Experimental Studies on the Effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 Mixtures in an Isolated Rat Heart after Ischemic Arrest and Reperfusion / 대한흉부외과학회지

Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer has been known for hundreds of years as the most valuable drug having mysterious effects among all the herbal medicines and plants in Korea. Also, many experimental studies have been performed recently that the various effects were identified and applied clinically. So we attempted an experimental study on the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures in an isolated rat heart with the use of the Langendorff model. The objective of this study was to determine whether this ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures would protect the myocardial injury after ischemic arrest and reperfusion. Isolated rat hearts were allowed to equilibrate for 20 minutes and were then subjected to 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia. After this ischemic period, isolated rat hearts were allowed to reperfusion for 10 minutes (Ischemic Group). In other group , isolated rat hearts were perfused for 60 minutes continuously with normothermia (Normothermic Group). Hemodynamic and biochemical parameters such as heart rate, left ventricular pressure, +dp/dt max, coronary blood flow and cardiac enzymes were measured during initial perfusion, ischemia, reperfusion period (Ischemic group) and 20, 40 and 60 minutes after continuous perfusion (Normothermic group). After completion of the experiment, this data was evaluated and the following results were obtained. 1. Heart rates showed an increase in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups, but statistically significant differences were not identified. 2. LVP (Left Ventricular Pressure) showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups (p<0.005, p<0.01). 3. +dp/dt max showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups (p<0.01, p<0.01). 4. There were no statistically significant differences in coronary blood flow and cardiac cenzymes in all groups, but experimental groups seemed to have better protection and recovery. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures has a protective effect on the myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion.

Mediastinal Cavernous Hemangioma / 대한흉부외과학회지

Mediastinal hemangioma is a rare tumor and only few cases have been reported in the literatures. We have experienced one case of cavernous hemangioma occuring at the superior vena cana. The patient was a thrity-five year old female with no specific symtoms except palpable cystic mass in the right cervical area. A routine chest radiography showed an upper mediastinal mass. Computed Tomography showed about 4x5 cm sized cystic mass communicating to the superior vena cava 2 cm above of the veno-atrial junction. After the evaluation, surgical excision was performed and the pathologic diagnosis was confirmed to cavernous hemangioma. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient has been followed up without any problems.

Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy in Hyperhidrosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Recently thoracoscopic surgery is widely applied in thoracic surgical field and hyperhidrosis is one of the most frequently operated diseases. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From June 1997 to February 1998, 30 patients with hyperhidrosis underwent bilateral thoracic sympathectomy under thoracoscopy at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital. There were 10 males and 20 females whose mean age was 22.42+/-6.84 years ranging from 17 to 51. All patients underwent bilateral thoracic sympathectomy under semi-sitting position and two 5 mm sized trocars were inserted. RESULT: Mean operation time was 52.32+/-11.72 minutes and the mean elevation of palmar temperature after sympathectomy was 2.17+/-0.47degree C. Eighteen patients (60%) complained compensatory hyperhidrosis. All patients except one were able to discharge at the operation day or postoperative one day. There were no recurrence during follow up from 2 to 8 months (mean 5.30+/-2.17 months). CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is simple and effective technique in hyperhidrosis and widely applied indication will be necessary. We conclude that further discussion should be made about the resection area and method to get maximal effect and minimal side effect.

Laceration of Left Main Bronchus and Azygos Vein Following Stab Wound: 1 case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Tracheobronchial injuries are uncommon. Except for the cervical region, most tracheobronchial injuries are due to blunt chest trauma in Korea. The depth of the tracheobronchial trees renders these structures relatively safe from stab wound. We experienced a case of left main bronchial laceration with azygos vein tear following stab wound in the back of right chest firstly in Korea. The patient was a 24 years old male. A routine chest radiography showed a knife in chest at emergency room. We didn't remove the knife at emergency room. This patient was carried to operation room in 30 minutes after arrival of our hospital without computed tomography and bronchoscopy. The operation was performed through standard right posterolateral thoracotomy and then the knife was removed. The left main bronchus and azyos vein were lacerated obliquely. The penetrated azygos vein was ligated and the laceration of the left main bronchus was repaired. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula Due to Endotracheal Intubation; a case Report of Requiring Tracheal Reconstruction / 대한흉부외과학회지

The common cause of tracheoesophageal fistula(T-E fistula) after tracheal intubation is ulceration and necrosis of the posterior wall of trachea by compression pressure generated by cuff. We experienced a young woman sustaining a T-E fistula which was found on the 12th day of intubation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Because spontaneous closure of the fistula is far uncommon, operative closure should be aimed for and should be done as soon as diagnosis is conformed. We delayed operative closure because of poor general condition of the patient. In spite of delayed reconstruction, the tracheal reconstruction itself was successful, but the patient died of peritonitis induced sepsis on the postoperative 41th day.