• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.3 s.248
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• pp.245-248
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• 2005

Drugs containing ergotamine are widely used in the treatment of migraine. Spastic vasoconstriction is one of the most serious side effects even with recommended dosage. We report a case of 63-year-old male with severe arterial occlusion of the upper limbs which might be related with vasospasm caused by ergotamine-containing medication because of migraine for f5 years. He was treated with bypass graft, sympathicotomy and heparin and prostaglandin E1 infusion. But dramatic clinical reversal of the vasospasm was obtained after withdrawal of ergotamine.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.495-499
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• 2002

Plummer-Vinson syndrome(Paterson-Kelly syndrome) is characterized by dysphagia due to upper esophageal or hypopharyngeal web, iron deficiency anemia, and atropic oral and glossal mucosa. This syndrome is usually known as precancerous lesion that develops into postcricoid carcinoma. Universally, the clinical manifestations of this syndrome were markedly improved after oral iron replacement therapy or endoscopic balloon or electrocautery treatment. 63 year-old woman was received a short segment, free jejunal transfer to be released from esophageal stricture. After the operation, the stenotic lesion proved to be Plummer-vinson syndrome with carcinoma in situ by pathologic study.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.730-735
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• 2002

Diaphragm is innervated by phrenic nerve and lower intercostal nerves. For patients with avulsion injury of brachial plexus, an in situ graft of phrenic nerve is frequently used to neurotize a branch of the brachial plexus. We studied short-term and mid-term changes of diaphragmatic level and movement in patients with dissection of phrenic nerve for neurotization. Material and Method : Thirteen patients with division of either-side phrenic nerve for neurotization of musculocutaneous nerve were included in this study. With endoscopic surgical procedure, the intrathoracic phrenic nerve was entirely dissected and divided just above the diaphragm. The dissected phrenic nerve was taken out through thoracic inlet and neck wound and then anastomosed to the musculocutaneous nerve through a subcutaneous tunnel. With chest films and fluoroscopy, levels and movements of diaphragm were measured before and after operation. Result : There was no specific technical difficulty or even minor postoperative complications following endoscopic division of phrenic nerve. After division of phrenic nerve, diaphragm was soon elevated about 1.7 intercostal spaces compared with the preoperative level, but it did not show paradoxical motion in fluoroscopy. More than 1.5 months later, diaphragm returned downward close to the preoperative level (average level difference was 0.9 intercostal spaces; p＝NS). Movement of diaphragm was not significantly decreased compared with the preoperative one. Conclusion : After division of phrenic nerve, the affected diaphragm did not show a significant decrease in movement, and the elevated diaphragm returned downward with time. However, the decreased lung volumes in the last spirometry suggest the decreased inspiratory force following partial paralysis of diaphragm.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1127-1133
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• 1998

Background: There are no ideal substitutes for tracheal replacement. Therefore we investigated the possibility of clinical use of cryopreserved tracheal homograft with special interest in the viability and rejection of the epithelial cell and cartilage. Material and Method: Rabbit's trachea was sected and stored in liquid nitrogen tank for 1 month. Tracheal replacement was done in 45 rabbits with autograft(n=15, Group 1), fresh allograft(n=15, Group 2) and cryopreserved homograft(n=15, Group 3). After 7, 14, and 30 days, 5 rabbits in each group were sacrificed and the regeneration of epithelium and cartilage and the degree of rejection were assessed by counting the monocellular infiltration. Result: Investigation at day 7, showed no difference in epithelial regeneration, however, at days 14 and 30, Group 1 showed better regeneration of epithelium than groups 2 and 3. There was no difference of epithelial regeneration between group 2 and 3. There was little rejection at day 7, but at days 14 and 30, there was significant rejection in group 2 and group 3.(P<0.05). Group 3 showed lesser rejection than group 2 at days 14 and 30, but it was not statistically significant. Cartilage showed no rejection and maintained its viability in groups 2 and 3. Conclusion: Cryopreserved tracheal homograft can maintain its viability, therefore it may represent a possibility of clinical application for tracheal replacement. However, cryopreservation can not eliminate the antigenicity of the trachea completely. Furthere studies for lowering the antigenicity and rejection should be performed for an ideal substitute for tracheal replacement.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 1997

Heart transplantation is now accepted as a definitive therapeutic modality in patients with terminal hear failure. The first successful heart transplantation in humans was done in 1967 and the first case in Korea was performed in november, 1992. Since the first case in 1992, more than 50 cases have been performed in Korea. A total of 20 patients underwent orthotopic heart transplantation since November, 1992 in Asan Medicla Center. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the early results and the follow-up course of 20 cases of heart transplantation done in Asan Medical Center. The average age of 20 patients was 39.9$\pm$11.8 years old(20~58). The mean follow-up duration was 14.4$\pm$11.2 months(1~41). All patients are alive till now. The blood type was identical in 14 and compatible in 6 patients. ihe original heart disease was dilated cardiomyopathy in 16, valvular heart disease in 2, ischemic cardiomyopathy in 1, and giant cell myocarditis in 1 patient. HLA cross matching for recipient and donor was done in 18 cases and the results were negative for T-cell and B-cell in 16 patients, pos tive for warm B-cell in 2 patients. Among 6 loci of A, B, and DR, one locus was matched in 8 cases, 2 loci in 5 cases, and 3 loci matched in 1 case. The number of acute allograft rejection averaged 2.8$\pm$0.5 (0~6) per case and the number of acute allograft rejection requiring treatment averaged 1.0$\pm$0.9 (1~3) per case. The time interval from operation to the first acute rejection requiring treatment was 35.5$\pm$20.4 days (5~60). Acute humoral rejection was suspected strongly in 1 case and was successfully treated. The left ventricular ejection fraction measured by echocardiography and/or MUGA scan was dramatically increased from 17.5$\pm$6.8 (9~32)% to 58.9$\pm$2.0 (55~62)% after heart transplantation. Temporary pacing was needed in 5 patients over 24 hours but normal sinus rhythm appeared within 7 days in all cases. One patient has been taken permanent pacemaker implantation due to complete AV block appearing 140 days after heart transplantaion. One patient had cyclosporine-associated n urotoxicity during the immediate postoperative period and was recovered after 27 hours. The heart transplantation of Asan Medical Center is on a developing stage but the early result is comparable to that of well established centers in other countries, even though the long-term follow-up result must be reevaluated. We can conclude that the heart transplantion is a promising therapeutic option in patients with terminal heart failure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.417-422
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• 2008

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long term results of creating various right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduits for treating complex congenital heart disease. Material and Method: Between June 1986 and July 2006, we retrospectively reviewed 245 patients who underwent reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract with various kinds of conduits. 410 operations were done in 245 patients, the mean age at operation was $3.2{\pm}4.9$ years (range: 7 days$\sim$45 years) and the mean body weight was $12.5{\pm}8.7\;kg$ (range: $2.4\sim76.3\;kg$). Result: We used the following conduits: Polystan conduit, Shelhigh conduit, Carpenter-Edward conduit, Dacron graft with an artificial valve, valveless Gore Tex vascular graft, homograft and hand-made bovine or autologous pericardial conduit. The mean follow up duration was $6.3{\pm}5.2$ years. Redo operation for RV-PA conduit dysfunction was performed in 131 patients, a second redo was done in 31 and a third redo was done in 3. The reoperation free rates were 67.3%, 48.5% and 39.4% for 5 years, 10 years and 15 years, respectively. The homograft showed the best durability, followed by the Dacron graft with artificial valve and the Carpentier-Edward conduit. The larger sized conduit showed better durability. Conclusion: The homograft showed lowest reoperation rate and a smaller size of conduit showed the highest reoperation rate. The reoperation rate for the RV-PA conduit was about 35% at 5 years, so it is mandatory to develop the more durable conduit for RV outflow.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.276-284
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• 2000

Purpose: We investigated the operative outcome after bypass surgery in patients selected using viability criteria on F-18 FDG PET. Materials and Methods: Rest-24hr delay redistribution imaging of Tl-201 SPECT and F-18 FDG PET were performed in 11 patients. Seven of these 11 patients (6 men, 1 woman) were evaluated to have viable myocardium by F-18 FDG PET. Changes in symptoms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after operation were evaluated. Results: In seven of 11 patients, a significant amount of viable myocardium was found on F-18 FDG PET and Tl-201 SPECT. Severity of both chest pain and dyspnea improved markedly in all patients. Mean LVEF improved from 22% to 32%. Conclusion: F-18 FDG PET could be used to select the patients who will benefit from coronary artery bypass surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.533-540
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• 1991

We have performed 14 single lung transplantation in mongrel dogs transplanting the left lung exclusively from December 1989 to January 1991, in the department of thoracic surgery of Seoul National University Hospital. In the donor dogs, the main pulmonary artery was divided proximal to its bifurcation, and the left atrium was incised freeing the left veins with a generous atrial cuff. We used cold saline in the first 7 transplantation[group I ] and a Euro Collins solution in the remaining 7 transplantations[group II ] as a lung preservatives. The bronchus was divided at two cartilage rings proximal to the upper lobe bronchus take off. In the recipient procedure, we used a Fogarty catheter as a bronchus block. Left atrial anastomosis was performed first using 5 - 0 prolene and the pulmonary artery was anastomosed using 6 - 0 prolene. The bronchus was anastomosed next with 4 - 0 Vicryl interruptly and covered with a greater omentum which had been prepared previously. In group I the three dogs died at eleven hours, 5 days, and 14 days, postoperatively and the remaining four doings were killed at 5 days, 5 days, 6 days, and 12 days, respectively. In group II the two dogs died during the operation, one dog died at 6 hours, two dogs died at 6 days postoperatively. Two dogs were killed at 5 days, and 7 days. No significant difference was noted between the two groups in survival time, lung infiltration of transplanted lungs, and perfusion defects in perfusion lung scans. Of the 8 dogs which died naturally, the causes of death were as follows: 2 cases of sepsis, 2 cases of ventricular fibrillations, 2 cases of malnutrition, and 2 cases of respiratory failures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.936-940
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• 1997

Pulmonary aspergilloma is potentially a life threatening disease resulting from the colonization of lung cavities by Aspergillus fumigatus. A case is reported: a 43-year-old man with symtomatic cavitary aspergilloma presenting with severe productive coughing, hemopt sis, occasional fever, and chilling. On preoperative plain chest radiograph and CT scan, we could find a rounded irregular opacity in a large pulmonary cavity. He received 2 separate operations for therapeutic need. At the first opertion, we performed cavernostomy and thoracoplasty because of severe pleural adhesions, tearing of cavity wall, and high risk of respiratory insufficiency. At the second operation, we performed myoplasty and omentoplasty for closure of remaining air space and complete wrapping of the BPF site. All symptoms of dyspnea and hemoptysis have since resolved. We believed that in the high risk patients who have severe respiratory symptoms, such as in aspergilloma and open cavity with a risk of respiratory insufficiency, cavernostomy followed by myoplasty or omentoplasty should be recommended.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2001

배경: 본 연구는 1987년부터 1997년까지 원자력병원에서 수술을 시행한 500명의 식도암환자를 대상으로 하여 휴향적 방법을 통해 조기 및 장기성적, 재발양상, 예후인자 등을 보고하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 대상환자 중에서 발병암이 있는 경우, 인두식도 경계부위나 위식도 경계부위 암, 고식적 우회술 또는 인공식도 삽입예 그리고 시험적 개흉술이나 개복술 만을 시행한 경우는 제외 시켰다. 식도 절제는 대부분 우측 개흉술을 이용한 Ivor Lewis 술식을 사용하였고 대부분의 문합은 stapler를 사용하였다. Extended lymph node dissection은 1994년 8월부터 시행하였고 그 이전에는 standard lymph node dissection을 하였다. 96.8%에서 위를 식도 대체장기로 사용하였고 경부에서 절제 및 재건술을 시행한 경우를 제외한 모든 식도재건은 후종격동을 통해 시행하였다. 결과: 474예(94.8%)가 편평상피 세포암이었고 대부분(58.2%)은 중부식도에 위치하였다. 술후병기는 47.4%가 stage III이었고 25%가 stage IIA이었다. 392예에서 근치적 절제가 가능하였고 74예는 고식적 절제를 시행하였으며, 식도열공을 통한 식도절제술과 경부에서의 유리공장 이식술을 시행한 34예는 위분류에서 제외하였다. 술후 유병율은 38.4%이었고 수술 사망률은 5.8%로 호흡기 감염, 문합부 유출이 주요 원인이었다. 대상환자의 99.8%에서 추적은 가능하였고 수술사망 예를 포함한 전체환자의 1, 2, 5년 생존율은 각각 63.5%, 38.9%, 19.4% 이었다. Standard lymph node dissection 그룹에서의 1, 2, 5년 생존율이 60.7%, 35.9%, 16.9%이었으나 extended lymph node dissection그룹에서는 1, 2, 4년 생존율이 70.2%, 46.5%, 30.9%이었다. 근치적 절제의 경우는 1, 2, 5년 생존률이 69.4%, 43.9%, 21.9%이었고, 고식적 절제의 경우는 37.8%, 17.6%, 7.3%이었다. 수술사망을 제외한 근치적 절제술과 extended lymph node dissection을 함께 시행한 경우의 4년 생존율은 35.6%이었다. 수술후 재발은 226예에서 발견되었고 주로 국소임파절(69%; 경부, 종격동, 복부)이었으며, 전신재발은 간, 폐, 뼈, 뇌 등의 순이었다. 결론: 저자들은 적절한 술후 환자관리가 선행되어야 하지만 근치적 절제와 광범위한 임파절 절제가 장기성적의 향상에 필수적 요소이고, 진행된 식도암에 있어서는 보다 효과적인 보강적 복합치료가 연구되어야 할 것으로 생각된다.