• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.488-491
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• 1993

Over the past 8 years, from 1985 to 1992, 6 patients with ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva underwent open heart surgery in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital. Five aneurysms originated from the right coronary sinus and ruptured into right ventricle and one from noncoronary sinus into RA. Ventricular septal defects were associated with 5 cases and one had no associated cardiac anomalies. The ruptured aneurysms were repaired through double incisions in 3 cases, through aortotomy in 2 cases and through right atriotomy in 1 case. There were no early and late complications and follow up results are excellent in all patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.339-345
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• 2020

Background: Iliac artery aneurysm is frequently found in patients undergoing surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The use of commercial bifurcated grafts is insufficient for aorto-biiliac replacement with complete iliac artery aneurysm resection. We evaluated the effectiveness of handmade composite grafts for this purpose. Methods: A total of 233 patients underwent open surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm between 2003 and 2019, including 155 patients (67%) treated with commercial grafts and 78 patients (33%) treated with handmade composite grafts. Their operative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and late outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The early mortality rate did not differ significantly between the groups. On average, the handmade composite graft technique took approximately 15 minutes longer than the commercial graft technique (p=0.037). Among patients who underwent elective surgery, no significant differences between the conventional and composite groups were observed in the major outcomes, including red blood cell transfusion volume (2.8±4.7 units vs. 3.1±4.7 units, respectively; p=0.680), reoperation for bleeding (2.7% vs. 3.1%, respectively; p>0.999), bowel ischemia (0% vs. 1.6%, respectively; p=0.364), and intensive care unit stay duration (1.9±6.6 days vs. 1.6±2.4 days, respectively; p=0.680). The incidence of target vessel occlusion also did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: The increased technical demand involved with handmade composite grafting did not negatively impact the outcomes. This technique may be a viable option because it overcomes problems associated with commercial grafts.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.425-429
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• 2001

Objective : Patients with poor grade aneurysm usually present with increased intracranial pressure(ICP), even those without an intracranial clot. Based on this fact, the present study investigated a significance of intracranial pressure monitoring in those patients. Patients and Methods : A total of 60 patients with Hunt and Hess Grade IV(50 patients) or V(10 patients) were treated for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) during a 3-year-period, and intraparenchymal ICP was measured in the majority, immediately after arrival to the emergency room. Early surgery including intraoperative ventriculostomy was undertaken within 3 days after SAH. An ultraearly surgery was performed without preceding angiogram or ICP monitoring in patients with large sylvian hematomas, highly suggestive of middle cerebral artery aneurysm. Outcomes were assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) at 6 months. Results : In overall, favorable outcome(GOS scores 1-2) was seen in 27(54.0%) of admission Grade IV and 1(10.0%) of admission Grade V patients. Of the 38 surgical patients with preoperative ICP monitorings, 25 patients (80.6%) exhibiting ICP values of less than 40mmHg showed favorable outcome, however, no patients with ICP values above 40mmHg recovered(Fisher's exact test, p=0.0001). Conclusion : It is concluded that a preoperative ICP above 40mmHg before ventriculostomy indicate significant vital brain destruction as intractable intracranial hypertension, and Grade IV patients at admission with an ICP below 40mmHg can be of benefit from early surgical intervention while Grade V patients still remains unfavorable.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this study was to report our early experiences with the endovascular repair of ruptured descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (rDTAAs), which are a rare and life-threatening condition. Methods: Among 42 patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) between October 2010 and September 2015, five patients (11.9%) suffered an rDTAA. Results: The mean age was $72.4{\pm}5.1years$, and all patients were male. Hemoptysis and hemothorax were present in three (60%) and two (40%) patients, respectively. Hypovolemic shock was noted in three patients who underwent emergency operations. A hybrid operation was performed in three patients. The mean operative time was $269.8{\pm}72.3minutes$. The mean total length of aortic coverage was $186.0{\pm}49.2mm$. No 30-day mortality occurred. Stroke, delirium, and atrial fibrillation were observed in one patient each. Paraplegia did not occur. Endoleak was found in two patients (40%), one of whom underwent an early and successful reintervention. During the mean follow-up period of $16.8{\pm}14.8months$, two patients died; one cause of death was a persistent type 1 endoleak and the other cause was unknown. Conclusion: TEVAR for rDTAA was associated with favorable early mortality and morbidity outcomes. However, early reintervention should be considered if persistent endoleak occurs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.635-638
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• 2009

A 72-year-old man with progressive, unexplained lower gastrointestinal bleeding presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and shock. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a fistula between a right common iliac artery aneurysm and the small intestine. Laparotomy demonstrated a saccular aneurysm of the common iliac artery with a fistulous communication to the terminal ileum. Aneurysmectomy, aortoiliac graft replacement and segmental ileocecal resection with end-to-side anastomosis were all successfully performed. For a patient having an arterioenteric fistula along with lower gastrointestinal bleeding, making an early diagnosis using computed tomography and then performing immediate surgery can be expected to save the patient's life.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.315-318
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• 2011

Purpose: An aneurysm is defined as a permanent, localized dilation of an artery with a 50% increase in diameter over its expected normal diameter. Aneurysms can be classified by cause as traumatic and nontraumatic. Traumatic aneurysms can be divided into true and false aneurysms. Nontraumatic causes of peripheral artery aneurysms include mycotic, atherosclerotic, inflammatory, and idiopathic. In the hand, true aneurysms occurring at the common digital artery have been rarely reported. We present a rare case of a true aneurysm of the common digital artery that was resected and reconstructed using a reversed vein graft. Methods: A 49-year-old male patient was refered to our institution with a $0.73{\times}0.44{\times}1.37cm$ sized pulsating mass between 2nd and 3rd flexor digitorum tendons on Lt. palm area. The mass had been present for 5 years and had increased in size over the previous year. No history of trauma was reported. After a physical examination and ultrasound sonography review, a diagnosis of aneurismal dilatation of common digital artery was made. Surgical treatment by excision of the aneurysm, and a reversed vein graft was performed. Results: Histologic examination of the specimen ($3.4{\times}0.7cm$) showed aneurismal dilatation, with elastin fibers present in the arterial wall. The lesions were healed without any complications and there were no evidence of recurrence. Doppler examination of the reconstruction showed good perfusion. Conclusion: Early excision is recommended to relieve symptoms and avoid neurologic damage. Also, artery reconstruction can be performed by primary end-to-end anastomosis or the placement of a reversed interposition vein graft. Micro surgical repair was the only possible treatment in this case. The authors believe that the vascular anatomy should always be restored as natural as possible.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.123-126
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• 2007

A 58-year-old woman was admitted to our department due to headache. Brain computed tomography [CT] indicated subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH], and emergency angiography showed dissecting aneurysm involving the left A1 segment We performed trapping of dissecting A1 aneurysm and the postoperative course was uneventful. We present a case of dissecting aneurysm in the anterior cerebral artery with spontaneous SAH which was treated by early surgery and resulted in clinically good prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.786-793
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• 2000

Objectives : A clinical analysis was performed to provide management strategy and to improve management outcome of elderly patients with intracranial aneurysm. Patients and Methods : We reviewed medical records of 746 consecutive patients with intracranial aneurysm who were admitted from July 1991 to December 1996. They were divided into two age groups : elderly(120 patients aged 65 years or older) and non-elderly(626 patients aged 64 years or younger). We investigated the differences between the two groups in clinical characteristics, management outcome and surgical results. Results : Female(80.0%), internal carotid artery aneurysm(48.9%), poor clinical grade(Hunt and Hess Grade IV, V : 39.8%), postoperative subdural fluid collection(38.2%), and postoperative hydrocephalus(39.7%) were more frequent in the elderly patients. There were no significant differences in the incidence of hypertension, multiple aneurysm, unruptured aneurysm, rebleeding, delayed ischemic neurological deficits, postoperative hemorrhage, and low density on the postoperative brain CT scan. In some cases, surgical clipping of ruptured aneurysm could not be performed due to moribund state or refusal of surgery by the elderly patient's family. Both management outcome and surgical results in elderly aneurysm patients at 3 months after rupture were worse than those of the non-elderly group. The most common reason of unfavorable outcome was poor clinical grade in both groups, while serious medical illness causing unfavorable outcome was more common in the elderly group. Conclusion : Surgical treatment of a ruptured aneurysm should not be avoided in elderly patient solely on the basis of advanced age. If the patients are in good clinical grade, early aneurysm surgery followed by early ambulation should be recommended. Further improvements in outcome may be achieved by thorough knowledge of poor resilience of brain, CSF flow dynamics, and diminished cardiopulmonary reserve in elderly patients with intracranial aneurysm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.159-162
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• 2015

Neurological deficits after brain surgery are not uncommon, and correct and prompt differential diagnosis is essential to initiate appropriate treatment. We describe a patient suffering from loss of consciousness due to hyperammonemia, following valproic acid treatment after surgery for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. A 57-year-old female patient underwent successful aneurysmal neck clipping to correct an unruptured aneurysm. Her postoperative course was good, and she received anti-epileptic therapy (valproic acid) and a soft diet. Within a few days the patient experienced mental deterioration. Her serum valproic acid reached toxic levels (149.40 mg/L), and serum ammonia was fifteen times the upper normal limit (553 mmol/L; normal range, 9-33 mmol/L). After discontinuation of valproic acid and with conservative treatment, the patient recovered without any complications. Valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy is an unusual but serious neurosurgical complication, and should not be disregarded as a possible cause of neurological deficits after neurovascular surgery. Early diagnosis is crucial, as discontinuation of valproic acid therapy can prevent serious complications, including death.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1113-1120
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• 2000

Objectives : Despite advance in the surgical treatment of the intracranial aneurysm, we have to be surgical complication. The aim of this report is to evaluate the complication and its management in intracranial aneurysm operation. Methods : We reviewed our exprience with interesting cases of surgical complication of intracranial aneurysm : 1) rebleeding, 2) intra-operative premature rupture, 3) missed aneurysm in angiography, 4) vasospasm. Results : The risk of rebleeding was not related to the patients' initial comdition, but all other intracranial complications occurred significantly more often in patients graded poor compared with patients in good clinical condition. Rebleeding before early surgery remains as major cause of unfavorable outcome. The causes of intraoperative premature ruptures were as follows : 1) dural opening and arachnoid opening(8.3%), 2) hematoma removal(12.5%), 3) brain retraction(16.7%) 4) aneurysm dissection(62.5%). The double suction technique and primary hemostasis using a small piece of cotton or temporary clip resulted in good outcome even in cases with premature rupture. The incidence of missed aneurysm in angiography occurred in 10%. The causes were as thrombosed aneurysm, vasospasm on feeder artery. The most common missed aneurysm is also the most common aneurysm(anterior communicating artery aneurysm). The repeated angiography were documented in missed aneurysm. Balloon angioplasty is superior topapaverine for treatment of proximal vessel vasospasm by viture of a more sustained effect on the vessel. Papaverine can be useful as an adjunct to ballon angioplasty and also for the treatment of distal vessels that are not accessible for ballon angioplasty. Conclusion : The minimization of the complications and active treatment can reduced the mortality and morbidity of ruptured aneurysm patients.