• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.658-665
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• 1995

Between March 1989 and December 1994, one-stage repair was performed for correction of the intracardiac malformations associated with aortic coarctation in 34 patients or interrupted aortic arch in 8 patients via median sternotomy. There were 26 male and 16 female patients, and their body weight ranged from 1.8 to 8kg[mean weight, 4.0$\pm$l.4kg . The age at the operation ranged from 7 days to 18 months [mean age, 3.1$\pm$3.8 months . The repair of aortic coarctation or interrupted aortic arch was performed using extended end-to-end anastomosis in most of the patients[86%, 36/42 , and six patients underwent ductal tissue excision and patch aortoplasty. Intracardiac defects were corrected concomitantly through the right atrium unless the anatomy dictated otherwise. Obstructive outlet septurn was resected whenever necessary. There were seven early deaths[16.8% , and three late deaths with a mean follow-up period of 25 months [range from 1 to 65 months . Three patients were reoperated upon residual subaortic stenosis,stenosis at the RPA origin, and subacute bacterial endocarditis respectively. None showed any significant residual or anastomotic stenosis postoperatively. One stage repair of the aortic coarctation and interrupted aortic arch associated with intracardiac defect leaves no native coarctation shelf tissue or residual hypoplasia in the repaired segment, has low incidence of recurrent or residual stenosis, minimizes reoperation and incisions, and manages arch hypoplasia easily.We conclude that surgical results of one-stage repair for the intracardiac malformation associated with aortic coarctation or interrupted aortic arch are resonable.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.317-319
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• 2006

Under median sternotomy and left thoracotomy, extra-anatomic aorta bypass between ascending aorta and descending thoracic aorta without cardiopulmonary bypass support has been done effectively and easily without complications for a selected case of atypical coarctation associated with hypoplasia of aortic arch. It should be considered as an alternative operative technique for complex aortic arch reconstruction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2021

Background: The use of ProGlide as a percutaneous vascular closure device in cardiac surgery remains inconclusive. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of using ProGlide in the percutaneous cannulation of femoral vessels in adult cardiac surgery. Methods: From September 2017 to July 2018, 131 consecutive patients underwent femoral vessel cannulation during cardiac surgery. The ProGlide (Abbott Vascular Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA) with percutaneous cannulation was used in 118 patients (mean age, 55.7±15.5 years). The accessibility of femoral cannulation was evaluated through preoperative computed tomography. For cannulation, sonography was routinely used. The postoperative ankle-brachial index (ABI) was used to evaluate femoral artery stenosis. Results: Of the 118 patients, 112 (94.9%) and 6 (5.1%) underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery and median sternotomy, respectively. Most femoral cannulations were performed on the right side (98.3%) using 15F to 19F arterial cannulas. The technical success rate of cannulation with ProGlide was 99.2%, with no delayed bleeding or cannulation site-related complications during hospitalization. During follow-up, only 1 patient showed femoral artery stenosis with claudication and was treated with interventional balloon angioplasty. The postoperative ABI revealed no significant difference in functional stenosis between the cannulation and non-cannulation sides (n=86; cannulation vs. non-cannulation, 1.2±0.1 vs. 1.1±0). Conclusion: Percutaneous femoral cannulation with ProGlide was safe and feasible in adult cardiac surgery. This technique may be a good alternative option in patients requiring femoral vessel cannulation for cardiac surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2022

Background: The integrated design of the HeartMate 3 (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA) affords flexibility to place the pump within the pericardium or thoracic cavity. We sought to determine whether the presence of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in either location has a meaningful impact on overall patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all 165 patients who received a HeartMate 3 LVAD via a median sternotomy from November 2014 to August 2019 at our center. Based on operative reports and imaging, patients were divided into intrapleural (n=81) and intrapericardial (n=84) cohorts. The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality, while secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, cumulative readmission incidence, and 3-year survival. Results: There were no significant between-group differences in baseline demographics, risk factors, or preoperative hemodynamics. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 6%, with no significant difference between the cohorts (9% vs. 4%, p=0.20). There were no significant differences in the postoperative rates of right ventricular failure, kidney failure requiring hemodialysis, stroke, tracheostomy, or arrhythmias. Over 3 years, despite similar mortality rates, intrapleural patients had significantly more readmissions (n=180 vs. n=117, p<0.01) with the most common reason being infection (n=68/165), predominantly unrelated to the device. Intrapleural patients had significantly more infection-related readmissions, predominantly driven by non-ventricular assist device-related infections (p=0.02), with 41% of these due to respiratory infections compared with 28% of intrapericardial patients. Conclusion: Compared with intrapericardial placement, insertion of an intrapleural HM3 may be associated with a higher incidence of readmission, especially due to respiratory infection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.598-604
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• 2008

Background: The improvements in endoscopic equipment and surgical robots has encouraged the performance of minimally invasive cardiac operations. Yet only a few Korean studies have compared this procedure with the sternotomy approach. Material and Method: Between December 2005 and July 2007, 48 patients (group A) underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery with AESOP through a small right thoracotomy. During the same period, 50 patients (group B) underwent conventional surgery. We compared the operative time, the operative results, the post-operative pain and the recovery of both groups. Result: There was no hospital mortality and there were no significant differences in the incidence of operative complications between the two groups. The operative $(292.7{\pm}61.7\;and\;264.0{\pm}47.9min$, respectively; p=0.01) and CPB times ($128.4{\pm}37.6\;and\;101.7{\pm}32.5min$, respectively; <0.01) were longer for group A, whereas there was no difference between the aortic cross clamp times ($82.1{\pm}35.0\;and\;87.8{\pm}113.5min$, respectively; p=0.74) and ventilator times ($18.0{\pm}18.4\;and\;19.7{\pm}9.7$ hr, respectively; p=0.57) between the groups. The stay on the ICU $(53.2{\pm}40.2\;and\;72.8{\pm}42.1hr$, respectively; p=0.02) and the hospitalization time ($9.7{\pm}7.2\;and\;14.8{\pm}11.9days$, respectively; p=0.01) were shorter for group A. The Patients in group B had more transfusions, but the difference was not significant. For the overall operative intervals, which ranged from one to four weeks, the pair score was significantly lower for the patients of group A than for the patients of group B. In terms of the postoperative activities, which were measured by the Duke Activity Scale questionnaire, the functional status score was clearly higher for group A compared to group B. The analysis showed no difference in the severity of either post-repair of mitral ($0.7{\pm}1.0\;and\;0.9{\pm}0.9$, respectively; p=0.60) and tricuspid regurgitation ($1.0{\pm}0.9\;and\;1.1{\pm}1.0$, respectively; p=0.89). In both groups, there were no valve related complications, except for one patient with paravalvular leakage in each group. Conclusion: These results show that compared with the median sternotomy patients, the patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery enjoyed significant postoperative advantages such as less pain, a more rapid return to full activity, improved cosmetics and a reduced hospital stay. The minimally invasive surgery can be done with similar clinical safety compared to the conventional surgery that's done through a median sternotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.763-769
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• 2009

Background: In the majority of cases, sternal instability and wound infection concomitantly present after a cardiac operation following conventional median sternotomy, and these complications have a major influence on the postoperative course. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the different sternal wiring techniques of sternal infection. Material and Method: Between April 2004 and December 2008, 157 adult patients underwent cardiac in group A, whereas 71 patients who had undergone modified Robicsek sternal wiring were included in group B. The incidences of sternal wound complications in the two groups were assessed. Result: The mean age of the group B patients was older than that of the group A patients ($61{\pm}10$ years vs $57{\pm}13$ years). The incidence of preoperative left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction <30%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure requiring dialysis and diabetes mellitus were significantly higher in Group B, whereas the other perioperative risk factors for infection were not significantly different between the two groups. Two patients in group A experienced superficial wound infection, whereas 4 patients in group B displayed superficial wound infection, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.255). Yet poststernotomy deep sternal wound infection appeared in 6 patients of group A, whereas none of the patients in group B displayed this malady. Conclusion: The modified Robicsek sternal wiring technique showed greater sternal stability even for the patient with a high risk for infection, and the technique caused a lower incidence of deep sternal wound infection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.848-853
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• 2001

Background: Sternal infection or dehiscence after cardiac surgery through median sternotomy is rare. If suitable treatment is not performed for the complication, however, the mortality is high. For 12 patients with sternal dehiscence or infection, we performed wide excision of the infected and necrotic tissue and covered with muscle flap(s) to obliterate the mediastinal dead space. Material and method: Sternal infection or dehiscence occurred in 13 of patients who underwent cardiac surgery One patient, who died of cerebral infarction before the sternal complication was treated, was excluded in this study. The sternal wound complication occurred in 6 of patients with valve replacement and 6 of patients with coronary bypass surgery, respectively. Since 1991, 9 patients underwent definite surgical debridement and muscle transposition as soon as fever was controlled with closed irrigation and drainage. The necrotic tissue and bone was widely excised and the sternal dead space was eradicated with the single flap or the combined flaps of right pectoralis flap(turnover flap), left pectoralis flap(turnover flap or rotation-advancement flap), and right rectus muscle flap. Result : There was no mortality in 12 patients with coverage of muscle flap(s) for sternal infection or dehiscence The mean interval between the diagnosis of sternal complication and the myoplasty was 6.6$\pm$3.9 days. In 4 patients, one pectoralis muscle flap was used, and in 8 patients both pectoralis muscle flaps were used. For each 1 patient and 2 patients in each group, right rectus muscle flap was added. For the last 3 patients, a single pectoralis flap was used to eradicate the mediastinal dead space and the longer placement of the mediastinal drain catheter was needed. One patient, who had suffered from necrosis of left pectoralis flap(rotation-advancement flap) with subsequent chest wall abscess after coverage of both pectoralis flaps, was managed with reoperation using right rectum flap. Conclusion : Sternal dehiscence or infection after cardiac operation can be readily managed with wide excision of necrotic infected tissue(including bone) and muscle flap coverage after short-term irrigation of sternal wound. The sternal(mediastinal) dead space may be completely eradicated with right pectoralis major muscle flap alone.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.439-443
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• 2003

A lower laryngeal and upper tracheal stenosis that is of idiopathic origin is occasionally seen. It is called an idiopathic tracheal stenosis. These circumferential fibrous stenosis is rare and they are most often located in the subglottic larynx and extend to varying distances predominantly in young women. Because of the unknown nature of the disease process and uncertainty about its future progression, patients were approached conservatively. Recently, surgical resection and reconstruction have been increasingly performed, as favorable results were obtained. Three female patients with dyspnea were admitted. For two patients, they were diagnosed this conditions as bronchial asthma by mistake. All patients were performed computed tomography and bronchoscopy. For two patients with subglottic stenosis, subglottic resection was performed by cervical collar incision, and for the other one patient with distal tracheal stenosis, tracheal resection was performed by right posterolateral thoracotomy. A diagnosis of idipathic tracheal stenosis was confirmed by postoperatively pathologic finding. For one case, because of anastomosis site infection and restenosis, a whole tracheal exposure was performed by cervical collar incision and median sternotomy. And reoperation was peformed successfully.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.8 s.265
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• pp.598-603
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• 2006

Background: High thoracic epidural anesthesia allows awake coronary artery bypass grafting, avoiding the drawbacks of mechanical ventilation and general anesthesia. Materian and Method: From April, 2005 to September, 2005, 12 patients were underwent awake coronary artery bypass grafting using high thoracic epidural anesthesia. There were 1 female and 11 male patients, with a mean age of $66{\pm}6$ years. Off pump coronary artery. bypass grafting was performed through a median sternotomy using arterial grafts. Result: There were no mortality. Pneumothorax was developed during surgery in 8 patients. Five patients required secondary intubation because of pneumothorax (n=3), bowel herniation (n=1), and hemothorax after chest tube insertion (n=1). Postoperative coronary angiography was performed before discharge in all patients and all the grafts were patent. Conclusion: Our intial experience demonstrated the feasibility of awake off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Further study is required to define the indications, advantages and limitations of this strategy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.593-606
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• 1984

With the ligation of patent ductus arteriosus by Gross in 1938, surgeons first entered the field of congenital heart disease. Interruption of a ductus is one of the most satisfactory and curative operations in the field of surgery for congenital heart disease. 27 cases of isolated patent ductus arteriosus were operated from Jan. 1978 to July 1984 at the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery in Kyung-Hee University Hospital. Retrospective clinical analysis of these patients were: 1. Sex ratio, female: male, was 2:1. 2. Mean age at operation was 9.85\ulcorner.58 years. The youngest patient was a 23 month-old girl and the oldest one was a 24 year-old male. 3. More than half of the patients had less than 50 percentile of growth retardation. 4. Chief complaints of the patients were frequent URI [52%], dyspnea on exertion [33%], generalized weakness [22%], palpitation [7%], but 7 patients [26%] had no subjective symptoms. 5. Continuous machinery murmur could be heard at the 2nd or 3rd intercostal space on the left sternal border in 22 patients [81%]. The other S patients made systolic murmur with accentuation of the second heart sound and those were associated with pulmonary hypertension. 6. Radiologic findings of Chest P-A were cardiac enlargement in 15 patients [55%], enlargement of pulmonary conus and/or increasing density of pulmonary vascularity in 20 patients [74%]. 7. Electrocardiographic findings of the patients were within normal limit in 13 patients [48%], LVH in 4 patients [15%], biventricular hypertrophy in 3 patients [11%]. 8; echocardiogram was obtained from 11 patients. Ductus was directly visualized in 7 patients. Left atrial enlargement is the secondary change of left to right shunt, 10 patients had LA/Ao ratio more than 1.2. 9. Cardiac catheterization performed in 25 patients. The mean value of the results were:SO2[PA-RV]= 14.72\ulcorner6.01%, Qp/Qs=2.22\ulcorner.80, peak systolic pulmonary arterial pressure=48.28\ulcorner1.60 mmHg. 10. 26 patients were operated through the left posterolateral thoracotomy: closure of ductus by double ligation in 14 cases, triple ligation in 5 cases, and division with suture in 8 cases. One patient suffer from aneurysmal rupture of main pulmonary artery, endocarditis, hemopericardium was treated with cardiopulmonary bypass via median sternotomy and closure of ductus through the ruptured main pulmonary artery. 11.There was no death associated with the operation, but 3 cases were experienced with intraoperative rupture around the ductus resulting in massive bleeding. The other complications were transient hoarseness in one patient, atelectasis in left lower lobe in 3 patients, and postoperative systemic hypertension in 4 patients with unknown etiology. 12. Pulse pressure was reduced, 11.47+5.92 mmHg, postoperatively, as compare to preoperative status. 13. Intraoperative wedge lung biopsy from lingular segment for the evaluation of the pulmonary vascular disease was taken in S patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. The result was Heath-Edward grade I in one case, grade II in two cases, and grade III in two cases.