• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.477-480
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• 2010

Advances in research and medical and supportive care have contributed to a growing population of adults formerly treated for childhood cancer. History of cancer and its therapy can have significant life-long health implications. Late effects of cancer therapy can be insidious on onset, occur outside the pediatric age, and contribute to premature morbidity and mortality. In this review, I have focused on the key long-term effects of pediatric cancer therapy, particularly on the metabolic syndrome, including cardiopulmonary complications, infertility, and secondary neoplasm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.799-807
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• 2021

Objective : Cerebrospinal fluid leakage related complications (CLC) occasionally occur after intradural spinal surgery. We sought to investigate the effectiveness of early ambulation after intradural spinal surgery and analyze the risk factors for CLC. Methods : For this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled 314 patients who underwent intradural spinal surgery at a single institution. The early group contained 79 patients who started ambulation after 1 day of bedrest without position restrictions, while the late group consisted of 235 patients who started ambulation after at least 3 days of bed rest and were limited to the prone position after surgery. In the early group, Prolene 6-0 was used as the dura suture material, while black silk 5-0 was used as the dura suture material in the late group. Results : The overall incidence rate of CLC was 10.8%. Significant differences between the early and late groups were identified in the rate of CLC (2.5% vs. 13.6%), surgical repair required (1.3% vs. 7.7%), and length of hospital stay (2.99 vs. 9.29 days) (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that CLC was associated with practices specific to the late group (p=0.011) and the revision surgery (p=0.022). Conclusion : Using Prolene 6-0 as a dura suture material for intradural spinal surgery resulted in lower CLC rates compared to black silk 5-0 sutures despite a shorter bed rest period. Our findings revealed that suture - needle ratio related to dura defect was the most critical factor for CLC. One-day ambulation after primary dura closure using Prolene 6-0 sutures appears to be a costeffective and safe strategy for intradural spinal surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.422-434
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• 1980

Since 1968 up to the end of October 1980, 448 valves were replaced in 354 patients in Seoul National University Hospital. There were 238 mitral, 38 aortic, 7 tricuspid, 45 aortic with mitral, 23 tricuspid with mitral, and 3 triple valve replacement aortic mitral and tricuspid cases. Annual increase of mitral valve replacement cases and decrease of operative maortality were remarkable. Recently operative mortality of mitral valve replacement is about 5%. Sex ratio of mitral valve replacement is almost equal and there were 12 cases of pediatric patients (5%) among 238 cases, and patients under the age of 20 years were 34 (14.3%). Mitral valve replacement was done for 199 single mitral, 38 double valve and one triple valve lesions. Among 238 mitral valve replacement paients left atrial thrombus in 23(9.7%), atrial fibrillation in 132 (55.5%), and reoperation after blind mitral commissurotomy in 12(5%) cases were noted. In recent cases bioprosthetic valves, mainly lonescu-shiley valve were utilized to overcome the difficulties of postoperative late complications in anticoagnuation, especially for the rural patients and pediatric cases, in addition to the hemodynamic advantages of lonesocu valve. Among 354 patients 16 cases were congenital heart anomaly related, 5 ventricular septal defect related aortic and 4 Ebstein related tribuspid valve replacement cases. There were 2 congenital anomaly related mitral valve replacements, one for congenital mitral insufficiency of 7 years old boy and one for corrected transposition of the great vessels associated with mitral insufficiency. Among total 354 valve replacements 49 operative deaths (13.3%) were noted and in 238 mitral valve replacement 24 operative deaths occurred (10.1%). In 39 patients among 354 total valve replacements late complications were found. In 238 mitral valve replacement cases late complications were noted in 26 patients, among whom 16 cases expired. Main late complications were thrombe-embolism, subacute becteerial endocarditis, arrythmia cerebral hemorrhage due to unsatisfactory anticoagulation, and congestive heart failure in the incipient period of valve replacement were also noted. In mitral valve replacement cases long-term survival rate was 83.2% who showed marked clinical improvement. Ther were no evidences of calcification during the 2 years follow-up period for the lonescu-valve replacement cases among 19 pediatric patients. In conclusion 238 cases of mitral valve replacement were done with 24 operative deaths and 26 late complication cases among whom 16 expired. The long term survival was 83.2% of the cases. In pediatric cases in place of coumadin anticoagulation Persantin **** 75 and aspirin were administered after valve replacement. In adult cases who have difficulaties with coumadin anticoagulation and for those even with bioprosthetic heart valve replacement who needs long-term or permanent anticoagulation persantin 75 and aspirin combination regimen were administered with antisfactory results.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2006

Puroose: This study evaluated the late rectal complications in cervix cancer patients following treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and high dose rate intracavitary radiation (HDR ICR). The factors affecting the risk of developing late rectal complications and its incidence were analyzed and discussed. Materials and Methods: The records of 105 patients with cervix cancer who were treated with radical radiotherapy using HDR ICR between July, 1995 and December, 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. The median dose of EBRT was 50.4Gy $(41.4{\sim}56.4 Gy)$ with a daily fraction size of 1.8Gy. A total of $5{\sim}7$ (median: 6) fractions of HDR ICR were given twice weekly with a fraction size of $4{\sim}5 Gy$ (median: 4Gy) to A point using an Ir (Iridium)-192 source. The median dose of ICR was 24 Gy $(20{\sim}35 Gy)$. During HDR ICR, the rectal dose was measured in vivo by a semiconductor dosimeter. The median follow-up period was 32 months, ranging from 5 to 84 months. Results: Of the 105 patients, 12 patients (11%) developed late rectal complications: 7 patients with grade 1 or 2, 4 patients with grade 3 and 1 patient with grade 4. Rectal bleeding was the most frequent chief complaint. The complications usually began to occur $5{\sim}32$ (median: 12) months after the completion of radiotherapy. Multivariate analysis revealed that the measured cumulative rectal BED over 115 Gy3 (Deq over 69 Gy) and the depth (D) of a 5 Gy isodose volume more than 50 mm were the independent predictors for late rectal complications. Conclusion: With evaluating the cumulative rectal BED and the depth of a 5 Gy isodose volume as predictors, we can individualize treatment planning to reduce the probability of late rectal complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.613-619
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• 1993

As developing surgical techniques and postoperative cares, a pneumonectomy is a relatively popular surgical method in disease which is not treated completely with other type of pulmonary resection, but a postpneumonectomy complication is a life-threatening serious problem if it occurred. We performed one hundred twenty-five cases of pneumonectomy for treatment of various causes of pulmonary diseases in Kosin Medical College during about ten years, and we experienced 41 cases of postoperative complications in 29 patients, so we analyzed them. The most common complication is an empyema thoracis in 13 cases[10.4%], of which one case combined with bronchopleural fistula died on early postoperative day. Of them except one case, the early postoperative empyema thoracis[within 30 days] were 6 cases, and the late postoperative empyema thoracis[above 30 days] were 6 cases. The main etiologic pathogens were a staphylococcus in early postoperative empyema and a streptococcus in late postoperative empyema, but the most cases were mixed infections with pseudomonas, klebsiella, acinectobacter, and candida. The treatment of postoperative empyema thoracis were that 4 cases were treated with open drainage using chest tube, 7 cases with Clagett`s operation, and 1 case with thoracoplasty. The next common complication was a postoperative serious respiratory insufficiency in 7 cases. And the other complications were massive postoperative bleeding in 5 cases, of which 2 cases advanced to occurrence of postoperative empyema thoracis, and wound disruption in 4 cases, cardiac arrhythmia in 3 cases, contralateral pneumothorax and pneumonia in each of 2 cases, esophagopleural fistula in 1 case. The postoperative deaths were 9 cases[7.2%] of 125 cases, the causes of death were respiratory insufficiency in 6 cases, sepsis in 2 cases, and cardiac arrhythmia in 1 case.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 1992

Until March 1991, 435 St. Jude Medical valves and 330 CarboMedics valves were implanted in 358 and 251 patients, respectively. 300 patients were male and 309 were female with the mean age of 35.6 years[from 2 month to 68 years]. 458 valves were implanted in the mitral, 272 in the aortic, 25 in the tricuspid, and 10 in the pulmonic position. Postoperatively, all patients except for very young patients were given coumadin with or without dipyridamole for anticogulation Operative mortality was 7.3%[45 deaths per 618 operations]. A total follow-up of 1244.8 patient-years was achieved for the operative survivors with a follow-up rate of 96.8%, [mean follow-up period=26.3 months /patient, ranging from 1 to 80 months]. Functional improvement was evident; 66.7% of these patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV preopratively, whereas 98.4% are in class I or II pos-toperatively. There occurred 13 late deaths[7 valve-related] and 55 valve-related complications. Linearized rates of late death and valve-related complications were 1.0%/ patient-year, 4.42%/patient-year, respectively. Rates of thromboembolism, anticoagluation-related hemorrhage were 1.12%/patient-year, 1.69% /patient-year, respectively. Actuarial survival at 5 years is 96.0% and complication-free survival at 5 years is 83.9%. No difference in survival and incidence of complications was found between the St. Jude and CarboMedics valves. On the basis of this experience, we believe that the pyrolytic carbon bileaflet mechanical valves are safe and preferable choice among current valve prostheses.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.285-288
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• 2013

Prosthetic valves are being widely used in the treatment of heart valve disease. Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is one of the most catastrophic complications seen in these patients. In particular, prosthetic valve dehiscence can lead to acute decompensation, pulmonary edema, and cardiogenic shock. Here, we discuss the medical management of late PVE in a patient with a prior history of late and redo early PVE and recurrent dehiscence. According to the present case, we can summarize the learning points as follows. A prior history of infective endocarditis increases the risk of relapse or recurrence, and these patients should be evaluated very cautiously to prevent late complications. Adequate debridement of infected material is of paramount importance to prevent relapse. A history of dehiscence is associated with increased risk of relapse and recurrent dehiscence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.664-668
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• 1994

A total of 217 patients underwent single mitral valve replacement [MVR] with the St. Jude Medical valve between September 1984 and the end of 1992. There were 86 males and 131 females with a mean age of 34.6 $\pm$ 14.4 years[range 5 months-61 years]. A previous valve replacement had been performed in 46 patients [21.2 %]. An early mortality rate was 7.4 % [5.2 % in primary MVR; and 15.2 %in re-replacement MVR]. Early survivors of 201 patients were followed up for a total of 934.5 patient-years[mean 4.7 $\pm$ 2.1years]. A late mortality rate was 2.5 % or 0.54%/patient-year. The linearized rates of thromboembolism, valve thrombosis and anticoagulation-related bleeding were 1.301 %, 0.214 % and 0.428 %/patient-year, respectively. The actuarial survival including operative mortality was 89.9 % $\pm$ 2.1% at postoperative 10 years. The freedom from thromboemolism was 91.3 %$\pm$ 2.5% and the actuarial estimate of incidence free from late deaths and all complications were 80.9 % $\pm$ 3.8 % at 10 years. There were no mechanical failures. In summary, the St. Jude Medical prosthesis performed satisfactorily with an acceptable rate of late complications.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2011

Purpose: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) can improve nutritional status and reduce the amount of time needed to feed neurologically impaired children. We evaluated the characteristics, complications, and outcomes of neurologically impaired children treated with PEG. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 32 neurologically impaired children who underwent PEG between March 2002 and August 2008 at our medical center. Forty-two PEG procedures comprising 32 PEG insertions and 10 PEG exchanges, were performed. The mean follow-up time was 12.2 (6.6) months. Results: Mean patient age was 9.4 (4.5) years. The main indications for PEG insertion were swallowing difficulty with GI bleeding due to nasogastric tube placement and/or the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The overall rate of complications was 47%, with early complications evident in 25% of patients and late complications in 22%. The late complications included one gastro-colic fistula, two cases of aggravated GERD, and four instances of wound infection. Among the 15 patients with histological evidence of GERD before PEG, 13 (87%) had less severe GERD, experienced no new aspiration events, and showed increased body weight after PEG treatment. Conclusion: PEG is a safe, effective, and relatively simple technique affording long-term enteral nutritional support in neurologically impaired children. Following PEG treatment, the body weight of most patients increased and the levels of vomiting, GI bleeding, and aspiration fell. We suggest that PEG with post-procedural observation be considered for enteral nutritional support of neurologically impaired children.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

Objective: Although prophylactic antiepileptic drug (AED) use in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common practice, lack of uniform definitions and guidelines for seizures and AEDs rendered this prescription more habitual instead of evidence-based manner. We herein evaluated the incidence and predictive factors of seizure and complications about AED use. Methods: From July 1999 to June 2007, data of a total of 547 patients with aneurysmal SAH who underwent operative treatments were reviewed. For these, the incidence and risk factors of seizures and epilepsy were assessed, in addition to complications of AEDs. Results: Eighty-three patients (15.2%) had at least one seizure following SAH. Forty-three patients (79%) had onset seizures, 34 (6.2%) had perioperative seizures, and 17 (3.1%) had late epilepsy. Younger age (< 40 years), poor clinical grade, thick hemorrhage, acute hydrocephalus, and rebleeding were related to the occurrence of onset seizures. Cortical infarction and thick hemorrhage were independent risk factors for the occurrence of late epilepsy. Onset seizures were not predictive of late epilepsy. Moreover, adverse drug effects were identified in 128 patients (23.4%) with AEDs. Conclusion: Perioperative seizures are not significant predictors for late epilepsy. Instead, initial amount of SAH and surgery-induced cortical damage should be seriously considered as risk factors for late epilepsy. Because AEDs can not prevent early postoperative seizures (< 1 week) and potentially cause unexpected side effects, long-term use should be readjusted in high-risk patients.