• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.5 s.274
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• pp.341-350
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• 2007

Background: We present here the early and midterm surgical results for infective endocarditis and we especially focus on the effect of aggressive reconstruction or root implantation after wide debridement. Material and Method: Between January 1995 and Jun 2006, we enrolled 79 adult infective endocarditis patients who underwent surgical treatment. There were 63 and 16 native and prosthetic valve endocarditis cases, respectively. They included 27 cases of culture negative endocarditis. With performing valve replacement or repair, 28 of the patient underwent a more aggressive surgical option, for example, aortic root replacement or reconstruction, or heart base reconstruction etc. Result: There were statistical relationships between the in-hospital mortality and staphylococcal infection, urgent-based operation and operation during the active phase of endocarditis. Wide debridement and aggressive reconstruction were not related to either the post operative mortality or the early morbidity. Culture negative endocarditis was not related to the postoperative mortality and morbidity. Conclusion: Physicians must pay attention to patients' medical treatment during the preoperative period of the infective endocarditis. If surgery is considered for treating infective endocarditis, it should be performed before the downhill course of the disease so that the surgical outcome is improved. Wide debridement and more aggressive reconstruction are also warranted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.1 s.258
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• pp.28-34
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• 2006

Background: There has been an increase in the number of elderly patients considered for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Recently, there were many satisfactory reports of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in old age due to the development in operative technique and postoperative management. We evaluated operative and follow-up results of patients 70 years of age and older compared to 60 years old. Material and Method: We retrospectively studied the cases of 74 consecutive patients 70 years or older (group A) who underwent a elective CABG from January 2000 to December 2003 and compared that of relatively young age group (group B, 60-69 years old). We compared preoperative characteristics, operation technique, postoperative results that effect outcome, also we investigated late mortality and cardiac events at follow-up periods. Result: Preoperative demographic and clinical characteristics of two groups were not different, except preoperative renal dysfunction(serum creatinine: $\geq$1.4 mg/dl) (group A 17, 23$\%$ vs group B 14, 9$\%$) (p=0.024). There was no difference of the mean number of distal anastomosis and the left ventricular ejection fraction in group A decreased significantly from 53.7$\pm$13$\%$ preoperatively to 49.9$\pm$ 12$\%$ postoperatively (p=0.02), but not changed in group B. There was no difference at operative mortality rate and postoperative major morbidity rate, but wound problem of saphenous vein harvest site was significantly higher in group A than group B (6.8$\%$ vs 0.7$\%$, p=0.02). The mean follow up duration was 24.3$\pm$13 months and the cumulative survival were 95.4$\%$ at 2 year and 79.9$\%$ at 4 year in group A and 95.4$\%$ at 2 year and 90.1$\%$ at 4 year in group B (p=ns). Conclusion: We conclude that age is not a factor of determination when we decide about operation because coronary artery bypass grafting in elderly more than 70 years old can be performed with a low mortality rate and acceptable morbidity rate.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2005

Purpose: The debate is still on-going as to whether a transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) or a transhiatal esophagectomy(THE) is the proper treatment for patients with cardia and esophageal cancers. This study tries to demonstrate and assess the efficacy and the validity of both surgeries. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, data from 52 cases of patients with esophageal and/or cardia cancer who received a surgical operation during the last decade were analyzed. Results: A TTE was done in 20 cases and a THE in 32 cases. The average times for the operations were 558.0 min for a TTE and 451.7 min for a THE (P>0.05). The estimated blood loss was 1,825.0 ml in a TTE and 1459.4 ml in a THE (P>0.05). The amounts of transfusion during the operations were 3.9 units in a TTE and 2.6 units in a THE (P<0.05). Post-operative complications occurred in 15 cases of TTE and 23 cases of THE. The average length of stay in the hospital was 25.6 days for a TTE and 20.6 days for a THE. The 5-year survival rate was $10\%$ for TTE patients and $28\%$ for THE patients (P>0.05). Conclusion: For most factors, including morbidity and mortality, there was no statistically significant difference between a TTE and a THE. However, a THE is expected to be more convenient, leading to a shorter operative duration, a shorter post-operative hospitalization and lesser amounts of hemorrhage and transfusion. Hence, the THE may be a more valid or efficient surgical method for those patients with cardia and esophagus cancer who require a resection of the esophagus. (J Korean Gastric Cancer Assoc 2005;5:1-9)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 1998

To define the risk factors affecting the early major morbidity and mortality after multiple- valve operations, the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative informations were retrospectively collected on 124 consecutive patients undergoing a multiple-valve operation between October 1985 and July 1996 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Pusan Paik Hospital. The study population consists of 53 men and 71 women whose mean age was 37.9$\pm$11.5(mean$\pm$SD) years. Using the New York Heart Association(NYHA) classification, 41 patients(33.1%) were in functional class II, 60(48.4%) in class III, and 20(16.1%) in class IV preoperatively. Seven patients(5.6%) had undergone previous cardiac operations. Atrial fibrillations were present in 76 patients(61.3%), a history of cerebral embolism in 5(4.0%), and left atrial thrombus in 13(10.5%). The overall early mortality rate and postoperative morbidity was 8.1% and 21.8% respectively. Among the 124 cases of multiple-valve operation, there were 57(46.0%) of combined mitral valve replacement(MVR) and aortic valve replacement(AVR), 48(38.7%) of combined MVR and tricuspid annuloplasty(TVA), 12(9.7%) of combined MVR, AVR and TVA, 3(2.4%) of combined MVR and aortic valvuloplasty, 2(1.6%) of combined MVR and tricuspid valve replacement, and others. The patients were classified according to the postoperative outcomes; Group A(27 cases) included the patients who had early death or major morbidity such as low cardiac output syndrome, mediastinitis, cardiac rupture, ventricular arrhythmia, sepsis, and others; Group B(97 cases) included the patients who had the good postoperative outcomes. The patients were also classified into group of early death and survivor. In comparison of group A and group B, there were significant differences in aortic cross-clamping time(ACT, group A:153.4$\pm$42.4 minutes, group B:134.0$\pm$43.7 minutes, p=0.042), total bypass time(TBT, group A:187.4$\pm$65.5 minutes, group B:158.1$\pm$50.6 minutes, p=0.038), and NYHA functional class(I:33.3%, II:9.7%, III:20%, IV:50%, p=0.004). In comparison of early death(n=10) and survivor(n=114), there were significant differences in age(early death:45.2$\pm$8.7 years, survivor:37.2$\pm$11.6 years, p=0.036), sex(female:12.7%, male:1.9%, p=0.043), ACT(early death:167.1$\pm$38.4 minutes, survivor:135.7$\pm$43.7 minutes, p=0.030), and NYHA functional class(I:0%, II:4.9%, III:1.7%, IV:35%, p=0.001). In conclusion, the early major morbidity and mortality were influenced by the preoperative clinical status and therefore the earlier surgical intervention should be recommended whenever possible. Also, improved methods of myocardial protection and operative techniques may reduce the risk in patients with multiple-valve operation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2008

Tibial bone grafts provide an adequate volume of cancellous bone with cortical bone, high biologic value of bone, minimal gait disturbance and complications, and no special contraindications, and offer a superior clinical results than any other donor sites. Lateral appoach in tibial bone graft was used to gain large bone volume traditionally, but medial approach provides low morbidity associated with the tibial anatomic structure, simple and safety surgical procedure, and better comfortable to patients recently. We have undertaken clinical and retrospective studies on patients in Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Inha University Hospital from April 2004 to January 2008. 50 patients have maxillofacial bony defect as resection of bening tumor, cyst enucleation, alveolar bone resorption, sinus pneumatization were received the tibial proximal autogenous particulated cancellous bone grafts. They were analyzed sex, age, diagnosis of recipient site, lesion size, dornor site, cortical bone repositioning, complications and we concluded favorable following results. 1. Medial approach for proximal tibia is safer and technically easier than lateral approach, associated with the proximal tibial anatomic structures, and short operative times. 2. Proximal tibia provides an adequate bone volume with predictability for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction. 3. Patients rarely complain of pain, swelling, discomfort and dysfunction such as gait disturbance. In conclusion, medial approach for proximal tibial graft seems to be a valuable tool for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.992-997
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• 2001

Objectives : Essential hyperhidrosis is a common condition characterized by excessive body sweating. Excessive sweating beyond what is necessary to maintain normal body temperature need not be considered pathological unless it interferes with one's occupation and/or life-style. The existing non-operative therapeutic options seldom give sufficient relief or show a transient effect. In this regard, the thoracic sympathectomy may provide a definitive cure. In the past, surgical procedures were highly invasive and caused significant morbidity, but the minimally invasive thoracoscopic procedure provided detailed visualization of sympathetic ganglia and is associated with minimally postoperative morbidity. Nowadays, thoracoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy is accepted as the treatment of choice for essential hyperhidrosis. In palmar hyperhidrosis, however, the level of sympathetic chain to be blocked has been somewhat obscure. It is assumed that the incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis may closely related to the extent of thoracic sympathectomy. Material & Methods : To compare the results of posterior midline approach with endoscopic sympathectomy, and the results of T2 with T2, 3 sympathectomy or sympathicotomy, we retrospectively studied 62 patients treated for palmar hyperhidrosis between September 1993 and May 2000. We reviewed medical records and recently interviewed the patients by telephone calls. Results : The treatment effect of T2 sympathectomy is no different from T2, 3 sympathectomy. But, the incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis is less in the T2 sympathectomy group than the T2, 3 sympathectomy group. Conclusion : Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is considered a simple, safe, and effective method for treating palmar hyperhidrosis, with a shorter operation time, fewer hospital days, and a better cosmetic result, as compared with the open approaches. However, sympathicotomy seems to provide the advantages of a limited extent of denervation and the resultant decrease of compensatory hyperhidrosis compared to sympathectomy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.297-305
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• 1998

Recently, several alternatives have been attempted in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to reduce morbidity of traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Among new modalities, transurethral electrovaporization (TEVP) is considered as a promising alternative. To evaluate the safety and initial efficacy of JEVP using the roller loop electrode (ProSurg Inc. USA) on BPH patients, we compared the results of TEVP with those of TURP and visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP). In this study, a total of 115 patients with symptomatic BPH were underwent TEVP (n=17), TURP (n=59) or VLAP (n=39) since 1995. Before treatment, patients were evaluated with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the measurement of maximal uroflow rate (MFR) and postvoid residual urine (PVR). After treatment, the operative and hospital records were reviewed. The uroflowmetry and IPSS were re-evaluated 3-10 months after treatment. In clinical outcome of re-evaluation compared to the preoperative parameters, there was a clinically significant improvement in three procedures. TEVP resulted in 62% reduction in IPSS (TURP, 73% : VLAP, 69%), 84% improvement in MFR (TURP, 113% : VLAP, 91%), and 74% reduction in PVR (TURP, 88% : VLAP, 78%). TEVP had shorter duration of hospitalization and catheterization than the others. TEVP was associated with lower rates of treatment-related complication than TURP. In conclusions, TEVP is considered as a useful procedure to treat symptomatic BPH. And, the advantages of TEVP over TURP include excellent intraoperative hemostasis, lower morbidity, shorter hospital stay and simple technique. In addition the advantages over VLAP include lower cost, shorter duration of catheterization and early symptom improvement.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.680-685
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• 2001

Background: Tricuspid valve replacement is very rarely performed procedure and its long-term result is not yet satisfactory. Moreover, it is not well known whether bioprosthesis or mechanical prosthesis is the best selection for artificial valve. We reviewed 72 cases of tricuspid valve replacements in 71 patients between January 1989 and December 1998, trying to analyze the overall results and risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Material and Method: Average age of the patients at the time of operation was 42$\pm$13 years(range 16 to 65 years) and the sex ratio of male versus female was 32/39. Primary diagnosis consisted of 50 cases of aquired valvular heart disease and 18 cases of congenital heart disease, such as Ebstein’s anomaly. 4 cases had isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation. Implanted valves were 69 mechanical prosthesis and 3 bioprosthesis. Concomitant mitral or aortic valve replacements were performed in 50 cases. One patient received concomittant pulmonary valve replacement. Result: There were 7(9.72%) operative deaths and 7(13.0%) late deaths. Actuarial survival at 10 years was 59.2$\pm$7.2%. Prosthetic tricuspid valve thrombosis occurred 11 times in 5 patients. Reoperation for prosthetic tricuspid valve failure was performed in 1 patient. In this case, examination of the explanted prostheses showed that the tricuspid stenosis was the result of valve thrombosis. Among the 47 survivors, 46 patients(98%) were in functional class I or II. Conclusion: In our ten-year experience of tricuspid valve replacement, mortality and morbidity were satisfactory. Mechanical prosthesis in tricuspid position showed comparable clinical results as bioprosthesis.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2009

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) is an accurate test for evaluating hemodynamically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Until now, there have been few studies concentrating on the diagnostic and prognostic significance of the intravenous contrast extravasation (CE) site. We investigated the site of CE on abdominopelvic CT (APCT) and its effect on treating trauma patients and predicting the clinical outcome. Methods: The 50 patients admitted to our emergency department with blunt abdominal trauma showing CE on APCT from January 2004 to September 2006 were included in this study. Patients were prospectively collected, and medical records were reviewed and analyzed. The patients'clinical and lab findings, Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) findings, CT findings were analyzed. CE sites were classified as intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, and pelvic cavity and were correlated with post-treatment complications, mortality, and morbidity. Results: Of the 50 patients (mean age : $45{\pm}18years$, 29 males, 21 females) included in our study, 33 patients died (66%). There was no correlation between CE site and ICU or total hospitalization duration (p=0.553, p=0.523). During the first 24 hours of resuscitation, the pelvic cavity group required a mean of 20 units more of packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion compared to other groups (p=0.003). In the intraperitoneal group, more patients received operative invasive intervention - either laparotomy or embolization (p=0.025). The intraperitoneal group had the highest mortality, with 13 deaths (11/33, 39%), and the highest early mortality rate (10/13, 76%) in the first 24 hours (p=0.001). Conclusion: Intraperitoneal CE on the CT scan in cases of blunt abdominal trauma is regarded as an indication of a need for invasive intervention (either angiography or laparotomy) and of a higher mortality rate in the first 24 hours. A pelvic cavity CE rquires more aggressive transfusion with pRBC. However, the CT findings themselves showed no significant correlation with overall mortality, morbidity, or hospitalization.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.310-315
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• 2000

Background: A retrospectiye study was done for understanding morbidity and mortality after major lung resection. Material and Method: From June 1994 to August 1998, 203 patients received major lung resections for various causes. There were 142 males and 62 females with a mean age of 47.5 years. Initial complains were cough in 47.8%, sputum in 33.0%, hemoptysis or blood-tinged sputum in 23.2%, dyspnea in 18.2%, chest pain in 15.3%, weight loss in 10.8%, fever and chill in 4.9%. There were no complaints in 5.9% of the total patients. The underlying diseases were lung tumor(102 cases/50.2%), bronchectasis(28 cases/13.8%), aspergillosis(24 cases/1.8%), tuberculosis(20 cases/9.9%) and others (29 cases/66.5%) and pneumonectomy(68 cases/33.5%). The postoperative complications were classified as : empyema, BPF, respiratory problem, persistent air leakage over 7 days, arrhythmia, ventilator applied over 24 hours, bleeding, wound infection and chylothorax. The postlobectomy complications were revealed as follow: empyema(3.7%), BPF(2.2%), respiratory problem(5.2%), persistent air leakage over 7days(8.9%), arrhythmia(2.2%), ventilator applied over 24 hours(2.2%), bleeding(1.5%), wound infection(2.9%), chylothorax(0.7%). The postpneumonectomy complications were revealed as follow : empyema(5.9%), BPF (5.9%), respiratory problem(17.6%), persistent air leakage over 7days(0%), arrhythmia(5.4%), ventialtor apply over 24 hours(7.4%), bleeding (7.4%), wound infection(2.9%) and chylothorax(1.5%). Reoperation was done in 8 cases (4.0%). There were 5.8% operative mortalities in pneumonectomy and 0.7% in lobectomy.