• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.339-345
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• 2020

Background: Iliac artery aneurysm is frequently found in patients undergoing surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The use of commercial bifurcated grafts is insufficient for aorto-biiliac replacement with complete iliac artery aneurysm resection. We evaluated the effectiveness of handmade composite grafts for this purpose. Methods: A total of 233 patients underwent open surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm between 2003 and 2019, including 155 patients (67%) treated with commercial grafts and 78 patients (33%) treated with handmade composite grafts. Their operative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and late outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The early mortality rate did not differ significantly between the groups. On average, the handmade composite graft technique took approximately 15 minutes longer than the commercial graft technique (p=0.037). Among patients who underwent elective surgery, no significant differences between the conventional and composite groups were observed in the major outcomes, including red blood cell transfusion volume (2.8±4.7 units vs. 3.1±4.7 units, respectively; p=0.680), reoperation for bleeding (2.7% vs. 3.1%, respectively; p>0.999), bowel ischemia (0% vs. 1.6%, respectively; p=0.364), and intensive care unit stay duration (1.9±6.6 days vs. 1.6±2.4 days, respectively; p=0.680). The incidence of target vessel occlusion also did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: The increased technical demand involved with handmade composite grafting did not negatively impact the outcomes. This technique may be a viable option because it overcomes problems associated with commercial grafts.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2002

This study was undertaken to analyze the outcome of composite valve graftreplacement(CVGR) for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root. Material and Method: Between April 1995 and June 2001, 56 patients had replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic root with a composite graft valve and were reviewed retrospectively. Aortic regurgitation was present in 50 patients(89%), Marfan's syndrome in 18 patients(32%), and bicuspid aortic valve in 7(12.5%). The indications for operation were annuloaortic ectasia(AAE) in 30 patients(53.6%), aortic dissection in 13(23.2%), aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving aortic root in 11(19.6%), and aortitis in 2(3.6%). Cardiogenic shock due to the aortic rupture was present in 2 patients. Nine patients(16%) had previous operations on the ascending aorta or open heart surgery. The operative techniques used for CVGR were the aortic button technique in 51 patients(91%), the modified Cabrol technique in 4, and the classic Bentall technique in 1. The concomitant procedures were aortic arch replacement in 24 patients(43%), coronary artery bypass graft in 8(14.3%), mitral valve repair in 2, redo mitral valve replacement in 1, and the others in 7 The mean time of circulatory arrest, total bypass, and aortic crossclamp were 21$\pm$14 minutes, 186$\pm$68 minutes, and 132$\pm$42 minutes, respectively. Result: Early mortality was 1.8%(1/56). The postoperative complications were left ventricular dysfunction in 16 patients(28.6%), reoperation for bleeding in 7(12.5%), pericardial effusion in 2, and the others in 7. Fifty-three patients out of 55 hospital survivors were followed up for a mean of 23.2 $\pm$ 18.7 months(1-75 months). There were two late deaths(3.8%) including one death due to the traumatic cerebral hemorrhage, and CVGR-related late mortality was 1.9%. The 1- and 6-year actuarial survival was 98.1$\pm$1.9% and 93.2$\pm$5.1%, respectively. Two patients required reoperation for complication of CYGR(3.8%) and two other patients required subsequent operations for dissection of the remaining thoracoabdominal aorta. The 1- and 6-year actuarial freedom from reoperation was 97.8$\pm$2.0% and 65.3$\pm$26.7%, respectively.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.96-106
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• 2004

Purpose: To determine the usefulness of limb salvage operation with recycled autogenous bone graft in musculoskeletal malignant tumors. Materials and Methods: Twenty nine cases, who underwent limb salvage operation with recycled autogenous bone graft for the treatment of musculoskeletal malignant tumor between February 1990 and January 2003, were included. There were 18 males and 11 females and the mean age was 33 years (range, 10 to 65 years). The mean follow-up period was 51.8 months (range, 18 to 117 months). The Enneking stage was IIA in 10 cases and IIB in 19 cases. The recycling method of autogenous bone was deep freezing in 6 cases, autoclaving in 11 cases, pasteurization in 7 cases and the composite of autoclaving and vascularized fibular graft in 5 cases. The union of junctional site was evaluated radiologically and the functional results was analyzed by the grading systems of the International Symposium On Limb Salvages (ISOLS). Results: The mean union time was 7.2 months (range, 3 to 15 months). The union took 5.8 months (range, 4 to 8 months) in deep freezing, 9.7 months (range, 6 to 15 months) in autoclaving, 5.9 months (range, 4 to 8 months) in pasteurization, and 5 months (range, 4 to 8 months) in the composite of autoclaving and vascularized fibular graft. The mean functional evaluation percentage was 76.8% (range, 40 to 90%). It was 65.8% (range, 40 to 85%) in deep freezing, 76.6% (range, 40 to 90%) in autoclaving, 81.6% (range, 70 to 90%) in pasteurization, and 83.4% (range, 75 to 90%) in the composite of autoclaving and vascularized fibular graft. There were 6 cases of complications including 1 case of local recurrence, lung metastasis, infection, fracture, respectively and 2 cases of nonunion. Conclusion: The limb salvage operation with recycled autogenous bone graft is a useful treatment method for the musculoskeletal malignant tumors. Particularly, autoclaving is the most reliable sterilization method. The vascularized fibular graft can compensate decreased osteoinductivity and mechanical strength of recycled bone. So, the composite of autoclaving and vascularized bone graft seems to be a favorable treatment method for high grade malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.132-137
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• 2008

Nanofiltration membranes were prepared based on coating a sulfonated comb-like copolymer layer on top of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) support. The comb-like copolymer comprising poly(vinyl chloride) backbone and poly(styrene sulfonic acid) side chains, i.e. PVC-g-PSSA was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using direct initiation of the secondary chlorines of PVC. The successful synthesis of graft copolymers were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance ($^1H$-NMR), FT-IR spectroscopy and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Composite nanofiltration membranes consisting PVC-g-PSSA as a top layer exhibited the increase of both rejections and solution flux with increasing PSSA concentration. This performance enhancement is presumably due to the increase of SO3H groups and membrane hydrophilicity. The rejections of composite membranes containing 71 wt% of PSSA were 88% for $Na_2SO_4$ and 33% for NaCl, and the solution flux were 26 and $34L/m^2h$, respectively, at 0.3 MPa pressure.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2009

A series of organic-inorganic composite membranes from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) graft copolymer electrolyte and heteropolyacid (HPA) were prepared for proton conducting membranes. First, poly(vinyl chloride)-g-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PVC-g-PSSA) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using direct initiation of the secondary chlorines of PVC. HPA nanoparticles were then incorporated into the PVC-g-PSSA graft copolymer though the hydrogen bonding interactions, as confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The proton conductivity of the composite membranes increased from 0.049 to 0.068 S/cm at room temperature with HPA contents up to 0.3 weight traction of HPA, presumably due to both the intrinsic conductivity of HPA particles and the enhanced acidity of the sulfonic acid of the graft copolymer. The water uptake decreased from 130 to 84% with the increase of HPA contents up to 0.45 of HPA weight traction, resulting from the decrease in number of water absorption sites due to hydrogen bonding interaction between the HPA particles and the polymer matrix. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated the enhancement of thermal stabilities of the composite membranes with increasing concentration of HPA.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2017

Purpose: Fingertip amputations are the most common type of upper limb amputations. Composite grafting is a simple and cost-effective technique. Although many factors have investigated the success of composite grafting, the success rate is not high. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate whether the microscopic procedure process during composite grafts improves the success rate. Materials and Methods: Thirteen cases of unreplantable fingertip amputation underwent a microscopic resection procedure for composite graft in the operating room. The principle of the procedure was to remove the least devitalized tissue, maximize the clean tissue preservation and exact trimming of the acral vessel and to remove as many foreign bodies as possible. Results: All fingertips in the thirteen patients survived completely without additional procedures. Conclusion: Composite grafting allows for the preservation of length while avoiding the donor site morbidity of locoregional flaps. Most composite grafts are performed as quickly as possible in a gross environment. However, we take noticed the microscopic resection. This process is thought to increase the survival rate for the following reasons. First, the minimal resection will maximize the junction surface area and increase serum imbibition. Second, sophisticated trimming of injured distal vessels will increase the likelihood of inosculation. Third, accurate foreign body removal will reduce the probability of infection and make it possible to increase the concentration and efficiency in a microscopic environment. Although there is a need for more research into the mechanisms, we recommend using a composite graft under the microscopic environment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.344-347
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• 1997

A 49-year-old female patient who had obstruction of superior vents cave(SVC) with SVC syndrome was successfully managed by bypass operation of superior vents cava with spiral vein graft. A composite spiral vein graft was placed between the right innominate vein and the right atrium to bypass the occluded SVC. The graft was constructed from the patient's own saphenous vein, which was split longitudinally and wrapped around a stent in spiral fashion and the edges of the vein were sutured together to form a large autogenous conduit. The patient was relieved o SVC obstructive symtoms and signs and discharged 21 days postoperatively without any complication.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2016

The reconstruction of the mandible is a complex procedure because various cosmetic as well as functional challenges must be addressed, including mastication and oral competence. Many surgical techniques have been described to address these challenges, including non-vascularized bone grafts, vascularized bone grafts, and approaches related to tissue engineering. This review summarizes different modifications of the free vascularized fibula graft, which, since its introduction by Hidalgo in 1989, has become the first option for mandibular reconstruction. The fibula free flap can undergo various modifications according to the individual requirements of a particular reconstruction. Osteocutaneous flaps can be harvested for reconstruction of composite defects. 'Double-barreling' of the fibula can, for instance, enable enhanced aesthetic and functional results, as well as immediate one-stage osseointegrated dental implantation. Recently described preoperative virtual surgery planning to facilitate neomandible remodeling could guarantee good results. To conclude, the free fibula bone graft can currently be regarded as the "gold standard" for mandibular reconstruction in case of composite (inside and outside) oral cavity defects as well as a way of enabling the performance of one-stage dental implantation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.222-229
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• 1982

The aneurysmal dilatation of ascending aorta with the aortic regurgitation presents typical surgical problems. Over the years, various surgical procedures had been used for the management of the dilated segment of sending aorta and the aortic regurgitation. The surgical technique Is still in the state of evolution. The one method is the super coronary replacement of the ascending aorta with vascular graft and replacement of the aortic valve with preservation of the coronary ostia as advocated by Miller and his colleague at Stanford University, so called conventional technique". The other is the replacement of aortic valve and the dilated segment of the ascending aorta using a composite graft and transplantation of the coronary ostia as described by Bentall and DeBono in 1968. The controversy appears to evolve around 3 technical problems. One is bleeding from the grafted area. Two is later development of the aneurysmal dilatation of the subcoronary aortic wall when non-composite graft is employed. Three is a management of the coronary arteries. The purpose of this article is to present our experience with 7 cases of annuloaortic ectasia in whom both of these surgical techniques at that employed and to review some of the problems that encountered during the management of these patients .

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.352-356
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• 1991

From April, 1981, to April, 1990, 20 male and 7 female patients ranging in age from 17 to 63, were operated on for aortic insufficiency with an aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Ten patients were in New York Heart Association functional class II, 7 in class III, and ten in class IV. The surgical treatment in all cases consisted of total replacement of the ascending aorta with composite graft containing a prosthetic aortic valve and reimplantation of the coronary arteries by an intermediate tube graft. In 15 patients an uncomplicated annulo-aortic ectasia existed, and in 12 an aortic dissection; three of the latter group were operated during the acute phase. 17 patients showed typical Marfan syndrome, and 3 patients showed severe ascending aortic aneurysm secondary to the aortic valve disease. The overall operative mortality was 7%[2 deaths]. Those 2 deaths occurred following emergency operation due to associated aortic dissection, but no death during elective operation. All survivors have been followed-up during a period ranging 1 to 108 month[average 34 months]. There was no late mortality. Among the survivors, clinical improvement is readily apparent[2,3 in class I, 2 in class II ]. In conclusion, the treatment of aortic insufficiency associated with an aneurysm of the ascending aorta by insertion of a composite graft and reimplantation of the coronary arteries through an intermediate Dacron tube is a reliable method with low mortality and excellent results.