• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2002

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is a life-threatening infection originating in the head or the neck and descends into the mediastinum. Even in the era of antibiotics, mortality rate has been reported to be 25 ∼ 40%. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is mandatory for delayed diagnosis and inappropriate drainage of the mediastinum are the main causes of high mortality Surgical management ranges from cervical drainage to routin thoracotomy:however, the optimal management still needs to be defined particularly in respect to effective mediastinal drainage. Although posterolateral thoracotomy incision has been considered as a standard approach, potential disadvantages including postoperative pain, risk of wound complication and delayed recovery remain to be concerned. Thoracoscopic approach is an attractive treatment modality as it can provide an excellent exposure with minimal incision and can complete drainage from the mediastinum and the neck in one-staged manner We describe here two cases of descending necrotizing mediastinitis successfully managed by thoracoscopic drainage.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.513-517
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• 1998

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has recently evolved as an alternative to thoracotomy for several thoracic disorders. Today it is viewed as a sparing and safe alternative to thoracotomy for a wide spectrum of indication. Using video-assisted operative thoracoscopy, we operated on 33 patients during the 2 years of our experience from June 1993 to June 1995. They were diagnosed as recurrent pneumothorax in 16, visible bulla on X-ray in 6, prolonged air leakage(longer than 7days) in 4, bilataral pneumothorax in 3, hyperhidrosis in 2, previous contralateral pneumothorax in 1, primary hemopneumothorax 1. The average duration of chest tube placement was 2.1${\pm}$0.4 days. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.4${\pm}$0.6 days. The complication was persistent air leakage(longer than 48 hours) in 3 case. Video-assisted thoracic surgery is safe, decreased pain, and shortens hospital stay.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.684-688
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• 1995

Hyperhidrosis, one of the abnormalities in autonomic nervous system, has been treated with dermatologic principles or thoracic sympathectomy via conventional axillary thoracotomy or dorsal spinal approach. But these techniques were rather ineffective or invasive. Recently, VATS is widely applied in thoracic surgical area, and hyperhidrosis is not the exception of these cases.From May 1993 to August 1994, 30 patients with bilateral palmar hyperhidrosis underwent bilateral thoracic [T2, T3 sympathectomy with thoracoscopic surgery at Seoul National University Hospital. There were 20 men and 10 women and the mean age was 23.0 years.Mean operating time was 115 min and there was no thoracotomy conversion. Operative complications were anesthetic overdose in 1, Horner`s syndrome in 1, and small amount of residual pneumothorax in 6. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.3 days [range from 1 to 4 days and postoperative analgesics were required in 17 cases with a single dose.Sweating amount was measured in 12 patients, showing significantly decreased amount from 284.5 mg preoperatively to 18.9 mg postoperatively in 5 minutes [p=0.004 . There was no recurrence during mean 6 months follow up. Twenty two patients [73.3 % complained moderate compensatory hyperhidrosis on the trunk.In conclusion, all patients were greatly satisfied with those results including no more palmar sweating, less pain, better cosmetics, short hospital stay. In addition, recent use of sweating amount measurement and intraoperative temperature monitoring could make this technique more accurate, so we easily applied thoracoscopic sympathectomy with minimal risk.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 1998

Recently, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for mediastinal lesions has been considered a new effective therapeutic method. From March, 1992 to April, 1997, 33 cases of video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for mediastinal lesions were performed. Gender distribution was 16 males and 17 females. Average age was 42 years old(ranged from 14 to 69). The locations of lesions were anterior mediastinum in 14 cases, middle mediastinum in 5 cases, posterior mediastinum in 11 cases, and superior mediastinum in 3 cases. These included 9 neurilemmomas, 5 benign cystic teratoma, 4 pericardial cysts, 2 ganglioneuroma, 2 thymus, 2 thymic cyst, 1 thymoma, 2 esophageal leiomyomas, 1 dermoid cyst, 1 lipoma, 1 malignant lymphoma, 1 bronchogenic cyst, 1 pericardial effusion, and 1 Boerhaave's disease with empyema. Working window was needed in 6 cases. We converted to open thoracotomy in 6 cases. Reasons of convertion to open thoracotomy were large sized mass(1), severe adhesion(3), and difficult location to approach(2). The average operation time was 116min($\pm$56 min). The average chest tube drainage time was 4.7days. The average hospital stay was 8.7 days. Operative complications were atelectasis(2), empyema with mediastinitis(1), recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy(1), and plenic nerve palsy(1). In conclusion, VATS for mediastinal lesions were performed with shorter operation time and hospital stay, and lesser complications and pain than those of conventional thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.762-774
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• 1984

A clinical analysis was performed on 49 cases of the benign esophageal diseases experienced at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital during 7 year period from 1977 to 1983. Of 49 cases Of the benign esophageal diseases, there were 19 patients of esophageal stricture, 11 of achalasia, 6 of perforation, 3 of bronchoesophageal fistula, 3 of esophageal perforation, 3 of esophageal leiomyoma and one of esophageal foreign body. Twenty three patients were male and 26 were female. Ages ranged from 4 years to 74 years with the average age of 34.7 years. Of 19 patients of esophageal strictures, 7 patients were male and 12 were female and ages ranged from 6 years to 74 years with the average being 33.8 years. Causes of esophageal strictures were corrosive of esophageal strictures were dysphagia, vomiting, general weakness, weight loss and pain that order and developed on several different parts of esophagus. Operations were performed in 18 cases, of whom 7 patients were performed by esophagocologastrostomy, 4 gastrostomy, 4 esophagogastrostomy, 1 esophageal resection and esophagoesophagostomy, 1 esophagotomy and dilatation and 1 scar revision. Five patients had one or two complications; 2 anastomotic leakage, 1 wound infection, 1 localized empyema, 1 bilateral pneumothorax and 1 respiratory failure. One patient expired due to respiratory failure arising from aspiration pneumonia. The average age of achalasia patients was 33.1 years and symptom durations were from 2 months to 10 years with the average of 3.3 years. Main symptoms were dysphagia, vomiting, weight loss, pain and cough in that order. Modified Hellers myotomy was performed in 11 patients with one complication of restenosis. One patient was operated on by using longitudinal incision and transverse sutures with good result. Of 6 patient of esophageal diverticulum, 2 patients were traction diverticulum on the midesophagus, 2 were pulsion diverticulum on the midesophagus and 2 were pulsion diverticulum on the lower esophagus. Diverticulectomy was performed on 2 cases of traction diverticulum and esophagocardiomyotomy with or without diverticulectomy was erformed on 4 cases of pulsion diverticulum with good results. Of 5 patients of congenital bronchoesophageal fistula, the chief complaints were productive cough in 4 patients and hematemesis without respiratory symptoms in one patient. Two patients were operated on by using fistulectomy only and 3 by fistulectomy with pulmonary lobectomy. Of 3 patients of esophageal perforation, causes were foreign body ingestion, esophageal stricture after ECG and corrosive esophagitis. Two patient were operated on by using drainage and gastrostomy with symptomatic improvement but one patient died due to septic shock after thoracotomy. Three patients of esophageal leiomyoma were all male and 2 patients were operated on by using enucleation and one by distal esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy. In one patient of esophageal foreign body, it was removed by esophagotomy through the right thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.724-728
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• 1997

We experienced a case of thoracic aortic aneurysm combined with coronary artery disease. A 68-year-old man complained of anginal pain in the left anterior chest and nonspecific pain in the posterior chest. The aneurysm was extending from left subclavian artery to the diaphragm and sign of impending rupture was noted in the chest CT. Coronary angiograms r vealed significant obstruction of left circumflex coronary artery(>95%) and left anterior descending artery(>50%). Exposure was obtained through the left posterolateral thoracotomy incision in the 4th intercostal space and then partial femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass was established. After aortic cross clamping, the aneurysmal sac was opened and repaired with interposition of 26 mm Hemashield graft. Under the beating heart with femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass, aorto-left circumflex coronary bypass with autogenous saphenous vein used as conduit was performed. Postoperatively multiple cerebral infarction ensued due to intraoperative hypovolemic shock and hypoxic brain damage during cardiopulmonary bypass. Currently, the patient's mental status is drowsy and in an improving state.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.443-448
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• 1986

Aortic dissection is a serious disease that mortality does not approach to zero despite of medical and surgical improvement. Recently two cases of aortic dissection were treated with good results by the two other methods. Case 1 [57-Y-0-Male]; Chief complaint was chest pain radiating to the back. Preoperatively he was controlled by Minipress, dichlotride, & sodium nitroprusside. Aortography showed DeBakey Type III aortic dissection extending from just below the Lt. subclavian artery to the proximal portion of the origin of the renal artery. Through the midline long incision Flow reversal & Thrombo-exclusion method was used, and bypass course was proximal anastomosis at the ascending aorta - through the Rt. thoracic cavity - midportion of the diaphragm - posterior to the liver, stomach, & pancreas - distal anastomosis at the abdominal aorta proximal to its bifurcation. Bypass graft was preclotted 20 mm Dacron Woven Graft, and the aortic arch between the Lt. subclavian artery & Lt. common carotid artery was divided and meticulously sutured. Control aortogram which was done at 4th postoperative month revealed obstruction of the false lumen by thrombosis, and complications were not noticed. Case 2 [53-Y-0-Male]; Chief complaint was chest pain radiating to the abdomen. DeBakey Type III aortic dissection which was similar to the case 1 was detected by the aortography, and involvement of the Lt. subclavian & common carotid arteries was suspicious. Through the Lt. posterolateral thoracotomy the Ringed Intraluminal Sutureless Graft, No. 22 mm, was inserted from just below the Lt. common carotid artery to the midportion of the descending thoracic aorta under total circulation arrest using a F-F bypass, and the Lt. subclavian artery was ligated. Postoperatively hospital course was uneventful with antihypertensive drugs, and any specific complications were not noticed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 1980

Clinical observations were performed on 373 cases of chest trauma, those were admitted and treated at the Department of surrgery, Korea University Hospital, during the past 15 years period from August 1965 to June 1980. 1. The ratio of male to female patient of chest trauma was 4:1 in male predominence and age from 10 to 50 occupied 87.4 % of the total cases. 2. The most common cause of chest trauma was traffic accident in this series. One hundred and eight one cases (48.5%) were injuried by traffic accident and total cases due to blunt trauma (non-penetrating injury) were 282 cases (75.6%) including the cases with traffic accident, and remaining 91 cases (24.4%) were due to penetrating injury including 73 cases (19.6%) of stab wounds. 3. hemopneumothorax were observed in 49% (182 cases) of the total cases, and etiologic distribution revealed 72% due to non-penetrating trauma and 28% due to penetrating injury. 4. Rib fracture was found in 44.8% of cases. common injuries associated with rib fracture were lung, brain and liver. 5. Most common symptom was chest pain and respiratory difficulty, and common sign associated with chest injury was decreased respiratory sound and subcutaneous sound. 6. conservative non-operative treatment was performed in 281 cases (75.4%) and 92 cases (24.6%) were treated with operative treatment including 33 cases (8.9%) with open thoracotomy. 7. Overall mortality was 5.6% (21 cases) and most common cause of death were due to brain edema, cardiogenic shock, asphyxia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.426-429
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• 2001

Superior sulcus or pancoase tumor refers to any primarty lung cancer locating in thoracic inlet and causing pain in the periscapular region or aim. These originate inperipheral, and involve th extrapulmonary structures more than parenchyma of the lung. We experienced l case of superior sulcus tumor radically resected via anterior transcervical approach, which provide more safe exposure of cervical structures of thoracic inlet than classis posterolateral thoracotomy. Therefore were report this case with review of literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.278-284
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• 1982

As of today, the frequency of primary lung cancer is one of the improved problems in modern medicine and is increasing rapidly year by year. This study dealed with 138 cases of primary lung cancer proved by histopathologic examination in Thoracic & Card iovascular Surgery Dept. of N.M.C. from Sept. 1966 through June 1981. The majority of patients belong to 5th and 6th decade. Ratio between male and female was 3.7: 1. Initial symptoms were cough, blood tinged sputum, hemoptysis, chest pain, dyspnea and duration of symptoms before admission was within 6 months [60%] and 12 months [78%]. Histopathologically, 64 cases [61%] of them were the squamous cell carcinoma, 21 cases [15%] were the adenocarcinoma, 20 cases [14.8%] were the anaplastic carcinoma. Fifty-six cases were resectable: 43 cases were subjected to pneumonectomy and 13 cases were to lobectomy. The remaining 82 cases were nonresectable, but exploratory thoracotomy was performed in 22 cases of them. Among 56 resected cases, 33 cases were radically operated and 17 cases were subjected to palliative operation and 6 cases were subjected to extended operation. [Concomitant pericardium resection in 1 case and concomitant chest wall resection in 5 cases]. Surgical mortality was 10.7% and causes of death were aspiration of contralateral lung, respiratory insufficiency, postop. empyema with B.P.F, cardiogenic failure. This study analysed the cancer stage between preop clinical T.N.M. stage and postop. T.N.M. stage in 78 cases; resectable 56 cases and non-resectable 22 cases.