• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.410-419
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• 1996

Background : Spontaneous pneumothorax have been managed with a variety of methods. The technique most frequently used is chest tube drainage. Small caliber catheters were first used in the management of pneumothorax complicating the percutaneous needle aspiration lung biopsy, and the try to treat spontaneous pneumothorax also has been reported. However, the value of small caliber catheters in spontaneous pneumothorax has not been fully evaluated. So, we tried to elucidate the efficacy of 8 French catheter in the management of spontaneous pneumothorax. Method : From January, 1990, to April, 1994, 44 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax treated at Chung-Ang university hospital were reviewed. The patients were sub-divide into 8 French catheter insertion group (n=21) and chest tube insertion group (n=23). We compared the presence of underlying lung disease, the extent of the collapse, the duration of indwelling catheter and complication between two groups. Results : 1) The duration of indwelling showed no significant difference between 8 French catheter group and chest tube. But, complication after insertion as subcutaneous emphysema was developed in only chest tube group. (p<0.05) 2) In the primary spontaneous pneumothorax, all case of the pneumothorax of which size was less than 50% showed complete healing with 8 French catheter insertion. Whereas the success rate in patients with large pneumothorax (more than 50%) was tended to be dependent on the age. 3) In the patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax who were managed with 8 French catheter, the success rate was trended to be high if the underlying disease of pneumothorax was not COPD and if the patient was young. Conclusion : These results show that 8 French catheter insertion probably was effective in the pneumothorax less than 50%, the primary spontaneous pneumothorax, young age or secondary pneumothorax not associated with COPD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1094-1104
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• 1997

Background : Spontaneous pneumothoraces(SP) are divided into primary spontaneous pneumothoraces (PSP) which develop in healthy individuals without underlying pulmonary disorders and secondary spontaneous pneumothoraces(SSP) which occur in those who have underlying disorders such as tuberculosis or chronic obstructive lung diseases. Yet there is no established standard therapeutic approach to this disorder, i.e., from the spectrum of noninvasive treatment such as clinical observation with or without oxygen therapy, to aggressively invasive thoracoscopic bullectomy or open thoracotomy. Although chest tube thoracostomy has been most widely used, the patients should overcome pain in the initiation of tube insertion or during indwelling it potential infection and subcutaneous emphysema. Thus smaller-caliber tube has been challenged for the treatment of pneumothorax. Previously, we studied the therapeutic efficacy of 8 French catheter for spontaneous pneumothorax. But there has been few data for effectiveness of small-caliber catheterization in comparison with that of chest tube. In this study, we intended to observe the long-term effectiveness of 8 French catheter for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothoraces in comparison with that of chest tube thoracostomy. Method : From January, 1990 to January, 1996, sixty two patients with spontaneous pneumothoraces treated at Chung-Ang University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were sub-divided into a group treated with 8 French catheter(n=23) and the other one with chest tube insertion(n=39). The clinical data were reviewed(age, sex, underlying pulmonary disorders, past history of pneumothorax, size of pneumothorax, follow-up period). And therapeutic effect of two groups was compared by treatment duration(duration of indwelling catheter or tube), treatment-associated complications and recurrence rate. Results : The follow-up period(median) of 8 French catheter group and chest tube group was 28 and 22 months, which had no statistical significance. Ther was no statistically significant difference of clinical characteristics between two groups with SP, PSP, SSP. The indwelling time of 8 French catheter group was $6.2{\pm}3.8$ days, which was significantly shorter than that of chest tube group in SP, $9.1{\pm}7.5$ days(p=0.047). In comparison of treatment-related complication in PSP, 8 French catheter group as 6.25% of complication showed lower tendency than the other group as 23.8% (p=0.041 ; one-tailed, p=0.053; two-tailed). The recurrence rate in each group of SP was 17.4%, 10.3%, which did not show any statistically significant difference. Conclusion : Treatment with 8 French catheter resulted in shorter indwelling time in sponteous pneumothorax, and lower incidence of treatment-related complication in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. And the recurrence rate in each of treatment group showed no statistically significant difference. So, we can recommend the 8 French small-caliber catheter for the initial therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax for the replacement of conventional chest tube thoracostomy. But further prospective study with more subjects of spontaneous pneumothorax will be needed for the evaluation of effectiveness of 8 French cateter.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was aimed to investigate soft tissue reaction such as inflammation, immune reaction of rabbit larynx to implanted foley catheter. Methods : After 8 rabbits were anesthetized, their thyroid cartilage and trachea were exposed through a skin incision and a 6 French foley catheter was inserted into the thyroid cartilage via cricothyroid membrane and ballooned with normal saline (0.1 mL). The other end of catheters were ligated and cut. The wound was closed keeping catheter under the skin. Two rabbits were used as normal control Larynges were removed for pathologic examination at 4weeks and 8 weeks of the study respectively, Results : Ten rabbits were euthanized for gross and pathologic examination (5 rabbits after 4 weeks and 5 rabbits after 8 weeks). All rabbits survived the study periods and inflammations or foreign body reactions were minimally found on pathologic examinations. Conclusions : Foley catheter could be useful and safe material for vocal fold medialization in rabbit models.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.418-422
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• 2011

Background: It has recently become most general to use the small bore catheter to perform closed thoracostomy in treating iatrogenic pneumothorax. This study was performed for analysis of the efficacy of treatment methods by using small bore catheter such as 7 F (French) central venous catheter, 10 F trocar catheter, 12 F pigtail catheter and for analysis of the appropriateness of each procedure. Materials and Methods: From March 2007 to February 2010, Retrospective review of 105 patients with iatrogenic pneumothorax, who underwent closed thoracostomy by using small bore catheter, was performed. We analyzed the total success rate for all procedures as well as the individual success rate for each procedure, and analyzed the cause of failure, additional treatment method for failure, influential factors of treatment outcome, and complications. Results: The most common causes of iatrogenic pneumothorax were presented as percutaneous needle aspiration(PCNA) in 48 cases (45.7%), and central venous catheterization in 26 cases (24.8%). The mean interval to thoracostomy after the procedure was measured as 5.2 hours (1~34 hours). Total success rate of thoracostomy was 78.1%. The success rate was not significantly difference by tube type, with 7 F central venous catheter as 80%, 10 F trocar catheter as 81.6%, and 12 F pigtail catheter as 71%. Twenty one out of 23 patients that had failed with small bore catheter treatment added large bore conventional thoracostomy, and another 2 patients received surgery. The causes for treatment failure were presented as continuous air leakage in 12 cases (52.2%) and tube malfunction in 7 cases (30%). The causes for failure did not present significant differences by tube type. Statistically significant factors affecting treatment performance were not discovered. Conclusion: Closed thoracostomy with small bore catheter proved to be effective for iatrogenic pneumothorax. The success rate was not difference for each type. However, it is important to select the appropriate catheter by considering the patient status, pneumothorax aspect, and medical personnel in the cardiothoracic surgery department of the relevant hospital.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.292-296
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• 2007

Background: This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the 8-French (Fr) catheter ($Pleuracan^{(R)}$) for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Between July 2004 and July 2006, 59 patients (72 cases) underwent a closed thoracostomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. We divided these patients into two groups: group T (large bore (>20 Fr) chest tube group) and group P ($Pleuracan^{(R)}$ group). Result: Initially, the $Pleuracan^{(R)}$ catheters were inserted in 41 cases. There were four catheter malfunctions (9.8%) : three cases had a subsequent closed thoracostomy with a large bore chest tube. Ultimately, there were 34 cases in group T and 38 cases in group P. There were no significant differences in indwelling catheter time ($T:\;2.1{\pm}1.5\;days,\;P:\;2.1{\pm}1.3\;days$), hospital stay ($T:\;6.4{\pm}5.4\;days,\;P:\;5.2{\pm}2.9\;days$) and complications (T: 3%, P: 0%) between the two groups. The percentage of cases that needed intravenous analgesics in group P was 60% (23/38); this was significantly lower than the number for group T (90%, 31/34) (p=0.003). In a subgroup of patients that did not undergo bullectomy(T: 17 cases, P: 19 cases), there were no significant differences in the duration of air leakage ($T:\;0.5{\pm}0.7\;days,\;P:\;0.5{\pm}1.2\;days$) and in the percentage of patients with complete lung re-expansion (T: 94%, P: 84%) between the two groups. Conclusion: Application of the $Pleuracan^{(R)}$ catheter for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax was as effective as the large bore chest tube.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1019-1023
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• 2000

Objective : Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is gaining popularity as a minimally invasive surgical option for certain types of hydrocephalus as an alternative to shunting. The authors have tried to fenestrate down to the subdural space passing through the prepontine cistern to lessen or avoid the chance of redoing due to healing. Materials and Method : A 48-year-old male patient with several years of intractable headache was presented. Magnetic Resonance Image(MRI) of the brain revealed marked ventricular dilatation with stenotic cerebral aqueduct. A 2.3mm flexible steerable endoscope($Neuroview^{(R)}$) was introduced via precoronal route and accessed to the third ventricular floor. Using 3-French Fogarty balloon catheter, thin third ventricular floor and the arachnoid membrane of the prepontine cistern were fenestrated, so called "double fenestration". To confirm the fenestration, subdural compa-rtment of the left abducens nerve was identified during the procedure. Forceful pulsating flow through the orifice convinced the patency of the opening. Results : The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day without any postoperative complications. The postoperative follow-up MRI of the brain, at second and sixth months, clearly demonstrated the flow void through the third ventricular floor. Conclusions : Endoscopic third ventriculostomy was successfully performed on an adult hydrocephalus patient with aqueduct stenosis. The third ventricular floor and arachnoid membrane of the prepontine cistern were fenestrated to achieve double fenestration to minimize the chance for failure. The details of this procedure and results are described.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.621-628
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• 1997

Background : As the pleural inflammation progresses, exudative pleural fluid becomes loculated rapidly with pleural thickening. Complete drainage is important to prevent pleural fibrosis, entrapment and depression of lung function. Intrapleural urokinase instillation therapy has been advocated as a method to facilitate drainage of gelatinous pleural fluid and to allow enzymatic debriment of pleural surface. This study was designed to investigate the predictors of effectiveness of intrapleural urokinase in the treatment of loculated pleural effusion. Method : Thirty-five patients received a single radiographically guided pig-tail catheter ranging in size from 10 to 12 French. Twenty-two patients had tuberculous pleural effusions, and 13 had non-tuberculous postpneumonic empyemas. A total of 240,000 units of urokinase was dissolved in 240 ml of normal saline and the aliquots of 80mL was instilled into the pleural cavity via pig-tail catheter per every 8hr. Effectiveness of intrapleural urokinase instillation therapy was assessed by biochemical markers, ultrasonography, and technical details. A greater than 50% improvement on follow-up chest radiographs was defined as success group. Result : Twenty-seven of 35 (77.1%) patients had successful outcome to urokinase instillation therapy. Duration of symptoms before admission was shorter in success group ($11.8{\pm}6.9day$) than in failure group ($26.62{\pm}16.5day$) (P<0.05). Amount of drained fluid during urokinase therapy was larger in success group ($917.1{\pm}392.7ml$) than in failure group ($613.8{\pm}259.7ml$) (P<0.05). Pleural fluid glucose was higher in success group ($89.7{\pm}35.9mg/dl$) than in failure group ($41.2{\pm}47.1mg/dl$) (P<0.05). Pleural fluid LDH was lower in success group ($878.4{\pm}654.3IU/L$) than in failure group ($2711.1{\pm}973.1IU/L$) (P<0.05). Honeycomb septated pattern on chest ultrasonography was observed in six of eight failure group, but none of success group (P<0.05). Conclusion : Longer duration of symptoms before admission, smaller amount of drained fluid during urokinase therapy, lower glucose value, higher LDH value in pleural fluid examination, and honeycomb septation pattern on chest ultrasonograph were predictors for failure group of intrapleural urokinase instillation therapy.