• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.226-232
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• 1998

With recent advancements in the instrumentation and technique of VATS, it has become the method of choice to cure facial hyperhidrosis. From July 1996 to April 1997, we performed 43 thoracic lower stellate ganglionectomy with VATS for facial hyperhidrosis. There were 33 men and 10 women whose ages ranged from 17 to 63 years(mean age, 37 years). Of those patients, 23 complained only of facial hyperhidrosis, and 20 complained of facial hyperhidrosis along with excessive sweating of the palm or foot. Thoracoscopic sympathetic ganglionectomy procedures included lower stellate ganglionectomy in 12 patients; lower stellate ganglionectomy and T2-sympathetic ganglionectomy in 28 patients; and lower stellate, T2 and T3 sympathetic ganglionectomy in 3 patients. Common complications were compensatory hyperhidrosis(36 patients) and causalgia(8 patients). At the end of the follow-up period(minimum, 3 months) ninety-five percent of the patients reported satisfactory results. Thoracic lower stellate ganglionectomy with VATS is an efficient, safe and minimally invasive surgical procedure for facial hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.530-535
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• 2004

Background: Thoracoscopic R3 (above the third rib)sympathicotomy has been performed as an effective method in treating palmar hyperhidrosis because it is effective in eliminating the symptoms of hyperhidrosis and has lower degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis than that of sympathectomy. Most of the results published were based on the short-term follow up. So we evaluated the intermediate term follow up results of the R3 sympathicotomy. Material and Method: From April 1999 to August 2001, ninety-four patients with palmar hyperhidrosis had been treated by R3 sympathicotomy at the Inha University Hospital. Follow-up study was completed for 76 patients (male 38, female 38) and average follow-up period were 25$\pm$9.1 (15∼50) months. The sympathetic trunk passing above the upper border of third rib was divided by electric cautery. The patient's satisfaction after surgery was estimated using the analogue scale from score 0 to 100 (100 means perfect satisfaction). Result. The scale of patient's satisfaction immediately after operation was 92.36$\pm$9.93. After 15 months, the scale of satisfaction was decreased to average 71.80$\pm$20.24 and it is statiscally significant. The cause of dissatisfaction were compensatory hyper-hidrosis and recurrence of symptom. The degree of sweating immediately after operation was mean 0 and after 15 months it increased to mean 1.5. The degree of the compensatory hyperhidrosis immediately after operation was mean 1 and it increased to mean 5 after 15 months. Conclusion: R3 sympathicotomy has excellent therapeutic results immediately after operation but therapeutic effectiveness is becoming to decrease 15 months after operation. The common causes of dissatisfaction are compensatory hyperhidrosis and recurrence of hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.745-748
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• 1999

Background: A definitive cure for an essential hyperhidrosis can be obtained by an upper thoracic sympathectomy. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a compensatory hyper hidrosis as a side effect and it is irreversible. We performed a thoracoscopic sympathetic chain block using an endoscopic clip in order to avoid the compensatory hyperhidrosis. Material and Method: From Aug. 1998 to Nov. 1998, 42 cases of thoracoscopic clipping of the T2 sympathetic chain were performed. The sympathetic chain was clipped using an endoscopic clip instead of cutting. Result: Bilateral procedure took less than 40 minutes and occasionally necessitated one night in the hospital. There were no mortality nor life- threatening complications. Horners syndrome occurred in two cases. At the end of postoperative follow-up(median 3 months), 95.0% of the patients were satisfied with the results. Compensatory sweating occurred in 31 cases(77.5%) where nine of those cases were classified as either embarrassing(6 cases-15.0%) or disabling(3 cases-7.5%). Conclusion: Endoscopic thoracic T2 sympathetic chain block using endoscopic clipping is an efficient, safe and minimally invasive surgical method for the treatment of palmar and craniofacial hyperhidrosis and the results were similar to those underwent T2 sympathicotomy. We recommend that patients receive endoscopic sympathetic chain block in summer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1133-1137
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• 1996

From September 1994 to October 1995, we are reporting clinical results of 67 patients whom underwent video-assisted trio rabic surgery(VATS). 1. They were diagnosed as spontaneous pneumothorax In )5, diffuse interstitial lung disease in 9, empyema in 7, hemothorax in 5, malignant pleural effusion in 3, hyperhidrosis in 3, foreign body in chest cavity in 2, mesothelioma in 1, miliary tuberculosis in 1 and organizing pneumonia in 12. In pneumothorax, bullectomy in 33 and open bellectoiny in 2 due to pleural adhesion was done Hemostasis in 5, irrigation in 7, foreign body removal in 2, talcum powder insufrlation in 3, sympathectomy 3 as done. Thoracoscopic biopsy watt done In 12 3. For pneumothorax, operation was indicated as recurrent pneumothorax in 18, persistent air leak in 12, visible bullae In chest X-ray in 5. 4 Thoracoscopic biopsy was done in 12. They were interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in 9, miliary tuberculosis in 1, mesothelioma in 1, and organizing pneumonia in 1 .Among interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, usual interstitial pneumonia were 2 and diffuse interstitial pneumonia were 7. 5. Wo complication was found in 6) patients among 67 patients. The complication was found in 4 patients (2 persistent air leak, 2 contralateral lung atelectasis). We concluded that VATS was safe and beneficial in reducing postoperative complication and the role of thoracic surgery will increase markefdly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.171-174
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• 1999

Background: Hyperhidrosis of the palms, axillae and face has a strong negative impact on social and professional life. The present existing non-operative therapeutic options seldom give sufficient relief and have a transient effect. A definitive cure can be obtained by upper thoracic sympathectomy. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a high rate of side effects, such as embarrassing compensatory sweating. Material and Method: From Sep. 1997 to Feb. 1998, 89 cases of the needle(2 mm) thoracoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy were performed. The second thoracic ganglion was resected by cutting with a endoscissors. Result: A bilateral procedure takes less than 25 min and requires just one night in hospital. There have been no mortality or life-threatening complications. One patient(<2%) required intercostal drainage because of pneumothorax. Primary failure occurred in one cases(<2%) and recurrent hyperhidrosis occurred in no cases. The patients with failure was successfully re-sympathicotomy. At the end of postoperative follow-up(median 3 months), 96.6% of the patients were satisfied. Compensatory sweating occurred in 57 cases(64.0%) with fourteen of those cases classified as either embarrassing in 10 cases(11.2%) or disabling in 4 cases(4.5%). Conclusion: Endoscopic transthoracic sympathicotomy is an efficient, safe and minimally invasive surgical method for the treatment of palmar and craniofacial hyperhidrosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.783-787
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• 2010

Purpose: There are many articles describing about Guyon canal compression syndrome. Until recently, most of these articles have been presented about the symptoms of ulnar nerve compression, but there have been no reports about ulnar artery compression. In this article, besides the nerve compression symptoms in the Guyon's canal, we represented the symptoms and treatments based on the ulnar artery obstruction. Methods: Guyon canal is composed of the hamate and pisiform, and the ligaments which connect them. The course of the ulnar nerve and artery, which passes through this narrow canal, is affected by the anatomical structure of the base of the canal. Out of 14 patients (21 cases) were retrospectively reviewed in this study from 2006 to 2009. Of 14 patients, there were 5 men and 9 women with ages between 21 to 61 years old. The symptoms had volar sensory loss of ulnar sided digits, with muscular atrophy of hypothenar muscles. Prior to surgery, most of these patients had vascular disorders which was diagnosed definitively by angiography and electromyogram. Results: The release of Guyon canal and interposition graft of the obstructed arteries was carried out to 11 patients (15 cases) who had artery (vascular) occlusive disorder, and. 12 cases had sympathectomy and interposition graft after resection of obstructed ulnar artery. Six cases had release of carpal tunnel performed simultaneously. There were no major complications after surgery. The circulation of the ulnar artery was improved along with the patients' symptoms. Conclusion: The pre-existing articles about Guyon canal compression syndrome were mainly focused on ulnar nerve compression. This study, which was carried out by our department, showed that most of these patients had ulnar artery obstruction or stenosis simultaneously with ulnar nerve compression. The vascular disorder was corrected by interposition graft after the resection of the site of ulnar artery occlusion. And to conclude, When we resolve the ulnar nerve compression, the proper diagnosis & treatment of impaired ulnar artery circulation should be carried out concomitantly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.519-524
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• 1998

From January 1996 to December 1996, we performed 137 thoracic sympathetic ganglionectomies with VATs for primary hyperhidrosis in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Anam hospital, Korea university medical center. There were 83 men and 54 women whose ages ranged from 13 to 63 years old(mean age: 25years). Of these patients, 128 patients had complained of palmar hyperhidrosis and 26 of facial hyperhidrosis. Thoracoscopic sympathetic ganglionectomies procedures included lower 1/3 Stellate ganglionectomies in 4 patients; lower 1/3 Stellate ganglionectomies and T2-sympathetic ganglionectomies in 18 patients; T2-sympathetic ganglionectomies in 86 patients; T2 and T3 sympathetic ganglionectomies in 10 patients; and T2, T3 and T4 sympathetic ganglionectomies in 19 patients. The mean operating time was 59 minutes(range: 25 to 162 minutes), and the mean hospital stay was 3.8 days(range: 2 to 8 days). Common complications were compensatory hyperhidrosis(109 patients) and causalgia(18 patients). At the end of the follow-up period(mean: 8 months) ninety-seven percent of the patients reported satisfactory results. Thoracic sympathetic ganglionectomy with VATs is an efficient, safe, and minimally invasive surgical procedure for primary hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.813-817
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• 1999

Background: Conventional thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy is an effective method in treating localized hyperhidrosis; however, this may result in a postoperatively embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis or facial anhidrosis in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. We modified the conventional sympathicotomy by limiting the extent of nerve transection. The purpose of this study was to assess the result of the limited thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve transection in hyperhidrosis. Material and Method: From May to August 1998, 17 patients underwent limited transection of the sympathetic nerve. For 9 patients with facial hyperhidrosis, we transected only the interganglionic fiber between the first and the second ganglion, whereas the conventional method cuts two interganglionic fibers. Eight patients with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent limited transection of the interganglionic fiber between the second and third ganglion. Result: Sixteen patients had improved symptom postoperatively. There was a recurred facial sweating in 1 patient 1 month after the operation. Among the 9 facial hyperhidrosis patients, postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis was severe in 4, moderate in 4 and minimal in 1. But in 8 cases of palmar hyperhidrosis compensatory hyperhidrosis was moderate in 3, and minimal in 1, none in 4. Facial sweating was not disturbed postoperatively in all of the palmar hyperhidrosis patients. Conclusion: Limited sympathetic nerve transection is a practical and less invasive method for the treatment of localized hyperhidrosis and may reduce the incidence of compensatory truncal hyperhidrosis and facial anhidrosis in case of palmar hyperhidrosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.240-246
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• 2018

Efferent and afferent sympathetic nerves are closely related to the development of hypertension and heart failure. Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) is implemented as a strategy to treat resistant hypertension. We investigated whether RDN procedure causes inflammatory damage on myocardium in the early phase of sympathetic denervation. Twenty-five female swine were divided into 3 groups: normal control (Normal, n=5), sham-operated control (Sham, n=5), and RDN groups (RDN, n=15). The RDN group was further subdivided into 3 subgroups according to the time of sacrifice: immediately (RDN-0, n=5), 1 week (RDN-1, n=5), and 2 weeks (RDN-2, n=5) after RDN. There were no significant changes in the clinical parameters between the normal control and sham-operated group using contrast-media. In the myocardium, inflammatory cytokines, $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ increased at the first week, and then decreased at the second week after RDN. Anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 increased immediately, and then decreased at the second week after RDN. Caspase-1 activity and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) expression increased immediately after RDN until the second week. However, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expression did not show any significant differences among the groups. The RDN can cause acute myocardial inflammation through activation of caspase-1 and $IL-1{\beta}$. We should pay attention to protecting against early inflammatory myocardial damage after RDN.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.889-896
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• 1996

Aggressive revascularization of the ischemic lower extremities in atherosclerotic occlusive diseases or acute embolic arterial occusion due to cardiac valvular disease by thromboembolectomy or an arterial by- pass operation has been advocated by some authors. To evaluate clinical pattern and operative outcome of the ischemic lower extremity, surgical experience in 101 patients who were admitted to Dong-A Univer- sity Hospital between March 1990 and August 1995 was analyzed. The patients were 92 males and 9 females ranging fro 25 to 87 years of age. The underlying causes of arterial occlusive disease were atherosclerotic obliterances in 54 case, Buerger's disease in 20 cases, thromboembolism in 24 cases, vascular trauma in 3 cases and pseudoaneurysm in 3 cases. - The major arterial occlusive sites of atherosclerotic obliterance were femoral artery in 30 cases, iliac artery in 23 cases, popliteal artery in 10 cases, distal aorta in 6 cases and the major arterial occlusive sites of Buerger's disease were posterior tibial artery in 14 cases, anterior tibial artery in 8 cases, popliteal artery in 5 cases. The operative procedures of arterial occlusive disease were bypass graft operation in 61 cases, thromboembolectomy in 21 cases, sympathectomy in 20 cases. Arterial bypass operations with autogenous or artificial vascular prosthesis were done in 61 cases which Included femoro-popliteal bypass in 21 cases, femoro-femoral bypass in 15 cases, axillo-bifemoral bypass in 7 cases, aorto-bifemoral with inverted Y-gr ft In 3 cases, femoro-profundafemoral bypass in 3 cases, popliteo-tibial bypass in 2 cases, aorto-iliad bypass in 1 case Over all postoperative patency rates were 83.6 oyo at 1 year, 75.5% at 3 years and limb salvage rate was 86.8 oyo . Six patients died in the hospital following vascular surgery for ischemic lower extremities, although the causes of death were not directly related to the vascular reconstructive operative proccedures. The leading causes of death were in the order of multiple organ failure, acute renal failure, and sepsis.