• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.287-291
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• 1994

Spontaneous pneumothorax is an accumulation of air in the pleural space with collapse of the lungs in the absence of external chest trauma. In this clinical study were analyzed of 369 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax experienced at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University during from January, 1986 to December, 1992.The peak incidence of age was in 3rd decade and more predominantly in male than women [5:1]. Pulmonary tuberculosis was most common etiologic condition and frequently symptoms were dyspnea and chest pain. The site of pneumothorax was Rt.in 48%, Lt.in 45% and both in 7%. The common accompanied diseases were hydrothorax, pyothorax and hemothorax. In 166 cases [45%] were treated by closed thoracostomy only, in 43 cases [12%] were treated by closed thoracostomy & chemical pleurodesis with Tetracycline and in 145 cases [39%] were treated by open thoracotomy. The most serious complication, one case of pulmonary edema, was developed after closed thoracostomy and fatal.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.183-188
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• 2002

Adverse reactions associated with acupuncture are common even in standard practice. The incidence of recorded reactions are various from mild symptoms: tiredness, itching, dizziness or nausea to serious symptoms: pneumothorax, cardiac injury or infection. Recently we experienced one patient, a 36-year-old woman, admitted to the emergency department with chest pain, dyspnea and back pain one hour after acupuncture treatment. The diagnosis was a left-sided pneumothorax by chest PA X-ray and chest HR CT. In this study, we differentiate spontaneous pneumothorax from misunderstood iatrogenic. Further evaluation between adverse effects and similar symptoms is needed.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.34-51
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• 2002

Background : The purpose for this study is to develop a critical pathway of bullectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax patients. Methods : For this study a conceptual framework of critical pathway was developed through a review of the literature including five critical pathways which are currently being used in USA, and opinions of the critical pathway development team members at Y university hospital. In order to identify the service contents required by these patients and to draw up a preliminary critical pathway, 33 cases of medical records of patients who had received bullectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax between September, 2000 to August, 2001 at the Respiratory Center of Y university hospital in Seoul was analyzed. Results : In order to test the clinical validity of the preliminary critical pathway, it was applied to ten patients who had received bullectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax from October, 2001 to December, 2001. The average discharge day was 4.89th post operation day, six patients discharged on the fourth post operation day which was the expected day, one patients discharged one day earlier than the expected day, one patient discharged three days later than the expected day, and one patient discharged six days later than the expected day. There were variances between the critical pathway and the actual practice. The variances came from tests, medications, and treatments. One item that showed variance in clinical applications was complemented, and three items were decided not to be corrected for the final determination of the critical pathway. Conclusion : This critical pathway is applicable to the care of patients with bullectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax, but it needs more clinical applications to grasp varied variances.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.80-84
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• 2016

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pulmonary wedge resection has emerged as the standard treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Recently, single-port VATS has been introduced and is now widely performed. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the Tower crane technique as novel technique using a 15-mm trocar and anchoring suture in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods: Patients who underwent single-port VATS wedge resection in Chungnam National University Hospital from April 2012 to March 2014 were enrolled. The medical records of the enrolled patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results: A total of 1,251 patients were diagnosed with pneumothorax during this period, 270 of whom underwent VATS wedge resection. Fifty-two of those operations were single-port VATS wedge resections for primary spontaneous pneumothorax performed by a single surgeon. The median age of the patients was $19.3{\pm}11.5$ years old, and 43 of the patients were male. The median duration of chest tube drainage following the operation was $2.3{\pm}1.3days$, and mean post-operative hospital stay was $3.2{\pm}1.3days$. Prolonged air leakage for more than three days following the operation was observed in one patient. The mean duration of follow-up was $18.7{\pm}6.1months$, with a recurrence rate of 3.8%. Conclusion: The tower crane technique with a 15-mm trocar may be a promising treatment modality for patients presenting with primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 1982

We have observed 360 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1981 at the department of Thoracic and Card iovascular Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The patients age ranged from 2 days to 95 year-old. The associated pulmonary lesions were shown pulmonary tuberculosis in 158 cases[43.9%], bullae in 35, pulmonary emphysema In 32, pneumothorax in 10, paragonimiasis In 7 and unknown underlying pathology in 109 patients. 70 [51.1 %] out of 1 37 cases who received conservative medical treatment Including thoracentesis were cured completely, but the 67 cases [48.9 %] of remaining uncured patients were treated by surgical procedures. The 290 patients who received surgical management were recovered without recurrent pneumothorax. The surgical procedures were closed thoracotomy drainage or explothoracotomy. The choice of treatment should be based on the extent of pneumothorax or the presence of underlying pulmonary disease. Tube thoracotomywas the most effective procedure in achieving the expansion of collapsed lung. On the other hand, open thoracotomy could be a good approach to recurrent pneumothorax, persistent air leakage, incomplete expansion of the lung and bilateral pneumothorax. The minithoracotomy Is the best procedure to recurrent pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.757-764
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• 1991

We have observed 360 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from January 1980 to May 1991 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chosun University Hospital. Males occupied 266 cases[73.9%] and females 94 cases[26.1%], and its ratio was 2.8: l. The age of patients ranged from neonate[5 days] to 84 years old. The site of pneumothorax was right in 50.3%, left in 43.3% and bilateral in 6.4%a. The clinical symptoms were frequently dyspnea, chest pain and coughing. The associated pulmonary lesions were shown pulmonary tuberculosis in 199 cases[55.3%], bullae in 54, pulmonary emphysema in 31, COPD in 17, pneumonia in 6, lung cancer in 5, paragonimiasis in 5, catamenial pneumothorax in 3 and unknown underlying pathology in 39 cases. The results of surgical management of spontaneous pneumothorax are followings: 288 out of 360 cases[80.0%] were cured by closed thoracotomy, 53 cases[14.8%] were cured by open thoracotomy. Open thoracotomy was the most effective procedure in persistent air leakage, recurrent pneumothorax, visible bleb or bullae on the chest X-ray, associated lesion, bilateral simultaneous pneumothorax, parenchymal incomplete lung expansion and bleeding after closed thoracotomy. The incidence of complication was developed in 10. ado and recurrent rate was seen in 10.6%. There was no operative death.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.648-652
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• 1999

Background: Bullectomy through a transaxillary minithoracotomy have been widely used in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: From September 1997 to September 1998, 22 consecutive cases of those who underwent transaxillary mini thoracotomy with Finochieto rib spreader(group F) and 24 consecutive cases with Naruke thoraco-opener(group N) at Taegu Fatima Hospital were reviewed retrospectively to compare the clinical results of transaxillary minithoracotomy with different rib spreaders in the opera tive treatments of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Result: There were no significant differences in operative time, hospital stay, postoperative hospital stay, the duration of the indwelling chest tube, and the number of postoperative recurrences and complications in the two group. CONCLUSION This technique may be useful in the operative treatments of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.209-213
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• 1993

The pathogenesis of the primary spontaneous pneumothorax is the rupture of subpleural bleb or bullae and subsequent sudden collapse of the affected lung. Mostly, the bullae or blebs are present bilaterally, but detecting the number, size, and location of the causating foci by plain chest film is quite difficult . We have performed chest CT scans for detecting the bullous lesions in 33 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, and compared the results with surgical findings.1. Seventy-four blebs were identified in the chest CT scan, and 100 blebs or bullae were detected surgically [ Sensitivity was 0.74 ].2. Diagnosis rate was 80% [40/50] at right upper lobe, 75.7% [28/37] at left upper lobe, 55.6% at right lower lobe, and 25.0% at left lower lobe, respectively.3. Blebs or bullae smaller than 1 cm of its diameter were detected by 57.1% [24/42] of sensitivity, and in the cases of size larger than 1 cm, it revealed 86.2% [50/58] of sensitivity respectively.4. Of the 45 cases, 7 cases were false negative [15.6%], most of these were ruptured or small size [< 0.5 cm]. 5. One case was false positive, which was irregular adhesion at the apex of the lung.6. We could detect blebs or bullae with preoperative CT scans in 84.4% [38/45] of total patients. In conclusion, chest CT scan is a very advantageous diagnostic tool for proper management and preventing recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax patient.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.166-171
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• 2008

Purpose : This study was performed to determine the rate of neonatal symptomatic spontaneous pneumothorax, and the corresponding clinical characteristics, co-morbidities, and outcomes. Methods : The demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms and signs, associated abnormalities, methods of treatment, and outcomes were investigated in 22 neonates with symptomatic spontaneous pneumothorax in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Chonnam University Hospital between March 2003 and February 2008. Results : The rate of spontaneous pneumothorax was 0.55%. Among the 22 neonates, the number of outborns was 15 (68.2%) and the number of males was 12 (54.5%). The main symptoms and signs were chest retraction, tachypnea, and cyanosis. The pneumothoraces were more frequent on the right side (59.1%) and all cases were diagnosed within 3 days of life. Four cases (18.2%) had urologic abnormalities and 7 cases (31.8%) had cranial abnormalities by ultrasonography. The treatments included oxygen (81.8%) and oxygen with chest tube drainage (18.2%). All of the infants survived and the overall outcomes were favorable. Conclusion : When respiratory symptoms and signs are develop abruptly in otherwise healthy newborns, the clinician should suspect a spontaneous pneumothorax and check a chest x-ray as soon as possible. Although the outcome of neonatal symptomatic spontaneous pneumothorax is favorable, renal and cranial ultrasonography are needed because of the higher possibility of urologic abnormalities and germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage than in newborns without a pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 1993

30 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent videothoracoscopic treatment between March and July 1992. The patients ranged in age from 16 years to 62 years (mean age, 30.4 years) and the incidence according to age group was highest as 50 % in the adolescence between 21 and 30 years old. The indications of the therapeutic videothoracoscopy for spontaneous pneumothorax were recurrence (30.8％), persistent air leak (30.8％), visible blebs on the chest X-ray (20.4％), tension pneumothorax (15.4％), and bilaterality (2.6％). Intraoperative scopic findings were as follows; blebs (87.1％), pleural adhesion (45.2％), and pleural effusion (22.6％). The operation was performed under general anesthesia with one lung intubation guided by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Procedures included bleb and/or wedge resection, tetracycline pleurodesis with mechanical abrasion, and parietal pleurectomy. Successful treatment was obtained in 66.7％ (20/30) and the mean postoperative hospital stay of the successful cases was 5 days. Videothoracoscopy also provided the benefits of lesser postoperative pain, rapid recovery, short hospitalization, and smaller scar of wound by reduced trauma on access. The total 13 postoperative complications were occured in 10 patients, which showed somewhat higher rate than that of other reports because of lack of experiences in the earlier period, however, it had decreased progressively as experiences were accumulated and instruments were improved in the later period. The operative mortality was absent. Conclusively, videothoracoscopy is a new interesting modality of surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax and also can be extensively applicable in the diagnosis and treatment of other thoracic surgery.