• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.535-547
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VAECMO) as a bridge to eventual heart transplantation (HT) is increasingly used worldwide. However, the effect of different VA-ECMO types on HT outcomes remains unclear. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 111 patients receiving VA-ECMO and awaiting HT. We assessed 3 ECMO configuration groups: peripheral (n=76), central (n=12), and peripheral to central ECMO conversion (n=23). Cox proportional hazards regression and landmark analysis were conducted to analyze the effect of the ECMO configuration on HT and in-hospital mortality rates. We also evaluated adverse events during ECMO support. Results: HT was performed in the peripheral (n=48, 63.2%), central (n=10, 83.3%), and conversion (n=11, 47.8%) ECMO groups (p=0.133) with a median interval of 10.5, 16, and 30 days, respectively (p<0.001). The cumulative incidence of HT was significantly lower in the conversion group (hazard ratio, 0.292, 95% confidence interval, 0.145-0.586, p=0.001). However, there was no difference in in-hospital mortality (log-rank p=0.433). In the landmark analysis, in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. Although we did note a trend toward lower HT in the conversion group, the difference was not statistically significant. Surgical site bleeding occurred mainly in the central, while limb ischemia occurred mainly in the peripheral groups. Conclusions: We suggest that if patients are being stably supported with their initial ECMO configuration, whether it is central or peripheral, it should be maintained, and ECMO conversion should only be cautiously performed when necessary.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.732-738
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• 1999

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has become a standard therapy for several diseases such as pneumothorax, hyperhidrosis, mediastinal mass, and so on. These methods usually required single-lung ventilation with double-lumen endobronchial tube to collapse the lung under general anesthesia. However, risks of general anesthesia itself and single-lung ventilation must be considered in high-risk patients. Material and method: Between December 1997 and July 1998, eight high-risk patients (6: empyema, 1: intractable pleural effusion, 1: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) with underlying pulmonary disease and poor general condition were treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgerys under epidural anesthesia and spontaneous breathing. Result: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgerys were successfully per formed in 7 patients. Conversion to general anesthesia was required in 1 patient because of decrease in spontaneous breathing. But, conversion to open decortication was not required. In two patients with chronic empyema, one patient required thoracoplasty as a second procedure and one patient required re-video-assisted thoracoscopic procedure due to a recurrence. The mean operative time was 31.8$\pm$15.2 minutes. No significant postoperative respiratory com plication was encountered. Conclusion: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgerys can be per formed safely under epidural anesthesia for the treatment of empyema and diagnosis of pulmonary abnormalities in high-risk patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.399-403
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• 2010

Background: Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery can be performed with the lung collapsed. During the procedure, pleural adhesion may result in lung injury, bleeding, and thoracotomy conversion. Identifying the presence of pleural adhesion before surgery can make it easy to plan trocar introduction and perform the procedure. Material and Method: Between June 2009 and November 2009, we performed ultrasound in 24 patients to detect pleural adhesion before surgery and compared the results with the operative findings. We primarily examined the lateral chest, where the trocar would be inserted, and, occasionally, the anterior or posterior chest. Result: Patient diseases were: 6 hyperhidroses, 8 interstitial lung diseases, 5 lung cancers, 2 mediastinal tumors, 1 peripheral pulmonary embolism, 1 metastatic lung cancer, and 1 sarcoidosis. Of the 22 patients who did not have pleural adhesions on ultrasound, four revealed mild adhesions not related to the trocar insertion sites. However, ultrasound showed pleural adhesions in two patients, consistent with the operative findings. There was no air leak or thoracotomy conversion related with trocar insertion. Conclusion: Ultrasound requires only a few minutes to detect the presence of the pleural adhesion and was very useful in identifying the pleural adhesion before VATS.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2013

Laparoscopic surgery has become popular in the past few decades, owing to less postoperative pain, fast recovery, and better cosmetic outcomes. The laparoscopic approach has been employed in pediatric surgery for the same reasons. After the first attempts of single incision laparoscopic appendectomy in pediatrics in 1998, single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has recently been proven to be safe and feasible for the pediatric population. However, limitations have been reported for SILS, such as the wide learning curve, compared to standard laparoscopic surgery, and the restricted number of hospitals with surgical training programs including SILS. In this study, we intend to present our initial experiences with SILS in children, and to describe the technique, instruments used, and outcomes. This is a retrospective study of 71 pediatric patients who underwent SILS, at a tertiary medical center, between September, 2012 and August, 2013. Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographics, type of procedure, operation time, use of additional ports, conversion to open surgery, complications and hospital stay. Additional ports were inserted in 4 cases, for the purpose of traction. Postoperative complications were noted in 13 cases, which were mostly related to wound inflammation or formation of granulation tissue. According to our analyses, patients with complications had significantly longer use and more frequent use of pain killers. Notwithstanding the small sample size, many of the procedures performed in pediatric patients seem to be possible with SILS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.422-426
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• 1993

We report three cases of children who underwent definitive conversion to the Fontan circulation using a new surgical technique, Extracardiac Epicardial Lateral Tunnel. This new procedure allows the operation to be performed as a totally extracardiac operation [especially in ventricular dysfunction] and allows it to be performed in a very small atrium and in cases with unsuitable pulmonary venous drainage.Our data suggest that this procedure may achieve satisfactory hemodynamics of the total cavopulmonary connection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.194-198
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• 2021

Robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction is currently performed in an attempt to seek smaller and indistinct incisions. Robotic surgery system has been evolving under the concept of minimal invasive technique which is a recent trend in surgery. One of the latest version is the da Vinci SP Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical). In this report, we will share our experiences. Two patients underwent robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy, each followed by immediate robot-assisted expander insertion and prepectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction, respectively. There was no open conversion or major postoperative complication. One patient experienced mild infection, which was resolved by intravenous antibiotic treatment. Simple docking process, multi-joint instruments, and thirdarm functionality are among the new surgical system's advantages. The present cases suggest that robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using the da Vinci SP Surgical System is feasible and safe. The promising features and potential application of da Vinci SP in breast reconstruction need further study.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.710-718
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• 2009

Background: The Cox maze procedure has been used as a standard surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation for about 20 years. Recently, the creators have used a bipolar radiofrequency electrode (Cox maze IV procedure) instead of the incision and suture (cut-sew) technique to make atrial ablation lesions for persistent atrial fibrillation. We investigated clinical outcomes for the Cox maze procedure with a bipolar radiofrequency electrode and cryoablator in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, and compared results with clinical outcomes of the cut-sew procedure. Material and Method: Between April 2005 and July 2007, 40 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent Cox maze IV procedure with a bipolar radiofrequency electrode and cryoablator (bipolar radiofrequency group). Surgical outcomes were compared with those of 35 patients who had the cut-sew technique for the Cox maze III procedure. All patients had concomitant cardiac surgery. Postoperatively, the patients were followed up every 1 to 2 months. Result: At 6 months postoperatively, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm was not significantly different between the two groups: 95.0% for the bipolar radiofrequency ablation group; 97.1% for the cut-sew technique (p=1.0). At the end of the follow-up period, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm was also not significantly different (92.5% vs. 91.6%, p=1.0). In multivariate analysis using a Cox-regression model, the postoperative atrial dimension was an independent determinant of sinus conversion in the bipolar radiofrequency ablation group (hazard ratio 31, p=0.005). In the Cox-regression model for both groups, atrial fibrillation at 6 months postoperatively (hazard ratio 92.24, p=0.003) and the postoperative left atrial dimension (hazard ratio 16.05, p=0.019) were independent risk factors of continuance or recurrence of atrial fibrillation after Cox maze procedures. Aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were significantly shorter in the radiofrequency group than in the cut-sew group. Conclusion: In the Cox maze procedure for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, the use of bipolar radiofrequency ablation and a cryoablator is as good as the cut-sew technique for conversion to sinus rhythm. The postoperative left atrial dimension is an independent determinant of postoperative continuance and recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.87-90
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• 2017

Purpose: Nowadays, Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) is widely used for its benefits, low post-operative pain, excellent anesthetic result and complete visualization of intrathoracic organs. Despite of these advantages, VATS has not yet been widely used in trauma patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of VATS in the chest trauma area. Methods: From January 2016 to December 2016, 203 patients underwent surgical treatment for chest trauma. Their medical records were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Eleven patients underwent thoracic surgery by VATS. Six patients were unstable vital sign in the emergency room. Two patients underwent emergency surgery and the rest patients underwent planned surgery. The common surgeries were VATS hematoma evacuation and wedge resection. There was no conversion to thoracotomy. The surgery proceeded without any problems for all patients. Conclusions: VATS would be an effective diagnostic and therapeutic modality in chest trauma patients. It can be applied to retained hemothorax, persistent pneumothorax, suspicious diaphragm injury and even coagulation of bleeder.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2011

Although laparoscopic surgery for hepatobiliary disease in children is possible, it is technically challenging. In an attempt to overcome these difficulties, the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System$^{(R)}$ was used to facilitate the minimally invasive treatment of choledochal Cyst in six children. In early consecutive three cases, we experienced three complications; a case of laparotomy conversion, a case of late stenosis of the hepaticojejunostomy, and a case of leakage from a hepaticojejunostomy. However, in the last three cases the complete resection of the choledochal cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy were performed using the robotic surgical system without complication. We think robot-assisted choledochal cyst resection in children appears safe and feasible, and may increase the variety of complex procedures in pediatric surgical fields.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.356-360
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• 2015

In plastic surgery, patient photography is a vital component of clinical, educational, legal, and research documentation. Optimal acquisition of photographic data requires a dedicated photography studio or a three-dimensional anatomic scanner, both of which are financially impractical for most clinicians. Simplified photo standardization is proposed for use in random clinical settings by using a portable device called the Mirror Stand (MirS). This model device aims to mimic a studio environment by incorporating the basic elements of producing consistent photographs. The pilot MirS is designed for facial photography. Images of 40 random subjects were obtained using the MirS with three different cameras. Real anthropometric measurements of each subject were collected, compared with the photographic measurements, and analyzed. In this study, all three cameras produced equally reliable measurements. Actual facial measurements were comparable to the photogrammetric measurements obtained from photographs taken using the MirS. A constant formula was derived; it allowed the conversion of photographic values into real anthropometric values. The MirS produced consistent photographs with respect to the measurements. The photographs obtained could be translated reliably into their real anthropometric measurements. Therefore, the MirS can be applied in daily practice, providing an efficient alternative for obtaining a standard justifiable photograph.