• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.214-218
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• 1977

There appears to be significant problems remained in the treatment of thoracic empyema inspire of the more potent broad spectrum antimicrobial agents available and improved surgical managements. Clinical analysis of 60 patients of thoracic empyema was done who received major and/or minor surgical intervention at the Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Hospital in the period of 3 years from May 1973 to July 1976. Following was the results: 1. Male was predominent to female with the ratio of 2.16 to 1, and adult to infant was 2.75: 1. 2. Most frequent predisposing factors of thoracic empyema in infancy and childhood was pneumonia [38.3%], and in adult was pulmonary tuberculosis [36.7%]. 3. Cardinal symptoms were dyspnea, fever, chest pain and productive cough etc. 4. Positive result of bacteriological culture study was reported in 26. 7%, and among them, Staph. aureus [10%], Diplo. pneumonia [3.3%], Streptococcal group [1.7%], Pseu. aeruginosa [1.7%], Paracolon bacilli [1.7%] and others [8.3%] in respectively. No growth of pathologic organism was reported in 60.0%, and not requested in 13.3%. Among the negative group, tuberculosis was confirmed on pathological tissue slide in half and other half was not determined bacteriologically and pathologically. 5. Surgical treatment was performed to the almost all of the patients with closed thoracostomy [48.3%], empyemectomy [28.3%], empyemectomy with pulmonary resection [11.7%] and others [I1.6%] in respectively with favorable results. 6. Mortality rate was 8.3% [5 cases], each one with lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, respiratory insufficiency, sepsis and another, two months old infant with asphyxia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.102-106
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• 1976

The management of infection occurring in the space which remains after removal of lung presents considerable difficulties both for the patient and the surgeon. We have during the past one year, developed a procedure, which has been successfully applied in 4 cases of postpneumonectomy empyema by modification of Clagett's procedure. All their underlying lung diseases were pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnosis of postpneumonectomy empyema was confirmed by thoracentesis, and bacteriologic cultures were obtained in all patients. Dead space thoracis was irrigated with various kind of antiseptic Solutions and debrided, filled with antibiotics saline solutions. The patients had a smooth post operative course except one case and was discharged from the hospital on the 3 weeks post-operative day in average. The failure case was wound leaking & redeveloped empyema, & waiting for reoperation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.850-855
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• 1992

Dead space of empyema occurrs from incomplete obliteration of infected pleural space from pulmonary tuberculosis, pyogenic infection, esophageal disease and post pulmonary resection. Chronic empyema can be treated by obliteration of dead space with autologous tissues such as, extrathoracic muscle flap and omental flap and thorachoplasty. Between May, 1986 to July, 1991 we treated 17 chronic empyema patients with autologous tissues and analysed the result. 1. Sex distribution was 14 males and 3 females between 5~62 years old. [mean 39.7 years old] 2. The volume of the dead space ranged from 100 to 450cc. [mean 213. 76cc] 3. The majority of used muscle flap were serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi, and there were 2 cases of am ntal flap. 4. The majority of underlying disease were pulmonary tuberculosis and there were 8 BPF[47%] in 17 patients 5. In 7 cases, thorachoplsty was needed. 6. Three cases recurred and there were no death.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.819-825
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• 1992

The omental pedicle flap[OFF] has been used for management of complicated problems in various fields of cardiovascular surgery. Its unique properties of enhancing neovascularity, relieving lymphedema, providing fibroblasts to promote healing, providing soft tissue coverage, & functioning in the face of existing infection make it ideal in managing many of the more complicated problems facing the thoracic surgeon. We have used omental pedicle for colosing of the bronchial fistula R esophageal fistula with filling the adjoining cavity after pneumonectomy. The successful closure of the bronchial stump with OFF were obtained in 2 cases, but one case was failed who was suffered from the esophageal fistula. The primary operation in each cases were right pleuropneumonctomy for tuberculous empyema in 2 cases & left pneumonectomy for chronic empyema in 1 case, We believe that the OFF is effective for closing fistula due to postoperative empyema k plombage procedures for dead space of infected thoracic cavity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.82-85
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• 2015

Pyothorax-associated lymphoma is a relatively rare type of lymphoma that occurs in patients who have long histories of tuberculous pleuritis or induced pneumothorax. It is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of mainly the B-cell phenotype and is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. A majority of these cases have been reported in Japan, although some cases have occurred in Western countries. Here, we describe a case of pyothorax-associated lymphoma in a patient with a 30-year history of chronic tuberculous empyema. The patient underwent decortication under the impression of chronic empyema with fistula. The histopathologic diagnosis was a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated chronic inflammation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.392-399
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• 2020

Background: Surgical treatment of empyema thoracis in patients with chronic kidney disease is challenging, and few studies in the literature have evaluated this issue. In this study, we aim to report the surgical outcomes of empyema and to analyze factors predicting perioperative mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: This retrospective study included data from 34 patients with chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 ㎡ for 3 or more months) who underwent surgery for empyema between 2012 and 2020. An analysis of demographic characteristics and perioperative variables, including complications, was carried out. Postoperative mortality was the primary outcome measure. Results: Patients' age ranged from 20 to 74 years with a 29-to-5 male-female ratio. The majority (n=19, 55.9%) of patients were in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring maintenance hemodialysis. The mean operative time was 304 minutes and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 562 mL. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 70.5% of patients (n=24). In the subgroup analysis, higher values for operative time, blood loss, intensive care unit stay, and complications were found in ESRD patients. The mortality rate was 38.2% (n=13). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group >2) (p=0.03), ESRD (p=0.02), and late referral (>8 weeks) (p<0.001) significantly affected mortality. Conclusion: ESRD, late referral, and poor functional status were poor prognostic factors predicting postoperative mortality. The decision of surgery should be cautiously assessed given the very high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality in these patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.839-844
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• 1989

There appears to be significant problems remained in the treatment of tuberculous empyema with BPF in spite of several surgical methods: decortication, thoracoplasty, and pleuropneumonectomy. We presented one case of tuberculous empyema with BPF. The patient was 42-year-old male and his chief complaint was hemoptysis. In past history, he was treated with left closed thoracostomy and antituberculous medication for two months, 16 years ago. Chest X-ray, tomogram and C. T, revealed a huge mass with central necrosis in the lower 2/3 of left thoracic cavity and shifting of the mediastinal structure to the right. Needle aspiration cytology was undifferentiated large cell carcinoma. Left thoracotomy was made under the impression of lung cancer and pleuropneumonectomy was done. Operative findings; thick walled empyema sac filled with hematoma and BPF, the mediastinum was fixated due to fibrosis and calcification of the pleura and the mediastinum. Postoperative biopsy was consistent with tuberculosis. In the postoperative course, there was massive hemorrhage and so reoperation was done. But there was no active bleeding focuses in the thoracic cavity at the time of reoperation. Massive transfusion, coagulant therapy and intermittent clamping and declamping of the chest tube were carried out. Especially, serum calcium level was chronically decreased and so large amount of calcium gluconate was infused for the calcium level to be normal. Total transfused blood; whole blood was 33 pints, packed cell was 63 pints and fresh frozen plasma was 70 pints. At the postoperative[reop] 45th day, intrathoracic hemorrhage was stopped and the chest tube was removed. In conclusion, this suggest that uncontrollable bleeding after pleuropneumonectomy of the tuberculous empyema with BPF could be treated without reoperation in case of the mediastinal fixation due to fibrosis and calcification of the pleura and the mediastinum.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.571-578
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• 1996

Background : Long abscess is an accumulation of pus within a destroyed portion of the lung. Antibiotic therapy and postural drainge has proven to be an effective method of treatment for the majority of patients with pyogenic lung abscess. When medical therapy fails, thoracotomy and pulmonary resection are the current therapies. empyema is pus in the pleural space, and this term is deserved for effusions on which the Gram stain of the pleural fluid is positive. Initially, such collection may be drained via chest tribe. Recently, in patients who are judged to be unsuitable for surgery are in poor condition, percutaneous drainage using pig-tail catheter has been performed. We report out experience with 10 cases of lung abscess and 23 cases of empyema who were treated by percutaneous pit-tail catheter drainage. Subjects and Methods : Our study included 10 patients with lung abscess and 23 patients with empyema who were treated by percutaneous pig-tail catheter drainage, from January, 1990, to May, 1996, at Hanyang University then a pig-tail catheter was inserted into the abscess or the site of empyema under fluoroscopic and ultrasonograpic guidance. Following aspiration, the catheter was sutured into the skin, and connected to the suction tip. Catheter drainage was discontinued when the abscess of empyema was resolved in radiologically and clinically. Results : There were 2 cases of lung abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae and 14 cases of empyema caused by M. tuberculosis. The others were unknown. The duration of drainage was 1-2 weeks in 7 cases of lung abscess and 14 cases of empyema. In the 29 of 33 patients, percutaneous drainage were carried out successfully 20 of the 29 Gases rapidly improved. Conclusion : Percutaneous drainge is effective and relatively saute for management of lung abscess or empyema refractory to medical therapy or poor candidates for surgical treatment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2002

Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula is a rare anomaly that may cause fatal complications if it goes unnoticed for many years. This anomaly may have various symptoms such as respiratory infections, coughing bouts when eating or drinking and even hemoptysis. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice and is definitive in almost cases. We report a case of type I congenital bronchoesophageal fistula misdiagnosed as chronic empyema thoracis with literature review.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.624-629
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• 1987

Tuberculosis is one of the most common chronic disease. While the disease process may involve anywhere of the body, tuberculosis of anterior mediastinum which forming tumor like mass was not recognized commonly. We experienced a surgical case of tuberculous empyema thoracis at anterior mediastinum in 16 year old boy. Preoperatively, he was diagnosed to anterior mediastinal tumor such as teratoma or dermoid cyst by routine study. Operation was performed by midline sternotomy extending over right 4th intercostal space. The mass was elongated football shaped [20x16x15] and markedly adhered to right side of pericardium, upper 8< lower lobe of the right lung. Opening the mass, enormous pus-like material was evacuated and excised segmentally with decortication. Postoperative pathologic diagnosis was tuberculous empyema thoracis and granuloma.