• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.258-262
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• 2021

Mediastinal lymph node dissection is an important part of lung cancer surgery that provides accurate nodal staging and may improve survival outcomes. The minimally invasive approach, such as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, has become a standard operation worldwide. VATS mediastinal lymph node dissection should be thorough and accurate to ensure the completeness of lung cancer surgery. Herein, the author describes techniques for VATS mediastinal lymph node dissection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.342-347
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• 2021

Thoracic surgeons need to be aware of several important points regarding intraoperative lymph node dissection during surgery for non-small cell lung cancer with ground-glass opacities. The first point relates to the need for lymph node dissection during sublobar resection. Since even patients undergoing sublobar resection may benefit from lymph node dissection, it should be selectively performed according to adequate indications, which require further study. Second, there seems to be no difference in postoperative morbidity between systematic sampling and systematic dissection, but the survival benefit from systematic dissection remains unclear. The results of randomized controlled trials on this topic are conflicting, and their evidence is jeopardized by a high risk of bias in terms of the study design. Therefore, further randomized controlled trials with a sound design should investigate this issue. Third, more favorable survival outcomes tend to be positively associated with the number of examined lymph nodes. Minimum requirements for the number of examined lymph nodes in non-small cell lung cancer should be defined in the future. Finally, lobe-specific lymph node dissection does not have a negative prognostic impact. It should not be routinely performed, but it can be recommended in selected patients with smaller, less invasive tumors. Results from an ongoing randomized controlled trial on this topic should be awaited.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 1975

Various factors influencing the lymph flow from thoracic duct were investigated in an attempt to evaluate their contributing degree and the mechanisms. Sixteen mongrel dogs weighing between 10 and 16 kg were anesthetized and polyethylene catheters were inserted into the thoracic duct and femoral veins. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, lymph pressure and lymph flow were measured under various conditions. Electrical stimulation of left sciatic nerve, stepwise increase of central venous pressure, manual application of rhythmical depressions onto abdomen, injection of hypertonic saline solution and histamine infusion were employed. Measurement of cental venous pressure was performed through the recording catheter inserted into abdominal inferior vena cava. Changes in central venous pressure were made by an air-ballooning catheter located higher than the tip of the recording catheter in the inferior vena cava. Lymph flow from thoracic duct was measured directly with a graduated centrifuge tube allowing the lymph to flow freely outward through the inserted cannula. The average side pressure of thoracic lymph was $1.1\;cmH_2O$ and lymph flow was 0.40 ml/min or 1.9 ml/kg-hr. Hemodynamic parameters including lymph flow were measure immediately before and after (or during) applying a condition. Stimulation of left sciatic nerve with a square wave (5/sec, 2 msec, 10V) caused the lymph flow to increase 1.4 times. The pattern of lymph flow from thoracic duct was not continuous throughout the respiratory cycle, but was continuous only during Inspiration. Slow and deep respiration appeared to increase the lymph flow than a rapid and shallow respiration. Relationship between central venous pressure and the lymph flow revealed a relatively direct proportionality; Regression equation was Lymph Flow (ml/kg-hr)=0.09 CVP$(cmH_2O)$+0.55, r=0.67. Manual depressions onto the abdomen in accordance with the respiratory cycle caused the lymph flow to increase most remarkably, e.g,. 5.5 times. The application of manual depressions showed a fluctuation of central venous pressure superimposed on the respiratory fluctuation. Hypertonic saline solution (2% NaCl) administered Intravenously by the amount of 10 m1/kg increased the lymph flow 4.6 times. The injection also increased arterial blood pressure, especially systolic Pressure, and the central venous pressure. Slow intravenous infusion of histamine with a rate of 14-32 ${\mu}g/min$ resulted in a remarkable increase in the lymph flow (4.7 times), in spite of much decrease in the blood pressure and a slight decrease in the central venous pressure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.244-246
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• 2007

Mediastinal lymph node dissection is a method that increases the long term survival of patients with an esophageal carcinoma. However, dissection of the left mediastinal lymph node is almost impossible, as it is not easy to see. Herein, a left mediastinal lymph node dissection, with thoracoscopy through a cervical incision wound during minimal invasive esophageal surgery, is reported.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 1995

W/O and O/W emulsions of tegafur (50 mg/5 ml/kg) were orally administered to rats to compare with their mesenteric lymphatic delivery effects. And also in order to demonstrate the lymph targeting associated to the oral route, it was deemed necessary to investigate the fate of solution after oral administration as a control. Lymph and plasma samples were periodically taken from each subject of mesenteric lymphatic duct cannulated rats. Then, lymph and plasma levels of tegafur and its active metabolite, 5-FU, were simultaneously observed. Also pharmacokinetic parameters were compared with each others. On the other hand, most previous studies of lymphatic transport have not addressed the question of whether an increase in mesenteric or thoracic lymph transport by the manipulation of a suspected variable was due to a selective delivery to the intestinal lymphatics or an overall increase availability. Therefore, based on a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model which represents the characteristics of lymphatic systems, we are also going to determine the contributions of mesenteric lymph transport versus thoracic lymph transport of tegafur reported in reference(13). In comparison with tegafur solution, AUC and mean residence time of plasma tegafur were significantly increased in W/O emulsion but significantly decreased in O/W emulsion. Lymph flow rates were similar in both solution and W/O emulsion but half in O/W emulsion. AUC of tegafur in mesenteric lymph and in plasma for W/O emulsion were 3.7 times and 2.9 times more than those for O/W emulsion, respectively. And AUC of 5-FU in thoracic lymph for W/O emulsion was 3.7 times more than that for O/W emulsion. These results suggested that lymphatic delivery or tegafur by W/O emulsion was more effective than that by on emulsion due to its differences or formation ability of chylomicrons.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.218-220
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• 2016

We report a case of inadvertent hoarseness after surgery for primary pulmonary amyloidosis. A 55-year-old male was transferred to our facility due to a lung mass. Chest computed tomography revealed a solitary pulmonary nodule. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the main mass and in the mediastinal lymph nodes. To confirm the pathology of the mass, wedge resection and thorough lymph node dissection were performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). No complications except for hoarseness were observed; hoarseness developed soon after surgery and lasted for 3 months. The main mass was diagnosed as amyloidosis, but this was not found in the lymph nodes. In conclusion, VATS wedge resection for peripheral amyloidosis is a feasible and safe procedure. However, mediastinal lymph node dissection is not recommended unless there is evidence of a clear benefit.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2021

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been established as the surgical approach of choice for lobectomy in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with clinical stage I NSCLC with no lymph node metastasis are considered candidates for VATS lobectomy. To rule out the presence of metastasis to lymph nodes or distant organs, patients should undergo meticulous clinical staging. Assessing patients' functional status is required to ensure that there are no medical contraindications, such as impaired pulmonary function or cardiac comorbidities. Although various combinations of the number, size, and location of ports are available, finding the best method of port placement for each surgeon is fundamental to maximize the efficiency of the surgical procedure. When conducting VATS lobectomy, it is always necessary to comply with the following oncological principles: (1) the vessels and bronchus of the target lobe should be individually divided, (2) systematic lymph node dissection is mandatory, and (3) touching the lymph node itself and rupturing the capsule of the lymph node should be minimized. Most surgeons conduct the procedure in the following sequence: (1) dissection along the hilar structure, (2) fissure division, (3) perivascular and peribronchial dissection, (4) individual division of the vessels and bronchus, (5) specimen retrieval, and (6) mediastinal lymph node dissection. Surgeons should obtain experience in enhancing the exposure of the dissection target and facilitating dissection. This review article provides the basic principles of the surgical techniques and practical maneuvers for performing VATS lobectomy easily, safely, and efficiently.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.191-199
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• 2020

Surgeons recommend dissecting lymph nodes in the thorax, abdomen, and neck during surgery for esophageal cancer because of the possibility of metastasis to the lymph nodes in those areas through the lymphatic plexus of the esophageal submucosal layer. Extensive lymph node dissection is essential for accurate staging and is thought to improve survival. However, it can result in several complications, including chyle leakage, which refers to continuous lymphatic fluid leakage and can occur in the thorax, abdomen, and neck. Malnutrition, fluid imbalance, and immune compromise may result from chyle leakage, which can be potentially life-threatening if it persists. Therefore, various treatment methods, including conservative treatment, pharmacological treatment such as octreotide infusion, and interventions such as thoracic duct embolization and surgical thoracic duct ligation, have been applied. In this article, the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment methods of chyle leakage after esophagectomy are reviewed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3825-3830
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• 2013

More studies are needed to clarify treatments and prognosis of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This retrospective study was designed to review the outcome of surgical treatment for early ESCC, evaluate the results of a left thoracotomy for selected patients with early ESCC, and identify factors affecting lymph node metastases and survival. The clinicopathological data of 228 patients with early ESCC who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy without preoperative adjuvant treatment were reviewed. The ${\chi}^2$ test or Fisher's exact test were used to detect factors related to lymph node metastasis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. There were 152 males and 76 females with a median age of 55 years. Two hundred and eight patients underwent a left thoracotomy, and the remaining 20 patients with lymph nodes in the upper mediastinum more than 5 mm in short-axis diameter by computed tomography scan underwent a right thoracotomy. No lymph node metastasis was found in the 18 patients with carcinoma in situ, while lymph node metastases were detected in 1.6% (1/62) of patients with mucosal tumours and 18.2% (27/148) of patients with submucosal tumours. Only 7 patients showed upper mediastinal lymph node metastases in the follow-up. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 81.4% and 70.1%, respectively. Only histologic grade (P<0.001) and pT category (P=0.001) significantly correlated with the presence of lymph node metastases. In multivariate analysis, only histologic grade (P=0.026) and pT category (P=0.008) were independent prognostic factors. A left thoracotomy is acceptable for selected patients with early ESCC. Histologic grade and pT category affected the presence of lymph node metastases and were independent prognostic factors for early ESCC.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1180-1184
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• 1992

The use of computed tomography of the chest in mediastinal staging of lung carcinoma lies the premiss that malignant lymph nodes are larger than benign ones. We have studied the size of mediastinal lymph nodes & the malignancy rate in 55 lung carcinomas from March 1990 to July 1992 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of medicine. The lack of relationship between the size of mediastinal lymph node and the probability of malignancy helps to clarify the limitations of the use of computed tomography in the staging of the mediastinum in lung carcinoma. There was no tendency for all malignant lymph nodes to be larger than benign nodes. To allow comparison with our data, malignancy rates for all lymph nodes larger than 10mm are 24.8% in sensitivity & benign rates for all lymph nodes less than 10mm are 96% in specificity. But all mediastinal lymph nodes larger than 30mm are metastatic lymph nodes in our cases. We are going to try to have thoracotomy for complete resection of lung carcinoma as possible as we can if there no evidence of contralateral mediastinal metastases of lymph nodes, even though there are large mediastinal lymph nodes in lung carcinoma.