• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.664-668
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• 1994

A total of 217 patients underwent single mitral valve replacement [MVR] with the St. Jude Medical valve between September 1984 and the end of 1992. There were 86 males and 131 females with a mean age of 34.6 $\pm$ 14.4 years[range 5 months-61 years]. A previous valve replacement had been performed in 46 patients [21.2 %]. An early mortality rate was 7.4 % [5.2 % in primary MVR; and 15.2 %in re-replacement MVR]. Early survivors of 201 patients were followed up for a total of 934.5 patient-years[mean 4.7 $\pm$ 2.1years]. A late mortality rate was 2.5 % or 0.54%/patient-year. The linearized rates of thromboembolism, valve thrombosis and anticoagulation-related bleeding were 1.301 %, 0.214 % and 0.428 %/patient-year, respectively. The actuarial survival including operative mortality was 89.9 % $\pm$ 2.1% at postoperative 10 years. The freedom from thromboemolism was 91.3 %$\pm$ 2.5% and the actuarial estimate of incidence free from late deaths and all complications were 80.9 % $\pm$ 3.8 % at 10 years. There were no mechanical failures. In summary, the St. Jude Medical prosthesis performed satisfactorily with an acceptable rate of late complications.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1998

Despite improvement in respiratory care, including use of low pressure and high volume cuffed tubes, tracheal stenosis remains a serious complication after a long-term tracheal intubation and tracheostomy. In such patients, tracheal resection and primary anastomosis is still considered ideal therapeutic modality. Between 1989 and 1997, we performed tracheal resections with end-to-end anastomosis on 14 patients with no operative mortality and some morbidity. Tracheal stenosis was caused by tracheostomy in nine patients, by endotracheal intubation in three patients and by thyroid carcinoma in two patients. The length of stenosis was various from 2cm to 4.5cm. All patient underwent segmental tracheal resection and primary anastomosis(14 patients) and additional procedures were cricoid cartilage reconstruction(2 patients), suprahyoid laryngeal release(3patients), carinal release technique(2 patients) and arytenoidectomy(2 patients). We have nine complications: granulona at anastomosis site in four patients, vocal cord palsy in two patients and restenosis, pneumonia, skin necrosis in each of those patients. The granuloma was removed by bronchoscopic forceps(4 patients). Vocal cord palsy was treated by arytenoidectorny(2 patients), restenosis by T-tube insertion, pneumonia by antibiotics and skin necrosis was treated by skin graft. We reviews our expenence of clinical features of tracheal stenosis and surgical treatment by tracheal one-to-end anastomosis with additional procedures to avoid postoperative complications for sucessful results.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2008

Purpose: Chlorine gas is a common irritant that usually causes mild respiratory symptoms. One severe symptom, RADS (Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome), is not well known to physicians. We analyzed the clinical features of chlorine gas exposure. Methods: We prospectively collected 25 cases of chlorine gas exposure near our emergency center on January 10th, 2007, and analyzed demographic data, event-to-ER interval, symptoms, and laboratory results based on medical records. Results: Only 2 patients out of 25 were admitted because of severe symptoms, the rest were discharged without complications. Sixty percent of them visited the ER within 12 h of exposure. The most common symptoms were chest discomfort (60%), headache (40%), nausea (40%), throat irritation (26%), and cough (32%). Two out of eight dyspnea cases showed abnormal pulmonary function, but only one case was diagnosed as RADS. Conclusion: Most symptoms after chlorine gas exposure can be treated conservatively. However, patients with chlorine exposure should be followed up long term for delayed complications.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2019

Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by purpura, arthritis, abdominal pain, and nephritis. Gastrointestinal involvement can manifest as pain, intussusception, intestinal bleeding, and intestinal perforation. We report a case of fulminant HSP at an age of eight in 1994, with multiple complications of intra-thoracic bleeding, massive intestinal perforation, nephritis, and various skin rashes. The brisk bleeding findings of intestinal on Technetium-99m-labeled red blood cell scan ($^{99m}Tc$ RBC scan) were well matched to those of the emergency laparotomy and the resected intestine. The patient's abdominal conditions improved gradually but nodular skin eruptions developed newly apart from improving preexisting lower limb rashes and the urine findings continued abnormal, so skin and kidney biopsy were done for the diagnosis. After cyclosporine therapy, skin eruptions and urine findings returned to normal gradually. On a follow-up after 25 years in 2019, the patient is 33-year-old, healthy without any abnormality on blood chemistries and urine examination.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2022

Backgrounds/Aims: Proximal splenorenal shunt (PSRS) is considered a one-time treatment for noncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) to prevent recurrent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) hemorrhage and long-term complications. Long-term shunt patency is necessary to achieve these. The lie of the shunt is a contributing factor to early shunt thrombosis. We investigated the role of resection of the distal tail of pancreas (caudal pancreatectomy [CP]) in improving the lie of shunt and decreasing shunt thrombosis. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with NCPH who underwent PSRS between 2014-2020 in JIPMER, Puducherry, India. CP was performed in patients with a long tail of pancreas, with the tip of pancreatic tail extending up to splenic hilum on preoperative CT. Perioperative parameters and shunt patency rate of patients who underwent PSRS with CP (Group A) were compared with patients undergoing conventional PSRS (Group B). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and χ² test. Results: Eighty four patients with NCPH underwent PSRS (extrahepatic portal vein obstruction = 39; noncirrhotic portal fibrosis = 45). Blood loss was lower (p = 0.002) and post-shunt fall in portal pressure higher (p = 0.002) in Group A. Shunt thrombosis rate was lower (p = 0.04) while rate of complete variceal regression (p = 0.03) and biochemical pancreatic leak (p = 0.01) were higher in Group A.There was no clinically relevant pancreatic fistula in either group. Conclusions: CP is a safe and useful technique for reducing shunt thrombosis after PSRS in patients with NCPH by improving the lie of shunt.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.37
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• pp.34.1-34.14
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• 2015

Background: Over the past 30-40 years, various carbon implant materials have become more interesting, because they are well accepted by the biological environment. The traditional carbon-based polymers give rise to many complications. The polymer complication may be eliminated through carbon fibres bound by pyrocarbon (carbon/carbon). The aim of this study is to present the long-term clinical results of carbon/carbon implants, and the results of the scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer investigation of an implant retrieved from the human body after 8 years. Methods: Mandibular reconstruction (8-10 years ago) was performed with pure (99.99 %) carbon implants in 16 patients (10 malignant tumours, 4 large cystic lesions and 2 augmentative processes). The long-term effect of the human body on the carbon/carbon implant was investigated by comparing the structure, the surface morphology and the composition of an implant retrieved after 8 years to a sterilized, but not implanted one. Results: Of the 16 patients, the implants had to be removed earlier in 5 patients because of the defect that arose on the oral mucosa above the carbon plates. During the long-term follow-up, plate fracture, loosening of the screws, infection or inflammations around the carbon/carbon implants were not observed. The thickness of the carbon fibres constituting the implants did not change during the 8-year period, the surface of the implant retrieved was covered with a thin surface layer not present on the unimplanted implant. The composition of this layer is identical to the composition of the underlying carbon fibres. Residual soft tissue penetrating the bulk material between the carbon fibre bunches was found on the retrieved implant indicating the importance of the surface morphology in tissue growth and adhering implants. Conclusions: The surface morphology and the structure were not changed after 8 years. The two main components of the implant retrieved from the human body are still carbon and oxygen, but the amount of oxygen is 3-4 times higher than on the surface of the reference implant, which can be attributed to the oxidative effect of the human body, consequently in the integration and biocompatibility of the implant. The clinical conclusion is that if the soft part cover is appropriate, the carbon implants are cosmetically and functionally more suitable than titanium plates.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2010

Objective : This prospective study sought to verify the stability of three types of short implants measuring 7mm or less. Materials and methods : Implants measuring 7mm or less were placed in patients at multicenter dental clinics in Korea, China, Taiwan, and Singapore. Initial stability, intraoperative and postoperative complications, crestal bone loss, and survival rate of the implant were prospectively evaluated. Results : The primary stability of a 6-mm implant was lower than that of a 7-mm implant. The marginal bone loss of short implants measuring less than 7mm was minimal. Complications such as wound dehiscence, implant mobility, and peri-implant mucositis developed, and these were associated with initial implant failure. The short-term survival rate of 6-mm implant was 93.7%, and that of 7-mm implant, 96.6%. Conclusion : Short implant for the mandible with insufficient height for the residual ridge can be selectively used. Poor primary stability and wound dehiscence can cause osseointegration failure and alveolar bone loss.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.355-362
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• 2017

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) procedures can avoid the complications of an on-pump bypass. However, some cases unexpectedly require conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass during OPCABG. The risk factors associated with a sudden need for cardiopulmonary bypass were analyzed. Methods: This retrospective study included 283 subjects scheduled for OPCABG from 2001 to 2010. These were divided into an OPCABG group and an on-pump conversion group. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Of the 283 patients scheduled for OPCABG, 47 (16%) were switched to on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The mortality of the both the OPCABG and on-pump conversion groups was not significantly different. The major risk factors for conversion to on-pump CABG were congestive heart failure (CHF) (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; p=0.029), ejection fraction (EF) <35% (OR, 4.4; p=0.012), and preoperative beta-blocker (BB) administration (OR, 0.3; p=0.007). The use of intraoperative (p=0.007) and postoperative (p=0.021) inotropics was significantly higher in the conversion group. The amount of postoperative drainage (p<0.001) and transfusion (p<0.001) also was significantly higher in the conversion group. There were no significant differences in stroke or cardiovascular complications between the groups over the course of short-term and long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Patients who undergo OPCABG and have CHF or a lower EF (<35%) are more likely to undergo on-pump conversion, while preoperative BB administration could help prevent conversions from OPCABG to on-pump CABG.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2010

Purpose: A central venous catheterization (CVC) is frequently used for delivering anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents, blood products, parenteral nutrition, and other intravenous therapy in patients with cancer. Major complications of CVC use are thrombosis, infection, and mechanical complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of CVC complications and related factors. Methods: The records of cancer patients who received a CVC at our university hospital from March 2001 to October 2006 were retrospectively investigated. Chi square test was used to determine whether there was a related factor for thrombosis or infection, and Kaplan-Meier analysis for univariate analysis, or Cox-regression analysis for multivariate analysis was used for catheter life span. Results: Three hundred and ten CVCs (235 nontunneled, 75 tunneled) were inserted in 310 patients (157 males, 153 females). Among them, 104 had hematologic cancers and 206 had solid cancers. The mean age of the patients was 52 years (range, 19~82 years). CVC complications occurred in 60 cases (19%). CVC-related thrombosis occurred frequently in patients with infection (P=0.003), whereas diagnosis, catheter type, transfusion, and TPN history did not affect infection or thrombosis. The mean duration of the catheter was 102 days (range, 2~1,330 days), and the duration was prolonged in patients with tunneled catheters (P=0.000), or without transfusion through CVC (P=0.030). Conclusion: The major complications for long-term use of a CVC were infectionand thrombosis. Tunneled catheter was effective tool for long term use, especially in cases without transfusion through CVC. The studies on the prevention or treatment ofthrombosis and infection are, therefore, warranted by using CVC for an extended period of time.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.966-974
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• 2021

Objective : To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of microvascular decompression (MVD) combined with internal neurolysis (IN) in the treatment of recurrent trigeminal neuralgia (TN) after MVD. Methods : Sixty-four patients with recurrent TN admitted to the hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were divided into two groups according to the surgical method. Twenty-nine patients, admitted from January 2014 to December 2015, were treated with MVD alone, whereas 35 admitted from January 2016 to December 2017 were treated with MVD+IN. The postoperative efficacy, complications, and pain recurrence rate of the two groups were analyzed. Results : The efficacy of the MVD+IN and MVD groups were 88.6% and 86.2%, and the cure rates were 77.1% and 65.5% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The cure rate (83.3%) of patients in the MVD+IN group, who were only found thickened arachnoid adhesions during the operation that could not be fully released, was significantly higher than that of the MVD group (30.0%) (p<0.05), while the efficacy (91.7% vs. 70%) of the two groups was not statistically different (p>0.05). For patients whose arachnoid adhesions were completely released, there had no significant difference (p>0.05) in the efficacy (87% vs. 94.7%) and recurrence rate (5.0% vs. 11.1%). The incidence of postoperative facial numbness (88.6%) in the MVD+IN group was higher than that in the MVD group (10.3%) (p<0.01). The long-term incidence of facial numbness was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the 18-36 months follow-up, the recurrence rate of patients in the MVD+IN group (9.7%) and in the MVD group (16%) were not statistically different (p>0.05). Conclusion : A retrospective comparison of patients with recurrent TN showed that both MVD and MVD combined with IN can effectively treat recurrent TN. Compared with MVD alone, MVD combined with IN can effectively improve the pain cure rate of patients with recurrent TN who have only severe arachnoid adhesions. The combination does not increase the incidence of long-term facial numbness and other complications.