• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.812-814
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• 1993

Six patients with flail chest were performed operative stabilization with Judet`s Struts.The indications of opertive stabilization were exploratory thoracotomy or laparotomy in 4 patients, and severe chest pain due to displaced ribs which deteriorated respiratory pattern and gas exchange in 2 patients. After operation, all patients became comfortable and complained less pain.Two patients restored spontaneous breathing without ventilator therapy and 2 patients were ventilated during 4 days and 5 days, respectively.There were no morbidity and mortality related to operative stabilization.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.299-306
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• 1988

We have reviewed 330 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from Jan. 1980 to Jul. 1987 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University. The ratio of male to female was 8.4:1, predominant in male. The incidence according to the age group was highest as 32% in the adolescence between 21 and 30 years old. The site of pneumothorax was right in 48%, left in 45% and bilateral in 7%. The initial symptoms were frequently dyspnea in 85%, chest pain in 63%. The etiologic factors were as follows; bleb origin in 31%, tuberculous origin in 30%, COPD in 3.3%, lung cancer in 1.5%, unknown in 29%. There was no significant difference in seasonal incidence irrespective of tuberculous or sex. The employed managements were as follows; bed rest with oxygen inhalation in 4 cases, closed thoracostomy in 326 cases, open thoracotomy in 122 cases, median sternotomy in 23 cases. The operative procedures at thoracotomy were as follows; simple pleurodesis in 5 cases, bleb excision or wedge resection in 113 cases, segmentectomy or lobectomy in 17 cases, decortication in 42 cases. Recurrence rate of each treatment was as follow; 50% in conservative treatment, 19% in closed thoracostomy, 2% in open thoracotomy, 4% in median sternotomy. Therefore overall recurrence rate was 12%. Open thoracotomy was the most effective procedure in recurrent pneumothorax, previous contralateral pneumothorax, bilateral simultaneous pneumothorax, visible bleb or bullae on the chest x-ray and persistent air leakage. 23 cases of unilateral spontaneous pneumothorax was examined whether or not underlying pathology of pneumothorax at opposite lung. 18 cases[78%] were positive findings. Therefore, bilateral thoracotomy by median sternotomy was a good operative method preventing contralateral pneumothorax.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.235-238
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• 1996

Hyperhidrosis is the distressing condition of abnormal sweating which affects the palm, sole and axillary region. Transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy is recommended as the treatment of choice for hyperhidrosis, especially when the upper limbs are affected. We experienced a case of accidental cauterization of right azygos vein in a healthy 23 year old male during endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy. We changed the single lumen endotracheal tube to a double lumen tube which made it easier to perform the explo-thoracotomy and bleeder ligation under one lung ventilation. Crystalloid and colloid solutions, and packed RBC were loaded during explo-thoracotomy. Monitoring showed the signs indicating pulmonary edema. Pulmonary arterial catheterization revealed global heart failure. The patient was transfered to ICU for intensive management for heart failure. On the 4th postoperative day, pulmonary edema and heart failure were cured; and the patient was extubated. But in the evening of the same day ST-segment elevation and Q-wave were noted on ECG monitoring. On the 13th postoperative day coronary angiography was performed. This revealed left apex focal hypokinesia, patent coronary artery and accidental right coronary spasm, treated by vasodilator. On the 14 day, after surgery, he was discharged to return to work.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.887-893
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• 1990

We have experienced 142 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax from January 1987 to June 1990 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Inha General Hospital, Inha University College of Medicine. The age of patients ranged from 16 to 79 years \ulcornerold. The incidence was highest between late 2nd and 3rd decades in non tuberculous group. Males occupied 110 cases [77.6%] and females 32 cases [22. 5%], and its ratio was 3.4: l. The incidence of right side pneumothorax was 76 cases [53.5%] and left side was 65 cases [45.8%]. There was one case of bilateral pneumothorax. The most common chief complaints were chest pain and dyspnea. The associated pulmonary lesions were pulmonary tuberculosis, active or healed in 51 cases [35.9%], Subpleural bleb in 19 cases [13.4%], emphysematous bulla in 12 cases [13.4%], asthma in 3, bronchiectasis in 3, pneumonia in 1, cyst in 1. The unknown origin pneumothorax, so called "idiopathic spontaneous pneumothorax”, which seemed to be caused by the rupture of bleb or bulla most likely, were 52 cases [36. 6%] in our series. Generally, closed [tube] thoracotomy with underwater sealed drainage is the treatment of choice in spontaneous pneumothorax. We experienced 94 cases[66.2%] which were cured by closed thoracotomy. However, open thoracotomy and adequate surgical procedures were undertaken in patient with continuous air leakage or recurrent attacks of spontaneous pneumothorax in 48 cases [33.8%]. The minithoracotomy is a good procedure for the bullectomy of upper lobe.lobe.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.202-204
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• 2012

A 55-year-old woman who had a history of percutaneous vertebroplasty was referred to our institution with sudden onset of chest pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a long, linear, highly-attenuated segment in the right side of the heart and fragmented pieces in the right pulmonary artery. The CT scan and echocardiogram revealed no pericardial effusion or hemopericardium. Based on these findings, we performed surgery through right anterolateral thoracotomy without cardiac arrest. As a result, we safely removed the foreign body. This approach may be a feasible and effective procedure for selected cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.501-515
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• 1978

The purpose of this communication is to review the 390 cases of chest trauma, treated at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine Kyungpook National University from 1960 to 1977. Patients were grouped into two: group `60s [1960-1969] of 103 cases and group `70s [1970-1977] of 257 cases. As the number of cases of each group showed, chest trauma cases increased three times in `70s . The main causes of trauma were auto accident, falling down, industrial injury and stab wound in that order for both groups. Eighty per cent of cases of `60s were between 20 and 59 years and 73.8% of same age range for `70s. Rib fracture of fourth to eighth rib was the most common lesion in both `60s and `70s group. The incidence of hemothorax or hemopnemothorax significantly increased among `70s group than `60s. Clinical manifestations of chest pain and dyspnea remained most frequent symptoms for both groups. The pertinent principles of treatment for the chest trauma were conservative therapy, closed thoracotomy and open thoracotomy. Closed thoracotomy was performed more freely during the period of 1970-1977, with encouraging clinical results. Very few cases of complications other than pneumothorax or hemopneumothorax occurred. Those are fibrothorax, asphyxia, atelectasis and mediastinitis. The overall mortality was 3.9% for the `60s and 2.1% for the `70s group. The possible causes of death of 14 cases of chest trauma whom died on arrival during 1970-1977 were analyzed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.488-500
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• 1978

The purpose of this communication is to review the 390 cases of chest trauma, treated at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine Kyungpook National University from 1960 to 1977. Patients were grouped into two: group `60s [1960-1969] of 103 cases and group `70s [1970-1977] of 257 cases. As the number of cases of each group showed, chest trauma cases increased three times in `70s . The main causes of trauma were auto accident, falling down, industrial injury and stab wound in that order for both groups. Eighty per cent of cases of `60s were between 20 and 59 years and 73.8% of same age range for `70s. Rib fracture of fourth to eighth rib was the most common lesion in both `60s and `70s group. The incidence of hemothorax or hemopnemothorax significantly increased among `70s group than `60s. Clinical manifestations of chest pain and dyspnea remained most frequent symptoms for both groups. The pertinent principles of treatment for the chest trauma were conservative therapy, closed thoracotomy and open thoracotomy. Closed thoracotomy was performed more freely during the period of 1970-1977, with encouraging clinical results. Very few cases of complications other than pneumothorax or hemopneumothorax occurred. Those are fibrothorax, asphyxia, atelectasis and mediastinitis. The overall mortality was 3.9% for the `60s and 2.1% for the `70s group. The possible causes of death of 14 cases of chest trauma whom died on arrival during 1970-1977 were analyzed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.237-242
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• 1973

Two cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia are reported, who were operated on in this department during the last 12 months` period. The first case, a 34 year old male, fell from 6 meters` height while he was working on electric pole. He sustained rib fractures, left 8th, 9th and 10th rib, left diaphragmatic rupture and ileal perforation. In the pleural cavity, there were stomach, omentum, left lobe of liver, transverse colon and ileum, which were reduced into the peritoneal cavity, and the diaphragmatic aperture was closed through anterolateral thoracotomy. After closure of the thoracic incision, median abdominal incision was made and closed the ileal perforation by primary suture. The second case was a 19 year old tyre repairman, who felt abrupt severe abdominal pain during lifting a heavy lyre. A barium study revealed a marked displacement of the stomach into the left pleural cavity. Immediately, thoracotomy was performed and closed the ruptured diaphragm after reduction of the herniated stomach, omentum, transverse colon, spleen and small intestine. The size of the diaphragmatic aperture were measured 17cm. in first case and 12cm. in the other respectively. Both cases discharged after uneventful recovery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.521-524
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• 1995

Esophageal leiomyoma is a very rare disease. We present a patient who underwent enucleation of esophageal leiomyoma through a left thoracotomy. The patient was suffered from substernal pain and chest discomfort for 4 months.The esophagogram revealed irregular ovoid smooth filling defect in just proximal portion of G-E junction with the normal mucosal folds. Chest CT demonstrated well-defined, polypoid tumor mass on the anterolateral wall of the distal esophagus. Esophagoscopy revealed normal intact mucosal patterns with swollen hard protruded tumor mass lesion from the just proximal portion of G-E junction. In June, 1993, patient underwent enucleation of esophageal leiomyoma through the left thoracotomy. A horseshoe and spiral shaped, whitish firm tumor mass was noted on the distal esophagus, and the tumor mass was enucleated by blunt dissection carefully. The esophageal leiomyoma was confirmed with histopathological examination. The postoperative course was smooth and uneventful.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.251-255
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• 1987

In this study, 186 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax experienced at the Dept. of thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery, chosun University Hospital during from Jan. 1978 to Mar. 1987 were analysed retrospectically. The results were as follows: 1. The sex ratio of the stadied patient was 2.5:! in male prominence and the incidence and the incidence was highest in the adolescence between 20-29 year of age. 2. The clinical symptoms were frequently Dyspnea (52.2%) and Chest pain (38.7%). The etiologic factors were as follows, Tuberculous origin in 55.9%, Unknown origin in 17.2%, Bullae in 11.8%. 3. In the method of treatment, closed thoracotomy was the most effective procedure in achieving the expansion of collapsed lung in 87.1%. Other methods were bed rest with high oxygen inhalation, thoracentesis and open thoracotomy. 4. The incidences of complication were developed in 12.4% and recurrent rates were seen in 9.7%.