• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.299-314
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• 1977

Clinical experience on 16 cases of open heart surgery under the extracorporeal circulation with mild or moderate hypothermia and partial hemodilution technique at the National Medical Center during the period from June 1976 to October 1977. Nine of sixteen were congenital heart disease and seven were acquired heart disease. The age of the patient ranged between 6 and 48 years. The body weight varied from 18.5kg to 60kg and body surface area 0. 79-1.70m2. The average priming volume of pump oxygenator was 2080 ml, which was consisted fresh ACD blood, buffered Hartmann`s solution, Mannitol, 50% dextrose in water and Vit. C. The average hemodilution rate was 27%. The average flow 2.3 L/min/m2 or 80 ml/min and the duration of perfusion varied from 31 min to 270 min with average of 107 min. The perfusion was carried out under the mild or moderate hypothermia using core cooling alone in 10 cases, core cooling and local myocardial cooling with $0-4^{\circ}C$ physiologic saline in 2 cases. From a hemodynamic point of view, the blood pressure dropped down around 80 mmHg after the initiation of perfusion follwed by increase to safety level and stable during the perfusion. The central venous pressure remained within normal limits. In most cases, hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased during and after the perfusion. Hemogiobin level was decreased, average of 20.6 %, hematocrit 18.6%, pletelets 55% postoperatively. Plasma hemoglobin increased moderately, from preperfusion average valve of 7.79 mg % to post-perfusion value of 54.7 mg %. Electrolytes changes during cardiopulmonary bypass showed definite hypokalemia but changes of Na, Ca were not definite. Arterial blood gas analysis during cardiopulmonary bypass suggested that the metabolic acidosis which was accompanied by respiratory alkalosis which was corrected postoperatively. As the opera tive complication, transient hemoglobinuria in 4 cases and neurological signs in 2 cases were all cured. There were 2 death cases and operative mortality rate was 12.5%.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.263-267
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• 1995

A total and consecutive 87 patients underwent aortic valve replacement[AVR with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis between 1984 and 1993. Age ranged from 14 to 66 years[mean:38.6$\pm$ 14.0 years .Twenty-one patients [24.1% had undergone previous valve replacement. There were 8 early deaths with an operative mortality rate of 9.2% [7.6% for primary AVR and 14.3 % for re-replacement AVR . Seventy-nine early survivors were,followed for a total of 309.1 patient-years[mean:3.9$\pm$ 2.5 years . A late mortality rate was 5.1% [4 patients or a linearized incidence of 1.294 %/patient-year. All were anticoagulated with coumadin to maintain the international normal ized ratio[INR between 1.5 and 2.5. One patient experienced thromboembolism[0.324%/patient-year , and none did bleeding. Endocarditis occurred in one[0.324%/patient-year . Paravalvular leak was the most frequent complication and was experienced by 8 patients[2.588%/patient-year , and 5 of them required re-replacement AVR[1.618 %/patient year of reoperation rate . There was no structural failure of the prosthesis. Actuarial survival including operative death was 83.9%$\pm$ 4.6% at 10 years.The actuarial estimates of freedom from thromboembolism and of freedom from late death and all complications were 95.1% $\pm$ 4.8 % and 81.4% $\pm$ 6.1%, respectively, at 10 years. These clinical results suggest that less intensive anticoagulation may be allowed for patients of AVR with the St. Jude Medical valve with low incidences of both thromboembolic and bleeding complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.686-689
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• 1999

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis(DNM) is a rare complication of the oropharyngeal and cervical infection. Descending necrotizing mediastinitis requires an early and aggressive surgical approach to reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. A 39-year-old man complained of odynophagia, neck swelling, and disturbance of swallowing with dyspnea. CT scans of the neck suggested a peritonsillar abscess and retropharyngeal and peripharyngeal abscess. He underwent cervical drainage. He remained febrile and complained of severe both pain in both shoulders. On postoperative day 5, a follow-up CT scan confirmed a mediastinal abscess. Reexploration of the neck and right thoracotomy for debridement and drainage of the mediastinal abscess were performed.. A large amount of pus was drained from the anterior and posterior mediastinum and its necrotic tissue was debrided. The patient's condition and radiologic findings gradually improved. Cultures of the drain fluid revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae. He was discharged on the 85th hospital day. In our experience, both transcervical drainage and aggressive mediastinal exploration via thoracotomy can lead to an improvement in the survival of the patient with descending necrotizing mediastinitis. CT scanning is useful for early diagnosis of mediastinitis and for follow up.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1017-1022
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• 1999

Background: An increasing number of elderly are referred for open heart surgeries(OHS). These patients are assumed to have significantly increased morbidity and mortality because of compromised functional reserves in their vital organs. We reviewed the results of OHS patients who were 70 years old or older. Material and Method: Thirty six consecutive septuagenarians underwent OHS from 1995 to 1997. Operations were coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) in 26 including 3 left main surgical angioplasty, valve replacement in 7, MVR+CABG in 2, and ASD closure+TAP in 1. Statistical tests were carried out to compare survivor group with nonsurvivor group in respect to risk factors including NYHA functional class, LVEF, emergent operation, IABP support, CPB/ACC time, ventilator time cardiac index, ICU stay and hospital stay for operative mortality. Result: Operative mortality rate and postoperative complication were 16%(6/36) and 50%(18/36). One-year and 3-year actuarial survival rates were 76%. Nine patients(25%) had major complications including third-degree A-V block(2), respiratory failure(1), stroke(3), renal failure requiring dialysis(3) and postoperative hemorrhage(2). The causes of death were pneumonia(1), bleeding(1), acute renal failure(1), low cardiac output(1), third-degree A-V block(1), and ventricular tachycardia(1). The univariate analysis of mortality shows that NYHA class IV, LVEF<40%, lesser values for C.I, and longer time for ventilatory support were associated with the risk factors(p value=0.03, 0.001, 0.007, and 0.014). The emergent operation, CPB/ACC time, IABP support, ICU stay and hospital stay were not significant. Conclusion: We conclude that cardiac operation can be performed in septuagenarians with acceptable outcomes when done in patients with normal to moderately depressed left ventricular function and adequate functional reserves in their vital organs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1023-1030
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• 1999

This is a retrospective study of 42 pregnancies from 33 women with prosthetic heart valves who were on anticoagulation regimen prior to or during their pregnancy. Material and Method: Of the 17 women with bioprosthesis, 15 had 21 pregnancies following cessation of the anticoagulation therapy which resulted in the delivery of 20 healthy babies and 1 abortion. Remaining 2 had 3 pregnancies maintained with heparin, resulting in 2 healthy babies and 1 spontaneous abortion. Result: Among 16 women with mechanical heart valves, there were 7 pregnancies during which warfarin was used and this was associated with 4 fetal wastages(2 therapeutic abortion, 1 spontaneous abortion and 1 stillbirth with cerebral hemorrhage). However, in pregnancies where heparin was used, there was no fetal wastage. A patient who did not take anticoagulant for the first trimester and took warfarin for the remaining period and a patient who did not take anticoagulant during pregnancy delivered normal babies. There was an other fetal wastage in a patient on anti-platelet therapy for the first trimester and warfarin therapy for the remaining periods. There was 1 minor petechial complication in a heparin administered group. Conclusion: The study indicates that woman with bioprosthetic heart valves can go through pregnancy without undue risks or complications. On the other hand, the use of warfarin during pregnancy in women with mechanical heart valves, was shown to be associated with unacceptable high risk for the fetus. However, in the same group of women, judicious use of heparin during pregnancy was accompanied by a much reduced risk. The safety and adequate therapeutic range of heparin usage under such circumstances are subject to further studies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 1985

A single aortic valve replacement using the lonescu-Shiley bovine pericardial xenograft valve was performed in 66 consecutive patients during the period from February, 1979 to June, 1984. They were 49 males and 17 females with ages ranging from 9 to 61 [mean, 31.113.1] years, and 9 of them were children younger than 15 years of age. Twenty-seven patients [40.9%] required the combined operative procedures to either other valvular lesions or congenital defects. There were 9 early deaths within 30 days of surgery [operative mortality rate, 13.6%] and 2 late deaths thereafter [late mortality rate, 3.0%; or 1.75%/patient-year]. The 57 early survivors were followed for a total duration of 114.2 patient-years [mean, 24.016.0 months]. Four patients experienced thromboembolic complication with no death [3.50%/patient-year]; one died from intracranial bleeding related to anticoagulation [0.88%/patient-year]; one recovered from prosthetic valve endocarditis [0.88%/patient-year]; and four developed aortic regurgitant murmur with none or minimal cardiac symptoms and they were classified into cases of tissue valve failure [3.50%/patient-year]. The actuarial survival rate was 82.34.7% at 6 years, and the actuarial probabilities of freedom from thromboembolism and valve failure were 93.33.9% and 89.15.8% at postoperative 6 years respectively Symptomatic improvement was excellent in most late survivors at the follow-up end with the mean of NYHA Classes of 1.040.19 while the one was 2.290.67 at the time of operation. Excluding the higher operative mortality rates, these clinical results are fully comparable with the ones of reports from the major institutions using the porcine aortic or the bovine pericardial tissue valves and warrants the continued use of the xenograft valve in the aortic position. The importance of more detailed preoperative evaluation of the myocardial function and the need of improved myocardial preservation during surgery for the improved early clinical results were discussed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 1991

Clinical results with the Mechanical cardiac valves were reviewed for 261 patients who underwent cardiac valve replacement from September, 1985 to July, 1990. of the Mechanical valves used, 156 were Carbomedics, 109 Duromedics, 52 St. Jude and 11 Bjork-Shiley. Overall hospital mortality was 14 out of 261[5,36%]: 9 out of 159[5.66%] for MVR, 1 out of 35[2.86%] for AVR and 4 out of 67[5.96%] for DVR[AVR+MVR]. Two hundred and forty seven operative survivors were followed up for a total 466.8 patient-years, ranged from 1 month to 4.9 years [a mean 1.8 years] and the follow up was 96.0%. There were 12 valve-related complications: three from thromboembolism, three from valve thrombosis, three from prosthetic valve endocarditis, two from paravalvular leak and the other one from hemorrhage. Actuarial rate free from all valve-related complication at 4.9 years was 96$\pm$1.3%. There were 11 late deaths: two from thromboembolism, one from valve thrombosis, one from prosthetic valve endocarditis, one from hemorrhage and the others 6 from non-valve-related complications. Actuarial survival rate at 4.9 years was 94$\pm$2.0%. 96$\pm$3.0% for MVR, 94$\pm$4.2% for AVR and 91$\pm$3.7% for DVR[AVR+MVR]. And there are 7 reoperations: three from paraprosthetic leak, two from prosthetic valve endocarditis and two from valve thrombosis. Actuarial rate free from reoperation at 9 years was 96$\pm$2.9%. On the basis of this 4.9 years of experience, the pyrolytic carbon mechanical valves appears to be an excellent mechanical prosthesis for cardiac valve replacement, in terms of hemodynamic performance, low mortality and low thrombogenecity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.595-603
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• 1993

We analysed 60 consecutive patients who got Senning operation for transposition of the great arteries [TGA] with or without ventricular septal defects [VSD]. There were 41 simple TGA [group I] and 19 TGA with VSD [Group II], the operative mortality was 20 % [in group I 4.9 %, group II 52.6 %]. Among the survivors [n=48], the mean follow-up period was 7 years [range, 1 year to 13.5 years] and the actuarial survival rate at 13 years were 95 % in group I and 42 % in group II. Preoperative high left ventricular pressure and high pulmonary arterial pressure affected the surviving [p<0.01]. There occurred various type of arrhythmia like junctional rhythm, first degree atrioventricular [AV] block, sick sinus syndrome and complete AV block, and we inserted 2 permanent pacemakers for these patients. The incidence of arrhythmia were 28.2 % [11/39] in group I and 55.6 % [5/9] in group II, and the actuarial freedom from arrhythmia at 13 years after operation was 66 % [71 % in group I, 44 % in group II]. Increased aortic cross clamping time had affected the development of arrhythmia [p<0.05] which meant the complexity of the operation. The total incidence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction [LVOTO] was 31.3 % [15/48], but only 3 patients [6.25 %] showed the significant gradient requiring reoperation. The pulmonary venous pathway obstruction [PVO] were found in 3 patients, all in group I, and among them only one required the reoperation. The estimated freedom from PVO was 89 % at 13 years [87 % in group I, 100 % in group II], but we couldn`t find any significant systemic venous obstruction in our series. There occurred 27.1 % [13/48] mild degree tricuspid valve regurgitation without necessary surgical correction. We experienced 14.6 % [7/48] reoperation rate: 3 residual VSD, 3 LVOTO, 1 PVO, 3 atrial baffle leakage. For this high incidence of complication rate after Senning operation and high mortality in TGA with VSD, We do not use this kind of surgical modality any more and do the Jatene operation for all the TGA patients since several years ago.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.486-492
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• 2001

Objective : Essential hyperhidrosis is a pathological condition of excessive sweating beyond that required to cool the body, though poorly understood, originating from a dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is the most popular treatment for upper limb hyperhidrosis, because it is a safe, effective, minimally invasive, and time-saving method. However, the common complication is the compensatory hyperhidrosis in other areas of the body, notably on the back, chest, abdomen, and buttocks. Compensatory hyperhidrosis is severe enough for some people, especially those living in a warm climate or engaging in heavy physical activities, to regret ever having had operation. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying compensatory hyperhidrosis are incompletely understood, even though it is thought to be a truly compensatory feature related to thermoregulation of the body. Materials and Methods : we studied the clinical features of total 233 patients who were diagnosed as essential hyperhidrosis and treated with thoracoscopic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy from March 1992 to July 2000. Results : The success rate of thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery(sympathectomy or sympathicotomy) was 98.7%. The global rate of compensatory hyperhidrosis was 77% ; 84% in group T2, 3 sympathectomy, 76% in group T2 sympathectomy, 43% in group T2, 3 sympathicotomy and 59% in group T2 sympathicotomy. The rate of embarrassing or disabling compensatory sweating was significantly higher in T2 sympathectomy and in T2, 3 sympathectomy than in T2 sympathicotomy and T2, 3 sympathicotomy with significancy in statistic analysis(p<0.01). The precipitating factors of compensatory hiperhidrosis, including heat(warm weather), anxiety, stress, and exertion were noted. The compensatory hyperhidrosis was the main cause of patient dissatisfaction after thoracoscopic sympathectomy. Conclusion : The degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis is closely related to the extent of thoracic sympathectomy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1004-1012
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• 2001

Objective : The spinal cord tumors(including vertebral tumors) are increasingly diagnosed and operated due to development of refined diagnostic and therapeutic tools. It is necessary to re-evaluate clinical features and surgical results of spinal cord tumors with increasing cases and developing treatment modalities. The authors reviewed the spinal cord tumor cases to evaluate their clinical characteristics. Material and Methods : The retrospective review of 654 cases of spinal cord tumors between 1973 and 1999 was done. The clinical features, pathological analysis and surgical results were analyzed and compared to the literature. The results of the study are analyzed with a more detailed consideration of each of major pathologies : neurogenic tumors, meningeal tumors, neuroepithelial tumors, and metastatic tumors. Results and Conclusion : The spinal cord tumor was most common in the 5th decade of age(145 cases, 22.1%) and 78 cases(11.9%) were found in children under 15 years of age. The ratio of male to female was 1.2 : 1. The pathologic diagnosis was neurogenic tumor in 266 cases(40.7%), neuroepithelial tumor in 131(20.0%), metastatic tumor in 118(18.0%), and meningeal tumor in 94(14.4%) in the order of frequency. The tumor was located most frequently in the thoracic area(36.5%) and in the intradural extramedullary space(38.1%). The most common initial presentation was pain(40.1%) and the mean duration for presentation to operation was 14.8 months. The total or gross total removal was possible in 404 cases(61.7%) and the surgical result on the postoperative one month was recovery or improvement in 424 cases(64.8%), stationary in 188(28.7%), progression in 42(6.4%). As a surgical complication, there was a spinal deformity(12 cases), wound infection(5 cases), aspiration pneumonia(5 cases) etc. Neurogenic tumors and menigiomas showed good surgical results, whereas neuroepithelial tumors(except ependymoma) and metastatic tumors showed relatively poor prognosis.