• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 1995

Vertical axillary muscle sparing thoracotomy is newly appeared and excellent alternative method of standard posterolateral thoracotomy.It has many advantages compared to standard posterolateral thoracotomy , less postoperative pain, well preserved thoracic muscle strength, full range of motion of the shoulder girdle and attractive cosmetic results. We performed vertical axillary muscle sparing thoracotomy in 36 patients from November 1993 to July 1994. The ages of the patients ranged from 6 months to 71 years[mean 45.1 years , and the patients consisted of 20 males and 16 females.The preoperative diagnosis were as follows : lung cancer in 17 patients, tbc destroyed lung in 7, bronchiectasis in 3, bullous emphysema in 3 and the others are mediastinal tumor, bronchogenic cyst, lung abscess, empyema, esophageal diverticulum, and CCAM [congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation . The operative procedures were as follows : lobectomy and bilobectomy in 16 patients, segmentectomy in 4, wedge resection in 3, penumonectomy in 7, and the others were open biopsy, lobectomy with diaphragm excision, sleeve right upper lobectomy, decortication, mediastinal mass excision, and esophageal diverticulectomy. We had 6 complications : postoperative bleeding in 2 cases, operative wound infection, arrrhythmia[atrial fibrillation , Horner`s syndrome, hoarseness. The subcutaneous seroma occurred in 4 cases but did not require drainage and relieved within 4 weeks spontaneously. We concluded that vertical axillary muscle sparing thoracotomy could be done in most of all thoracic surgery with safety. Comparing to standard posterolateral thoracotomy vertical axillary muscle sparing thoracotomy has many advantages such as less postoperative pain, well preserved muscle strengths and good cosmetic results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 1993

Simultaneous bilateral bleb resection was done through bilateral transaxillary thoracotomy in 10 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax during the period from May 1991 to Novemver 1992 in whom bilateral bulla or bleb was detected with using simple chest X-ray and chest CT scanning. To compare the effectiveness of bilateral transaxillary thoracotomy, we investigated 10 unilateral transaxillary thoracotomy patients with spontaneous pneumothorax and two clinical reports from other institutes which dealt the results of bilateral bleb or bulla resection through median sternotomy also. In bilateral transaxillary thoracotomy group,mean operation time was 115 minute,mean intraoperative bleeding was 329 cc, mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.5 days. Postoperative ABGA[Arterial Blood Gas Analysis] was in normal range and postoperative recovery rates of FVC[Forced Vital Capacity], FEV1[Forced Expiratory Volume at 1 second], TV[Tidal Volume] were 84.3%, 93.4%, 88.7%,respectively. In median sternotomy group,mean operation time was 129 minute,mean intraoperative bleeding was 490 cc, mean postoperative hospital stay was 12.4 days. Postoperative ABGA was in normal range and postoperative recovery rates of FVC, FEV1 were 97.3%, 97.4%, respectively. In unilateral transaxillary thoracotomy group, postoperative ABGA was in normal range also and postoperative recovery rates of FVC, FEV1, TV were 91.6%, 99.0%, 96.0%,respectively. In conclusion, simultaneous bilateral bleb resection through bilateral transaxillary thoracotomy should be considered in pneumothorax patients with bilateral bleb or bulla because of cost-effectiveness[reducing hospital days] and better cosmetic result without any impairment in recovery of respiratory function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.369-373
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• 1998

The bullectomy through the limited transaxillary thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) had been used in operative management of spontaneous pneumothorax from Jan. 1994 to July 1997. The study comprised a retrospective review of 42 cases which were treated by limited thoracotomy, and 61 cases treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic sugery. We retrospectively reviewed annual incidnce of bullectomy. Analysis of video-assised thoracoscopic surgery and open bullectomy including age, sex, operative sites, surgical indications, associated diseases, operative time, posoperatve complications and hospital courses. There was no significant difference for operation time in two groups, 98.3${\pm}$38.4 minutes in thoracotomy and 95.7${\pm}$31.5 minutes in VATS. Prolonged air leakage over 7 days was observed in 8 cases from thoracotomy group, 4 cases from VATS group. 3 cases of recurrent pneumothorax were found from VATS group, but no recurrence was occurred from open bullectomy group. There were significant differences in postoperative hospital stay (8.0${\pm}$3.9 day in thoracotomy vs 5.9${\pm}$2.4day in VATS(P=0.001)), and indwelling period of chest tube after operation( 5.8${\pm}$3.0day in thoracotomy vs 4.0${\pm}$2.0day in VATS(P=0.0006)).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.835-839
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• 1985

Spontaneous pneumothorax is the sudden collapse of a lung usually caused by air leaking from a sub-visceral pleural bleb. Response to closed thoracotomy, needle aspiration and simple observation is usually prompt and effective. But in some cases, these are unsuccessful and open thoracotomy is indicated. Author reviewed 37 cases of open thoracotomy in spontaneous pneumothorax experienced in the Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital, since Jan., 1980 to Dec., 1984. The results were as follows: 1. The causes of spontaneous pneumothorax: 73.0% was primary, 27.0% was secondary origin. 2. The most frequent age group of the patient: Between 11 and 30 years old. 3. All of te patient were male. 4. The side of open thoracotomy: 58.8% was right side, 8.8% was both side. 5. The most common indication of open thoracotomy; Persistent air leakage. 6. The most frequent sites of bleb or bullae: A-P segment in the L.U.L. and apical segment in the R.U.L.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 1987

Empyema thoracis following pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, trauma and surgical procedures continues to be a source of major morbidity and mortality. We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 330 patients [child:87, adult243] treated for empyema thoracis at Catholic Medical Center between 1964 and 1986. The causes of empyema in these patients were as follows: pneumonia [C***:66%, A***:30%], pulmonary tuberculosis [C:2%, A:20%], lung abscess [C:3%, A:5%], postoperative complication [C:0%, A:13%], trauma [C:1%, A:4%] and unknown origin [C:23%, A:17%]. Three patients in this series died of sepsis from necrotizing pneumonia. Staphylococcus [29.3%], Streptococcus [8.8%], E. coli [8%], Mycobacterium tuberculosis [7.9%], Klebsiella [7.4%], Pseudomonas [6.4%], Bacteroides [3.4%] were the organisms most commonly isolated. Bacterial isolates were single in 68.3%, multiple 7.5% and absent 24.2%. The type of organism did not correlate with severity of disease or eventual requirement for closed thoracotomy drainage, open thoracotomy drainage [Modified Eloesser*s procedure], thoracoplasty, decortication or pleuropneumonectomy. Successful methods of treatment included aspiration in 44%, tube thoracotomy in 66%, open thoracotomy drainage in 98.7%, thoracoplasty in 98%, decortication in 96% and pleuropneumonectomy in 73%. Initial mode of management in empyema thoracis are thoracentesis and closed thoracotomy drainage. If the initial management was failed, we performed another surgical procedures. Before 1973, we manage with Schede`s thoracoplasty in the postpneumonectomy empyema patients. But thoracoplasty, with or without the use of muscle flaps, is a hazardous operation in the poor-risk patients. The permanent, open thoracotomy drainage is a relatively minor operation which is well tolerated even by cachexic, septic patients. It controls infection, and sometimes results in the bronchopleural fistula closing spontaneously.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.328-330
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• 1994

Brachial plexus injury developing after axillary thoracotomy is an uncommon complication. But if it occurs, it may cause annoying events. We recently experienced 2 patients who developed brachial plexus injury after wedge resection by axillary thoracotomy . The first patient was a 22 year-old man with right spontaneous pneumothorax . After wedge resection of the right upper lung by axillary thoracotomy, he complained total paralysis of the right arm. An electromyogram was obtained at 7 days after operation, with the confirmation of brachial plexus injury. He was discharged at 22days after operation and brachial plexus injury was completely recovered 4 months after discharge. The second patient was a 17 year-old man with recurrent right pneumothorax. He underwent wedge resection of the right upper lung by axillary thoracotomy. Electromyogram confirmed the diagnosis of brachial plexus injury in the immediate postoperative period. He was discharged at 15 days after operation and brachial plexus injury was recovered 2months after discharge.Brachial plexus injury after axillary thoracotomy is caused by stretching around the clavicle and tendon of pectoralis minor by fixation of the abducted arm to the frame. Thus, when we perform wedge resection by axillary thoracotomy, we must avoid over-stretching of the brachial plexus in positioning. If brachial plexus injury develops, immediate attention and management with close rapport are important to avoid possible medicolegal problems.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.225-229
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• 2012

Background: Reoperation of cardiac surgery via median sternotomy can be associated with significant complications. Thoracotomy is expected to reduce the risk of reoperation and to enhance the surgical outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed two operative approaches (thoracotomy vs. sternotomy) in cardiac reoperation. Materials and Methods: From September 2007 to December 2010, 35 patients who required reoperation of the mitral valvular disease following previous median sternotomy were included. Average age of patients was $45.8{\pm}15.4$ years (range, 14 to 76 years) and male-to-female was 23:12. Interval period between primary operation and reoperation was $135.8{\pm}105.6$ months (range, 3.3 to 384.9 months). Results: Comparative analysis was done dividing the patient group into two groups that are thoracotomy group (22 patients) and sternotomy group (13 patients). Thoracotomy group was significantly lower in operative time ($415.2{\pm}90.3$ vs. $497.5{\pm}148.0$, p<0.05), bleeding control time ($108.0{\pm}29.5$ vs. $146.4{\pm}66.8$, p<0.05) and chest tube drainage ($287.5{\pm}211.5mL$ vs. $557.3{\pm}365.5mL$, p<0.05) compared to sternotomy group. Conclusion: The thoracotomy approach is superior to sternotomy in some variables, and it is considered as a valid alternative to repeat median sternotomy in patients who underwent a previous median sternotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 1971

Three patients who sustained penetrating stab wound of the heart have been treated successfully by emergency thoracotomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chonnam University Hospital. There were two knife and one glass wound. The location of the injury were all on the right ventricle, but in one patient, it was penetrated to ventricular septum. All patients were in shock with a systolic pressure under 60 mmHg when admitted to the emergency room. In one of the three patients, blood pressure was not detectable and subsequently cardiac arrest. Two patients required immediate thoracotomy because of intrathoracic hemorrhage and increased pericardial tamponade and the other one required prompt thoracotomy because of sudden onset of cardiac arrest. There were no death postoperatively. Two patients are living without any complication in 4 years and 4 weeks after operation. One who had penetrating wound to ventricular septum, turned to cardiac decompensation, but he is living now in 4$\frac{1}{2}$ years after operation. Exploratory thoracotomy should be performed immediately in all the patients in whom a penetrating wound of the heart or pericardial tamponade following a penetrating wound of the chest wall is suspected.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2017

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomic lung resections are gradually becoming the standard surgical approach in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The technique is being applied in cases of larger tumors depending on the experience of the surgical team. The objective of this study was to compare early surgical and survival outcomes in patients undergoing anatomic pulmonary resections using VATS and thoracotomy techniques for clinical T2 NSCLC during the adaptation period of the surgical team to the VATS approach. Methods: The data of all patients who underwent anatomic pulmonary resection for NSCLC using VATS and open techniques since April 2012 were recorded to create a prospective lung cancer database. Clinical T2 NSCLC patients who underwent VATS anatomic lung resection were identified and compared with cT2 patients who underwent open resection. Results: Between April 2012 and August 2014, 269 anatomical resections for NSCLC were performed (80 VATS and 189 thoracotomy). Thirty-four VATS patients who had clinical T2 disease were identified and stage-matched to thoracotomy patients. The average tumor diameter was comparable ($34.2{\pm}11.1{\times}29.8{\pm}10.1mm$ vs. $32.3{\pm}9.8{\times}32.5{\pm}12.2mm$, p=0.4). Major complications were higher in the thoracotomy group (n=0 vs. n=5, p=0.053). There was no 30-day mortality, and the 2-year survival rate was 91% for VATS and 82% for thoracotomy patients (p=0.4). Conclusion: VATS anatomic resections in clinical T2 NSCLC tumors are safe and have perioperative and pathologic outcomes similar to those of thoracotomy, while remaining within the learning curve.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.12 s.269
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• pp.957-959
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• 2006

Muscle sparing thoracotomy is known as alternative of posterolateral thoracotomy because of less postoperative pain, preservation of muscle power and better cosmetic outcome. Curved axillary thoracotomy(CAT) is a type of muscle sparing thoracotomy. Between July 2003 and August 2004, 5 patients diagnosed as pure patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) treated by CAT and we reviewed results retrospectively by clinical record. The operative procedures were ligation of ductus in 4 cases and division of ductus in 1 case. There were no postoperative complication. Curved axillary thoracotomy is considerable alternative for surgical treatment of PDA with merits of muscle sparing effect and cosmetic benefit.