• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.399-403
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• 2010

Background: Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery can be performed with the lung collapsed. During the procedure, pleural adhesion may result in lung injury, bleeding, and thoracotomy conversion. Identifying the presence of pleural adhesion before surgery can make it easy to plan trocar introduction and perform the procedure. Material and Method: Between June 2009 and November 2009, we performed ultrasound in 24 patients to detect pleural adhesion before surgery and compared the results with the operative findings. We primarily examined the lateral chest, where the trocar would be inserted, and, occasionally, the anterior or posterior chest. Result: Patient diseases were: 6 hyperhidroses, 8 interstitial lung diseases, 5 lung cancers, 2 mediastinal tumors, 1 peripheral pulmonary embolism, 1 metastatic lung cancer, and 1 sarcoidosis. Of the 22 patients who did not have pleural adhesions on ultrasound, four revealed mild adhesions not related to the trocar insertion sites. However, ultrasound showed pleural adhesions in two patients, consistent with the operative findings. There was no air leak or thoracotomy conversion related with trocar insertion. Conclusion: Ultrasound requires only a few minutes to detect the presence of the pleural adhesion and was very useful in identifying the pleural adhesion before VATS.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.481-488
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• 1999

Background: The routine application of the combined regimen of corticosteroid-antituberculosis therapy to the tuberculous pleurisy remains controversial. Steroid therapy to tuberculous pleurisy could be effective on the acceleration of absorption of pleural effusion and symptom improvement, but there has been debate about the effect of prednisolone on the prevention of pleural adhesion. So we studied the efficacy of combined regimen of prednisolone-antituberculosis therapy on the absorption of pleural effusion and prevention of pleural adhesion. Method: A prospective, randomized study was performed in 82 patients, 50 patients(non-steroid group) were treated with only antituberculosis regimen for 6 months and in 32 patients(steroid group) prednisolone(30mg/day) were administered in addition to antituberculosis regimen for one months and tapered for another month. The amount of pleural effusion was compared at the beginning of treatment, 2nd month, 6th month and final visit with chest X-ray findings which were graded from grade 0(complete absorption) to grade 6(near total haziness). Results: The amount of pleural effusion of steroid group at 2nd month, 6th month and final visit was lesser than that of non-steroid group(P<0.05). The incidence of the complete absorption of the pleural effusion was 3/32(9.4%) in steroid group, 1/50(2%) in non-steroid group at 2nd month after treatment; and 12/32(37.5%) in steroid group, 6/50(12%) in non-steroid group at 6th month after treatment(P<0.05). At final observation, the incidence of residual pleural thickening was 15/32(47%) in steroid group and 37/50(74%) in non-steroid group(P<0.05). No serious side effects were noted during the treatment with prednisolone. Conclusion: The administration of prednisolone in conjunction with antituberculosis chemotherapy improved the absorption of pleural effusion and decreased the residual pleural thickening.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.916-922
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• 1996

In patients with pleural adhesion, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been regarded as a contra- indication. When such adhesions were found during a thoracoscopic trial, the thoracotomy proceeded with for fear of parenchymal Injury and bleeding. We had a question whether or not thoracoscopic surgery should be done in such pleural adhesions. Of the 226 consecutive thoracoscopic surgeries from Jul. 1992 through Sep. 1995, pleural adhesions were detected intraoperatively in 50 cases (22.1%): a detailed breakdown is as follows: pneumothorax (16 cases), pleural disease (15), benign pulmonary nodule(7), mediastinal mass(5), hyperhidrosis (2), diffuse parenchymal or interstitial lung disease (2), bronchiectasis(2), and primary lung cancer(1). We classified pleural adhesions according to their extent and severity. Extent is categorized as the involved area of the lung: degree 1, II, or III; severity is given one of four grades: mild, moderate, severe, or ve y severe. In cases of very severe severity requiring decortication, the possibility of VATS was excluded. Of the 50 cases, mild adhesions were detected in 15 cases(30.0%), moderate in 29 (58.0%), and severe in 6 (12.0%). As for the extent of the adhesions, 8 cases (16.0%) were categorized as degree 1, 32 cases (64. 0%) as degree II, and 10 cases (20.0%) as degree III. For patients with pleural adhesions, the operation time, the chest tube indwelling time, and the postoperative hospital stay were all longer than for patients in the non-adhesion group. Postoperative complications, namely prolonged air-leakage and pleural drain- age, were more common (18.0% and 6.0%, respectively) than in the non-adhesion group (5.1% and 1.7%, respectively). Only two bronchiectatic patients (4%) were converted to an open thoracotomy because of in- ability to control bleeding. Although complications were encountered more frequently in the group with adhesions, patients were still able to enjoy the benefi s of thoracoscopic surgery. It is advisable to proceed with thoracoscopic surgery even in cases of unpredicted pleural adhesions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.353-360
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• 2003

Background : Although most patients with tuberculous pleurisy respond well to anti-tuberculous drugs, some are known to progress into severe pleural thickening which needs decortication despite adequate anti-tuberculous treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the development of severe pleural thickening in patients who finally underwent pleural decortication in tuberculous pleurisy. Patients and Methods : From retrospective medical records review, 121 patients initially diagnosed as tuberculous pleurisy without initial pleural fluid loculation were enrolled between January 1998 and December 2002. They were separated into two groups: 85 patients in group 1 who improved by anti-tuberculous drugs only, and 36 patients in group 2 who had progressed into pleural adhesion and finally underwent pleural decortication despite adequate (more than 6 months) anti-tuberculous treatment. Results : Males were more common in group 2 (M/F=31/5) than in group 1 (M/F=53/32) (p=0.010). Group 2 patients tended to have lower pleural fluid glucose level ($58{\pm}4$ mg/dL) than group 1 ($89{\pm}3$ mg/dL) (p=0.001) and higher pleural fluid adenosine deaminase level ($86{\pm}5$ IU/L) than group 1 ($76{\pm}3$ IU/L), (p=0.038). There were no significant differences in age, symptom duration, pleural fluid amount, or pleural fluid LDH level between groups 1 and 2. Conclusions : There was a relative risk of tuberculous pleurisy progression into severe pleural thickening which needed decortication in the case of male patients, low pleural fluid glucose or high adenosine deaminase level. But further, large-scale, prospective studies should be investigated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.252-260
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• 2004

The purpose of study is to evaluate the clinical implication of malignant Pleural Lavage Cytology (PLC) in primary lung cancer. 315 patients were examined with pleural lavage cytology in Asan Medical Center between November 1998 and August 2002. The patients were chosen from primary lung cancer patients with no pleural effusion according to preoperative radiologic examination; no tumor invasion into the chest wall and no diffuse pleural adhesion in intraoperative findings, The pleural cavity and lung were washed with 100 $m\ell$ of warm normal saline. The 315 patients consisted of 237 men and 78 women. The incidence of malignant PLC was found in 28 patients (8.9%). For patients in early stages (I & II), survival rate was 93.9% in positive malignant PLC and 85.7% in negative malignant PLC. 31 patients (13.6%) had local or distant recurrences; 2-year recurrence-free rate was 90.1% in negative PLC and 87.5% in positive PLC. The survival and recurrence-free rate in each stage were not statistically associated with the result of PLC. Median follow-up was 16.4 months from the surgery. To access implication of malignant PLC in primary lung cancer, a long-term follow-up and further study are required.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2020

Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is a rare disease, and it can cause life threatening condition. It is characterized by the accumulation of more than 400 mL of blood and air in the pleural cavity without any other apparent causes. A previously healthy 22-year-old female patient presented with acute chest pain and dyspnea. Chest X-ray and computed tomography revealed a massive hemopneumothorax in the left hemithorax. The images showed a completely collapsed left lung with right-sided tracheal deviation, several pleural adhesion bands, and fluid collection with air-fluid level. We emergently performed a closed thoracostomy, and then 560 mL of fresh bloods were initially drained. We considered an emergent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary wedge resection and bleeding control because of the massive hemothorax. However, the patient's vital signs were stabilized after blood transfusion and supportive cares for re-expansion pulmonary edema. The patient discharged from the hospital on 11^th in-hospital day after removal of the chest tube, and there had not been any recurrence of the pneumothorax for 10 months. We suggest that treatment strategy should be decided upon individually based on the patient's condition and clinical course of the disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 1969

We observed 56 cases of nontraumatic pneumothorax clinically and statistically, which had been experienced at the deparment of chest surgery. St. Mary`s Hospital,Catholic Medical College in theserecent years. 1] In the underlying pathology of spontaneous pneumothorax, nontuberculous origin [60.7%], especially due to pulmonary emphysema or blebs[17.8%], especially due to pulmonary emphysema or blebs[17. 8%], tended to increase as the reports of foreign countries, but tuberculous origin was still high in our country[39.3%]. Considering the 14 cases, unknown underlying pathology, the most of them might have scattered blebs which were not revealed in chest Roentgen films. 2] The principle treatment done in our clinic was as follows; The patients, below 20% lung collapse were treated by bed rest and abdominal respiration. The patients, between 20% and 40% lung collapse were treated by repeated pleural aspiration or closed thoracotomy followed. The cases,over 40% lung collapse were treated by closed thoracotomy initially. 3] The average duration of indweIling catheter was 3 to 4 days in the closed thoracotomy. We used to not remove the indwelling catheter early to promote pleural adhesion. 4] Sometimes, the closed thoracotomy drainage induces bronchial irritation and asthmatic attacks, especially in old age group accompanying pulmonary emphysema. In these cases, respiratory difficulties and acidosis should be prevented and controlled with medical treatment including steroid therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.721-727
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• 2003

Background: Parenteral tetracycline is no longer available for pleural sclerosing agent for pleurodesis in Korea due to the discontinuation of the production. The purposes of this study were to determine whether oral doxycycline (ODC) could be used as an effective sclerosing agent for pleurodesis, and to compare the effectiveness of ODC to other agents, such as homologous blood and talc. Material and Method: Twenty male rats were divided into four groups (A to D). Following agents were given to each group intrapleurally; 10 $m\ell$/kg of 0.9% saline to group A, 10 mg/kg of ODC to group B, 2 $m\ell$/kg of homologous blood to group e, and 70 mg/kg of talc slurry to group D. All animals were sacrificed 28 days after instillation. The pleural spaces were assessed grossly and microscopically and were graded from 0 to 3, and the thicknesses of the pleura were measured. Result: The gross score of group A was 0.0, group B was 1.4$\pm$0.9, group e was 1.0$\pm$0.7, and group D was 2.2$\pm$0.8. Significant adhesion were examined in group B and D grossly (p < 0.05). The pleural thickness of group A was 0.7$\pm$0.2 /10$^2$ mm, group B was 1.2$\pm$0.4 /10$^2$ mm, group C was 1.4$\pm$0.4 /10$^2$ mm, and group D was 3.5$\pm$0.9 /10$^2$ mm. Group D showed pleural thickening significantly (p < 0.05). The microscopic score of group A was 1.0, group B was 1.7$\pm$0.5, group e was $1.5\pm$0.4, and group D was 2.8$\pm$0.4. Group B and D showed significant inflammations and depositions of collagen (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ODC showed significant pleurodesis grossly and microscopically, and homologous blood did not show adhesion. Talc was a significant sclerosing agent for pleurodesis causing extensive inflammation and collagen depisotion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.129-135
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• 1982

Congenital pericardial defect is a rare anomaly, which was first described by M. Columbus in 1559. Four hundred years later the first clinical diagnosis was reported by Ellis et al. The congenital pericardial defect Is usually asymptomatic and Is found Incidentally at thoracotomy and autopsy, but it appears that partial absence of pericardium Is not Innocuous because of sudden death due to herniation of a portion of heart. We experienced congenital left pericardial defect in 20 year old female who was diagnosed as left ventricular aneurysm before operation. This patient complained of dyspnea on exertion and anterior chest discomfortness. Physical examination revealed Grade II pansystolic murmur on the 3rd and 4th intercostal space left sternal border. There were specific abnormal findings on the chest plain film, EKG, ultrasonography, and left ventriculography. On 9th July 1981, an operation was performed and found the left partial pericardial defect through which a large portion of left ventricle was herniated Into left pleural space. The method of operation was removal of adhesion and widening of the pericardial defect to avoid Incarceration. After operation, we observed marked Improvement of symptoms and disappearance of cardiac murmur.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1020-1024
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• 1992

Thirty-four patients underwent 39 subaxillary minithoracotomies for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax from June 1987 to April 1992. The age of patients ranged from 17 to 32 years. The ratio of male to female was 8.8: 1 with male predominance. The associated pulmonary lesions and pleural adhesion were not seen on the chest X-rays in all cases. Average operative time was 83 minutes[30~130 min]. Postoperative average duration of air leakage was 2.4 days, the chest tube indwelling was 5.1 days, and postoperative hospital stay was 8 days, Analgegics were not given for pain control postoperatively In conclusion, the subaxillary minithoracotomy has the following advantages: reducing the operative time, postoperative pain, morbidity, hospital stay, shoulder problems, and excellent cosmetic result.