• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2005

Purpose: In Korea, the number of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomies for early gastric cancer patients has been increasing lately. Although minimally invasive surgery is more beneficial, no reported case of a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy has been reported because of difficulty with intracorporeal anastomosis. This study attempts, through our experiences, to determine the feasibility of a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using an intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy in treating early gastric carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We investigated surgical results and clinicopatholgic characteristics of eight(8) patients with an early gastric carcinoma who underwent a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at the Department of Surgery, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, between June 2004 and September 2004. The intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy was performed with a delta-shaped ananstomosis by using only laparoscopic linear staplers (Endocutter 45mm; Ethicon Endosurgery, OH, USA). Results: The operative time was $369.4\pm62.5$ minutes (range $275\∼465$ minutes), and the anastomotic time was 45.1\pm14.4$ minutes (range $32\∼70$ minutes). The anastomotic time was shortened as surgical experience was gained. The number of laparoscopic linear staplers for an operation was $7.1\pm0.6$. The number of lymph nodes harvested was $31.9\pm13.1$. There was 1 case of transfusion and no case of conversion to an open procedure. The time to the first flatus was 2.8$\pm$0.5 days, and the time to the first food intake was $4.1\pm0.8$ days. There were no early postoperative complications, and the postoperative hospital stay was $10.0\pm3.9$ days. Conclusion: A totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using an intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy with a delta-shaped anastomosis is technically feasible and can maximize the benefit of laparoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.1058-1066
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• 1998

Background: Actinomycotic infection is uncommon and primary actinomycosis of the lung and chest wall has been less frequently reported. This disease may present as chronic debilitating illness with radiologic manifestation simulating lung tumor, pulmonary infiltrating lesion, or chronic suppuration. Diagnosis of choice was not definded yet and role of bronchoscopy on diagnosis was not described yet. Methods: From 1989 to 1998, we experienced 17 cases of thoracic actinomycosis. We have reviewed the case notes of 17 patients with thoracic actinomycosis. The mean age at presentation was $53{\pm}13$ years, 11 were male. Results: Cough, hemoptysis, sputum production, chest pain and weight loss were the commonest symptoms. The mean delay between presentation and diagnosis was $6.6{\pm}7.8$ months. There were six patients who presented with a clinical picture of a suppurative lesion and eleven patients were suspected of having primary lung tumor initially. In no cases was made an accurate diagnosis at the time of hospital admission. Associated diseases were emphysema (1 case), bronchiectasis (2 cases) and tuberculosis (2 cases). Bronchoscopic findings were mucosal swelling and stenosis(n=4), mucosal swelling, stenosis and necrotic covering (n=2), mass (n=3), mass and necrotic covering (n=1) and normal(n=6). Radiologic findings were mass lesion(n=8), pneumonitis(n=3), atelectasis(n=3), pleural effusion(n=2), and normal(n=3). Final diagnosis was based on percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy (n=3), bronchoscopic biopsy specimens (n=9), mediastinoscopic biopsy (n=1) and histologic examination of resected tissue in the remaining patients(n=4) who received surgical excision. Among 17 patients, 13 were treated medically and the other 4 received surgical intervention followed by antibiotic treatment. Regarding the surgically treated patients, suspected malignancy is the most common indication for operation. However. both medically and surgically treated patients achieved good clinical results. Conclusion: Thoracic actinomycosis is rare. but should still be considered in the differential diagnosis of a chrinic, localized pulmonary lesion. Thoracic actinomycosis may co-exist with pulmonary tuberculosis or lung cancer. If the lesion is located in the central of the lung. the bronchoscopy is recommanded for the diagnosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.724-732
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• 2000

Background : In patients with severe chronic lung diseases even a small pneumothorax can result in life-threatening respiratory distress. It is important to treat the attack by chest tube drainage until the lung expands. Pneumothorax with a persistent air leak that does not resolve under prolonged tube thoracostomy suction is usually treated by open operation to excise or oversew a bulla or cluster of blebs to stop the air leak. Pleurodesis by the instillation of chemical agents is used for the patient who has persistent air leak and is not good candidate for surgical treatment. When the primary trial of pleurodesis with common agent fails, it is uncertain which agent should be used f or stopping the air leak by pleurodesis. It is well known that inappropriate drainage of hemothorax results in severe pleural adhesion and thickening. Based on this idea, some reports described a successful treatment with autologous blood instillation for pneumothorax patients with or without residual pleural space. We tried pleurodesis with autologous bood for pneumothorax with persistent air leak and then we evaluated the efficacy and safety. Methods : Fifteen patients who had persistent air leak in the pneumothorax complicated from the severe chronic lung disease were enrolled. They were not good candidates for surgical treatment and doxycycline pleurodesis failed to stop up their air leaks. We used a mixture of autologous blood and 50% dextrose for pleurodesis. Effect and complications were assessed by clinical out∞me, chest radiography and pulmonary function tests. Results : The mean duration of air leak was 18.4${\pm}$6.16 days before ABP (autologous blood and dextrose pleurodesis) and $5.2{\pm}1.68$ days after ABP. The mean severity of pain was $2.3{\pm}0.70$ for DP(doxycycline pleurodesis) and $1.7{\pm}0.59$ for ABDP (p<0.05). There was no other complication except mild fever. Pleural adhesion grade was a mean of $0.6{\pm}0.63$. The mean dyspnea scale was $1.7{\pm}0.46$ before pneumothrax and $2.0{\pm}0.59$ after ABDP (p>0.05). The mean $FEV_1$ was $1.47{\pm}1.01$ before pneumothorax and $1.44{\pm}1.00$ after ABDP (p>0.05). Except in 1 patient, 14 patients had no recurrent pneumothorax. Conclusion : Autologous blood pleurodesis (ABP) was successful for treatment of persistent air leak in the pneumothorax. It was easy and inexpensive and involved less pain than doxycycline pleurodesis. It did not cause complications and severe pleural adhesion. We report that ABP can be considered as a useful treatment for persistent air leak in the pneumothorax complicated from the severe chronic lung disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.448-455
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• 1999

Background: Recent developments in techniques of video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) and endoscopic equipment has expanded the application of video-assisted surgical procedures in the field of thoracic surgery. Especially, it will probably become the treatment of choice of spontaneous pneumothorax(SP). There is, however, a high recurrence rate, high cost, and paucity of long-term results. We report the results of postoperative follow-up and analyze perioperative parameters affected to recurrence, retrospectively. Material and Method: From march 1992 to march 1997, 276 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent 292 VATS procedures. Conversion to open thoracotomy was necessitated in eight patients, and this patients excluded from the study. Result: The sex distribution was 249 males and 31 females. The mean age was 28.1 12.2 years(range, 15 to 69 years). Primary SP was 237cases(83.5%) and secondary SP was 47cases(16.5%). The major underlying lung diseases associated with secondary SP were tuberculosis 27cases(57.4%) and emphysema 8cases (38.3%). Operative indications included Ipsilateral recurrence 123(43.9%), persistent air-leak 53(18.9%), x-ray visible bleb 40(14.3%), tension 30(10.7%), contralateral recurrence 21(7.5%), uncomplicated first episode 8(2.9%), bilateral 3(1.1%), complicated episode 2(0.7%). Blebs were visualized in 247cases(87%) and 244cases(85.9%) performed stapled blebectomy. Early postoperative complications occurred in 33 cases(11.6%): 16 prolonged air-leak more than 5 days(four of them were required a second operation and found missed blebs); 5 bleeding; 5 empyema; 2 atelectasis; 1 wound infection. No deaths occured. The mean operative time was 52.8 23.1 minutes(range, 20 to 165 minutes). The mean d ration of chest tube drainage was 5.0 4.5 days(range, 2 to 37 days). The mean duration ofhospital stay was 8.2 5.5 days (range, 3 to 43days). At a mean follow-up 22.3 18.4 months(range, 1 to 65 months), 12 patients(4.2%) were lost to follow-up. There were 24 recurrences and seven patients underwent second operation and 6 patients(85.7%) were found the missed blebs. 12 perioperative parameters(age, sex, site, underlying disease, extent of collapse, operative indication, size of bleb, number of bleb, location of bleb, bleb management, pleural procedure, prolonged postoperative air-leak) were analyzed statistically to identify significant predictors of recurrence. The significant predictors of recurrence was the underlying disease[17.0%(8/47): 6.8%(16/237), p=0.038], prolonged postoperative air-leakage[37.5%(6/16): 6.7%(18/268), p=0.001], and pleural procedure [11.4%(19/167): 4.3%(5/117), p=0.034]. Blebectomy has less recurrence rate then non-blebectomy [8.2%(20/244) : 10.0%(4/40), p>0. 5]. However, this difference was not statistically significant(p=0.758). Conclusion: We conclude that it is important that we shoud careful finding of bleb during VATS due to reducing of recurrnece, and cases of no bleb identified and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax were indicated of pleurodectomy. VATS is a valid alternative to open procedure for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with less pain, shorter hospital stay, more rapid return to work, high patient acceptance, less scar and exellent cosmetics. But, there is high recurrence rate and high cost, and than it is necessary to evaluate of long-term results for recurrence and to observate carefully during VATS.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.485-495
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• 1998

Purpose : The major goal of the therapy in the soft tissue sarcoma is to control both local and distant tumor. However, the technique of obtaining local control has changed significantly over the past few decades from more aggressive surgery to combined therapy including conservative surgery and radiation and/or chemotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed the treatment results of the postoperative radiation therapy of soft tissue sarcoma and its prognostic factor. Materials and Methods : Between March 1983 and June 1994, 50 patients with soft tissue sarcoma were treated with surgery and postoperative radiation therapy at Kang-Nam St. Mary's hospital. Complete follow up was possible for all patients with median follow up duration 50 months (range 6-162 months). There were 28 male and 32 female patients. Their age ranged from 6 to 83 with a median of 44 years. Extremity (58$\%$) was the most frequent site of occurrence followed by trunk (20$\%$) and head and neck (12$\%$). Histologically malignant fibrous histiocytoma (23$\%$), liposarcoma (17$\%$), malignant schwannoma (12$\%$) constitute 52$\%$ of the patients. Daily radiation therapy designed to treat all areas at a risk for tumor spread upto dose of 4500-5000 cGy. A shrinking field technique was then used and total 55-65 Gy was delivered to tumor bed. Twenty-five patients (42$\%$) received chemotherapy with various regimen in the postoperative period. Results : Total 41 patients failed either with local recurrence or with distant metastasis. There were 29 patients (48$\%$) of local recurrence. Four patients (7$\%$) developed simultaneous local recurrence and distant metastasis and 8 patients (13$\%$) developed only distant metastasis. Local recurrence rate was rather higher than of other reported series. This study included patients of gross residual, recurrent cases after previous operation, trunk and head and neck Primary This feature is likely explanation for the decreased local control rate. Five of 29 Patients who failed only locally were salvaged by re-excision and/or re-irradiation and remained free of disease. Factors affecting local control include histologic type, grade, stage, extent of operation and surgical margin involvement, lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). All 21 patients who failed distantly are dead with progressive disease at the time of this report. Our overall survival results are similar to those of larger series. Actuarial 5 year overall survival and disease free survival were 60.4 $\%$, 30.6$\%$ respectively. Grade, stage (being close association with grade), residual disease (negative margin, microscopic, gross) were significant as a predictor of survival in our series (p<0.05). Conclusion : Combined surgery and postoperative radiation therapy obtained 5 year survival rate comparable to that of radical surgery.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.122-142
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• 2009

This study explored all domestic and international theories for maintenance and health enhancement of an old and big tree, and carried out the anatomical survey of the operation part of the tree toward he current status of domestic surgery and the perception survey of an expert group, and drew out following conclusion through the process of suggesting its reform plan. First, as a result of analyzing the correlation of the 67 subject trees with their ages, growth status. surroundings, it revealed that they were closely related to positional characteristic, damage size, whereas were little related to materials by fillers. Second, the size of the affected part was the most frequent at the bough sheared part under $0.09m^2$, and the hollow size by position(part) was the biggest at 'root + stem' starting from the behind of the main root and stem As a result of analyzing the correlation, the same result was elicited at the group with low correlation. Third, the problem was serious in charging the fillers (especially urethane) in the big hollow or exposed root produced at the behind of the root and stem part, or surface-processing it. The benefit by charging the hollow part was analyzed as not so much. Fourth, the surface-processing of fillers currently used (artificial bark) is mainly 'epoxy+woven fabric+cork', but it is not flexible, so it has brought forth problems of frequent cracks and cracked surface at the joint part with the treetextured part. Fifth, the correlation with the external status of the operated part was very high with the closeness, surface condition, formation of adhesive tissue and internal survey result. Sixth, the most influential thing on flushing by the wrong management of an old and big tree was banking, and a wrong pruning was the source of the ground part damage. In pruning a small bough can easily recover itself from its damage as its formation of adhesive tissue when it is cut by a standard method. Seventh, the parameters affecting the times of related business handling of an old and big tree are 'the need of the conscious reform of the manager and related business'. Eighth, a reform plan in an institutional aspect can include the arrangement of the law and organization of the old and big tree management and preservation at an institutional aspect. This study for preparing a reform plan through the status survey of the designated old and big tree, has a limit inducing a reform plan based on the status survey through individual research, and a weak point suggesting grounds by any statistical data. This can be complemented by subsequent studies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.464-470
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• 2009

Purpose : This study assessed the incidence and outcome of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) detected by prenatal ultrasonography Methods : There were 906 cases of CAKUT detected by prenatal ultrasonography and postnatally confirmed at the Asan Medical Center from October 1989 to October 2007. We investigated the incidence and outcome of these cases by reviewing medical records retrospectively. Results : The order of incidence was hydronephrosis, multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK), duplex kidney, vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR), single kidney, hydroureteronephrosis, ectopic kidney, polycystic kidney, ureterocele, and posterior urethral valve (PUV). There were 520 cases (57.4%) of hydronephrosis, and 20% of these needed an operation due to significant obstruction. MCDK was associated with other CAKUT in 25.4% of all cases. Approximately 57.9% of duplex kidney cases needed surgical treatment due to ureterocele and VUR. VUR had a male: female ratio of 10:1. Two out of seven cases of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney had progressed to chronic renal failure. Patients with PUV were relatively uncommon, and one out of nine cases progressed to end-stage renal disease. Conclusion : CAKUTs detected by prenatal ultrasonography were composed of various anomalies, and almost all of them had a good outcome without any intervention. However, in some cases, recurrent urinary tract infection or renal failure occurred, especially in bilateral cases. For further management, a long-term multicenter study is needed to investigate the precise incidence and outcome of each anomaly in the general population.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.457-462
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• 2003

Background: Surgical results of the Fontan procedures in patients with a single ventricle have improved. As the perioperative mortality continues to decline and late outcome is forthcoming, attention is now being directed toward late complications of the Fontan procedures. We retrospectively analyzed our experience with reoperations after Fontan procedures. Material and Method: Between January 1988 and December 2002, 24 patients underwent reoperations after Fontan procedures. The median age at Fontan procedures and reoperation was 3.3 years and 9.2 years, respectively. Types of initial Fontan procedures were atriopulmonary connection (n＝11), lateral tunnel Fontan (n＝11), and extracardiac conduit Fontan (n＝2). Indications for reoperation included atrioventricular valve regurgitation (n＝7), atrial arrhythmia (n＝8), Fontan pathway stenosis (n＝7), residual right-to-left shunt (n＝5), etc. Result: Procedures performed at reoperation included atrioventricular valve replacement (n＝6), conversion to lateral tunnel Fontan (n＝5), conversion to extracardiac conduit Fontan (n＝3), cryoablation of arrhythmia circuit (n＝7), etc. There was no operative mortality. There were 2 late deaths. Mean follow-up duration was 2.7$\pm$2.1 years. All patients except two were in NYHA class I at the latest follow-up. Among 8 patients with preoperative atrial arrhythmia, postoperative conversion to normal sinus rhythm was achieved in 7 patients. Conclusion: Reoperations after Fontan procedures could be achieved with low mortality and morbidity. Reoperation may lead to clinical improvement in patients with specific target conditions such as atrioventricular valve regurgitation, refractory atrial arrhythmia, or Fontan pathway stenosis, especially in patients with previous atriopulmonary connection.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.245-261
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• 1997

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis(SCFE) is a disorder in which there is a gradual or acute disruption through the capital physeal plate. The physiolysis is through a widened zone of hypertrophy, which is weakened due to altered chondrocytic maturation and endochondral ossification. The cause or causes of SCFE remain uncertain. The association of obesity and adolescent age with growth rate are predisposing factors. The possibility that most patients with subclinical hormonal abnormality were proved. The goal of treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis is to restore the function of the hip and delay the development of degenerative osteoarthrosis by prevention of additional displacement of the epiphysis. We report 10 patients(12hips) with SCFE who were treated by surgical means and followed along for more than one year, at Yeungnam University Hospital, from 1989 to 1996. There were six boys and four girls. The average age at operation was 11.8 years. Seven cases occurred in the left hip, one case in the right and 2 cases had bilateral involvement, five cases had a history of minor trauma on affected hip. Among hormonally studied six patients, panhypopituitarism patient was one case; decreased testosterone, two; decreased growth hormone, two; and decreased thyroid hormone, one. According to clinical stage, two cases were the acute type; five cases, acute on chronic type; and three cases, chronic type. On the radiological grades of slipping, mild slippage were nine hips; moderate, one; and severe, two. The eleven hips were treated by pin fixation in situ, and one, by cuneiform osteotomy. On the average follow-up of 2.6 years, ten hips were excellent or good functional results, two hips were failure.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2009

Purpose: The use of automatic circular staplers for gastroduodenostomy after distal gastrectomy is now widely accepted. We compared the clinical outcomes of two different methods. Materials and Methods: Between March 2005 and February 2008, 134 patients with gastric cancer underwent distal gastrectomies. Seventy-six consecutive patients received end-to-side gastroduodenostomies (ES) between March 2005 and September 2006. The remaining 58 consecutive patients received end-to-end gastroduodenostomies (EE) between November 2006 and February 2008. We analyzed the surgical outcomes between the two groups (ES versus EE) on the basis of prospectively collected data. Results: Among the clinical factors, there were no differences between the two groups. The overall complication rates were 19.7% in the ES group and 13.8% in the EE group (P=0.489). With respect to anastomosis-related complications, 2 cases had bleeding and 2 cases had stenoses in the ES group, while 2 cases in the EE group had bleeding. Re-operation was needed in the case of intraluminal bleeding in the ES group. There were no mortalities in our study. Conclusion: The two methods for gastroduodenostomy were safe and technically feasible. Although there was no statistical difference in the overall complications, including anastomosis-related complications, we demonstrated better outcomes with respect to anastomotic stenosis in the EE group.