• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2005

Background and Objectives : Laryngotracheal stenosis in bum patients with inhalation have features distinct from other stenosis after intubation or tracheostomy. However few studies have been reported and the incidence was reported variable. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical manifestation and the incidence of laryngotracheal stenosis in bum patients with inhalation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 138 bum Patients diagnosed inhalation injury who admitted to Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital from July 2002 to June 2004. Result : 5 patients were developed laryngotracheal stenosis. The incidence of Laryngotracheal stenosis in bum patients with inhalation was $3\%$. Symptom developed early in 2 patients, late in 3 patients.4 patients required trachostomy as initial airway support. The location of stenosis is subglottic region except 1 patient. Montgomery T-tube was inserted in 3 patients, and Single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction was performed in 1 patient. Conclusion Incidence of laryngotracheal stenosis in our study is lower than other reports due to late presentation of symptom and early discharge after acute bum stage. Inhalation injury may lead to severe complication and sequelae, therefore physicians should be have a awareness for early diagnosis and all burn patients who have a history of inhalation injury should be followed closely.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2005

Purpose: The debate is still on-going as to whether a transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) or a transhiatal esophagectomy(THE) is the proper treatment for patients with cardia and esophageal cancers. This study tries to demonstrate and assess the efficacy and the validity of both surgeries. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, data from 52 cases of patients with esophageal and/or cardia cancer who received a surgical operation during the last decade were analyzed. Results: A TTE was done in 20 cases and a THE in 32 cases. The average times for the operations were 558.0 min for a TTE and 451.7 min for a THE (P>0.05). The estimated blood loss was 1,825.0 ml in a TTE and 1459.4 ml in a THE (P>0.05). The amounts of transfusion during the operations were 3.9 units in a TTE and 2.6 units in a THE (P<0.05). Post-operative complications occurred in 15 cases of TTE and 23 cases of THE. The average length of stay in the hospital was 25.6 days for a TTE and 20.6 days for a THE. The 5-year survival rate was $10\%$ for TTE patients and $28\%$ for THE patients (P>0.05). Conclusion: For most factors, including morbidity and mortality, there was no statistically significant difference between a TTE and a THE. However, a THE is expected to be more convenient, leading to a shorter operative duration, a shorter post-operative hospitalization and lesser amounts of hemorrhage and transfusion. Hence, the THE may be a more valid or efficient surgical method for those patients with cardia and esophagus cancer who require a resection of the esophagus. (J Korean Gastric Cancer Assoc 2005;5:1-9)