• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.460-462
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• 2017

We herein present the unique case of a 68-year-old male diabetic patient who developed sterile necrosis of the sternum 1 month after myocardial revascularization with the use of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts. The sternum had been closed by the bilateral Robicsek wiring technique. The sternum was removed, and bilateral pectoralis major flaps were used to cover the defect. The patient had an uneventful recovery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.136-139
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• 2023

Although cardiac myxoma is one of the most common types of benign cardiac tumors, infected cardiac myxoma is very infrequent. The diagnosis of infected cardiac myxoma may be challenging because the presenting symptoms are non-specific and established management guidelines are lacking. This report describes a 39-year-old woman with a 5-month history of uncontrolled fever, chills, and myalgia who was diagnosed with myxoma and underwent mass excision. Although blood and urine cultures were negative for growing bacteria, a pathologic examination showed that the excised mass was a left atrial myxoma, with pan-bacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the surgical specimen revealing Haemophilus parainfluenzae at 99.87%, resulting in a diagnosis of infected cardiac myxoma. Laboratory tests, such as PCR, may supplement culture results in the diagnosis of infected cardiac myxoma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.sup1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to develop the models for regional cardiac surgery centers, which take regional characteristics into consideration, as a policy measure that could alleviate the concentration of cardiac surgery in the metropolitan area and enhance the accessibility for patients who reside in the regions. Methods: To develop the models and set standards for the necessary personnel and facilities for the initial management plan, we held workshops, debates, and conference meetings with various experts. Results: After partitioning the plan into two parts (the operational autonomy and the functional comprehensiveness), three models were developed: the 'independent regional cardiac surgery center' model, the 'satellite cardiac surgery center within hospitals' model, and the 'extended cardiac surgery department within hospitals' model. Proposals on personnel and facility management for each of the models were also presented. A regional cardiac surgery center model that could be applied to each treatment area was proposed, which was developed based on the anticipated demand for cardiac surgery. The independent model or the satellite model was proposed for Chungcheong, Jeolla, North Gyeongsang, and South Gyeongsang area, where more than 500 cardiac surgeries are performed annually. The extended model was proposed as most effective for the Gangwon and Jeju area, where more than 200 cardiac surgeries are performed annually. Conclusion: The operation of regional cardiac surgery centers with high caliber professionals and quality resources such as optimal equipment and facility size, should enhance regional healthcare accessibility and the quality of cardiac surgery in South Korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2018

Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) is a controversial issue in current clinical practice. PPM has been reported to have a negative impact on patients' prognosis after aortic valve replacement in several studies, showing increased all-cause and cardiac mortality. Moreover, a close relationship has recently been described between PPM and structural valve deterioration in biological prostheses. In patients at risk for PPM, several issues should be considered, and in the current era of cardiac surgery, preoperative planning should consider the different types of valves available and the various surgical techniques that can be used to prevent PPM. The present paper analyses the state of the art of the PPM issue.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2021

Background: The use of ProGlide as a percutaneous vascular closure device in cardiac surgery remains inconclusive. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of using ProGlide in the percutaneous cannulation of femoral vessels in adult cardiac surgery. Methods: From September 2017 to July 2018, 131 consecutive patients underwent femoral vessel cannulation during cardiac surgery. The ProGlide (Abbott Vascular Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA) with percutaneous cannulation was used in 118 patients (mean age, 55.7±15.5 years). The accessibility of femoral cannulation was evaluated through preoperative computed tomography. For cannulation, sonography was routinely used. The postoperative ankle-brachial index (ABI) was used to evaluate femoral artery stenosis. Results: Of the 118 patients, 112 (94.9%) and 6 (5.1%) underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery and median sternotomy, respectively. Most femoral cannulations were performed on the right side (98.3%) using 15F to 19F arterial cannulas. The technical success rate of cannulation with ProGlide was 99.2%, with no delayed bleeding or cannulation site-related complications during hospitalization. During follow-up, only 1 patient showed femoral artery stenosis with claudication and was treated with interventional balloon angioplasty. The postoperative ABI revealed no significant difference in functional stenosis between the cannulation and non-cannulation sides (n=86; cannulation vs. non-cannulation, 1.2±0.1 vs. 1.1±0). Conclusion: Percutaneous femoral cannulation with ProGlide was safe and feasible in adult cardiac surgery. This technique may be a good alternative option in patients requiring femoral vessel cannulation for cardiac surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.119-121
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• 2016

Although cardiac myxoma is the most commonly encountered benign cardiac tumor in cardiac surgery practice, recurrent cardiac myxoma is very rare, is most commonly related to the Carney complex, and usually requires multiple cardiac operations with specific requirements in terms of perioperative management. In this report, we describe a patient who experienced the fourth recurrence of cardiac myxoma and review the diagnostic criteria of the Carney complex. This is the first report of such a case in Korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.178-181
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• 2019

Prosthetic valve endocarditis with aortic root abscess is a serious condition requiring urgent surgical intervention. We present a case caused by an infected Bentall mechanical valve conduit after cardiac surgery in a patient who was referred for a suprasternal pulsatile mass. The patient also had 1 episode of sentinel haemorrhage.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.242-246
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• 2017

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation is usually performed by congenital cardiac surgeons. However, due to the uneven distribution of congenital cardiac surgeons in South Korea, many institutions depend solely on adult cardiac surgeons for congenital cardiac diseases. We report the outcomes of PDA ligations performed by adult cardiac surgeons at our institution. Methods: The electronic medical records of 852 neonates at Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea from November 2010 to May 2014 were reviewed to identify patients with PDA. Results: Of the 111 neonates with a diagnosis of PDA, 26 (23%) underwent PDA ligation. PDAs were ligated within 28 days of birth (mean, $14.5{\pm}7.8days$), and the mean gestational age of these patients was $30.3{\pm}4.6weeks$ (range, 26 to 40 weeks) with a mean birth weight of $1,292.5{\pm}703.5g$ (range, 480 to 3,020 g). No residual shunts through the PDA were found on postoperative echocardiography. There was 1 case of 30-day mortality (3.8%) due to pneumonia, and 6 cases of in-hospital mortality (23.1%) after 30 days, which is comparable to results from other centers with congenital cardiac surgery programs. Conclusion: Although our outcomes may not be generalizable to all hospital settings without a congenital cardiac surgery program, in select centers, PDA ligations can be performed safely by adult cardiac surgeons if no congenital cardiac surgery program is available.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.311-317
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• 2015

Background: Robotic surgery is an alternative to minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this study was to report on current trends in robotic thoracic and cardiovascular surgical techniques in Korea. Methods: Data from the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) between January 2006 and June 2012 were used in this study, including a total of 932 cases of robotic surgeries reported to NECA. The annual trends in the case volume, indications for robotic surgery, and distribution by hospitals and surgeons were analyzed in this study. Results: Of the 932 cases, 591 (63%) were thoracic operations and 340 (37%) were cardiac operations. The case number increased explosively in 2007 and 2008. However, the rate of increase regained a steady state after 2011. The main indications for robotic thoracic surgery were pulmonary disease (n=271, 46%), esophageal disease (n=199, 34%), and mediastinal disease (n=117, 20%). The main indications for robotic cardiac surgery were valvular heart disease (n=228, 67%), atrial septal defect (n=79, 23%), and cardiac myxoma (n=27, 8%). Robotic thoracic and cardiovascular surgeries were performed in 19 hospitals. Three large volume hospitals performed 94% of the case volume of robotic cardiac surgery and 74% of robotic thoracic surgery. Centralization of robotic operation was significantly (p<0.0001) more common in cardiac surgery than in thoracic surgery. A total of 39 surgeons performed robotic surgeries. However, only 27% of cardiac surgeons and 23% of thoracic surgeons performed more than 10 cases of robotic surgery. Conclusion: Trend analysis of robotic and cardiovascular operations demonstrated a gradual increase in the surgical volume in Korea. Meanwhile, centralization of surgical cases toward specific surgeons in specific hospitals was observed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.160-162
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• 2014

Cardiac involvement in hydatid disease is more seldom than the involvement of the liver and the lungs. Cardiac cyst hydatid disease is diagnosed incidentally or by means of symptoms such as dyspnea and angina pectoris. Here, we present the case of a 45-year-old male patient who underwent open heart surgery for a randomly detected cardiac cyst hydatid during investigations carried out in a healthcare institution after accidentally falling from height. On the other hand, this patient did not have any complaints associated with hydatid disease before this event.