• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 1998

Exessive sweating of the palms and soles, is a psychologically and occupationally distressing and sometimes disabling condition. Hyperhidrosis is one of the common abnormalities in autonomic nervous system. There were no specific treatment on hyperhidrosis, so invasive thoracic sympathectomy via axillary thoracotomy or cervical approach had been used. Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) is now mostly performed for treating of the palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. From March 1996 to March 1997, 15 patients with bilateral palmar hyperhidrosis had been treated by the bilateral thoracic sympathectomy(T2, T3, T4) with thoracoscopic resection. The patient were evaluated preoperative and postoperative Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) at Kyung-Hee University Hospital. There were no case of the thoracotomy conversion. There were 3 complications ; pulmonary edema in 1 case, Horner's syndrome in 1 case, and gustatory hyperhidrosis in 1 case. More than half of the patients also had compensatory sweating in the lower abdomen, the buttocks, the back and the thighs. In conclusion, most of the patients were satisfied with the postoperative results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy, including no more palmar and axillary sweating, less pain, better cosmetic appearances, decreased sweating of the face and soles. In addition, intraoperative temperature monitoring of the hands could estimate the successful thoracoscopic sympathectomy and the preoperative and postoperative Digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) could especially be the technique for the objective manifestation of the successful results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1232-1236
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• 1997

Diffuse lung disease is amenable to diagnosis by means of clinical evaluation, bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial biopsy, and lung biopsy. The recently introduced technique of thoracoscopic wedge biopsy provides the potential advantages of greater selection of biopsy sites and reduced postoperative pain compared with those associated with standard open lung biopsy. Video assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed in 22 patients for the diagnosis of diffuse lung disease during the period from August 1994 to December 1996, and the following results were obtained: 1. The patients were 14 men and 8 women. The average age was 54.6 years. 2. 13 lung biopsy specimens were obtained from the right lower lobe, 4 from he right upper lobe, 3 from the right middle lobe, 3 from the left upper lobe, and 3 from the left lower lobe. 3. A comparison of pulmonary function tests between preoperative and postoperative values showed no significant differences in FVC, FEVI, and FEVl/FVC(p>0.05). All patients were pathologically diagnosed and the most common disease was usual interstitial pneumonia(8/22). In conclusion, thoracoscopic lung biopsy was a safe and effective diagnostic method of diffuse lung disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.613-616
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• 2007

Background: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is a rare disease and can be life threatening; it occurs in $1{\sim}12%$ of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. We analyzed clinical reviews and treatments, as well as complications of spontaneous hemopneumothorax patients that were treated to aid in the optimal management. Material and Method: We studied retrospectively 30 cases with spontaneous hemopneumothorax for 11 years, from 1995 to 2006, at our hospital. Result: All the patients were male and most of the patients were under 30 years. The sides with the disorder were as follows: right in 15 cases and left in 15 cases. Patients showed mostly initial symptoms of chest pain, dyspnea and hypovolemic shock. All patients underwent a closed thoracostomy and 27 patients underwent surgery. Chemical pleurodesis was peformed because of postoperative persistent air leakage and one case was treated in the ICU due to re-expansion pulmonary edema, There were no other complications such as fibrothorax seen during the follow-up periods. Conclusion: The most important finding is proper initial management, as the spontaneous hemopneumothorax can potentially lead to a life-threatening condition. Recently, video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is common procedure for general thoracic surgery and overcomes the weak points of performing a thoracotomy. The results of VATS are encouraging.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.916-922
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• 1996

In patients with pleural adhesion, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been regarded as a contra- indication. When such adhesions were found during a thoracoscopic trial, the thoracotomy proceeded with for fear of parenchymal Injury and bleeding. We had a question whether or not thoracoscopic surgery should be done in such pleural adhesions. Of the 226 consecutive thoracoscopic surgeries from Jul. 1992 through Sep. 1995, pleural adhesions were detected intraoperatively in 50 cases (22.1%): a detailed breakdown is as follows: pneumothorax (16 cases), pleural disease (15), benign pulmonary nodule(7), mediastinal mass(5), hyperhidrosis (2), diffuse parenchymal or interstitial lung disease (2), bronchiectasis(2), and primary lung cancer(1). We classified pleural adhesions according to their extent and severity. Extent is categorized as the involved area of the lung: degree 1, II, or III; severity is given one of four grades: mild, moderate, severe, or ve y severe. In cases of very severe severity requiring decortication, the possibility of VATS was excluded. Of the 50 cases, mild adhesions were detected in 15 cases(30.0%), moderate in 29 (58.0%), and severe in 6 (12.0%). As for the extent of the adhesions, 8 cases (16.0%) were categorized as degree 1, 32 cases (64. 0%) as degree II, and 10 cases (20.0%) as degree III. For patients with pleural adhesions, the operation time, the chest tube indwelling time, and the postoperative hospital stay were all longer than for patients in the non-adhesion group. Postoperative complications, namely prolonged air-leakage and pleural drain- age, were more common (18.0% and 6.0%, respectively) than in the non-adhesion group (5.1% and 1.7%, respectively). Only two bronchiectatic patients (4%) were converted to an open thoracotomy because of in- ability to control bleeding. Although complications were encountered more frequently in the group with adhesions, patients were still able to enjoy the benefi s of thoracoscopic surgery. It is advisable to proceed with thoracoscopic surgery even in cases of unpredicted pleural adhesions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.624-629
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• 2009

Background: Making the histologic diagnosis of small pulmonary nodules and ground glass opacity (GGO) lesions is difficult. CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsies often fail to provide enough specimen for making the diagnosis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) can be inefficient for treating non-palpable lesions. Preoperative localization of small intrapulmonary lesions provides a more obvious target to facilitate performing intraoperative. resection. We evaluated the efficacy of CT-guided localization with using a hook wire and this was followed by VATS for making the histologic diagnosis of small intrapulmonary nodules and GGO lesions. Material and Method: Eighteen patients (13 males) were included in this study from August 2005 to March 2008. 18 intrapulmonary lesions underwent preoperative localization by using a CT-guided a hook wire system prior to performing VATS resection for intrapulmonary lesions and GGO lesions. The clinical data such as the accuracy of localization, the rate of conversion-to-thoracotomy, the operation time, the postoperative complications and the histology of the pulmonary lesion were retrospectively collected. Result: Eighteen VATS resections were performed in 18 patients. Preoperative CT-guided localization with a hook-wire was successful in all the patients. Dislodgement of a hook wire was observed in one case. There was no conversion to thoracotomy, The median diameter of lesions was 8 mm (range: $3{\sim}15\;mm$). The median depth of the lesions from the pleural surfaces was 5.5 mm (range: $1{\sim}30\;mm$). The median interval between preoperative CT-guided with a hook-wire and VATS was 34.5 min (range: ($10{\sim}226$ min). The median operative time was 43.5.min (range: $26{\sim}83$ min). In two patients, clinically insignificant pneumothorax developed after CT-guided localization with a hook-wire and there were no other complications. Histological examinations confirmed 8 primary lung cancers, 3 cases of metastases, 3 cases of inflammation, 2 intrapulmonary lymph nodes and 2 other benign lesions. Conclusion: CT-guided localization with a hook-wire followed by VATS for treating small intrapulmonary nodules and GGO lesions provided a low conversion thoracotomy rate, a short operation time and few localization-related or postoperative complications. This procedure was efficient to confirm intrapulmonary lesions and GGO lesions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.729-735
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• 2008

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of performing additional tetracycline pleurodesis during the thoracoscopic treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Between March 2004 and December 2007, 91 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax were treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The thoracoscopic procedures included resection of the blebs and mechanical pleurodesis by scrubbing the parietal pleura. For 27 cases (Tetracycline group, group I), 20 mg/kg tetracycline was instilled into the pleural space through a trocar before closing the chest. The control group (group II) consisted of 64 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax for which the same thoracoscopic procedures alone were performed during the same study period. Result: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the demographic data, the operative findings and the operation time. The percentage of cases that needed intravenous analgesics and the duration of intravenous analgesics were comparable in both groups. There was no significant difference in the duration of air leaks and complications between the two groups. The patients treated with tetracycline pleurodesis had a longer period of postoperative chest drainage (4.2 days vs 3.5 days, respectively, p=0.03) and hospitalization (5.0 days vs 4.0 days, respectively, p=0.006). During the follow up period, the ipsilateral recurrence rate was much lower for the patients who were treated with tetracycline pleurodesis (0% vs 10.9%, respectively, p=0.099), and freedom from recurrence tended to be more favorable for group I (p=0.077), although this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Additional tetracycline pleurodesis during thoracoscopic treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax caused prolongation of chest drainage and a prolonged hospital stay. However, further investigations are needed because tetracycline pleurodesis can be performed safely without serious complications and it showed a distinct tendency to reduce the rate of recurrence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.294-298
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• 1999

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) has been established as a new method for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. We compared the clinical results of VATS with those of thoracotomy performed during the recent 5 years. Material and Method: We analyzed 126 patients whose medical records were available among the 154 patients who underwent operations for spontaneous pneumothorax from 1992 to 1996. The mean age was 27.1 years(15 to 75 years). 87 patients were operated on by VATS(Group A) and the other 39 by thoracotomy(Group B). The mean follow-up period was 14.7 months. Result: The operation time was shorter in group A than in group B(90.6${\pm}$38.6minutes: 117.2${\pm}$58.9minutes, p<0.05). The duration of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in group A than in group B(6.7${\pm}$4.2: 9.4${\pm}$3.3 days, p<0.05). The amount of analgesics(nalbuphin HCl, ketoprofen) used postoperatively were 2.4${\pm}$2.8 ampules in group A, which is less than the 6.5${\pm}$5.6 ampules in group B(p<0.05). The number of staples used in group A was smaller(2.7${\pm}$1.3 in group A, 1.76${\pm}$1.1 in group B, p<0.05). The duration of chest tube indwelling(4.3${\pm}$4.0 days in group A, and 5.6${\pm}$3.0 days in group B, NS), the recurrence rate(13.8% in group A, 2.6% in group B, NS), and the duration of air leakage(1.3${\pm}$3.3 days in group A, and 1.0${\pm}$2.5days in group B, NS) were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: The application of VATS for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax has brought in better clinical results(shorter operation time, shorter hospital stay, less pain, and better cosmetic merits) than the thoracotomy without increasing any morbidity. However no advantages in recurrence rates and duration of postoperative air leakages are revealed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.438-443
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• 2004

Background : The treatment strategy for urinary spontaneous pneumothorax has progressively changed with the introduction of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Recently, we modified the strategy of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. If the patient had mild dyspnea and the lung was minimally collapsed, 2 mm thoracoscopic examination was performed. If no blob or bullae was inspected, the intrathoracic air was evacuated through the 2 mm thoracoscopic troca without closed thoracostomy, and if the blob and bullae was noted, the 10 mm thoracoscopic bullecotomy was carried out immediately and also application of fibrin glue was substituted for pleural abrasion. We compared the clinical outcomes of modified treatment strategy with conventional strategy in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Patients were divided into four groups. Group I (n=21) underwent 2 mm thoracoscopic examination. Group II (n=68) underwent closed thoracostomy. Group III (n=56) underwent VATS and application of fibrin glue. Group IV (n=87) underwent VATS and pleural abrasion. The duration of chest tube drainage, the duration of hospitalization and the recurrence rate were compared between group I and group II and between group III and group IV. Result: Mean age, sex, location of pneumothorax were not different in all groups. In group I, the blob or bullae were existed in 12 patients, In remaining 9 patients, the bleb or bullae was not inspected. The mean duration of hospitalization in 9 patients were 2.4 $\pm$1.0 day and in group II were 3.9$\pm$2.1 day (p=0.014). There was 1 case of recurrence among the 9 patients in group I and 26 recurrences in group II (p=0.149). The mean duration of chest tube drainage were not difference in group III and IV (group III: 2.8$\pm$1.8 day, group IV: 3.0$\pm$2.5 day). The mean duration of hospitalization was shorter in group III than group IV (group III: 5,6$\pm$2.7 day, group IV: 1.3$\pm$3.3 day)(p=0.002). There was no recurrence in group III and 7 recurrences in group IV (p=0.043). Conclusion: Our modified treatment strategy of primary spontaneous peumothorax was effective in short hospital course and low recurrence rate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.5-19
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• 1998

Introduction: Direct histologic and bacteriologic examination of a representative specimen of lung tissue is the only certain method of providing an accurate diagnosis in various pulmonary diseases including diffuse pulmonary diseases. The purpose of national survey was to define the indication, incidence, effectiveness, safety and complication of open and thoracoscopic lung biopsy in korea. Methods: A multicenter registry of 37 university or general hospitals equipped more than 400 patient's bed were retrospectively collected and analyzed for 3 years from the January 1994 to December 1996 using the same registry protocol. Results: 1) There were 511 cases from the 37 hospitals during 3 years. The mean age was 50.2 years(${\pm}15.1$ years) and men was more prevalent than women(54.9% vs 45.9%). 2) The open lung biopsy was performed in 313 cases(62%) and thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed in 192 cases(38%). The incidence of lung biopsy was more higher in diffuse lung disease(305 cases, 59.7%) than in localized lung disease(206 cases, 40.3%) 3) The duration after abnormalities was found in chest X-ray until lung biopsy was 82.4 days(open lung biopsy: 72.8 days, thoracoscopic lung biopsy: 99.4 days). The bronchoscopy was performed in 272 cases(53.2%), bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 123 cases(24.1%) and percutaneous lung biopsy was performed in 72 cases(14.1%) before open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy. 4) There were 230 cases(45.0%) of interstitial lung disease, 133 cases(26.0%) of thoracic malignancies, 118 cases(23.1%) of infectious lung disease including tuberculosis and 30 cases (5.9 %) of other lung diseases including congenital anomalies. No significant differences were noted in diagnostic rate and disease characteristics between open lung biopsy and thoracoscopic lung biopsy. 5) The final diagnosis through an open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy was as same as the presumptive diagnosis before the biopsy in 302 cases(59.2%). The identical diagnostic rate was 66.5% in interstitial lung diseases, 58.7% in thoracic malignancies, 32.7% in lung infections, 55.1 % in pulmonary tuberculosis, 62.5% in other lung diseases including congenital anomalies. 6) One days after lung biopsy, $PaCO_2$ was increased from the prebiopsy level of $38.9{\pm}5.8mmHg$ to the $40.2{\pm}7.1mmHg$(P<0.05) and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ was decreased from the prebiopsy level of $380.3{\pm}109.3mmHg$ to the $339.2{\pm}138.2mmHg$(P=0.01). 7) There was a 10.1 % of complication after lung biopsy. The complication rate in open lung biopsy was much higher than in thoracoscopic lung biopsy(12.4% vs 5.8%, P<0.05). The incidence of complication was pneumothorax(23 cases, 4.6%), hemothorax(7 cases, 1.4%), death(6 cases, 1.2%) and others(15 cases, 2.9%). 8) The 5 cases of death due to lung biopsy were associated with open lung biopsy and one fatal case did not describe the method of lung biopsy. The underlying disease was 3 cases of thoracic malignancies(2 cases of bronchoalveolar cell cancer and one malignant mesothelioma), 2 cases of metastatic lung cancer, and one interstitial lung disease. The duration between open lung biopsy and death was $15.5{\pm}9.9$ days. 9) Despite the lung biopsy, 19 cases (3.7%) could not diagnosed. These findings were caused by biopsy was taken other than target lesion(5 cases), too small size to interpretate(3 cases), pathologic inability(11 cases). 10) The contribution of open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy to the final diagnosis was defininitely helpful(334 cases, 66.5%), moderately helpful(140 cases, 27.9%), not helpful or impossible to judge(28 cases, 5.6%). Overall, open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy were helpful to diagnose the lung lesion in 94.4 % of total cases. Conclusions: The open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy were relatively safe and reliable diagnostic method of lung lesion which could not diagnosed by other diagnostic approaches such as bronchoscopy. We recommend the thoracoscopic lung biopsy when the patients were in critical condition because the thoracoscopic biopsy was more safe and have equal diagnostic results compared with the open lung biopsy.