• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2022

Background: No consensus exists regarding whether volatile anesthetics are superior to intravenous anesthetics for reducing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgery. Studies of this issue focused on anatomic pulmonary resection are lacking. This study compared the effects of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) versus volatile anesthesia on PPCs after anatomic pulmonary resection in patients with lung cancer. Methods: This retrospective study examined the medical records of patients with lung cancer who underwent lung resection at our center between January 2018 and October 2020. The primary outcome was the incidence of PPCs, which included prolonged air leak, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, empyema, atelectasis requiring bronchofiberscopy (BFS), acute lung injury (ALI), bronchopleural fistula (BPF), pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary edema. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the 2 groups. In total, 579 anatomic pulmonary resection cases were included in the final analysis. Results: The analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the volatile anesthesia and TIVA groups in terms of PPCs, except for prolonged air leak. Neither of the groups showed atelectasis requiring BFS, ALI, BPF, pulmonary embolism, or pulmonary edema after PSM. However, the length of hospitalization, intensive care unit stay, and duration of chest tube indwelling were shorter in the TIVA group. Conclusion: Volatile anesthetics showed no superiority compared to TIVA in terms of PPCs after anatomical pulmonary resection in patients with lung cancer. Considering the advantages of each anesthetic modality, appropriate anesthetic modalities should be used in patients with different risk factors and situations.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.420-427
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• 2007

Background: Postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE) due to bronchopleural fistula (BPF) can be a surgical challenge for surgeons. We analyzed the follow-up outcomes after performing omentopexy and thoracoplasty for the treatment of PPE with BPF after pneumonectomy. Material and Mehod: Between December 1991 and January 2006, 9 patients underwent BPF closure using an omental pedicled flap for the treatment of PPE with BPF after pneumonectomy. There were 7 males and 2 females (mean age: $45.9{\pm}9$ years). The patients were followed up for a mean of 58 months (median: 28 months, range: $6{\sim}169$). When we performed omentopexy, the surgical procedures for empyema were thoracoplasy for 8 patients and the Clagett procedure for 1 patient. Thoracoplasty was performed for the latter patient due to recurrence of empyema, Result: For the 8 patients who were treated by omentopexy and thoracoplasty, there was 1 operation-related death due to sepsis. During follow up, 1 patient, who was treated by omentopexy and a Clagett procedure, died of acute hepatitis 40 months postoperatively. The early mortality was 11.1% (8/9). Of the 8 patients, including the 1 late death patient, successful closure of the BPF were achieved in all patients (8/9) and the empyema was cured in 7 patients (7/8). Conclusion: The BPF closure using an omental pedicled flap was an effective method for treating PPE with BPF due to 75-destroyed lung, and thoracoplasty with simultaneous omentopexy was effective and safe for removing dead space if the patient was young and in a good general condition.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.339-345
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• 2017

Background: In recent years, single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lobectomy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has become increasingly common. The objective of this study was to compare the feasibility and safety of single-port and triple-port VATS lobectomy. Methods: A total of 73 patients with NSCLC who underwent VATS lobectomy from December 2011 to August 2016 were retrospectively reviewed, including 47 in the triple-port group and 26 in the single-port group. Statistical analysis was performed after propensity score matching. Patients were matched on a 1-to-1 basis. Results: Operative time and intraoperative blood loss in the triple-port group and the single-port group were similar ($189.4{\pm}50.8minutes$ vs. $205.4{\pm}50.6minutes$, p=0.259; $286.5{\pm}531.0mL$ vs. $314.6{\pm}513.1mL$, p=0.813). There were no cases of morbidity or mortality. No significant differences in complications or the total number of dissected lymph nodes were found between the 2 groups. In the single-port group, more mediastinal lymph nodes were dissected than in the triple-port group ($1.7{\pm}0.6$ vs. $1.2{\pm}0.5$, p=0.011). Both groups had 1 patient with bronchopleural fistula. Chest tube duration and postoperative hospital stay were shorter in the single-port group than in the triple-port group ($8.7{\pm}5.1days$ vs. $6.2{\pm}6.6days$, p=0.130; $11.7{\pm}6.1days$ vs. $9.5{\pm}6.4days$, p=0.226). However, the differences were not statistically significant. In the single-port group, the rate of conversion to multi-port VATS lobectomy was 11.5% (3 of 26). The rates of conversion to open thoracotomy in the triple-port and single-port groups were 7.7% and 3.8%, respectively (p=1.000). Conclusion: In comparison with the triple-port group, single-port VATS lobectomy showed similar results in safety and efficacy, indicating that single-port VATS lobectomy is a feasible and safe option for lung cancer patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.231-239
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• 2000

Background: This retrospective study tries to identify specific risk factors that may increase complication rates after the surgical treatment of tuberculous destroyed lung. Material and method: A retrospective study was performed on forty-seven patients, who received surgical treatment for tuberculous destroyed lung in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Hanyang University Hospital from 1988 to 1998, to identify specific preoperative risk factors related to postoperative complications. Fisher's exact test was used to identify the correlations between the complications and right pneumonectomy, preoperative FEV1, predicted postoperative FEV1, massive hemoptysis, postoperative persistent empyema. Result: Hospital mortality and morbidity rates of the patients who received surgical treatment for tuberculous destroyed lung were 6.4% and 29.7%, respectively. In view of the hospital mortality and morbidity rates as a whole, predicted postoperative FEV1 less than 0.8L(p<0.005), preoperative FEV1 less than 1.8L(p=0.01), massive hemoptysis(p<0.005), postoperative persistent positive sputum cultures(p<0.0005), and the presence of multi drug resistant tuberculosis(p<0.05) presented statistically significant correlations. Among the postoperative complications, bronchopleural fistula, the most common complication, was found to have statistically significant corrleations with the preoperative empyema(p<0.05) and postoperative persistent positive sputum cultures(p<0.05). Conclusion: Although mortality and morbidity rates after surgical treatment of tuberculous destroyed lung were relatively low, when predicted postoperative FEV1 was less than 0.8L, when preoperative FEV1 was less than 1.8L, when massive hemoptysis was present, when postoperative sputum cultures were persistently positive, and when multi drug resistant tuberculosis was present, the rates were significantly higher.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.252-257
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• 2015

Background: Lobectomy is the generally accepted standard treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, especially in elderly patients, it is often necessary to perform pneumonectomy in order to maximize the likelihood of curative treatment, although pneumonectomy is a challenging procedure. Methods: We analysed patients who were clinically diagnosed with stage I NSCLC and underwent pneumonectomy with curative intent from 2004 to 2011. The patients were divided into an elderly group (${\geq}70$ years) and a younger group (<70 years). We retrospectively analysed the outcomes of these groups of patients in order to characterize the role of pneumonectomy as a treatment for elderly patients with clinical stage I NSCLC. Results: Thirty patients younger than 70 years of age (younger group) and fourteen patients 70 years of age or older (elderly group) who underwent pneumonectomy were enrolled in the present study. The median follow-up period was 35 months (range, 0 to 125 months). The perioperative mortality rate (within 90 days after the operation) was 7.1% in the elderly group and 6.7% in the younger group (p=0.73). No significant differences between the two groups were observed regarding the occurrence of pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac arrhythmia, bronchopleural fistula, and vocal cord paralysis. The overall five-year survival rate was 79.4% in the younger group and 35.7% in the elderly group, which was a significant difference (p=0.018). The five-year disease-free survival rate was 66.7% in the younger group and 35.7% in the elderly group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.23). Conclusion: Although elderly patients with early stage lung cancer showed a worse long-term survival rate after pneumonectomy than younger patients, the outcomes of elderly patients were similar to those of younger patients in terms of perioperative mortality and postoperative complications. Patients should not be denied pneumonectomy solely due to old age.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.396-401
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• 1997

Tailoring thoracoplasty is employed prior to, following, or concomitant with pulmonary resection when it is anticipated that insufHclent lung tissue will remain to fill the pleural space following a pulmonary resection. This study reviewed a series of eight patients treated with tailoring thoracoplasty between 1990 and 1995. Indications were to close a persistent space In four patients and to tailor the thoracic cavity to accept diminished lung volume concomitant with a pulmonary resection in the other four patients. The primary underlying disease was lung cancer in three patients and pulmonary tuberculosis In five patients, two of whom had concomitant aspcrgilloma, two, pneumothora , and one, empyema with bronchopleural fistula. In four patients with a prior pulmonary resection, the tailoring thoracoplasty was performed within eight days after the resection surgery. There was no failure to accommodate the thoracic cavity to insufficient lung tissue, even though two patients needed a second thoracoplasty. We conclude that tailoring thoracoplasty may be performed to close anticipated persistent pleural space and to accommodate diminished lung volume with acceptable cosmetic results Early, after, or concomitant with pulmonary resection in selected patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1055-1061
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• 1997

In the field of the experimental lung transplantation, we analyzed the CT findings of acute rejection, infection in the left single allotransplanted lung of adult mongrel dogs, and the CT findings were compared with the histological findings obtained by the lung biopsy Twenty two adult mongrel dogs were divided into two groups(Donor and recipient group). Donor lungs were flushed with LPDG(low pota,ilium dextral glucose) solution(n=4) or modified Euro-collins solution(n=7) and preserved over 20 hours with $10^{\circ}C(1$ case preservation for 4hours). After left single lung transplantation, the chest X-ray and sequential computed tomogram were performed with concomitant hemodynamic study and arterial blood gas analysis on immediate postoperative period, postoperative 3rd day and postoperative 7th day. Two of eleven transplanted lungs had acute rejection which was represented as moderate infiltration at immediate or 1st postoperative d y but became extensive infiltration at postoperative 3rd day on CT. There were showed one case of bronchopleural fistula, six cases of pneumonia and two cases of pulmonary infarction. In one rejection cases, the opacity of transplanted lung was improved by injection of methylprednisolone 500mg daily during 3 days. We concluded that CT was a useful noninvasive evaluation parameter after lung transplantation and the serial CT scan enabled early detection of acute rejection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.484-489
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• 2006

A primary pulmonary leiomyosarcoma is a very rare pulmonary malignancy that arises from smooth muscle of either the bronchial or arterial walls. Common symptoms of the tumor are cough, dyspnea, chest pain and hemoptysis. The diagnosis of a primary pulmonary sarcoma can be established only after extensive clinical and radiologic examinations have failed to identify an alternative primary source. The only effective treatment for the tumor is a complete surgical resection when feasible. The type of resection is dictated by the local anatomic extent of the tumor. We report a case of a 21-year-old male with a primary endobronchial leiomyosarcoma who presented with massive hemoptysis. A necrotic ulcerative endobronchial lesion was observed in the orifice of left lower lobe bronchus on a bronchoscopic examination. He was treated with a complete sleeve resection of the left lower lobe. Three months later, local recurrence of the tumor was noticed on the follow up bronchoscopy and a then left pneumonectomy was then performed. Fifteen months later, the patient died from empyema with a bronchopleural fistula that was associated with tumor recurrence at the stump of the pneumonectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.287-293
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• 1999

Background: Medical treatment of multiple drug resistant(MDR) pulmonary tuberculosis has been quite unsuccessful. We analyzed our experience to identify the benefits and complications of the pulmonary resection in MDR pulmonary tuberculosis. Material and Method: A retrospective review was performed in 27 patients who unerwent pulmonary resection for MDR pulmonary tuberculosis between January 1994 and March 1998. Mean age was 40 years and the average history of diagnosis prior to surgery was 3.1 years. All had resistance to an average of 4.4 drugs, and received second line drugs selected according to the drug sensitivity test. Most patients (93%) had cavitary lesions as the main focus. Bilateral lesions were identified in 19 patients (70%), however, the main focus was recognized in one side of the lung. Eleven patients (41%) were converted to negative sputum smear and/or culture before surgery. Result: Pneumonectomy was performed in 9 patients, lobectomy in 16 and segmentectomy in 2. There was no operative mortality. Morbidity had occurred in 7 patients (26%), prolonged air leak in 3 patients, reoperation due to bleeding in 2, bronchopleural fistula in 1, and reversible neurologic defect in 1. Median follow up period was 15 months (3-45 months). Sputum negative conversion was initially achieved in 22 patients (82%), and with continuous postopertive chemotherapy negative conversion was achieved in other 4 patients (14%). Only one pneumonectized patient (4%) failed due to considerable contralateral cavity. Conclusion: For patients with localized MDR pulmonary tuberculosis and with adequate pulmonary reserve function, surgical pulmonary resection combined with appropriate pre and postoperative anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy can achieve high success rate with acceptable morbidity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.617-623
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• 2007

Background: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a frequent fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, is known to have a poor prognosis despite the use of antifungal therapy in leukemic patients. We studied the outcome of surgical resection of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis where bleeding tendency, localized recurrence of infection, and incidence could be reduced. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 14 patients with a hematological malignancy where invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed during the 10 years between 1998 and 2007. From the medical records, we reviewed the type and treatment of the hematological malignancy, including the diagnostic methods of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, the preoperative hematological conditions and their management, and the surgical methods and records. We also analyzed the development of postoperative complications and patient mortality, the recurrence of postoperative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and if the patients had a bone marrow transplant. Result: Fourteen patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and a hematological malignancy underwent a pulmonary lobectomy. One patient had a complication of bronchopleural fistula, but there were no other serious complications such as bleeding or wound infection, and none of the patients died postoperatively. Conclusion: We have shown that pulmonary lobectomy is a safe and effective therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with hematological malignancies that allow further treatment of the hematological malignancy.