• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.683-688
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• 1994

The most common cause of spontaneous pneumothorax is a ruptured bleb, which occurs mostly in young patients and they are usually treated by tube thoracostomy. Recurrence frequently occurs and these patients require some form of surgical intervention. From March 1990 to February 1994, we have experienced 19 cases of recurrent pneumothorax in 16 patients among 347 patients who underwent 423 surgical interventions. The name of first operation after thoracotomy were bullectomy in 4 cases, bullectomy and pleurodesis in 3 cases, bullectomy, pleurodesis in addition to application of tissue sealant in 1 case. Thoracoscopic operations were performed as follows: bullectomy in 2 cases,electroablation plus tissue sealant in 4 cases, electroablation, tissue sealant and pleurodesis in 1 case,and in 4 cases, only tissue sealant was applied. The average age of patients are 21.5 years, and bilaterally operated patients and patients. who received tissue sealant or tissue sealant plus electrocauterization only had higher incidence of recurrence. The patients who needed chest tube insertion longer than 5 days after the first operation were 52.6 %, and 82.3 % recurred within one month of the first operation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.565-573
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• 1992

We isolated Actinomycetes strain No. 1882-5, which produces the inhibitor on the bleb formation of K562 cell induced by phorbol ester, from soil sample. Through solvent extraction, Amberlite XAD-4, silica and Lobar low pressure LC, antifungal antibiotic MT 1882-1 and bleb forming inhibitor MT 1882-II were purified from strain No. 1882-5. MT 1882-1 was identified as piericidin $A_{1}$($C_{25}H_{37}0_4N$, M.W. 415) and MT 1882-11 as glucopiericidin A($C_{31}H_{47}0_9N$, M.W. 577) from the analysis of physico-chemical properties and UV, $^1H-NMR$, $^13C-NMR$, and mass spectra of these compounds.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.299-306
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• 1988

We have reviewed 330 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from Jan. 1980 to Jul. 1987 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University. The ratio of male to female was 8.4:1, predominant in male. The incidence according to the age group was highest as 32% in the adolescence between 21 and 30 years old. The site of pneumothorax was right in 48%, left in 45% and bilateral in 7%. The initial symptoms were frequently dyspnea in 85%, chest pain in 63%. The etiologic factors were as follows; bleb origin in 31%, tuberculous origin in 30%, COPD in 3.3%, lung cancer in 1.5%, unknown in 29%. There was no significant difference in seasonal incidence irrespective of tuberculous or sex. The employed managements were as follows; bed rest with oxygen inhalation in 4 cases, closed thoracostomy in 326 cases, open thoracotomy in 122 cases, median sternotomy in 23 cases. The operative procedures at thoracotomy were as follows; simple pleurodesis in 5 cases, bleb excision or wedge resection in 113 cases, segmentectomy or lobectomy in 17 cases, decortication in 42 cases. Recurrence rate of each treatment was as follow; 50% in conservative treatment, 19% in closed thoracostomy, 2% in open thoracotomy, 4% in median sternotomy. Therefore overall recurrence rate was 12%. Open thoracotomy was the most effective procedure in recurrent pneumothorax, previous contralateral pneumothorax, bilateral simultaneous pneumothorax, visible bleb or bullae on the chest x-ray and persistent air leakage. 23 cases of unilateral spontaneous pneumothorax was examined whether or not underlying pathology of pneumothorax at opposite lung. 18 cases[78%] were positive findings. Therefore, bilateral thoracotomy by median sternotomy was a good operative method preventing contralateral pneumothorax.

• 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.17 no.4
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• pp.729-734
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• 1984

Bochdalek hernia is a type of congenital diaphragmatic defect in the posterolateral portion of the diaphragm. The defect is usually Lt. sided due to protective effect of liver on right. Sex distribution is male preponderance [2:1] and it is diagnosed during neonate, mostly first 24 hours, due to severe respiratory distress. We experienced a rare case of old aged female patient with congenital Bochdalek hernia on Rt. side which was found incidentally during treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax of Rt. side. 17 year old female patient was admitted to CS department for chest discomfort on right and mild dyspnea with duration of 20 days. Under the diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax, Rt. closed thoracostomy and underwater sealed drainage with continuous suction was applied. On follow-up chest x-ray, poorly defined hazy increased density with multiple air-fluid levels in Rt. lower lung field and Lt. subphrenic free air were noted. So, Barium enema was done under the impression of Rt. diaphragmatic hernia, and nearly entire colon proximal to sigmoid was demonstrated in the Rt. hemithorax. Operation was done-for surgical repair of defected diaphragm through Rt. posterolateral thoracotomy. Operative findings were as follows; 1.Hypoplastic Rt. lung, esp. RML & RLL. 2.Nearly entirely intestines were herniated. 3.Diaphragmatic defect was located on posterolateral portion of the diaphragm, about 10x3cm in size with blunt smooth margin. 4.A large bleb on apex of RUL of lung. Herniated intestines were repaired into abdominal cavity manually and defect of diaphragm was repaired with No. I black silk interrupted sutures directly, and bleb was resected. Postoperative courses were uneventful and the patient was discharged with good condition on POD 14th.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.887-893
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• 1990

We have experienced 142 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from January 1987 to June 1990 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Inha General Hospital, Inha University College of Medicine. The age of patients ranged from 16 to 79 years \ulcornerold. The incidence was highest between late 2nd and 3rd decades in non tuberculous group. Males occupied 110 cases [77.6%] and females 32 cases [22. 5%], and its ratio was 3.4: l. The incidence of right side pneumothorax was 76 cases [53.5%] and left side was 65 cases [45.8%]. There was one case of bilateral pneumothorax. The most common chief complaints were chest pain and dyspnea. The associated pulmonary lesions were pulmonary tuberculosis, active or healed in 51 cases [35.9%], Subpleural bleb in 19 cases [13.4%], emphysematous bulla in 12 cases [13.4%], asthma in 3, bronchiectasis in 3, pneumonia in 1, cyst in 1. The unknown origin pneumothorax, so called "idiopathic spontaneous pneumothorax”, which seemed to be caused by the rupture of bleb or bulla most likely, were 52 cases [36. 6%] in our series. Generally, closed [tube] thoracotomy with underwater sealed drainage is the treatment of choice in spontaneous pneumothorax. We experienced 94 cases[66.2%] which were cured by closed thoracotomy. However, open thoracotomy and adequate surgical procedures were undertaken in patient with continuous air leakage or recurrent attacks of spontaneous pneumothorax in 48 cases [33.8%]. The minithoracotomy is a good procedure for the bullectomy of upper lobe.lobe.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.209-213
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• 1993

The pathogenesis of the primary spontaneous pneumothorax is the rupture of subpleural bleb or bullae and subsequent sudden collapse of the affected lung. Mostly, the bullae or blebs are present bilaterally, but detecting the number, size, and location of the causating foci by plain chest film is quite difficult . We have performed chest CT scans for detecting the bullous lesions in 33 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, and compared the results with surgical findings.1. Seventy-four blebs were identified in the chest CT scan, and 100 blebs or bullae were detected surgically [ Sensitivity was 0.74 ].2. Diagnosis rate was 80% [40/50] at right upper lobe, 75.7% [28/37] at left upper lobe, 55.6% at right lower lobe, and 25.0% at left lower lobe, respectively.3. Blebs or bullae smaller than 1 cm of its diameter were detected by 57.1% [24/42] of sensitivity, and in the cases of size larger than 1 cm, it revealed 86.2% [50/58] of sensitivity respectively.4. Of the 45 cases, 7 cases were false negative [15.6%], most of these were ruptured or small size [< 0.5 cm]. 5. One case was false positive, which was irregular adhesion at the apex of the lung.6. We could detect blebs or bullae with preoperative CT scans in 84.4% [38/45] of total patients. In conclusion, chest CT scan is a very advantageous diagnostic tool for proper management and preventing recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax patient.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.306-309
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• 2000

Background: The purpose of this study was to evalute the diagnostic value of 2mm video thoracoscopy for primary spontaneous penumothorax. Material and Method: During the period of March to June 1999, we prospectively analyzed 33 consecutive patients suffering from primary spontaneous pneumothorax. 2mm video-assisted thoracoscopy was compared with the operative finding. We observed recurrence during the mean follow-up of 3months. Result: Blebs were present in 24 patient(73%: 24/33). These were treated by 10mm video-assised thoracoscopic stapling. Nine pateints with no bleb were treated with pleural drainage. There were no significant differences in the bleb finding. No recurrence occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusion: A 2mm video thoracoscopic examination for primary spontaneous pnumothorax is a useful alternative in deciding the operative indication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 1975

The thoracoscopic study was reported on 21 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax requiring surgical management, and clinical values of thoracoscopic examination on spontaneous pneumothorax were also discussed. patients were treated in the Department of .Thoracic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital for the period of two Years from May 1972 to April 1974. For exact detection of etiologic factors on spontaneous pneumothorax, the thoracoscopic examination in the intrapleural space was performed in parallel with X-ray study. this study, the difference of diagnostic and therapeutic significance between radiological and thoracoscopic findings were observed and compared simultaneously. The results are summerized as follows: Patients age was distributed between 3 and 70 years old with highest incidence in the age group of sixty decade [33. 3%], and sex ratio of male to female was 5:2. The tuberculous processes which developed superficial subpleural layer in the lung parenchyme, on the pulmonary surface could be observed by thoracoscopic examination in a characteristic picture. detection ratio of pulmonary tuberculosis by the radiologic study to that by thoracoscopy was 8:2. The adhesion between the visceral and the parietal pleura which could possibly make a rupture of the alveola and the visceral pleura was found to be localized in a small area of the lung surface. The other part of the lung surface was free of the adhesion and, therefore, the movement of the lung took place completely without any difficulty. The ruptured orifice of the pleura and pathological changes surrounding the orifice can be detected by thoracoscopy, but not by other means such as radiologic examination. A single tuberculous bleb and multiple emphysematous blebs were found on 6 cases out of 21 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax. Among these cases, radiologic Study revealed the bleb only in one patient. On the other hand, the blebs were found in all the six patients by means of thoracoscopic examination. It gives the detection ratio of bleb by radiologic study to that by thoracoscopy was 1:6. By thoracoscopy, the rupture on the lung surface were visualized on the 10 patients out of a total of 21 patients [10 patients of visual rupture]. However, the rupture of the pleura was not observed on the rest of 11 patients even by thoracoscopic examination [11 patients of non visual rupture]. Five patients [50%] out of ten who had the visual rupture on the lung surface was required a surgical operation to remove pneumothorax. For the patients who were detected to have the visual rupture of the pleura by thoracoscopy, be considered in the early stage of closed thoracostomy. of 21 patients, 16 patients [11 patients of non visual rupture of the pleura and 5 patients of visual rupture of the pleura] who received no surgical management, were treated with closed thoracostomy with continuous suction, and the` pneumothorax was healed completely up in each cases. Therapeutic measures for the remaining 5 patients of visual rupture of the pleura who were subjected to surgical approach for radical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax were accordingly complicated, and the following different procedures were properly indicated case by case, that is, rib resection thoracostomy, simple closure of ruptured visceral pleura, wedged resection of the lung, and lobectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1054-1062
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• 1995

Discrete bullae are a well-recognized feature in patients with generalized emphysematous lung disease. They result in space occupation, expanding preferrentially at the expense of adjacent lung tissue, which has a more normal compliance.The presence of these bullae may aggravate the dyspnea consequent to generalized disease. We underwent operation for emphysematous lung disease using a modification of a technique first described by Monaldi for the drainage of pulmonary cavities after tuberculous infection.