• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2007

Purpose: Breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) free flap is known to be the most advanced method of utilizing autologous tissue. The DIEP free flap method saves most of the rectus abdominis muscle as well as anterior rectus sheath. Therefore, the morbidity of the donor site is minimized and the risk of hernia is markedly decreased. Methods: We chose the internal mammary artery and its venae comitantes as recipient vessels, and deep inferior epigastric vessels as donor vessels. The number and location of the perforators derived from medial or lateral branch of deep inferior epigastric artery(DIEA) in 23 DIEP flaps were identified. Ten patients underwent evaluation of their abdominal wall function preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively by using Lacote's muscle grading system. Results: Of the 23 patients, a patient with one perforator from lateral branch of DIEA experienced partial necrosis of flap. Total flap loss occurred in one patient. Mild abdominal bulging was reported in one patient 4 months postoperatively probably because of early vigorous rehabilitational therapy for her frozen shoulder. Postoperative abdominal wall function tests in 10 patients showed almost complete recovery of muscle function upto their preoperative level of upper and lower rectus abdominis and external oblique muscle function at 6 months postoperatively. All patients have been able to resume their daily activities. Conclusion: The breast reconstruction with DIEP free flap is reliable and valuable method which provide ample soft tissue from abdomen without compromising the integrity of abdominal wall. Selection of reliable perforators is important and including more than two perforators may decrease fat necrosis and partial necrosis of flap.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2015

Purpose: This study evaluated the functional and oncological outcomes of proximal gastrectomy (PG) in comparison with total gastrectomy (TG) for upper-third early gastric cancer (EGC). Materials and Methods: The medical records of upper-third EGC patients who had undergone PG (n=192) or TG (n=157) were reviewed. The PG group was further subdivided into patients who had undergone conventional open PG (cPG; n=157) or modified laparoscopy-assisted PG (mLAPG; n=35). Patients who had undergone mLAPG had a longer portion of their intra-abdominal esophagus preserved than patients who had undergone cPG. Surgical morbidity, recurrence, long-term nutritional status, and the incidence of reflux esophagitis were compared between the groups. Results: The rate of postoperative complications was significantly lower for PG than TG (16.7% vs. 31.2%), but the five-year overall survival rate was comparable between the two groups (99.3% vs. 96.3%). Postoperative levels of hemoglobin and albumin were significantly higher for patients who had undergone PG. However, the incidence of reflux esophagitis was higher for PG than for TG (37.4% vs. 3.7%; P<0.001). mLAPG was related to a lower incidence of reflux esophagitis after PG (P<0.001). Conclusions: Compared to TG, PG showed an advantage in terms of postoperative morbidity and nutrition, and there was a comparable prognosis between the two procedures. Preserving the intra-abdominal esophagus may lower the incidence of reflux esophagitis associated with PG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.685-690
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• 2007

Background: In the past, radiotherapy was the gold standard for the treatment of upper esophageal cancer, but the long-term follow-up was disappointing. There is still ongoing debate on the surgical management of these patients. This study was undertaker to update our experience with upper esophageal carcinoma and to evaluate the effectiveness of surgery. Material and Method: From May 1995 to December 2005, 147 patients with esophageal cancer underwent surgery at our hospital. They were divided into two groups: one group consisted of 23 patients with upper esophageal (cervical and upper thoracic) cancer and another group consisted of 424 patients with lower esophageal (middle thoracic, lower thoracic and abdominal) cancer. We evaluated the effectiveness of surgical treatment between the 2 groups by measuring the rate of complete surgical resection, the postoperative complications, the postoperative mortality, tumor recurrence, the average life expectancy and the long-term survival. Result: On comparing both groups, there was no significant difference in the distribution of the pathological stage and no significant difference in the percentage of performing complete surgical resection. The percentage of post-operative complications was 39.1% (9 out of 23 patients) in the upper esophageal cancer group, and this was significantly higher than 16.9% (21 out of 124 patients) in the lower esophageal cancer group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant statistical difference between the groups for the percentages of postoperative mortality, tumor recurrence or the postoperative average life expectancy. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in operative mortality or surgical effectiveness between the 2 groups. Therefore, we thought that surgical treatment is also effective for treating upper esophageal cancer, but further investigation with large patient populations will be required.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 1998

Background: Preoperative analgesia may prevent nociceptive inputs generated during surgery from sensitizing central neurons and therefore may preempt postoperative pain. Although preemptive analgesia has shown to decrease postinjury pain in animals, studies in human are not consistent. We studied whether epidural morphine injection before surgical incision could affect postoperative pain and analgesic demands, compared with injection after removal of specimen. Methods: Forty patients scheduled for radical subtotal gastrectomy were randomly assigned to one of two groups for prospective study in a double-blind manner. Group 1 received an epidural injection of 3 mg of morphine in 8 ml of 0.9% saline before surgical incision, and Group 2 after removal of specimen. Postoperative pain relief was provided with I.V. patient controlled analgesia (PCA) system. Numerical rating scales for pain and mood, Prince Henry Hospital scores for pain, cumulative PCA analgesic consumptions, and incidence of side effects were assessed at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours after operation. Results: Cumulative PCA analgesic consumption in group 1 was significantly less than in group 2 at 2, 6 hours after surgery. Pain scores and the incidence of side effects were similar in both groups. Conclusions: Preoperative analgesia with epidural morphine showed little difference in patient controlled analgesic consumption after upper abdominal surgery compaired to intraoperative morphine.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.208-210
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• 2014

Rupture of the spleen is relatively common, both immediately and in a delayed fashion following significant blunt abdominal trauma. However, atraumatic splenic rupture rarely occurs. Multiple underlying pathologies have been associated with splenic rupture without trauma, including hematological, neoplastic, inflammatory and infectious conditions. In our case, a 21-year-old male without prior medical history visited the hospital with left upper quadrant abdominal pain that had started one day earlier. He had no history of trauma. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan found a collection of perisplenic fluid, accompanying a splenic rupture. Due to the patient's stable vital signs and lack of clinical progression of hemorrhage, he underwent conservative treatment. The patient was discharged at day 14 without complication. Rupture of a normal spleen without a history of trauma is not often reported, and it has long been a subject of debate. Ruptures of normal spleen almost always follow some kind of trauma, such as a car accidents or a fall from significant heights. Here, we report a case of spontaneous rupture of a normal spleen in the absence of other medical pathologies or triggering factors.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2010

Malrotation is a congenital anomaly that becomes symptomatic more frequently during infancy. The indication for surgical treatment at that age is straightforward. In older children, the diagnosis may be more difficult because of chronic and vague complaint. The aim of this study is to compare the symptoms, rate of volvulus and surgical findings in children younger and older than one year. A retrospective study of 40 patients in a a single medical center diagnosed with malrotation from April 1996 to May 2010 was performed. There were 20 (50 %) boys and 20 (50 %) girls. At the time of operation, 27 (67.5 %) patients were younger and 13 (32.5 %) were older than 1 year. Vomiting was seen in 20 cases (74.1 %) of the younger group compared to 2 cases (15.4 %) of the older group. Abdominal sonography and upper gastrointestinal series showed a sensitivity of 100%. Operative findings: 12 (44.4 %) of the younger group presented with volvulus compared to none of the older group. The Ladd's procedure was routinely performed with appendectomy in all cases and bowel resection was requires when volvulus included bowel necrosis or other anomalies were found. After definite procedures, surgical correction for adhesive obstruction was necessary in 5 menbers (18.5 %) of the younger group and 1 patient (7.7 %) in the older group. There was 1 death due to respiratory failure and pneumonia. Abdominal pain was more frequent symptom and bilious vomiting was less frequent. Volvulus did not occur in the older group. Malrotation should be diagnosed promptly in children over 1 year of age by upper gastrointestinal series and abdominal ultrasonography even though symptoms are not as clear cut as in infants.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.81-84
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• 1978

A 15 years Old girl was admitted with chief complaints of intermittent claudication of lower extremity, dizziness, and headache for 5 years. On admission, malignant hypertension was noted in the upper part of body [190-150/120-110] but femoral & dorsalis pedis pulse could not palpate. Once she had experienced C. V. A. due to hypertension of upper part, about years ago. On auscultation, systolic murmur was audible along the left sternal border. E.C.G. Showed left ventricular hypertrophy pattern, and others within normal limit. Retrograde aortography demonstrated diffuse narrowing of entire thoracic aorta with underdeveloped lower abdominal aorta [below the renal artery] & both common lilac artery, and rich collaterals, but normally visualized greater arteries in the aortic arch. On left posterolasteral thoracotomy, entire descending thoracic aorta revealed marked narrowing with mild perivascular adhesion, but no mediastinal pleura adhesion. These findings suggest as congenital type of atypical coarctation in the entire thoracic aorta with mild secondary change. But histopathology was showed the findings of chronic non-specific aortitis, later. Dacron by pass graft was performed with end to side anastomosis between graft and aortic wall. After operation, all her preoperative symptoms & signs were disappeared, and discharged with good general condition.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 1998

Successful management of duodenal obstruction in newborn infant implies not only satisfactory nutrition but also achievement of normal growth. To aid early diagnosis and management, we evaluated the diagnostic methods, operative interventions and clinical characteristics of thirty-nine infants with congenital duodenal obstructions. In the 11-year period from July 1986 through June 1997, thirty-nine patients with congenital duodenal obstruction (23 males and 16 females) were treated and reviewed at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital. The ratio of male to female was 1.4:1, and 29 cases(74.1%) among total 39 patients were newborn. There were 5 premature patients and 16 patients of small for gestational age. The most common causes of the congenital duodenal obstruction was malrotation (26 cases, 66.7%) and followed by annular pancreas (9 cases, 23.1 %), type 1 atresia (3 cases, 7.7%) and wind-sock anomaly (1 case, 2.6%). Common symptoms were vomiting, abdominal distention, jaundice. Plain abdominal X-ray study combined with upper gastrointestinal series was the most commonly used diagnostic method. The operative procedures were performed by same pediatric surgeon utilizing Ladd's procedure in 26, duodenoduodenostomy in 8, duodenojejunostomy in 4, excision of wind-sock membrane in 1. A total of 15 associated congenital anomalies were found in 9 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 13(33.3%). Overall mortality was 2.6%(1/39). Bilious vomiting and plain abdominal radiologic study were most useful for the diagnosis of congenital duodenal obstruction. Early diagnosis and operative intervention were important to prevent complications such as sepsis and peritonitis.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.221-231
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• 2006

Solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas occurs most frequently in the second or third decades of life, and is prevalent in females. Unlike other pancreatic malignancy, SPT usually has a low malignancy potential. This study reviews our clinical experience and surgical treatment of pancreatic SPT. Admission records and follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively for the period between January 1996 and January 2003. Five patients with a pancreatic mass were operated upon and SPT was confirmed by pathology in each case. The male to female ratio was 1: 4. The median age was 13.8 years. Findings were vague upper abdominal pain (n=5, 100 %) and an abdominal palpable mass (n=3, 60 %). The median tumor diameter was 6.8cm and the locations were 2 in the pancreatic head (40 %) and 3 in the pancreatic tail (60 %). Extra-pancreatic invasion or distant metastasis was not found at the initial operation in all five cases. A pyloruspreserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=1) and a mass enucleation (n=1) were performed in two patients of pancreatic head tumors. For three cases of tumors in pancreatic tail, distal pancreatectomy (n=2) and combined distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy (n=1) were performed. The median follow-up period was 60 months(12-117month). During the follow-up period, there was no local recurrence, nor distant metastasis. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was not carried out. All five children were alive during the follow up period without any evidence of disease relapse. SPT of the pancreas in childhood has good prognosis and surgical resection of the tumor is usually curative.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.707-713
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• 2009

Purpose: The deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) free flap is well known as an ideal donor site for the breast reconstruction. The flap can provide huge amount of fat tissue for breast and buttock contour, while it is also very useful as a thin skin flap to reconstruct the upper and lower extremities. We used a DIEP free flap in various site reconstructions besides the breast and would like to reinsure the usefulness of this flap. Methods: Twenty nine consecutive patients who underwent DIEP free flap surgery from 2001 January to 2007 December were reviewed. The case constituted seven male patients and twenty two female patients. There were sixteen breast reconstructions, five face reconstructions, five lower extremity reconstructions, two upper extremity reconstructions, and one buttock contour reconstruction. All clinical data were based on the patient's medical records. Results: All DIEP free flaps survived without major complications. There was no hematoma, seroma, or partial necrosis. The donor sites were closed primarily with linear scar on lower abdomen. The thinnest part of flap was 0.7 cm in thickness. The size of the largest flap was $38{\times}13cm$. The flaps were used in various types of skin and adipose tissue, adipose tissue only, and skin only according to the requirement of recipient site. Conclusion: The DIEP free flap was enough to provide a thin and huge flap for both breast and extremity reconstructions. It was able to provide versatile designs with sufficient adipose tissue. So we use it for 3 - dimentional face and buttock contour reconstructions. The DIEP free flap is a valuable reconstructive donor for face, upper and lower extremity in addition to breast without compromising the integrity of abdominal wall.