• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.418-422
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• 2011

Background: It has recently become most general to use the small bore catheter to perform closed thoracostomy in treating iatrogenic pneumothorax. This study was performed for analysis of the efficacy of treatment methods by using small bore catheter such as 7 F (French) central venous catheter, 10 F trocar catheter, 12 F pigtail catheter and for analysis of the appropriateness of each procedure. Materials and Methods: From March 2007 to February 2010, Retrospective review of 105 patients with iatrogenic pneumothorax, who underwent closed thoracostomy by using small bore catheter, was performed. We analyzed the total success rate for all procedures as well as the individual success rate for each procedure, and analyzed the cause of failure, additional treatment method for failure, influential factors of treatment outcome, and complications. Results: The most common causes of iatrogenic pneumothorax were presented as percutaneous needle aspiration(PCNA) in 48 cases (45.7%), and central venous catheterization in 26 cases (24.8%). The mean interval to thoracostomy after the procedure was measured as 5.2 hours (1~34 hours). Total success rate of thoracostomy was 78.1%. The success rate was not significantly difference by tube type, with 7 F central venous catheter as 80%, 10 F trocar catheter as 81.6%, and 12 F pigtail catheter as 71%. Twenty one out of 23 patients that had failed with small bore catheter treatment added large bore conventional thoracostomy, and another 2 patients received surgery. The causes for treatment failure were presented as continuous air leakage in 12 cases (52.2%) and tube malfunction in 7 cases (30%). The causes for failure did not present significant differences by tube type. Statistically significant factors affecting treatment performance were not discovered. Conclusion: Closed thoracostomy with small bore catheter proved to be effective for iatrogenic pneumothorax. The success rate was not difference for each type. However, it is important to select the appropriate catheter by considering the patient status, pneumothorax aspect, and medical personnel in the cardiothoracic surgery department of the relevant hospital.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.287-291
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• 1994

Spontaneous pneumothorax is an accumulation of air in the pleural space with collapse of the lungs in the absence of external chest trauma. In this clinical study were analyzed of 369 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax experienced at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University during from January, 1986 to December, 1992.The peak incidence of age was in 3rd decade and more predominantly in male than women [5:1]. Pulmonary tuberculosis was most common etiologic condition and frequently symptoms were dyspnea and chest pain. The site of pneumothorax was Rt.in 48%, Lt.in 45% and both in 7%. The common accompanied diseases were hydrothorax, pyothorax and hemothorax. In 166 cases [45%] were treated by closed thoracostomy only, in 43 cases [12%] were treated by closed thoracostomy & chemical pleurodesis with Tetracycline and in 145 cases [39%] were treated by open thoracotomy. The most serious complication, one case of pulmonary edema, was developed after closed thoracostomy and fatal.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2019

Background: Variation exists in the initial treatment for the first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), and no definitive consensus exists due to a lack of high-quality evidence. This study examined the outcomes of needle aspiration and closed thoracostomy in first episodes of PSP requiring intervention. Methods: This study was a randomized, prospective, single-center trial conducted between December 2015 and August 2016. Patients of all ages with a documented first episode of PSP who were unilaterally affected, hemodynamically stable, and had a pneumothorax measuring over 25% in size were included. Patients with underlying lung disease, severe comorbidities, bilateral pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, recurrent pneumothorax, traumatic pneumothorax, and pregnancy were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned to the needle aspiration or closed thoracostomy group using a random number table. Results: Forty patients with a first episode of PSP were recruited, and 21 and 19 patients were included in the needle aspiration group and the closed thoracostomy group, respectively. The hospital stay of each group was $2.1{\pm}1.8days$ and $5.4{\pm}3.6days$, respectively (p<0.01). However, no significant differences were found in the success rate of initial treatment or the 1-month and 1-year recurrence rates. Conclusion: Needle aspiration is a favorable initial treatment in patients experiencing a first episode of PSP.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.769-774
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• 1993

Thoracic empyema is defined as purulent pleural effusion or effusion with positive bacteriology. Recently, the empyema has markedly decreased by developement of antibiotics, but empyemas following thoracotomy were occasionaly reported. During the period of January, 1985 to May,1991, 18 patients with postthoracotomy empyema have been treated in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Chonbuk National University Hospital.There were 17 males and 1 female ranged from 18 years to 67 years of age. The underlying diseases of empyema were tuberculosis [50%], lung cancer [33.3%], esophageal cancer [11.1%],and aspergillosis with tuberculosis[5.6%]. In surgical procedures causing the empyema, there were lobectomy[38.9%], pneumonectomy[22.2%], decortication[16.7%], decortication & lobectomy[11.1%], and esophagectomy [11.1%]. Etiologic organisms in the pleural fluid were Pseudomonas [27.7%], S.aureus [16.7%], mixed infection [16.7%], K.pneumonia [5.6%], M.tuberculosis [5.6%], and no isolation [27.7%]. In 6 cases with BPF, completion pneumonectomy was performed in 1 case, and open thoracostomy in 5 cases. In 12 cases without BPF, closed thoracostomy was performed in 1 case, decortication in 2 cases, decortication & open thoracostomy in 2 cases, and open thoracostomy in 7 cases. In 6 cases with BPF, the fistulas were closed in 4 cases at follow up, the other 2 cases died from pulmonary insufficiency after completion pneumonectomy and open thoracostomy,respectively. In 12 cases without BPF, the empyema cavities were filled with expanded lungs and granulation tissues, except 1 case died from sepsis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 1987

The records of 268 patients, who were diagnosed as spontaneous pneumothorax during the period 1975 to 1984, treated at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Hanyang University Hospital, were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate the effect of surgical intervention on each indications. Of these,.61 patients [22.8%] were taken operation to treat the pneumothorax after closed thoracostomy. We have classified the 61 patients to evaluate the therapeutic effect on each indications. And the therapeutic effect is based on the chest tube indwelling days. The results were as follows: 1. The chest tube indwelling days of the group who were taken closed thoracostomy only was average 14.13*9.17 days [range 5-66 days], and that of the group who were finally taken the thoracotomy after closed thoracostomy was 21.85*12.30 days [range 5-55 days]. 2. The indications of thoractomy were thoracoscopic findings, recurrence and continuous air leakage. 3. The chest tube indwelling day of the group who was taken thoracotomy by thoracoscopic findings was average 11.67*6.51 day, that was relatively short compared to those of the other groups. 4. The continuous air leakage group after closed thoracostomy was subdivided into three subgroups, continuous air leakage in 1st attack, thoracoscopic findings in 1st attack, and recurrence. 5. Of these, the chest tube indwelling day of the subgroup, who was taken operation by thoracoscopic findings, was 21.33e8.26, that was relatively short compared with those of the other subgroups. We use the thoracoscope as excellent diagnostic tool to detect the operation indication in the spontaneous pneumothorax patients. And we gain the benefits to shorten the chest tube indwelling days and admission days, and also to protect the recurrence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.955-961
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• 1992

In this study, 237 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax experienced at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kosin Medical College during from January 1986 to December 1990 were analysed retrospectively. 1. The ratio of male to female was 4.6: 1, predominent in male. The incidence of age group was highest as 36% between 21 and 40 years old. 2. The associated diseases of pneumothorax were 27 cases, in which pyothorax were 8 cases, and hydrothorax were 19 cases. 3. The site of pneumothorax was as follows: right side was 53%, left side was 45%, and both side was 2%, so right side was slight high. 4. The empolyed managements were as follows: bed rest with oxygen inhalation in 13 cases, closed thoracostomy in 155 cases, open thoracotomy in 69 cases. 5. The operative procedures of thoracotomy were as follows; simple pleurodesis in 2 cases, blebectomy & bullectomy in 38 cases, parietal pleurecttnny in 4 cases, segmentectomy in 12 cases, lobectomy in 9 cases. 6. The indication of open thoracotomy were as follows, recurrent history in 35 cases, contralateral pneumothorax history in 2 cases, continuous air leakage in 24 cases, bilateral pneumothorax in 2 cases, and visible blebs & bullaes on the chest X-ray in 6 cases. 7. The hospital duration after management was as follow, open thoracotomy in 13.2 days, closed thoracostomy in 22.4 days. The recurrent pneumothorax after closed thoracostomy was 25 cases, about 15%.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.983-986
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• 2004

Background: The indications of closed thoracostomy drainage in management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is well known, but there is no special specification for the size to be inserted. Recently, various minimally invasive operational techniques have been introduced and researched. According to the trend, we tried to ascertain the efficacy of 12 Fr. chest tubes instead of the existing 24 Fr. chest tubes. Material and Method: Patients who were younger than 30 years old and diagnosed as primary spontaneous pneumothorax and treated with closed thoracostomy drainage were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively compared group A who were drained with 24 Fr. chest tubes from January to May 2003 with group B with 12 Fr. chest tubes from November 2003 to April 2004 on procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage, duration of chest tube drain, duration of hospital stay, complication, and recurrence. Result: The male to female ratio was 16 : 3 in group A and 18 : 2 in group B. The mean age of patients of group A was 21.7$\pm$4.0 and group B was 20.0$\pm$3.7. The mean procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage in group A (21.6$\pm$2.9 minutes) was significantly longer than group B (10.8$\pm$1.9 minutes)(p < 0.05). The mean duration of chest tube drain was 3.8$\pm$ 1.7 days in group A and 4.3$\pm$2.2 in group B, and the mean duration of hospital stay was 5.6$\pm$1.9 days in group A and 5.2$\pm$1.5 days in group B. There was no complication in both groups and 6 cases in group A (35%) and 5 cases in group B (25%) were operated because of recurrence and persistent air leakage. In conclusion, there was no statistical difference except for the procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage between two groups. Conclusion: We concluded that there were no significant differences in efficacy between 12 Fr. chest tube and 24 Fr. chest tube in closed thoracostomy drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax and we found advantages of 12 Fr. chest tube in shortening procedure time because of easy and simple techniques.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.750-757
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• 1990

Empyema with bronchopleural fistula is an uncommon, but serious problem. Early diagnosis and adequate drainage of the empyema cavity are well established principles for the initial management of this condition and will enable patient to recover from the toxic effects of loculated pus. 37 patients of empyema with bronchopleural fistula were treated at the department of the chonbuk National University Hospital between 1981 and 1988. The age group of fifty and sixty decades occupied 64.8%. Bacteriologic cultures of the pus were postive in 56.8%. The most common organism of the culture was staphylococci(42.9%). And the others were Pseudomonas(19%). Klebsiella(14.3%), and E. doli. No growth of pathologic organism was reported 43.2%. 24 patients of empyema with bronchopleural fistula were nonoperative causes : There were 10 pulmonary tuberculosis, 3 abscess, 9 ascending infection, one bronchiectasis and one tumor, respectively. The remaining 13 were occurred as postoperative complications ; pneumonectomy in 6, lobectomy in 4, decortication in 2, and lobectomy with segmentectomy in 1. When used as the initial mode of drainage, closed thoracostomy was performed to almost all of the patients, but 4 patients were died during this treatment. Main operations were performed except 4 died patients ; open thoracostomy in 21, open thoracostomy with myoplasty in 3, decortication in 5, decortication with resection in 3, and completion pneumonectomy in 1. Open thoracostomy was performed in 21 patients which results were favorable except one death. Permanent open thoracostomy is an old but still useful minor operation in patients with empyema with bronchopleural fistula. The overall mortality rate was 15% (6 patients) and the causes of the death were respiratory insufficiency or sepsis, or both.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2020

The prevalence of pulmonary pargonimiasis in Korea has been steadily decreasing due to develop of the public health, and there have been few clinical cases of paragonimiasis infections, especially in pneumothorax. A 22-year-old man referred to emergency department for dyspnea and chest pain. The right lung was totally collapsed on a chest X-ray. We emergently performed a closed thoracostomy with a 28-Fr chest tube. However, the air leak from the chest tube persisted for three days after the closed thoracostomy. A chest computed tomography showed multiple subpleural consolidative nodular lesions and mixed ground-glass attenuation nodules. We potentially suspected a secondary pneumothorax resulting from pulmonary paragonimiasis infection because the patient was a Chinese man who was working at a Korean restaurant. We decided to perform a medical treatment instead of pulmonary wedge resections. The air leak was discontinued three days after the prescription of praziquantel. The patient was discharged nine days after the admission. We suggest that anti-parasitic drugs are very effective in the secondary pneumothorax resulting from paragonimiasis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.511-515
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• 1984

In this study, 213 cases of the spontaneous pneumothorax experienced at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital during from April, 1977, till Dec, 1983 were reviewed. 1.Sex ratio of the studied patients was 7.19;1 showing high incidence male patients. The incidence according to the age group showed that 20.2%, 18.3% of the patients belong to the age group 6th, 5th decade respectively. 2.The etiologic factors were as follows, tuberculous origin in 50.2%, unknown origin in 28.2%, COPD in 3.3%, bullae in 8.5%. The site was right in 47.9% and left in 44.1%, bilateral in 8%. 3.The clinical symptoms were frequently dyspnea in 35%, chest pain in 27.5%. 4.The employed method of treatment were as follow, bed rest with oxygen inhalation in 1.9%, closed thoracostomy in 95.8%, open thoracotomy in 7.98%, which bullectomy was performed in 12 cases and pneumonectomy in 3 cases and lobectomy in 1 case and decortication with simple closure of bleb was performed in remaining 1 case. 5.The duration of closed thoracostomy was longer in tuberculosis, which average duration was 11.28 days. 6.The overall recurrent rate was 12.3%.