• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.392-399
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• 2020

Background: Surgical treatment of empyema thoracis in patients with chronic kidney disease is challenging, and few studies in the literature have evaluated this issue. In this study, we aim to report the surgical outcomes of empyema and to analyze factors predicting perioperative mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: This retrospective study included data from 34 patients with chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 ㎡ for 3 or more months) who underwent surgery for empyema between 2012 and 2020. An analysis of demographic characteristics and perioperative variables, including complications, was carried out. Postoperative mortality was the primary outcome measure. Results: Patients' age ranged from 20 to 74 years with a 29-to-5 male-female ratio. The majority (n=19, 55.9%) of patients were in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring maintenance hemodialysis. The mean operative time was 304 minutes and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 562 mL. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 70.5% of patients (n=24). In the subgroup analysis, higher values for operative time, blood loss, intensive care unit stay, and complications were found in ESRD patients. The mortality rate was 38.2% (n=13). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group >2) (p=0.03), ESRD (p=0.02), and late referral (>8 weeks) (p<0.001) significantly affected mortality. Conclusion: ESRD, late referral, and poor functional status were poor prognostic factors predicting postoperative mortality. The decision of surgery should be cautiously assessed given the very high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality in these patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7155-7159
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• 2013

Background and Objective: Rectal washout with saline solution may theoretically prevent anastomotic recurrence in patients with resectable rectal cancer, although exact clinical effects have not yet been determined. In order to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, the present meta-analysis was performed. Method: Relevant studies were identified by a search of Medline, Embase and Google Website with no restrictions to September 1, 2013, and included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Results: 5 trials (642 participants) were included to assess the association between rectal washout with saline solution and anastomotic recurrence. The rate of anastomotic recurrence (AR) was 6.23% (40/642), with the pooled OR derived from the five studies being 0.32 (95 % CI=0.15-0.70, P=0.004). The pooled OR derived from the TME and radical resection subgroups were 0.72 (95%CI=0.16-3.12, P=0.66) and 0.51 (95%CI=0.13-1.96, P=0.32), respectively. Conclusion: Results from this analysis show that intra-operative rectal washout with mere saline solution largely reduces the risk of anastomotic recurrences in patients with resectable rectal cancer.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.335-339
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• 2006

Objective : The authors present eight cases of immediate post-operative epidural hematomas[EDHs] adjacent to the craniotomy site, describe clinical details of them, and discuss their pathogenesis. Methods : Medical records of eight cases were retrospectively reviewed and their clinical data, operation records, and radiological findings analyzed. Any risk factors of the EDHs were searched. Results : In 5 of 8 cases, adjacent EDHs developed after craniotomies for the surgical removal of brain tumors. Three cases of adjacent EDHs developed after a pterional approach and neck clipping of a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and a craniotomy for a post-traumatic EDH, respectively. In all eight cases, brain computed tomography[CT] scans checked immediately or a few hours after the surgery, revealed large EDHs adjacent to the previous craniotomy site, but there was no EDH beneath the previous craniotomy flap. After emergent surgical removal of the EDHs, 7 cases demonstrated good clinical outcomes, with one case yielding a poor result. Conclusion : Rapid drainage of a large volume of cerebrospinal fluid or intra-operative severe brain collapse may separate the dura from the calvarium and cause postoperative EDH adjacent to the previous craniotomy site. A high-pressure suction drain left in the epidural space may contribute to the pathogenesis. After the craniotomy for brain tumors or intracranial aneurysms, when remarkable brain collapse occurs, an immediate postoperative brain CT is mandatory to detect and adequately manage such unexpected events as adjacent EDHs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.266-271
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• 1994

Between 1985 and 1993, 29 children from 1 to 15 years of age have undergone cardiac valve replacements at Buchon Sejong Hospital. The patients were composed of 20 males and 9 females and 17 patient had congenital heart disease and 12 patients had acquired heart disease. Two of these patients have had second valve replacements due to paravalvular leakage and valve thrombosis. Single valve replacements were 29 and double valve replacements were 2. All the patients had received prosthetic valves except one. Among the 25 patients who had definite post-operative records, the overall mortality was 12%[4% was early mortality and 8% was late mortality].25 patients were followed up with coumadin anticoagulation for total 633 patient-months[minimum 2 months to maximum 93 months, mean 25.3 months] and actuarial survival rate was 88.5 $\pm$ 6.3% at 7 years and event free rate was 70.3 $\pm$ 11.7% at 7 years. These results suggest that pediatric valve replacements can now be performed at a low operative risk although various problems are still remained and the choice of valve is prosthetic valve mainly due to its durability at the present time.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2217-2220
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• 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the survival outcome of early stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium with risk factors for locoregional recurrence treated with combined pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) after comprehensive surgery. Materials and Methods: Post-operative radiotherapy by pelvic EBRT and VBT for early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma resulted in excellent pelvic control with acceptable complications. This study showed no significant relationships between age, stage, histologic grade and LVSI and overall survival rate. Results: The 5-year overall survival rate (OS) of early stage endometrioid type of endometrial carcinoma was 85.7%. Acute toxicity occurred in 38.1% of the patients, all of whom were grade 1 or 2. Total late toxicity developed in 42.9% of study group, in which 36.99% of them were grade 1-2 and 4.76% were grade 3-4. Conclusions: Post-operative radiotherapy by pelvic EBRT and VBT is acceptable for early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, independent of age, stage, histologic grade and LVSI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.618-626
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• 1986

Univentricular heart is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly in which the atrial chambers are connected to only one ventricular chamber and it consists of a diverse group of cardiac malformation characterized by both AV valves or a common AV valve opening into the same ventricle, or the presence of only a solitary AV valve. In spite of recent development in cardiac surgery, corrective operations for univentricular heart still have high mortality and complication rate. Twenty eight patients underwent corrective operation for univentricular heart at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital from February 1979 to July 1986. Of the 28 patients, 7 patients were operated on by ventricular septation and 21 patients by modified Fontan operation. Of the 28 patients, 19 patients were male and 9 patients female and ages ranged from 5 months to 18 years old with the average age of 7.3 years. There were 2 mortalities in 7 patients operated on by septation with the mortality rate of 28.6% and 5 complications, 3 complete AV block, 1 low cardiac output and 1 arrhythmia. All survived patients are being followed up without specific problem till now. There were 10 mortalities in 21 patients operated on by modified Fontan operation with the mortality rate of 47.6% and 10 complications, 2 low cardiac output, 2 respiratory failure necessitating tracheostomy, 2 persistent cyanosis, 2 arrhythmia, 1 missing of left AV valve in situs inversus patient due to misdiagnosis and one rupture of closed right AV valve. Incremental risk factors for operative mortality are young age less than 5 years old, anomalous pulmonary and systemic venous drainage and atrial septation procedure. In 11 survived patients, 9 patients show good follow-up results but one patient complains of persistent cyanosis and another one patient is suffered from CHF. In our series, results of corrective operation for univentricular heart shows continuing improvement but still high mortality and complication rate. So there must be continuing improvement in surgical result by selection of patient, by adequate decision making for timing and method of operation and by improving operative methods.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.246-255
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• 1989

A total and consecutive 291 patients of isolated single mitral valve replacement using the Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial xenograft valve operated on between October 1978 and June 1983 were retrospectively studied for the durability of the substitute valves based on the structural degeneration of primary tissue failure which had been proved on their re-replacement surgery. The mean age at the initial surgery was 32.4*12.5 years, and the operative mortality rate was 5.2 %. The early survivors of 276 patients were followed up for a total 1148.3 patient-years[mean\ulcornerD, 4.16*2.57 years]at the follow-up end of June 1988. They experienced 4 major late complications: 1.045 % thromboembolism/patient-year [pt-yr]; 0.871 % bleeding/pt-yr; 0.610% endocarditis/pt-yr; and 3.309% overall valve failure/pt-yr or 1.655% primary tissue failure/pt-yr. The actuarial survival rates were 89.4*2.2% and 87.7*2.5% at 5 and 10 years after initial surgery respectively. The probabilities of freedom from thromboembolism were 95.1*1.6% and 93.2*2.0% at 5 and 10 years after surgery. Nineteen patients underwent re-replacement of the Ionescu-Shiley valve because of primary tissue failure, and there was no operative mortality. The incidence of primary tissue failure was highest for the patients less than 15 years of age occurring in 9 out of 27 patients [33.3 %] or 8.68 %/pt-yr, while it was 4.0 % or 0.96 %/pt-yr for the rest of patients older than this age. The probabilities of freedom from primary tissue failure were 96.7*1.4 % and 84.2*3.8% at 5 and 9 years after surgery. The freedom from tissue failure increased as the age limits of cumulative younger patients were increased while it decreased as the age limits of cumulative older patients were decreased. Although it is clear that the Ionescu-Shiley valve would degenerate prematurely in young patients, the definite age limit could not be identified when the risk of early failure was significantly high.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.225-229
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• 2012

Background: Reoperation of cardiac surgery via median sternotomy can be associated with significant complications. Thoracotomy is expected to reduce the risk of reoperation and to enhance the surgical outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed two operative approaches (thoracotomy vs. sternotomy) in cardiac reoperation. Materials and Methods: From September 2007 to December 2010, 35 patients who required reoperation of the mitral valvular disease following previous median sternotomy were included. Average age of patients was $45.8{\pm}15.4$ years (range, 14 to 76 years) and male-to-female was 23:12. Interval period between primary operation and reoperation was $135.8{\pm}105.6$ months (range, 3.3 to 384.9 months). Results: Comparative analysis was done dividing the patient group into two groups that are thoracotomy group (22 patients) and sternotomy group (13 patients). Thoracotomy group was significantly lower in operative time ($415.2{\pm}90.3$ vs. $497.5{\pm}148.0$, p<0.05), bleeding control time ($108.0{\pm}29.5$ vs. $146.4{\pm}66.8$, p<0.05) and chest tube drainage ($287.5{\pm}211.5mL$ vs. $557.3{\pm}365.5mL$, p<0.05) compared to sternotomy group. Conclusion: The thoracotomy approach is superior to sternotomy in some variables, and it is considered as a valid alternative to repeat median sternotomy in patients who underwent a previous median sternotomy.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

Iatrogenic ureteral injury is a complication that can occur during a variety of pelvic or abdominal surgeries. The most frequent causes are gynecological ones, followed by colon and vascular surgeries. Management of ureteric injury depends on the time of diagnosis and the severity of organ damage. Injuries diagnosed intraoperatively should be treated immediately. Occasionally, intraoperative ureteral injury is overlooked, and symptoms of the late diagnosis of ureteral injury are usually nonspecific; therefore, the diagnosis is delayed for days or weeks postoperatively. Management of injuries diagnosed postoperatively is more complex. There are differing opinions on whether an initial conservative or immediate operative intervention is the best line of action. Delayed repair is suggested on the grounds that it will reduce inflammation and tissue edema. However, many authors are in favor of early repair, perhaps because tissue planes are easier to find before fibrosis becomes too dense. Ureteral injuries occurring at the level of the pelvic brim should be best managed with an end-to-end anastomosis, preferably around a ureteric stent. More distal injuries also should be ideally managed with an end-to-end anastomosis, after excision of the crushed or compromised segments. However, if the remaining distal segment is short, ureteral reimplantation is the procedure of choice. The Boari flap technique for ureteral reimplantation is invaluable in cases with a short proximal segment. Delayed recognition of iatrogenic ureteral injury may be associated with serious complications, so prompt recognition of ureteral injuries is important. Recognition of the injury before closure is the key to easy, successful, and complications-free repair. Increased awareness of the risk for ureteral damage during certain operative maneuvers is vital to prevent injury, and to decrease the incidence of iatrogenic injury. A sound knowledge of abdominal and pelvic anatomy is the best prevention.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.367-375
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• 2018

Background: It is unclear whether mitral valve (MV) repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) provides the same advantages in the elderly that it does in the general population. Methods: From 1994 to 2016, 188 elderly patients (mean age, $68.3{\pm}5.50years$) underwent MV repair (n=153) or MV replacement (n=35) for primary degenerative MR. Early and long-term outcomes were compared before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Results: Before PSM, there was a significant difference in operative mortality (p=0.011). Overall survival and freedom from cardiac-related death (CRD) at 5, 10, and 15 years were significantly higher in patients who underwent MV repair (p=0.039 and p=0.007, respectively). In the multivariable analysis, MV replacement was an independent risk factor of CRD. After PSM, operative mortality was not significantly lower in patients who underwent MV repair (p=0.125). Overall survival and freedom from CRD at 5, 10, and 15 years showed no significant difference between the 2 groups in the PSM cohort (p=0.207, p=0.47, respectively). There was no significant difference in freedom from reoperation before or after PSM (p=0.963 and p=0.575, respectively). Conclusion: MV repair for primary degenerative MR might be a valid option in the elderly population if successful repair is possible.