• 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.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.269-274
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• 2006

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with pulmonary atresia and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAS) is complex lesion with marked heterogeneity of pulmonary blood supply and arborization anomalies. Patients with TOF with PA and MAPCAS have traditionally required multiple staged unifocalization of pulmonary blood supply before undergoing complete repair. In this report, we describe recent change of strategy and the results in our institution. Material and Method: We established surgical stratagies: early correction, central mediastinal approach, initial RV-PA conduit interposition, and aggressive intervention. Between July 1998 and August 2004, 23 patients were surgically treated at our institution. We divided them into 3 groups by initial operation method; group I: one stage total correction, group II: RV-PA conduit and unifocalization, group III: RV-PA conduit interposition only. Result: Mean ages at initial operation in each group were $13.9{\pm}16.0$ months (group 1), $10.4{\pm}15.6$ months (group II), and $7.9{\pm}7.7$ months (group III). True pulmonary arteries were not present in f patient and the pulmonary arteries were confluent in 22 patients. The balloon angioplasty was done in average 1.3 times (range: $1{\sim}6$). There were 4 early deaths relating initial operation, and 1 late death due to incracranial hemorrhage after definitive repair. The operative mortalities of initial procedures in each group were 25.0% (1/4: group I), 20.0% (2/10: group II), and 12.2% (1/9: group III). The causes of operative mortality were hypoxia (2), low cardiac output (1) and sudden cardiac arrest (1). Definitive repair rates in each group were 75% (3/4) in group I, 20% (2/10, fenestration: 2) in group II, and 55.0% (5/9, fenestration: 1) in group III. Conclusion: In patients of TOF with PA and MAPCAS, RV-PA connection as a initial procedure could be performed with relatively low risk, and high rate of definitive repair can be obtained in the help of balloon pulmonary angioplasty. One stage RV-PA connection and unifocalization appeared to be successful in selected patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.621-627
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• 1999

Background: Sixty five cases with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) indicated for biventricular repair were operated on between 1984 and september 1998. Comparison between the results of the conventional(classic) connection(LV-PA) and the anatomic repair was done. Material and Method: Retrospective review was carried out based on the medical records of the patients. Operative procedures, complications and the long-term results accoding to the combining anomalies were analysed. Result: Mean age was 5.5$\pm$4.8 years(range, 2 months to 18years). Thirty nine were male and 26 were female. Situs solitus {S,L,L} was in 53 and situs inversus{I,D,D} in 12. There was no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction(LVOTO) in 13(20%) cases. The LVOTO was resulted from pulmonary stenosis(PS) in 26(40%)patients and from pulmonary atresia(PA) in 26(40%) patients. Twenty-five(38.5%) patients had tricuspid valve regurgitation(TR) greater than the mild degree that was present preoperatively. Twenty two patients previously underwent 24 systemic- pulmonary shunts previously. In the 13 patients without LVOTO, 7 simple closure of VSD or ASD, 3 tricuspid valve replacements(TVR), and 3 anatomic corrections(3 double switch operations: 1 Senning+ Rastelli, 1 Senning+REV-type, and 1 Senning+Arterial switch opera tion) were performed. As to the 26 patients with CCTGA+VSD or ASD+LVOTO(PS), 24 classic repairs and 2 double switch operations(1 Senning+Rastelli, 1 Mustard+REV-type) were done. In the 26 cases with CCTGA+VSD+LVOTO(PA), 19 classic repairs(18 Rastelli, 1 REV-type), and 7 double switch operations(7 Senning+Rastelli) were done. The degree of tricuspid regurgitation increased during the follow-up periods from 1.3$\pm$1.4 to 2.2$\pm$1.0 in the classic repair group(p<0.05), but not in the double switch group. Two patients had complete AV block preoperatively, and additional 7(10.8%) had newly developed complete AV block after the operation. Other complications were recurrent LVOTO(10), thromboembolism(4), persistent chest tube drainage over 2 weeks(4), chylothorax(3), bleeding(3), acute renal failure(2), and mediastinitis(2). Mean follow-up was 54$\pm$49 months(0-177 months). Thirteen patients died after the operation(operative mortality rate: 20.0%(13/65)), and there were 3 additional deaths during the follow up period(overall mortality: 24.6%(16/65)). The operative mortality in patients underwent anatomic repair was 33.3%(4/12). The actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 75.0$\pm$5.6%, 75.0$\pm$5.6%, and 69.2$\pm$7.6%. Common causes of death were low cardiac output syndrome(8) and heart failure from TR(5). Conclusion: Although our study could not demonstrate the superiority of each classic or anatomic repair, we found that the anatomic repair has a merit of preventing the deterioration of tricuspid valve regurgitations. Meticulous selection of the patients and longer follow-up terms are mandatory to establish the selective advantages of both strategies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.239-246
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• 2008

Background: Aortic surgery for high risk patients has high mortality and morbidity rates, and the necessity of performing aortic surgery in cancer patients is questionable because of their short life expectancy. Endovascular repair of aneurysm repair can be considered for high risk patients and cancer patients because it has relatively lower invasiveness and shorter recovery times than aortic surgery does. Especially, percutaneous endovascular stent graft treatment is more useful for high risk patients because it does not require general anesthesia. Material and Method: From July 2003 to September 2007, twelve patients who had inoperable malignancy or who had a high risk of complication because of their combined diseases during aortic surgery underwent endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. he indications for endovascular repair were abdominal aortic aneurysm in 5 patients, descending thoracic aortic aneurysm in 6 patients and acute type B aortic dissection in one patient. The underlying combined disease of these patients were malignancy in 3 patients, respiratory disease in 6 patients, old age with neurologic disease in 6 patients, Behcet's iseae in one patient and chronic renal failure in one patient. Result: Stent grafts were inserted percutaneously in all cases. There were 4 hospital deaths and there were 3 delayed deaths during the follow-up periods. There were no deaths from aortic disease, except one hospital death. There were several complications: a mild cerebrovascular accident occurred in one patient, acute renal failure occurred in 2 patients and ischemic bowel necrosis occurred in one patient. Mild type I endoleak was observed in 2 patients and type II endoleak was observed in a patient after stent graft implantation. Newly developed type I endoleak was observed in a patient during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Percutaneous endovascular stent graft insertion is relatively safe procedure for high risk patients and cancer patients. Yet it seems that its indications and its long term results need to be further researched.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.299-304
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• 2009

Background: Although the results of the surgical management for complete atrioventricular septal defect (c-AVSD) have improved, the optimal surgical strategy is still controversial. The aims of this study are to evaluate the outcome of c-AVSD repair and to define the risk factors related to reoperation. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 35 patients (8 males and 27 females) who underwent the total correction of c-AVSD from August 1996 to March 2008. The median age at repair was 5.2 months (range: 3 days$\sim$82 months). Sixteen patients (45.7%) were associated with Down syndrome. Prior palliative operations were performed in 4 patients. The one-patch techniques were performed in 3 patients, and the two-patch techniques were done in 32 patients. Result: There was 1 early death (2.9%). The median follow-up period was 68 months (range: $2\sim134$ months) for 34 survivors. There was no late death. Reoperations were performed in 5 patients (14.3%) for severe left atrioventricular valvular regurgitation (AVVR). Nine patients (25.7%) showed left an AVVR of more than grade III. Associated major cardiac anomalies and the use of Gore-Tex patch for ventricular septal closure were the risk factors for postoperative left atrioventricular valve failure and reoperation. Conclusion: In this study, we found that surgical repair of c-AVSD was safe and effective. However, the high reoperation rate after repair remains a problem to be solved.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2009

1,3-butadiene is classified as suspected human carcinogen, group A2(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, ACGIH). In Korea, 1,3-butadiene has been used as a raw material; monomer, homopolymer, polybutadiene latex, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS) and styrene-butadiene rubber(SBR), in the petrochemistry and precision chemistry industry. As petrochemistry industry in Korea has been developed, the potential exposure possibility of 1,3-butadiene to workers can be increased. Therefore the purpose of this study is to evaluate airborne 1,3-butadiene concentration and workers' exposure levels in the workplace using 1,3-butadiene. Air samples were collected with 4-tert-butyl catechol(TBC) charcoal tube(100 mg/50 mg) and were analyzed by gas chromatograph/flame ionization detector(GC/FID) according to the Choi's method(2002). Geometric mean (GM) and arithmetic mean (AM) of total 59 workers' exposure concentrations to airborne 1.3-butadiene were 0.042 ppm and 1.51 ppm, respectively. Although most samples were lower than 1ppm, 2 samples(21.5ppm and 33.1ppm as 8hr-TWA) were exceeded the Korean standard(2ppm) over 10 times at the repair process in synthetic rubber and resin manufacture industry. 14 samples(41%) of total 34 short-term air samples were exceeded the Korean standard(10ppm as STEL) of Ministry Labor. 1,3-butadiene concentration(GM) in the synthetic rubber and resin manufacture industry(7.87ppm) was significantly higher than that in the monomer manufacure industry (0.35ppm)(p<0.05). Also in the sampling and repair process, each GM(range) was 1.39ppm(N.D.-469.6ppm) and 7.85ppm(N.D.-410.2ppm). In conclusion, it depends on the industry and process, 1,3-butadiene can be exposed to workers as high concentration for short-term.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.693-698
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• 2005

Background: Sinus valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare disease, and it is frequently accompanied by ventricular septal defect and aortic valve regurgitaion. For treatment of SVA, several surgical mordalities were applied, but there was no report on the long-term result after surgical repair in Korea. We reviewed our 28 years of experiences and analyzed the long-term results after treatment of sinus valsalva aneurysm with or without rupture. Material and Method: Between March 1974 and February 2002, 81 patients were operated under the impression of sinus valvsalva aneurysm or sinus valsalva aneurym rupture. Retrospectively we reviewed the patients' record. Mean age of patients was $29.2\pm11.5$ and there were 49 males. Accompanyng diseases were as follows: VSD in 50, PDA in 2, Behcet's disease in 2, TOF in 1, RVOTO in 1, AAE in 1. Seventy-seven $(95\%)$ patients had sinus valsalva rupture and in 14 patients, subacute bacterial endocarditis was accompanied. Degree of aortic valve regurgitation was as follows: grade I: 8, II: 10, III: 9, IV: 4. Most common rupture site was right coronary sinus (66 patients, $81\%$) and most common communication site was right ventricle (53 patients). In repair of sinus valsalva rupture, patch was used in 37 patients, and direct suture was done in 38 patients. Result: There was one surgical death $(1.2\%)$. Follow up was done in 78 patients $(97.5\%)$, mean follow up period was $123.3\pm80.9(3\~330\;months)$. During the follow up period, 3 patients died $(3.8\%)$. One patient died of heart failure, another patient died of arrhythmia and the other one died of unknown cause. In two patients, complete atrio-ventricular block was developed during follow up period, and there was no operation related event or complication. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed $92.5\pm3.5\%$ survival at 15 and 27 years and it seems to be satisfactory. Conclusion: Long-term surgical results and survival is satisfactory after repair of sinus valsalva aneurysm with or without rupture.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1318-1326
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• 1992

Backgroud. To determine the influence of age at operation upon surgical outcome in patients with isolated secundum atrial septal defect, retrospective clinical analysis was done. Material and method. From June, 1976 to December, 1991, 146 patients, 63 male and 83 female patients ranging in age from 13 months to 56 years, were operated on for isolated secundum atrial septal defect. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their age at operation: Group I [<20 years old], 91 patients[62.3%]; Group II [21 to 40 years old], 44 patients[30.1%]; GroupIII[>41 years old], 11 patients[7.6%]. Significant differences in clinical features, hemodynamic function, early and late results between age groups were speculated. Results. One hundred thirty-one patients[89.6%] were symptomatic at the time of operation, the most common symptoms being dyspnea on exertion, recurrent respiratory infection, palpitation and chest pain. Patients in NYHA class III or IV were 3.3% in group I, 25% in groupIII, and 54.5% in group Ill. Hemodynamic data was available for 138 patients [94.5%]. Significant pulmonary hypertension [MPA systolic pressure $^3$ 40mmHg] was noted in 22 patients [15.9%]. Patients with pulmonary vascular disease [Rp/Rs>1.25] were 2% in group I, 7.3% in group Il, and 9.1% in groupIII. But there were no significant differences between the age groups in the size of the shunt or the ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow. Atrial septal defects were closed with direct suture in 144 patients and patch repair was performed in 2 patients with high defect. Atrial arrhythmia [8.2%] was the most common postoperative complication. The mean [LSD] duration of follow-up in all patients was 16$\pm$22 months [range, 1~96 months]. Functional result was excellent regardless of the age groups. During follow-up period, late cardiovascular events were arrhythmia [7 cases], reoperation for recurrent ASD [2 cases], and premature late death due to bacterial endocarditis [1 case]. Incidence of preoperative and late atrial fibrillation was significantly higher in older age group. Conclusion. Age at operation is one of the most important predictor of early and late surgical outcome with its impact on the following factors : 1] hemodynamic alterations and ventricular dysfunction due to longstanding volume and pressure overload, 2] pulmonary vascular disease, and 3] atrial arrhythmia including atrial fibrillation as a result of atrial dilatation. Therefore, among patients with surgically repaired atrial septal defects, those operated on over the age of 20 require careful supervision on the long-term basis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.426-433
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• 2009

Background: Remarkable progress has recently been made in achieving successful early repair of congenital heart disease with using cardiopulmonary bypass in the neonatal period. The aim of this study is to evaluate our short-term outcomes for performing neonatal cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation. Material and Method: Fifty five neonates underwent open heart surgery from February 2002 to December 2007. The mean ages and body weight was 13.5 days. and 3.2 kg, respectively. The diagnoses of the patients were transposition of the great arteries (14), total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (7), large ventricular septal defect (VSD) (7), coarotation of the aorta with VSD (6), interrupted aortic arch (5) and others (16). Result: Six patients had difficulties being weaned from extracorporeal circulation. Four patients left the operating room with an open sternum. Low cardiac output syndrome and acute renal insufficiency were observed in 3 patients each, respectively. Post-operative complications were observed in 27 patients (49.1%). The postoperative mortality was 12.7% (7 patients); 5 patients experienced early hospital death and 2 experienced late death (2). Conclusion: In our hospital, early surgical repair with extracorporeal circulation in neonates was feasible with tolerable mortality. Further follow-up required to establish the long-term survival and complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.12 s.269
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• pp.906-912
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• 2006

Background: Ventricular septal defect(VSD) is rare but feared complication after acute myocardial infarction. The patient could survive by surgery only, but the surgical mortality is still high. We investigate the surgical result and predictors for early surgical mortality. Material and Method: Between August 1993 and February 2006, 8 patients (male, 2: female, 6) with postinfarct VSD underwent surgical repair. Seven patients had one-vessel disease of left anterior descending artery, and 6 of them had wide extension of infarction to posterior septal wall as well as anterior septal wall of both ventricles. One patient had concomitant coronary bypass grafting to a coronary lesion unrelated to the infarction. Two patients had concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty and 1 patient mitral valvuloplasty. Result: Surgical mortality was 37.5%(3 patients). They all had only one-vessel disease of left anterior descending artery, which made extended posterior septal wall infarction as well as anterior septal wall infarction of both ventricles. In preoperative M-mode echocardiographic study of left ventricle, they had lower ejection fraction than survivors($34.9{\pm}4.2\;vs.\;54.8{\pm}12.3$; p=0.036). Conclusion: Most of patients with postinfarction VSD had one-vessel disease of left anterior descending artery. Early surgical mortality occurred in the patients with poor ejection fraction of left ventricle and the wide anterior septal wall infarction extending to the posterior septum.