• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.55-60
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• 2022

Background: Robot-assisted repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) can be performed under either beating-heart or non-beating-heart conditions. However, the risk of cerebral air embolism (i.e., stroke) is a concern in the beating-heart approach. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of beating- and non-beating-heart approaches in robot-assisted ASD repair. Methods: From 2010 to 2019, a total of 45 patients (mean age, 43.4±14.6 years; range, 19-79 years) underwent ASD repair using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Twenty-seven of these cases were performed on a beating heart (beating-heart group, n=27) and the other cases were performed on an arrested or fibrillating heart (non-beating-heart group, n=18). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was achieved via cannulation of the femoral vessels and the right internal jugular vein in all patients. Results: Complete ASD closure was verified using intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in all patients. Conversion to open surgery was not performed in any cases, and there were no major complications. All patients recovered from anesthesia without any immediate postoperative neurologic symptoms. In a subgroup analysis of isolated ASD patch repair (beating-heart group: n=22 vs. non-beating-heart group: n=5), the operation time and CPB time were shorter in the beating-heart group (234±38 vs. 253±29 minutes, p=0.133 and 113±28 vs. 143±29 minutes, p=0.034, respectively). Conclusion: Robot-assisted ASD repair can be safely performed with the beating-heart approach. No additional risk in terms of cerebral embolism was found in the beating-heart group.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.42-48
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• 2023

Background: With recent advances in cardiac surgery through minimal access, mini-thoracotomy has emerged as an excellent alternative for cardiac myxoma resection. This study analyzed the surgical results of this approach, focusing on postoperative cerebral embolism and tumor recurrence. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 64 patients (mean age, 56.0±12.1 years; 40 women) who underwent myxoma resection through mini-thoracotomy from October 2008 to July 2020. We conducted femoral cannulation and antegrade cardioplegic arrest in all patients. Patient characteristics and perioperative data, including brain diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) findings, were collected. Medium-term echocardiographic follow-up was performed. Results: Thirteen patients (20.3%) had a history of preoperative stroke, and 7 (11.7%) had dyspnea with New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. Sixty-one cases (95.3%) had myxomas in the left atrium. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac ischemic times were 69.0±28.6 and 34.1±15.0 minutes, respectively. Sternotomy conversion was not performed in any case, and 50 patients (78.1%) were extubated in the operating room. No early mortality or postoperative clinical stroke occurred. Postoperative DWI was performed in 32 (53%) patients, and 7 (22%) showed silent cerebral embolisms. One patient underwent reoperation for tumor recurrence during the study period; in that patient, a genetic study confirmed the Carney complex. Conclusion: Mini-thoracotomy for cardiac myxoma resection showed acceptable clinical and neurological outcomes. In the medium-term echocardiographic follow-up, reliable resection was proven, with few recurrences. This approach is a promising alternative for cardiac myxoma resection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.206-212
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• 2023

Background: Delayed sternal closure (DSC) is a useful option for patients with intractable bleeding and hemodynamic instability due to prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass and a preoperative bleeding tendency. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has been widely used for sternal wound problems, but only rarely for DSC, and its efficacy for mediastinal drainage immediately after cardiac surgery has not been well established. Therefore, we evaluated the usefulness of DSC using VAC in adult cardiac surgery. Methods: We analyzed 33 patients who underwent DSC using VAC from January 2017 to July 2022. After packing sterile gauze around the heart surface and great vessels, VAC was applied directly without sternal self-retaining retractors and mediastinal drain tubes. Results: Twenty-one patients (63.6%) underwent emergency surgery for conditions including type A acute aortic dissection (n=13), and 8 patients (24.2%) received postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Intractable bleeding (n=25) was the most common reason for an open sternum. The median duration of open sternum was 2 days (interquartile range [25th-75th pertentiles], 2-3.25 days) and 9 patients underwent VAC application more than once. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 27.3%. Superficial wound problems occurred in 10 patients (30.3%), and there were no deep sternal wound infections. Conclusion: For patients with an open sternum, VAC alone, which is effective for mediastinal drainage and cardiac decompression, had an acceptable superficial wound infection rate and no deep sternal wound infections. In adult cardiac surgery, DSC using VAC may be useful in patients with intractable bleeding or unstable hemodynamics with myocardial edema.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.186-193
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• 2023

Background: Complete surgical excision is the only curative treatment for primary cardiac tumors. For wide excision, interatrial septal reconstruction (ISR) is commonly performed. We hypothesized that ISR may increase the risk of postoperative atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) after surgical resection of cardiac myxoma. Methods: After excluding patients with a history of cardiac surgery and concomitant procedures unrelated to tumor resection and those with AT or permanent pacemakers, we finally enrolled 272 adult patients who underwent benign cardiac tumor surgery from 1995 to 2021 at our institution. They were divided into the ISR (n=184) and non-ISR (n=88) groups. The primary outcome was postoperative new-onset AT. Results: The study cohort predominantly consisted of women (66.2%), with a mean age of 57.2±13.6 years. The incidence of postoperative new-onset AT was 15.4%. No 30-day mortality or recurrence was observed. The cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time were significantly longer in the ISR group than in the non-ISR group (p<0.001). The median duration of hospital stay of all patients was 6.0 days (interquartile range, 5.0-7.0 days), and no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups (p=0.329). ISR was not an independent predictor of new-onset AT (p=0.248). Male sex and hypertension were found to be independent predictors of new-onset AT. Conclusion: ISR was not a significant predictor of postoperative new-onset AT. ISR might be a feasible and safe procedure for surgical resection of cardiac myxoma and should be considered if needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.75-86
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• 2023

Background: We investigated the long-term outcomes of truncus arteriosus repair at a single institution with a 30-year study period. Methods: Patients who underwent repair of truncus arteriosus between 1993 and 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Factors associated with early mortality, overall attrition, and reintervention were identified using appropriate statistical methods. Results: In total, 42 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age and weight at repair were 26 days and 3.5 kg, respectively. Thirty patients (71.4%) underwent 1-stage repair. There were 8 early deaths (19%). In the univariable analysis, undergoing surgery before 2011 was associated with early mortality (p=0.031). The overall survival rate at 10 years was 73.8%. In the multivariable analysis, significant truncal valve (TrV) dysfunction (p=0.010), longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.018), and the earlier era of surgery (p=0.004) were identified as risk factors for overall mortality. During follow-up, 47 reinterventions were required in 27 patients (64.3%). The freedom from all-cause reintervention rate at 10 years was 23.6%. In the multivariable analysis, associated arch obstruction (p<0.001) and significant TrV dysfunction (p=0.011) were identified as risk factors for all-cause reintervention. Arch obstruction (p=0.027) and a number of TrV cusps other than 3 (p=0.014) were identified as risk factors for right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) reintervention, and significant TrV dysfunction was identified as a risk factor for TrV reintervention (p=0.002). Conclusion: Despite recent improvements in survival outcomes after repair of truncus arteriosus, RV-PA or TrV reinterventions were required in a significant number of patients during follow-up.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.374-386
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• 2023

Background: The heightened morbidity and mortality associated with repeat cardiac surgery are well documented. Redo median sternotomy (MS) and minimally invasive valve surgery are options for patients with prior cardiac surgery who require mitral valve surgery (MVS). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the outcomes of redo MS and minimally invasive MVS (MIMVS) in this population. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus for studies comparing outcomes of redo MS and MIMVS for MVS. To calculate risk ratios (RRs) for binary outcomes and weighted mean differences (MDs) for continuous data, we employed a random-effects model. Results: We included 12 retrospective observational studies, comprising 4157 participants (675 for MIMVS; 3482 for redo MS). Reductions in mortality (RR, 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.80), length of hospital stay (MD, -4.23; 95% CI, -5.77 to -2.68), length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (MD, -2.02; 95% CI, -3.17 to -0.88), and new-onset acute kidney injury (AKI) risk (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.61) were statistically significant and favored MIMVS (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in aortic cross-clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or risk of perioperative stroke, new-onset atrial fibrillation, surgical site infection, or reoperation for bleeding (p>0.05). Conclusion: The current literature, which primarily consists of retrospective comparisons, underscores certain benefits of MIMVS over redo MS. These include decreased mortality, shorter hospital and ICU stays, and reduced AKI risk. Given the lack of high-quality evidence, prospective randomized control trials with adequate power are necessary to investigate long-term outcomes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.70-78
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• 2024

Background: This study investigated the outcomes of biventricular repair using right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit placement in patients aged <1 year. Methods: Patients aged <1 year who underwent biventricular repair using an RV-PA conduit between 2011 and 2020 were included in this study. The outcomes of interest were death from any cause, conduit reintervention, and conduit dysfunction (peak velocity of ≥3.5 m/sec or moderate or severe regurgitation). Results: In total, 141 patients were enrolled. The median age at initial conduit implantation was 6 months. The median conduit diameter z-score was 1.3. The overall 5-year survival rate was 89.6%. In the multivariable analysis, younger age (p=0.006) and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.001) were risk factors for overall mortality. During follow-up, 61 patients required conduit reintervention, and conduit dysfunction occurred in 68 patients. The 5-year freedom from conduit reintervention and dysfunction rates were 52.9% and 45.9%, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, a smaller conduit z-score (p<0.001) was a shared risk factor for both conduit reintervention and dysfunction. Analysis of variance demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between the conduit z-score and conduit reintervention or dysfunction. The hazard ratio was lowest in patients with a conduit z-score of 1.3 for reintervention and a conduit z-score of 1.4 for dysfunction. Conclusion: RV-PA conduit placement can be safely performed in infants. A significant number of patients required conduit reintervention and had conduit dysfunction. A slightly oversized conduit with a z-score of 1.3 may reduce the risk of conduit reintervention or dysfunction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2024

Background: This study investigated the surgical outcomes associated with coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) in children. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 23 pediatric patients who underwent surgical closure of CAFs between 1995 and 2021. At presentation, 7 patients (30.4%) exhibited symptoms. Associated cardiac anomalies were present in 8 patients. Fourteen fistulas originated from the right coronary artery and 9 from the left. The most common drainage site was the right ventricle, followed by the right atrium and the left ventricle. The median follow-up duration was 9.3 years (range, 0.1-25.6 years) Results: The median age and body weight at repair were 3.1 years (range, 0-13.4 years) and 14.4 kg (range, 3.1-42.2 kg), respectively. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used in 17 cases (73.9%), while cardioplegic arrest was employed in 14 (60.9%). Epicardial CAF ligation was utilized in 10 patients (43.5%), the transcoronary approach in 9 (39.1%), the endocardial approach in 2 (8.7%), and other methods in 2 patients (8.7%). The application of cardioplegic arrest during repair did not significantly impact the duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay or overall hospital stay. One in-hospital death and 1 late death were recorded. The overall survival rate was 95.7% at 10 years and 83.7% at 15 years. A residual fistula was detected in 1 patient. During the follow-up period, no surviving patient experienced cardiovascular symptoms or coronary events. Conclusion: Surgical repair of CAF can be performed safely with or without cardioplegic arrest, and it is associated with a favorable prognosis in children.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.661-668
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• 2005

배경: 체외순환장치 중 막형산화기를 사용하는 인공심폐기나 생명구조장치(Extra-corporeal Life Support System; ECLS)는 혈액이 통과하기 위해 막형산화기 전방에 구동점프가 요구된다. 국내에서 개발된 박동식 생명구조장치(T-PLS)의 경우는 막형산화기가 두 개의 혈액주머니 사이에 위치하여 액츄에이터가 번갈아 까내는 구조로 되어 있다 저자 등은, 만일 저항이 낮은 gravity-flow hollow fiber 막형산화기를 사용한다면 두 개의 혈액주머니와 박동점프를 막형산화기 후방에 설치하는 것이 가능하며, 이러한 구조는 같은 펌프박동 조건에서 2배의 맥박수를 보장하므로 펌프박출량이 증가될 것으로 가정하였다. 본 실험은 한국형 생명구조장치의 회로구성을 최적화하기 위해 계획되었으며, 기존의 막형산화기를 사용한 직렬회로구조와 gravity-flow hollow fiber 막형산화기를 이용한 병렬회로 구조를 박동에너지와 펌프박출량을 이용하여 비교하였다. 대상 및 방법: 실험은 $35\~45kg$의 돼지 12마리에서 심실세동혈 심정지 모델을 만들었으며, T-PLS 회로구성 형태에 따라 두 군으로 나누었다. 직렬군은 두 개의 혈액주머니 중간에 기존 막형산화기를 직렬로 설치하였으며, 병렬군은 gravity-flow hollow fiber막형산화기 후방에 이중구동점프를 병렬로 설치하였다. 펌프박출량은 대동맥 도관에서 직접 혈류를 측정하였고, 등가압력에너지(EEP)는 실시간으로 컴퓨터에 저장된 펌프박출곡선과 하행대동맥 혈압곡선에서 계산하였다. 각 지표는 점프속도 30, 40, 50 BPM에서 매번 측정하였다. 결과: 두 군 모두 박동에너지 측면에서 충분한 박동성을 보여주었다. 점프속도 30, 40, 50 BPM에서 EEP와 평균동맥압의 변화율은 병렬군의 경우 $13.0\pm.7\%,\;12.0\pm1.9\%,\;and\;7.6\pm0.9\%$였으며, 직렬군의 경우 $22.5\pm2.4\%,\;23.2\pm1.9\%,\;and\;21.8\pm1.4\%$였다. 점프박출량의 경우는 점프속도 40, 50 BPM에서 병렬군의 경우 $3.1\pm0.2\;and\;3.7\pm0.2L/min$였으며, 직렬군의 경우 $2.2\pm0.1\;and\;2.5\pm0.1\;L/min$였다(p<0.05). 결론: 혈류 저항이 낮은 gravity-flow 막형산화기를 사용하여 T-PLS 구동점프를 병렬회로로 배치할 경우 효과적인 박동성은 유지하면서, 기존의 막형산화기를 이용한 직렬회로 구조에 비해 점프박출량을 증가시켰다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제35권12호
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• pp.862-870
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• 2002

단심증과 총폐정맥연결이상증을 동반한 환아는 조기에 증상이 발현하는 경우가 흔하며, 특히 폐쇄성 폐정맥 통로가 존재하는 경우는 사망률이 매우 높은 질환으로 보고되고 있다. 이런 환아군에 대한 일단계 수술 결과와 이에 영향하는 위험인자를 분석하고자 본 연구를 실시하였다. 대상 및 연구방법: 1987년 1월에서 2002년 6월까지 서울대 어린이병원 흉부외과에서 경험한 총폐정맥연결이상증을 동반한 단심증으로 일단계 교정술을 받은 39례를 대상으로 하였다. 환아의 연령의 중앙값은 2.4(0.03~10.7)개월이었고, 남녀비는 29:10이 었다. 단심증은 우세우심실 20례, 방실중격결손을 동반한 단심증 15례, 우세좌심실 3례, 삼첨판 폐쇄증이 1례였고 총폐정맥연결이상증은 상심형 22례, 심장형 5례, 하심형 11례, 혼합형 1례였다. 폐쇄성 폐정맥 통로를 보였던 환아는 11례였다. 수술은 37례에서 단심증의 폐혈류 균형을 조절하기 위한 고식술을 시행하였으며, 31례에서 총폐정맥연결이상증을 함께 교정하였다. 본 연구에서는 상기 환자군을 대상으로 술전상태, 사망률, 술후경과 등을 살펴보고, 조기 사망에 영향하는 인자들을 발견하기 위해 단변량, 다변량 분석법을 이용하였다. 결과: 생존 환아의 평균추적관찰기간은 34.3$\pm$43.0(0.53~146.2)개월이었으며 조기사망률은 43.6% (17/39)였다. 조기사망원인은 저심박출증이 8례, 심기능부전에 의한 심례기이탈 실패가 3례, 술후 발생한 패혈증을 동반한 감염(2), 발작성 폐동맥 고혈압(1), 폐부종(1), 폐렴(1), 부정맥(1) 등이었다. 단변량분석에서 조기사망에 영향하는 인자는 체중, 신생아기 수술적응, 폐정맥 통로의 폐쇄, 술전상태, 일단계 수술시 총폐정맥연결이상증의 교정, 수술시간, 심폐기가동시간 등이었고, 다변량분석에서는 체중, 일단계 수술 당시의 연령, 신생아기 수술적응, 술전상태, 심폐기가동시간 등이 위험인자로 분석되었다. 결론$\boxUl$ 연구자 등은 본 연구를 통하여 총폐정맥연결이상증을 동반한 단심증이 조기에 증상이 발현되어 신생아기 또는 조기 영아기에 일단계 수술이 필요한 경우가 흔하고, 특히 폐정맥 통로의 폐쇄를 동반한 경우 술전상태가 불량함에도 불구하고 조기에 수술적 교정이 불가피한 경우가 적지 않으며, 이 경우 일단계 수술시 총폐정맥연결이상증에 대한 수술적 교정이 추가되어 수술시간 및 심폐기가동시간이 연장되고 이로 인해 술후 심근기능의 저하가 초래되어 높은 수술 사망률을 보인다는 사실을 확인하였다. 반면, 폐정맥 통로의 폐쇄를 동반되지 않은 일부 환아군에 대하여 일단계 수술시 이를 교정하지 않고 차후로 미루는 것이 수술시간 및 체외순환시간을 단축하고 심근 기능저하와 폐혈관 손상을 줄여 수술성적의 향상을 기대할 수 있었다. 그러나 이러한 수술 방침이 최종단계의 폰탄 술식까지 성공적으로 시행하기 위한 이상적인 치료원칙임을 입증하기 위해서는 보다 장기적인 추적이 필요하다.