• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.278-284
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• 1996

Nine infants with transposition of great arteries have undergone arterial switch operation from May 1989 to May 1994 in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital. Patients' age ranged from 3 days to 90 days, averaging 30$\pm$21 days. Diagnosis was made by two-dimensional echocardiography in all patients. Eight patients were diagnosed as transposition of great arteries with ventricular septal defect and one patient was a simple transposition of great arteries. Associated anomalies were patent ductus arteriosus (8), atrial septal defect (7) and coarctation of aorta(1). The anatomy of the coronary arteries were 7 (77 %) type A and 2 (23 %) type D according to the Yacoub classification. Pulmonary artery reconstruction was done according to Lecompte maneuver with tautologous pericardial patch in 8 patients. Overall operative mortality rate was 55% Left heart failure and pulmonary hypertensive crisis were the cause of death on postoperative 1~2 days in three patients, and two succumbed to death due to sepsis on postoperative 2~ 3 weeks. The mean follow-up period was mean 17 months. No patient had clinically significant postoperative aortic regurgitation and supravalvular pulmonary stenosis. The excessive use of inotropic support postoperatively was identified as a stastically significant risk factor following the arterial switch operation. But other variables such as low body weight, long cardiopulmonary bypass time, excessive hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia and volume loading were not significant risk factors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.379-382
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• 1999

Background: There are several advantages to the ministernotomy approach. The skin incision is much smaller than the traditional median sternotomy incision. This approach allows the patients to return to normal life more quickly and provide them with good self-image. Material and Method: From April to July 1998, we performed a ministernotomy via lower half sternum in 25 patients. There were 10 males(40%) and 15 females(60%) with a mean age of 30${\pm}$16 years(range 3 to 55 years). The body surface area ranged from 0.58 to 1.9 m2(mean 1.5 to 0.4 m2). A vertical skin incision of 11cm in mean length was made in the midline over the sternum extending inferiorly from the third intercostal space. The sternum was divided vertically in the midline from the xyphoid process to the level of second intercostal space using a standard saw and then transversely to the left(n=17) or to both sides(n=4) of the second intercostal space using an oscillating saw. The sternum was divided vertically only in children (n=4). Result: The ministernotomy was used in 25 consecutive patients undergoing mitral valve replacement(n=10), repair of ventricular septal defect(n=4) and atrial septal defect(n=11). There was no significant complication related to ministernotomy. The mean ICU stay time 20 hours. Patient and family acceptance was very high. Conclusion: We concluded that minimally invasive cardiac surgery via ministernotomy can be done safely. These methods may benefit the patients with lesser discomfort, smaller incision, and earlier ICU discharge than the traditional incision.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.727-734
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• 2004

The Lecompte procedure for transposition of the great arteries has an advantage because it obviates the need for an extracardiac conduit for the reconstruction of the pulmonary outflow tract. We evaluated the effectiveness and the application of the Lecompte procedure. Material and Method: A retrospective review was conducted of the records of 46 patients who underwent the Lecompte procedure during the past 15 years. Mean age at operation was 29.2$\pm$20.3 (range: 3∼83) months. The diagnoses involved anomalies of the ventriculoarterial connection with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary outflow tract obstruction, such as transposition of the great arteries, double-outlet right ventricle, and double-outlet left ventricle. Result: Early mortality was 4.4% (2 of 46 patients) and late mortality was 6.8% (3 of 44). The mean follow-up was 11.2$\pm$6.9 years. Eighteen patients (43.9% of survivors, n=41) had pulmonary stenosis (pressure gradient above 30 mmHg), the main reason for which was a calcified monocusp valve (n=15, 83.3%). Seventeen of 46 patients (37.0%) underwent reoperation: 15 for pulmonary stenosis, 5 for residual ventricular septal defect, 4 for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, 3 for pulmonary insufficiency, and 4 for other causes. The cumulative survival rates were 91.3$\pm$4.2%, and 87.0$\pm$5.8% at 10 and 15 years, respectively. The actuarial probabilities of freedom from reoperation for pulmonary stenosis were 90.6$\pm$4.5%, 73.9$\pm$7.3%, and 54.0$\pm$10.4% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Conclusion: The Lecompte procedure is an effective treatment modality. Repair in early age is possible with acceptable morbidity and mortality, but recurrent right ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by degeneration of the monocusp valve is a problem that needs resolution.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 1997

Objeitives. The surgical mortality of congenital heart defects has been reduced (or the very young age group. Especially, young age at repair is an important risk factor for mortality after repair of tetralogy of Falloff. Some risk factors were analyzed Methods. Three hundred and sixty six patients underwent surgical Intervention. Ages ranged from 5 days to 64 years, and 80 patients were adults(over 15 years of age). The defects consisted of 313(84.2%) acyanotic and 53(15.8%) cyanotic anomalies. The surgical mortalities were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results. The overall surgical mortality was 10.4%. Mos deaths occurred in the infant group younger than 6 months(20/38 deaths) and in cyanotic group(21/38 deaths). Surgical infant mortality younger than 12 months was 24.8%(25/101). Risk factors of mortality in open heart surgery were age(p< 0.0001), body weight(p< 0.0001), pump time(p< 0.0001), aortic cross clamp time(p< 0.0001), use of total circulatory arrest(p<0.0001) and cyanotic disease(p<0.0001) by univariate analysis. But by multivariate analysis, the risk factor of mortality in open heart surgery was disease entity(p=0.002) only. A disease group with the highest risk was a cyanotic group(odds ratio was 15.3 relative to ventricular septal defect) excluding tetralogy of Falloff(odds ratio=0.27). Conclusions. Even though the most important risk factor was disease entity, we should conentrate our efforts on the technically improvable factors affecting surgical mortality indicated by univarlate analysis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.270-274
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• 1997

In recent years, the use of allograft conduits in repair of congenital cardiac disease is widely accepted. However, the supply of homograft. is currently limiting their increased clinical application, especially small cryopreserved homografts for use in neonates and inf'ants. We used a technique to surgically reduce the size of the more readily available large-diameter allografts, making them suitable for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in small infants and children. From December 1994 to March 1996, a total of 11 patients ranging in age from 10 months to 6 years (mean age, 27.3 months) and ranging in weight from 5.6 to 18.5 kg (mean 11.5 kg) underwent reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract using this surgical technique (pulmo ary atresia with ventricular septal defect, 9 cases ; tetralogy of Falloff, 2 cases). The diameter after downsizing ranged from 14 to 19 mm with a mean of 16.8 mm. There was one operative death due to rupture of the infected homograft. Evaluation of these patients between 2 and 15 months (mean 6.9 months) after homograft implantation reveals excellent clinical and echocardiographic results. There were no significant homograft insufficiency and RVOT obstructions. Although a longer follow-up is certainly required to evaluate the long term fate of the surgically modified bicuspid homografts, we believe that this technique may represent a valuable therapeutic alternative, at least in the short term, to the use of synthetic grafts when an appropriately sized homograft is not available.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.674-684
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• 1991

The surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot [TOF] was initiated by Blalock and Taussig in 1945 with the establishment of the subclavian artery to pulmonary artery anastomosis. In an imaginative and daring effort, in 1954, Lillehei and collaborators [1955] using controlled cross-circulation, carried out the first intracardiac repair of TOF by closing the ventricular septal defect [VSD] and relieving the pulmonary stenosis under direct vision. Nowadays, total correction is the ideal operation for treatment of TOF and is accomplished with extracorporeal circulation. And the results of surgery for TOF have steadily improved over the years, thanks to important contributions of many surgeons. Nevertheless because of its protean physiologic and anatomic presentation, TOF continues to offer challenges to cardiologist and cardiac surgeons. Thirty two cases of TOF have undergone total corrective surgery using extracorporeal circulation in the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje University, from Oct. 1985 to Feb. 1990. Clinical considerations were applied to these cases and the results were obtained as follows. 1. The heart lung machine used for extracorporeal circulation was SarnsO 7000, 5-head roller pump, and the number and type of oxygenators were 10 of bubble type and 22 of membrane type. The mean bypass time was 148.9 minutes and the mean aortic cross clamp time was 123.8 minutes. The GIK [glucose-insulin-potassium] solution was used as cardioplegic solution for myocardial protection during operation. 2. 20 cases were male and 12 were female, the mean age was 8 years old and the mean body weight was 25Kg. 3. The preoperative symptoms were cyanosis [29 cases], squatting [27 cases] and etc. The mean values of preoperative Hb., Hct., and SaO2 were 16.5 gm /dl, 50.3%, and 78.5%. 4. Combined anomalies were noticed in 16 cases [50%]. Among them 10 cases were PFO and 6 cases were ASD. 5. The degree of aorta overriding were 25% in 5 cases, 25 ~ 50% in 22 cases and above 50% in 5 cases. The dPA/Ao [ratio of diameter of pulmonary artery trunk to ascending aorta] were below 25% in 5 cases, 25 ~ 50% in 10 cases, 50 ~ 70% in 6 cases and above 75% in 11 cases. 6. The types of RVOT [right ventricular outflow tract] stenosis were valvular and infundibular in 14 cases [43.6%], diffuse hypoplastic type in 12 cases [37.5%], infundibular in 5 cases, and valvular and supravalvular in 1 case. 7. One stage radical corrective surgery was applied to the all cases. In widening of the RVOT, 3 types of patches were used: MVOP [monocusp ventricular outflow patch, Polystan BioprosthesesO] in 3 cases, knitted Dacron vessel patches in 2 cases, and double layer with bovine pericardium and woven Dacron prosthesis in 26 cases. 8. Postoperative complications were occurred in 15 cases. Among them, low output syndrome were occurred in 10 cases [31.3%] and 2 of them were expired postoperatively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.299-304
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• 2009

Background: Although the results of the surgical management for complete atrioventricular septal defect (c-AVSD) have improved, the optimal surgical strategy is still controversial. The aims of this study are to evaluate the outcome of c-AVSD repair and to define the risk factors related to reoperation. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 35 patients (8 males and 27 females) who underwent the total correction of c-AVSD from August 1996 to March 2008. The median age at repair was 5.2 months (range: 3 days$\sim$82 months). Sixteen patients (45.7%) were associated with Down syndrome. Prior palliative operations were performed in 4 patients. The one-patch techniques were performed in 3 patients, and the two-patch techniques were done in 32 patients. Result: There was 1 early death (2.9%). The median follow-up period was 68 months (range: $2\sim134$ months) for 34 survivors. There was no late death. Reoperations were performed in 5 patients (14.3%) for severe left atrioventricular valvular regurgitation (AVVR). Nine patients (25.7%) showed left an AVVR of more than grade III. Associated major cardiac anomalies and the use of Gore-Tex patch for ventricular septal closure were the risk factors for postoperative left atrioventricular valve failure and reoperation. Conclusion: In this study, we found that surgical repair of c-AVSD was safe and effective. However, the high reoperation rate after repair remains a problem to be solved.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.280-287
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• 2007

Background: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical results of surgically managing patients with Ebstein's anomaly. Material and Method: Between Feb. f 984 and June 2006, 50 patients who underwent surgical treatment for Ebstein's anomaly at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 26.9 years and 19 patients were male, Associated anomalies included atrial septal defect (33), patent ductus arteriosus (2), ventricular septal defect (1), and pulmonary stenosis (4), and 90%, (45/50) of the patients had more than a moderate degree of tricuspid regurgitation. Carpentier type A was present in 6 patients, type B in 26, type C in 14 and type D in 4. Ten patients were associated with WPW syndrome. Conservative surgery was possible in 31 patients (tricuspid annuloplasty, plication of the atrialized RV), Fontan's operation was peformed in 4 patients, tricuspid valve replacement was done in 12 and palliative surgery was done in 2 patients. Thirteen patients were associated with hi-directional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS: one and a half ventricular repairs): 10 patients with WPW syndrome and 4 patients with atrial fibrillation underwent concomitant ablation. Result: The postoperative median NYHA functional class $(3{\rightarrow}1)$ and the mean cardio-thoracic ratio $(0.65{\rightarrow}0.59)$ were decreased significantly (p<0.001, p=0.014). The mean oxygen saturation $(86.6{\rightarrow}94.1%)$, and median TR grade $(4{\rightarrow}1)$ were also significantly improved (p=0.004, p<0.001). For comparison of BCPS and conservative surgery, the preoperative right ventricular pressure (33.0 vs. 41.3 mmHg), the ICU stay (2.80 vs. 1.89 days), the hospital say (10.6 vs. 16.8 days), and the left ventricular ejection fraction (64.3 vs. 72.8%) were statistically different. Postoperative mortality occurred in 3 patients (6%) due to biventricular failure in 2 patients and sepsis in the other patient. The mean follow up duration was 101.5 months, and one patient died of Fontan failure and 6 patients required reoperation (bioprosthetic degenerative change (2) and Fontan conversion (4)). The overall survival rate at 10 years was 90.2%, the freedom from reoperation rate and rate of cardiac related events were 78.9% and 49.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Surgical management of Ebstein's anomaly can be performed safely, and the associated BCPS may be helpful for high-risk patients. Adequate application of surgical management may increase the long-term survival with a reduced rate of reoperation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.5 s.250
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• pp.335-348
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• 2005

Background: This retrospective review examines the preoperative condition, postoperative course, mortality and cause of death for the patients who underwent modified Blalock-Taussig shunt for complex congenital heart defects in early infancy. Material and Method: Fifty eight patients underwent modified Blalock-Taussig shunts from January 2000 to November 2003. The mean age at operation was $23.1\pm16.2$ days ($5\~81\;days$), and the mean body weight was $3.4\pm0.7\;kg\;(2.1\~4.3\;kg)$. Indications for surgery were pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect in 12 cases, pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum in 17, single ventricle (SV) in 18, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in 11. Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) was associated with SV in 4 cases. Result: There were 11 ($19.0\%$) early, and 5 ($10.6\%$) late deaths. Causes of early death included low cardiac output in 9, arrhythmia in 1, and multiorgan failure in 1. Late deaths resulted from pneumonia in 2, hypoxia in 1, and sepsis in 1. Risk factors influencing mortality were preoperative pulmonary hypertension, metabolic acidosis, use of cardiopulmonary bypass, HLHS and TAPVR. Twenty four patients ($41.4\%$) had hemodynamic instability during the 48 postoperative-hours. Six patients underwent shunt revision for occlusion, and 1 shunt division for pulmonary overflow. Conclusion: Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt for complex congenital heart defects in early infancy had satisfactory results except in high risk groups. Many patients had early postoperative hemodynamic instability, which means that continuous close observation and management are mandatory in this period. Aggressive management may appear warranted based on understanding of hemodynamic changes for high risk groups.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.426-433
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• 2009

Background: Remarkable progress has recently been made in achieving successful early repair of congenital heart disease with using cardiopulmonary bypass in the neonatal period. The aim of this study is to evaluate our short-term outcomes for performing neonatal cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation. Material and Method: Fifty five neonates underwent open heart surgery from February 2002 to December 2007. The mean ages and body weight was 13.5 days. and 3.2 kg, respectively. The diagnoses of the patients were transposition of the great arteries (14), total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (7), large ventricular septal defect (VSD) (7), coarotation of the aorta with VSD (6), interrupted aortic arch (5) and others (16). Result: Six patients had difficulties being weaned from extracorporeal circulation. Four patients left the operating room with an open sternum. Low cardiac output syndrome and acute renal insufficiency were observed in 3 patients each, respectively. Post-operative complications were observed in 27 patients (49.1%). The postoperative mortality was 12.7% (7 patients); 5 patients experienced early hospital death and 2 experienced late death (2). Conclusion: In our hospital, early surgical repair with extracorporeal circulation in neonates was feasible with tolerable mortality. Further follow-up required to establish the long-term survival and complications.