• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.330-332
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• 1999

A 40-year-old woman underwent plication by video-assisted thoracoscopy for left diaphragmatic eventration. Normalization in the position of the left diaphragm and a marked improvement in the left lung expansion were identified on the chest X-ray. This technique offers the patients many advantages of the minimally invasive operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.229-237
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• 2023

Background: We aimed to demonstrate the advances we have achieved in pectus excavatum surgery over the last 10 years, with a particular focus on the refinement of pectus bar stabilization techniques and devices. Methods: In total, 1,526 patients who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum surgery from 2013 to 2022 were enrolled and analyzed. We have pursued a new paradigm of crane-powered remodeling of the entire chest wall. The method of bar stabilization has changed from claw fixators to hinge plates and, finally, to bridge plate connections. We also evaluated the effectiveness of the hinge plate (group H) and the bridge plate (group B). Results: The bar displacement rates were 0.1% (n=2) for the claw fixator, 0% for the hinge plate (n=0), and 0% for the bridge plate (n=0). We stopped using the claw fixator in 2022 and the hinge plate in 2019. Since 2022, when we shifted to a multiple-bar technique for all patients, the bridge plate has replaced both the claw fixator and the hinge plate. No bar displacement occurred in either group. Group H had more pleural effusion, wound problems (p<0.05), and longer stays (5.5 vs. 6.2 days, p=0.034) than group B. Conclusion: We have made significant progress in pectus repair surgery over the last decade, particularly in stabilizing the pectus bar and reducing perioperative complications. Our current strategy is the multiple-bar approach with bridge stabilization. Since the bridge-only technique resulted in no bar displacement, we could eliminate the invasive claw fixator or hinge plate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.186-190
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• 2021

Background: Pre-lifting of the sternum marked a major turning point in pectus excavatum repair. The author developed the crane technique in 2002 and successfully applied it to more than 2,000 cases using sternal wire stitching. However, blind sternal suturing limited the use of the wire-stitch crane. We propose a novel screw for sternal lifting as a new tool for the crane technique. Methods: We developed a screw system strong enough to withstand the pressure needed for sternum lifting. The screw was designed to have a broader thread to hold the bony tissue securely. The screw's sustaining power was tested using the torsion, driving torque, and axial pull-out tests in a polyurethane block and ex-vivo porcine sternum. Results: The screws were easily driven into the sternum, and the head of the screw was connectable to the table-mounted retractor. In the torsion test, the 2° offset torsional yield was 4.53 N·m (reference value, 1 N·m). In the polyurethane block driving torque test, the maximum torque was 0.98 N·m (reference value, 0.70 N·m). The axial pull-out test was 446 N (reference value, 100 N). The maximum pull-out resistance in the ex-vivo porcine sternum model was 1,516 N. Conclusion: The screw crane was strong enough to sustain the chest wall weight to be lifted. Thus, the screws could effectively replace the sternal wire stitching in crane pre-lifting of the sternum. We expect that application of the screw-crane will be easy and that it will improve the safety and success rate of pectus repair surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.472-476
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• 2001

Background: Minimally invasive surgery of pectus excavatum by Dr. Nuss is a new technique that allows the repair of this deformity without any cartilage resection or sternal osteotomy We describe the early experiences with Nuss procedure. Material and Method: From December 1999 to January 2001, twenty patients with pectus excavatum underwent repair by Nuss procedure There were 14 males and 6 females whose mean age was 10.1$\pm$7.7 years, ranging from 1 to 33 years. Most patients(N=19) were below 20 years, except 33 years old female patient(N=1). Result: The severity of depression was assessed by computed topography(CT). CT index was mean 4.9$\pm$5.7(ranged from 3.3 to 8). The average operating time was 85.8$\pm$23.7 minutes. The used metal bars were ranged in length from 8 inches to 16 inches(average 11.8$\pm$14.4 inches). Early postoperative complications were pneumothorax in three patients, paralytic ileus in one, and postoperative chest pain requiring analgesics in all patients. Epidural analgesia was used in one adult patient for control of postoperative pain. In our experiences, there were no serious complications posteoperatively. Conclusion: There were good early results with the Nuss procedure that we performed for repairing of pectus excavatum. However, we believe the procedure needs to be observed for the long term results for it to be broadly accepted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.598-604
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• 2008

Background: The improvements in endoscopic equipment and surgical robots has encouraged the performance of minimally invasive cardiac operations. Yet only a few Korean studies have compared this procedure with the sternotomy approach. Material and Method: Between December 2005 and July 2007, 48 patients (group A) underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery with AESOP through a small right thoracotomy. During the same period, 50 patients (group B) underwent conventional surgery. We compared the operative time, the operative results, the post-operative pain and the recovery of both groups. Result: There was no hospital mortality and there were no significant differences in the incidence of operative complications between the two groups. The operative $(292.7{\pm}61.7\;and\;264.0{\pm}47.9min$, respectively; p=0.01) and CPB times ($128.4{\pm}37.6\;and\;101.7{\pm}32.5min$, respectively; <0.01) were longer for group A, whereas there was no difference between the aortic cross clamp times ($82.1{\pm}35.0\;and\;87.8{\pm}113.5min$, respectively; p=0.74) and ventilator times ($18.0{\pm}18.4\;and\;19.7{\pm}9.7$ hr, respectively; p=0.57) between the groups. The stay on the ICU $(53.2{\pm}40.2\;and\;72.8{\pm}42.1hr$, respectively; p=0.02) and the hospitalization time ($9.7{\pm}7.2\;and\;14.8{\pm}11.9days$, respectively; p=0.01) were shorter for group A. The Patients in group B had more transfusions, but the difference was not significant. For the overall operative intervals, which ranged from one to four weeks, the pair score was significantly lower for the patients of group A than for the patients of group B. In terms of the postoperative activities, which were measured by the Duke Activity Scale questionnaire, the functional status score was clearly higher for group A compared to group B. The analysis showed no difference in the severity of either post-repair of mitral ($0.7{\pm}1.0\;and\;0.9{\pm}0.9$, respectively; p=0.60) and tricuspid regurgitation ($1.0{\pm}0.9\;and\;1.1{\pm}1.0$, respectively; p=0.89). In both groups, there were no valve related complications, except for one patient with paravalvular leakage in each group. Conclusion: These results show that compared with the median sternotomy patients, the patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery enjoyed significant postoperative advantages such as less pain, a more rapid return to full activity, improved cosmetics and a reduced hospital stay. The minimally invasive surgery can be done with similar clinical safety compared to the conventional surgery that's done through a median sternotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.423-429
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• 2008

Background: The interest in robotic cardiac surgery has recently grown but there has not been much clinical research reported on this. The aim of this study is to examine our initial experience, since August 2007, with robotic cardiac surgery using the da $Vince^{TM}$ surgical system and to evaluate the feasibility and safety of it. Material and Method: Between August and December 2007, a total of 20 patients underwent robotic cardiac surgery using the da Vinci surgical system. For mitral valve repair (n=11), tricuspid valve repair (n=1), and ASD repair (n=1), cannulation, antegrade cardioplegia and transthoracic aortic cross-clamping were conducted for the right femoral vessels and the right internal jugular vein. For minimally invasive direct CABG (MIDCAB) (n=7), the internal thoracic artery (ITA) was harvested with the da Vinci surgical system. Result: The mean age of the patients was 50.1 (range: $26{\sim}78$) years. Three concomitant Maze procedures and one tricuspid annuloplasty were combined with mitral valve repair. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was $208.0{\pm}61.3$ minutes and the aortic cross clamp time was $158.8{\pm}40.6$ minutes. No patients showed more than mild mitral regurgitation after repair and the median hospital stay was 4 days. The robotic-harvested ITA was used for either left ITA (n=6) or bilateral ITA (n=1). The mean harvest time was $43.2{\pm}12.0$ minutes. The harvested ITA showed good flow and it was anastomosed under direct vision after left anterolateral thoracotomy. The patency of all the grafts was 100% (18/18) in MIDCAB. Conclusion: Robotic cardiac surgery using the da Vinci surgical system was variously adapted to areas such as mitral and tricuspid valve repair, ASD repair and ITA harvest for MIDCAB. The early results of the robotic cardiac surgery showed its safety and feasibility. With this primary report, we anticipate that clinical applications and further studies on robotic cardiac surgery using the da Vinci surgical system will be actively conducted in Korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.5 s.250
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• pp.366-370
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• 2005

Background: In general, cardiac surgery has been performed via median sternotomy. During the past decade, improvements in endoscopic equipment and operative techniques have resulted in development of minimally invasive cardiac operation using small incisions. With the advent of a voice controlled camera-holding robotic arm (AESOP 3000, Automated Endoscope System for Optimal Positioning), cardiac surgery entered the robotic age. Material and Method: Between April 2004 and December 2004, a total of seventy eight patients underwent robotic cardiac surgery, of whom sixty four patients underwent robot-assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery via 5cm right lateral minithoracotomy using voice controlled robotic arm, femoral vessels cannulation, percutaneous internal jugular cannulation, transthoracic aortic cross clamp. Other fourteen patients underwent MIDCAB via internal mammary artery harvesting using AESOP. Result: Robotic cardiac surgery were mitral valve repair in 37 cases, mitral valve replacement in 10 cases, aortic valve replacement in 1 case, MIDCAB in 14 cases, ASD operation in 9 cases, and isolated Maze procedure in 1 case. In mitral operation, mean CPB time was $165.3\pm43.1$ minutes and mean ACC time was $110.4\pm48.2$ minutes. Median length of hospital stay was 6 days (range 3 to 30) in mitral operation, 4 days (range 2 to 7) in MIDCAB, and 4 days (range 2 to 6) in ASD operation. For complications, 3 patients were required by reoperation for bleeding. There was no hospital mortality. Conclusion: Our experience of robot cardiac surgery suggests that many cardiovascular surgeons will be able to perform minimally invasive cardiac operations through small incisions with robot-assisted video-direction. Well-designed studies and close long-term follow-up will be required to analyze the benefits of robot-assisted operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.377-380
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• 2008

Abdominal aortic aneurysm has traditionally been treated by open repair. Aortic endovascular stent grafting has recently been introduced as a new modality. We report here on three cases of endovascular stent grafting that were performed by cardiovascular surgeons for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the high risk patients with multiple comorbidities such as old age, hypertension, renal failure, cerebrovascular accident and immobility.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.267-271
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• 2012

The Nuss procedure for the correction of Pectus Excavatum (PE) is associated with intense postoperative pain. Our strategy to control early postoperative pain is to combine epidural with intravenous analgesia. Our aim was to analyse our pain control strategy by reviewing all the PE cases treated at our institution. Sixty consecutive patients, aged between 12 and 26 years old, received the PE operation at our institution from January, 2007 to September, 2010. The median age was 16 (12-27) with a male/female ratio of about 7/1. An epidural catheter was employed in all the cases, with 38 patients (63%) requiring additional drugs to control pain, which remained in place for 74 hours (72-96). The pain score was higher in male patients, but lower in those younger than 16 years old. Moreover, patients that consumed benzodiazepines had a significant decrease in cumulative opioid intake (P = 0.0408). Both gender and age had an impact on pain control, while we noticed a synergistic effect between opiates and tranquillizers.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.sup1
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• pp.76-79
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• 2016

Tracheoinnominate artery fistula is a rare, fatal complication of tracheostomy, and prompt diagnosis and management are imperative. We report the case of tracheoinnominate artery fistula after tracheostomy in a 14-year-old boy with a history of severe periventricular leukomalacia, hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. The tracheoinnominate artery fistula was successfully treated with a stent graft insertion via the right common femoral artery. Endovascular repair of the tracheoinnominate artery fistula via stent grafting is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment for patients in poor clinical conditions and is an alternative to traditional open surgical treatment.