• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.703-708
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• 1984

Fibrothorax is the end stage of chronic pathologic processes of pleura such as hemothorax, empyema, or tuberculous effusion. The pleural space become adherent and obliterated, and the lung parenchyma is covered by a thick, fibrous, unexpandable "peel", so the lung function is diminished markedly with impaired ventilation and oxygenation. Constrictive pericarditis is often accompanied fibrothorax, also cardiac and hemodynamic function is deteriorated. Surgical relief of these fibrous peels causes remarkable improvement in pulmonary function, cardiac and hemodynamic function, and subjective symptoms. We experienced a case of bilateral fibrothorax combined with constrictive pericarditis which occured 3 years after bilateral tuberculous effusion. Decortication and percardiectomy were done at the same time through bilateral submammary thoracotomy with sternal transection. Comparing postoperative Peripheral venous pressure, Circulation time, Pulmonary function test, Arterial blood gas analysis, Subjective symptoms with preoperative conditions showed noticeable improvement.provement.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.280-284
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• 1980

This is report of two cases of annular constrictive pericarditis. Since January 1959 to December 1979 the authors experienced 48 cases of chronic constrictive pericarditis treated surgically at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the National Medical Center in Seoul. These cases simulated valvular heart disease. One case, as mitral stenosis, revealed rumbling apical diastolic murmur [II/VI], atrial fibrillation and right ventricular hypertrophy pattern on E.C.G., the other, as infundibular pulmonic stenosis, presented pressure gradient between right ventricle and main pulmonary artery at infundibular level of 76 mmHg in systole. Both patients underwent operation successfully and one of them was assisted by E.C.C. during pericardiectomy and result was excellent. It is difficult to make the diagnosis of these conditions preoperatively so consideration about these might be important to make the diagnosis accurately.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.22-29
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• 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the preoperative attributes and clinical impacts of complete pericardiectomy in chronic constrictive pericarditis. Methods: A total of 26 patients were treated from January 2001 to December 2013. The pericardium was resected as widely as possible. When excessive bleeding or hemodynamic instability occurred intraoperatively, a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB; n=3, 11.5%) or an apical suction device (n=8, 30.8%) was used. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent ${\geq}80%$ resection of the pericardium (group A, n=18) and those who underwent <80% resection of the pericardium (group B, n=8). Results: The frequency of CPB use was not significantly different between groups A and B (n=2, 11.1% vs. n=1, 12.5%; p=1.000). However, the apical suction device was more frequently applied in group A than group B (n=8, 30.8% vs. n=0, 0.0%; p=0.031). The postoperative New York Heart Association functional classification improved more in group A (p=0.030). Long-term follow-up echocardiography also showed a lower frequency of unresolved constriction in group A than in group B (n=1, 5.60% vs. n=5, 62.5%; p=0.008). Conclusion: Patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis demonstrated symptomatic improvement through complete pericardiectomy. Aggressive resection of the pericardium may correct constrictive physiology and an apical suction device can facilitate the approach to the posterolateral aspect of the left ventricle and atrioventricular groove area without the aid of CPB.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.317-322
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• 1987

Records of 15 patients who underwent operation for constrictive pericarditis at this department from 1976 through 1984 were reviewed. All had hemodynamically significant pericardial constriction preoperatively, and pericardial disease was confirmed at operation. There were 12 males and 3 females in this series. Range of age varied from 7 years to 51 years. Clinical and histological study revealed granulomatous pericarditis compatible with the diagnosis of tuberculosis in 5 patients, non-specific chronic inflammatory changes in 6 patients and pyogenic pericarditis in 2 patients. Pericardiectomy was performed through a median sternotomy [11 cases] or bilateral anterior thoracotomy [4 cases]. The postoperative complications were observed in 4 patients. Low cardiac output was the most common complication [2 patients]. In 13 cases, excluding 2 operative deaths, preoperatively all were in New York Heart Association Class III or IV. At the time of discharge II [85%] were in Class I or II. 4 Cases were reoperated after original pericardiostomy and all resulted in marked improvement. Early surgical intervention is advisable in all patients in whom cardiac constriction is caused by either a thickened pericardium or a pericardial effusion before myocardial dysfunction occurs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.67-73
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• 1989

Forty two patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis, who were admitted to the Yonsei University College of medicine over a period of 18 years from January, 1970 to August, 1988, were analyzed retrospectively. Mean age of the patient was 33.5 year ranging from 6.8 to 60 years old. Male to female ratio was 1.3 to 1. Twenty-one cases [50%] were tuberculous origin [based on either associated pulmonary tuberculosis and/or caseous necrosis in thickened pericardial specimen] and 17 cases [40.5%] were idiopathic [non specific chronic inflammatory change was considered to be idiopathic]. Dyspnea on exertion was evident in 30 cases [71.4%] and abdominal distention in 21 cases [50%]. On physical examination, hepatomegaly [83.3%], neck vein distention [54.8%], distant heart sound [47.6%] and ascites were found. Thirty-nine patients showed low voltage of QRS and/or T wave flattening or inversion on EKG. Thirty-one cases had undergone cardiac catheterization which showed data compatible with chronic constrictive pericarditis. Midsternostomy group [n=15] had shown the most remarkable CVP decline [12.20 mmHg] as compared with bilateral submammary incision group [n=25, 8.96 mmHg] and left thoracotomy group [n=2, 7.75 mmHg] but difference was not significant statistically There was four early death among 42 patients [9.5%] including 3 cases of left ventricular failure and one cardiac tamponade. Main postoperative complications were wound infection [6 cases] and arrhythmia [3 cases]. Follow-up of 24 patients [mean; 55.3 months, ranging from 2 months to 155 months] revealed good functional status.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제35권8호
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• pp.605-607
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• 2002

Harmonic Scalpel(Echicon Endo-Surgery Cincinnati, OH)은 초음파를 이용하여 근육자극이 전혀 없으며, 열이나 연기가 적게 나며, 지혈도 쉽고, 수술시야가 좋아서 수술에 많은 이점을 가지고 있다. 교착성 심막염 환자에서 심막절제술을 시행할 때 Harmonic Scalpel을 사용하여 도움이 되었기에 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제38권8호
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• pp.576-578
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• 2005

38세 남자 환자가 호흡곤란과 좌측의 어깨 통증을 주소로 내원하였다. 심장 초음파 등의 검사로 이의 원인을 결핵성 심낭염으로 판단하고 약 1년 반 동안 내과 치료를 하였다. 내과 치료에 반응하지 않아 심낭 절제술을 시행하였고, 이를 통한 조직 검사 결과 악성 심낭 중피종으로 진단하였다. 종양은 심외막 및 심근에 심하게 유착되어 있어 완전 절제는 불가능하였으며, 환자는 현재 항암제 치료를 받고있다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.22-26
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• 2013

Background: Constrictive pericarditis after coronary artery bypass surgery has been known to affect cardiac output by limiting diastolic ventricular filling. We aimed to assess the influence of postoperative constrictive physiology on the early outcomes of patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Materials and Methods: Between January 2008 and July 2011, 903 patients underwent an isolated OPCAB and postoperative transthoracic-echocardiography. The patient cohort was classified into two groups: group A, constrictive physiology and group B, control group without constrictive physiology. Early outcomes were analyzed between the two groups. Results: Of the total 903 patients, group A consisted of 153 patients (16.9%). The amount of blood loss in group A during the postoperative 24 hours was greater than that of group B, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.20). No significant differences were found in the mortality rates (group A, 0.6%; group B, 1.4%; p=0.40) and 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs; group A, 3.3%; group B, 6.1%; p=0.42). Conclusion: Postoperative constrictive physiology does not affect 30-day MACCEs or other major complications after OPCAB. The results of this study suggest that patients with early postoperative constrictive physiology do not need medical or surgical treatment, and that conservative care is sufficient.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.325-328
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• 2016

The late Prof. Kyeok Boo Han (1913-2005) was one of the pioneers in the early stages of the establishment of thoracic surgery in Korea. He was in charge of thoracic surgery at Seoul National University Hospital from 1948 to the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. He presented a thoracic surgical case entitled "Adhesive (constrictive) pericarditis: one surgical case" at the first academic meeting of the Chosun (an old name for Korea) Medical Association, held in 1947. This presentation is considered to be the first thoracic surgical case presented by a Korean surgeon at a domestic medical meeting after the National Liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. In this regard, this study was intended to analyze the content and the meaning of the case, published in a journal in 1948.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.676-682
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• 1990

From August, 1978, to August, 1989, 22 patients underwent pericardiectomy for chronic constrictive pericarditis on the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Keimyung University. There were 14 male and 6 female patients ranging from 11 years to 70 years old[mean age, 44. 1 years]. All patients underwent radical pericardiectomy through a median sternotomy. There was 1 postoperative death[4.s%]. This patient died of low cardiac output 7 days after pericardiectomy. Postoperative complications were hemothorax[2 patients], low cardiac output[2 patients], generalized seizure[1 patient], wound infection[1 patient] and pneumonia[1 patient]. Clinical and pathological findings showed tuberculous origin in 12 patients[54.6%], unknown etiology in 8 patients[36.4%] pyogenic pericarditis in 2 patients[9.1%]. Three hemodynamic responses to pericardiectomy were observed: [1] rapid response, where central venous pressure[CUP] fell below 10 cmH2O by 24 hours in 6 patients; [2] delayed response. Where CVP fell below 10 cmH2O by 48 hours in 12 patients; and [3] no response of CVP in 4 patients. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 62 months with an average of 35.3 months. Postoperative Functional Class was obtained for 21 surviving patients and showed 18 patients[81.8%] to be New York Heart Association functional class I or II.