• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1028-1032
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• 1991

A 17-year-old man was admitted for chronic anterior chest pain and dyspnea. He was undergone pericardiocentesis for chylopericardium and thoracostomy tube drainage for right sided chylothorax. Approximately 2000ml per day from right chest tube was drained during 20 days Supradiaphragmatic ligation of thoracic duct was performed and there was no drainage postoperatively and immediately antituberculous medication was done.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.298-302
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• 1993

The 40 patients who admitted with chief complaints of pleural effusion and were performed closed thoracostomy and pleural biopsy at the same time with only one incision during the period from Mar,1990. To Feb. 1992. At the department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery; HanYang University were reviewed retrospectively and the results are as follows: 1. The age of patients ranged from 16 to 73-years old [Mean 44.3-years old]. The peak incidence was fifth decade [25 %] and the next was third decades [22.5 %]. 2. 28 patients were male and 12 patients were female with male preponderance[More than 2 times]. 3. The etiologic of pleural effusion were 25 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis[62.5 %], 8 cases of empyema [20 %], and 7 cases of malignant diseases [17.5 %]. 4. The most common chief complaints were dyspnea[21 cases:29.2%], chest discomfort[16 cases:22.2%], and the coughing with sputum [12 cases: 16.7 %]. 5. The duration of symptom were varied from 3 days to lyear [Mean 3.2 weeks]. 6. The amounts of drained pleural effusion after closed thoracostomy were ranged from 100ml to 2,400 ml [Mean 650 ml], but the amounts in case of malignant pleural effusion were varied from 400ml to 1,700ml [Mean 950ml]. 7. The diagnostic rate was 84.6 % with routine examination of tuberculous pleural effusion [Lymphocyte predominance] and the same rate was acquired by pleural biopsy. 8. The diagnostic rate by pleural biopsy in case of malignant pleural effusion was 57.1% and lower than tuberculous pleural effusion. 9. The etiology of malignant pleural effusion were squamous cell carcinoma [3 cases:42.8 %], adenocarcinoma [2 cases:28.6 %] and metasiatic breast cancer [1 case:14.3%].

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.570-578
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• 1991

The spontaneous pneumothorax is the sudden collapse of the lung usually by air leakage from the ruptured sub-pleural bleb and has high recurrence rate. For prevention against recurrence, many drugs such as tetracycline, talcum powder, quinacrine, etc. have been used but the effects are not satisfactory. We reduced the recurrence rate successfully by the fibrin glue instillation through the chest tube. From the January 1989 to September 1990, we have managed 65 patients of spontaneous pneumothorax with closed thoracostomy and fibrin glue[fibrinogen 1gm/50ml with approtinin 3, 000kIU /ml, thrombin 5, 000IU /ml in 3% each 10ml] instillation through the chest tube. And we compared the results with those of 106 patients of spontaneous pneumothorax who were managed only by the closed thoracostomy from January 1985 to December 1988. Only the patients who visited our hospital with recurrence were considered as the recurred cases but the others were considered as not recurred. And the removal of chest tubes usually done 3 days after cessation of air leakage or 2 days after fibrin glue instillation Statistical analysis was done by X2-test. The results were as followings: 1. The recurrence rate of fibrin glue instillation group was lower than that of non-instillation group[1st attack: 15.1% versus 27.6% p<0, 05, the 2nd attack: 33.3% versus 73.7% p<0.01, the total 18.5% versus 35.8% p<0.01]. 2. The mean duration of chest tube drainage in the fibrin glue instillation group was shorter than non-instillation group[4.24$\pm$1.36 days versus 4.48$\pm$1.73 days p<0.05]. 3. The mean duration of hospitalization was shorter in the instillation group [8.12$\pm$3.5 days versus 10.8$\pm$3.8 days p<0.05] The complications were transient mild fever, chest pain, pleural effusion in 46 cases of 65 patients, but those didn`t make any problem. We concluded that the fibrin glue is effective in the reduction of recurrence rate, obliteration of air leakage and duration of hospitalization.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.98-101
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• 1976

Clinical observations were made on a total 104 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax during the period of 5 years from MAR. 1971 to MAR. 1976 at the Dept. of Chest Surgery, Korea University Medical College. The ratio of male to female cases was 7.4 : 1 in male predominance, and age distribution was 73% of the total cases within the 15-40 age range. There were 56 patients (53.8%) of right sided pneumothorax and 44 patients (42.3%) of left sided pneumothorax, 8 patients presented bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. The etiologic factors were tuberculous origin in 42.3%, rupture of bullae or blebs in 15.4%, acute pulmonary infection in 3.8%, pulmonary paragonimiasis in 2.9%, cysticercosis 1%, Marfan's syndrome in 1.9%, unknown causes in 32.7%. In all 104 cases, closed chest tube thoracostomy were performed for reexpansion of collapsed lung. In 50 cases of 104 cases, intrapleural instillation of Quinacrine HCl (Atabrine, Winthrop Laboratories, New York, N.Y.) thru the chest tube was used to control of recurrent pneumothorax, and compared observation with 54 cases control group of closed chest tube thoracostomy only. In both groups, 1) cure rates were 63% in control group and 88% in Atabrine group. 2) average duration of inserted chest tube were 5.6 days in control group and 5.7 days in Atabrine group.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.731-735
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• 1990

Simultaneous and non simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax patients[273] were reviewed retrospectively from April 1986 to March 1990 in the Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical College. The incidence of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax was 13.6%[37] and sexual distribution was male dominant [Male:33, Female:4]. The patients were classified into three major groups according to therapeutic methods: Group I [7]; who were treated with simultaneous bilateral operation for unilateral recurred spontaneous pneumothorax through median sternotomy. Mean age was 20.7 years[17 \ulcorner28] and follow up duration was 7.7 months [3 weeks \ulcorner2 years]. Group II [23];who were treated with staged lateral thoractomy, unilateral thoracotomy and non simultaneous contralateral closed thoracostomy, or simultaneous or non simultaneous bilateral closed thoracostomy. Mean age was 28.6 years [17 \ulcorner56] and follow up duration was 9.8 months[one week \ulcorner3.5 years]. Group III[10] ;who were treated with simultaneous bilateral operation for simultaneous or non simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax through median sternotomy. Mean age was 21.4 years[17 \ulcorner28] and follow up duration was 12.8 months[2 weeks \ulcorner2.7 years]. Among the patients managed through median sternotomy simultaneously [Group I and III], there were visible blebs or bullous changed lesions mainly in the apicoposterior segment bilaterally in 15 patients[88.2%] Postoperative complications were 3 cases in Group II [wound infection:2 cases, temporary left wrist drop: one case] but none in Group I and III. Spontaneous pneumothorax recurred in 2 cases, one in Group II and another in Group III but none in Group I. 12 cases of 94 patients[12.8%o] who were treated with unilateral thoracotomy needed contralateral thoracotomy mean 14.9 months[7.5 \ulcorner 25 months] later. Mean age was 20.9 years [17 \ulcorner28]. In conclusion, simultaneous bilateral operation through median sternotomy should be considered in managements of spontaneous pneumothorax, especially in late teens and early twenties except young women for cosmetic reasons.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.299-306
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• 1988

We have reviewed 330 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from Jan. 1980 to Jul. 1987 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University. The ratio of male to female was 8.4:1, predominant in male. The incidence according to the age group was highest as 32% in the adolescence between 21 and 30 years old. The site of pneumothorax was right in 48%, left in 45% and bilateral in 7%. The initial symptoms were frequently dyspnea in 85%, chest pain in 63%. The etiologic factors were as follows; bleb origin in 31%, tuberculous origin in 30%, COPD in 3.3%, lung cancer in 1.5%, unknown in 29%. There was no significant difference in seasonal incidence irrespective of tuberculous or sex. The employed managements were as follows; bed rest with oxygen inhalation in 4 cases, closed thoracostomy in 326 cases, open thoracotomy in 122 cases, median sternotomy in 23 cases. The operative procedures at thoracotomy were as follows; simple pleurodesis in 5 cases, bleb excision or wedge resection in 113 cases, segmentectomy or lobectomy in 17 cases, decortication in 42 cases. Recurrence rate of each treatment was as follow; 50% in conservative treatment, 19% in closed thoracostomy, 2% in open thoracotomy, 4% in median sternotomy. Therefore overall recurrence rate was 12%. Open thoracotomy was the most effective procedure in recurrent pneumothorax, previous contralateral pneumothorax, bilateral simultaneous pneumothorax, visible bleb or bullae on the chest x-ray and persistent air leakage. 23 cases of unilateral spontaneous pneumothorax was examined whether or not underlying pathology of pneumothorax at opposite lung. 18 cases[78%] were positive findings. Therefore, bilateral thoracotomy by median sternotomy was a good operative method preventing contralateral pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.421-428
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• 1986

From January 1981 through December 1985, 481 thoracic civilian injuries were reviewed in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Paik Hospital in Seoul. Sixty two percent of the injuries were caused by traffic accident, 18% fall down, 15% blunt trauma, 2% crushing injury, 2% stab wound, and 0.4% gunshot wound. Peak incidence of the trauma victim was fourth and fifth decades revealing 22% and 27% respectively. Sex ratio was 3.5:1 with male predominance. Elapsed time before admission was less than one hour in 36% and one to six hour in 30%. The types of the injuries were as follows: Non-penetrating injuries were the most part of the wounded, 97.6%. Rib fracture was the most common lesion occupying 292 patient out of 481 [61%]. Of these 292 patients, 72% was multiple rib fracture. The incidence of hemothorax or hemopneumothorax was 19% [102 patients] [Table 4]. Most common associated condition was head injuries, 98 patients [14%]. Thoracoabdominal injuries were seen in 31 patients [0.6%]. Tube thoracostomy was the definitive measures in the 20% of the wounded. Open thoractomy was performed in 5%. Additional procedures for the associated condition were done in the 16% of the cases, for example, reduction of long bone fracture and trephination for the head injury. Among 481 wounded, fatal complication occurred in 13 patients [2.7%]. This paper has also compared two series of patients according to period; one from 1970 to 1980 and the present series [Table 8]. Conclusively, the fatal complications or trauma death may be reduced by the effort 1] rapid transport of the victim, 2] initial correction or resuscitative measures of the circulatory and ventilatory deficit 3] early decision of definitive thoracostomy or thoracotomy and 4] proper prioritizing for the care of the multiple critically injured patient.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1149-1153
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• 1997

Unilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema(RPE) is generally considered a rare complication occurring when a chronically atelectatic lung is rapidly reexpanded by tube thoracostomy or thoracentesis. It can also take place when the lung collapse is of short duration or when the lung is reexpanded without intrapleural sucti n. We experienced a case of RPE following surgical resection in mediastinal thymic cyst A 26 year old female patient suffered from long-standing atelectasis of the right lung due to a huge mediastinal cyst that was misrecognized as tuberculous pleural effusion. Empyema developed after iatrogenic rupture of mediastinal cyst by pig-tailed tube thoracostomy. We successfally managed the ruptured mediastinal thymic cyst, empyema and postoperatively developed RPE following reexpansion of the collapsed lung. The patient was treated with drugs and mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure for RPE. The remainder of her hospital course was uneventful.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.285-291
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• 2010

Background: Thoracic trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. A rib fracture that is secondary to blunt thoracic trauma is an important indicator of the severity of the trauma. The purpose of study was to determine the morbidity and mortality rates and the management of rib fractures. Material and Method: We performed a retrospective study that involved all the blunt trauma patients with rib fractures, excluding those that were transferred to other hospital within 3 days, that were seen at our hospital between May 2002 and December 2008. Of the 474 admitted patients, 454 met the inclusion criteria. There were 356 male and 98 females, and their overall mean age was 53 years (range: 5~90 years). The outcome parameters included the mechanism of injury, the number of fractured ribs, the length of stay in the ICU, the Injury Severity Score (ISS), the length of the hospital stay, the pulmonary complications and the mortality. Result: The mechanism of trauma included traffic accidents in 189 (41.7%) cases, slipping down in 103 (22.7%) cases, falls in 85 (18.7%) cases, cultivator accidents in 30 (6.6%) cases, industrial accidents in 32 (7.0%) cases and assault in 15 (3.3%) cases. Intrathoracic injury was noted such as hemothorax in 269 (59.3%) cases, pneumothorax in 144 (31.7%) cases, pulmonary contusion in 95 (20.9%) cases, subcutaneous emphysema in 29 (6.4%) cases and great vessel injury in 5 (0.1%) cases. Conservative treatment was administered to most of the patients. Tube thoracostomy was administered in 234 (51.5%) cases, whereas thoracotomy was performed in 18 (4.0%) cases. The mean duration of thoracostomy was $5.2{\pm}6.2$ days. Most of the cases with rib fracture were treated in wards and their mean duration of hospital stay was $22.5{\pm}20$ days. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was $14.8{\pm}10.9$ (range: 3~75). The mortality rate was calculated to be 4.8% (n=22). The main factors correlated with an adverse outcome were the number of ribs fractured, the duration of thoracostomy and pulmonary disease. Industrial insurance affected the length of hospitalization. Pulmonary contusion and the Injury Severity Score (ISS) affected the mortality. Conclusion: Rib fractures are a indicator of severe injury. Because of the complication and associated injuries, we believe these patients should be admitted for evaluation and treatment. Recent studies on the impact of rib fractures after blunt trauma have shown that patients as young as 40 years of age demonstrate increased morbidity and mortality with similar injuries as compared to that of older patients. The ISS and pulmonary contusion influenced the mortality rate. Patients with isolated rib fractures should be hospitalized if the number of fractured ribs is one or more.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.83-86
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• 1981

Eight cases by power tiller accidents experienced for 3 years from Jan. 1978 to Dec. 1980 were studied clinically. The results are as follows: 1. The most of the patients were thirties to fifties, and the incidence rate of male to female 7:1. 2. The common injuries were hemopneumothorax and multiple rib fractures [respectively and the other associated injuries were hepatic and delayed splenic ruptures, and fractures of the another sites. 3. The accident forms were overturning [50.0%], falling down from the power tiller [37.5%], and collision against the power tiller [12.5%]. 4. All of the drivers and 75% of the passengers in the patients were drunken states at the accident time. 5. The common methods of treatment were closed thoracostomy [62.5%], conservative treatment [37.5%], and exploratory laparotomy [25.0%].