Midterm results of aortic root enlargement with AVR in patients with narrow aortic root and AS / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: For AVR using conventional prosthetic valves in adult patients with a narrow aortic root, aortic root enlargement is necessary to reduce postoperative pressure gradient across the aortic valve (deltaP). An evaluation of early and mid-term results of aortic root enlargement with AVR and echocardiographic follow up of deltaP and left ventricular function was performed. METHOD: From Aug. 1991 to Feb. 1998, eighteen patients aged 17 to 59 years(mean, 38+/-12 years) underwent Manouguian procedure with AVR. Aortic annular circumstance was enlarged 10.0mm to 18.0mm(mean, 12.6+/-6.3mm). Eight patients(44.0%) had NYHA class III status before operation, and seven cases of them underwent concomitant MVR. Valve pathology was ASr in 6 cases, AS in 4 cases, nd ASr+MSr in 8 cases. Replaced valve size was 21mm in 8 cases and 23 mm in 10 cases, and St. Jude Medical mechanical valve was used in 10 cases and Carbomedics in 8 cases. RESULT: Follow-up duration was 6 to 57 months (mean, 26+/-18 months), and total follow-up was 287 patient-year. There were one hospital death and one late death, therefore, actuarial survival rate was 85.7% at 56 months. Peak deltaP wad decreased significantly at postoperative mid-term period as 13+/-5mmHg, compared with thepreoperative one (42+/-8mmHg) (p<0.01). LVM(gm/m(2)) was also diminished as 35.8%(115+/-36gm/m(2))at postoperative mid-term period, compared with preoperative one (179+/-56gm/m(2))(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There were no specific complications related to the procedure. And we could have adequate enlargement of aortic annulus to suitable prosthetic valve that have no effect of patient-prosthese mismatch.

Off-pump CABG for Unstable Angina Complicated With COPD / 대한흉부외과학회지

In an attermpt to aviod the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary by pass such as pulmonary complication neurologic complication and renal failure off-pump CABG has been rediscovered and developed. We experienced off-pump CABG in 2 cases with unstable angina complicated with COPD and report herein the cases with review of literature.

Relationship Between Interleukin-6 Production and Inflammatory Response during Cardiopulmonary Bypass / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: With open heart surgery(OHS), it has been recognized that many postoperative complications and postperfusion syndrome are associated with the activations of complements and leulocytes. Recently, some investigators also demonstrated that interlukin-6(IL-6) linked highly with postperfusion syndrome. The puropose of this study was to investigate the sequential changes of the IL-6 and to clarify each IL-6 relationship to the complements(C3, C4) and inflammatory response following cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). MATERIAL AND METHOD: To determine serum levels of IL-6, complements, leukocytes, and biochemistric markers of liver and renal function, blood samples were taken from th radial artery in 30 adult patients undergoing OHS with CPB. RESULT: Serum IL-6 levels incrased significantly at 10 minutes after CPB-on(CPB-10) in comparison with the control levels and reached the peak at CPB-off(p<0.05). Serum complement levels declined rapidly at CPB-10 and remained at the lower levels during CPB(p<0.01). Sequential changes of IL-6 levels had positive correlations with the changes of total leukocytes and neutrophil fractions(p<0.05), but had negative correlations with lymphocyte fractions(p<0.05). Changes of C3 related postively to monocyte fractions(p<0.05). Postoperative levels of total protein and albumin, decreased significantly in comparison with the control levels(p<0.01), while the postoperative levels of AST(aspartate transaminase) and bilirubin increased (p<0.01). At CPB-off, IL-6 levels had negative correlations with total protein and albumin levels(r=-0.60, -0.47 respectively, p<0.05), whereas C3 levels had positive correlations with albumin levels(r=0.40, p<0.05). IL-6 levels, as well as neutrophil fractions, had positive correlations with aortic clamp time(ACT) and total bypass time(TBT) (IL-6; r=0.82, 0.79 respectively, neutrophil fractions; r=0.50, 0.56 respectively, p<0.05), wheres lymphocyte frations and albumin levels had negative correlations whith ACT and TBT(lymphocyte fractions; r=-0.52, -0.58 respectively, albumin; r=-0.58, -0.55 respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data showed that elevated production of serum IL-6 during CPB may play a pivotal role in systemic inflammatory responses and prologed CPB period may be assosiated with more sever postperfusion syndromes.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: Lower half sternotomy / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: There are several advantages to the ministernotomy approach. The skin incision is much smaller than the traditional median sternotomy incision. This approach allows the patients to return to normal life more quickly and provide them with good self-image. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From April to July 1998, we performed a ministernotomy via lower half sternum in 25 patients. There were 10 males(40%) and 15 females(60%) with a mean age of 30+/-16 years(range 3 to 55 years). The body surface area ranged from 0.58 to 1.9 m2(mean 1.5 to 0.4 m2). A vertical skin incision of 11cm in mean length was made in the midline over the sternum extending inferiorly from the third intercostal space. The sternum was divided vertically in the midline from the xyphoid process to the level of second intercostal space using a standard saw and then transversely to the left(n=17) or to both sides(n=4) of the second intercostal space using an oscillating saw. The sternum was divided vertically only in children (n=4). RESULT: The ministernotomy was used in 25 consecutive patients undergoing mitral valve replacement(n=10), repair of ventricular septal defect(n=4) and atrial septal defect(n=11). There was no significant complication related to ministernotomy. The mean ICU stay time 20 hours. Patient and family acceptance was very high. CONCLUSION: We concluded that minimally invasive cardiac surgery via ministernotomy can be done safely. These methods may benefit the patients with lesser discomfort, smaller incision, and earlier ICU discharge than the traditional incision.

Reoperation of Failed Tricuspid Mechanical Prosthetic Valve Due to Pannus Formation / 대한흉부외과학회지

We performed a reoperation of failed tricuspid mechanical valve in a 63-year-old female patient because the overgrown endothelial pannus had entrapped the prosthetic leaflets. Four years ago, the patient underwent mitral and tricuspid valve replacements with 31 and 33 mm Carbomedics, respectively. The patient showed symptoms of neck vein distention, abdominal distention and peripheral edema. The chest film, echocardiography and cineangiography confirmed the diagnosis of tricuspid valve. During the operation, we found the entrapped leaflets of the tricuspid valve in a partially closed state and the endothelial pannus had overgrown into the leaflets. Carpentier-Edward bovine pericardial valve was inserted and the patient was discharged with no significant events.

A Case of Dermatofibroma with Granular Cells / 대한피부과학회지

Dermatofibroma with granular cells is composed mainly of spindle shaped cells mixed with in-conspicuous foamy cells that contain granular cytoplasm. We present a case of dermatofibroma with granular cells in a 36-year-old male who visited our clinic to evaluate a slow-growing nodule on the medial side of the left lawer leg. He have had the nodule for five years and sometimes felt an itching sensation. Biopsy of the nodule identified a dermal nodular tumor showing cellular spindle cell proliferation admixed with peripheral foamy histiocytes. With the immunohistochemical staining, the granular cell was positive for alpha-1-antitrypsin and CD68, and negative for S-100. A few electron-dense granules were seen in the cytoplasm on the electronmicroscopic study. These results suggested that the granular cells originated from histiocytes.

Clinical Experience of Pectus Excavatum Corrected by Ravitch Method / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical results ad operative compatability by Ravitch methods with pectus excavatum. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1984 to 1997, were performed Ravitch operations in 40 patients of pectus excavatum and analyzed the effects of correction and postoperative complication according to time of operation retrospectively. The group comprised 35 mem and women whose mean age was 8.9+/-7.9 years(between 2 to 35 years). All patients had corrected with Ravitch operation or its modified operation. Modified fixations were accomplished with K-wire in 15 patients and internal plate in 2 and the materials were removed 3 months after operation. The result of correction was estimated with the degree of changed distance between inner surface of sternal body and vertebral in 3 months after correction. RESULT: Postoperative complications were wound disruption in 14 patients. Estimated distances after correction ranged 0.4 cm to 4 cm. The acceptability for chest wall correction was high(6 excellent, 29 good in criteria of Humphreys). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the benefits of Ravitch operation were a high acceptability of patients and their family, and sufficient correction with no specific complications related operation.

Glomus Tumor in Left Main Bronchus / 대한흉부외과학회지

The glomus tumor is a distinctive benign neoplasm with a small painful nodule, occurs most commonly in extremities but may be found elsewhere in the body. Its occurrence in the trachea or lung parenchyme has been recognized with extreme rarity and there has not been any report, to our knowledge, of its occurrence in the main bronchial glomus tumor. We report a case of a glomus tumor in the left main bronchus in a 67-year-old man who was presented with blood-tinged sputum and dyspnea, which was completely relieved by surgical resection.

Clinical Study of Isolated and Combined Aortic Valve Replacement / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: To review the middle and long term results of aortic valve replacement(AVR) for 11 years, we surveyed and followed up the patients who underwent AVR. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between Feb. 1986 and May 1997, 134 patients underwent AVR. The patients consisted of 71 men and 63 women whose mean age was 38.9 years, ranging from 17 to 70. RESULT: The concomitant operations were 62 mitral valve replacement(MVR), 14 MVR + tricuspid valve annuloplasty, 10 Cabrol operation, 16 aortic annulus widening, and so forth. We used 119 mechanical(75 St. Jude Medical, 38 CarboMedics, 6 Sorin) and 15 tissue (Carpentier-Edwards) valves. Early postoperative complications occurred in 35 cases; 9 congestive heart failure, 6 low cardiac output, 5 postoperative bleeding, 5 pleural effusion, and so forth. There were 13 early postoperative deaths(9.7%) due to low cardiac output(5), CHF (2), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy(2), and so forth. The cumulative total follow-up period was 452.7 patient-years with a mean of 3.4+/-3.1 years/patient. There were 9 cases of valve-related complications; anticoagulant-related bleeding(4), prosthetic valve endocarditis(2), thromboembolism(2) and prosthetic valve failure(1) occured at rate of 0.9, 0.4, 0.4, 0.2%/ pt-yr, respectively. Late valve-related death occurred in 3 cases(2.0%/pt-yr) associated with anticoagulant-related bleeding(2) and prosthetic valve endocarditis(1). CONCLUSION: Actuarial survival rate by Kaplan-Meier method was 91.0+/-4.3 % at 11 years.

Sequential changes of Interleukin-6 , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, and Troponin-T During Open Heart Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Immunologic and inflammatory responses of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) influence postoperative mortality and morbidity with multiple organ injury. It has been reported that ischemia/reperfusion induced-myocardial injury during CPB is causative of release of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The purpose of this study was to detect the time course of the activated cytokine and troponin-T(TnT), and to examine the correlation between such parameters during CPB. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The serial samples were collected from arterial blood via radial arterial catheter in 23 patients who are underwent open heart surgery (OHS) with CPB, the IL-6, TNF-alpha and TnT were checked. RESULT: (1) IL-6, TNFalpha- and TnT concentration increased significantly during CPB with a peaking level of CPB-off (p 0.05). (2) IL-6 had highly positive correlation with aortic cross clamping time and total bypass time(r=0.80, 0.78; p 0.05, respectively). (3) There was no correlation among IL-6, TNF-alpha and TnT. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these data showed that elevated production of serum IL-6 during CPB was attributable to ischemia/reperfusion induced-myocardial damage. IL-6 will become a new and sensitive biological marker in assessment of myocardial damage during OHS with CPB. However, further studies will be needed to apply IL-6 in more patient population.

Hematologic Changes and Factors Related to Postoperative Hemorrhage Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-induced hemostatic defects may result increased possibility of excessive hemorrhage and additional multiple transfusion reactions or reoperation. Particularly, fibrinolytic activation and decreased platelet count and function by CPB were proposed as a predictor of hemorrhage during postoperative periods in several reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Present study, which was conducted in 20 adult patients undergoing CPB, was prospectively designed to examine the hematologic changes, including fibrinolytic activation during and after CPB and to clarify the relationships between these changes and the magnitude of the postoperative nonsurgical blood loss. The serial blood samples for measurment of hematologic parameters were taken during operation and postoperative periods. Blood loss was respectively counted via thoracic catheter drainage at postoperative 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours and total period. RESULTS: The results were obtained as follows:Platelet count rapidly declined following CPB (p<0.01), which its decreasing rate was an inverse proportion to total bypass time (TBT, r=0.55, p=0.01), And platelet count in postoperative 7th day was barely near to its control value. Fibrinogen degradating product (FDP) and D-dimer level significantly increased during CPB (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively), and both of fibrinogen and plasminogen concentration correlatively decreased during CPB (r=0.57, p<0.01), implying activation of fibrinolytic system. Postoperative bleeding time (BT), postoperative activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and postoperative prothrombin time (PT) were significantly prolonged as compare with each control value (p=0.05, p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively). Total blood loss was positively correlated with patient's age, aortic clamping time (ACT) and TBT, while there was negative correlation between platelet count and blood loss at pre-CPB, CPB-off and the 1st postoperative day, and in some periods. Postoperative aPTT and postoperative PTwere positively related to postoperative 6 hr and 48 hr blood loss (r=0.53, p=0.02; r=0.43, p=0.05) but not to total blood loss, whereas there was no relationship between postoperative BT and blood loss at any period. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that CPB results various hematologic changes, including fibrinolytic activation and severe reduction in platelet count. Diverse factors such as age, platelet count, ACT, TBT and postoperative aPTT and PT may magnify the postoperative bleeding. This study will be a basic reference in understanding CPB-induced hemostatic injuries and in decreasing the postoperative hemorrhage.

Beneficial Effects of High-Dose Transamine on Hematologic Aspects in Cardiopulmonary Bypass / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to independently evaluate the beneficial effects of a high dose of transamine administrated prior to CPB on the postoperative hematologic aspect and bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included randomly selected groups of 40 adult patients undergoing OHS with CPB. All patients were divided into 2 groups: transamine group (T-group, n=20) and placebo group (P-group, n=20). The T-group received a high-dose of transamine (10 g) before and during CPB. The P-group received normal saline at the same times and served as a control group. RESULTS: The results of comparative studies between the 2 groups in the same hematologic variables were summarized as follows. (1) During CPB, the fibrinogen concentrations and platelet counts were significantly lower in the P-group than in the T-group (p<0.01). (2) During CPB, production of D-dimer occurred in 18 patients (90%) in the P-group and did not occur in the T-group (0%) (p<0.0001). (3) At CPB-off, the % concentration of fibrinogen (70.2+/-3.9%) and the % platelet counts (72.4+/-4.5%) of the T-group were significantly higher than those (54.5+/-3.8%, 64.3+/-2.9%) of the P-group (p<0.01). (4) Postoperative values of PT (14.0+/-0.03 sec.) and aPTT (27.6+/-0.1 sec.) of the T-group were significantly lower than those (16.0+/-0.02sec., 30.1+/-0.1sec.) of the P-group (p<0.05). (5) Postoperative bleeding and requirement of whole blood and other blood products were significantly less in the T-group than in the P-group (p <0.05). (6) There were no significant hypercoagulability signs such as cerebral em bolism, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or any other neurological prob lems in either group. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that a high dose of transamine administered prior to CPB prevents the activation of fibri nolytic system and has beneficial effects of reducing the postoperative bleeding t endency without apparent hypercoagulability signs.

A Study on Risk Factors for Early Major Morbidity and Mortality in Multiple-valve Operations / 대한흉부외과학회지

To define the risk factors affecting the early major morbidity and mortality after multiple-valve operations, the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative informations were retrospectively collected on 124 consecutive patients undergoing a multiple-valve operation between October 1985 and July 1996 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Pusan Paik Hospital. The study population consists of 53 men and 71 women whose mean age was 37.9+/-11.5 (mean+/-SD) years. Using the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, 41 patients (33.1%) were in functional class II, 60 (48.4%) in class III, and 20 (16.1%) in class IV preoperatively. Seven patients (5.6%) had undergone previous cardiac operations. Atrial fibrillations were present in 76 patients (61.3%), a history of cerebral embolism in 5 (4.0%), and left atrial thrombus in 13 (10.5%). The overall early mortality rate and postoperative morbidity was 8.1% and 21.8% respectively. Among the 124 cases of multiple-valve operation, there were 57 (46.0%) of combined mitral valve replacement (MVR) and aortic valve replacement (AVR), 48 (38.7%) of combined MVR and tricuspid annuloplasty (TVA), 12 (9.7%) of combined MVR, AVR and TVA, 3 (2.4%) of combined MVR and aortic valvuloplasty, 2 (1.6%) of combined MVR and tricuspid valve replacement, and others. The patients were classified according to the postoperative outcomes; Group A (27 cases) included the patients who had early death or major morbidity such as low cardiac output syndrome, mediastinitis, cardiac rupture, ventricular arrhythmia, sepsis, and others; Group B (97 cases) included the patients who had the good postoperative outcomes. The patients were also classified into group of early death and survivor. In comparison of group A and group B, there were significant differences in aortic cross-clamping time (ACT, group A:153.4+/-42.4 minutes, group B:134.0+/-43.7 minutes, p=0.042), total bypass time (TBT, group A:187.4+/-65.5 minutes, group B:158.1+/-50.6 minutes, p=0.038), and NYHA functional class (I:33.3%, II:9.7%, III:20%, IV:50%, p=0.004). In comparison of early death (n=10) and survivor (n=114), there were significant differences in age (early death:45.2+/-8.7 years, survivor:37.2+/-11.6 years, p=0.036), sex (female:12.7%, male:1.9%, p=0.043), ACT (early death:167.1+/-38.4 minutes, survivor:135.7+/-43.7 minutes, p=0.030), and NYHA functional class (I:0%, II:4.9%, III:1.7%, IV:35%, p=0.001). In conclusion, the early major morbidity and mortality were influenced by the preoperative clinical status and therefore the earlier surgical intervention should be recommended whenever possible. Also, improved methods of myocardial protection and operative techniques may reduce the risk in patients with multiple-valve operation.

Clinical Experiences of Open Heart Surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: From Sept. 1985 to Sept. 1997, 2,000 cases of open heart surgery (OHS) were performed in the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among the total of 2,000 cases of OHS, 1532 cases were congenital heart disease (CHD) and 468 cases were acquired heart disease (AHD). The age distribution was 9 days (4.0kg) to 68 years in CHD and 11 to 66 years in AHD. In 1532 cases of CHD, there were 1403 acyanotic cases and 129 cyanotic cases. RESULT: The CHD cases consisted of 940 ventricular septal defects (61.4%), 324 atrial septal defects (21.1%), 112 tetralogy of Fallot (7.3%), 46 pulmonary stenosis (3%), 38 endocardial cushion defects (2.5%), 15 valsalva sinus ruptures (1%), 4 transposition of great arteries (0.3%), 4 double outlet right ventricles (0.3%), and etc. Corrective operations were applied for congenital heart disease with a result of 3.1% hospital mortality. Of 468 AHD, 381 cases were valvular heart diseases, 48 ischemic heart diseases, 12 cardiac tumors, 8 annuloaortic ectasias, 16 dissecting aortic aneurysms and etc. In the 381 valvular heart diseases, there were 226 single valve replacements (36 aortic valve replacements (AVR), 188 mitral valve replacements (MVR), and 2 tricuspid valve replacements (TVR), among these were 71 cases of double valve replacements (AVR & MVR), 54 cases of MVR with tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TVA), and 18 cases of AVR, MVR with TVA. The total implanted prosthetic valves were 466. In MVR, 123 St. Jude Medical valves, 90 Carpentier-Edwards valves, 65 CarboMedics valves, 42 Sorin valves and 16 other valves were used. In AVR, 68 St. Jude Medical valves, 36 CarboMedics valves, 14 Carpentier-Edwards valves and 9 other valves were used. Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) were performed in 48 cases. The patterns of bypass graft were 14 patients of single vessel graft, 21 patients of two vessels graft, 10 patients of three vessels graft and 3 patients of four vessels graft. CONCLUSION: The hospital operation mortality rate of congenital acyanotic, cyanotic and acquired heart diseases were 2.0%, 15.5%, and 5.1% respectively. The overall mortality rate was 3.6% (72/2,000).

Clinical Analysis of Spontaneous Hemopneumothorax / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax, occurring in 1% to 12% of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax, is a rare disorder that can potentially lead to life-threatening complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have experienced 15 cases (2.28%) with spontaneous hemopneumothorax among 659 episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax for eight years, from 1990 to 1997, at our hospital. We studied our previously treated patients by retrospective case studies to determine the nature of optimal management. RESULTS: There were 14 male and 1 female patients whose mean age was 27.5 years, ranging from 19 to 58. The sides with disorder were as following: right in 10 cases and left in 5, unilaterally. The amount of initial bleeding ranged from 400 to 1,500 mL and 8 patients received a homologous blood transfusion. Patients exhibited symptoms of chest pain, dyspnea, chest discomfort, and hypovolemic shock. We concluded that causes of this disease in our patients were a torn pleural adhesion (14 cases) and a rupture of vascularized bullae (1 case with an underlying intrinsic lung disease, tuberculosis). All patients underwent closed thoracostomy and had good results except for 3. One patient underwent thoracotomy within 3 days from the onset because of continuous active hemorrhage. Decortication was required in one case because of a reactive fluid collection in the pleural space, which led to impaired lung expansion. Another patient underwent thoracotomy due to a ipsilateral recurrent pneumothorax without blood collection. CONCLUSIONS: The goals of treatment include hemostasis and reexpansion of the collapsed lung. Thus, if patients arrive early at hospital, closed thoracostomy and transfusion are thought to be sufficient treatments, although early surgical repair has been considered recently.

Surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The authors studied factors that affected operative mortality and clinical course by analysis of 98 patients who had underwent total correction of TOF at department of thoracic surgery, Pusan Paik hospital from Sept, 1985 to Aug, 1996 to predict the outcome of operation and improve the result of total correction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To analyse the factors that affect operative mortality, patients were divided into two groups, non-survivor (group I) and survivor (group II), compared body surface area (BSA), aortic clamping time (ACT), total bypass time (TBT), preoperative PRV/LV, postoperative PRV/LV, operation method between them. These same patients were also divided into two groups, group A (non-survivor or severe complication group) and B (survivor and only mild complication group), comparing the same items. RESULTS: There were statistical differences between group I and II about postoperative PRV/LV as 0.67+/-0.13, 0.46+/-0.15. There were statistical differences between group A and B about postoperative PRV/LV as 0.62+/-0.12, 0.44+/-0.15. Transventricular cases were predominant in group A, transatrial cases in group B (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We suggested that the operative results of TOF were better in cases of lower postoperative PRV/LV and transatrial approach.

Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

Hyperhidrosis is one of abnormalities in autonomic nervous system, it has been treated with dermatologic principles or thoracic sympathectomy via thoracotomy. But these techniques were rather ineffective or invasive. Recently, Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) is widely applided in thoracic surgical area, and palmar & axillary hyperhidrosis is not the exception. From August 1995 to February 1997, 52 patients with bilateral palmar hyperhidrosis underwent bilateral thoracic sympathectomy with VATS in the department of thoracic & cardiovascular surgery, Inje university, Pusan Paik Hospital. There were 27 men and 25 women and the mean age was 22 years. Mean operating time was 172 min and unilateral sympathectomy via minithoracotomy was applied in one patient due to severe pleural adhesion. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.6 days. During mean 12.5 months follow-up, there was no recurrence of sweating in the both hands. Thirty patients (57.7%) complained moderate degree of compensatory sweating, but the discomfort was decreased in severity. 83.8% of all patients were satisfied with the result of operation.