• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 1998

Exessive sweating of the palms and soles, is a psychologically and occupationally distressing and sometimes disabling condition. Hyperhidrosis is one of the common abnormalities in autonomic nervous system. There were no specific treatment on hyperhidrosis, so invasive thoracic sympathectomy via axillary thoracotomy or cervical approach had been used. Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) is now mostly performed for treating of the palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. From March 1996 to March 1997, 15 patients with bilateral palmar hyperhidrosis had been treated by the bilateral thoracic sympathectomy(T2, T3, T4) with thoracoscopic resection. The patient were evaluated preoperative and postoperative Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) at Kyung-Hee University Hospital. There were no case of the thoracotomy conversion. There were 3 complications ; pulmonary edema in 1 case, Horner's syndrome in 1 case, and gustatory hyperhidrosis in 1 case. More than half of the patients also had compensatory sweating in the lower abdomen, the buttocks, the back and the thighs. In conclusion, most of the patients were satisfied with the postoperative results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy, including no more palmar and axillary sweating, less pain, better cosmetic appearances, decreased sweating of the face and soles. In addition, intraoperative temperature monitoring of the hands could estimate the successful thoracoscopic sympathectomy and the preoperative and postoperative Digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) could especially be the technique for the objective manifestation of the successful results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1138-1142
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• 1996

Video-assisted thoracic surgery is a new modality that allows visualization of and access to the intrathoracic organs without making a thoracotomy Incision. 52 patients underwent thoracic procedures using this technique. There were pneumothorax in 40 patients, diffuse interstital lung disease in 6 patients, hyperhidrosis in 3 patients, pulmonary tuberculoma in 1 patient, aspergilloma in 1 patient and localized fibrous tumor of pleura in 1 patient. We had performed a variety of procedures(36 wedge resections with mechanical pleurodesis, 8 wedge resections only, 4 mechanical pleurodeses, 3 bilateral sympathectomys and 1 segmentectomy). The period of chest tube indwelling and postoperative hospitalization were 2.00 $\pm$ 1.32 days(range : 0~6 days) and 3.55 $\pm$ 1.45 days(range : 1~8 days). Four postoperative complications occurred(2 pleural effusion, 1 recurrent pneumothorax and 1 high fever). Conversion to open thoracotomy was done in 1 p tient due to massive air leakage. Patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery seem to have reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and quicker recovery times.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1143-1147
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• 1996

Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) is emerging as a potentially less invasive means of managing a wide variety of thoracic disorders. VATS was performed in 46 cases, in the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery of Chonbuk national University Hospital from August 1992 to July 1995. There were 20 men and 26 women, whose age ranged from 14 to 56 years. They were diagnosed hyperhidrosis in 21 cases, mediastinal tumor in 12 cases, pneumothorax in· 10 cases, and one case each of lelomyoma of the esophagus, Raynaud's syndrome, Burger's disease. Operation time averaged 89.7 minutes, and no patient was converted to d thoracotomy. The number of troche used, period of chest tube drainage, and postoperative hospitalization were 3, 1.8 days, and 4.B days, respectively. The postoperative complication ocurred in 5 cases (remnant pneumothorax 1 case, phrenic nerve aralysis 1 case, persistant air leakage 2 cases, compensatory hyperhidrosis 1 case). One patient with persistent air leak was managed by thoracotomy on postoperative) days, and the other patient by chemical pleurodesis. One patient diagnosed pathologically as thymic carcinoma, was managed by radiation therapy. There was no postoperative death. VATS has the benefits of reduced postoperative pain and postoperative hospitalization, and good cutsmetic effect.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.6 s.263
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• pp.475-478
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• 2006

Background: The simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax is a rare clinical event. Contrary to the unilateral pneumothorax, the patients with simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax sometimes complains of severe respiratory distress, cyanosis and chest pain without tention pneumothorax. It is often dangerous; therefore, the chest drain should be inserted immediately. Material and Method: Between March 1994 and February 2004, 802 patients were treated in our department for spontaneous pneumothorax. Among these, the simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax developed in 14 patients (1.7%). Result: Out of fourteen patients, two females and twelve males presented with simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. The patient age ranged between 0 and 79 years with mean age of 31.2 years. In eleven patients, this was the first episode of pneumothorax. One patient had combined hemopneumothorax and two patients had combined pyopneurnothorax. Six patients had smoking history (42.8%, average 17.3 p-y). Five patients had pulmonary tuberculosis history and among these, two patients had active pulmonary tuberculosis. Three patients were died due to meconium-aspiration pneumonia (1 patient) and ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) with pneumonia (2 patients). We treated these patients with nasal oxygen inhalation, chest drain insertion, thoracotomy, VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) and chemical pleurodesis. Conclusion: The simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax developed in 14 patients (1.7%) among 802 patients. Prompt insertion of chest drain is needed for a relief of severe symptoms, and to reduce the risk of recurrence, early thoracotomy or VATS should be performed rather than chest drain insertion only.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 1991

We reviewed 15 cases of mesothelioma of the pleura, of which three cases were localized benign form and 12 cases were malignant diffuse form. The tumors were distributed equally in both sexes, and occured most commonly in fifth to seventh decades. The history of exposure to asbestos was present in only one case. The chief complaints were mainly chest pain and dyspnea. Associated symptoms were cough, sputum, hemoptysis, weight loss, anorexia, chill. On physical examination, unilateral, decreased breathing sound was main feature. The simple chest radiograph showed masses in all localized mesotheliomas (100%) and in 2 diffuse mesotheliomas (17%). 8 cases of diffuse mesotheliomas (67%) showed unilateral pleural effusions. Pleural effusions were mainly bloody (67%), and almost all were exudates. In all localized mesotheliomas, final diagnosis was made by open thoracotomy. In diffuse mesotheliomas, final diagnosis was made by open thoracotomy in 7 cases, chest wall mass biopsy in 2 cases, thoracoscopic biopsy in 1 case, pleural biopsy in 1 case, and pleural biopsy combined with axillary lymph node biopsy in 1 case. Localized mesotheliomas were treated by simple excision with good prognosis. In diffuse mesotheliomas, surgical treatment (pleuropneumonectomy, pleurectomy), chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, alone or in combination, were used with dismal prognosis. The prognostic factors were not found due to the small number of cases, incomplete follow up, and early drop out.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.451-458
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• 1991

We have observed 101 cases of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax from Sep. 1979 to Dec. 1989 at the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Inje University, Pusan Paik Hospital and the result obtained as follows. 1] Age range of patients was the first decade to seventh decade. Males outnumbered females by 6.7: l. One or two episodes of recurrent attack were noted in majority cases. 2] In distribution of the lesion sites, right side was 55 cases[55.4%], left 42 cases[41.9%], and bilateral 4 cases[3.0%]. 3] In clinical manifestations, abrupt onset of dyspnea was 78 cases[77.2%], chest pain 48 cases[47.5%], cough 9 cases[8.9%] and chest discomfort 8 cases[7.9%]. 4] Of 101 cases, 48 cases were associated with pulmonary tuberculosis and other cases were associated with subpleural bullae and blebs[26 cases], emphysema[7 cases], bronchiectasis[2 cases], lung cancer[1 case], and silicosis[1 case], 5] In 88 cases[87.2%] of patients, the magnitude of collapse was above 50% in plain chest film. 6] The interval of recurrence after last attack was frequently within 1 year. 7] In the management, closed thoracostomy with underwater-sealed drainage was applied in first recurrent 53 cases but 2nd recurrence was developed in 16 cases. In 52 cases, surgical management was applied. The pleurodesis with chemical agent[tetracycline] via chest tube was applied in 2 cases. Among 51 cases subjected to the open thoracotomy, pleural abrasion was performed in 3 cases, excision of bullae & blebs in 12 cases, wedge resection in 28 cases, lobectomy in 6 cases and wedge resection combined with lobectomy in 2 cases. In one case subjected to the median sternotomy, wedge resection on both lung apex was performed. 8] Postoperative complications were developed in 8 cases but not serious.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.642-646
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• 2001

A 12-years-old female admitted to the hospital with the complaint of pain on the right upper chest area which persisted about 1 month prior to admission. $Caf{\acute{e}}$-au-lait spots of various size laying on a whole body and freckling on the axilla were found on physical examination. A huge mass was found on the plain chest X-ray and on chest MRI. The mass encroached thoracic spine, posterior rib, back muscles, and then into the neural canal and compressed thoracic spinal cord. On the 5th day of hospitalization, the patient complained tingling on the both legs and 2 days later, monoparesis on the right leg. Open thoracotomy and decompressive laminectomy was done to remove mass. Pathologic reports confirmed rhabdomyosarcoma, embryonal type.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.968-975
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• 1992

A clinical analysis was performed on 404 cases of the chest trauma who were admitted and treated at department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Chung Ang University, Yong San Hospital during the past 8 years from July 1984 to April 1992. The results were as follows. 1. The sex ratio was 3: 1 with male predominence. 2. The common age groups were 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th decades. 3. The most common chief complaint was chest pain[58.2%]. 4. Of 404 cases of chest trauma, 50 cases were resulted from penetrating injuries whereas 354 cases were from non penetrating injuries. The most common cause of the non penetrating injuries was traffic accident[234/354, 66.1%] and of the penetrating injuries were stab wound[47/50, 94%]. 5. The left thorax was the preferred site of chest trauma. 6. The range of hospital stay was from less than 1 week to over 6 weeks and the average duration was about 2 weeks. 7. The common chest trauma was rib fracture[51.6%] and others were simple contusion [18.8%], hemothorax[14.6%], hemopneumothorax[14.9%] and pneumothorax[8.7i]. The rib fracture was prevalent between 4th to 9th rib laterally. 8. There were 92 cases of associated injuries which were bone fracture[66/92, 71.7%], head injury[17/92, 18.5%] and abdominal injury[9/92, 9.8%]. 9. The methods of treatment were conservative management[58.6%], closed tho-racostomy[23.3%], open thoracotomy[3.4%] and others. 10. There were 28 cases[6.9%] of complication, such as pneumonia, atelectasis, emp-yema, respiratory failure and others. 11. The overall mortality was 2.5%[10 cases] and causes of death were hypovolemic shock, acute renal failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and multiple organ failure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 1974

Five cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia were repaired in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, during the period from 1967 to 1974. The first case, a 14-year aid girl, was diagnosed as diaphragmatic hernia during laparotomy because of jejunal perforation 3 days after traffic accident. Herniated stomach, transverse colon, spleen and left lobe of the liver were repositioned and the diaphragmatic rupture on left posterolateral portion was repaired with two layers of nonabsorbable sutures by transthoracic approach. The second case, a 26-year old man,was diagnosed immediately after traffic accident at a local clinic and transferred to this hospital 24 hours later. Herniated stomach, transverse colon and jejunum were repositioned amd diaphragmatic rupture,about 9 cm in length,from the posterolat.edge to the base of pericardium was sutured in two layers. The third case, a 26-year old man who had stab wound on the left lower lateral chest two years ago,was admitted with sudden abdominal pain and vomiting. Upper gastrointestinal series with barium meal revealed diaphragmatic hernia. The herniated stomach and transverse colon through the defect,about 3.5cm in diameter, at anterolateral portion on the left side,were repositioned and repaired with two layers of nonabsorbable sutures. The forth case, a 26-year old man, sustained blunt trauma to the chest by a roller and was transferred to the emergency room complaining of dyspnea 40 minutes after the accident. The diaphragmatic rupture extended from left midaxillary line to contralateral anterior axillary line,about 20cm long, at anterior portion of diaphragm, which was repaired with two layers, of nonabsorbable sutures. The fifth case, a 4-year old girl, had two separate diaphragmatic ruptures on both sides, which were caused by traffic accident. Immediate upper gastrointestinal series after injury showed herniated stomach, colon and spleen into left Chest cavity. Another small rupture with anterior edge of right lobe of the liver in chest cavity was noted. These were repaired with non-absorbable sutures via thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.454-457
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• 2010

A 42 year old male was admitted for a bony mass on the posterior arc of the left $6^{th}$ rib, which was detected in a multiphasic health screening test. According to the chest computed tomography scan and bone scan, osteochondroma was suspected. He underwent VATS rib resection. There was no vessel or nerve injury. The patient was discharged without any complication on the $4^{th}$ post operative day. The pathological diagnosis was benign fibrous histiocytoma. Generally, posterolateral thoracotomy is needed for rib resection, but we found that there was no difficulty in doing this kind of surgery under a thoracoscopic approach, which has the advantage of better cosmesis.