The Feasibility of Using Automated Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) as a Screening Auditory Function Test of Workers in a Noisy Environment / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Automated DPOAE (Distortion product otoacoustic emission) was tested on workers exposed to a noisy environmnent to determine its feasibility as a screening test for noise-induced hearing loss. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Sensitivity and specificity were analyzed for in both automated DPOAE and Pure tone audiometry conducted on 300 subjects working in a noisy environment. Of these subjects, a subgroup of 40 workers who were available for a follow-up study underwent the same experiment again a year later, and the results were compared with the first one. RESULTS: In terms of the frequency of automated DPOAE, it was noted that it showed 91% sensitivity with a 9% false negative rate. The pass rate according to the period of service indicated statistical significance, although the results of a 1 year follow-up experiment did not indicate statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The automated DPOAE seems feasible to use as a screening test when frequency and adjusted reference criteria are considered.

Management of Cervical Necrotizing Fasciitis / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is a rare but potentially life-threatening soft tissue infection primarily affecting the superficial fascial planes. The purpose of this study was to report various causes, courses of the disease, and outcomes of treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective chart review of 12 cases treated between January 2000 and January 2004 was done. All of them were studied with CT scan and treated with intravenous antibiotics. We discussed histories, diagnostic points and treatment of each cases, and analyzed them. RESULTS: There were 9 male and 3 female patients. The age distribution was from 17 to 81 years. Three patients had diabetes mellitus, one patient was a heavy alcoholics, and one patient had Buerger's disease. Two patients were expired due to lung abscess and sepsis, but others were discharged with no complication. Wide debridement was performed in all cases. Wound reconstruction was done in two patients. CONCLUSION: Treatment consists of early diagnosis, aggressive surgical debridement and drainage of the involved necrotic fascia and tissue along with broadspectrum intravenous antibiotics coverage.

Heart Transplantation. A Retrospective Analysis of the Short and Intermediate Term Results / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation is still the best therapy for end-stage heart disease. However, the longterm outcome among different institutions vary. The current series is an assessment of the important factors which determine prognosis. METHODS: Between November of 1992 and September of 2000, 85 heart transplantations were performed at our institution. The standard technique was used in the first 57 patients (group I) where as in the latter 28 patients (group II), the Bicaval technique was utilized. The mean waiting time was approximately 4.7 months, and the causes in decreasing order were Dilated cardiomyopathy (n=69), Ischemic cardiomyopathy (n=10), Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and others (n=6). The mean follow up was about 31 months. The immunosuppressive protocol comprised cyclosporin, Azathioprine (AZA), and prednisone. Later changes included induction with IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibody and changing AZA to mycophenolate mofetil. RESULTS: The mean donor ischemic time was 95.8 28.3 mins and the implantation time was 59.3 7.6 mins. There was a higher incidence of significant TR in group I along with a greater postoperative pacing requirement. There were 35 postoperative complications of which infectious events were most common (26). Of these, only 3 were early infections and the rest occurred late postoperatively. There were a total of 8 mortalities of which only one occurred early postoperatively and among the 7 late deaths, 3 were medically related and 4 were related to social factors. Only 5% of the patients had graft vascular disease. The overall 1YSR was 92% and the 5 YSR was 85%. CONCLUSIONS: The superior long term results of this current series was attributable to strong early immunosuppression, a homogenous population, and very low incidence of CMV infection.

Echocardiographic Follow-up after Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of arterial switch operation for transposition of great arteries, serial echocardiographic studies were performed in 8 patients who underwent the surgery between 1989 and 1998 at Dept. of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital in Daegu City, Korea. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 11 years(average of 4.1 years). Body weight ranged from 2.6kg to 4.8kg, with average of 3.6kg. 5 of 8 patients were preoperatively diagnosed as TGA+VSD, and 3 as TGA+IVS. LV function was evaluated by the measurement of LV shortening fraction, LVSTI, and LVEF. RVSTI was also measured. Postoperative function of valve and growth of great vessels were analyzed by the measurement of PSPGV, valvular regurgitation, LA/AO ratio, root dimension of aorta and pulmonary artery, comparing with the age matched controls, respectively. RESULT: LVEF had an average of 65.0+/-9.03% which is tended to increase serially. LVAOPG had an average of 15.9mmHg. RVPAPG, 27.5mmHg. From the measurement of aortic root dimension of 6 patients at end-systole, aortic root growth was assumed to increase more than the mean value of normal growth. PA root dimension at end-systole showed a similar growth progress when compared with age matched normal controls. Postoperative pulmonic valve regurgitation was noted in 5 of total 8 patients, in which 1 patient who showed grade 2 and 4 showed below grade 1. AR, in 6 patients and all grade 1. Except 1 patient, all the valvular regurgitations were below grade 1, which was presumed to be clinically insignificant. CONCLUSION: LV function after arterial switch operation was maintained relatively well. Mild neoaortic stenosis was noted. Neopulmonary stenosis and regurgitation were less than moderate degree and surgical correction was not deemed to be necessary. Growth progress of aortic root was above normal than controls and PA root growth was similar to the normal controls, postoperatively. However, further change and refinement of surgical technique will decrease the incidence of neopulmonary stenosis and regurgitation.

Ascending Aortic Dissection Late After Aortic Valve Replacement / 대한흉부외과학회지

Aortic dissection after aortic valve replacement(AVR) is rare, but it is considered a definite disease entity. It's risk factors are a dilated ascending aorta(>or=50 mm) at the time of AVR, hypertension, and thin fragile aortic wall. We report the surgical treatment of a patient who had ascending aortic dissection 7 years after having undergone AVR due to aortic regurgitation associated with a dilated ascending aorta(50mm in outer diameter).

Surgical Treatment of Lemierre's Syndrome: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by a rare fulminant condition resulting from primary oropharyngeal infection followed by secondary septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and metastatic infection. A forty-year-old man who had been on ventilator due to severe chest trauma, showed severe reddish inflammatory swelling of the right cervical soft tissue and newly developed pneumonia. He went into in septic condition shortly thereafter. Thrombophlebitis with central abscess in the right internal jugular vein was identified by neck CT and MRA(magnetic resonance angiography). Right cervical swelling worsened in spite of clindamycin and heparin therapy. We performed immediate surgery for removal of septic thrombus and resection of internal jugular vein. Patient's septic condition, pneumonia, and local inflammatory reaction were improved within several days after surgery.

Anastomosis of Vessels less than 2 mm with the Vascular Clip System Clip Applier

Sutures may cause endothelial trauma and occlusion. The vascular clip system (VCS) clip applier may minimize endothelial injury. Fourteen carotid arteries of nine adult rabbits were transected and re-anastomosed with either #7-0 polypropylene (Group I, n=8) or VCS clips (Group II, n=6). The animals were sacrificed at 1, 3, 8, 14, and 30 days postoperatively. The operation time and bleeding amount were checked for each anastomosis. Carotid angiograms, photography, H&E staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. Fibrin and thrombus, inflammatory cell infiltration, endothelial disruption, luminal distortion, fibrosis, and wall thickening were compared. The luminal diameter was greater in group II. There were minimal differences in thrombosis, wall thickening and fibrosis between the two groups. However, fibrin, inflammatory cell infiltration, multinucleated giant cell formation, endothelial disruption, and luminal distortion were greater in group I. On SEM, group I showed trans-mural penetration. In contrast, group II showed suture margin eversion and no transmural penetration. Stenosis was greater in group I than in group II on carotid angiogram. The operation time was shorter in group II than in group I, i.e. 5+/-1.4 min vs. 11+/-3.8 min, respectively. The current data showed similar or superior results with VCS clips in comparison to conventional suturing with polypropylene.

A Comparison on the Operative Results of Benign Esophageal Disease by Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery and Thoracotomy / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is being used as a therapeutic modality in many diseases in which thoracotomy has been used. We studied that the VATS can substitute the thoracotomy in benign esophageal disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Group I (n=18) underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery, and group II (n=19) thoracotomy. Group I includes 14 leiomyomas and 4 achalasias. Group II includes 16 leiomyomas and 3 achalasias. Operative technique is enucleation in the leiomyoma and modified Heller's myotomy in the achalasia. Analyzing factors of operation-efficacy are anesthetic time, operation time, hospital stay, chest tube drainage amount and chest tube removal day. The degree of the postoperative pain is assessed by the frequency of opioid analgesics injection. RESULT: There was no death in both groups. There were 5 complications in the group I and 2 in the group II. Prolonged pleural effusion and restenosis of achalasia occurred to 1 patient in each group. In the group I, there were 1 temporaty vocal cord palsy and 2 mucosal tear leading to thoracotomy. There were no differences in anesthesia time, operation time, hospital stay, total chest tube drainage amount, chest tube removal day and frequency of opioid analgesics injection. The amount of the chest tube drainage at POD 1 day was significantly lower in group I (155.6+/-77.8cc) than in group II (572.8+/-280.1cc) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our data showed that video-assisted thoracic surgery for benign esophageal disease is as effective as thoracotomy and in addition, cosmetic effect is much better. We concluded VATS may be a substitute for thoracotomy in benign esophageal disease.

Surgical Treatment of Complete Vascular Ring Associated with Kommerell's Diverticulum / 대한흉부외과학회지

Forty year old woman with dysphagia underwent surgical correction of complete vascular ring formed by right aortic arch, Kommerell's diverticulum and ligamentum arteriosum. Operation consisted of ligamentum division, reduction diverticuloplasty and posterior diverticulopexy via left posterolateral thoracotomy. Dysphagia was relieved postoperatively, and concentic narrowing of esophagus in the level of aortic arch disappeared on postoperative esophagography.

Clinical Results According to the Level and Extent of Sympathetic Block in Palmar Hyperhidrosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Video assisted thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with immediate symptomatic imporvement. However the degree of satisfaction may diminish with time due to cmpensatory sweating or excessive hand dryness. Therefore by comparing and assessing the degree of symptomatic improvement or compensatory sweating following sympathectomy or sympathicotomy at various levels we aim to determine the optimal level of sympathetic nerve block which will result in minimal side effects and maximal benefit. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among 194 patients having undergone video assisted thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy between January 1996 and June 1999, 137 patients who responded to either telephone interview or questionnaire were included in the current study. The patients were divided into three groups. Group I(n=61) ; patients having undergone T2,3,4 sympathectomy group II(35) ; patients having undergone T2 sympathicotomy and group III(41) ; patients having undergone limited T2 sympathicotomy which consist of block of interganglionic neuronal fiber on the third rib. The parameters studied comprised of pre- and post-operative palmar temperature change treatment satisfaction the degree of compensatory sweating or discomfort from palmar dryness postoperative complication and changes in plantar sweating. RESULT: There was no difference in age and sex among the groups and the mean postoperative elevation in palmar temperature was 21.59degrees C without any differences among the groups. Patients expressing satisfaction were 65.6%, 62.9% and 90.24% in groups I, II and III, respectively(p<0.05) Moderate to severe compensatory sweating was present in 65.6% 51.4%, and 24.39%, in group I, II, and III, respectively (p<0.05) Slight but comfortable amount of palmar humidness was expressed in decreasing order group III(41.6%) group I(24.6%) and group II(5.7%) (p<0.05) Ineffectiveness or recurrence was present in 5patients in group I(8.2%) 1 patient in group II(2.9%) and none in group III. With regards to plantar sweating decrease in sweating was expressed in 43 patients(31.4%) while similar degree of sweating in 61 patients(44.5%) and increase in sweating in another 33 patinets(24.1%). CONCLUSION: Limited T2 sympathicotomy resection of the lower interganglionic neuronal fiber of the second sympathetic ganglion on the third rib showed immediate effect in palmar hyperhidrosis and caused lesser compensatory sweating and hand dryness.