 groups (Group I: 10, Group II: 15). The groups were then subdivided into 2 and 3 subgroups of 5 rabbits. In group I, tissue samples of the lung and kidney, and systemic blood for platinum concentration measurement were taken 30 minutes after systemic intravenous infusion of cisplatin (5 mg/kg) and isolated lung perfusion in each 5 rabbits. In 2 subgroups of group II, lung tissues for pathologic exams were taken 30 minutes and 1 week after ILP in each 5 rabbits, which received 10% pentastarch solution only and cisplatin, respectively. In the other subgroups, lung biopsy was undertaken 4 weeks after ILP with cisplatin. Result: When cisplatin was infused via systemic vein, the platinum concentration in the lung, kidney and plasma were 1.50${\pm}$0.43 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g, 7.65${\pm}$2.49 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g, 1.19${\pm}$0.03 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. However, the platinum concentration in the lung was about 50 times higher (75.43${\pm}$11.47 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g) than that of intravenous infusion group, and those in the kidney and plasma were decreased (1.30${\pm}$ 0.35 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g, 0.13${\pm}$0.02 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) when cisplatin was introduced through ILP. Pathologic change in the treated lung with ILP was characterized by the medial hypertrophy of the pulmonary arterioles and interstitial eosinophilic infiltration, which was not dependent on cisplatin

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.9 s.254
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• pp.616-621
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• 2005

Background: In the resection of lung cancer, pneumonectomy occupied $20 {\~}35\%$ of all resections, and significantly high operative mortality is reported in right pneumonectomy ($10{\~}25\%$). The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics of morbidity, operative mortality and factors affecting operative mortality after pneumonectomy. Material and Method: This study recruited the database which performed pneumonectomy for lung cancer in Korea Cancer Center Hospital from Aug 1987 to Apr 2002. Result: Total of 386 pneumonectomies were peformed in that period. Sidedness were left in 238, right in 148; and the procedures were standard resection in 207, and extended resection in 179. Morbidity occurred in 115 cases ($29.8\%$, 115/386). Mortality occurred in 12 cases ($3.1\%$, 12 in 386). This mortality rate was similar to that of lobectomy ($2.1\%$, 13 in 613) during the same period. Morbidity consisted of 42 hoarseness, 17 (9) pneumonia and ARDS, 8 empyema, 5 (1) broncho-pleural fistula, 5 reoperation for bleeding, 5 (1) arrhythmia, 1 (1) pulmonary edema, and 25 others (The number in the parenthesis is the number of mortality case for that morbidity). Several factors affecting the operative mortality were evaluated. At first, extended procedure ($3.3\%$, 6 in 179) affected the operative mortality similar to the standard procedure ($2.9\%$, 6 in 207)(p=0.812). Second, the rate of operative mortality in an elderly group over 60 years ($5.5\%$, 10 in 182) was significantly higher than the younger group under 60 years ($1\%$, 2 in 204)(p=0.016). Third, sidedness of resection affects to operative mortality. Right pneumonectomy ($6.8\%$, 10 in 148) showed higher operative mortality than that of left pneumonectomy ($0.8\%$, 2 in 238)(p=0.002). The group over 60 years showed higher incidence of respiratory morbidity ($11.0\%$, 20 in 182) than that of the group under 60 years ($3.4\%$, 7 in 204)(p=0.005). Right pneumonectomy also showed significantly higher incidence ($11.5\%$, 17 in 148) than that of left pneumonectomy ($4.2\%$, 10 in 238)(p=0.008). Conclusion: Age and sidedness of pneumonectomy were the risk factors of operative mortality and respiratory complications, Therefore, careful selection of patients and more attention perioperatively were demanded in right pneumonectomy. However, because the operative mortality is acceptable, pneumonectomy could be done safely if the pneumonectomy is necessary for curative resection of lung cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.418-425
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• 2009

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) involves use of an initial priming volume which can cause side effects such as hemodilution, transfusion, inflammatory reaction and edema. Hence, there have been efforts made tore-duce the initial priming volume. We compared this traditional method to a CPB method that uses a minimized priming volume (MPV). Material and Method: For 97 patients who underwent congenital cardiac surgery between July 2007 to June 2008, we discussed each case and decided which method to use. We reviewed the medical records and cardiopulmonary bypass sheets of the patients. Result: We used a MPV method for 46 patients, and a traditional method for the other 51. There were no significant differences in preoperative and intraoperative characteristics between the two groups, such as body weight, age, cardiopulmonary bypass time, lowest body temperature, etc. However, the priming volume was much smaller in the MPV group than the traditional group (p<0.001). The volume of initially mixed packed RBC was also much smaller in the MPV group (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in postoperative mortality and neurologic complications. Conclusion: We could significantly reduce the initial priming volume and initially mixed pRBC volume with the revised CPB method. We suggest that this method be used more widely for congenital cardiac surgery.