• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.389-393
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• 2014

Retroesophageal aortic arch, in which the aortic arch crosses the midline behind the esophagus to the contralateral side, is a rare form of vascular anomaly. The complete form may cause symptoms by compressing the esophagus or the trachea and need a surgical intervention. We report a rare case of a hypoplastic left heart syndrome variant with the left retroesophageal circumflex aortic arch in which the left aortic arch, retroesophageal circumflex aorta, and the right descending aorta with the aberrant right subclavian artery encircle the esophagus completely, thus causing central bronchial compression. Bilateral pulmonary artery banding and subsequent modified Norwood procedure with extensive mobilization and creation of the neo-aorta were performed. As a result of the successful translocation of the aorta, the airway compression was relieved. The patient underwent the second-stage operation and is doing well currently.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.281-294
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• 1977

Superior vena cava to pulmonary arterial shunting operation was made between the superior vena cava and the right pulmonary artery in the fashion of end-to-end anastomosis in 20 mongrel dogs. The experimental animals were divided into three group and blood flow in the superior vena cava was occluded for 20, 30 and 60 minutes respectively, and observations were made for the changes in caval pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure. And pathologic examinations were also performed. On occluding the caval blood flow, the superior vena caval pressure was sharply and immediately elevated from $103.5{\pm}19.8mmH_2O$ at thoracotomy to $556.4{\pm}86.lmmH_2O$ within 2 minutes to make its plateau thereafter, and the cerebrospinal fluid pressure followed closely the changes of the superior vena caval pressure in its level and pattern being elevated from $102.0{\pm}19.9mmH_2O$ to $490.5{\pm}79.9mmH_2O$. The drops of both the caval and cerebrospinal fluid pressures were definite and marked on opening the shunt flow through the anastomosis, but these postoperative pressures retained still higher ones above their levels measured at thoracotomy. The pathological examinations of the brain and the spinal cord were also performed in six animals. Characteristic changes uniformly seen in all area and in all animals were the findings of capillary congestion and perivascular edema. On the other hand, ischemic nerve cell changes were rather evident, revealing their degrees and extents being related to the prolongation of the time of caval occlusion which has followed by the sustained high pressures in both the superior vena and the cerebrospinal fluid. The experiment suggests the safety of this surgical procedure with minimal, if any, permanent damage as long as the occlusion of the caval blood flow is not prolonged beyond the expected.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2016

Hypoplastic left heart complex (HLHC) consists of less severe underdevelopment of the left ventricle without intrinsic left valvular stenosis, i.e., a subset of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). HLHC patients may be able to undergo biventricular repair, while HLHS requires single ventricle palliation (or transplant). However, there is no consensus regarding the likelihood of favorable outcomes in neonates with HLHC selected to undergo this surgical approach. This case report describes a neonate with HLHC, co-arctation of the aorta (CoA), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) who was initially palliated using bilateral pulmonary artery banding due to unstable ductus-dependent circulation. A postoperative echocardiogram showed newly appearing CoA and progressively narrowing PDA, which resulted in the need for biventricular repair 21 days following the palliation surgery. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 13 without complications and is doing clinically well seven months after surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.649-655
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• 1988

One hundred and one patients with tetralogy of Fallot who were older than 16 years of age underwent a total correction of the anomaly between May, 1964 and July, 1987. This group comprised 14.9% of the 679 consecutive patients who had repair of the tetralogy at our institution during the same period. Of the 101 patients, 8 had a previous shunt procedure for palliation. The preoperative mean hemoglobin value was 16.9*1.0% and the mean systemic oxygen saturation, 84.4*0.9%. In 76 patients[75.2%], a type II ventricular septal defect was seen whereas in 14 patients[13.9%], the defect was type I. In 72 patients[71.3%], other cardiac anomalies were present which included patent foramen ovale in 37.6%, atrial septal defect in 8.99b, vegetations in 6.9%, right sided aortic arch in 5.9% and coronary artery anomaly in 5.0%. The right ventricular outflow obstruction was caused most commonly by combination of infundibular and valvular stenosis[74.3%], followed by isolated infundibular stenosis[19.8%] and valvular stenosis [5.9%] alone in order. The preoperative mean diameter of the pulmonary valve ring size was 10.2*0.5 mm in diameter. A transannular patch enlargement of the right ventricular outflow tract was performed in 28 patients and, in 12 a pericardial monocusp was utilized. Major anomalous aorto-pulmonary vessels were encountered in 5 patients which were detected before or during the operation. In 3 patients, they were ligated beforehand to control the flooding of the operative field. Postoperatively, the mean systolic pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the main pulmonary artery was 16.2*2.3 mmHg and the mean systolic pressure- ratio between the right and the left ventricle was 45.3*2.0%. Perioperative complications including bleeding in 8.9%, pleural effusion in 7.9%, dysrrhythmia in 4.9%, and residual VSD in 4.0%. Operative mortality was 8.9%. There has been no operative death in the recent 65 cases since 1981. There were 2 late deaths, 68 and 113 months after surgery. There were 2 late detachment of the VSD patch during the follow-up period. Of the 6 patients with patch detachment found during the postoperative period, 3 had subacute bacterial endocarditis before or after the operation indicating The serious nature of this complication. Two of these patients subsequently underwent a successful reoperation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.448-463
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• 2000

Background : Pulmonary infiltrate is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with leukemia. It is often hard to obtain a reliable diagnosis by clinical and radiologic findings alone. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic benefits of invasive procedures for new lung infiltrates in leukemia. Methods : Patients with leukemia who developed new lung infiltrates from December 1994 to March 1999 were included in this study. These patients were classified into the empirical group who received empirical therapy only and into the invasive group who underwent bronchoscopy or surgical lung biopsy for the diagnostic purpose of new lung infiltrates. A retrospective chart review was done to find the etiologies of new lung infiltrates, the yield of invasive procedures, outcome as well as predicting factors for survival. Results : 1) One hundred-two episodes of new lung infiltrates developed in 90 patients with leukemia. Invasive procedures were performed in 44 episodes while 58 episodes were treated with empirical therapy only. 2) Invasive procedures yielded a specific diagnosis in 72.7%(32/44), of which 78.1% had infectious etiology. Therapeutic plan was changed in 52.3%(23/44) of patients after invasive procedures. None of them showed procedure-related mortality. 3) The overall survival rate was 62.7%(64/102). Survival rate in the invasive group (79.5%) was significantly better than that in the empirical group (50.0%) (p=0.002). 4) Upon multivariate analysis, the performance of invasive procedures, no need for mechanical ventilation and achievement of complete remission of leukemia after induction chemotherapy were the independent predicting factors for survival in patients with leukemia and new lung infiltrates. Conclusion : Bronchoscopy and surgical lung biopsy are useful in the diagnosis of new lung infiltrates in patients with leukemia. However, survival benefits of invasive procedures should be considered together with disease status of leukemia and severity of respiratory compromise.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.471-479
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• 1999

Background: Patients with tetralogy of Fallot(TOF), pulmonary atresia(PA) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries(MAPCAs) have been managed by heterogenous surgical strategies. We have taken 5 different surgical approaches to this lesion. In this study, relative advantages and disadvantages of each strategy were discussed by analyzing our surgical results. Material and Method: Between January 1986 and June 1998, 50 patients aged 1 to 177(39${\pm}$31) months at a various morphologic spectrum of this lesion were treated at our institution. The groups, which were classified according to the initial approaches, consisted of one-stage unifocalization(A-1, n=9), staged unifocalization(A-2, n=11), right ventricle to pulmonary artery connection(RV-PA)(B-1, n=11), one-stage RV-PA plus unifocalization (B-2, n=11), and one-stage definitive repair(C, n=8). Morphologic charateristics, operative mortalities, and probabilities of definitive repair were compared between the groups and the causes of death, complications and the follow-up results were described. Result: Mean ages at the first operation were 57${\pm}$18(A-1), 42${\pm}$48(A-2), 18${\pm}$14(B-1), 52${\pm}$55(B-2), and 32${\pm}$34(C) months (p<0.05). Mean numbers of MAPCAs were least in group C (A-1=4.3${\pm}$1.0, A-2=4.5${\pm}$1.3, B-1=4.1${\pm}$1.9, B-2=4.1${\pm}$1.6, C=3.4${\pm}$1.8 : p<0.05). The ratios of the direct and the indirect MAPCAs in each group were not different between the grousps (A-1=91%/9%, A-2=78%/22%, B-1=80%/20%, B-2=80%/20%, C=81%/19% : p>0.05). Nineteen patients had more than 1 dependent MAPCAs. True pulmonary arteries were not present 13 patients and they were confluent in 29. A total of 101 operations were performed. Operative mortalities of initial procedures were 33%(3/9, A-1), 18%(2/11, A-2), 0%(0/11, B-1), 36%(5/11, B-2) and 13%(1/8, C) (p<0.05). Percentages of the definitive repair among the patients of each group were 22%(2/9, A-1), 18%(2/11, A-2). 45%(5/11, B-1), 27%(4/11, B-2), and 100%(8/8, C)(p<0.05). Hypoxic respiratory and cardiac failure(6), hypoxic encephalopathy(2) and sepsis(4) were the major causes of death. Phrenic nerve palsy occured in 5 patients. Thirty-one patients among the survivals have been followed up for a mean duration of 74${\pm}$42(3-145) months. One and five year actuarial survival rates were 73% and 73 %. Conclusion: In conclusion, Right ventricle to pulmonary artery connection used in patients with TOF/PA/MAPCA as an inital procedure appeared to be highly successful in enhancing the chance of satisfactory definitive repair without the significant surgical risks. One-stage total repair at an ealier age group could be performed safely with the resonable outcomes. Unifocalization approach, whether it was performed in a single stage or in the multiple stages, resulted in the high operative mortality and the lowest chance of definitive repair, however more tailored selection of the patients and the long follow-up is mandatory to prove the usefulness of this approach.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.8 s.253
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• pp.523-528
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• 2005

Background: Investigation of the change of ventricular function and mitral regurgitation after surgical repair of patient with anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is key issue for the better surgical outcome. Material and Method: From April 1986 to July 2002, 12 patients presented with ALCAPA. The median age at repair was 4 months. Surgical methods included left coronary artery transfer to the aorta (10), Takeuchi procedure (1), saphenous vein free graft bypass (1). Mitral valve was repaired in 1. Result: There were 2 hospital death $(16.7\%)$. The mean follow-up period was $7.1\pm4.1$ years (range, 7 months to 13 years). Four patients required postoperative circulatory assist for $2.2\pm1.1$ days and one needed left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for 1day. Postoperative echocardiography demonstrated significant improvements in mean fractional shortening $(33.4\pm9.1\%\;vs\;17.7\pm9.6\%,\;n=10,\;p<0.05);$ left ventricular end diastolic dimension $(33.4\pm7.3\;mm\;vs\;44.8\pm7.0\;mm,\;n=10,\;p<0.05)$ and systolic dimension $(22.2\pm7.5\;mm\;vs\;33.4\pm7.9\;mm,\;n=10,\;p<0.05)$. Severities of mitral regurgitation decreased in all survivors at 1st and 4th year follow-up echocardiography. There were 2 reoperation due to residual MR and right ventricular outflow obstruction (Takeuchi case). Conclusion: Anatomic repair of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery offered an excellent surgical results, especially in terms of the recovery of left ventricle function and mitral regurgitation. However, preoperative indications for mitral procedure is to be evaluated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.440-443
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• 1996

Some tricuspid valve endocarditis can be controlled effectively with specific antibiotic treatment. However, surgical intervention Is necessary when there are continuing sepsis, moderate or severe heart failure, multiple pulmonary emboli, and echocardiographycally demonstrated vegitations. We are repoting a 19 year-old male patient who was admitted for the treatment of infective endocarditis. He previously had an operation for ventriculer septal defect (perimembranous type) about 9 years ago . An echocardiogram showed a large vegetation on the anterior cusp area and a left to right shunt through VSD, which was previously closed with dacron patch. A valve replacement in addition to antibiotic therapy was recommended for the patient. The patient underwent on operation : tricuspid valve replacement was done with 51. Jude medical valve prosthesis (33 mm), and in addition to above procedure, removal of vegetation and direct closure of VSD were done Postoperative echocardiogram showed that replaced tricuspid valve functioned well and vegeta ion and shunt flow were not observed. The patient recovered without complication and discharged at Postoperative day 25. Early aggressive surgical intervention is indicated to optimize surgical results, and this case seems to be a typical right sided bacterial endocarditis, which is caused by residual VSD. We are reporting a case of tricuspid valve endocarditis with a review of the literature. (Korean J Thorax Cardiovasc Surg 1996 ; 29: 440-3)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.530-535
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• 1996

Saprophytic aspergillosis (aspergilloma), a potentially life-threatening disease from the colonization of lung cavities by the ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, has been of surgical concern. Twelve patients with symptomatic aspergilloma underwent operative procedures at Pusan national University Hospital between January 1, 1984 and August 31, 1994. The mean age of the patients was 38.8 years and nine of them had hemoptysis; in two it was massive and life-threatening. Wine of the patients had underlying causes of cavitary lung disease and tuberculosis was the most common cause. Lobectomy was the most commonly performed procedure (in six) . Several major complications including excessive bleeding (2), and pneumonia (2), and empyema with bronchopleural fistula (1) occurred .and one patient died (operative mortality=8.3%). There were no recurrent symptoms in any of the 11 operative survivors during the follow-up period. It is concluded that early, aggressive surgical intervention can provide definite cure in established aspergilloma, even with minimal symptoms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.692-697
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• 2001

Background: The left main coronary artery surgical angioplasty has become the choice of surgical procedure in isolated LM disease. We have performed 22 cases of LMCA surgical angioplasy since 1996. We report the immediate and long term result of the surgical angioplasty with their postoperative angiography. Material and Method: Between July 1994 and October 2000, 22 patients(11 men and 11 women) were subjected to surgical patch angioplasty of the LMCA, 1 patient had an additional angioplasty performed on the proximal right coronary artery. The LMCA was approached anteriorly with or without transection of the main pulmonary artery(21 cases), and in a patient who had undergone an aortic valve replacement, LMCA was approached superiorly with transection of the ascending aorta. Additional grafting was required in 5 cases. The on-lay patch was used with autologous pericardium in 6 cases and bovine pericardium in 16 cases. Result: There was no operative mortality. There was 30~50% stenosis of the anastomosis site in 3 cases at the postop. coronary angiography. Coronary angiography was reperformed in 5 cases between 5th months and 15th months postoperatively. There was 40~60% stenosis of the anastomosis site in 2 cases. There was one death at 42nd months postoperatively but the cause was unknown. No patient complained of angina with a mean follow up of 48.$\pm$22.5 months. Conclusion: There were only several coronary angiographic results in long term follow-up but we had relatively good clinical results for LMCA surgical angioplasty in the immediate and long term. The excellence of LMCA surgical angioplasty needs the result of the long term follow-up.