• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.90-95
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• 1995

Effective relief of dysphagia in unresectable esophageal cancer patients not only prolong survival but also is prerequisite for other treatment modalities.We tried surgical resection in 4 patients who had unresectable esophageal cancer,managed initially with esophageal prosthesis then followed by chemotherapy with good response. Curative resection was possible in 2 patients and palliative resection in one and exploration only in one case.Curatively resected patients are alive without recurrence for 57 months,8 months,each.Other non-curatively resected patients died after 10 months,7 months. Above results suggest that initial esophageal prosthesis to relieve dysphagia followed by chemotherapy in unresectable esophageal cancer may provide another chances for curative resection that promise better survival and need more clinical experience and trial.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2001

Background : Electrolarynx, Esophageal voice, and Silicone voice prosthesis with tracheoesophageal(T-E) fistula have been used as vocal rehabilitating methods for the post-laryngectomized patients. Prosthetic rehabilitation of voice after total laryngectomy has gained wide acceptance and has become a common practice in many clinics since the pioneering works of Singer and Blom In 1979. Since the introduction of tracheo-esophageal puncture and application of Blom Singer$\circledR$ voice prosthesis in 1980, several reliable voice prostheses have been developed and are successfully being used. Objectives : Even though quality of voice produced by Silicone voice prosthesis with T-E fistula is superior to other modalities, it still has some disadvantages. We devised a new cannulatyped silicone voice prosthesis. Methods : 1) Devising a new prototype of cannula-typed silicone voice prosthesis. 2) Application of the prototype using canine animal model(laryngectormized dog) and fitting trial on human patient whose previously inserted Silicone voice prosthesis is not functioning due to presumed fungal infection. Discussion : Final form of prototype was made after several times of major and minor modifications. Insertion of the newly developed Cannula-typed Silicone voice prosthesis on canine animal model and human trial were done without any difficulty. There were no serious leakage of saliva or food during swallowing. Conclusion : The newly developed Cannula-typed Silicone voice prosthesis(So-Mang$\circledR$) and the modified replacement method will further improve the results of post-laryngectomized prosthetic voice rehabilitation. Long-term animal study and human trial are planned in the near future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.601-604
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• 2000

Actinomycosis is an indolent, suppurative infection caused by an anaerobic gram-positive organism(usually actinomyces israelii) which usually causes infection in the face, mediastitum, lung, and abdomen. Primary esophageal actinomycosis which is not related with pulmonary or mediastinal actinomycosis, is very rare, especially in immunocompetent host. A 58-year-old woman has been suffered from dysphagia, odynophagia, and chest pain after insertion of esophageal stent in esophageal acid stricture. She underwent a esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy for above mentioned symptoms. Pathologic diagnosis was a esophageal actinomycosis.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2003

Cancers of the cervical esophagus occur uncommonly, but treatment is remaining a challenging problem and surgery demands special knowledge of abdominal, thoracic, and neck surgery. The primary risk factor is chronic heartburn, leading to a sequence of esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, reflux esophagitis and etc. Among the various treatment modalities, Surgery is still a mainstay of treatment. The main aim of surgery is not only oncologically adequate resection but also preservation or restoration of physiologic functions, such as deglutition and phonation. Surgical treatment of cervical esophageal cancer is influenced by special problems arising from tumor factors, patient factors and surgeon factors. Complete clearance of loco-regional disease and prevention of postoperative complications are of particular importance for the improvement of long-term survival in patients with these cancers. So the cervical and thoracic extension of these tumors usually required an extensive lymphadenectomy with primary resection. Radical resection of the primary site almostly include sacrifice of the larynx, but the voice could be rehabilitated with various methods, such as tracheoesophageal prosthesis or tracheoesophageal shunts, etc. Restoration of the esophageal conduit can be performed using gastric or colon interposition, radial forearm free flap or jejunum free flap, etc. Recently, the advances of radiation therapy and chemotherapy will enable less extended resections with greater rates of laryngeal preservation. At initial presentation, up to 50％ to 70％ of patients will have advanced locoregional or distant disease with virtually no chance for cure. Patients with advanced but potentially resectable esophageal cancer are generally treated by surgery with some form of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both, with 5-year survivals in the 20％ to 30％ range. So the significant adverse factors affecting survival should be taken into account to select the candidates for surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2002

Background and Objectives : Esophageal voice, Silicone voice Prosthesis with tracheo-esophageal (T-E) puncture have been used as vocal rehabilitation methods for postlaryngectomy. However, long-term follow-up in the voice rehabilitation in the total laryngectomees has not been reported. The purpose of this study is to analyze practice of postlaryngectomy voice rehabilitation and to find the effective voice rehabilitation. Materials and Methods : From Jan 1992 until June 2002, 75 patients underwent a total laryngectomy at Yongdong Severance Hospital. We retrospectively studied voice rehabilitation methods commonly used, acquisition levels of esophageal speech, patients satisfaction scale (5 rating scale) according to the methods in 33 of them (40 died, 2 unavailable) by using charts review, telephone interview. Results : T-E speech is most commonly used by 14 patients (42.4%) : A tracheo-esophageal procedure (primary or secondary puncture) by 21 : and 8 patients removed Provox. 1 patient had no voice rehabilitation. 7 patients (21.2%) have used esophageal speech : 4 patients of them have used it after removing Provox. Electrolarynx has been used with other voice rehabilitation methods : 4 patients have only used this method and 3 patients with T-E speech, 1 patient with esophageal speech. However, 6 patients (18%) remained without a substitute voice rehabilitation. In the satisfaction with speech and management of voice rehabilitation methods, patients using esophageal speech were most satisfied (4.1), patients with T-E speech were unsatisfied (2.3). Regarding with the acquisition level of esophageal speech in 33 patients, 22 patients (66.6%) failed without functional speech. Conclusion : To increase patients satisfaction and to achieve successful voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy, preoperative counseling, pretesting, appropriate patient selection of each method and team decision-making and postoperative voice therapy must be considered.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2008

Total laryngectomy is the most useful procedure tor advanced laryngopharyngeal cancer, but it remains the major problem such as loss of voice. Voice restoration is essential for every patients who undergo a total laryngectomy. Ideal voice rehabilitation methods can resolve three factors. First, every laryngectomee can produce voice sufficient for communication, second every patient should be allowed to use both hands freely during phonation, and last, the voice restoration methods should be easy and safe without complication during and after treatment. Among various voice rehabilitation procedures during or after total laryngectomy, it can be divided electronic and pneumatic methods. In pneumatic methods, there are also divided both pulmonary air and non-pulmonary air methods. The non-pulmonary air methods include esophageal speech, buccal speech, and pharyngeal speech. Pulmonary air methods are divided into surgical and non-surgical such as pneumatic speech aid. In the surgical methods, there are neoglottic operation, tracheopharyngeal shunt, and tracheopharyngeal shunt operations. Recently, tracheoesophageal shunt with or without prosthesis are being recognized the most effective method. Blom-Singer low pressure prosthesis, Panje button, and Provox are well known types of prosthesis in the tracheoesophageal shunt operation. Amatsu method is a kind of famous tracheoesophageal shunt method without using prosthesis. Authors tried to review the published articles for evaluation of effectiveness and problems of tracheoesophageal shunt operation with or without prosthesis. In conclusion, indwelling type of prosthesis and pharyngeal myotomy and plexus neurectomy are recommended for higher success rate during tracheoesophageal puncture procedure. More over, Amatsu method is also one of the recommended voice rehabilitation procedure during total laryngectomy. In this situation, pharyngeal myotomy and plexus neurectomy may be helpful for better fluent communication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.843-847
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• 2001

Background: Replacement of the esophagus remains a challenge for surgeons involved in esophageal disease. From 1996 to 1999, a total of 27 patients with esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal transfer(12cases) or esophagogastrostomy(15cases). To determine the results such as leakage of anastomosis site, stenosis, reflux esophagitis and operation time, respiratory complications, etc. we reviewed the 4 years experiences. Material and method: Palliative bypass surgery or esophageal prosthesis and cancers of the pharyngoesophageal or esophagogastric junction were excluded in this study. Resection was usually peformed through right thoracotomy and anastomosis was made with EEA staplers in esophagogas-trstomy. In cases of jejunal free transfer, 6cases of proximal esophagojejunostomy were stapled anastomosed and remaining 6 cases and all distal site were hand-sewn anastomosed. All reconstruction was done through posteromediastinal route. Result: There were two mortalities from thoracic esophagogastrostomy and one from jeunal free transfer. Major and minor complications(anastomosis site leakage: 3 cases, graft failure: 2cases etc) occurred in 27 cases. In 15 thoracic esophagogastrostomy cases, 11 patients had mild to moderate reflux esophagitis and 5 patients incurred stricture of the anastomosis. Operation time was about 550$\pm$280 minutes in jejunal free transfer, and about 300$\pm$ 160 minutes in esophagogastromy patients. Conclusion: Post operative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia were more frequent in Ivor-Lewis operation group than jejunal free transfer group; however, respiratory complications and operation time were significantly longer in jejunal (roe transfer group(p<0.05). To minimize the incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia, patient evaluation focused on jejunal free transfer surgery is better than esophagogastrostomy followed by adequate post operative care.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.789-794
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• 2015

Swallowing disorders or dysphagia, which are difficulties with the act of swallowing, can occur at different phases such as oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phase in the swallowing process. These disorders can be caused by structural, functional abnormalities or psychological problems. Dentists can actively provide patients suffering from dysphagia with comprehensive professional care, especially from the cognitive stage of food to the pharyngeal stage of the swallow. Many cases of dysphagia can be improved with careful managements based on dental professionals' knowledge, including meticulous evaluation of masticatory and swallowing functions, training on eating and swallowing, and fabrication of palatal or lingual augmentation prosthesis. The important thing is that prevention of these disorders through the oral health care instruction and planned follow-up dental visit at periodic intervals in order to manage the problems caused by anatomical, functional, and psychological reason.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.617-632
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• 2022

Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) and voice prosthesis insertion following laryngectomy may fail to form an adequate seal. When spontaneous closure of the fistula tract does not occur after conservative measures, surgical closure is required. The purpose of this study was to summarize the available evidence on surgical methods for TEP site closure. A comprehensive search across PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane was performed to identify studies describing surgical techniques, outcomes, and complications for TEP closure. We evaluated the rate of unsuccessful TEP closure after surgical management. A meta-analysis with a random-effect method was performed. Thirty-four studies reporting on 144 patients satisfied inclusion criteria. The overall incidence of an unsuccessful TEP surgical closure was 6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1-13%). Subgroup analysis showed an unsuccessful TEP closure rate for silicone button of 8% (95% CI < 1-43%), 7% (95% CI < 1-34%) for dermal graft interposition, < 1% (95% CI < 1-37%) for radial forearm free flap, < 1% (95% CI < 1-52%) for ligation of the fistula, 17% (95% CI < 1-64%) for interposition of a deltopectoral flap, 9% (95% CI < 1-28%) for primary closure, and 2% (95% CI < 1-20%) for interposition of a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. Critical assessment of the reconstructive modality should take into consideration previous history of surgery or radiotherapy. Nonirradiated fields and small defects may benefit from fistula excision and tracheal and esophageal multilayer closure. In cases of previous radiotherapy, local flaps or free tissue transfer yield high successful TEP closure rates. Depending on the defect size, sternocleidomastoid muscle flap or fasciocutaneous free flaps are optimal alternatives.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 1991

Reconstruction of the pharynx and cervical esophagus presents a tremendous surgical challenge to the Head and Neck Surgeon. Because life expectancy of patients with advanced carcinoma of the hypopharynx, and cervical esophagus is limited, treatment must be aimed at palliation. A variety of techiques have been proposed over the years with none proving entirely satisfactory. These techiques include prosthesis; skin graft; cervical flaps; tubed cutaneous and myocutaneous chest flaps; visceral reconstruction with stomach, colon. and jejunum; and jejunal free autografts. Many factors dictate the best method of reconstruction in any given clinical situation. The goal of the surgery is a one-stage reconstruction of swallowing function with minimal morbidity to allow as short a hospital stay as posible. Nine patients underwent the free jejunal autograft reconstruction of the pharyngoesophagus after the ablative surgery for the advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. Postoperative complications included one perioperative death, two abdominal wound dehiscences, two neck hematomas, one carotid rupture, one funtional dysphagia, one late strictures. There were no graft failure, no immediate stenosis and no fistula. An oral diet was started between days 8 and 16, with an average of 9 days and median of 8 days. Patients left the hospital between days 9 and days 38, with an average of 23.4 days and median of 23 days. This method of reconstruction is advocated as reliable palliative procedure with short-term follow-up. In conclusion, we at Korea Cancer Center Hospital are of the opinion that the free jejunal autograft offers an excellent, safe and relative easy method of the pharyngeal and cervical esophageal reconstruction with significant advantages over other techiques.