• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.456-459
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• 2017

A 66-year-old patient undergoing regular follow-up at Samsung Medical Center after left lower lobectomy visited the emergency department around 9 months postoperatively because of nausea and vomiting after routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy at a local clinic. Abdominal computed tomography showed the stomach herniating into the left thoracic cavity. We explored the pleural cavity via video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Adhesiolysis around the herniated stomach and laparotomic reduction under video assistance were successfully performed. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired via VATS. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged with resolved digestive tract symptoms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.44-48
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• 2022

Background: Although classical multi-port video-assisted thoracic surgery has been widely performed, single-incision thoracoscopic surgery (SITS) is a popular surgical technique for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). However, the inconvenient alignment of instruments and the limited field of view occasionally make surgeons convert from SITS to multi-port surgery or extend the incision. This study aimed to present an easy and safe SITS technique for PSP using a spinal needle. Methods: In total, 139 patients underwent SITS between May 2011 and December 2017. We used a spinal needle to hook the bulla or bleb, and wedge resection was performed through a small incision. Patients' medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and a telephone survey was conducted to investigate the recurrence rate. Results: The mean age of the 139 patients was 23.62±9.60 years. The mean operative time was 36.69±14.64 minutes, and multi-port conversion was not performed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.00±0.78 days, and the mean indwelling chest tube duration was 1.97±0.77 days. No complications were observed. In the mean follow-up period of 86.75±23.20 months, recurrence of pneumothorax was found in 3 patients. Conclusion: We suggest that SITS for PSP with the aid of a spinal needle to replace a grasper is a safe and easy technique that only requires a small incision.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.221-225
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• 1994

Video-assisted thoracic surgery[VATS] has recently evolved as an alternative to thoracotomy for several thoracic disorders. Between March 1993 and September 1993, 42 patients underwent VATS at Gil General Hospital. They were diagnosed as spontaneous pneumothorax in 34[81.0%], mediastinal mass in 5, congenital lobar emphysema in 1, traumatic hemothorax in 1, and sarcoidosis in 1. For pneumothorax, wedge resection of bullae or blebs was done in 18 patients, wedge resection and limited parietal pleulectomy in 13, and only pleulectomy in 2. And excision for mediastinal mass in 5, hematoma evacuation for chronic hemothorax in 1, biopsies of mediastinal lymph node and lung for confirming sarcoidosis in 1, and lobectomy of left upper lobe for congenital lobar emphysema in the child of 12 years. The period of chest tube drainage and postoperative hospitalization averaged 3.8 days [range, 1 to 11 days] and 5.9 days [range, 2 to 18 days]. Three complications occurred in 3 patients with pneumothorax [7.1%, 2 recurrent pneumothorax and 1 postoperative bleeding], and the conversion to open thoracotomy was done in 1 due to massive air leak. The causes of postoperative air leak were speculated and the techniques for saving expensive Endo-GIA staplers are described in this paper. VATS is safe and offers the benefits of reduced postoperative pain and rapid recovery. Our experience indicates a markedly expanded role for VATS in the diagnosis and treatment of various thoracic diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.483-486
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• 2014

A 76-year-old male underwent a left upper lobectomy with wedge resection of the superior segment of the left lower lobe using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for non-small-cell lung cancer of the left upper lobe. He presented with shortness of breath, fever, and leukocytosis. Chest radiography showed atelectasis at the remaining left lower lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed narrowing of the left lower bronchus with purulent secretion, and computed tomography showed downward kinking of the left lower lobar bronchus. He underwent exploratory VATS, and intraoperative findings showed an inferiorly kinked left lower lobar bronchus with upward displacement of the left lower lobe. After adhesiolysis, the kinked bronchus was straightened, and bronchopexy was performed to the pericardium to prevent the recurrence of bronchial kinking. Also, the inferior pulmonary ligament was reattached to prevent upward displacement. Postoperative follow-up bronchoscopy revealed no evidence of residual bronchial obstruction, and chest radiography showed no atelectasis thereafter.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.35-41
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• 2023

Background: We analyzed our experience with descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) treatment and investigated the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for mediastinal drainage. Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent surgical drainage for DNM at our hospital from 2005 to 2020. We analyzed patients' baseline characteristics, surgical data, and perioperative outcomes and compared them according to the mediastinal drainage approach among patients with type II DNM. Results: Twenty-five patients (male-to-female ratio, 18:7) with a mean age of 54.0±12.9 years were enrolled in this study. The most common infection sources were pharyngeal infections (60%). Most patients had significantly increased white blood cell counts, elevated C-reactive protein levels, and decreased albumin levels on admission. The most common DNM type was type IIB (n=16, 64%), while 5 and 4 patients had types I and IIA, respectively. For mediastinal drainage, the transcervical approach was used in 15 patients and the transthoracic approach (VATS) in 10 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 26.5±23.8 days, and the postoperative morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates were 24% and 12%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among patients with type II DNM between the transcervical and VATS groups. However, the VATS group showed shorter mean antibiotic therapy duration, drainage duration, and hospital stay length than the transcervical group. Conclusion: DNM manifested as severe infection requiring long-term inpatient treatment, with a mortality rate of 12%. Thus, active treatment with a multidisciplinary approach is crucial, and mediastinal drainage using VATS is considered relatively safe and effective.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.399-403
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• 2010

배경: 비디오흉강경수술은 폐를 허탈시켜 흉강내의 공간을 확보함으로써 시행되는데 흉막유착은 이러한 공간을 확보하는데 커다란 장애요인이 되어 폐손상 및 출혈을 유발할 수 있으며, 개흉술로 전환하는 원인이 되기도 한다. 흉강경수술을 시행하기 전에 흉막유착 유무를 확인하면 투관침의 위치선정 및 삽입방법을 포함한 수술과정을 계획하는데 매우 유용한 정보를 얻을 수 있다. 대상 및 방법: 2009년 6월부터 2009년 11월까지 비디오흉강경수술을 시행한 24명의 환자에서 수술 전에 흉막유착을 확인하기 위하여 초음파검사를 시행하고 흉강경수술시의 소견과 비교하였다. 검사부위는 투관침 삽입부위인 전액와선에서 후액와선까지의 흉부 측면을 주로 검사하였으며, 경우에 따라서는 흉부 전면이나 후면을 관찰하기도 하였다. 결과: 환자는 다한증 6예, 간질성폐병변 8예, 폐종양 5예, 종격동종양 2예, 말초폐동맥색전증 1예, 전이성폐종양 1예, Sarcoidosis 1예로 구성되었다. 초음파검사를 통해 흉막유착이 없다고 진단한 22예 중 4예는 검사부위와 동떨어진 곳에 일부 국한되어 경미한 유착이 있었으나 투관침 삽입부위와는 관련이 없었다. 흉막유착이 있다고 진단한 2예는 수술시 동일한 소견이었다. 수술중 투관침 삽입으로 인한 폐손상은 없었으며 개흉으로의 전환도 없었다. 결론: 초음파검사는 짧은 시간내에 검사가 이루어지며, 비디오흉강경수술을 계획하고 시행하는데 초음파를 이용한 흉막유착 여부의 확인은 매우 유익한 시술법이라고 사료된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.542-545
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• 2010

골수외 조혈은 만성 빈혈을 유발하는 혈액 질환이 있는 환자에게 종종 나타날 수 있는 보상 기전으로 알려져 있으나 무증상 환자에게 종격동 종괴로 발견되어 수술적 절제를 하게 되는 경우는 드물게 보고되고 있다. 흉강 내에 발생하는 경우 후 종격동에 흔히 발생하는 신경성 종양과의 감별이 필요하고, 출혈의 위험이나 접근상의 어려움 때문에 미세 침 흡인 생검이 권장되지 않으므로 진단과 치료를 위해 과거에는 주로 개흉을 통한 절제를 실시하였으나 최근에는 비디오 흉강경을 이용한 수술이 시행되고 있다. 이 증례에서는 59세 남자 환자가 우연히 발견된 후종격동의 골수외 조혈 종괴에 대해 비디오 흉강경을 이용한 절제 후 합병증 없이 퇴원하였고 외래 추적 관찰 중이며 현재까지 혈액학적 질환의 증거나 재발의 증거는 없기에 이를 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.423-426
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• 2014

A 67-year-old male patient came to the hospital due to lung cancer and mediastinal cystic mass which was suspected to be esophageal duplication cyst. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed and intra-operative finding suggested it as a cystic mass along the thoracic duct. Thoracic duct was ligated and the cyst was completely resected. A 48-year-old female patient visited the hospital for dysphagia. Mediastinal cystic mass was suspected to be an esophageal duplication cyst. Intraoperative finding suggest a thoracic duct lymphangioma. After thoracic duct ligation, the mass was completely resected with VATS. Postoperative chylothorax did not develop in both cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제57권4호
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• pp.329-338
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• 2024

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is recognized as a safe and effective treatment modality for early-stage lung cancer and anterior mediastinal masses. Recently, novel articulating instruments have been developed and introduced to endoscopic surgery. Here, we share our early experiences with VATS major pulmonary resection and thymectomy performed using ArtiSential articulating instruments. Methods: At the Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, 500 patients underwent VATS pulmonary resection between July 2020 and April 2023, while 43 patients underwent VATS thymectomy between January 2020 and April 2023. After exclusion, 224 patients were enrolled for VATS major pulmonary resection, and 38 were enrolled for VATS thymectomy. ArtiSential forceps were utilized in 35 of the 224 patients undergoing pulmonary resection and in 12 of the 38 individuals undergoing thymectomy. Early clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: No significant differences were observed in sex, age, surgical approach, operation time, histological diagnosis, or additional procedures between the patients who underwent surgery using novel articulating instruments and the group treated with conventional endoscopic instruments for both VATS major pulmonary resection and thymectomy. However, the use of the novel articulating endoscopic forceps was associated with a significantly larger number of dissected lymph nodes (p=0.028) and lower estimated blood loss (p=0.009) in VATS major pulmonary resection. Conclusion: Major pulmonary resection and thymectomy via VATS using ArtiSential forceps were found to be safe and effective, with early clinical outcomes comparable to established methods. Further research into long-term clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness is warranted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.317-320
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• 2020

Pulmonary carcinoids are relatively rare tumors with low metastatic potential. Pleural carcinomatosis of a bronchial carcinoid has only been reported in 4 cases. Due to the rarity of this condition, there are no guidelines for its treatment or management. We report a case of atypical carcinoid with local recurrence and pleural metastases treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy and total pleurectomy with photodynamic therapy after non-radical wedge resection.