• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.763-768
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• 2001

Background: The high pressure zone(HPZ) at the gastroesophageal junction is an important barrier for prevention of gastroesophageal reflux. Smooth muscle layers in the lower esophageal sphincter mainly contributes to HPZ at the throacoabdominal junction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the manometric characteristics of the thora-coabdominal junction in patients after surgical removal of the lower esophageal sphincter. Material and Method: Twenty two patients with prior esophagogastrectomy(10 Ivor-Lewis method and 12 left thoracotomy) and 30 normal adults(control group) were studied manometrically. Result: Esophageal manometry showed a HPZ and pressure inversion points distal to the anastomosis in 12 of 22 patients(2 of 10 patients with Ivor-Lewis method and 10 of 12 patients with left thoracotomy) and a HPZ in 30 of 30 normal adults. The location of HPZ front nostril was not significant different between the two groups(42.5$\pm$0.9cm in patients and 43.9$\pm$2.1cm in the control), while the length of HPZ was shorter in patients than in the control(2.13$\pm$0.6cm vs 2.83$\pm$0.59cm). By SPT and RPT, pressures of HPZ at rest were lower in patients(13.78$\pm$1.63mmHg, 28.58$\pm$6.06mmHg) than in control(20.3$\pm$4.95mmHg, 42.80$\pm$15.91mmHg). The HPZ relaxed partially in response to deglutition(84.4% in patient, 90.5% in control group) and contracted in response to increased intra- abdominal pressure induced by leg lifts(HPZ/ Intra-abdominal pressure= 1.81$\pm$0.23 in patient, 2.13$\pm$ 0.58 in control group).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.411-417
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• 2003

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Recently, neoadjuvant therapy been used in an attempt to increase the long term survival but has not been shown as a clear advantage. We reviewed the recurrence and survival after complete resection of esophageal cancer without neoadjuvant therapy. Material and Method: From December 1994 to December 2001, 182 consecutive patients who underwent intrathoracic esophagectomy, transthoracic esophagogastrostomy and two-field lymph node dissection for esophageal canter without neoadjuvant therapy were studied retrospectively. Result: There were 167 men and 15 women. The median age was 65 years (range, 40 to 90 years). The tumor was located in the upper third part of the esophagus in 7 patients (3.8%), middle third in 86 (47.3%), and lower third in 89 (48.9%). The postsurgical stage were as follows: stage 0 in 2 patients (1.1%), stage I in 32 (17.6%), stageIIA in 47 (25.8%), stage IIB in 25 (13.7%), stage III in 54 (29.7%), stage IVA in 10 (5.5%), and stage IVB in 12 (6.6%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.8% (7 patients) and complications occurred in 65 patients (35%), Follow-up was complete in 95.6%. The recurrence occurred in 56 patients (30.8%) and the overall 5-year disease free rate was 55%. The overall 5-year survival rate was 57%; it was 80% for patients in stage I, 65% in stage IIA, 58% in stage IIB, 48% in stage III, and 40% in stage IVB. The overall 5-year survival rate of patients with postoperative adjuvant therapy was 59% compared to 34% in patients without postoperative adjuvant therapy (p<0.05). Conclusion: The most effective therapy for esophageal cancer may be complete resection. More aggressive surgical therapy and adjuvant therapy may improve the long-term survival, even for advanced stage esophageal cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2001

배경: 본 연구는 1987년부터 1997년까지 원자력병원에서 수술을 시행한 500명의 식도암환자를 대상으로 하여 휴향적 방법을 통해 조기 및 장기성적, 재발양상, 예후인자 등을 보고하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 대상환자 중에서 발병암이 있는 경우, 인두식도 경계부위나 위식도 경계부위 암, 고식적 우회술 또는 인공식도 삽입예 그리고 시험적 개흉술이나 개복술 만을 시행한 경우는 제외 시켰다. 식도 절제는 대부분 우측 개흉술을 이용한 Ivor Lewis 술식을 사용하였고 대부분의 문합은 stapler를 사용하였다. Extended lymph node dissection은 1994년 8월부터 시행하였고 그 이전에는 standard lymph node dissection을 하였다. 96.8%에서 위를 식도 대체장기로 사용하였고 경부에서 절제 및 재건술을 시행한 경우를 제외한 모든 식도재건은 후종격동을 통해 시행하였다. 결과: 474예(94.8%)가 편평상피 세포암이었고 대부분(58.2%)은 중부식도에 위치하였다. 술후병기는 47.4%가 stage III이었고 25%가 stage IIA이었다. 392예에서 근치적 절제가 가능하였고 74예는 고식적 절제를 시행하였으며, 식도열공을 통한 식도절제술과 경부에서의 유리공장 이식술을 시행한 34예는 위분류에서 제외하였다. 술후 유병율은 38.4%이었고 수술 사망률은 5.8%로 호흡기 감염, 문합부 유출이 주요 원인이었다. 대상환자의 99.8%에서 추적은 가능하였고 수술사망 예를 포함한 전체환자의 1, 2, 5년 생존율은 각각 63.5%, 38.9%, 19.4% 이었다. Standard lymph node dissection 그룹에서의 1, 2, 5년 생존율이 60.7%, 35.9%, 16.9%이었으나 extended lymph node dissection그룹에서는 1, 2, 4년 생존율이 70.2%, 46.5%, 30.9%이었다. 근치적 절제의 경우는 1, 2, 5년 생존률이 69.4%, 43.9%, 21.9%이었고, 고식적 절제의 경우는 37.8%, 17.6%, 7.3%이었다. 수술사망을 제외한 근치적 절제술과 extended lymph node dissection을 함께 시행한 경우의 4년 생존율은 35.6%이었다. 수술후 재발은 226예에서 발견되었고 주로 국소임파절(69%; 경부, 종격동, 복부)이었으며, 전신재발은 간, 폐, 뼈, 뇌 등의 순이었다. 결론: 저자들은 적절한 술후 환자관리가 선행되어야 하지만 근치적 절제와 광범위한 임파절 절제가 장기성적의 향상에 필수적 요소이고, 진행된 식도암에 있어서는 보다 효과적인 보강적 복합치료가 연구되어야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1025-1031
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• 1995

Thirty patients who underwent esophageal resections due to esophageal carcinoma and benign strictures, and esophagovisceral anastomoses were performed by hand suture in 11 patients[Group I and by using the end to end anastomosis[EEA stapler in 19 patients[Group II . Anastomoses were performed in the thoracic cavity in 24 patients[Right 19, Left 5 and in the cervical area in 6 patients. There was one operative mortality[3.3% in a cancer patient who underwent Ivor-Lewis operation using EEA stapler. She expired on POD 38 days due to renal failure and sepsis. There were two anastomotic leakage in the sutured group and no anastomotic leakage in the stapled group. Late anastomotic strictures occurred in 10 patients[52.6% in the stapled group compared to 2 patients[18.1% in the sutured group. Most of the patients with late anastomotic strictures responded to one or two trials of TTS dilations. Using EEA stapler in performing esophagovisceral anastomosis is a safe method with acceptable range of complication rate, and total admission period after the operation for group I was 30.3 days compared to 25.4 days in group II although it had no clinical significance. The follow up was possible in 23 patients; 5 patients in group I died within mean 12.6 months and 9 patients in group II within mean 14.2 months.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.310-316
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• 2006

Background: We study the QOL (quality of life) & functional improvement in patients underwent esophageal surgery for cancer by the viewpoint of the patient and would like make the guideline of recovery course. Material and Method: Between Dec. 1996$\sim$Aug. 2002, 250 patients were operated and 57 patients was enable interview, didn't have evidence of recurrence & survived more than 1 year postoperatively at Asan Medical Center. Questionnaire made by direct or telephone interview & include diet habitus, change of body weight, G-E (gastroesophageal) reflux, dumping symptom, change of daily life. Result: There were 53 men (93%), 4 women (7%) with mean age of $62.05{\pm}8.7$ (range: $37{\sim}94$). Operation method was Ivor Lewis operation in 43 case (75.4%), Esophagocolojejunostomy 4 case (7.1%), Mckeown operation 10 case (17.5%). In Diet habitus, 55 patients (96.5%) ate more than three times in a day with mean diet frequency was 3.5 times/day, 51 patients (89.5%) have been ate solid, regular diet, 5 patients (8.8%) enable to eat liquid diet. To compare with preoperative state, 32 patients (56.9%) had a diet speed more than 80%, 28 patients (39.1%) had a diet amount more than 80%. 32 patients (56.9%) had a little change of body weight within a 10%, 25 patients (43%) had a improvement rather than preoperative state. In G-E reflux, 4 patients (7%) had a reflux after every diet, 27 patients (47.4%) had a little reflux after diet. In dumping symptom. 7 patients (12.3%) had a diarrhea after meal. 38 patients (66.6%) had a normal activity 19 patients (33.3%) had a decreased activity. At present state, majority (53 patient-93%) of patient were satisfactory to the operation result, in spite of discomfort from time to time. In the emotional status, 50 patients (88%) had a well sleeping without disturbance. 65% of patients were comfortable in the psychology state. 39% of patients had a libido. Compare with their median age (63 y), it's a normal varient. Conclusion: QOL in patients underwent esophageal surgery for esophageal cancer nearly recovery to preoperative state.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.843-847
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• 2001

Background: Replacement of the esophagus remains a challenge for surgeons involved in esophageal disease. From 1996 to 1999, a total of 27 patients with esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal transfer(12cases) or esophagogastrostomy(15cases). To determine the results such as leakage of anastomosis site, stenosis, reflux esophagitis and operation time, respiratory complications, etc. we reviewed the 4 years experiences. Material and method: Palliative bypass surgery or esophageal prosthesis and cancers of the pharyngoesophageal or esophagogastric junction were excluded in this study. Resection was usually peformed through right thoracotomy and anastomosis was made with EEA staplers in esophagogas-trstomy. In cases of jejunal free transfer, 6cases of proximal esophagojejunostomy were stapled anastomosed and remaining 6 cases and all distal site were hand-sewn anastomosed. All reconstruction was done through posteromediastinal route. Result: There were two mortalities from thoracic esophagogastrostomy and one from jeunal free transfer. Major and minor complications(anastomosis site leakage: 3 cases, graft failure: 2cases etc) occurred in 27 cases. In 15 thoracic esophagogastrostomy cases, 11 patients had mild to moderate reflux esophagitis and 5 patients incurred stricture of the anastomosis. Operation time was about 550$\pm$280 minutes in jejunal free transfer, and about 300$\pm$ 160 minutes in esophagogastromy patients. Conclusion: Post operative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia were more frequent in Ivor-Lewis operation group than jejunal free transfer group; however, respiratory complications and operation time were significantly longer in jejunal (roe transfer group(p<0.05). To minimize the incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia, patient evaluation focused on jejunal free transfer surgery is better than esophagogastrostomy followed by adequate post operative care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1040-1043
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• 1997

We report a patient who suffered from bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia(BOOP) after Ivor Lewis operation for esophageal cancer. The patient presented low grade fever, dry cough and mild dyspnea at day after operation. Chest roentgenograms and chest CT revealed bilateral patchy and infiltrative shadows. The respiratory symptoms worsened and respiratory failure developed with mild elevation of WBC count despite of conservative treatment. An open lung biopsy was done and the biopsy specimen showed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia(BOOP). After several weeks of steroid therapy, there were marked clinical, physiological and roentgenographic improvements. Our experience suggests that BOOP may be one of the underlying pathology in a number of patients presenting with ARDS after thoracotomy. Since steroid therapy may improve survival in these patients, thoracic surgeons should heighten their index of suspicion for this entity. Early histologic diagnosis should be considered in patients with treatment-resistant ARDS after thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.296-302
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• 2002

The classic approach for esophagectomy is via the combined thoracic and abdominal approach. Controversy exists whether patients with esophageal carcinoma are best managed with Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy(ILO) as combined thoracic and abdominal approach or transhiatal esophagectomy(THO). The THO approach is known to be superior with respect to operative time, severity of leak, morbidity/mortality, and length of stay, but may represent an inferior cancer operation as a result of survival disadvantage due to inadequate mediastinal clearance compared with ILO. Accordingly, we reviewed the results of our esophageal resections to compare these outcome parameters for each operative approach. Material and Method: From January 1993 to July 2001, We performed a retrospective review of all esophagectomies performed at Keimyung University Dongsan ·Medical Center; 27 underwent THO, and 45 underwent ILO Result: The two groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, and stage of the disease. Mean tumor length and mean operative time were 3.81cm and 354 minutes for THO versus 5.31cm and 453 minutes for ILO, respectively (p<0.01 and p<0.001). Respiratory complications were 11.1% for THO versus 35.6% for ILO(p<0.05). Hospital mortality was 11.1% for THO versus 22.2% for ILO. There were no significant differences between THO and ILO with respect to other types of complications, amount of blood transfusion, leak and stricture rates, and hospital stay. Overall long-term survival at 5 years was 37%, respectively. Conclustion: There was no significant difference in long-term survival of patients of both operative approach. ILO had significant difference in respiratory complications associated with hospital mortality. Hence, THO is a valid alternative to ILO for well selected patients. And either approach appears to be acceptable depending on the surgeons, preferences and experiences.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.36-41
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• 2009

Background : Controversy exists whether patients with esophageal carcinoma are best managed with classical Ivor Lewis esophagectomy(ILO) as combined thoracic and abdominal approach or transhiatal esophagectomy(THO). The THO approach is known to be superior with respect to operative time, morbidity and mortality, and length of stay, especially at poor pulmonary function patient, but may represent an inferior cancer operation due to inadequate mediastinal clearance compared with ILO. Accordingly, we estimated the THO role at esophageal cancer to compare each operative approach. Material and Method : From January 2002 to December 2007, we performed a retrospective review of all esophagectomies performed at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center; 36 underwent THO, and 11 underwent ILO. Result : There were all men and squamous cell carcinoma but 1 woman at ILO group, 2 women at THO group. There were no significant differences between THO and ILO with age, sex, location of tumor, mean tumor length. There were significant differences at preoperative pulmonary function test(In ILO group, average FEV1 is $2.65{\pm}0.6\;L/min$ and iIn THO group, average FEV1 is $2.07{\pm}0.7\;L/min$). The amount of blood transfusion, hospital stay, leak rates and respiratory complication, hospital mortality rate were not significantly different. Conclusion : There was no significant difference in the post-operative complication, hospital mortality rate, long-term survival of patients of both operative method. THO method had lower mobidity and mortality at poor pulmonary function patient than ILO method. Hence, THO is a valid alternative to ILO for patients with poor general condition or expected post-operative respiratory complication.