• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.850-855
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• 1992

Dead space of empyema occurrs from incomplete obliteration of infected pleural space from pulmonary tuberculosis, pyogenic infection, esophageal disease and post pulmonary resection. Chronic empyema can be treated by obliteration of dead space with autologous tissues such as, extrathoracic muscle flap and omental flap and thorachoplasty. Between May, 1986 to July, 1991 we treated 17 chronic empyema patients with autologous tissues and analysed the result. 1. Sex distribution was 14 males and 3 females between 5~62 years old. [mean 39.7 years old] 2. The volume of the dead space ranged from 100 to 450cc. [mean 213. 76cc] 3. The majority of used muscle flap were serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi, and there were 2 cases of am ntal flap. 4. The majority of underlying disease were pulmonary tuberculosis and there were 8 BPF[47%] in 17 patients 5. In 7 cases, thorachoplsty was needed. 6. Three cases recurred and there were no death.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2008

Cholethorax (bilious pleural effusion) is an extravasation of bile into the thoracic cavity via a pleurobiliary fistula (and also a bronchobiliary fistula). It is an extremely rare complication of thoraco-abdominal injuries. It can be caused by congenital anomaly and also by hepatobiliary trauma, severe infection or iatrogenic procedures. The definitive diagnosis is made with aspiration of bilious fluid from the pleural space during thoracentesis, by finding a fistulous tract during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or cholagioscopy, or with finding an abnormal pleural accumulation of radioisotope during hepatobiliary nuclear imaging. Its symptoms include coughing, fever, dyspnea and pleuritc chest pain. Herein we report on a case of cholethorax following performance of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) to remove incidentally discovered common bile duct (CBD) stones.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2003

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for decortication or debridement in the management of empyema thoracis has increased the available treatment options but requires validation. We present and evaluate our technique and experience with thoracoscopic management of pleural empyema, irrespective of chronicity. Material and Method : VATS debridement or decortication was performed with endoscopic shaver system in 40 consecutive patients presented with pleural space infections. A retrospective review was performed and the effect of this technique on perioperative outcome was assessed. Result : VATS evacuation of infected pleural fluid and decortication was successfully performed in 35 of 40 patients. The mean duration of preoperative symptoms before referral was 23$\pm$1.8 days. The mean duration of hospitalization before transfer was 13.5$\pm$1.5 days. Blood loss was 250 to 200 mL. Intercostal drainage was required for 5$\pm$3 days. The postoperative hospital stay was 5 $\pm$0.7 days. There were no operative mortalities. Conclusion : Video-assisted evacuation of infected pleural fluid and decortication is an effective modality in the management of the fibropurulent stage of empyema. An organized empyema should be approached thoracosco-pically, but may require open decortication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1221-1224
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• 1990

Fifty -six cases of tuberculous peripleural abscess were experienced in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, college of medicine, Hallym university from January 1980 to June 1990. Tuberculous peripleural abscess seems to originate from the space between the parietal pleura and endothoracic fascia. But rib caries, originated by hematogenous spread of mycobacteria to the rib, shows the rib destruction first, thereafter periosteal erosion and regional tissue involvement follows. In our 56 cases, results were as follows: 1. Their age ranged from 6 to 82 years, and female dominant [M: F=21: 35]. 2. The locations of abscess were 31 right, 23 left, and 2 sternal portions. 3. On X \ulcornerray findings, 37 cases showed active or old lesion of the tuberculosis in the lung field, 7 cases periosteal destruction of the ribs, and 29 cases pleural thickening. 4. Operative findings showed cold abscess with multiple fistulous tracts leading to intercostal space in most of the cases, and their origin were presumed to be from the space between the endothoracic fascia and parietal pleura. 5. The pus showed negative AFB stain in most of the cases except 3 cases. 6. Partial costectomy and radical curettage with drainage were performed in all cases. 7. 7 cases recurred after the first operations, but no recurrence after second operations.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.404-408
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• 2010

Background: Pleural symphysis is regarded as an important treatment option in reducing recurrence rates after surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. However, there is much debate over the best method for achieving pleural symphysis. We retrospectively compared apical pleurectomy (AP) with mechanical pleural abrasion (MPA). Material and Method: Between January 2000 and December 2007, 83 patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for spontaneous pneumothorax. In addition to wedge resection of bullae, MPA was performed in 21 patients (group A) and AP in 62 patients (group B). Result: There were no significant differences in age, gender and site of pneumothorax between the two groups. Operative time was $97{\pm}44$ minutes in group A and $77{\pm}18$ minutes in group B (p>0.05). The mean amount of pleural drainage through the chest tube on the first postoperative day was $156{\pm}87 cc$ in group A and $147{\pm}87 cc$ in group B (p>0.05). There was no mortality or significant morbidity in all patients with the exception of reoperation for bleeding in two patients in group B. In the postoperative course, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in the rate of residual air space, air leak and indwelling time of chest tube, and hospital stay. Mean follow up time was $31.7{\pm}25.3$ months, and the recurrence rate of pneumothorax was 9.5% (2/21) in group A and 6.5% (4/62) in group B, without statistical significance. Conclusion: AP was no more advantageous than MPA in terms of operative time, postoperative course and prevention of recurrent pneumothorax. Therefore, complete resection of bullae and existence of residual bullae are more important factors in reducing the incidence of recurrent pneumothorax than pleural symphysis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.396-401
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• 1997

Tailoring thoracoplasty is employed prior to, following, or concomitant with pulmonary resection when it is anticipated that insufHclent lung tissue will remain to fill the pleural space following a pulmonary resection. This study reviewed a series of eight patients treated with tailoring thoracoplasty between 1990 and 1995. Indications were to close a persistent space In four patients and to tailor the thoracic cavity to accept diminished lung volume concomitant with a pulmonary resection in the other four patients. The primary underlying disease was lung cancer in three patients and pulmonary tuberculosis In five patients, two of whom had concomitant aspcrgilloma, two, pneumothora , and one, empyema with bronchopleural fistula. In four patients with a prior pulmonary resection, the tailoring thoracoplasty was performed within eight days after the resection surgery. There was no failure to accommodate the thoracic cavity to insufficient lung tissue, even though two patients needed a second thoracoplasty. We conclude that tailoring thoracoplasty may be performed to close anticipated persistent pleural space and to accommodate diminished lung volume with acceptable cosmetic results Early, after, or concomitant with pulmonary resection in selected patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.202-206
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• 2017

Background: Empyema is the collection of purulent exudate within the pleural space. Overall, 36%-65% of patients with empyema cannot be treated by medical therapy alone and require surgery. Multiloculated empyema is particularly difficult to treat with percutaneous drainage. Therefore, we describe our experiences with early aggressive surgical treatment for rapid progressive multiloculated empyema. Methods: From January 2001 to October 2015, we retrospectively reviewed 149 patients diagnosed with empyema who received surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they underwent emergency surgery or not. We then compared surgical outcomes between these groups. Results: The patients in group A (emergency surgery, n=102) showed a more severe infectious state, but a lower complication rate and shorter length of hospital stay. The incidence of lung abscess was higher in group A, and abscesses were associated with diabetes and severe alcoholism. Conclusion: Early aggressive surgical treatment resulted in good surgical outcomes for patients with rapid progressive multiloculated empyema. Furthermore, we suspect that the most likely causes of multiloculated empyema are lung abscesses found in patients with diabetes mellitus as well as severe alcoholism.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.107-110
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• 2019

Bilateral chylothorax due to blunt trauma is extremely rare. We report a 74-year-old patient that developed delayed bilateral chylothorax after falling off a ladder. The patient had a simple 12th rib fracture and T12 lamina fracture. All other findings seemed normal. He was sent home and on the 5th day visited our emergency center at Halla Hospital with symptoms of dyspnea and lower back pain. Computer tomography of his chest presented massive fluid collection in his right pleural cavity and moderate amounts in his left pleural cavity with 12th rib fracture and T11-12 intervertebral space widening with bilateral facet fractures. Chest tubes were placed bilaterally and chylothorax through both chest tubes was discovered. Conservative treatment for 2 weeks failed, and thus, thoracic duct ligation was done by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Thoracic duct embolization was not an option. Postoperatively, the patient is now doing well and happy with the results. Early surgical treatment must be considered in the old patient, whom large amounts of chylothorax are present.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.320-324
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• 1993

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation [CCAM] of the lung is extremely rare. The patient was 10 year old female and had no specipic signs and symptoms except right lower chest pain for 5 days ago before admission.On simple chest X-ray and thoracic CT scan, about 9x8x8cm sized, heterogenous marginal enhanced multiseparated hypodence lesion with air fluid level and gas bubbles in posterior pleural space in right lower chest .The culture result of needle aspiration of cavity was apergillus flavus. Right lower lobectomy was carried out and the result of biopsy was congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation.

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