• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.11-15
• /
• 2006

Objective : Acute cerebral infarction is often accompanied by transtentorial herniation which can be fatal. The aim of this study is to determine the timing of surgical intervention and prognostic factors in patients who present with acute cerebral infarction. Methods : We reviewed retrospectively 23 patients with acute cerebral infarction, who received decompressive craniectomy or conservative treatment from January 2002 to December 2004. We divided patients into two groups according to the treatment modalities [Group 1 : conservative treatment, Group 2 : decompressive craniectomy]. In all patients, the outcome was quantified with Glasgow Outcome Scale and Barthel Index. Results : Of the 23 patients, 11 underwent decompressive craniectomy. With decompressive craniectomy at the time of loss of pupillary light reflex, we were able to prevent death secondary to severe brain edema in all cases. Preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale and loss of pupillary light reflex were significant to the clinical outcome statistically. With conservative treatment, 9 of the 12 patients died secondary to transtentorial herniation. The clinical outcomes of remaining 3 patients were poor. Conclusion : This study confirms the value of life-saving procedure of decompressive craniectomy after acute cerebral infarction. We propose that the loss of pupillary light reflex should be considered one of the most important factors to determine the timing of the decompressive craniectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.151-154
• /
• 2015

Extensive tumoral calcinosis affecting a large joint is uncommon in patients with systemic sclerosis. We report the case of a 52-year-old female patient referred for a growing calcified mass in the shoulder. She was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease and progressive systemic sclerosis. Although the pain and disability associated with the affected joint was not severe, the patient underwent surgical excision because the mass continued to grow and was likely to produce shoulder dysfunction and skin ulceration. The patient appeared well 10 months after surgery with no signs of recurrence. This report highlights the timing and indication of surgical excision in similar cases.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.15-19
• /
• 2003

Although the number of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is increasing, complications after primary ACL reconstruction are more difficult to determine. Intraoperative and postoperative complications can lead to ultimate failure of a primary reconstructive procedure. Therefore, surgical success in ACL reconstruction requires detailed knowledge and technical advancements about ACL reconstruction. Preoperatively surgeon must pay attention to selection of grafts and methods of fixation, and intraoperatively, attention to the harvest of graft, passage of graft, intraarticuar placement of the graft, notchplasty, proper tensioning of the graft, and others. Postoperative complications must be detected early, including infection, abnormal healing responses, arthrofibrosis, graft rejection, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Careful patient selection, appropriate surgical timing, careful surgical technique, and supervised preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation can minimize postoperative complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.254-269
• /
• 1988

52 cases of ventricular septal defect [VSD] associated with aortic insufficiency [Al] were found among 1271 patients with simple VSD operated during 27-year period [1959, August-1987, June] at Seoul National University Hospital. Their preoperative data, intraoperative findings and postoperative short-term and long-term follow-up data were evaluated to find the proper timing and method of surgical treatment. The result of this survey shows as follows: 1. To obtain the proper surgical indication, cardiac catheterization and angiography, especially root aortography, was essential. 2. Of all 52 patients, the VSD were type I in 40 patients [77%], type II in 8 [15%] and combination of type I and II in 4 [3%]. Patch closure of VSD were performed in 46 patients and direct suture closure of small VSD in 6. Most common pathologic findings of Al were prolapse of right coronary cusp [40 cases, 77%]. Aortic valve reconstruction were performed in 19 patients, aortic valve replacement in 6 and VSD closure alone in 27. 3. There were 3 surgical deaths [mortality 5.8%], and the long-term follow-up shows that VSD closure alone might have been sufficient to arrest progression of Al in younger patients [less than 10-year old], particularly in those with mild insufficiency. Valve reconstructions, when necessary, were more effective when done at an early age [less than 15-year old]. In a conclusion, we could recommend followings: 1. If patient at any age having VSD with Al is diagnosed, prompt operation is recommended. As for the surgical method, VSD closure only may be fit for mild degree of Al when patient is less than 10-year old, but the management of valve itself may be needed for moderate to severe degree of Al, especially when patient is over 10 year old. The management of valve itself may be variable, but valve reconstruction should be considered as a first choice in less than 15-year old patient. If patient is diagnosed less than 5-year old without evidence of Al, close follow-up observation is recommended. But if Al evidences of clinical findings and/or echocardiography during follow-up examination are notified, corrective operation should be accomplished while the Al is mild. If cusp prolapse and/or even type I VSD of significant size is demonstrated on aortogram, without Al, it should be corrected as early as possible before the patient is about 5 years old.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.862-867
• /
• 1994

We experienced two cases of dissecting aneurysm[DeBakey type III] of the thoracic aorta treated using intraluminal sutureless graft. Controversy still exists about the exact timing of surgical intervention for dissection of the descending thoracic aorta. The surgical indication of dissecting aneurysm[DeBakey type III] is continuous flow in the false lumen, continuous chest pain, compromise of arterial supply to a specific organ or limb, or extension of the dissection while the patient is receiving satisfactory medical treatment. Surgical therapy for dissection of the aorta has had a high mortality. One contributing factor has been hemorrhage from the prosthesis and the suture lines. Recently, a new method of treatment with a intraluminal sutureless graft that requires no end-to-end anastomosis has been developed. In our cases, cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest was utilized in repairing dissecting aneurysm of descending aorta[DeBakey type III] in order to avoid the aortic cross clamping because of friable aortic intima. The basic technique consists of vertical incision of descending aorta in the area of intimal tear and inserting the whole ringed graft into the true lumen of the dissected aorta and circumferentially ligating the aorta against the groove in the rings. Postoperative course was uneventful.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2017

Pediatric onset Crohn's disease (CD) tends to have complicated behavior (stricture or penetration) than elderly onset CD at diagnosis. Considering the longer duration of the disease in pediatric patients, the accumulative chance of surgical treatment is higher than in adult onset CD patients. Possible operative indications include perianal CD, intestinal stricture or obstruction, abdominal abscess or fistula, intestinal hemorrhage, neoplastic changes and medically untreatable inflammation. Growth retardation is an operative indication only for pediatric patients. Surgery can affect a patient's clinical course, especially for pediatric CD patient who are growing physically and mentally, so the decision should be made by careful consideration of several factors. The complex and diverse clinical conditions hinder development of a systemized treatment algorithm. Therefore, timing of surgery in pediatric CD patients should be determined with individualized approach by an experienced and well organized multidisciplinary inflammatory bowel disease team. Best long-term outcomes will require proactive post-operative monitoring and therapeutic modifications according to the conditions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2016

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a well-recognized congenital heart disease. Despite improvements in the outcomes of surgical repair, the optimal timing of surgery and type of surgical management of patients with TOF remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes following the repair of TOF in infants depending on the surgical procedure used. Methods: This study involved the retrospective review of 120 patients who underwent TOF repair between 2010 and 2013. Patients were divided into three groups depending on the surgical procedure that they underwent. Corrective surgery was done via the transventricular approach (n=40), the transatrial approach (n=40), or a combined atrioventricular approach (n=40). Demographic data and the outcomes of the surgical procedures were compared among the groups. Results: In the atrioventricular group, the incidence of the following complications was found to be significantly lower than in the other groups: complete heart block (p=0.034), right ventricular failure (p=0.027) and mediastinal bleeding (p=0.007). Patients in the atrioventricular group had a better postoperative right ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed among the three surgical groups in the occurrence of tachycardia, renal failure, and tricuspid incompetence. The one-year survival rates in the three groups were 95%, 90%, and 97.5%, respectively (p=0.395). Conclusion: Combined atrioventricular repair of TOF in infancy can be safely performed, with acceptable surgical risk, a low incidence of reoperation, good ventricular function outcomes, and an excellent survival rate.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.40-48
• /
• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Timing of resection for synchronous colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) has been debated for decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of simultaneous resection of CRLM in terms of major complications and develop a prediction model for safe resections. Methods: A retrospective single-center study of synchronous, resectable CRLM, operated between 2013 and 2021 was conducted. Upper limit of 95% confidence interval (CI) of major complications (≥ grade IIIA) was set at 40% as the safety threshold. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of morbidity. Prediction model was internally validated by bootstrap estimates, Harrell's C-index, and correlation of predicted and observed estimates. Results: Ninety-two patients were operated. Of them, 41.3% had rectal cancers. Major hepatectomy (≥ 4 segments) was performed for 25 patients (27.2%). Major complications occurred in 20 patients (21.7%, 95% CI: 13.8%-31.5%). Predictors of complications were the presence of comorbidities and major hepatectomy (area under the ROC curve: 0.692). Unacceptable level of morbidity (≥ 40%) was encountered in patients with comorbidities who underwent major hepatectomy. Conclusions: Simultaneous bowel and CRLM resection appear to be safe. However, caution should be exercised when combining major liver resections with bowel resection in patients with comorbid conditions.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.92-98
• /
• 2024

The solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN) of the pancreas is an uncommon tumor that accounts for approximately 1%-2% of exocrine pancreatic neoplasms. It predominantly affects female in their second and third decades of life. In this case report, we present a clinical scenario of a 21-year-old pregnant woman who incidentally discovered a solid cystic lesion in her pancreas, exhibiting features suggestive of SPEN. The patient underwent surgery during the second trimester. Management of pregnant females with SPEN poses challenges due to the absence of definitive treatment guidelines, particularly in determining the ideal timing for surgical intervention. Notably, during pregnancy, the presence of a small SPEN does not necessarily require immediate resection. However, if the tumor is of significant size, it can give rise to complications such as tumor rupture, multivisceral resection, recurrence, spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth restriction, or premature delivery if not addressed. In the existing literature, a common finding is that approximately two-thirds of pregnant females with SPEN underwent surgery in the second trimester, often without complications for the mother or fetus. All these tumors were larger than 8 cm. The decision to operate before or after birth can be individualized based on team discussion. However, delay in surgery may lead to larger tumors and higher risks like bleeding, rupture, multivisceral resection, and recurrence. Therefore, second-trimester surgery seems safer, and lessens dangers, emergency surgery, and tumor recurrence.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.119-122
• /
• 2020

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare disease in which extensive toxic epidermolysis occurs after medication. Skin and mucous membranes are involved in about 90% of SJS cases, and webbing of mouth corners (microstomia) may occur when they are affected. Few reports have been issued on microstomia in SJS, and no consensus has been reached regarding treatment methods, timings, or results. We encountered a case of microstomia following SJS after ofloxacin medication in a 22-year-old woman treated by commissuroplasty using a lozenge-shaped excision. We present an appropriate correction method and surgical timing for microstomia following SJS.