• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.196-201
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• 2000

Background: Currently, minimally invasive operations are preferred to open surgery whenever possible. Lumbar sympathectomy using RF (radiofrequency) thermocoagulation is both safe and minimally invasive. The problem with the technique is that it cannot be performed successfully in a significant number of cases. If the temperature change in the sole is monitored immediately after the procedure then it can be determined if the procedure needs to be repeated. Methods: A curved tip cannula, 150 mm long with a 10 mm active tip, was used for RF lumbar sympathectomy. The temperature of the soles of both the foot on the affected side and the foot on the control side was monitored immediately before the procedure, immediately after making the L2 lesion, immediately after making the L3 lesion and at 5, 10, and 15 minutes after the procedure. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed in the temperature of the two soles before making the lesions. In the 24 of the 27 patients, there were prominent differences in temperature between the two soles at 10 minutes after the procedures. 11 of the 24 patients showed a significant temperature change after the first trial. But the remaining 13 required a second lesion on L2 and L3. Conclusions: We judged the success of the operation in the operating room by monitoring the temperature difference in the soles of the feet. When no increase in the temperature difference is observed, we can move the electrode and make another lesion. With this procedure, we can drastically increase the success rate of the procedure.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.304-314
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• 2021

Background: The study investigated virtual reality (VR) immersion in alleviating procedure-related pain in patients with chronic pain undergoing fluoroscopy-guided minimally-invasive intervention in a prone position at an outpatient clinic. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled study, 38 patients undergoing lumbar sympathetic ganglion block were randomized into either the VR or the control group. In the VR group, procedure-related pain was controlled via infiltration of local anesthetics while watching a 30-minute VR hypnotic program. In the control group, the skin infiltration alone was used, with the VR device switched off. The primary endpoint was an 11-point score on the numerical rating scale, indicating procedure-related pain. Patients' satisfaction with pain control, anxiety levels, the need for additional local anesthetics during the procedure, hemodynamic stability, and any adverse events were assessed. Results: Procedure-related pain was significantly lower in the VR group (3.7 ± 1.4) than in the control group (5.5 ± 1.7; P = 0.002). Post-procedural anxiety was lower in the VR group than in the control group (P = 0.025), with a significant reduction from pre-procedural anxiety (P < 0.001). Although patients' satisfaction did not differ significantly (P = 0.158) between the groups, a higher number of patients required additional local anesthetics in the control group (n = 13) than in the VR group (n = 4; P = 0.001). No severe adverse events occurred in either group during the study. Conclusions: VR immersion can be safely used as a novel adjunct to reduce procedural pain and anxiety during fluoroscopic pain intervention.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2023

Background: Multiple rib fractures are common in blunt chest trauma. Until recently, most surgical rib fixations for multiple rib fractures were performed via open thoracotomy. However, due to the invasive nature of tissue dissection and the resulting large wound, an alternative endoscopic approach has emerged that minimizes the postoperative complications caused by the manipulation of injured tissue and lung during an open thoracotomy. Methods: Our study concentrated on patients with multiple rib fractures who underwent surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) between June 2018 and May 2020. We found 27 patients who underwent SSRF using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The study design was a retrospective review of the patients' charts and surgical records. Results: No intraoperative events or procedure-related deaths occurred. Implant-related irritation occurred in 4 patients, and 1 death resulted from concomitant trauma. The average hospital stay was 30.2±20.1 days, and ventilators were used for 12 of the 22 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. None of the patients experienced major pulmonary complications such as pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: Minimally invasive rib stabilization surgery with the assistance of a thoracoscope is expected to become more widely used in patients with multiple rib fractures. This method will also assist patients in a quick recovery.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2019

The aim of this review was to evaluate minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion on the latest update. Lumbar interbody fusion was introduced recently. This study performed, a literature review of the indications, clinical outcomes, fusion rate, and complications regarding recently highlighted minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion. The indications of lateral lumbar interbody fusion are similar to the conventional anterior and posterior interbody fusion in degenerative lumbar diseases. In particular, lateral lumbar interbody fusion is an effective minimally invasive surgery in spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, degenerative adult deformity, degenerative disc disease and adjacent segment disease. In addition, the clinical outcomes and fusion rates of lateral lumbar interbody fusion are similar compared to conventional lumbar fusion. On the other hand, non-specific complications including hip flexor weakness, nerve injury, vascular injury, visceral injury, cage subsidence and pseudohernia have been reported. Lateral lumbar interbody fusion is a very useful minimally invasive surgery because it has advantages over conventional anterior and posterior interbody fusion without many of the disadvantages. Nevertheless, nonspecific complications during lateral lumbar interbody fusion procedure remain a challenge to be improved.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.3
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• pp.261-274
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• 2012

For decades, the standard technique for tracheostomy was the open, surgical technique. However, during the past 20 years, the use of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy has been increased and shown to be a feasible and safe procedure in critically ill patients. The purpose of this report is to review the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy technique, describe the role of bronchoscopy as guidance for the procedure, and identify the available evidences comparing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy to surgical tracheostomy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.194-199
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• 1999

Introduction: Since 1996, Dr. James Norman has successfully performed mimimally invasive radio-guided parathyroidectomy(MIRP) using intraoperative nuclear mapping with $^{99m}Tc$ sestamibi scanning and radioactivity detection probe. Objectives: We aimed to introduce this new surgical technique and evaluate it's efficacy by our own experiences. Method: From May to October 1999, five consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent parathyroidectomy by using modified MIRP technique. $^{99m}Tc$ sestamibi scanning was performed 1.0 or 1.5 hour before operation. After intraoperative localization of the tumor under the guidance of quantitative gamma counting with a NEVIGATOR probe, an unilateral small skin incision(3.0-4.0cm) was placed. Without a skin flap, the strap muscle was directly divided with the use of a Harmonic scalpel. After careful dissection, the parathyroid tumor was removed. Result: In all patients, a single adenoma could be easily detected and removed by this new technique. Mean incision length was 3.2cm(3.0-4.0cm) and operative time ranged from 40 to 110minute. All the patients were discharged within 2 days of surgery without any complication. Conclusion: This new operative technique could become the most minimally invasive alternative to the standard operative procedure for parathyroid adenoma.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2022

Purpose: Percutaneous iliosacral (IS) screw fixation for pelvic ring injuries is a minimally invasive technique that reduces the amount of blood loss and shortens the procedure time. Moreover, two unilateral IS S1 screws exhibit superior stability to a single IS screw and are also safer for neurological injuries than an S2 screw. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate fixation using percutaneous two unilateral IS S1 screws for pelvic ring injuries and its subsequent clinical outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 38 patients who underwent percutaneous two unilateral IS S1 screw fixation for pelvic ring injuries. The procedure time, blood loss, achievement of bone union, radiological outcomes (Matta and Tornetta grade), and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: The mean procedure time, hemoglobin loss, bone union rate, and time to union were 40.1 minutes (range, 18-102 minutes), 0.6 g/dL (range, 0.3-1.0 g/dL), 100%, and 153.2 days (range, 61-327 days), respectively. The Matta and Tornetta grades were excellent, good, and fair in 24 (63.1%), 11 (28.9%), and three patients (7.9%), respectively, and the postoperative complications were S1 screw loosening, widening of the symphysis pubis (2.3 and 2.5 mm), lumbosacral plexopathy, and S1 radiculopathy in one (2.6%), two (5.3%), one (2.6%), and one patient (2.6%), respectively. However, all neurological complications recovered spontaneously. Conclusions: Percutaneous two unilateral IS S1 screw fixation was useful for treating pelvic ring injuries. In particular, it involved a short procedure time with little blood loss and also led to 100% bone union and good radiological outcomes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2015

Background: We report our initial experiences of robot-assisted cardiac surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. Methods: Between February 2010 and March 2014, 50 consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive robot-assisted cardiac surgery. Results: Robot-assisted cardiac surgery was employed in two cases of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass, 17 cases of mitral valve repair, 10 cases of cardiac myxoma removal, 20 cases of atrial septal defect repair, and one isolated CryoMaze procedure. Average cardiopulmonary bypass time and average aorta cross-clamping time were $194.8{\pm}48.6$ minutes and $126.1{\pm}22.6$ minutes in mitral valve repair operations and $132.0{\pm}32.0$ minutes and $76.1{\pm}23.1$ minutes in myxoma removal operations, respectively. During atrial septal defect closure operations, the average cardiopulmonary bypass time was $128.3{\pm}43.1$ minutes. The median length of stay was between five and seven days. The only complication was that one patient needed reoperation to address bleeding. There were no hospital mortalities. Conclusion: Robot-assisted cardiac surgery is safe and effective for mitral valve repair, atrial septal defect closure, and cardiac myxoma removal surgery. Reducing operative time depends heavily on the experience of the entire robotic surgical team.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2010

Objective : A minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLlF) has recently been introduced. However, MIS TLlF is a technically challenging procedure. The authors performed retrospective analysis about MIS TLlF using a single interbody cage. Methods : Twenty-eight consecutive patients were treated by MIS TLlF. Of these 28 patients, 20 patients were included in this retrospective study. Perioperative, clinical, and radiologic outcomes were assessed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scores (VAS). Fusion rates and cross-sections of operated spinal canals were assessed by CT. Results : Twelve patients underwent MIS TLlF at one segment and 8 patients at two segments (L3/4: 4, L4/5: 17, L5/S1: 7). Operation time for a single segment was 131.7 min and for two segment was 201.4 min, and corresponding blood losses were 208.3 mL and 481.2 mL, respectively. ODI and VAS scores were significantly improved at 6 months postop (ODI from 30.32 to 15.54, VAS from 7.80 to 2.20, p = 0.001) Twenty-two segments (78.6%) achieved grade I fusion, 4 segments (14.3%) achieved grade II, 2 segments (7.1%) achieved grade III and 0 segments achieved grade IV at 12 months. Postoperatively at 12 months, spinal canal cross sectional areas at disc spaces significantly increased from 157.5 to $294.3\;mm^2$ (p = 0.012). Conclusion : MIS TLlF achieved good clinical outcomes and high fusion rates. Our findings show that MIS TLlF performed with a single Interbody cage and a tubular retractor system can be used as a standard MIS TLlF technique.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.339-343
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• 2012

Three dogs were presented with diaphyseal fracture of the tibia following separate motor vehicle accidents. On physical and orthopedic examinations, the dogs were noted to have soft-tissue swelling and a closed fracture in these tibia sites. Radiographs revealed a simple, short oblique fracture (case 1), a comminuted, spiral fracture (case 2), and a simple, spiral fracture (case 3) in tibia. Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) using a veterinary cuttable plate or locking plate was applied for the treatment of these fractures. The surgery was successful, and the fractures healed without any complications by 7 weeks (case 1), 10 weeks (case 2) and 8 weeks (case 3) after surgery. Our patients showed fast bone healing times and early weight-bearing during the treatment of their tibia fractures. Therefore, MIPO was a useful procedure for diaphyseal fracture of the tibia in veterinary orthopedics.