• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.443-447
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• 2017

Background: The inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) is very effective for preventing pulmonary embolism in patients who cannot undergo anticoagulation therapy. However, if a filter is placed in the body permanently, it may lead to other complications. Methods: A retrospective study was performed of 159 patients who underwent retrievable Cook Celect IVCF implantation between January 2007 and April 2015 at a single center. Baseline characteristics, indications, and complications caused by the filter were investigated. Results: The most common underlying disease of patients receiving the filter was cancer (24.3%). Venous thrombolysis or thrombectomy was the most common indication for IVCF insertion in this study (47.2%). The most common complication was inferior vena cava penetration, the risk of which increased the longer the filter remained in the body (p=0.032, Exp(B)=1.004). Conclusion: If the patient is able to retry anticoagulation therapy and the filter is no longer needed, the filter should be removed, even if a long time has elapsed since implantation. If the filter cannot be removed, it is recommended that follow-up computed tomography be performed regularly to monitor the progress of venous thromboembolisms as well as any filter-related complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2015

Background: We report our initial experiences of robot-assisted cardiac surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. Methods: Between February 2010 and March 2014, 50 consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive robot-assisted cardiac surgery. Results: Robot-assisted cardiac surgery was employed in two cases of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass, 17 cases of mitral valve repair, 10 cases of cardiac myxoma removal, 20 cases of atrial septal defect repair, and one isolated CryoMaze procedure. Average cardiopulmonary bypass time and average aorta cross-clamping time were $194.8{\pm}48.6$ minutes and $126.1{\pm}22.6$ minutes in mitral valve repair operations and $132.0{\pm}32.0$ minutes and $76.1{\pm}23.1$ minutes in myxoma removal operations, respectively. During atrial septal defect closure operations, the average cardiopulmonary bypass time was $128.3{\pm}43.1$ minutes. The median length of stay was between five and seven days. The only complication was that one patient needed reoperation to address bleeding. There were no hospital mortalities. Conclusion: Robot-assisted cardiac surgery is safe and effective for mitral valve repair, atrial septal defect closure, and cardiac myxoma removal surgery. Reducing operative time depends heavily on the experience of the entire robotic surgical team.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.350-355
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• 2018

Background: The complication rate of fungal disease is higher among patients with hematological malignancies. We investigated the clinicobacteriological outcomes of resected pulmonary fungal infections complicating hematological malignancies. Methods: Between 2001 and 2017, 21 patients with pulmonary fungal infections complicating hematological malignancies underwent resection, and their clinical records and survival were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The median age of the patients was 47 years, and 13 were male. The histological diagnoses were pulmonary aspergillosis (19 cases), mucormycosis (1 case), and cryptococcosis (1 case). The indications for surgery were resistance to antifungal therapy and the necessity of surgery before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 13 and 8 cases, respectively. The diagnoses of the hematological malignancies were acute myelogenous leukemia (10 cases), acute lymphocytic leukemia (5 cases), myelodysplastic syndrome (3 cases), and chronic myelogenous leukemia, malignant lymphoma, and extramedullary plasmacytoma (1 case each). The surgical procedures were partial resection (11 cases), segmentectomy (5 cases), lobectomy (4 cases), and cavernostomy (1 case). The size of the lesions was 0.9-8.5 cm. Fourteen cases had cavitation. There were no surgical-related deaths or fungal progression. Conclusion: Pulmonary fungal infections are resistant to treatments for hematological malignancies. Since the treatment of the underlying disease is extended and these infections often recur and are exacerbated, surgery should be considered when possible.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1001-1004
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• 1997

Thoracic sympathectomy is the radical and definite treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. From January 1992 to March 1997, 4 patients with recurrent hyperhidrosis underwent resympathectomy via VATS at the Department of General Thoracic and Cardiovacular Surgery, Young Dong Severance Hospital. There were 2 men and 2 women and mean age was 20.0 years. There were moderate to severe adhesions at previous resection site but no thoracotomies were performed. There was no sweating on palms in all cases and all patients were greatly 5,Btisfied with those results postoperatively. In conclusion, recurrent hyperhidrosis was successfully treated with resympathectomy via VATS. In order to prevent recurrence and minimize the postoperative complication, the proper localization of the 2nd sympathetic ganglion and the radical excision of anatomical variation including Kuntz fiber are needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.12 s.269
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• pp.957-959
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• 2006

Muscle sparing thoracotomy is known as alternative of posterolateral thoracotomy because of less postoperative pain, preservation of muscle power and better cosmetic outcome. Curved axillary thoracotomy(CAT) is a type of muscle sparing thoracotomy. Between July 2003 and August 2004, 5 patients diagnosed as pure patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) treated by CAT and we reviewed results retrospectively by clinical record. The operative procedures were ligation of ductus in 4 cases and division of ductus in 1 case. There were no postoperative complication. Curved axillary thoracotomy is considerable alternative for surgical treatment of PDA with merits of muscle sparing effect and cosmetic benefit.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.248-251
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• 2009

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a rare complication that occurs in about 0.05% of patients after openheart surgery, and NOMI refers to the mesenteric ischemia that's caused by splanchnic vasospasm without occlusion of the great intestinal vessels. In the presently reported case, NOMI developed to maintain the blood flow to the heart and brain after several minutes of a hypotensive status and the latter was caused by acute aortic dissection that complicated an aortic cannulation procedure. Unfortunately, the patient died even though the problems were diagnosed early and proper treatment was administered. Early diagnosis of NOMI by angiography and the selective infusion of vasodilators are thought to be the only way to improve survival for patients with clinically suspected NOMI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.202-206
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• 2017

Background: Empyema is the collection of purulent exudate within the pleural space. Overall, 36%-65% of patients with empyema cannot be treated by medical therapy alone and require surgery. Multiloculated empyema is particularly difficult to treat with percutaneous drainage. Therefore, we describe our experiences with early aggressive surgical treatment for rapid progressive multiloculated empyema. Methods: From January 2001 to October 2015, we retrospectively reviewed 149 patients diagnosed with empyema who received surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they underwent emergency surgery or not. We then compared surgical outcomes between these groups. Results: The patients in group A (emergency surgery, n=102) showed a more severe infectious state, but a lower complication rate and shorter length of hospital stay. The incidence of lung abscess was higher in group A, and abscesses were associated with diabetes and severe alcoholism. Conclusion: Early aggressive surgical treatment resulted in good surgical outcomes for patients with rapid progressive multiloculated empyema. Furthermore, we suspect that the most likely causes of multiloculated empyema are lung abscesses found in patients with diabetes mellitus as well as severe alcoholism.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.142-145
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• 2005

Background: Vertebroplasty that is performed in the upper and middle thoracic spine presents technical challenges that are different from those in the lower thoracic or lumbar region due to the small pedicle size and angular severity for thoracic kyphosis. We report the results of percutaneous vertebroplasty and review its effectiveness in treating intractable osteoporotic compression fractures in the upper and middle thoracic spine. Methods: Patients who underwent vertebroplasty due to painful osteoporotic compression fractures at T3 T8 were retrospectively analyzed. The compression rate, volume of injected cement, clinical outcome (VAS score) and complications were analyzed. Results: Forty-three vertebral bodies from 41 patients (32 females and 9 males, age from 64 to 78 years old) underwent vertebroplasty. The mean compression rate improved from 35% to 17%. Bipedicular injections of bone cement were performed at 3 levels of 2 patients, and unipedicular injections were performed in 40 levels of 39 patients. The mean VAS score prior to surgery was 7.7, which improved to 2.4 within 48 hours after surgery, and the mean VAS score after 6 months was 1.5, which was significantly lower. All patients recovered uneventfully, and the neurological examination revealed no deficits. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc (9 levels) and paravertebral soft tissues (10 levels) developed. However, there were no significant complications related to the procedure such as a pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism. Conclusions: Transpedicular vertebroplasty is a safe and effective treatment for the upper and middle thoracic regions, and has a low complication rate.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.363-366
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• 2007

Objective : Kyphoplasty performed in the middle thoracic spine presents technical challenges that differ from those in the lower thoracic or lumbar region due to small pedicle size and angular severity for thoracic kyphosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach for the treatment of intractable osteoporotic compression fractures in the middle thoracic spine. Methods : The patients who were performed with one level balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach due to painful osteoporotic compression fractures at T5-T8 from June 2003 to July 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging and clinical features were analyzed including involved vertebrae level, vertebral height, Injected cement volume, clinical outcome and complications. Results : Eighteen female patients (age ranged from 60 to 77 years old) were included in this study. The average amount of the implanted cement was $4.2{\pm}1.5\;cc$. The mean cobb angle and compression rate were improved from $12.1{\pm}6.5^{\circ}$ to $8.5{\pm}7.2^{\circ}$ and from 30% to 15%, respectively. The mean pain score (visual analogue scale) prior to kyphoplasty was 7.9 and it decreased to 3.0 after the procedure. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc (2 cases) and paravertebral soft tissues (1 case) were seen but there were no major complications such as pneumothorax, segmental arte 이 Injury, pulmonary embolism, or epidural leakage. Conclusion : Balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach is considered as a safe and effective in treating the middle thoracic regions with low complication rate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.381-386
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• 2015

Background: Postinfarction ventricular septal defects (pVSDs) are a serious complication of acute myocardial infarctions. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of the surgical treatment of pVSDs. Methods: The medical records of 23 patients who underwent operations (infarct exclusion in 21 patients and patch closure in two patients) to treat acute pVSDs from 2001 to 2011 were analyzed. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation was performed in 19 patients (82.6%), one of whom required extracorporeal membrane support due to cardiogenic shock. The mean follow-up duration was $26.2{\pm}18.6months$. Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.3% (1/23). Residual shunts were found in seven patients and three patients required reoperation. One patient needed reoperation due to the transformation of an intracardiac hematoma into an abscess. No patients required reoperation due to recurrence of a ventricular septal defect during the follow-up period. The cumulative survival rate was 95.5% at one year, 82.0% at five years, and 65.6% at seven years. Conclusion: The use of a multiple-patch technique with sealants appears to be a reliable method of reducing early mortality and the risk of significant residual shunting in patients with pVSDs.