• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.3 s.248
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• pp.214-220
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• 2005

Extended transseptal approach can provide an excellent view of the mitral valve but the safety of this approach is controversial because this incision requires transaction of the sinus node artery, which in most cases and can result postoperative arrhythmia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perioperative and longterm conduction disturbances and the cardiac rhythms of patients who underwent an extended transseptal approach for mitral valve surgery. Material and Method: Postoperative cardiac rhythms were analyzed in the 164 consecutive patients who received mitral valve replacements with a extended transseptal approach between March 1992 and July 2003. Result: Of the 84 patients in normal sinus rhythm, 34 ($39\%$) had developed transient junctional rhythm and atrial fibrillation after operation, lasting less than 72 hours in most of cases. No intractable arrhythmias occurred. Most of these arrhythmia were not detected at the time of discharge and only 8 patients ($9\%$) had atrial fibrillation at discharge. Postoperative PR intervals increased for 1 week, then decreased within 2 weeks postoperatively, and returned to normal range by 6 months postoperatively. During the postoperative period, 4 of the 78 patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation developed normal sinus thythm. Conclusion: The post-operative arrhythmias were temporary and showed no significant complications after extended transseptal approach for the mitral valve surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.952-963
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• 1998

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)-induced hemostatic defects may result increased possibility of excessive hemorrhage and additional multiple transfusion reactions or reoperation. Particularly, fibrinolytic activation and decreased platelet count and function by CPB were proposed as a predictor of hemorrhage during postoperative periods in several reports. Materials and methods: Present study, which was conducted in 20 adult patients undergoing CPB, was prospectively designed to examine the hematologic changes, including fibrinolytic activation during and after CPB and to clarify the relationships between these changes and the magnitude of the postoperative nonsurgical blood loss. The serial blood samples for measurment of hematologic parameters were taken during operation and postoperative periods. Blood loss was respectively counted via thoracic catheter drainage at postoperative 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours and total period. Results: The results were obtained as follows:Platelet count rapidly declined following CPB(p<0.01), which its decreasing rate was an inverse proportion to total bypass time(TBT, r=0.55, p=0.01), And platelet count in postoperative 7th day was barely near to its control value. Fibrinogen degradating product(FDP) and D-dimer level significantly increased during CPB(p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively), and both of fibrinogen and plasminogen concentration correlatively decreased during CPB(r=0.57, p<0.01), implying activation of fibrinolytic system. Postoperative bleeding time (BT), postoperative activated partial thromboplastin time(aPTT) and postoperative prothrombin time (PT) were significantly prolonged as compare with each control value (p=0.05, p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively). Total blood loss was positively correlated with patient's age, aortic clamping time (ACT) and TBT, while there was negative correlation between platelet count and blood loss at pre-CPB, CPB-off and the 1st postoperative day, and in some periods. Postoperative aPTT and postoperative PTwere positively related to postoperative 6 hr and 48 hr blood loss(r=0.53, p=0.02; r=0.43, p=0.05) but not to total blood loss, whereas there was no relationship between postoperative BT and blood loss at any period. Conclusions: These observations suggest that CPB results various hematologic changes, including fibrinolytic activation and severe reduction in platelet count. Diverse factors such as age, platelet count, ACT, TBT and postoperative aPTT and PT may magnify the postoperative bleeding. This study will be a basic reference in understanding CPB-induced hemostatic injuries and in decreasing the postoperative hemorrhage

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.108-112
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• 1998

Experimental trials of unilateral lung transplantation in dogs have been attempted and satisfactory results were obtained without any noticeable difficulty in surgical techniques. Fourteen dogs with the body weight of around 25 kg were anesthesized by 20~30 mg/kg of intravenous Entobar,; one was sacrificed to make available blood for use during transplantation for the recipient dog. A mid-sternotomy incision was performed and 20 mg/kg of Prostaglandin E1 was infused through the pulmonary artery and Euro-Collin's(E-C) preservation solution, cooled down to 4$^{\circ}C$, was perfused at the rate of 70cc/kg by a pressure of 30 cmH2O. The heart-lung block was then resected out and promptly immersed in the prepared preservation solution at 4$^{\circ}C$. One lung preserved in the EC solution at 4$^{\circ}C$ was anastomosed to the recipient dog in the order of the pulmonary vein, bronchus then pulmomary artery and the thoracotomy incision was closed after the bleeding control and tube thoracostomy. Then the pneumonectomy in the opposite side was perfomed in the same manner and the tailored lung was transplanted in the order of the pulmonary vein, bronchus, then pulmonary artery. We conclude that in the bilateral sequential lung transplantation, the right lung transplantation should precede to better expose the operative field and to prevent reperfusion injury; also, the cardiopulmonary bypass should be consider for certain appropriate cases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2003

Purpose : The acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), an acute form of severe alveolar-capillary injury evolving after a direct or indirect lung insult is thought to be a common cause of respiratory failure though not many clinical studies on the subject have been made yet. Methods : Between January 1992 and December 2001, we conducted a retrospective study on 33 children who fulfilled the definition of the ARDS recommended by the American-European Consensus Conference in 1994. Results : A total of 33 patients(20 boys and 13 girls) were selected. Their age ranged from 4 months to 12 years with seven children younger than 1 year. The overall mortality rate was 78.8% and no significant difference was noted based on age or sex. Concerning seasonal variation, incidence of the ARDS increased in spring, especially in May(21.2%). Pneumonia(66.7%) was found to be the most common risk factor of the ARDS followed by sepsis(24.2%) and aspiration(3.0%). In immune compromised children(six cases), including a recipient of bone marrow transplantation, the mortality rate was 100%. Compared with children with multiple organ failure recording a 83.3% mortality rate, those with isolated respiratory failure, showed a lower mortality rate of 33.3%, although stastistically insignificant. Between survivor and non-survivor groups, significant differences were shown in hematocrit, $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$, PEEP, and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ on the seventh day after the onset of the ARDS. Conclusion : According to our study, respiratory failure proved to have a great effect on mortality rate in the ARDS. More aggressive intervention and further studies on this subject should be done to improve the survival rate.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2007

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: To evaluate the incidences and potential predictive factors for symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (SRP) and radiographic pulmonary toxicity (RPT) following adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for patients with breast cancer. A particular focus was made to correlate RPT with the dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters based on three-dimensional RT planning (3D-RTP) data. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: From September 2003 through February 2006, 171 patients with breast cancer were treated with adjuvant RT following breast surgery. A radiation dose of 50.4 Gy was delivered with tangential photon fields on the whole breast or chest wall. A single anterior oblique photon field for supraclavicular (SCL) nodes was added if indicated. Serial follow-up chest radiographs were reviewed by a chest radiologist. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) toxicity criteria were used for grading SRP and a modified World Health Organization (WHO) grading system was used to evaluate RPT. The overall percentage of the ipsilateral lung volume that received ${\geq}15\;Gy\;(V_{15}),\;20\;Gy\;(V_{20})$, and $30\;Gy\;(V_{30})$ and the mean lung dose (MLD) were calculated. We divided the ipsilateral lung into two territories, and defined separate DVH parameters, i.e., $V_{15\;TNGT},\;V_{20\;TNGT},\;V_{30\;TNGT},\;MLD_{TNGT}$, and $V_{15\;SCL},\;V_{20\;SCL},\;V_{30SCL},\;MLD_{SCL}$ to assess the relationship between these parameters and RPT. $\underline{Results}$: Four patients (2.1%) developed SRP (three with grade 3 and one with grade 2, respectively). There was no significant association of SRP with clinical parameters such as, age, pre-existing lung disease, smoking, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and regional RT. When 137 patients treated with 3D-RTP were evaluated, 13.9% developed RPT in the tangent (TNGT) territory and 49.2% of 59 patients with regional RT developed RPT in the SCL territory. Regional RT (p<0.001) and age (p=0.039) was significantly correlated with RPT. All DVH parameters except for $V_{15\;TNGT}$ showed a significant correlation with RPT (p<0.05). $MLD_{TNGT}$ was a better predictor for RPT for the TNGT territory than $V_{15\;SCL}$ for the SCL territory. $\underline{Conclusion}$: The incidence of SRP was acceptable with the RT technique that was used. Age and regional RT were significant factors to predict RPT. The DVH parameter was good predictor for RPT for the SCL territory while $MLD_{TNGT}$ was a better predictor for RPT for the TNGT territory.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2008

Purpose: We are trying to analyze 130 patients' conditions by using our Helical Tomotherapy, which was installed in our center in Oct. 2007. We will be statistically approach this examination and analyze so that we will be able to figure out adaptive plans according to the change in place of the tumor, GTV (gross tumor volume), total amount of time it took, vector (${\upsilon}=\surd$x2+y2+z2) and the change in size of the tumor. Materials and Methods: Objectives were the patients who were medicated with Tomotherapy in our medical center since Oct. 2007 August 2008. The Average age of the patients were 53 years old (Minimum 25 years old, Maximum 83 years old). The parts of the body we operated were could be categorized as Head&neck (n=22), Chest (n=47), Abdomen (n=25), Pelvis (n=11), Bone (n=25). MVCT had acted on 2702 times, and also had acted on our adaptive plan toward patients who showed big difference in the size of tumor. Also, after equalizing our gained MVCT and kv-CT we checked up on the range of possible mistake, using x, y, z, roll and vector. We've also investigated on Set-up, MVCT, average time of operation and target volume. Results: Mean time on table was 22.8 minutes. Mean treatment time was 13.26 minutes. Mean correction (mm) was X=-0.7, Y=-1.4, Z=5.77, roll=0.29, vector=8.66 Head&neck patients had 2.96 mm less vector value in movement than patients of Chest, Abdomen, Bone. In increasing order, Head&neck, Bone, Abdomen, Chest, Pelvis showed the vector value in movement. Also, there were 27 patients for adaptive plan, 39 patients, who had long or multiple tumor. We could know that When medical treatment is one cure plan, it takes 32 minutes, and when medical treatment is two cure plan, it takes 40 minutes that one medical treatment takes 21 minutes, and the other medical treatment takes 19 minutes. Conclusion:With our basic tools, we could bring more accurate IMRT with MVCT. Also, through our daily image, we checked up on the change in tumor so that adaptive plan could work. It was made it possible to take the cure of long or multiple tumor, the cure in a nearby OAR, and the complicated cure that should make changes of gradient dose distribution.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.434-440
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• 2009

Background: Surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can be considered when conservative medical treatment is ineffective or contraindicated. Low weight and earlier gestational age neonates who are treated with conservative medical therapy generally showed a higher failure rate. The morbidity of surgical PDA closure in such extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates is also high. Here we present the early results of a new technique for approaching the PDA through a dorsal minithoracotomy. Material and Method: From March 2006 to November 2008, 24 premature neonates underwent surgical PDA closure. The procedures were performed in the newborn intensive care unit via a 2 cm long dorsal minithoracotomy with the baby in the prone position with the left hemithorax elevated 30$^{\circ}$. Bimanual cotton swab blunt dissection completed the extrapleural accesstothe PDA and then two clips were applied. Tube thoracostomy was avoided if there was no meaningful pleural laceration. Result: The infants mean gestational age was 26.5$\pm$2.1 weeks (range: 23 to 30 weeks) and the average age at operation was 11$\pm$11 days. The mean body weight at operation was 933$\pm$271 grams (range: 570 to 1,700 grams). Eight patients expired, but there was no procedure-related death. Postoperative echocardiography revealed two cases of residual shunt but none of these shunts were detected on the follow up echocardiogram that was performed on the post operative 5 and 59 days. Conclusion: We concluded that the technique described here is an effective procedure in view of the satisfactory operative exposure and the low rate of complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.419-425
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• 2006

Background : Severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can develop into respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation (MV), which is associated with a higher rate of mortality. It was recently reported that a hydrocortisone infusion in severe CAP patients was associated with a significant reduction in the length of the hospital stay and mortality. This study evaluated efficacy of a hydrocortisone infusion for patients with severe CAP requiring MV. Methods : From February 2005 to July 2005, 13 patients (M : F = 10 : 3, mean age: $68.6{\pm}14.1years$), who were diagnosed with severe CAP and required MV, were enrolled in this study. Hydrocortisone was administered as an intravenous 200mg loading bolus, which was followed by an infusion at a rate of 10mg/hour for 7 days. The control group was comprised of patients with severe CAP requiring MV but in whom corticosteroid was not used before study period. The clinical and physiologic parameters on or by day 8 and the outcome in the hydrocortisone infusion group were compared with those in the control group. Results : 1) There was no significant difference in age, gender ratio, SAPS II, SOFA score, temperature, leukocyte count, PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio, the number of patients with P/F ratio < 200, chest radiograph score, lung injury score and catecholamine-dependent septic shock between the hydrocortisone infusion group and control group at day 1. 2) At day 8, the proportion of patients with an improvement in the P/F ratio ${\geq}100$ and the chest radiograph score was significantly higher in the hydrocortisone infusion group than in the control group (61.5% vs. 15.4%, 76.9% vs. 23.1%, p< 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the other clinical and physiologic parameters. 3). There was no significant difference in the duration of the MV, ICU stay, hospital stay and 10th and 30th day mortality between the two groups. Conclusion : Hydrocortisone infusion for patients with severe CAP requiring invasive mechanical ventilation may be effective in improving the level of oxygenation and the chest radiograph score.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.595-601
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• 2003

Background: It has been known that the most effective treatment method of hyperhidrosis is video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve block. Postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis and anhidrosis are major factors that decrease the postoperative satisfaction. Although sympathetic rami have been selectively blocked to decrease the complications, technical difficulties and excessive bleeding have prevented the universal application. Material and Method: Three pre-fixative cadavers were dissected before clinical application. Bilateral sympathetic chains were exposed in supine position after the whole anterior chest wall was removed. Second and third sympathetic rami were blocked using clips. After the sympathetic chains including ganglia were removed, we evaluated the extents of rami block. Twenty-five patients were subjected to the clinical application. Surgeries were performed in semi-fowlers position under general anesthesia and bilateral ventilation. 2 mm thoracoscopy and 5 mm trocar were intro-duced through third and fourth intercostal space, respectively. Second and third sympathetic rami were blocked using thoracoscopic clips. The postoperative complications, satisfaction, and compensatory hyperhidrosis rate were evaluated retrospectively. Result: Sympathetic rami were completely blocked in cadaver dissection study Hyper-hidrosis symptom was improved in all patients without operative complication. Operative time was shorter than that of traditional ramicotomy. All patients, except four, were satisfied with postoperative palmar hyperhidrosis. Com-pensatory hyperhidrosis was more severely happened in fifteen patients (60%). The remaining six patients had no complaint. Two patients had a minimal degree of gustatory hyperhidrosis. Conclusion: This operative method had shorter operative time and less complication rate, compared with traditional ramicotomy Operative success rate was similar to the traditional syrnpathicotorny; lower extent and occurrence rate of compensatory hyperhidrosis. The thoracic sympathetic rami clipping was suggested as an alternative method for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 1996

Between 1987 and 1994, 21 patients were treated surgically for aortic aneurysm involving the thoracoabdominal aorta. There were 11 males and 10 females, and their age ranged from 20 to 67 years old and mean age was 41.5 years. Many complained of back pain, chest pain or discomfort, and flank pain, but three patients were asymptomatic. 15 patients had chronic dissection (71.4%) and 6 had nondissecting fusiform or saccular aneurysm(28.5%), and of those 15 patients with chronic dissection, 6(28.5%) had atherosclerosis assniated with hypertension, 5 (23.8%) were Martian syndrome, and 2 (9.5%) were associated with pregnancy. The diameter of an aneurysm ranged from 6cm to 12cm, and their extent was classified as type I in 7(33.3%), type II in 8(38.1%), type III in 3(14.3%), and type IV in 3(14.3%) patients based on Crawford classification for TAA . Diseased aorta was replaced with artificial vascular graft in all but one patient. In whom the aortic tear site due to pseudoaneurysm was closed by primary suture. For the spinal cord protection during the operation, we used partial cardiopulmonary bypass (FV-FA or PA-FA bypass) in 12 patients (57.1%), Biopump (LA-FA bypass) in 4(19.0%), total circulartory arrest and CPB in 2 (9.5%), Gott's heparinized shunt in 1(4.7%), and simple aortic cross clamping in 2 (9.5%). The most common complication after the operation was hoarseness due to unilateral vocal cord palsy which onured in 5 patients (23.8%), and the next common complication was wound infection in 4 patients(19.0%), paraplegia in 2 patients (9.5%), chylothorax in 1 patient(4.7%). The hospital mortality rate was 9.5% (2deaths), and there was no late death. Our experience shows that the graft replacement of TAAA had reasonable rate of mortality, low rate of serious complication, and provided good post operative state of the pati nts, and since the thoracoabdominal aortic operation is not a high risky procedure anymore, we recommend a radical operation for the indicated patients.