Is Hypertrophic or Keloid Wound Scar a Risk Factor for Stricture at Esophagogastric Anastomosis Site after Esophageal Cancer Operation? / 대한소화기학회지

Background/Aims@#Anastomotic stricture at the esophagus and the conduit anastomosis site after the surgical resection of esophageal cancer is relatively common. This study examined whether a hypertrophic scar or keloid formation at a surgical wound is related to an anastomotic stricture. @*Methods@#From March 2007 to July 2017, 59 patients underwent curative surgery for esophageal cancer. In 38 patients, end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) of the esophagus and the conduit was performed using EEA 25 mm. A hypertrophic wound scar was defined when the width of the midline laparotomy wound scar exceeded 2 mm. The relationship between the hypertrophic scar and stricture and the other risk factors for anastomotic stricture in these 38 patients was analyzed. @*Results@#Of the 38 patients, eight patients (21.1%) had an anastomotic stricture, and a hypertrophic skin scar was observed in 14 patients (36.8%). Univariate analysis revealed lower BMI and hypertrophic scars as risk factors (p=0.032, p=0.001 respectively).Multivariate analysis revealed a hypertrophic scar as an independent risk factor for an anastomotic stricture (p=0.010, OR=27.06, 95% CI 2.19-334.40). @*Conclusions@#Hypertrophic wound scars can be a risk factor for anastomotic stricture after surgery for esophageal cancer. An earlier prediction of anastomotic stricture by detecting hypertrophic wound healing in patients undergoing esophagectomy may improve the patients’ quality of life and surgical outcomes by earlier treatments.

Successful Endovascular Management of Intraoperative Graft Limb Occlusion and Iliac Artery Rupture Occurred during Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

For high-risk patients, endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a good option but may lead to serious complications, which should be addressed immediately. A 75-year-old man with a history of abdominal surgery underwent EVAR for an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. During EVAR, iliac artery rupture and graft limb occlusion occurred, and they were successfully managed by the additional deployment of an iliac stent graft and balloon thrombectomy, respectively. We, herein, report a rare case of the simultaneous development of the two fatal complications treated by the endovascular technique.

Banked Vena Caval Homograft Replacement of the Inferior Vena Cava for Primary Leiomyocsarcoma

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare malignant tumor. Herein, we report the case of a 52-year-old male patient who had postprandial abdominal distension and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. The abdominal computed tomography (CT) angiogram showed an IVC mass extending from the infrahepatic to the suprarenal inferior vena cava. The radiologic findings were suggestive of an IVC leiomyosarcoma. Surgical resection and reconstruction with a cryopreserved homograft were performed. The follow-up abdominal CT angiogram revealed the patient to be disease-free 6 months after surgery with patency of the IVC and renal vein.

A Case of Bilateral Giant Bullae in Young Adult / 결핵및호흡기질환

Giant bullae are large bullae occupying at least one-third of the hemithorax and surgical bullectomy is the treatment of choice. We report a case with symptomatic giant bullae which were resected successfully. A 35-year-old man presented with bilateral giant bullae that occupied almost the entire left hemithorax and a third of the right hemithorax. He was a current smoker with a 30 pack-year history and he presented with dyspnea on exertion. An elective surgical bullectomy was performed with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The patient recovered without any adverse events and stayed well for 1 month after surgery.

Clinicopathologic Feature of Esophageal Submucosal Tumors Treated by Surgical Approach / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Submucosal tumors of the esophagus are rare lesions among all esophageal neoplasms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of esophageal submucosal tumors treated by surgical approach. METHODS: We analyzed the clinicopathologic and endoscopic ultrasonographic features of 18 esophageal submucosal tumors which were treated by surgical approach at Boramae Medical Center and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from January 2005 to June 2012. RESULTS: The mean age was 48.9 years old and male to female ratio was 2.6:1. Asymptomatic patients were most common (77.8%). In endoscopic ultrasonographic finding, the majority tumor arouse in the middle (55.6%) and lower (44.4%) esophagus, and appeared as hypoechoic lesion (72.2%) in the 4th layer (83.3%). The most common indication for surgical approach was unclear biological behavior of the tumor. Minimally-invasive technique using thoracoscopy was applied for the enucleation (83.3%). The mean diameter of the tumor was 5.4 cm, and the final diagnosis was leiomyoma (89.9%) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Leiomyoma was the most common submucosal tumor in esophagus. However, endoscopic ultrasonography was not able to differentiate between leiomyoma and gastrointesinal stromal tumor. For more accurate diagnosis and treatment, minimally-invasive approaches may be suitable for the surgical enucleation of indicated esophageal submucosal tumor.

Radial Arteriovenous Fistula Developed Late after Coronary Angiography: A Case Report

Transradial access is a widely accepted method for percutaneous coronary diagnostic and interventional procedures, and it has dramatically reduced access site vascular complications compared to transfemoral access. Arteriovenous fistula formation at the access site is an especially rare complication in transradial access. We report an extremely rare case of delayed radial arteriovenous fistula that developed one year after transradial coronary angiography, which was successfully treated by surgical repair.

Successful Management of Tracheobronchomalacia Associated with Empyema Using a Covered Metallic Tracheobronchial Stent: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Tracheobronchomalacia is developed by excessively weakened walls of the trachea and bronchi, and shows dynamic collapse of the airway on expiration and causes dyspnea. Airway stenting or surgical correction of the airway may be helpful. We report a case with tracheobronchomalacia which was combined with chronic empyema and treated successfully with stent insertion.

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: Clinical Experience of 24 Patients in Two Medical Center / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon disorder with few cases reported. It usually occurs in young males and has benign self-limiting course without any apparent concomitant factor. It is seen after intrathoracic pressure changes leading to alveolar rupture. The clinical experiences of two medical centers were reviewed to aid in optimal management. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective review between March 2003 and August 2010 with spontaneous pneumomediastinum patients was performed. RESULT: 24 patients were identified with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumomediastinum. These 24 patients were comprised of 18 men and 6 women with mean age 18.9 years (range 10~33). The major initial complaints were chest pain (79.2%), throat pain (62.5%), and subcutaneous emphysema (41.7%). The triggering events were exercise (16.7%), coughing (12.5%) and vomiting (12.5%). No apparent triggering event was noted in 54.2% of patients. In all cases, chest radiograph and computed tomography was done. Diagnostic computed tomography was required in 25%. White blood cell counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) were checked, and their initial mean values were 9,790+/-3,240/microL and 1.31+/-1.71 mg/dL, final mean values were 5,440+/-1,665/microL and 0.72+/-0.73 mg/dL, respectively. 23 patients were admitted (average 5.0+/-1.8) and the symptoms were self-limiting in all cases without complications. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign condition with mild inflammatory signs that often presents with chest or throat pain. Secondary causes must be ruled out to avoid an unfavorable outcome with less invasive study. Because of very rare complications and recurrence, outpatient basis and shortened hospitalization may be feasible.

Clinical Experience of Spontaneous Hemopneumothorax / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is characterized by the accumulation of air and more than 400 mL of blood in pleural cavity without any apparent cause. It is a rare disease and can cause life-threatening situation. We analyzed clinical reviews of two medical centers to aid in optimal management. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective review between March 2003 and August 2010 with 18 spontaneous hemopneumothorax patients was made. RESULT: These 18 patients were comprised of 15 male and 3 female with average 24.6 years (range 15~46 years). Almost patients (16) underwent a closed thoracostomy initially and 15 patients received video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Mean postoperative chest tube removal was 2.9 days and one complication was post-removal pneumothorax. During the follow-up periods there were no other complications and recurrence. CONCLUSION: Proper initial diagnosis and management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax prevent significant hypovolemic shock. Video-assisted thoracic surgery should be considered an early surgical management in spontaneous hemopneumothorax. However conservative manage without bleb excision may be effective in selected patients.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a very rare cell type in esophageal cancer and an extremely aggresive tumor with grave prognosis. Because of the highly malignant potency, chemotherapy for the primary therapy of small cell carcinoma is accepted generally. We experienced a case of small cell carcinoma of the lower esophagus. The patient was a 53 year-old male with regional lymph node metastasis and managed with complete resection and chemotherapy.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a very rare cell type in esophageal cancer and an extremely aggresive tumor with grave prognosis. Because of the highly malignant potency, chemotherapy for the primary therapy of small cell carcinoma is accepted generally. We experienced a case of small cell carcinoma of the lower esophagus. The patient was a 53 year-old male with regional lymph node metastasis and managed with complete resection and chemotherapy.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Using Retrograde Cardioplegics / 대한흉부외과학회지

Retrograde myocardial protection is widely accepted in CABG operation because of the limitations of the antegrade method in the coronary arterial stenosis lesions. We analyzed 76 cases of retrograde myocardial protection among 96 cases of CABG operation performed between April 1994 and August 1995. There were 48 males and 28 females, and the mean age was 58.2+/-8.3 years. 53 patients(70%) were operated for unstable angina, 14(18%) for stable angina, 6(8%) for post-infarct angina, 1(1%) for acute myocardial infarction, and 2(3%) for failed PTCA. Preoperative coronary angiography revealed 3-vessel disease in 42 cases, 2-vessel disease in 11, 1-vessel disease in 10, and left main disease in 13 cases. We used SVG(63 cases), LIMA(69 cases), RIMA(11 cases), radial artery(6 cases), and gastroepiploic artery(1 case) for the grafts. Mean anastomosis was 3.2+/-1.1. We protected the myocardium with antegrade induction and retrograde maintenance in all the cases except a case of retrograde induction and maintenance. During the aortic cross-clamping, blood cardioplegia was administered intermittently in 19 cases, and continuously in 57. In 39 cases, we used retrograde cardioplegia and antegrade perfusion of RCA graft simultaneously. We had no operative motality. Perioperative complications were arrhythmia in 15 cases, perioperatve myocardial infarction in 10, low cardiac output syndrome in 8, transient neurologic problem in 7, transient psychiatric problem in 6, ARF in 3, bleeding in 2, pneumonia in 2, wound infection in 1, and duodenal ulcer perforation in 1. In this report, we experienced 76 cases of CABG operation with retrograde myocardial protection under the acceptable operative risk without operative mortality.

Aortic Root Replacement with Homograft in Behcet's Disease: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

The prognosis of Behcet's disease characterized by recurrent orogenital ulcers and ocular and skin lesions depends upon the complications in the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract and the vascular system. Cardiac involvement, especially aortic regurgitation, is quite uncommon and hemodynamic instability is usually treated with open heart surgery. But serious postoperative complications had been reported in many cases, which are prosthetic valve detachment, paravalvular leakage, conduction disturbance, and false aneurysm. Many efforts to prevent the complications have been made such as application of cryopreseved homograft. We have described an experience of root replacement with homograft in a 39 year-old male patient for prosthetic valve detachment because of Behcet's aortitis with a review of the literatures regarding treatment, complication, and prognosis.