• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.4 s.273
• /
• pp.280-287
• /
• 2007

Background: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical results of surgically managing patients with Ebstein's anomaly. Material and Method: Between Feb. f 984 and June 2006, 50 patients who underwent surgical treatment for Ebstein's anomaly at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 26.9 years and 19 patients were male, Associated anomalies included atrial septal defect (33), patent ductus arteriosus (2), ventricular septal defect (1), and pulmonary stenosis (4), and 90%, (45/50) of the patients had more than a moderate degree of tricuspid regurgitation. Carpentier type A was present in 6 patients, type B in 26, type C in 14 and type D in 4. Ten patients were associated with WPW syndrome. Conservative surgery was possible in 31 patients (tricuspid annuloplasty, plication of the atrialized RV), Fontan's operation was peformed in 4 patients, tricuspid valve replacement was done in 12 and palliative surgery was done in 2 patients. Thirteen patients were associated with hi-directional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS: one and a half ventricular repairs): 10 patients with WPW syndrome and 4 patients with atrial fibrillation underwent concomitant ablation. Result: The postoperative median NYHA functional class $(3{\rightarrow}1)$ and the mean cardio-thoracic ratio $(0.65{\rightarrow}0.59)$ were decreased significantly (p<0.001, p=0.014). The mean oxygen saturation $(86.6{\rightarrow}94.1%)$, and median TR grade $(4{\rightarrow}1)$ were also significantly improved (p=0.004, p<0.001). For comparison of BCPS and conservative surgery, the preoperative right ventricular pressure (33.0 vs. 41.3 mmHg), the ICU stay (2.80 vs. 1.89 days), the hospital say (10.6 vs. 16.8 days), and the left ventricular ejection fraction (64.3 vs. 72.8%) were statistically different. Postoperative mortality occurred in 3 patients (6%) due to biventricular failure in 2 patients and sepsis in the other patient. The mean follow up duration was 101.5 months, and one patient died of Fontan failure and 6 patients required reoperation (bioprosthetic degenerative change (2) and Fontan conversion (4)). The overall survival rate at 10 years was 90.2%, the freedom from reoperation rate and rate of cardiac related events were 78.9% and 49.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Surgical management of Ebstein's anomaly can be performed safely, and the associated BCPS may be helpful for high-risk patients. Adequate application of surgical management may increase the long-term survival with a reduced rate of reoperation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.337-343
• /
• 2009

Background: Postoperative recurrence is a major problem after performing video-assisted thoracic surgery for the treatment of primary pneumothorax. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement (GORE $SEAMGUARD^{(R)}$) for preventing recurrence after bullectomy. Material and Method: From January 2000 to December 2004, 300 patients underwent video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of primary penumothorax. 143 patients were treated with bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement (Group A) and 142 patients were treated with stapling of the bullae (Group B). Mechanical pleural abrasion was performed in all the patients. The operating time, the duration of the indwelling chest tube, the length of the hospital stay and the number of recurrences after operation were compared between the groups. Result: No operative deaths occurred. The conversion rate to an open procedure was 5% (15/300). Comparison with these groups (Group A versus Group B) showed the following results: the operating time ($49.6{\pm}25.6$ vs $51.8{\pm}30.4$ minutes, respectively, p=0.514), the duration of an indwelling chest tube ($5.8{\pm}2.5$ vs $7.2{\pm}3.3$ days, respectively, p<0.005), the hospital stay ($10.9{\pm}4.3$ vs $12.5{\pm}4.3$ days, respectively, p<0.005) and the number of recurrences (14 (9.8%) vs 10 (7.0%), respectively, the over all rate: 8.4% p=0.523), and the mean follow up period. ($48.1{\pm}36.6$ vs $36.5{\pm}24.4$ months, respectively). Conclusion: There were advantages to use synthetic absorbable staple line reinforcement over the usual method for the treatment of primary pneumothorax in regard to the duration of an indwelling chest tube and the hospital stay, but here was no significant difference between the groups for postoperative recurrence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.8
• /
• pp.644-651
• /
• 2004

Background: Refractory atrial arrhythmias in patients late after the Fontan operation result in significant morbidity and mortality. We reviewed our experience with arrhythmia surgery in patients who had Fontan operation. Material and Method: Between July 1986 and December 2003, 275 early survivors after Fontan operation were reviewed. Fourteen patients underwent. arrhythmia surgery at reoperation after Fontan operation, and mean age at reoperation was 16.8$\pm$7.1 (range: 4.5 ∼ 30.6) years. Mechanisms of arrhythmia included atrial flutter in 8 patients, and atrial fibrillation in 2. Arrhythmia surgery has evolved from isthmus cryoablation in 12 patients to right-sided maze in 2 patients. Thirty-two patients. underwent prophylactic isthmus cryoablation concomitantly at initial Fontan operation. Result: Postoperative arrhythmias occurred in 68 patients (24.7%) among 275. There was no early and late mortality after the arrhythmia surgery. After redo Fontan operation, all patients maintained normal sinus rhythm. Atrial flutter recurred in 3 patients who had sinus conversion with medication and 7 required permanent pacemakers with a mean follow-up of 26.5$\pm$29.1 (range: 2 ∼ 73) months. All patients have improved to NYHA class I or II. After prophylactic cryoablation at initial Fontan operation, 29 patients (90.6%) had sinus rhythm, 1 patient had junctional tachycardia, 1 patient had sinus nodal dysfunction, and 1 patient had AV block with a mean follow-up of 51.3$\pm$19.8 (range: 4∼80) months. Conclusion: Redo Fontan operation, and concomitant arrhythmia surgery reduced atrial arrhythmias and improved NYHA functional classification.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.308-313
• /
• 2020

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the major gynecologic surgeries. Historically, several surgical procedures have been used for hysterectomy. The present study aims to evaluate the surgical trends and clinical outcomes of hysterectomy performed for benign diseases at the Yeungnam University Hospital. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent a hysterectomy for benign diseases from 2013 to 2018. Data included the patients' demographic characteristics, surgical indications, hysterectomy procedures, postoperative pathologies, and perioperative outcomes. Results: A total of 809 patients were included. The three major indications for hysterectomy were uterine leiomyoma, pelvic organ prolapse, and adenomyosis. The most common procedure was total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH, 45.2%), followed by open hysterectomy (32.6%). During the study period, the rate of open hysterectomy was nearly constant (29.4%-38.1%). The mean operative time was the shortest in the single-port laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH, 89.5 minutes), followed by vaginal hysterectomy (VH, 96.8 minutes) and TLH (105 minutes). The mean decrease in postoperative hemoglobin level was minimum in single-port LAVH (1.8 g/dL) and VH (1.8 g/dL). Conversion to open surgery or multi-port surgery occurred in five cases (0.6%). Surgical complications including wound dehiscence, organ injuries, and conditions requiring reoperation were observed in 52 cases (6.4%). Conclusion: Minimally invasive approach was used for most hysterectomies for benign diseases, but the rate of open hysterectomy has mostly remained constant. Single-port LAVH and VH showed the most tolerable outcomes in terms of operative time and postoperative drop in hemoglobin level in selected cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.803-815
• /
• 1988

The present experiments were performed to confirm the hypothesis that xanthine oxidase[XOD], as a source and mechanism of oxygen radical production, plays an important role in the genesis of the reperfusion injury of ischemic myocardium. The experimental ischemic-reperfusion injury was induced in isolated, Langendorff preparations of rat hearts by 60 min. Of global ischemia with aortic clamping followed by 20 min. of reperfusion with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit solution[pH 7.4, 37*C]. The results were as follows: 1. The releases of creatine phosphokinase and a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde[MDA] into the coronary effluent were abruptly increased upon reperfusion of ischemic hearts. The increases of the enzyme and MDA were suppressed significantly in the hearts removed from rats pretreated with allopurinol, a specific XOD inhibitor[20mg/kg, oral, 24 hrs and 2 hrs before study]. This effect of allopurinol was comparable to that of oxygen radical scavengers, superoxide dismutase[5, 000U] and catalase[12, 500 U]. 2. The increased SOD-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C, which was infused to the hearts starting with reperfusion, was significantly suppressed in allopurinol pretreated hearts. 3. Activities of myocardial XOD were compared in the normal control hearts and the ischemic ones. Total enzyme activities were not different in both hearts. However, comparing with the control, the ischemic ones showed higher activity in 0-form and lower activities in D-form and D/O-form. 4. In the ischemic hearts, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, a serine protease inhibitor, prevented significantly the increase of 0-form and the decreases of D and D/O-form, while thiol reagents did not affect the changes of the enzyme. 5. The increase of 0-form and the decreases of D and D/0-form were not significant in both calcium-free perfused and pimozide, a calmodulin inhibitor, treated ischemic hearts. 6. The SOD-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C were suppressed by PMSF and pimozide treatment as well as by calcium-free perfusion. It is suggested from these results that in the ischemic rat myocardium, xanthine oxidase is converted to oxygen radical producing 0-form by calcium, calmodulin-dependent proteolysis and plays a contributing role in the genesis of ischemic-reperfusion injury by producing oxygen free radicals.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.58-62
• /
• 2006

Objective : Development of diagnostic tools has resulted in early detection of thoracic disc herniations[TDH] even when the herniated disc is soft in consistency. In some of the cases, it is considered better not to opt for surgical treatment due to the unduly high morbidity and potential complications associated with conventional approaches. The authors have applied percutaneous endoscopic thoracic discectomy[PETD] technique to soft TDHs in order to avoid the morbidity associated with conventional approaches. Methods : Eight consecutive patients [range, 31 to 75 years] with soft lateral or central TDH [from T2-3 to T11-12] underwent PETD between May 2001 and June 2004. The patient was positioned in a prone position with intravenous sedation and local anesthetic infiltration. The authors introduced a cannula into the thoracic intervertebral foramen using endoscopic foraminoplasty technique. Discectomy was performed with mechanical tools and a laser under continuous endoscopic visualization and flu oroscopic guidance. Functional status was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the Oswestry Disability Index[ODI]. Results : The mean ODI scores improved from 52.8 before the surgery to 25.8 at the final follow-up. In cases of myelopathy, long tract signs showed improvement. The mean operative time was 55 minutes, and no patient required conversion to open surgery. Conclusion : The technique allows a smaller incision and less morbidity. Soft TDH is amenable to this minimally invasive approach in selected patients with myeloradiculopathy.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 2002

Background and objectives : There may be frequent lymphatic neck metastasis among supraglottic cancer patients after their primary surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic neck dissections in supraglottic cancer patients to lower the neck metastasis. Material and method : The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records of 52 patients (7 females. 45 males) who had received the operations for the supraglottic cancer from 1995 to 2000. They were preoperatively examined with Computer Tomographic images, and also examined by the cervical neck palpations. Postoperative pathologic specimens were reviewed and the Pathologic stagings were confirmed by the pathologist. Results : Among 52 patients who received surgery for supraglottic carcinoma, 5 patients received ipsilateral neck dissection, 12 patients received ipsilateral neck dissection with postoperative radiation therapy, 10 Patients received bilateral neck dissection and 25 patients received bilateral neck dissection with postoperative radiation treatment. In comparison of the data of N0 to N+ conversion rate of neck, there were 11 ipsilateral T3 N0 patients and 2 patients(18%) were converted to N+ status, and there were 8 Patients with T4 N0 stages, and 3 patients(38%) were converted to N+ status. In comparing the data of contralateral neck dissection on N0 patient, there were 8 patients of T3 N0 patients, and there was 1 patient (13%) who showed recurrence. There were 5 patients of T4 N0 stages and there was 1(20%) patient with recurrences. When the ipsilateral N stages were N2a, and N2b, there 1 case of contraleral N+ conversions, respectively. In recurrences, there were 2 patients of N2b staged patients and 1 patient of N2c patient that showed recurrence during the follow up period. Conclusion : This data shows that at least an ipsilateral neck dissection is necessary in order to prevent the recurrences, and also suggests that bilateral neck dissection is necessary for the higher T stage. Since the higher N staged patients showed higher rate of recurrence, so that neck dissection is mandatory for the higher N staged patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.540-543
• /
• 1998

A patient with post-pneumonectomy empyema was treated sucessfully by modification of Clagett's operation after closure of bronchopleural fistula using a transsternal, transpericardial approach. His primary disease was pulmonary tuberculosis, and he had a past history of left upper lobe lobectomy 34 year ago. Recently recurred pulmonary tuberculosis with aspergilloma in the remaining left lung, empyema with bronchopleural fistula had developed on the post-operative 4th day after completion pneumonectomy. Closed thoracostomy was done at the lowest point of the left pleural cavity immediately. The pleural cavity was irrigated with small amount of normal saline through pigtail catheter. The 2nd operation was done by closure of bronchopleural fistula using a stapler through transsternal, transpericardial approach, and then the pleural space was irrigated with normal saline with Tobramycin which shows sensitivity to isolated organism from pleural cavity. After negative conversion of pleural fluid culture, we performed modified Clagett's operation under local anesthesia. The patient had no evidence of recurrence of empyema and discharged from hospital after 10 days of the 3rd procedure.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.7
• /
• pp.1124-1131
• /
• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of CT-guided microcoil localization of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) for guiding video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Materials and Methods: Between June 2016 and October 2019, 454 consecutive patients with 501 SPNs who received CT-guided microcoil localization before VATS in our institution were enrolled. The diameter of the nodules was 0.93 ± 0.49 cm, and the shortest distance from the nodules to the pleura was 1.41 ± 0.95 cm. The distal end of the microcoil was placed less than 1 cm away from the nodule, and the proximal end was placed outside the visceral pleura. VATS was performed under the guidance of implanted microcoils without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy. Results: All 501 nodules were marked with microcoils. The time required for microcoil localization was 12.8 ± 5.2 minutes. Microcoil localization-related complications occurred in 179 cases (39.4%). None of the complications required treatment. A total of 463 nodules were successfully resected under the guidance of implanted microcoils. VATS revealed 38 patients with dislocated microcoils, of which 28 underwent wedge resection (21 cases under the guidance of the bleeding points of pleural puncture, 7 cases through palpation), 5 underwent direct lobectomy, and the remaining 5 underwent a conversion to thoracotomy. In 4 cases, a portion of the microcoil remained in the lung parenchyma. Conclusion: CT-guided microcoil localization of SPNs is safe and reliable. Marking the nodule and pleura simultaneously with microcoils can effectively guide the resection of SPNs using VATS without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.214-219
• /
• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: Open cholecystectomy is becoming obsolete and laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the treatment of choice in gallstone diseases. Difficult gallbladders are encountered whenever there is a frozen calot's triangle, obliterated cystic plate, or both. Rather than converting to open procedure, there has been a growing preference for laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) during difficult gallbladders. This study aimed to assess the advantages, indications, and viability of LSC in difficult gallbladders. Methods: The study included patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in NIMS Hospital, Jaipur, from January 2021 to January 2023. Data of the patients who underwent LSC for difficult gallbladders included demographics, comorbidities, operative time, conversion to open cholecystectomy, length of hospital stay, and complications. LSC was classified into three types depending on the part of the gallbladder remnant. Results: A total of 728 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Among them, 41 patients (5.6%) were attempted for LSC. However, one patient was converted to an open procedure and the rest 40 underwent LSC. LSC was divided into 3 types, 4 patients underwent LSC type I, 34 patients underwent type II, and 2 patients type III. The average operating time and postoperative length of hospital stay were 86.2 minutes and 2.1 days, respectively. Two patients had surgical site infection. No patient had a bile leak and none required intensive care unit care. Conclusions: LSC is a safe and feasible option for use in difficult gallbladders.