• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2012

Background: Pneumonectomy remains the ultimate curative treatment modality for destroyed lung caused by tuberculosis despite multiple risks involved in the procedure. We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent pneumonectomy for treatment of sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis to determine the risk factors of early and long-term outcomes. Materials and Methods: Between January 1980 and December 2008, pneumonectomy or pleuropneumonectomy was performed in 73 consecutive patients with destroyed lung caused by tuberculosis. There were 48 patients with empyema (12 with bronchopleural fistula [BPF]), 11 with aspergilloma and 7 with multidrug resistant tuberculosis. Results: There were 5 operative mortalities (6.8%). One patient had intraoperative uncontrolled arrhythmia, one had a postoperative cardiac arrest, and three had postoperative respiratory failure. A total of 29 patients (39.7%) suffered from postoperative complications. Twelve patients (16.7%) were found to have postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE), 4 patients had wound infections (5.6%), and 7 patients required re-exploration due to postoperative bleeding (9.7%). The prevalence of PPE increased in patients with preoperative empyema (p=0.019). There were five patients with postoperative BPF, four of which occurred in right-side operation. The only risk factor for BPF was the right-side operation (p=0.023). The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 88.9% and 76.2%, respectively. The risk factors for late deaths were old age (${\geq}50$ years, p=0.02) and low predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (< 1.2 L, p=0.02). Conclusion: Although PPE increases in patients with preoperative empyema and postoperative BPF increases in right-side operation, the mortality rates and long-term survival rates were found to be satisfactory. However, the follow-up care for patients with low predicted postoperative FEV1 should continue for prevention and early detection of pulmonary complication related to impaired pulmonary function.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.244-249
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• 2008

Konkuk University Hospital (KUH), which opened in September 2005, is currently categorized as a secondary hospital. Early on after its establishment, the surgical residents and nurses were relatively inexperienced in the treatment of stomach cancer. Therefore, the quality of surgery for stomach cancer at KUH may be different from that of the existing large-scale tertiary hospitals. The purpose of this study is first to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of the gastric cancer patients at the KUH, and second to compare our morbidity & mortality rates with those of previous studies, and we also analyzed the risk factors of morbidity at the early stage of a training hospital. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively collected the clinicopathological characteristics and the post-operative morbidity rates and mortality rates with using the electronic medical records of all the patients who went under a gastric cancer operation at KUH from September 2005 to April 2008. Results: The total number of gastric cancer patients who underwent operation was 201. The morbidity rate and death rate at KUH were 10.4% and 0.5%, respectively. The morbidity has increased with an older age. The other variables had no influence on morbidity. Conclusion: The morbidity rate, death rate and the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer patients at KUH were similar to those of the previous reports. We found that age is the main factor affecting the morbidity rate after stomach cancer surgery. For further surgical qualification of stomach cancer surgery at KUH, it is necessary to collect the survival data of patients who undergo stomach cancer surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.240-248
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• 2014

Background: Open heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is considered one of the most frequent surgical procedures in which acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and serious complication. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as an early AKI biomarker after CPB in cardiac surgery (CS). Methods: Thirty-seven adult patients undergoing CS with CPB were included in this retrospective study. They had normal preoperative renal function, as assessed by the creatinine (Cr) level, NGAL level, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Serial evaluation of serum NGAL and Cr levels was performed before, immediately after, and 24 hours after the operation. Patients were divided into two groups: those who showed normal immediate postoperative serum NGAL levels (group A, n=30) and those who showed elevated immediate postoperative serum NGAL levels (group B, n=7). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18. Results: Of the 37 patients, 6 (6/37, 16.2%) were diagnosed with AKI. One patient belonged to group A (1/30, 3.3%), and 5 patients belonged to group B (5/7, 71.4%). Two patients in group B (2/7, 28.5%) required further renal replacement therapy. Death occurred in only 1 patient (1/37, 2.7%), who belonged to group B. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that postoperative plasma NGAL levels can be used as an early biomarker for the detection of AKI following CS using CPB. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm our results.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1411-1416
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• 2002

Purpose : Although the use of intravenous gamma-globulin(IVGG) in Kawasaki disease(KD) is effective in reducing clinical symptoms and coronary artery complications, 20-30% of patients have persistent or recrudescent fever and ongoing clinical symptoms. In these patients, the additional infusion of IVGG is considered. The authors studied the characteristics of patients who received IVGG retreatment, and compared them with the patients who did not need IVGG retreatment, for determination of IVGG retreatment. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 117 KD patients who could be followed up at least six months. We studied the conventional laboratory findings, electrocardiogram(EKG), signal averaged ECG(SAECG) and echocardiogram. Results : Twenty three patients had early cardiac complications during the six months of follow-up. Four patients had late cardiac complications after six months. The early cardiac complication rate was higher in the IVGG retreatment group than the single infusion group(P<0.0001). The late complication rate was also higher in the retreatment group(P<0.0001). The patients who received methyl-prednisolone(m-PD) pulse therapy had much higher rates of early and late cardiac complications than those who received a single IVGG infusion. Among the clinical data and laboratory findings, only CRP increased significantly in patients who have had the cardiac complications. The IVGG retreatment group had increased CRP than the single infusion group. Conclusion : The patients with increased initial CRP may have an increased incidence of complications and an increased possibility of IVGG retreatment. We thought that retreated KD patients might have inflammations severe enough to need high dose IVGG as shown by high CRP levels, and IVGG retreatment could not prevent coronary artery lesions sufficiently.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.987-991
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• 2004

Background: Inadequate drainage of traumatic hemothoraces may result in prolonged hospitalization and complication such as empyema, fibrothorax and pleural calcification. This needs to be the placement of a tube thorascostomy which is efficacious in more than 80% of cases. Other cases require surgical treatment. Material and Method: From March 2002 to February 2003, there were 123 patients who was done closed thorascostomy in traumatic hemothorax. 10 patients (group I) were undergone early retained clot evacuation with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery, but 5 patients (group II) who developed a localized hematoma or empyema were operated. Male were more than female and mean average was similar in both group. The most common cause of injury was traffic accidents and frequently combined lesions were a abdomen. Result: Interval from injury and operation, mean operation time, duration of tube drainage and hospital stay in group I were shorter than group II (p<0.05). Operation-related complication and recurrence of fluid collection within follow up period (17.8$\pm$3.8 months) in group I were none, but in group II (21.5$\pm$5.3 months) were 2 cases. Conclusion: Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be utilized as an effective and safe method for the removal of retained clotted hemothorax within 7 days.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.4651-4655
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• 2015

The subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm in blunt trauma is uncommon and rarely occurs secondary to penetrating injury. Subclavian artery injuries represent an uncommon complication of blunt chest trauma, this structure being protected by subclavius muscle, the clavicle, the first rib, and the deep cervical fascia as well as the costo-coracoid ligament, a clavi-coraco-axillary fascia portion. Subclavian artery injury appears early after trauma, and arterial rupture may cause life-threatening hemorrhages, pseudoaneurysm formation and compression of brachial plexus. Most injuries were related to clavicle fracture, gunshot, other penetrating trauma, and complication of central line insertion. The presence of large hematomas and pulsatile palpable mass in supraclavicular region should raise the suspicion of serious vascular injury and these clinical evidences must be carefully worked out by physical examination of the upper limb. Since the first reports of endovascular treatment for traumatic vascular injuries in the 1993, an increasing number of vascular lesions have been treated this way. We report a case of subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm 10 days after blunt chest trauma due to traffic accident, treated by endovascular stent grafting.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2007

Background and Objectives：Microvascular free flap reconstruction has been revolutionized in last two decades, and became a standard option in the reconstruction of head and neck defects. We intended to review our experiences of 51 microvascular free flap for head and neck defects during 5-year period and to analyze the types of flaps according to primary sites, success and complication rates. Subjects and Methods：From Oct. 2001 through Dec. 2005, fifty one free flap reconstructions were performed in forty nine patients at ENT department of Soonchunhyang university bucheon hospital. Primary sites, pathology, T-stage, operative time, time interval of oral feeding, and various reconstructive factors such as recipient and donor vessels, free flap related complications, failure rates and salvage rates were retrospectively analyzed. The relation between complication rates and preoperative risk factors were statistically analyzed. Results：Methods of reconstruction were radial forearm free flap(RFFF)(n=28, 54.9%), anterolateral thigh free flaps(n=9, ALTFF)(17.6%), rectus abdominis free flap(n=7, RAFF)(13.7%), jejunal free flap(n=5, JFF)(9.8%), and miscellanous(n=2, 4.0%) in order. In free flap related complications, failure of free flap occurred in seven cases(13.7%) and pharyngocutaneous fistula occurred in five cases(9.8%) among fifty one free flaps. The overall success rate of free flaps was 86.3%. Salvage of free flaps was possible only one among eight cases(12.5%). In positive preoperative risk factor groups, failure of free flap was higher than in negative risk factor group. However, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion：We confirmed that free flap reconstructions are highly versatile and reliable options for use in the reconstruction of various soft tissue defects of the head and neck. Free flaps have gained great popularity given its versatility, ability for a two-team approach, and minimal donor site morbidity. However, complications related to microvascular surgery may be overcome by increased surgical experience and by intensive flap monitoring in early postoperative period.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.515-519
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• 2003

Supernumerary teeth are teeth added to the normal complement of teeth. They are most often found in the maxillary anterior region. Most supernumerary teeth in the maxillary anterior region have complications, such as impaction or malposition of permanent teeth, formation of diastema, cysts, and eruption into the nasal cavity or into the oral cavity. These complications have influence on deciding the treatment and its prognosis is depends on how these complications are treated. In clinical studies, it has been found that the removal of supernumerary teeth before the age of 5 years resulted in significant fewer eruption problems of the permanent tooth compared to removal at 7 years of age or later. However, such an early removal may leads to serious consequences of tooth development and behavioral management of patients. Therefore clinicians must consider complications of supernumerary tooth when deciding the time of removal. These cases report five-type of complication associated with supernumerary tooth such as diastema, delayed eruption, external root resorption, migration into nasal cavity and cyst formation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.195-199
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• 1997

From Dec. 1992 to Dec. 1995, 20 patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease in the lower extremities underwent arter al bypass surgery. The age of the patients ranged between 46 and 77 years(mean .60.8 years) and the most prevalent incidence was in the 7th decades. The mean follow up period was 18.8 months ranging from 4 to 36 months. Associated diseases were diabetus mellitus(25%), hypertension (35%), cerebrovascular accident(25%), and acute myocardial infarction(5%). Disabling intermittent claudifcation(35%), resting pain(20%) or ischemic gangrene(or ulceration)(45%) were operative indications. Aorto-bifemoral bypass in 4 cases, aorto-single femoral bypass in 2 cases, Aorto-bifemoral bypass and femoropopliteal bypass in 3 cases, aorto-single femoral bypass and femoropopliteal bypass in 1 case, femoropopliteal bypass in 4 cases, femorotibial bypass in 1 case, popliteotibial bypass 4 cases and femorofemoral bypass in 1 case were the surgical approches. Early thrombosis(2 cases) and wound infection(2 case) were main complication. Postoperative complication rate was 20% . Postoperative patency rates re 92.6% at 6 months, 84.2% at 1 year, 75.4% at 2 years and 69.4% at 3 years.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.273-277
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• 2004

Methotrexate is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis as an anti-inflammatory agent, but treatment with methotrexate can lead to severe side effects, especially pulmonary complication. Interstitial pneumonitis is one of the most important pulmonary adverse effects of methotrexate and most patient present with a subacute febrile illness and peripheral eosinophilia is seen in about a half of patients. Almost all patients have abnormal chest roentgenograms and bibasilar interstitial infiltration with alveolar pulmonary consolidations is the most characteristic finding. Interstitial inflammation with mononuclear cell infiltration is a characteristic pathologic feature and findings that suggest acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, such as bronchiolitis, granuloma formation with giant cells, and infiltration with eosinophils are often present. Methotrexate-induced pneumonitis is a potentially life threatening and unpredictable complication but it is difficult to make a definite diagnosis in the absence of high index of clinical suspicion. Early recognition and appropriate management may avoid the serious outcome. Herein we report a case of methotrexate-induced pneumonitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.