• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.353-358
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• 2023

Background: Malignant pleural effusion affects many patients with advanced cancer. When chemotherapy or radiotherapy fails to relieve malignant pleural effusion and related symptoms, drainage and pleurodesis can help. Although surgical talc pleurodesis is the most widely used method, Viscum album, which has been recently used in surgical or bedside procedures, has demonstrated significant results and is as effective as talc. This study aimed to determine the most effective agent and procedure. Methods: Between January 2015 and July 2022, chemical pleurodesis was performed in 137 patients with malignant pleural effusion, using a V. album surgical procedure in 48, a V. album bedside procedure in 55, and a talc surgical procedure in 34 patients. We reviewed patients' clinical responses and disease progression after chemical pleurodesis. Results: The success rate was not significantly different among the V. album surgical procedures (91.7%), V. album bedside procedures (83.6%), and talc surgical procedures (91.2%). However, the total drainage amount and tube insertion duration in both Viscum groups were more effective than those in the talc group. Furthermore, the bedside Viscum group showed significantly lower post-pleurodesis pain scores than the other 2 groups. Conclusion: According to our results, talc and V. album can be considered ideal agents for chemical pleurodesis. However, Viscum pleurodesis showed safer outcomes in terms of ensuring quality of life than talc. Additionally, the bedside Viscum group showed significantly lower pain scores than the other groups. Hence, patients for whom surgical procedures are inappropriate can undergo bedside Viscum pleurodesis without diminishing the therapeutic effect.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.152-159
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• 2020

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) was first introduced in the 1990s. Currently, it is a widely accepted surgical approach for the treatment of esophageal cancer, as it is an oncologically sound procedure; its advantages when compared to open procedures, including reduction in postoperative complications, reduction in the length of hospital stay, and improvement in quality of life, are well documented. However, debates are still ongoing about the safety and efficacy of MIE. The present review focuses on some of the current issues related to conventional MIE and robot-assisted MIE based on evidence from the current literature.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.83-97
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• 2008

Cervical and thoracic radiculopathies are among the most common causes of neck pain. The most common causes are cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis in patients with cervical radiculopathy, and diabetes mellitus and thoracic disc herniation in thoracic radiculopathy. A thorough history, physical examination, and testing that includes electrodiagnostic examination and imaging studies may distinguish radiculopathy from other pain sources. Although various electrodiagnostic examinations may help evaluate radiculopathy, needle electromyography is the most important, sensitive, and specific method. Outcome studies of conservative treatments have shown varying results and have not been well controlled or systematic. When legitimate incapacitating symptoms continue despite conservative treatment attempts, more invasive spinal procedures and intradiscal treatment may be appropriate. Surgery has been shown to have excellent clinical outcomes in patients with disc extrusion and neurological deficits. However, patients with minimal disc herniation have fair or poor surgical outcomes. In addition, conventional open disc surgery entails various inadvertent surgical related risks. Although there has not yet been a non-surgical interventional procedure developed with the therapeutic efficacy of open surgery, conservative procedures can offer substantial benefits, are less invasive, and avoid surgical complications. While more invasive procedures may be appropriate when conservative treatment fails, prospective studies evaluating cervical and thoracic radiculopathies treatment options would help guide practitioners toward optimally cost-effective patient evaluation and care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.433-438
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• 2013

Background: Surgical repair of post-infarct ventricular septal defect (VSD) is considered one of the most challenging procedures having high surgical mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the surgical repair of post-infarct VSD. Methods: From May 1991 to July 2012, 34 patients (mean age, $67.1{\pm}7.9$ years) underwent surgical repair of post-infarct VSD. A retrospective review of clinical and surgical data was performed. Results: VSD repair involved the infarct exclusion technique using a patch in all patients. For coronary revascularization, 12 patients (35.3%) underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass graft, 3 patients (8.8%) underwent preoperative percutaneous coronary intervention, and 9 patients (26.5%) underwent both of these procedures. The early mortality rate was 20.6%. Six patients (17.6%) required reoperation due to residual shunt or newly developed VSD. During follow-up (median, 4.8 years; range, 0 to 18.4 years), late death occurred in nine patients. Overall, the 5-year and 10-year survival rates were $54.4%{\pm}8.8%$ and $44.3%{\pm}8.9%$, respectively. According to a Cox regression analysis, preoperative cardiogenic shock (p=0.069) and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.008) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: The early surgical outcome of post-infarct VSD was acceptable considering the high-risk nature of the disease. The long-term outcome, however, was still dismal, necessitating comprehensive optimal management through close follow-up.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.93-97
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• 2013

Background: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has emerged as an alternative to conventional open surgery. This report reviews our experience with atrial septal defect using the da VinciTM surgical robot system. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 50 consecutive patients who underwent atrial septal defect repair using the da VinciTM surgical robot system between October 2007 and May 2011. Among these, 13 patients (26%) were approached through a totally endoscopic approach and the others by mini-thoracotomy. Nineteen patients had concomitant procedures including tricuspid annuloplasty (n=10), mitral valvuloplasty (n=9), and maze procedure (n=4). The mean follow-up duration was $16.9{\pm}10.4$ months. Results: No remnant interatrial shunt was detected by intraoperative or postoperative echocardiography. The atrial septal defects were mainly repaired by Gore-Tex patch closure (80%). There was no operative mortality or serious surgical complications. The aortic cross clamping time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were $74.1{\pm}32.2$ and $157.6{\pm}49.7$ minutes, respectively. The postoperative hospital stay was $5.5{\pm}3.3$ days. Conclusion: The atrial septal defect repair with concomitant procedures like mitral valve repair or tricuspid valve repair using the da VinciTM system is a feasible method. In addition, in selected patients, complete port access can be helpful for better cosmetic results and less musculoskeletal injury.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.323-327
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• 2024

This case report presents 2 patients with gastroesophageal junction cancer who both underwent totally minimally invasive esophagectomy with colon interposition. Patients 1 and 2, who were 43-year-old and 78-year-old men, respectively, had distinct clinical presentations and medical histories. Patient 1 underwent minimally invasive robotic esophagectomy with a laparoscopic total gastrectomy, colonic conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago-colono-jejunostomy. Patient 2 underwent completely robotic total gastrectomy, colon conduit preparation, and intrathoracic esophago-colono-jejunostomy. The primary challenge in colon interposition is assessing colon vascularity and ensuring an adequate conduit length, which is critical for successful anastomosis. In both cases, we used indocyanine green fluorescence angiography to evaluate vascularity. Determining the appropriate conduit is challenging; therefore, it is crucial to ensure a slightly longer conduit during reconstruction. Because totally minimally invasive colon interposition can reduce postoperative pain and enhance recovery, this surgical technique is feasible and beneficial.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.357-361
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• 2013

Left ventricular free wall rupture (LFWR) is rare, but is one of the most serious complications of myocardial infarction and is associated with high mortality. Several operative techniques have been attempted, but early diagnosis and prompt surgical management are crucial for a positive patient outcome. We report three cases of LFWR successfully treated with surgical methods.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.319-324
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• 2021

Robotic thymectomy has been adopted recently and has been shown to be safe and feasible in treating thymic tumors and myasthenia gravis. The surgical indications of robotic technology are expanding, with advantages including an excellent surgical view and sophisticated manipulation. Herein, we describe technical aspects, considerations, and outcomes of robotic thymectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.463-469
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• 1991

Post-anastomotic leakage and stenoses remain major complications and are still responsible for many mortalities after esophageal reconstructive procedures. If the hand-suture is used, anastomotic leaks developed frequently than stenoses. But post-anastomotic leakages are more critical than post-anastomotic stenoses. If the stapler is used, anastomotic stenoses will develop frequently and not critical than anastomotic leakages. The stapler suture method is easier and quicker than the hand suture method in the esophageal anastomotic procedures. But the disadvantages of the stapler suture method is that there is not reachable site with anastomotic stapler the thoracic inlet region and the cost is expensive. We have treated 44 cases of the surgical complications after esophageal reconstructive procedure with conservative and surgical treatment for 10 years from January, 1980 to December, 1989. The anastomotic site stenoses were 8 cases in the hand-suture methods and 4 cases in the stapler-suture methods. The anastomotic leaks were 8 cases in hand-suture methods and 5 cases in stapler-suture methods. There were one death in the surgical repair of four post-operative anastomotic stenoses and two deaths in the surgical repair of three post-operative anastomotic leakages. Ever though we consider that there is more anastomotic leakage than stenoses after the hand-suture methods in esophageal reconstructive procedures. the cost with long stay in the intensive care unit to treat anastomotic leakage after the hand-suture, would be more expensive than-the cost of the treatment of the anastomotic stenoses after auto-suture.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.478-481
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• 2022

The innominate artery is an uncommon site for an aneurysm, and tracheal compression caused by an innominate artery aneurysm is a very rare occurrence. An innominate artery aneurysm can cause catastrophic complications, such as rupture or thromboembolism. The most common surgical approach for open repair is median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass, but cerebral ischemic injury and thromboembolism can occur during surgery. We present the case of a male patient who had an isolated giant innominate artery aneurysm causing tracheal compression, which was successfully managed by surgical repair.