• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.133-138
• /
• 1976

The author reviewed 263 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis operated on at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital during the 19 year period, from January, 1957 to December 1975. Following observations were made: 1) The sex ratio was 2.8: 1 in male's favor, and 83.6% of the patients were between 20 and 49 years of age. 2) The trends in operative procedures revealed that surgical collapse as a definitive therapy of pulmonary tuberculosis has virtually disappeared and operations required for residuals of pleural diseases have increased. 3) The overall hospital mortality rate was 3-8%. The highest mortality rate was encountered in the cases of resection and decortication with 28.6%, 4) The rate of overall postoperative complications was 24.7%, the highest being encountered in decortication with 56.4%. 5) The most frequent cause of death was bleeding, while the dead space was the most frequent complication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.271-275
• /
• 1992

One hundred forty patients with empyema thoracis were managed under the general anesthesia at the Seoul National University Hospital between 1980 and 1990. The patients, who were managed by thoracentesis or intercostal tube drainage alone, were excluded in this study. There were 92 males and 48 females, ranging from 8 to 80 years of age. Underlying pathologic lesions of empyema thoracis were primary bronchopulmonary infection [84%], postoperative empyema[11%], malignancy, paragonimiasis, spontaneous pneumothorax and so on. A single causal organism was isolated only in 17 patients[the most common being staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas, & streptacoccus pneumoniae], multiple organism in 31, and no growth in 32. Surgical treatment modalities were decortication[75], pleuropneumonectomy[30], decortication with lobectomy[10], empyemectomy[9], open drainage[13], Clagett procedure [6], thoracoplasty with or without muscle transposition[9]. Hospital mortality were in 2 cases[1.4%], one empyema related and the other nonrelated. In this study, bacteriologic findings were nonspecific and often polymicrobial. We conclude that early thoracotomy can be lifesaving in the presence of a benign clinical course.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.274-277
• /
• 1982

A Clinical analysis of 59 patients of thoracic empyema was done who were received surgical intervention at dept. of thoracic surgery of the C.A.F.G.H. in the period of 2.5 years from January 1979 to June 1982. Occurrence ratio of Left and Right side pleural cavity of empyema was 1: 1.4. The predisposing factors of empyema were pulmonary Tbc. [49%], Chest pain [25%], Cough [8%], in order. B.P.F. was associated with empyema in 5 cases. The pleural cavity empyema was treated with several surgical procedures and conservative measures. Among of the 59 cases, the 30 cases [50%] were treated with decortication, 12 cases [20%] with closed thoractomy drainage, 9 cases with frequent thoracenteses, 5 cases with partial decortication and thoracoplasty and 3 cases with open thoracostomy tube drainage. Among of the 59 cases thoracic empyema, the full recovery were in 32 cases [54%], partial recovery in 20 cases [34%], not improved in 3 cases [5%] and 3 cases were died. The mortality rate was 5% and the recovery rate was 89%.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.786-791
• /
• 1984

Mesothelioma is relatively uncommon tumor compared to other thoracic tumors. It is interesting that there is a strong relationship between occurrence of malignant mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos, which was established during the last two decades. Malignant mesothelioma is discouraging in viewing its treatments and survival rates. Surgery with ancillary treatment, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, were still palliative, although encouraging results were reported. Between 1958 to 1983 at NMC, we have been experienced 6 cases of mesothelioma, confirmed by pathohistologic findings. The patients were distributed between 19 to 52 y-o age & were 5 males and 1 female. There was evidence of exposure to asbestos in 1 case. The method of operation were decortication [1], decortication with removal of tumor [1], pleuropneumonectomy with chemotherapy [1], chemotherapy [1], exploratory thoracotomy [1], and no treatment in 1 case due to private affairs. Histologic findings were 2 cases of benign mesothelioma type.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.535-540
• /
• 1988

Many mediastinal masses seen radiologically are clinically asymptomatic. Only 55 to 65 percent of such lesions are asymptomatic, and of these many have only nonspecific symptoms by rupture, infection and pressure of surrounding organs. This report presents one case of a mediastinal teratoma which complicated an empyema. The patient was 7-year-old female and chief complaints were fever, left chest pain and general ache. In her past history, lung decortication and drainage procedure under the diagnosis of an empyema were carried out, 5 years ago, but she had not been improved, And so, explothoracotomy was done. At the time of operation, a mass of adult fist size was placed in the left anterior mediastinum and covered with the mediastinal pleura. Extirpation of the tumor and decortication were carried out and the left lung was remained.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.1213-1220
• /
• 1990

During the period of January 1979 to December 1988, 220 patients with empyema thoracis were treated in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School Hospital. There were 167 males[75.9%] and 53 females[24.1%] ranging from 18 days to 76 years of age. Occurrence ratio of left and right empyema was 1 : 1.9. The underlying pathologic lesions of empyema were pneumonia[30.9%], pulmonary tuberculosis[22.7%], chest trauma[8.6%] and postoperative complications. In bacteriologic study, staphylococcus, pseudomonas and streptococcus accounted for 26.4%, 11.8% and 9% respectively, and 25% were not identified. Surgical treatment modalities were thoracentesis[10 patients, 4.5%], closed thoracostomy[132, 60%], closed rib resection drainage[4.2, 6%], modified Eloesser’s operation[37, 16.8%], decortication[27, 12.3%], decortication with pulmonary resection[6, 2.7%], thoracoplasty[2, 0.9%], muscle flap closure [1, 0.5%], and staged pneumonectomy[1, 0.5%], The mortality rate was 2.3% and the complications were sepsis[9 patients]. acute renal failure[4], and paralytic ileus[3].

• Proceedings of the KTCVS Conference
• /
• 1995.10a
• /
• pp.93-93
• /
• 1995

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.312-317
• /
• 1979

1] During the period of Jan. 1959, to Aug. 1979, 47 patients of paragonimiasis have been treated in the department of Chest Surgery. 2] The total number of patients who has been admitted and treated in the department of Chest Medicine are 262 and annual distribution of number of patients has been decreased. However, since 1964, the number of patients has been stationary. On the other hand, the total number of patients who has been admitted and treated surgically in the department of Chest Surgery are 47 and the annual distribution of number of patients has not been decreased. 3] The peak age incidence lies in fourth decade [34%], and over halves of patients is in third to fifth decade. Male to female is 8.4 to 1. 4] The symptoms, which are mainly cough, chest pain, dyspnea and blood tinged sputum, developed mostly in two to five years after infestation by Paragonmius westermani. 5] Sputum tests for eggs of Paragonimus westermani were positive in 16 out of 43 patients [37%]. The 93% of patients were positive in skin test for Paragonimus westermani. The patients with negative skin test were 7%, but sputum or stool examination for Paragonimus westermani`s eggs were positive in these negative group of skin test. 6] Chest roentgenogram revealed pleural effusion [41 cases], hydropneumothorax [1 case], atelectasis [1 case] and mediastinal mass [1 case]. 7] All patients were preoperatively treated with Bithionol. The mode of surgery were decortication only [31 cases], pleuropneumonectomy [3 cases], decortication & lobectomy [2 cases], decortication & closure of bronchial fistula [1 case], thoracentesis [1 case] and postural drainage [1 case]. 8] Paragonimiasis is primarily medical disease and well treated by the administration of Bithionol. But the delayed diagnosis and missed diagnosis, especially as pulmonary tuberculosis, make the disease aggravated and chronic. Subsequently, surgical treatment is infrequently required. Chronic empyema due to Paragonimus westermani is much benign than tuberculous empyema thoracis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.516-522
• /
• 1978

In spite of recent improvement of the medical and surgical treatments, there are many significant problems in the management of thoracic empyema. This is a clinical analysis of 49 cases of thoracic empyema who underwent lung decortication for a period of 6 years and 5 months extending from May, 1972 to Aug. 1975. The following results were obtained: Male to female ratio was 2. S to 1. The age ranged between Sand 69, bnt was mostly 2r.d and 5th decade. The underlying diseases were pulmonary tuberculosis (30 cases, 61. 1 SO, , ), posttraumatic hemothorax (7 cases, 14.396). pneumonia (6 cases, 12.2%), lung abscess (2 cases, 4.2%), paragonimiasis (2 cases, 4.2%). spontaneous pneumothorax (1 case, 2.1%), and unknown origin (1 case, 2.1%). In 13 cases (26.5%), positive bacterial growth on culture was reported. There were single infection in 11 cases and mixed infection in 2 cases. The organisms grown were Staphylococcus, alpha-hemolytIc Streptococcus, Alkaligenes fecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, SerratIa, Enterobacter agglomerans, and Enterococcus in order of frequency. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Serratia were sensitive to several different kinds of antibiotics. But Pseudomonas, Escherichia co:i, and Enterococcus were sensitive to only one or two antibiotics. Leukocytosis was observed In acute empyema, but not in chronic empyema. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were all within normal limits. Preoperative liver function tests were within normal limits in most of the cases. In 49 cases, lung decortication alone was performed in 40 cases (S1. 696), and for the remaining 9 cases (1S. 4%), additional surgical procedures were necessary, i. e., lobectomy (6cases). partial thoracoplasty (2 cases), and lobectomy & partial thoracoplasty (1 cases). The results of lung decortication in thoracic empyema were goed. 38 cases (77.5%) healed with no complication, and 10 cases (20.4%) were complicated by bleeding, wownd infection, pleural infection, chondritis, and psychosis. These complications resolved ultimately leaving no sequelae. One death was recorded (2.1%), and the causes of death were postoperative pleural infection, sepsis and hepatic insufficiency.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.1101-1105
• /
• 1989

Fifty one patients with empyema thoracic were managed at the Kyung Hee University Medical Center during 5 years between December, 1982, and December, 1987. The patients were classified into two groups; group A [early minithoracotomy-9 patients] and group B[conventional chest tube insertion-42 patients]. Each group was retrospectively analyzed to compare the results in terms of leukocyte count change, body temperature change, duration of hospitalization, elapsed time to chest tube removal and the need for subsequent decortication and tube change. There was no statistical difference between two groups in terms of etiology, age and sex. l. In the group A, mean preoperative leukocyte count [19,300/mme] decreased to 8,688/mme postoperatively. In the group B, leukocyte count changed from 16,985/mme to 14,433/mme. Their differences were significant [P< 0.05]. 2. In the group A, mean preoperative body temperature [38.5] decreased to 36.7. In the group B, body temperature changed from 38.1oC to 37.5 oC. Their differences were significant [P < 0.05]. 3. Mean duration of Hospitalization; 18.2 days [group A], 30.2 days [group B]. Their differences were significant [P < 0.01]. 4. Mean elapsing time for chest tube removal; 15.2 days [group A], 28.5 days [group B]. Their differences were significant [P < 0.01]. 5. There was no need for subsequent decortication and chest tube change in the group A. There were 22 cases [52.3 %] for subsequent decortication and 12 cases [28.6 %] for chest tube change in the group B. Early minithoracotomy in treating empyema thoracis resulted in a shorter hospital stay and a shorter period of tube drainage than conventional method.