• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.731-735
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• 1990

Simultaneous and non simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax patients[273] were reviewed retrospectively from April 1986 to March 1990 in the Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical College. The incidence of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax was 13.6%[37] and sexual distribution was male dominant [Male:33, Female:4]. The patients were classified into three major groups according to therapeutic methods: Group I [7]; who were treated with simultaneous bilateral operation for unilateral recurred spontaneous pneumothorax through median sternotomy. Mean age was 20.7 years[17 \ulcorner28] and follow up duration was 7.7 months [3 weeks \ulcorner2 years]. Group II [23];who were treated with staged lateral thoractomy, unilateral thoracotomy and non simultaneous contralateral closed thoracostomy, or simultaneous or non simultaneous bilateral closed thoracostomy. Mean age was 28.6 years [17 \ulcorner56] and follow up duration was 9.8 months[one week \ulcorner3.5 years]. Group III[10] ;who were treated with simultaneous bilateral operation for simultaneous or non simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax through median sternotomy. Mean age was 21.4 years[17 \ulcorner28] and follow up duration was 12.8 months[2 weeks \ulcorner2.7 years]. Among the patients managed through median sternotomy simultaneously [Group I and III], there were visible blebs or bullous changed lesions mainly in the apicoposterior segment bilaterally in 15 patients[88.2%] Postoperative complications were 3 cases in Group II [wound infection:2 cases, temporary left wrist drop: one case] but none in Group I and III. Spontaneous pneumothorax recurred in 2 cases, one in Group II and another in Group III but none in Group I. 12 cases of 94 patients[12.8%o] who were treated with unilateral thoracotomy needed contralateral thoracotomy mean 14.9 months[7.5 \ulcorner 25 months] later. Mean age was 20.9 years [17 \ulcorner28]. In conclusion, simultaneous bilateral operation through median sternotomy should be considered in managements of spontaneous pneumothorax, especially in late teens and early twenties except young women for cosmetic reasons.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.356-360
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• 2016

Background: The standard approach in treating cardiac myxoma is the median full sternotomy. With the evolution of surgical techniques, the right minithoracotomy approach has emerged as an alternative method. Since few studies have been published assessing the right minithoracotomy approach, we performed a retrospective study to compare the clinical outcomes of the right minithoracotomy approach with those of the sternotomy approach. Methods: From January 2005 to December 2014, 203 patients underwent resection of a cardiac myxoma. Patients with preexisting cardiac problems were excluded from this study. 146 patients were enrolled in this study; 83 patients were treated using a median sternotomy and 63 patients were treated using a right minithoracotomy. Results: No early mortalities were recorded in either group. Although the cardiopulmonary bypass time and aorta cross-clamp time were significantly shorter in the sternotomy group (p<0.001 and p=0.005), postoperative blood transfusions and arrhythmia events were significantly less common in the thoracotomy group (p=0.004 and p=0.025, respectively). No significant differences were found in the duration of the hospital stay, postoperative intubation time, the duration of the intensive care unit stay, and recurrence. Conclusion: The minimally invasive right minithoracotomy approach is a good alternative method for treating cardiac myxoma because it was found to be associated with a lower incidence of postoperative complications and a shorter postoperative recovery period.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.675-679
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• 2002

In patient with severe adhesion between lung and aorta, there is some limitation in approaching the distal arch or descending thoracic aorta through the usual left thoracotomy. We report a case of a successfully managed distal arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm through the median sternotomy without any manipulations of the lung in a 66 year old man who presented hemoptysis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.155-157
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• 1989

Median sternotomy is the incision of choice to allow access to the anterior mediastinum, heart, or both lungs. The vertical skin incision generally gives a poor cosmetic result. In certain patients particularly those who are asymptomatic and undergoing short, low risk procedures, cosmetic considerations are of relatively greater importance. A bilateral horizontal submammary skin incision with dissection of a flap including the subcutaneous tissue and breast allows exposure of the sternum so that a median sternotomy can be performed. We have performed this incision in 12 patients undergoing open heart surgery. Although obtaining the usual midsternal exposure takes some extra time, results have shown the va1ue of this approach and its benefit to the patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.509-512
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• 2021

Extensive thoracic aortic disease involving the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and the descending thoracic aorta may require multiple surgical and interventional managements, which impose a burden in terms of cumulative surgical trauma and the risk of interval mortality. Herein, we describe a single-stage arch and descending thoracic aorta replacement via sternotomy in a patient with multiple comorbidities presenting with an extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.217-221
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• 1991

Bronchiectasis is bilateral in approximately 30% of patients. Although the presence of bilateral bronchiectasis was frequently considered a contraindication to surgical resection due to excessive loss of functional pulmonary parenchyma, it is a correct view that the involved broncho-pulmonary segments are functionless and risks to the as yet uninvolved segments and should be removed if the patient`s pulmonary function is tolerable. We report a case of multisegmental bilateral bronchiectasis treated by bilateral simultaneous pulmonary resection through a median sternotomy. Five bronchiectatic segments were resected, which were right middle lobe, anterobasal segment of the right lower lobe, and lingula of the left upper lobe.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.183-185
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• 2000

With the marked decrease in operative mortality in simple heart diseases there have been several reports on the minimally invasive and cosmetic techniques including submammary incision right parasternal approach right anterolateral thoracotomy partial sternotomy and subxiphoid approach. We report here subxiphoid approach without sternotomy for the repair of atrial septal defect as the procedure that has less invasive technique and more cosmetic effect.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.576-580
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• 1998

This study is to clarify the results of atrial septal defect(ASD) repair and mitral valve surgery through right anterolateral thoracotomy since 1989, and those of more generalized application of minimal invasive cardiac surgery since August 1997. We retrospectively analyzed the results of open heart surgery(OHS) through other than full sternotomy carried out until October 1997. There were 28 cases of OHS done through right anterolateral thoracotomy(17 cases of ASD, 4 cases of mitral valve repair, 6 cases of mitral valve replacement, and 1 redo mitral and tricuspid valve repalcement) which has demonstrated no surgical mortality or morbidity except only 1 case of reoperation for bleeding. During the period between August and October 1997, we performed near routine application of upper sternotomy or transverse sternotomy in aortic valve cases and routine application of minimal incision in cases with ASD and there was no evidence of early and late complications associated with this approach. We conclude that OHS with the use of minimal incisions is very safe, cosmetically excellent, and superior in terms of the amount of bleeding. The indication for minimal incision, therefore, should be extended afterwards.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.421-426
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• 2016

Background: Median sternotomy is the standard approach for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. However, minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has been introduced at many centers in adult/grown-up congenital heart patients. We retrospectively reviewed the results of right anterolateral thoracotomy compared with conventional median sternotomy (CMS) for ASD closure at Seoul National University Hospital. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 60 adult patients who underwent isolated ASD closure from January 2004 to December 2013 (42 in the CMS group, 18 in the MICS group). Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were collected and compared between the 2 groups. Results: The MICS group was younger (44.6 years vs. 32.4 years, p=0.002) and included more females (66.7% vs. 94.4%, p=0.025) than the CMS group. Operation time (188.4 minutes vs. 286.7 minutes, p<0.001), cardiopulmonary bypass time (72.7 minutes vs. 125.8 minutes, p<0.001), and aortic cross-clamp time (25.5 minutes vs. 45.6 minutes, p<0.001) were significantly longer in the MICS group. However, there were no significant differences in morbidity and mortality between groups. Only chest tube drainage in the first 24 hours (627.1 mL vs. 306.1 mL, p<0.001) exhibited a significant difference. Conclusion: MICS via right anterolateral thoracotomy is an alternative choice for ASD closure. The results demonstrated similar morbidity and mortality between groups, and favored MICS in chest tube drainage in the first 24 hours.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.298-301
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• 2014

A 35-year-old man was admitted to Korea University Anam Hospital for evaluation of intermittent chest pain. Computed tomography of the chest showed enlargement of a previously identified anterior mediastinal mass and also a well-defined, circumscribed mass in the subcarinal area, surrounded by the roof of the left atrium, right pulmonary artery, and the carina. Complete resection of the intrapericardial tumor was performed through median sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. Pathologic examination identified the tumor as schwannoma, of an ancient type, diffusely positive for the S-100 antigen. Unlike other reported cases, grossly, the tumor did not seem to be involved with any nerve.