• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2017

Gorham-Stout disease is a rare disorder characterized by lymphovascular proliferation and destruction of osseous matrix. The etiology of this condition remains poorly understood. Chylothorax as a consequence of lymphatic leakage in thoracic cage may cause a severe life-threatening complication, accompanying respiratory difficulty. Currently, there is no standard management for this extremely rare condition. Here we describe a patient affected by Gorham-Stout disease successfully managed by the combined treatment of mTOR inhibitor and beta-blocker. A previously healthy 11-year-old female developed dyspnea and chest pain with a massive pleural effusion. The ligation of right thoracic duct and bilateral pleurodesis temporarily decreased her pleural effusion, which was aggravated repetitively and required frequent admission and tube thoracotomies. Along with bilateral pleural adhesiolysis with thoracotomy, the combined treatment of oral beta-blocker and mTOR inhibitor was commenced. After 1 month of oral medication, her pleural effusion was not increased and she was free of respiratory difficulty on room air without chest tubes. Over eleven months of treatment, no serious adverse reaction was noted and her condition has been stable with no further admission required.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.448-455
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• 1999

Background: Recent developments in techniques of video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) and endoscopic equipment has expanded the application of video-assisted surgical procedures in the field of thoracic surgery. Especially, it will probably become the treatment of choice of spontaneous pneumothorax(SP). There is, however, a high recurrence rate, high cost, and paucity of long-term results. We report the results of postoperative follow-up and analyze perioperative parameters affected to recurrence, retrospectively. Material and Method: From march 1992 to march 1997, 276 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent 292 VATS procedures. Conversion to open thoracotomy was necessitated in eight patients, and this patients excluded from the study. Result: The sex distribution was 249 males and 31 females. The mean age was 28.1 12.2 years(range, 15 to 69 years). Primary SP was 237cases(83.5%) and secondary SP was 47cases(16.5%). The major underlying lung diseases associated with secondary SP were tuberculosis 27cases(57.4%) and emphysema 8cases (38.3%). Operative indications included Ipsilateral recurrence 123(43.9%), persistent air-leak 53(18.9%), x-ray visible bleb 40(14.3%), tension 30(10.7%), contralateral recurrence 21(7.5%), uncomplicated first episode 8(2.9%), bilateral 3(1.1%), complicated episode 2(0.7%). Blebs were visualized in 247cases(87%) and 244cases(85.9%) performed stapled blebectomy. Early postoperative complications occurred in 33 cases(11.6%): 16 prolonged air-leak more than 5 days(four of them were required a second operation and found missed blebs); 5 bleeding; 5 empyema; 2 atelectasis; 1 wound infection. No deaths occured. The mean operative time was 52.8 23.1 minutes(range, 20 to 165 minutes). The mean d ration of chest tube drainage was 5.0 4.5 days(range, 2 to 37 days). The mean duration ofhospital stay was 8.2 5.5 days (range, 3 to 43days). At a mean follow-up 22.3 18.4 months(range, 1 to 65 months), 12 patients(4.2%) were lost to follow-up. There were 24 recurrences and seven patients underwent second operation and 6 patients(85.7%) were found the missed blebs. 12 perioperative parameters(age, sex, site, underlying disease, extent of collapse, operative indication, size of bleb, number of bleb, location of bleb, bleb management, pleural procedure, prolonged postoperative air-leak) were analyzed statistically to identify significant predictors of recurrence. The significant predictors of recurrence was the underlying disease[17.0%(8/47): 6.8%(16/237), p=0.038], prolonged postoperative air-leakage[37.5%(6/16): 6.7%(18/268), p=0.001], and pleural procedure [11.4%(19/167): 4.3%(5/117), p=0.034]. Blebectomy has less recurrence rate then non-blebectomy [8.2%(20/244) : 10.0%(4/40), p>0. 5]. However, this difference was not statistically significant(p=0.758). Conclusion: We conclude that it is important that we shoud careful finding of bleb during VATS due to reducing of recurrnece, and cases of no bleb identified and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax were indicated of pleurodectomy. VATS is a valid alternative to open procedure for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with less pain, shorter hospital stay, more rapid return to work, high patient acceptance, less scar and exellent cosmetics. But, there is high recurrence rate and high cost, and than it is necessary to evaluate of long-term results for recurrence and to observate carefully during VATS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.724-728
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• 2008

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with recurrent pneumothorax after wedge resection in primary spontaneous pneumothorax in our hospital. Material and Method: Two hundred thirty-five consecutive patient (98% males; mean age, $23.9{\pm}4.5$ years) who had undergone video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were reviewed retrospectively. The two groups were divided as follows: group A, non-recurrent patients (225 patients [96%]); and group B, recurrent group (10 patients [4%]); the risk factors were compared between the two groups. The single and multiple factors that influenced the recurrence rate were analyzed using Cox's proportional hazard model. Result: There were no significant differences between the recurrent and non-recurrent groups in terms of gender, smoking, site of recurrence, degree of collapse, operative time, and number or weight of resected bullae. The recurrence rate was significantly more common in the following: younger ages, increased height/weight ratio, longer initial air leakage period, and shorter duration of chest drainage. Early aggressive exercise (<30 days) of patients after wedge resection increased the tendency for recurrence. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic wedge resection does not have a higher recurrence rate than open thoracotomy. However, young age, height/weight ratio, continuous air, and duration of chest tube placement were risk factors for a recurrent pneumothorax.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.683-692
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• 1996

Background: Although most of the patients with tuberculous pleural effusions completely reabsorbed their effusions and became asymptomatic within 2 to 4 months, later surgical procedures such as decortication is needed in some patients because of dyspnea caused by pleural loculations and thickening despite anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. It is obligatory to secure adequate drainage to prevent the development of complications. But, the best methods for treating loculated tuberculous pleural effusions remain debatable. Recent several reports revealed that intrapleural instillation of fibrinolytic agents is an effective adjunct in the management of complicated empyema and may reduce the need of surgery. Purpose : The effects of catheterization with intrapleural urokinase instillation were prospectively evaluated in the patients with septated tuberculous pleural effusion, and compared with other therapeutic effects of different modalities of therapy such as repeated thoracentesis and small-bored catheterization. Methods : Forty-eight patients diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy were randomly separated into three groups; control group(n=13), catheter group(n=12), urokinase group(n=22). In urokinase group, dose of 100.000U urokinase was instilled into the pleural cavity via a percutaneous drainage catheter for complete drainage or total dose of 700,000U of urokinase. After two hours clamping, the catheter was opened and intermittently irrigated. The early and late effectiveness of therapies was assessed by radiographically and by measuring the volume of fluid drained from the catheter. Results : There was statistically significantly better result in the urokinase group in respect of frequency of catheterization, frequency of catheter obstruction and the duration of catheterization in early effectiveness(p < 0.05). There were no difference in radiologic improvement of follow-up in later phase chest X-ray between urokinase group and catheter group in later phase(p > 0.05). But there were more failure rates in control group especially honeycomb septa in pleural effusion sonographically than former two groups. And there were no complications of urokinase such as fever or hemorrhage. Conclusion : In the treatment of septated tuberculous pleurisy, there were better results in urokinase than those of catheterization alone in early effectiveness. And there was no difference in radiographic improvement between urokinase group and catheter group. Intrapleural instillation of urokinase is an effective and safe mode of treatment for septated tuberculous pleural effusions and alleviates the need for thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.392-396
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• 2002

Background: Video-thoracoscopy is known to be an useful method to provide accurate pre-resectional staging in patients with lung cancer in addition to the conventional radiologic studies and mediastinoscopy, for the pleural cavity is inspected directly and biopsy specimens call be obtained. This study is undertaken to evaluate how video-thoracoscopy can be used in deciding pre-resectional stage Material and Method: Video-thoracoscopy was performed in patients with lung cancer who were scheduled for surgical resection based on the radiologic staging and mediastinoscopic biopsy. 37 patients were included in this study. Pre-thoracoscopically 18 cases were in TNM stage 1, 7 in stage 2, and 12 in stage 3. Result: In 15 of 37 cases, video-thoracoscopy could not be performed effectively due to heavy adhesions in the pleural cavity, diaphragmatic and chest wall invasion of tumor and bulky tumor mass es. Mediastinal lymph nodes were positive postresectionally in 6 of these 15 cases. In 22 cases, video-thoracoscopy was performed as usual. Positive mediastinal lymph nodes were identified in 2 cases and exploratory thoracotomy was prevented. Surgical resection were carried out in remaining 20 cases and 5 cases among them had positive mediastinal lymph nodes. Conclusion: We believe that it is difficult to perform pre-thoracotorny video-thoracoscopy for all lung cancer patients for there were many cases that thoracoscory could not be undertaken doe to heavy adhesions in the pleural cavity, tumor involvement of the chest wall and/or diaphragm and bulky tumor mass. However we think it is helpful in preventing unnecessary exploratory thoracotomy for some patients with lung cancer whom pre-thoracotomy video-thoracoscopy was carried out.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1106-1110
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• 1999

배경: 다한증의 치료에 있어서 흉강경을 이용한 교감신경절제술의 시술 빈도가 급증하고 있다. 그러나 액와부 다한증의 경우 수장부나 안면 두부다한증에 비하여 절제범위가 광범위하여 이에 따른 보상성 다한증 및 기타 합병증의 발생의 높고 액취증이 동반되어있는 경우 장기적인 만족도가 낮아서 크게 각광 받지 못해왔다. 대상 및 방법: 본 교실에서는 1997년 3월부터 1999년 4월까지 45례의 액와부 다한증 환자에서 2 mm 흉강내시경을 이용하여 흉부교감신경절제술 또는 잘단술을 시행하였다. 남자 28례 여자 17례로 평균연령은 28(13-46세) 였고 평균추적기간은 10개월(1-24)이었다. 24례가 액와부에만 국한된 과도발한을 호소 하였고 2례에서 수술 전 심한 액취증이 동반되어있었다. 21례의 T3,4 교감신경절제술, 20례의 T2,4 교감신경단술 그리고 4례의 T4 교감신경절제수을 시행하여 즉각적인 증상치유효과 보상성 다한증 및 장기적 만족도를 비교 분석하였다. 중등도 이상의 흉막유착으로 5mm 내시경이 필요했던 2례을 제외한 전 환자에서 2mm 트로카 2개를 사용하여 수술을 하였다 결과: 평균수술시간은 T3,4 교감신경절제술이 46.2$\pm$11분 T2, 4 교감신경절단술이 32.5$\pm$23분 T4 교감신경절제술이 53.8$\pm$18분이 소요되었고 수술직후의 효과는 T3,4 교감신경절제술과 T2,4 교감신경절단술에서 '전혀땀이 나지 않는다'가 17례(81%) 와 12례(60%) '수술전보다 감소했으나 약간땀이 난다'가 4례(19%) 와 8례(40%) 로 모든 환자에서 효과가 있었으나 T4 교감신경절제술은 4례중3례(75%)에서 전혀 효과가 없었다. 보상성 다한증은 T3,4교감신경절제술과 T2,4 교감신경절단술에서 각각 67%, 60%로 나타났고 생활에 불편을 줄 정도의 심한경우는 10% 5%에 불과했으며 장기적인 만족도는 T3,4 교감신경절제술이 86% T2,4 교감신경절단술이 89%로 나타나 높은 성공률을 보았다 결론 : 액와부다한증의 치료에 있어서 T3,4 교감신경절제술과 T2,4교감신경절단술은 증상치유효과가 높고 절제범위의 제한에 따른 보상성 다한증의 감소로 장기적 만족도가 우수한 효과적인 방법이다. 액취증이 동반된 경우 이에대한 충분한사전 설명과 원인 감별후 적절한 보조요법을 병행함으로써 환자의 만족도를 높힐수 있다고 본다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.729-732
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• 2001

A 49-year-old male patient was admitted with chief complaint of hemoptysis. Preoperative chest PA and CT scan revealed air-filled large cavitary lesion at the right upper lobe with typical meniscus sign. Serum anti-fungus antibody for Aspergillus was positive and he was diagnosed as aspergilloma. We planned RULobectomy but it was impossible due to severe pleural adhesion in apex and mediastinal pleura. Therefore, we performed a cavernostomy and serratus anterior muscle flap transposition in one stage. The patient recovered without complication and was followed up for 8 months without recurrence of hemoptysis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1133-1137
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• 1996

From September 1994 to October 1995, we are reporting clinical results of 67 patients whom underwent video-assisted trio rabic surgery(VATS). 1. They were diagnosed as spontaneous pneumothorax In )5, diffuse interstitial lung disease in 9, empyema in 7, hemothorax in 5, malignant pleural effusion in 3, hyperhidrosis in 3, foreign body in chest cavity in 2, mesothelioma in 1, miliary tuberculosis in 1 and organizing pneumonia in 12. In pneumothorax, bullectomy in 33 and open bellectoiny in 2 due to pleural adhesion was done Hemostasis in 5, irrigation in 7, foreign body removal in 2, talcum powder insufrlation in 3, sympathectomy 3 as done. Thoracoscopic biopsy watt done In 12 3. For pneumothorax, operation was indicated as recurrent pneumothorax in 18, persistent air leak in 12, visible bullae In chest X-ray in 5. 4 Thoracoscopic biopsy was done in 12. They were interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in 9, miliary tuberculosis in 1, mesothelioma in 1, and organizing pneumonia in 1 .Among interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, usual interstitial pneumonia were 2 and diffuse interstitial pneumonia were 7. 5. Wo complication was found in 6) patients among 67 patients. The complication was found in 4 patients (2 persistent air leak, 2 contralateral lung atelectasis). We concluded that VATS was safe and beneficial in reducing postoperative complication and the role of thoracic surgery will increase markefdly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.337-343
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• 2009

Background: Postoperative recurrence is a major problem after performing video-assisted thoracic surgery for the treatment of primary pneumothorax. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement (GORE $SEAMGUARD^{(R)}$) for preventing recurrence after bullectomy. Material and Method: From January 2000 to December 2004, 300 patients underwent video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of primary penumothorax. 143 patients were treated with bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement (Group A) and 142 patients were treated with stapling of the bullae (Group B). Mechanical pleural abrasion was performed in all the patients. The operating time, the duration of the indwelling chest tube, the length of the hospital stay and the number of recurrences after operation were compared between the groups. Result: No operative deaths occurred. The conversion rate to an open procedure was 5% (15/300). Comparison with these groups (Group A versus Group B) showed the following results: the operating time ($49.6{\pm}25.6$ vs $51.8{\pm}30.4$ minutes, respectively, p=0.514), the duration of an indwelling chest tube ($5.8{\pm}2.5$ vs $7.2{\pm}3.3$ days, respectively, p<0.005), the hospital stay ($10.9{\pm}4.3$ vs $12.5{\pm}4.3$ days, respectively, p<0.005) and the number of recurrences (14 (9.8%) vs 10 (7.0%), respectively, the over all rate: 8.4% p=0.523), and the mean follow up period. ($48.1{\pm}36.6$ vs $36.5{\pm}24.4$ months, respectively). Conclusion: There were advantages to use synthetic absorbable staple line reinforcement over the usual method for the treatment of primary pneumothorax in regard to the duration of an indwelling chest tube and the hospital stay, but here was no significant difference between the groups for postoperative recurrence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.438-443
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• 2004

Background : The treatment strategy for urinary spontaneous pneumothorax has progressively changed with the introduction of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Recently, we modified the strategy of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. If the patient had mild dyspnea and the lung was minimally collapsed, 2 mm thoracoscopic examination was performed. If no blob or bullae was inspected, the intrathoracic air was evacuated through the 2 mm thoracoscopic troca without closed thoracostomy, and if the blob and bullae was noted, the 10 mm thoracoscopic bullecotomy was carried out immediately and also application of fibrin glue was substituted for pleural abrasion. We compared the clinical outcomes of modified treatment strategy with conventional strategy in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Patients were divided into four groups. Group I (n=21) underwent 2 mm thoracoscopic examination. Group II (n=68) underwent closed thoracostomy. Group III (n=56) underwent VATS and application of fibrin glue. Group IV (n=87) underwent VATS and pleural abrasion. The duration of chest tube drainage, the duration of hospitalization and the recurrence rate were compared between group I and group II and between group III and group IV. Result: Mean age, sex, location of pneumothorax were not different in all groups. In group I, the blob or bullae were existed in 12 patients, In remaining 9 patients, the bleb or bullae was not inspected. The mean duration of hospitalization in 9 patients were 2.4 $\pm$1.0 day and in group II were 3.9$\pm$2.1 day (p=0.014). There was 1 case of recurrence among the 9 patients in group I and 26 recurrences in group II (p=0.149). The mean duration of chest tube drainage were not difference in group III and IV (group III: 2.8$\pm$1.8 day, group IV: 3.0$\pm$2.5 day). The mean duration of hospitalization was shorter in group III than group IV (group III: 5,6$\pm$2.7 day, group IV: 1.3$\pm$3.3 day)(p=0.002). There was no recurrence in group III and 7 recurrences in group IV (p=0.043). Conclusion: Our modified treatment strategy of primary spontaneous peumothorax was effective in short hospital course and low recurrence rate.