• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 1998

Rheumatic valvulitis produces at least three distinct pathologic changes, the degree varying widely among the patients: fusion of the valve leaflets at the commissures; fusion and shortening of chordae tendinae: and fibrosis of the leaflets with subsequent stiffening, contraction and calcification. The most extensive changes usually are seen in patients with recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever. We studied on outcome of the surgical treatments of rheumatic valvular diseases that have been experienced for 12 years since 1982 at Pusan National University Hospital. The diagnoses were made by rheumatic fever history, echocardiographic findings, gross operative findings and microscopic findings. Total 502 patients were performed surgery for valvular heart diseases and 440 patients of rheumatic origin have bene analysed. There were more female than male patients as 1.3:1, and the mean age was 37.8 years old. 96.3% of them affected to the mitral valve, 19.8% to aortic valve, 16.3% affected to the tricuspid valve. Most of them underwent valve replacement, and valve repair was done in 3.9% of patients. There were 36 hospital deaths(8.2%) mainly from low cardiac output syndrome, and 15 late deaths equally due to embolism and hemorrhage. Follow up was 90.1% completed(2890 patient- year). Linealized rates of late complication events are follows : thromboembolism 1.3% per patient year; anticoagulant related hemorrhage 0.8% per patient year. Overall actuarial survival including hospital mortality was 92.7＋/-2.9% in 1 year, 88.0＋/-4.5% in 5 year, 82.3＋/-7.7% in 10 year. We conclude that the rheumatic disease is still the most frequent and the most important cause of heart valve disease. So more intensive study is needed in spite of the abrupt decreasing rate of rheumatic fever in U.S.A. and other industrial country.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.353-361
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• 1998

Hypothermia is widely acknowledged as fundamental component of myocardial protection during cardiac operations. Although it prolongs the period of ischemic arrest by reducing oxygen demands, hypothermia is associated with a number of major disadvantages, including its detrimental effects on enzymatic function, energy generation, and cellular integrity. The ideal way to rotect the heart is to electromechanically arrest it and perfus it with blood that is aerobic arrest. However alternative technique has been developed, based on the principles of electromechanical arrest and normothermic aerobic perfusion using continuous warm blood cardioplegia. To determine if continuous warm blood cardioplegia was beneficial in clinical practice during valvular surgery, we studied two groups of patients matched by numbers and clinical characteristics. Group included is 31 patients undergoing valvular surgery who received intermittent cold crystalloid cardioplegia. Group II included 30 patients undergoing valvular surgery who received continuous warm blood cardioplegia. Our results suggest that the heartbeat in 100% of patients treated with continuous warm blood cardioplegia converted to normal sinus rhythm spontaneously after the removal of the aortic cross-clamp, compared to only 31% of the cold cardioplegia group. After operation, pericardial closure rate was 90% area in the warm group, compared to 35% area in the cold group. 12 hours after the operation, the total amount of urine output in the warm group was greater than that in the cold group(2863${\pm}$127 ml versus 2257${\pm}$127 ml; p<0.05). After the operation, left diaphragmatic elevation developed in 55% of the cold group but in 0% of the warm group. CK-MB level in the warm group was significantly lower than cold group(2.28${\pm}$0.62 versus 9.96${\pm}$2.12; p<0.01) 1 hour after operation and CK-MB level in the warm group was significantly lower than cold group(1.80${\pm}$1.01 versus 6.00${\pm}$1.74; p<0.05) 12hours after operation. Continuous warm blood cardioplegia is at least as safe and effective as hypothermic technique in patients undergoing cardiac valvular surgery. Conceptually, this represents a new approach to the problem of maintaining myocardial preservation during cardiac operations.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.502-508
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• 1998

Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$) have been implicated in myocardial and organ dysfunction associated with postperfusion syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that cytokine productions are depressed by preoperative cortiosteroid injection for cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) and the postoperative courses will be better than without steriod pretreated cases. Cardiac surgery was performed in randomized blind fashion for 20 patients from June 1996 to September 1996. In the steroid group(n=10), corticosteroid(dexamethasone 1 mg/kg) was injected 1 hour before anesthetic induction, but in the control group(n=10), nothing was injected. Each of groups were sampled 11 times as scheduled for TNF-$\alpha$ bioassays. We have checked EKG, cardiac enzymes(CPK, LDH with isoenzyme), WBC count preoperative day, one day and three days after operation. Viatal signs were continuously monitored for three postoperaive days. In the postoperative period three patients in the control group had elevated body temperature and four patients had hypotension that required considerable intravenous fluid administration. But steroid injected patients showed normal body temperture and acceptable blood pressures without supportive treatment. CPK enzymes rose in control group higher than steroid group at postoperative 1st and 3rd day(CPK; 1122$\pm$465 vs 567$\pm$271, 864$\pm$42 vs 325$\pm$87), and CPK-MB enzymes rose in control group higher than steroid group at postoperative 1st day(106.4$\pm$115.1 vs 29.5$\pm$22.4)(P=0.02). Arterial tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ rose during cardiopulmonary bypass, peaking at 5 minutes before the end of aortic cross clamping(ACC-5min) in steroid group(11.9$\pm$4.7 pg/ml), and 5 minutes before the end of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB-5min) in control group(22.3$\pm$6.8 pg/ml). The steroid pretreated patients had a shorter period of time in respirator suport time, ICU stay day, hospital admission day. We conclude that corticosteroid suppress cytokine production during and after cardiopulmonary bypass, and may improve the postoperative course through inhibition of reperfusion injury such as myocardial stunning and hemodynamic instability.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.6 s.251
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• pp.428-433
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• 2005

Advanced age in Esophagectomy increases the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, the recent development of operative technique and perioperative care might have decreased the postoperative morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. Material and Method: From March 2001 to July 2004, 174 patients underwent esophageal resection for esophageal cancer in the Center for Lung Cancer, National Cancer Center. The patients were divided into two groups : group 1 consisted of 27 patients aged 70 years or more, and group 2 consisted of 147 patients under 70 years of age. The two groups were compared according to preoperative risk factors, postoperative morbidity, operative mortality and survival. Result: The mean age was 63_4. There were 159 men. On histopathological examination, $93.1\%$ had squamous cell carcinoma. On the locations, $78.7\%$ were in mid and lower esophagus. Curative resections for esophageal cancer were possible in $162(93.1\%)$ patients. Mean hospital stay was 19.4 days with out difference between the groups. The overall postoperative morbidity were occurred in 61 patients $(35.1\%)$. The most frequent morbidity was pulmonary complication in $30(17.2\%)$. Preoperative incidence of hypertension, cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction were more common in Group I. However, there was no difference in overall postoperative morbidity, operative mortality and survival rate between the two groups. Conclusion: Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer could be carried out safely in patients over 70 years of age with satisfactory short-term results. Advanced age is no longer a risk factor for esophagectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.454-464
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• 2001

Background: It has been recognized that systemic inflammatory reaction and oxygen free radical formed by activated leukocyte in the procedure of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) frequently produce postoperative cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of leukocyte-depleting filters in the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit for patients undergoing open heart surgery(OHS). Material and method: The study involved 15 patients who underwent OHS with a Leukoguard-6 leukocyte filter placed in the arterial limbs of the bypass circuit(filter group, n=15) and 15 patients who did not have the filter(control group, n=15). We analyzed the differences between the groups in intraoperative changes of peripheral blood leukocyte and platelet counts, pre- and postbypass changes of malondialdehyde(MDA), troponin-T(TnT), 5'-nucleotidase(5'-NT) in coronary sinus blood, spontaneous recovery rate of heart beat after CPB, pre-and postoperative cardiac index(Cl) and pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR), and the amounts of postoperative bleeding and sternal wound complication. Result: During CPB, total leukocyte count of the filter group(9,567$\pm$ 842/㎣) was significantly less than that of the control group(13,573+1,167/㎣) (p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in platelet count between the groups. Postoperative levels of MDA(3.78+0.32 $\mu$mol/L vs 5.86+0.65 $\mu$mo1/L, p<0.01), TnT(0.40$\pm$0.04 ng/mL vs 0.59$\pm$0.08 ng/mL, p<0.05) and 5'-NT(3.88$\pm$0.61 U/L vs 5.80$\pm$0.90 U/L, p<0.05) were all significantly lower in the filter group than the control group. Postoperative Cl was higher in the filter group than the control group(3.26$\pm$0.18 L/$m^2$min vs 2.75$\pm$0.17 L/$m^2$/min, p=0.05). PVR of the filter group was lower than that of the control group(65.87$\pm$7.59 dyne/sec/cm$^{5}$ vs 110.80+12.22 dyne/sec/cm$^{5}$ , p<0.01). Spontaneous recovery rate of heart beat in the filter group was higher than that in the control group(12 patients vs 8 patients, p<0.05). Postoperative wound infection occurred in one case in the filter group and 4 case in the control group(p<0.05). Postoperative 24 hour blood loss of the filter group was more than that of the control group (614$\pm$107 mL vs 380+71 mL, p=0.05).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.485-489
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• 2001

Background: The most important factor in preventing sternal complications is stable sternal approximation. We have tried to find the most effective sternal closure method by examining the incidence of sternal dehiscence with or without infection in patients with cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. Material and Method: This study was performed in 489 patients over 45 years of age with median sternotomy for open cardiac surgery. Simple closure with interrupted 6 wires was performed in 159 patients, figure-of-8 closure technique in 119, overlapping interrupted closure using 10 wires in 150, and combined closure technique of interrupted simple closure and figure-of-8 suture closure in 61. Two hundred thirty-four patients underwent valve and aortic operations and 213 patients coronary artery bypass surgery. Result: Sternal dehiscence with or without infection occurred in 12 (2.5 %) patients. The complication developed in 5 of 159 patients (3.1%) with six interrupted simple closure, in 4 of 119 patients (3.4%) with figure-of-8 closure, and in 3 of 150 patients (2.0%) with overlapping interrupted closure using 10 wires, but there was no complication in 61 patients with combined closure technique (relative risk for other closure techniques, p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of the sternal complication between valve and aortic operation group and coronary artery bypass group (3.0% vs 2.3%, not significant), but diabetes mellitus was a significant independent risk factor (odds ratio and multivariate analysis, p<0.05). Conclusion: The sternal closure technique that combines simple interrupted suture closure and figure-of-8 suture closure may be a more useful technique to enhance sternal stabilization compared to other closure techniques, such as simple interrupted closure, 8-figure closure, and overlapping interrupted closure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.901-908
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• 2001

Background : Coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) in patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction has often been regarded as having high mortality rate, despite the great improvement in operative result of CABG. With recent advances in surgical technique and myocardial protection, surgical revascularization improved the symptom and long-term survival of these high risk patients more than the medical conservative treatment. Material and Methold : Clinical data of 31(4.1％) patients with preoperative ejection fraction less than 30% among 864 CABGs performed between January 1995 and March 1999 were retrospectively analyzed and pre- and postoperative changes of the ejection fraction on echocardiography were analyzed. There were 26 men and 5 women. The mean age was 60.7 years(range 41 to 72 years). History of myocardial infarction(30 cases, 98％) was the most common preoperative risk factor. There were seven irreversible myocardial infarction on thallium scan. Most patients had triple vessel diseases(26 cases, 84％) and first degree of Rentrop classification(16 cases, 52％) on coronary angiography. The mean number of distal anastomosis during CABG was per patient was 4.9${\pm}$0.8 sites in each patient. In addition to long saphenous veins, the internal mammary artery was used in 20 patients. Total bypass time was 244.7${\pm}$3.7 minutes(range, 117 to 567 minutes), and mean aortic cross-clamp time was 77.9 ${\pm}$ 1.6 minutes(range, 30 to 178 minutes). There were five other reparative procedures such as two left ventricular aneurysrmectomy, two mitral repair, and one aortic valve replacement. There were twelve postoperative complications such as three cardiac arrhythmia, two bleeding(re-operation), one delayed sternal closure, eleven usage of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation for low cardiac output. Two patients died, postoperative mortality was 6.5% . Twenty-nine patients were relieved of chest pain and left ventricular ejection fraction after operation was significantly higher(38.5${\pm}$11.6%, p 0.001) as compared with preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction(25.3${\pm}$2.3%). The follow up period of out patient was 25. 3 months. Conclusion: In patients with coronary artery disease and advanced left ventricular dysfunction, coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed relatively safely with improvement in left ventricular function, but it will be necessary to study long term results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 1999

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the types of complications, the incidences of complications, and preoperative and postoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of the complication. Material and Method: Between August 1990 and August 1997 in Asan Medical Center, 42 patients(24 men and 18 women) underwent surgical resection for pulmonary aspergilloma. The mean age was 46.6${\pm}$11.5 years(range 29 to 69 years). Hemoptysis(90%) was the most common presentation. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the most common predisposing cause(81%). The associated diseases were bronchiectasis(n=11), active puolmonary tuberculosis(n=9), diabetes mellitus(n=8), lung carcinoid(n=1), and acute myeloblastic leukemia(n=1). Lobectomy was done in 32 cases(76%), segmentectomy or wedge resection in 4, pneumonectomy in 2, and lobectomy combined with segmentectomy in 4. Result: Operative mortality was 2%. The most common postoperative complication was persistent air leakage(n=6). The variables such as age, sex, pulmonary function test, amount and duration of hemoptysis, associated diseases(diabetes mellitus, active pulmonary tuberculosis), mode of preoperative management(steroid, antifungal agent, bronchial arterial embolization), and modes of operative procedures were statistically insignificant. The radiologic extent of infiltration to normal lung parenchyme was statistically significant(p=0.04). Conclusion: We conclude that the extent of the infiltration to normal lung parenchyme in preoperative radiologic studies should be carefully evaluated to reduce the postoperative complications in surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.237-248
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• 1999

Background: The late results of repair of tetralogy of Fallot(TOF) are favorable in most patients. Some portion of the patients with tetralogy, however, require reoperation for residual lesions or result in late death. The outcome of patients after tetralogy repair performed during the past 13 years was studied, with an emphasis on postrepair survival and problems including reoperations. Material and Method: A retrospective review of clinical, echocardiographic and catheterization data was performed in 569 of 775 patients with TOF who underwent corrective repair between 1983 and 1995 at Sejong General Hospital, Buchon, Korea. Result: Of 28(4.9%) early deaths(defined as 30 days postrepair), 12 deaths(42.9%) were <1 year of age, with an operative mortality of 15.4%. The surviving 541 patients(age 2.8 months to 43.4 years, median 23 months) have been followed up from 1 month to 12.6 years(median 35 months) postoperatively. Most patients were in good functional class and had normal right ventricular(RV) function. Postrepair results were compared between the transatrial-transpulmonary approach and the conventional right ventriculotomy. The former technique provided a lesser incidence of significant pulmonary regurgitation(P<0.001) and alesser degree of RV dysfunction(P<0.05) compared with those in the latter. There were 10(1.8%) late deaths during the follow-up period and 6 of the deaths were directly related to reoperation or ventricular dysfunction. The 10-year actuarial survival rate was 96.7%. There were 44 reoperations(8.1%) in 39 patients(7.2%), with an operative mortality of 10.3%. The main indications or reoperation included residual ventricular septal defect(VSD) (n=6), pulmonary stenosis(PS) (n=11), VSD with PS(n=17), pulmonary regurgitation(n=7), and tricuspid regurgitation(n=2). The 5- and 10-year freedom from reoperation were 89.4% and 76.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Although the majority of patients with repaired TOF are clinically well, with a high rate of survival, approximately 7% of patients have residual lesions that require surgical therapy. Therefore, the timely and meticulous corrective repair is mandatory to avoid reoperation, and continued close surveillance is also needed for the early detection of residual problems.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 1999

Background: The replacement of the narrowed long-segment trachea with various prosthetic materials or tissue grafts remains a difficult and unsolved surgical problem. Homologous cryopreserved tracheal transplantation has been considered to treat the irreversibly-damaged organs, such as in the lung or heart transplantation and also to overcome the limited supply of donor organs. We examined the morphological changes and the immunosuppressive effects of the cryopreserved trachea after the heterotopic transplantation in the rats. Material and Method: Sixty tracheal segments harvested from 30 donor Wistar rats were heterotopically implanted into the peritoneal cavity of 20 recipient Wistar rats and 40 Sprague Dawley rats. The 60 recipient rats were divided into 6 groups(10 rats/ group). In groups I, II, and III, 30 tracheal segments were implanted immediately after the harvesting and in groups IV, V, and VI, the segments were implanted 28 days after the cryopreservation. Groups I and IV were Wistar syngeneic controls. Groups II and V were Sprague Dawley recipients receiving no immunosuppression and Groups III and VI, were Sprague Dawley recipients receiving immunosuppressive agents. At 28 days all rats were sacrificed and the tracheal segments were evaluated grossly and histologically. Result: Immunosuppression of the tracheal segments had a significant influence on the changes of the tracheal lumen and tracheal epithelial cells, irrespective of the cryopreservation of the trachea(p<0.001). In groups III and VI receiving immunosuppressive agents, the tracheal lumen was patent and the normal epithelial cells were observed, however in the other groups not receiving the immunosuppressive agents, there were almost luminal obliteration by the proliferation of the fibrous tissues and a loss of the epithelial cells, the findings were similar to those in the case of obliterative bronchiolitis after a lung and a heart-lung transplantation. Conclusion: With the appropriate immunosuppressive agents, the lumen and the respiratory epithelium of the transplanted tracheal segment were well preserved, even after the cryopreservation of the tracheal segment, which shows the possibility of the long-term preservation and homologous transplantation of the trachea. But fibroproliferative obliteration of the tracheal lumen and the loss of the normal respiratory epithelial cells, characteristic findings of obliterative bronchiolitis, were observed in the groups without the immunosuppression. This experiment using the rat trachea may be useful in studying the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of obliterative bronchiolitis after a lung and a heart-lung transplantation.