• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 1998

With the advent of microvascular free-tissue transfer, this single stage resurfacing method for large scar and soft tissue defects around the wrist in the patients of electrical burn has distinctive advantage over the conventional multistage pedicle-flap transfer. Between 1992 and 1996, we treated 9 cases of 8 patients who had large scar around the wrist due to old electrical burn with free flaps as a preparation of staged tendon graft. Mean age was 30.3 years and average scar area was $6{\times}11cm$. The length of time the injury and free flaps was 9 months on an average. Prior to the free flap, we performed the angiography to all patients in order to evaluate the circulation of the forearm and hand and to choose the recipient vessel. In all cases, proximal ulnar arteries in the forearm remained intact and all radial arteries remained intact in 8 of 9 cases on angiogram. The interosseous arteries were well visualized in all cases. We used the ulnar arteries as a recipient artery. The types of flaps used were f scapular cutaneous flaps, 2 dorsalis pedis flaps and a radial forearm flap. Flap survial was 100 percents with satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. Free flaps using ulnar artery as a recipient artery is one of the useful reconstruction methods for the resurfacing of large scar around the wrist in the patients of old electrical burn.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.520-535
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• 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is not a single disease but a symptom and clinical manifestation of a broad spectrum of conditions in the GI tract. According to its clinical presentation, GI bleeding can be classified into overt, occult, and obscure types. Additionally, it can be divided into upper and lower GI bleeding based on the Treitz ligament. Variable disease entities, including vascular lesions, polyps, neoplasms, inflammation such as Crohn's disease, and heterotopic pancreatic or gastric tissue, can cause GI bleeding. CT and conventional angiographies and nuclear scintigraphy are all radiologic imaging modalities that can be used to evaluate overt bleeding. For the work-up of occult GI bleeding, CT enterography (CTE) can be the first imaging modality. For CTE, an adequate bowel distention is critical for obtaining acceptable diagnostic performance as well as minimizing false positives and negatives. Meckel's scintigraphy can be complementarily useful in cases where the diagnosis of CTE is suboptimal. For the evaluation of obscured GI bleeding, various imaging modalities can be used based on clinical status and providers' preferences.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

The Fourier transform arteriography (FTA) exploits the periodic variation of arterial flow velociety of arterial flow velocity in stnchronized with cardiac cycles. This technique is intrinsically unique compared to other modern techniques. This technique separates the arteries from the veins using the pulsatile arterial flow without using the presaturation RF pulses. Therefore, it has less RF deposition and is free from the dark band artifacts that can arise from retrograde flow and curved arteries. Furthermore, it is free from the artifacts induced by eddy currents. However, there are some drawbacks such as a single projection view and the saturation of arteries at the end of an imaging slab. These drawbacks are circumvented by applying recently developed techniques. The fast gradient switching capability of modern MRI systems enabled us to incorporate dual projection views into the conventional FTA sequence without increasing the repetition time. In addition, signals from the distal arteries were enhanced by use of a ramped RF pulse and therefore the distal arteries were less saturated. By use of the FTA sequence with dual projection views and the ramped RF pulse, we acquired the sagittal and coronal projection views of femoral arteriograms simultaneously with more enhanced signals of distal arteries than the conventional FTA.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.428-434
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• 2020

Background Three-dimensional (3D) model printing improves visualization of anatomical structures in space compared to two-dimensional (2D) data and creates an exact model of the surgical site that can be used for reference during surgery. There is limited evidence on the effects of using 3D models in microsurgical reconstruction on improving clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing reconstructive breast microsurgery procedures from 2017 to 2019 who received computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans only or with 3D models for preoperative surgical planning were performed. Preoperative decision-making to undergo a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) versus muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flap, as well as whether the decision changed during flap harvest and postoperative complications were tracked based on the preoperative imaging used. In addition, we describe three example cases showing direct application of 3D mold as an accurate model to guide intraoperative dissection in complex microsurgical reconstruction. Results Fifty-eight abdominal-based breast free-flaps performed using conventional CTA were compared with a matched cohort of 58 breast free-flaps performed with 3D model print. There was no flap loss in either group. There was a significant reduction in flap harvest time with use of 3D model (CTA vs. 3D, 117.7±14.2 minutes vs. 109.8±11.6 minutes; P=0.001). In addition, there was no change in preoperative decision on type of flap harvested in all cases in 3D print group (0%), compared with 24.1% change in conventional CTA group. Conclusions Use of 3D print model improves accuracy of preoperative planning and reduces flap harvest time with similar postoperative complications in complex microsurgical reconstruction.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2003

Purpose : The efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating coronary artery disease has been reported. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of breath-hold segmented K-space cine MR imaging for evaluating the patency of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). Materials and Method s : Thirty eight patients with a total of 92 CABGs (36 internal thoracic arteries and 56 saphenous vein grafts) were evaluated using segmented K-space cardiac-gated fast gradient echo sequence (2D-FASTCARD) MR imaging. MR magnitude images were evaluated from the hard copies by two independent observers. A graft was defined as patent if it was seen as a bright small round area on at least two consecutive images throughout the cardiac cycle at a position consistent with the expected location for that graft. Results : MR images were obtained successfully for 23 patients (61%). The sagittal planes were most helpful in visualizing the cross-section of sapheneous vein bypass graft to left circumflex artery branch, whereas the transverse planes were used for identification of internal mammary artery grafts to left anterior descending coronary artery or its branch and identification of saphenous vein grafts to right coronary artery. Forty five grafts were visible using this MR technique, while the grafts were not visible on seven saphenous vein grafts and two internal mammary artery grafts. In two patients showing symptoms of myocardial ischemia, one or two bypass grafts were not visible. Imaging, perpendicular plane to a CABG was important to visualize the flow inside the CABG with maximum sensitivity. Conclusion : Evaluation of patency of the bypass graft was clinically feasible by 2D-FASTCARD MR imaging, whereas any invisible bypass grafts should be further studied by contrast-enhanced MR angiography or by conventional angiography for confirmation of abnormalities.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.433-437
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• 1999

Background: Left main coronary artery (LMCA) angioplasty is another option in the surgical treatment for LMCA disease because of its advantages over the conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Material and Method: Between July 1994 and December 1997, 15 patients underwent left main coronary angioplasty for the stenoses of LMCA. There were 8 males and 7 females with the mean age of 53.3${\pm}$8.8 years. The locations of the LMCA stenoses were proximal one-third of the LMCA in 9, middle one-third in 1, distal one-third in 3, and the whole length of the LMCA in 2 cases. Nine patients had peripheral coronary lesions in addition to the LMCA stenosis. The LMCA was approached anteriorly with or without transsection of the main pulmonary artery. The angioplasty was performed with onlay patch widening using an autologous pericardium (14 cases) or saphenous vein (1 case). Additional graftings were required in 9 cases, and both LMCA angioplasty and right coronary ostial angioplasty were done in 1 case. Result: There was no operative mortality. One case needed redo CABG due to the stenosis of the angioplasty site which developed 4 months postoperatively. Coronary angiography was performed in 8 cases one year postoperatively, and revealed good patency of the angioplasty site except for one who showed 50% stenosis at the angioplasty site. No patient complained of angina with a mean follow up of 23${\pm}$11 months. Conclusion: Surgical angioplasty of the LMCA stenosis can be performed in selected cases with safety and good mid-term results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2009

Objective : We aimed to analyze clinical and radiological outcomes retrospectively in patients with basilar apex aneurysms treated by coiling or clipping. Methods : Outcomes of basilar bifurcation aneurysms were assessed retrospectively in 77 consecutive patients (61 women, 16 men), ranging in age from 25 to 79 years (mean, 53.7 years) from 1999 to 2007. Results : Forty-nine patients out of 77 patients (63.6%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhages of the 49 patients treated with coiling, 27 (55.1 %) showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm sac. Of these, 13 patients (26.5%) developed coil compaction on angiographic or MRI follow-up, with recoiling required in 9 patients (18.4%). Procedural complications of coiling were acute infarction in nine patients and the bleeding of the aneurysms in six patients. The remaining 28 patients underwent microsurgery : twenty-six of these (92.9%) with microsurgery followed up with conventional angiography. Complete occlusion of the aneurysm sac was achieved in 19 patients (73.1%). Operation-related complications of microsurgery were thalamoperforating artery injuries in three patients, retraction venous injury in two, postoperative epidural hemorrhage (EDH) in one, and transient partial or complete occulomotor palsy in 14 patients. Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS) were 4 or 5 in 21 of 28 (75%) patients treated with microsurgery at discharge, and at 6 month follow-up, 20 of 28 (70.9%) maintained the same GOS. In comparison, GOS of four or 5 was observed in 36 of 49 (73.5%) patients treated with coiling at discharge and at 6 month follow-up, 33 of 49 patients (67.3%) maintained the GOS from discharge. Conclusion : Basilar top aneurysms were still challenging lesions based on our series. Endovascular or microsurgery endowed with its inborn risks and procedural complications for the treatment of basilar apex aneurysms individually. Microsurgery provided better outcome in some specific basilar apex aneurysms. For reaching the most favorable outcome, endovascular modality as well as microsurgery was inevitably considered for each specific basilar apex aneurysm.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.64-72
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• 2020

Background: It is generally agreed that using a bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) composite graft improves long-term survival after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Although the left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-based Y-composite graft is widely adopted, technical or anatomical difficulties necessitate complex configurations. We aimed to investigate whether BITA configuration impacts survival or patency in patients undergoing coronary revascularization. Methods: Between January 2006 and June 2017, 1,161 patients underwent CABG at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, where the standard technique is a LITA-based Y-composite graft with the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) sequentially anastomosed to non-left anterior descending (LAD) targets. Total of 160 patients underwent CABG using BITA with modifications. Their medical records and imaging data were reviewed retrospectively to investigate technical details, clinical outcomes, and graft patency. Results: Modifications of the typical Y-graft (group 1, n=90), LITA-based I-graft (group 2, n=39), and RITA-based composite graft (group 3, n=31) were used due to insufficient RITA length (47%), problems using LITA (28%), and target vessel anatomy (25%). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 1.9%. Among 116 patients who underwent computed tomography or conventional angiography at a mean interval of 29.9±33.1 months postoperatively, the graft patency rates were 98.7%, 95.3%, and 83.6% for the LAD, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery territories, respectively. Patency rates for the inflow, secondary, and tertiary grafts were 98.2%, 90.5%, and 80.4%, respectively. The RITA-based graft (group 3) had the lowest patency rate of the various configurations (p<0.011). Conclusion: LITA-based Y composite graft, showed satisfactory clinical outcomes and patency whereas modifications of RITA- based composite graft had the lowest patency and 5-year survival rates. Therefore, when using RITA-based composite graft, other options should be considered before proceeding atypical configurations.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.502-518
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• 2019

Objective : Since less invasive endovascular treatment was introduced to South Korea in 1994, a considerable proportion of endovascular treatments have been performed by neuroradiology doctors, and endovascular treatments by vascular neurosurgeons have recently increased. However, few specific statistics are known regarding how many endovascular treatments are performed by neurosurgeons. Thus, authors compared endovascular treatments collaboratively performed by vascular neurosurgeons with all cases throughout South Korea from 2013 to 2017 to elucidate the role of neurosurgeons in the field of endovascular treatment in South Korea. Methods : The Society of Korean Endovascular Neurosurgeons (SKEN) has issued annual reports every year since 2014. These reports cover statistics on endovascular treatments collaboratively or individually performed by SKEN members from 2013 to 2017. The data was requested and collected from vascular neurosurgeons in various hospitals. The study involved 77 hospitals in its first year, and 100 in its last. National statistics on endovascular treatment from all over South Korea were obtained from the Healthcare Bigdata Hub website of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service based on the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) codes (in the case of intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis, however, statistics were based on a combination of the EDI and I63 codes, a cerebral infarction disease code) from 2013 to 2017. These two data sets were directly compared and the ratios were obtained. Results : Regionally, during the entire study period, endovascular treatments by SKEN members were most common in Gyeonggido, followed by Seoul and Busan. Among the endovascular treatments, conventional cerebral angiography was the most common, followed by cerebral aneurysmal coiling, endovascular treatments for ischemic stroke, and finally endovascular treatments for vascular malformation and tumor embolization. The number of endovascular treatments performed by SKEN members increased every year. Conclusion : The SKEN members have been responsible for the major role of endovascular treatments in South Korea for the recent 5 years. This was achieved through the perseverance of senior members who started out in the midst of hardship, the establishment of standards for the training/certification of endovascular neurosurgery, and the enthusiasm of current SKEN members who followed. To provide better treatment to patients, we will have to make further progress in SKEN.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2009

Background: Side clamping of ascending aorta during proximal graft anastomosis in coronary bypassing surgery in-creases the risk of direct aortic injury as well as embolization of intimal atheroma. Heartstring proximal sealing system (Guidant Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif), developed to avoid aortic side clamping, may minimize risks of such complications. The aim of the current study is to compare the surgical outcomes of the two proximal anastomosis techniquesi.e., Heartstring system versus aortic side clamping in off pump coronary bypassing' surgery (OPCAB). Material and Method: From January 2003 to August 2008, 499 patients underwent OPCAB. Of them, proximal graft anastomosis was performed using Heartstring system in 182 patients (Group I) and conventional manual anastomosis in 317 patients (Group II). The two groups were compared for postoperative major complications and mortality. Result: Two groups showed similar characteristics in terms of preoperative demographic data, left ventricular ejection fraction, renal function and history of diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Although there was no inter-group difference in the history of cerebral ischemia (p=0.48), preoperative brain magnetic resonance angiography revealed greater incidence of severe carotid artery stenosis (>75% of lumen) in the Group I than in the. Group II (44.5% in the Group I and 30.0% in the Group II, p=0.003). There were no inter-group differences in postoperative mortality (p=0.40) and complications (p=0.47) including neurologic events (3 in the Group land 2 in the Group II, p=0.258). Whereas neurologic events all comprised transient ischemic attacks in the Group I, they comprised multiple embolic strokes in the Group II. One patient in the Group II experienced aortic dissection during proximal anastomosis which resulted in ascending aortic replacement. Conclusion: Although proximal anastomosis using Heartstring system did not show statistically significant benefit over aortic side clamping, the. absence of embolic stroke maybe a definite benefit which may be better defined through further studies over a larger cohort.