• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2000

Background: For the purpose of reducing operating time and rate of anastomotic leakage, we have performed esophagovisceral anastomosis with an EEA stapler using the largest size possible. If any difficulty in the approach of the EEA stapler was encountered one-layer interrupted hand-sewn anastomosis. Because the rate of postoperative benign anastomotic stricture was higher than expected, a retrospective study was done on all patients who underwent esophageal reconstruction. Material and Method: Over a period of 3 years from January 1996 to December 1998, we performed esophageal reconstructions on 30 patients. Patients were divided into two groups ; EEA stapler group(Group Ⅰ) comprised of 21 patients and hand-sewn group(Group Ⅱ) comprised of 9 patients.Result:The hospital mortality was 6.67 %(2/30) and the anastomotic leakage rate was 3.33 %(1/30). Among the discharged patients, the rate of recurrent anastomotic tumor was 3.57 %(1/28) and the rate of benign anastomotic stricture stricture rate was 35 %(7/20) in Group Ⅰ and 12.5 %(1/8) in Group Ⅱ, which was not significant. Conclusion: Although nontumor benign stricture was significantly higher in Group Ⅱ than in Group Ⅰ(p=0.0492), the incidence of anastomotic complications did not differ between the two groups. The one-layer interrupted hand-sewn esophagovisceral anastomosis by maintaining a wide lumen and close approximation of mucosa to mucosal layers with evenly spaced sutures could be one of the preferred surgical method to reduce benign anastomotic strictures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2023

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been found to cause life-threatening respiratory failure, which can progress to irreversible lung damage. Lung transplantation can be a life-saving treatment in patients with terminal lung disease (e.g., acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by infection). This study aimed to present the clinical course and results after initial lung transplantation in patients with severe COVID-19 who did not recover even with optimal medical care. Methods: From August 2019 to February 2022, this study enrolled 10 patients with COVID-19 (5 men; median age, 55.7 years) who underwent lung transplantation at a single center in Korea. All patients' characteristics, clinical pathway, overall survival, complications, and operative data were collected and analyzed. Results: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or an oxygenator in a right ventricular assist device circuit was applied to 90% of the patients, and the median length of extracorporeal life support before operation was 48.5 days. There were no cases of mortality after a median follow-up of 372.8 days (interquartile range, 262.25-489 days). The major complications included the requirement for postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in 2 cases (20%), re-transplantation in 1 case (10%), and re-exploration due to bleeding in 2 cases (20%). During the follow-up period, 3 out of 10 patients died. Conclusion: Excellent early outcomes were observed for patients who underwent lung transplantation. Thus, lung transplantation can be an effective and feasible treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease caused by COVID-19.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.280-284
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• 2010

Background: The postoperative management following lung transplantation has dramatically improved in the recent decade. However, some complications still remain as troublesome problems. We retrospectively reviewed the gastrointestinal complications and their management after lung transplantation. Material and Method: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 25 cases in 23 patients who underwent lung and heart-lung transplantations from July 1996 to March 2009. The definition of gastrointestinal complication was the gastrointestinal tract-related disease that occurred after lung transplantation. There were eight postoperative deaths (within postoperative 30 days) that were excluded from the analysis. Result: Twenty three gastrointestinal complications occurred in 11 (64.7%) of the 17 cases. The median follow-up period was 6.9 months (range: 2 months to 111 months), and chronic gastritis (23.5%, 4 of 17 cases) was the most common complication. Severe, prolonged (more than 2 weeks) diarrhea occurred in 3 cases. Three patients had gastric ulcer with one case requiring gastric primary closure for gastric ulcer perforation. This patient had gastric bleeding due to recurrent gastric ulcer 2 months after laparotomy. Cytomegalovirus gastritis and esophagitis occurred in 2 cases and 1 case, respectively, and esophageal ulcer occurred in 2 cases. There were esophageal strictures in 2 patients who underwent esophageal stent insertion. Other complications were one case each of ileus, early gastric cancer requiring endoscopic mucosal resection, gall bladder stone accompanied with jaundice, and pseudomembranous colitis. Conclusion: The incidence of gastrointestinal complication is relatively high in patients after they undergo lung transplantation. Since gastrointestinal complications can induce malnutrition, which might be related to considerable morbidity and mortality, close follow-up is necessary for the early detection and proper management of gastrointestinal complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2014

Background: Redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still associated with increased morbidity and mortality as compared to the first-time operation. Further, the application of the off-pump technique to redo CABG is limited due to technical difficulties. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze early and midterm results after redo CABG and compare the outcome of redo on-pump and off-pump CABG. Methods: From June 1996 to October 2011, elective redo CABG was performed in 32 patients. Mean age was 64.8 years (on pump 64.3 years vs. off pump 65.5 years; p=0.658), and 21 patients were male. Among these patients, 14 (43.8%) underwent on-pump CABG, and 18 (56.2%) underwent off-pump CABG. Results: Internal thoracic artery was used in 22 patients (68.8%), and total arterial revascularization was achieved in 17 patients (53.1%). The average number of distal anastomoses was 2.13, and the rate of incomplete revascularization was 43.8%. The rate of total arterial revascularization was higher in the off-pump group (14.3% vs. 83.3%, p<0.001), and the use of saphenous vein graft was more in the on-pump group (78.6% vs. 16.7%, p<0.001). Overall hospital mortality was 3.1% (n=1) and was comparable in both groups (on pump 7.1% vs. off pump 0%; p=0.249). Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients (64.2%), and the rate of complications was high in the on-pump group without statistical significance (64.2% vs. 33.3%, p=0.082). The mean follow-up duration was 5.4 years, and overall survival at 10 years was $86.0%{\pm}10.5%$. There was no significant difference in the 10-year survival rate between the two groups (79.6% vs. 100%, p=0.225). Conclusion: Redo CABG can be safely performed with acceptable mortality. Redo off-pump coronary artery bypass is feasible with low mortality and morbidity, comparable target vessel bypass grafting, and long-term survival. The off-pump technique might be considered a safe option for redo CABG in high-risk patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1030-1039
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• 1988

From 1985 through Oct. 1988, we have experienced 5 cases of Aorto-Coronary Bypass Surgery [ACBS] and 3 cases of Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Anogioplasty [PTCA]under the diagnosis of unstable angina. There were 6 males and 2 females who ranged from 48 to 70 years old. Almost all patients had a evidence of hypertension & hyperlipidemia. Two patients showed old myocardial infarction and remaining patients showed myocardial ischemia on resting state. The patterns of involvement of coronary artery disease were single vessel disease [4 cases], double vessel disease [3 cases], Triple vessel disease [1 case]. Among 5 cases of ACBS, double bypass graft was in 3 cases and single bypass graft was in 2 cases. Mode of anastomosis were all individual anastomosis, using Saphenous vein graft. Postoperative complications were perioperative myocardial infarction [2 cases], postoperative bleeding [1 case], leg wound disruption [1 case]. Perioperative myocardial infarction cases didn*t survive. In cases of PTCA, there were no complications. Follow up periods were ranged from 1 month to 25 months. All survived cases were asymptomatic except one case, who showed Functional Class II.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.248-251
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• 2019

Traumatic intrapulmonary glass foreign bodies that are missed on an initial examination can migrate and lead to severe complications. Here, we present a rare case of a traumatic intrapulmonary glass foreign body surgically removed by a direct pulmonary incision, which preserved the pulmonary parenchyma and avoided severe complications caused by migration.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.417-419
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• 2020

Surgeons avoid creating arteriovenous fistulae in obese patients owing to deep vessels, cannulation complications, and inconsistent outcomes. We describe placing an arteriovenous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft between the brachial artery and axillary vein to avoid these complications. A 39-year-old super-obese woman with end-stage renal disease had undergone several hemodialysis access procedures on both arms. We traced the course of the arteriovenous graft course with the patient sitting and lying down. The ideal course was more accurate with the patient sitting; thus, the patient sat when the course was drawn, before lying on the operating bed. The PTFE graft was placed between the right brachial artery and axillary vein, according to the course in the opposite arm. No anastomotic dehiscence or pseudoaneurysm has taken place during 2 years of follow-up. In super-obese patients, the ideal course for arteriovenous grafts should be drawn while they are sitting, avoiding skin folds. This tip could avoid anastomotic dehiscence and pseudoaneurysm between the axillary vein and a PTFE graft.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1213-1220
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• 1990

During the period of January 1979 to December 1988, 220 patients with empyema thoracis were treated in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School Hospital. There were 167 males[75.9%] and 53 females[24.1%] ranging from 18 days to 76 years of age. Occurrence ratio of left and right empyema was 1 : 1.9. The underlying pathologic lesions of empyema were pneumonia[30.9%], pulmonary tuberculosis[22.7%], chest trauma[8.6%] and postoperative complications. In bacteriologic study, staphylococcus, pseudomonas and streptococcus accounted for 26.4%, 11.8% and 9% respectively, and 25% were not identified. Surgical treatment modalities were thoracentesis[10 patients, 4.5%], closed thoracostomy[132, 60%], closed rib resection drainage[4.2, 6%], modified Eloesser’s operation[37, 16.8%], decortication[27, 12.3%], decortication with pulmonary resection[6, 2.7%], thoracoplasty[2, 0.9%], muscle flap closure [1, 0.5%], and staged pneumonectomy[1, 0.5%], The mortality rate was 2.3% and the complications were sepsis[9 patients]. acute renal failure[4], and paralytic ileus[3].

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2003

Sleep apnea syndrome is a common clinical disorder characterized by intermittent cessation of airflow at nose and mouth during sleep. The clinical significance of this syndrome is that it is one of the most common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness. It can also cause neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular complications. The standard for diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome is nocturnal polysomnography. Because polysomnography is a time-consuming and expensive test, many efforts have been made to replace polysomnography with a simpler system of monitoring, but no method has yet been approved as a definitive investigation method. The goals of treatment for this syndrome are to eliminate excessive daytime sleepiness and to reduce the risk of possible cardiovascular complications. Continuous positive airway pressure is the most definite and widely accepted treatment for achieving these goals. Other treatments such as surgical treatment, oral appliances, and behavioral therapy may be useful for selected patients who are mildly affected.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.12-18
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• 2003

Objectives : Hypertension is very prevalent disease, and causes serious cardiovascular complications. Nowadays optimal hypertension treatment is emphasized to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular complications. Auricular acupuncture therapy is economical, safe and effective. Its clinical application is various, and it can be used to control blood pressure. So The effect of auricular acupuncture therapy was investigated. Daily variation of blood pressure during needle-embedded period and variation of blood pressure by blood pressure classification were observed. Methods : The auricular acupuncture points we used were Gangapjeom (降壓點), Sinmun (神門), Gyogam (交感), Sim(心), and Icheom (耳尖). Auricular acupuncture needles were embedded for three days. Blood pressure was checked four times per day and the mean obtained. Results : The following results were obtained : 1. During needle-embedded period, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased. Blood pressure decreased most significantly 2 days after treatment. 2. The change of blood pressure in the higher blood pressure group was more remarkable than that of the lower blood pressure group. Conclusions : Through this research, auricular acupuncture therapy is considered as an effective and safe method to lower blood pressure.