• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.56-59
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• 2006

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a relatively rare and benign condition that generally occurs in young adults without any precipitating factor or disease. The purpose of this study was to assess whether more uncomforting diagnostic procedures are necessary and to establish standards in the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Material and Method: A retrospective study was done on 18 patients from the hospitals of Hanyang University Seoul Hospital and Hanyang University Guri Hospital between February, 1997 and June, 2004. All patients had presence of mediastinal air without a pneumothorax and no evidence of trauma or barotrauma. Result: Among the 18 patients, the majority were male patients with only two female patients. Their mean age was 20.95 years old with standard deviation of 14.3 years. The most common complaints were chest pain, dyspnea, and coughing. Evaluation included simple chest roentgenogram in all patients, 10 patients had a chest tomographic scan, 10 patients had an esophagoscopic exam, 6 patients had a bronchofiberoscopic exam, and 3 patients had an esophagogram done. The mean hospital stay was 10.9 days. All patients were treated conservatively and in a follow-up of 1 $\∼$ 8 years only one recurrence was found. Conclusion: SPM is caused by alveolar rupture in the pulmonary interstitium leading to dissection of air towards the hilum and mediastinum. Although SPM is a self-limiting condition, evaluation should include chest roentgenogram and chest tomographic scans to rule out any other secondary condition. More aggressive evaluation seems unnecessary.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.188-197
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• 2003

Background : Smoke inhalation injury is an important determinant of mortality in burn patients. The early detection of inhalation injury in burn patients is important because the incidence of respiratory failure after inhalation injury was known to be high, with hypoxemia, pneumonia, and prolonged ventilatory support being commonplace. Acute carbon monoxide poisoning was one feature of smoke inhalation. The purpose of our study were to investigate the clinical characteristics of burn patients whose initial arterial carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level had been elevated, to assess the clinical impact of COHb for smoke inhalation injury. Methods : Among 1,416 burn patients had been admitted at our institution from August 1, 2001 to July 31, 2002, 39 patients whose initial arterial COHb level have been more than 5% were included. We compared clinical scoring system for inhalation injury, percent total body surface area (%TBSA) burn, initial chest X-ray findings, APACHE II scores and SAPS II scores between survivors (n=27) and non-survivors (n=12) retrospectively. Results : COHb level were 9.7(5.71% and 10.3(8.81% in survivors and in non-survivors (p>0.05). Mean %TBSA burn of survivors and non-survivors were $16.6{\pm}17.8%$ and $60.7{\pm}28.8%$ (p<0.001). We did not find any difference in clinical scoring system, initial chest X-ray findings in survivors and in non-survivors. But %TBSA burn, APACHE II and SAPS II scores were high in non-survivors than in survivors significantly. Important factors associated with death were %TBSA burn, APACHE II scores, SAPS II scores, and the most important factor in predicting mortality was %TBSA burn. Conclusion : Burn patients with elevated initial arterial COHb level showed poor prognosis, but further study may be performed to know that the effect of COHb on prognosis in burn patients accompanying smoke inhalation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.20-27
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• 1998

It is well known that troponin T(below TnT) is present in the myocardial cells and released during myocardial damage, so it`s very specific enzyme to myocardium. Availability of cardiac specific TnT in assessing perioperatively myocardial damage was evaluated from 34 open heart surgery patients. They consisted of 11 ischemic heart, 13 acquired valvular heart and 10 congenital heart cases. Patients were divided into two groups, group A(patients with myocardial damage) and group B(patients without myocardial damage), according to the symptom of chest pain suspecting angina and the ECG findings of ST segment and T wave changes which show myocardial ischemia and injury. Serum TnT levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay method preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, postoperative day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7. We observed and analyzed the changes of serum TnT levels in two groups and compared the serum TnT levels with CK-MB levels measured at the same time. In group A, serum TnT levels showed 1.37$\pm$0.26$\mu$g/L, 3.16$\pm$0.66$\mu$g/L, 2.39$\pm$0.74$\mu$g/L, 2.49$\pm$0.76$\mu$g/L, and 1.23$\pm$0.60$\mu$g/L, immediate postoperatively, postoperatively day1, day2, day3, and day7, respectively. It was observed there were significant differences compared with those of group B(0.38$\pm$0.04$\mu$g/L, 0.34$\pm$0.05$\mu$g/L, 0.25$\pm$0.03$\mu$g/L, 0.24$\pm$0.04$\mu$g/L, and 0.11$\pm$0.03$\mu$g/L) during identical periods(P<0.01). Serum CK-MB level in group A significantly elevated to 145.04$\pm$35.08 IU/L on the postoperative day 1 compared to group B(31.28$\pm$5.87 IU/L, P<0.05), However, it stiffly decreased from day 2 and returned to preoperative level at day 3. When serum TnT level more than 1.0$\mu$g/L is thought to reflect myocardial damage, serum TnT had 100% of sensitivity and 87% of specificity in diagnosing the postoperative myocardial damage(p<0.01). I conclusion, serum TnT levels increased significantly at very early stage of myocardial damage and persisted much longer period than CK-MB. This suggests that serum TnT has more advantage and availability in assessing the perioperatively myocardial damage than any other tests.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제35권10호
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• pp.730-735
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• 2002

Diaphragm is innervated by phrenic nerve and lower intercostal nerves. For patients with avulsion injury of brachial plexus, an in situ graft of phrenic nerve is frequently used to neurotize a branch of the brachial plexus. We studied short-term and mid-term changes of diaphragmatic level and movement in patients with dissection of phrenic nerve for neurotization. Material and Method : Thirteen patients with division of either-side phrenic nerve for neurotization of musculocutaneous nerve were included in this study. With endoscopic surgical procedure, the intrathoracic phrenic nerve was entirely dissected and divided just above the diaphragm. The dissected phrenic nerve was taken out through thoracic inlet and neck wound and then anastomosed to the musculocutaneous nerve through a subcutaneous tunnel. With chest films and fluoroscopy, levels and movements of diaphragm were measured before and after operation. Result : There was no specific technical difficulty or even minor postoperative complications following endoscopic division of phrenic nerve. After division of phrenic nerve, diaphragm was soon elevated about 1.7 intercostal spaces compared with the preoperative level, but it did not show paradoxical motion in fluoroscopy. More than 1.5 months later, diaphragm returned downward close to the preoperative level (average level difference was 0.9 intercostal spaces; p＝NS). Movement of diaphragm was not significantly decreased compared with the preoperative one. Conclusion : After division of phrenic nerve, the affected diaphragm did not show a significant decrease in movement, and the elevated diaphragm returned downward with time. However, the decreased lung volumes in the last spirometry suggest the decreased inspiratory force following partial paralysis of diaphragm.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제65권3호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2008

Background: The control of active pulmonary tuberculosis is still an issue in community medicine. But there are also considerable needs for supportive management of symptomatic patients with post-tuberculous destroyed lung. Few studies have evaluated clinical characteristics and health-related quality of life in patients with post-tuberculous destroyed lung. Methods: We evaluated lung function, exercise tolerance, HRCT and health-related quality of life measurements using the Korean version of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) in 22 patients with parenchymal damage to more than a half of one lung due to pulmonary tuberculosis. Results: In the pulmonary function test, mixed defects and obstructive defects were observed in 10 (45.0%) and 9 (40.9%) of patients, respectively. In the cardiopulmonary exercise test, the mean $VO_2max%$ predicted ($39.0%{\pm}10.9%$) and $O_2$ pulse% predicted ($61.3%{\pm}13.6%$) were markedly decreased. In the SGRQ, the impact score (mean $27.8{\pm}18.5$) was significantly lower than the symptom score (mean $53.9{\pm}20.9$) or activity score (mean $50.8{\pm}27.3$) (p<0.05, p<0.01). Cronbach's alpha coefficient value for reliability was more than 0.7 for each subscale and total score. The total score showed a significant negative correlation with $FEV_1%$ predicted (r=-0.46, p<0.05) and $SaO_2$ (r=-0.60, p<0.05). On HRCT, a median of 9 (range 5~15) bronchopulmonary segments were destroyed by less than half, which significantly correlated with SGRQ total score (r=-0.52, p=0.02). Conclusion: The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the SGRQ was acceptable for the measurement of health-related quality of life in patients with post-tuberculous destroyed lung.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.567-575
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• 1998

Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer has been known for hundreds of years as the most valuable drug having mysterious effects among all the herbal medicines and plants in Korea. Also, many experimental studies have been performed recently that the various effects were identified and applied clinically. So we attempted an experimental study on the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures in an isolated rat heart with the use of the Langendorff model. The objective of this study was to determine whether this ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures would protect the myocardial injury after ischemic arrest and reperfusion. Isolated rat hearts were allowed to equilibrate for 20 minutes and were then subjected to 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia. After this ischemic period, isolated rat hearts were allowed to reperfusion for 10 minutes(Ischemic Group). In other group , isolated rat hearts were perfused for 60 minutes continuously with normothermia( Normothermic Group). Hemodynamic and biochemical parameters such as heart rate, left ventricular pressure, +dp/dt max, coronary blood flow and cardiac enzymes were measured during initial perfusion, ischemia, reperfusion period (Ischemic group) and 20, 40 and 60 minutes after continuous perfusion(Normothermic group). After completion of the experiment, this data was evaluated and the following results were obtained. 1. Heart rates showed an increase in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups, but statistically significant differences were not identified. 2. LVP(Left Ventricular Pressure) showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups(p<0.005, p<0.01). 3. +dp/dt max showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups(p<0.01, p<0.01). 4. There were no statistically significant differences in coronary blood flow and cardiac cenzymes in all groups, but experimental groups seemed to have better protection and recovery. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures has a protective effect on the myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제29권8호
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• pp.850-860
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• 1996

Oxygen free radicals and their metabolites have been implicated as possible causes of reperrusion injury In animal models. Their role in the clinical setting is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of tissue damage, oxidative stress. and changes in the antioxidant enzyme system in patients undergoing cor nary artery bypass graft operations(CABG) with myocardial protection by cold blood cardioplegia. In patients undergoing CABG(n:10). the levels of lactate dehydrogenate(LDH), creatine phosphokinase MB fraction(CK-MB), and malondialdehyde(M DA) were measured In the coronary sinus effluent before aortic cross clamping and 20 minutes after reperfusion. At the same time, the myocardial tissue activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD). catalase(CAT), glutathione peroxiddse(GSHPX), glutathione reductase (GSSGRd), and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenate(GfPDH ) were determined in the right atrial auricle excised before aortic cross clamping and in the left atrial auricle excised 20 minutes after reperfuslon. The levels of increased significantly after reperrusion(p< U.05). There were no significant changes in CAT and CfPDH levels. Western blot analysis was performed to study the induction of antioxidant enzyme and demonstrated increased amount of Cu,Zn-SOD.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.327-336
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• 1977

A chinical analysis was performed on 383 ases of hest injurjes eperienced at Department of thoraci Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital during 21 year period From 1957 to 1977. Of 383 patients o hest injuries, 209 cases were result from nonpenetrating injuries whereas 175 were from penetrating injuries, and there were 258 cases of hemothorax or/and pneumothorax, 162 of rib fracture, 33 of foreign body, 26 of clavicle frcture, 26 of lung contusion, 17 of diaphragmati laceration, 14 of hemoperiardium, 14 of flail chest and others. Stab wound was the most common in penetrating injuries and followed by gunshot and shell fragments. The majority of nonpenetrating chest injury paiens were traffi accident vitims and falls accounted for the next largest group of accidents. Chest injuries were frequently encountered in the age group between 16 and 50 years, and 321 patients were male comparing to 62 of female. In blunt hest injuries the patients with five or more rib fractures had a 85 per ent incidence of intrathoracic injury and 19 per cent had an intraabdominal organ damage, whereas those with four or less rib fractures had a 69 per cent and a 6 per cent incidence respectively. The principal associated injuries were cerebral contusion on 19 cases, renal contusion on 10, liver laceration on 7, peripheral vessel laceration on 5, spleen laceration on 3 and extremity fracture on 18 patients. The principles of therapy for early complications of chest trauma were rapid reexpansion of the lungs by thoracentesis (46 cases) and closed thoracotomy (125 cases) but open thoracotomy had to be done on 90 cases (23.5%) because of massive bleeding or intrapleural hematoma, foreign body, cardiac injury, diaphragmatic laceration and bronhial rupture. The over all mortality was 2.87 per cent (11 among 383 cases), 8 cases were from penetrating injuries and 3 from nonpenetrating injuries.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제33권11호
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• pp.881-885
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• 2000

배경: 승모판막 질환에 동반된 심방세동의 경우 그 기간이 길면 승모판막 질환을 수술하여도 동성 율동으로 전환될 가능성이 매우 적다. 본 연구는 승모판막 질환에 동반된 심방세동에 대한 변형 Maze 수술후 장기 결과와 심방세도의 재발에 미치는 요인을 조사 하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1990년부터 1996년까지 승모판막 질환과 동반된 심방세동으로 외과적 요법을 시행받은 35명의 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 심방세동의 평균 유병기간은 평균 7.7$\pm$4.5년이었고 수술은 승모판막 대치술 34례(재수술 3례)와 승모판막 성형술 1례를 시행하였고 승모판 질환 수술 외에 동반 수술로는 삼첨판륜 성형술 4례, 삼첨판막 대치술 3례 였다. 심 방세동에 대한 수술은 좌측 폐정맥 부위는 격리하지 않는 변형 Maze 수술을 시행하였다. 수술 후 동성 율동으로 회복여부, 심방세동의 재발에 미치는 요인과 장기 결과를 분석하였다. 결과: 수술 직후 2례를 제외한 33례(93.9%)에서 동성율동으로 돌아왔으나 수술 후 퇴원 전에 12례에서 심방세동이 재발되었다. 수술환자중 1례에서 수술 후 3일에 동성 정지에 따른 심정지가 발생하여 소생되었으나 뇌손상으로 수술 후 15일에 사망하였다. 심방세동이 재발된 경우 수술 후 약 2개월에서 6개월 사이에 항부정맥 약물(mquinidine)과 전기적 제세동으로 치료하여 12례중 10례에서 동성 율동으로 돌아온 환자는 항부정맥 약물을 모두 중단하 였으며, 수술 후 3년에서 9년(평균 71.1$\pm$17.5개월) 추적 관찰 중 9례에서 심방세동이 재발되어 장기간 동성 율동이 유지된 환자는 34명중 25명으로 73.5%이었다. 승모판 질환이 있던 환자에서 수술 후 심방세동의 재발에 미치는 요인들을 조사한 결과 수술전 심방세동의 기간(동성율동 유지군 : 재발군=6.3년 : 10.3년, P=0.008)과 수술 전 단순 흉부 X선상 심흉비율(0.58 : 0.72, p=0.009)은 통계학적으로 유의하게 나타났으나 심초음파 검사상 좌심방의 직경(57.2mm : 77.4mm, p=0.106)은 통계학적 유의성이 없었다. 결론: 심방세동이 있는 환자에서 동반 질환 수술시 병행하여 수술한다면 정상 동성 율동으로 회복될 기회를 증가시킬 수 있는 유용한 수술법으로 생각된다. 그러나 수술후 재발률을 감소시키기 위하여 적절한 술기의 변형에 대한 연구와 약물요법의 병행을 고려하여야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.111-121
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• 1985

A clinical analysis was performed on 312 cases of the chest trauma experienced at department of thoracic surgery, Chosun University Hospital during the past 6 years 10 months period from January 1978 to October 1984. 1. The ratio of male to female patient of the chest trauma was 3.1:1 in male predominance and age from 20 to 50 occupied 71.2% of the total cases. 2. The most common cause of the chest trauma was traffic accidents [45.5%] in this series. 244 cases [78.2%]were injured due to non-penetrating injuries and the remainders [68 cases, 21.8%] were injured due to penetrating injuries. 3. The frequently injured site of the chest trauma was left side of the chest [56.4%], the right side was 33% and the both side was 10.6%. 4. The most common symptoms were chest pain and dyspnea, and common signs were diminished breathing sound and subcutaneous emphysema. 5. The Hemothorax, Pneumothorax, Hemopneumothorax, and Hemopericardium were observed in 190 cases [60.9%] of the total cases, and etiologic distribution revealed 76.5% due to penetrating injuries and 56.6% due to non-penetrating injuries. 6. The rib fractures were observed in 210 cases [67.3%] of the total cases and the most common site of the rib fracture was 6th rib 140 cases [19.2%]. The common site of the rib fracture was from 4th rib to 7th rib [63.8%]. 7. The lung injuries were observed in 150 cases [48.1%] and the other organ injuries were observed in 260 cases [83.3%]. 8. Conservative treatment including thoracentesis were performed in 153 cases [49.1%], Closed thoracotomy with water seal drainage were performed in 112 cases [35.9%], and open thoracotomy were performed in 45 cases [14.4%]. 9. The complications of the chest trauma were developed in 63 cases [20.2%] and the common complications were atelectasis, wound infection and pneumonitis etc. 10. Overall mortality was 0.96% [3 cases] and the cause of death was bacteremia, hypovolemic shock, heart failure and pulmonary edema.