Clinical Effectiveness of TetracyclineClass Agents Based Regimens in Patients With Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteremia: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

This study evaluated the clinical outcome of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) bacteremia and the clinical effectiveness of tetracyclines-based therapy. In a retrospective cohort study over 5 years period, 108 patients were included in the study. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 71.4%. Pitt’s bacteremia score (PBS) (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–1.42 per 1-point), colistin-single regimens (aHR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.17–0.69), and tetracyclines single/tetracyclines-colistin combination regimens (aHR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.07–0.48) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Among patients with a PBS < 6, only tetracycline-containing regimens were associated with decreased mortality. Among patients receiving appropriate definite antimicrobials, the tetracyclines-colistin combination (7 of 7, 100%) tended to a higher 30-day survival rate compared to a tetracycline (7 of 12, 57.1%) or colistin single regimen (10 of 22, 41.6%, P = 0.073). Our findings suggest tetracyclines might be effective for treating CRAB infections when combined with colistin.

An Outbreak of Breakthrough Infections by the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in a Psychiatric Closed Ward

Background@#A rapid decline in immunity and low neutralizing activity against the delta variant in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinees has been observed. This study describes an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) breakthrough infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant in a psychiatric closed ward. @*Methods@#Data from epidemic intelligence service officers were utilized to obtain information regarding demographic, vaccination history, and clinical data along with SARSCoV-2 PCR test results for a COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in a closed psychiatric ward. @*Results@#Among the 164 residents, 144 (87.8%) received two doses of vaccines, with 137 (95.1%) receiving two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. The mean interval between the second dose of vaccine and COVID-19 diagnosis was 132.77 ± 40.68 days. At the time of detection of the index case, SARS-CoV-2 had spread throughout the ward, infecting 162 of 164 residents. The case-fatality ratio was lower than that in the previously reported outbreak before vaccines were available (1.2%, 2/162 vs. 6.9%, P = 0.030). Prolonged hospitalization occurred in 17 patients (11.1%) and was less prevalent in the vaccinated group than in the unvaccinated group (8.5% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.040). @*Conclusion@#The findings of this study highlight that while vaccination can reduce mortality and the duration of hospitalization, it was not sufficient to prevent an outbreak of the SARSCoV-2 delta variant in this psychiatric hospital setting.

Risk Factors for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Patients: A Nationwide, Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study

Background@#Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is often accompanied by secondary infections, such as invasive aspergillosis. In this study, risk factors for developing COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and their clinical outcomes were evaluated. @*Methods@#This multicenter retrospective cohort study included critically ill COVID-19 patients from July 2020 through March 2021. Critically ill patients were defined as patients requiring high-flow respiratory support or mechanical ventilation. CAPA was defined based on the 2020 European Confederation of Medical Mycology and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology consensus criteria. Factors associated with CAPA were analyzed, and their clinical outcomes were adjusted by a propensity score-matched model. @*Results@#Among 187 eligible patients, 17 (9.1%) developed CAPA, which is equal to 33.10 per 10,000 patient-days. Sixteen patients received voriconazole-based antifungal treatment. In addition, 82.4% and 53.5% of patients with CAPA and without CAPA, respectively, received early high-dose corticosteroids (P = 0.022). In multivariable analysis, initial 10-day cumulative steroid dose > 60 mg of dexamethasone or dexamethasone equivalent dose) (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–13.79) and chronic pulmonary disease (adjusted OR, 4.20; 95% CI, 1.26–14.02) were independently associated with CAPA. Tendencies of higher 90-day overall mortality (54.3% vs. 35.2%, P= 0.346) and lower respiratory support-free rate were observed in patients with CAPA (76.3% vs. 54.9%, P = 0.089). @*Conclusion@#Our study showed that the dose of corticosteroid use might be a risk factor for CAPA development and the possibility of CAPA contributing to adverse outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Adverse Events in Healthcare Workers after the First Dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination: a Single Center Experience

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccinations for healthcare workers (HCWs) have begun in South Korea. To investigate adverse events (AEs) of the first dose of each vaccine, any symptom was collected daily for seven days after vaccination in a tertiary hospital. We found that 1,301 of 1,403 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 recipients and 38 of 80 BNT162b2 recipients reported AEs respectively (90.9% vs. 52.5%): injection-site pain (77.7% vs. 51.2%), myalgia (60.5% vs.11.2%), fatigue (50.7% vs. 7.5%), headache (47.4% vs. 7.5%), and fever (36.1% vs. 5%; P < 0.001 for all). Young HCWs reported more AEs with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 than with BNT162b2.No incidences of anaphylaxis were observed. Only one serious AE required hospitalization for serious vomiting, and completely recovered. In conclusion, reported AEs were more common in recipients with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 than in those with BNT162b2. However, most of the reported AEs were mild to moderate in severity. Sufficient explanation and preparation for expected AEs required to promote widespread vaccination.

Adverse Events in Healthcare Workers after the First Dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination: a Single Center Experience

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccinations for healthcare workers (HCWs) have begun in South Korea. To investigate adverse events (AEs) of the first dose of each vaccine, any symptom was collected daily for seven days after vaccination in a tertiary hospital. We found that 1,301 of 1,403 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 recipients and 38 of 80 BNT162b2 recipients reported AEs respectively (90.9% vs. 52.5%): injection-site pain (77.7% vs. 51.2%), myalgia (60.5% vs.11.2%), fatigue (50.7% vs. 7.5%), headache (47.4% vs. 7.5%), and fever (36.1% vs. 5%; P < 0.001 for all). Young HCWs reported more AEs with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 than with BNT162b2.No incidences of anaphylaxis were observed. Only one serious AE required hospitalization for serious vomiting, and completely recovered. In conclusion, reported AEs were more common in recipients with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 than in those with BNT162b2. However, most of the reported AEs were mild to moderate in severity. Sufficient explanation and preparation for expected AEs required to promote widespread vaccination.

Clinical Features of Adult COVID-19 Patients without Risk Factors before and after the Nationwide SARSCoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta)-variant Outbreak in Korea: Experience from Gyeongsangnam-do

Background@#Data on severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant virulence are insufficient. We retrospectively compared the clinical features of adult coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients without risk factors for severe COVID-19 who entered residential treatment centers (RTCs) before and after the delta variant outbreak. @*Methods@#We collected medical information from two RTCs in South Korea. On the basis of nationwide delta variant surveillance, we divided the patients into two groups: 1) the delta-minor group (diagnosed from December 2020–June 2021, detection rate 90%). After propensity-score matching, the incidences of pneumonia, hospital transfer and need for supplemental oxygen were compared between the groups. In addition, risk factors for hospital transfer were analysed. @*Results@#A total of 1,915 patients were included. The incidence of pneumonia (14.6% vs.9.2%, P = 0.009), all-cause hospital transfer (10.4% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.020) and COVID-19-related hospital transfer (7.5% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.081) were higher in the delta-dominant group than those in the delta-minor group. In the multivariate analysis, the delta-dominant group was an independent risk factor for all-cause (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–3.13; P = 0.011) and COVID-19-related hospital transfer (aOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.04–3.32; P = 0.036). @*Conclusion@#Hospitalization rates were increased in the adult COVID-19 patients during the delta variant nationwide outbreak. Our results showed that the delta variant may be more virulent than previous lineages.

Appropriate Use of Glycopeptide Antibiotics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring for Invasive Infections / 대한내과학회지

Vancomycin and teicoplanin are representative glycopeptide antibiotics with activities against gram-positive cocci. The area under the drug concentration–time curve (AUC)/minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) has been extensively used as an indicator of the bacteriological response to glycopeptide antibiotics, and the trough concentration has been used as a surrogate marker for the AUC/MIC. However, the guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) are being revised in accordance with increasing pharmacokinetic understanding of glycopeptide antibiotics. This review describes the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characteristics of glycopeptide antibiotics and discusses their optimal use with appropriate TDM.

Therapeutic Drug Level Monitoring of Teicoplanin in Korean Pediatric Patients with Normal versus Impaired Renal Function

Background@#Teicoplanin is used to treat serious gram-positive infections. Optimal teicoplanin trough levels are considered to be ≥ 10 μg/mL. Despite its wide use in various clinical settings, data on teicoplanin trough level in pediatric patients are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic drug level monitoring of teicoplanin in Korean pediatric patients, including those with impaired renal function. @*Methods@#A retrospective study was performed in pediatric patients (age ≤ 18 years old) who received teicoplanin from September 2014 to April 2018. The regimen included a loading dose of 10 mg/kg/dose at 12 hours' interval three times in a row, and a maintenance dose of 10 mg/kg/dose commenced at 24 hours of interval after the loading dose, with a maximum of 400 mg/dose, respectively. The first therapeutic drug levels were measured. Distribution and characteristics of trough levels in patients with decreased renal function and those with bacteremia were also assessed. @*Results@#A total of 187 trough levels were collected from 143 patients. Hematologic and oncologic diseases were the most common underlying diseases (83.2%, n = 119). One hundred eighty trough levels were first measured, and their median value was 16.2 μg/mL (range, 2.3–100 μg/mL) and the median interval between initial teicoplanin injection and 1st trough level was 96.5 hours (range 47.6–179.3 hours). Lower steady-state levels were observed in younger age group (median, 13.5 vs. 18.0 μg/mL, P = 0.038). Median trough levels were higher in patients with decreased renal functions (P < 0.001). In addition, among eight with gram-positive bacteremia, seven of them had a favorable outcome. @*Conclusion@#This study provides additive information on trough level monitoring of teicoplanin in children with impaired renal function and treatment effect in patients with gram-positive bacteremia. Careful monitoring for steady state trough levels of teicoplanin is warranted.

Evaluation of a Carbapenem-Saving Strategy Using Empirical Combination Regimen of Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Amikacin in Hemato-Oncology Patients

We implemented a carbapenem-saving strategy in hemato-oncology patients from 2013, using an empirical combination of piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin for high-risk hemato-oncology patients with febrile neutropenia, who remain hemodynamically unstable > 72 hours despite initial cefepime treatment. All-cause mortality was not different between the two periods (6.54 and 6.57 deaths per 1,000 person-day, P = 0.926). Group 2 carbapenem use significantly decreased after strategy implementation (78.43 vs. 67.43 monthly days of therapy, P = 0.018), while carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacilli did not show meaningful changes during the study period. Our carbapenem-saving strategy could effectively suppress carbapenem use without an increase of overall mortality.

Early-Onset Postcardiac Injury Syndrome after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Recovered with Steroids / 대한내과학회지

Postcardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is an inflammatory process that usually occurs within 1 to 6 weeks after an injury to the pericardium, epicardium, or myocardium. As more interventions are performed for complicated coronary artery obstructive lesions, there have been some recent reports on PCIS following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The medical management of PCIS depends on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in addition to colchicine or steroids. An 80-year-old male patient underwent a PCI. Unfortunately, the guidewire piercing failed but he showed no immediate signs of complication. However, 5 hours after the procedure, he complained of chest discomfort. An electrocardiogram showed widespread ST elevation. Chest X-ray and computed tomography showed pulmonary congestion with pleural effusion, while thoracic echocardiography showed a moderate amount of pericardial effusion. NSAIDs were initiated, but there was no improvement of symptoms. We describe an unusual case of atypical earl onset PCIS after PCI, recovered rapidly by steroids.

Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage and Percutaneous Balloon Dilatation for Patients with Biliary Duct Stones and Biliary Obstruction in Whom an Endoscopic Approach Is Difficult to Use: Case Series of 21 Patients at a Single Institution / 대한췌담도학회지

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability and simplicity of papillary balloon dilatation by retrospectively analyzing the results of performing concurrent papillary balloon dilatation in conjunction with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in the patients with biliary obstruction due to common bile duct stones or a tumor who were difficult to treat with an endoscopic approach. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 21 patients who were treated through a percutaneous transhepatic biliary approach after they were diagnosed with biliary obstruction due to a tumor and biliary stones in a single medical institution for four years from 2012 to 2015. RESULTS: Sixteen out of 21 patients (76.2%) underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and papillary balloon dilatation. For 5 patients (23.8%) in whom it was difficult to perform the procedure simultaneously due to the patient's poor overall condition such as pancreatitis and septic shock, papillary balloon dilatation was performed 5-8 days after biliary drainage. Nineteen of 21 patients (90.5%) were successfully treated by a single procedure without residual stones or restenosis, but in two patients, stones were removed two times and three times. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a percutaneous transhepatic biliary approach to patients in whom endoscopy cannot be performed is considered safe and effective. In addition, unless the procedure is specifically contraindicated, the use of papillary balloon dilatation performed simultaneously with PTBD can reduce patient inconvenience and procedure frequency.

Stent-stone Complex Developed after Long-term Plastic Biliary Stent Placement / 대한췌담도학회지

Plastic biliary stents are commonly used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Main indication for biliary stenting is benign or malignant obstruction. Plastic stents can be used as an escape route in patients with large common bile duct stones to provide drainage until definitive treatment. But, stent occlusion is the main disadvantage, limiting their patency to around 3 months, after which replacement is recommended. A biliary stent can act as a nidus for the biliary stone formation leading to stent-stone complex after long-term stent placement. This report was a case of a large stent-stone complex after plastic stent placement for 4 years. The stent-stone complex was successfully removed by mechanical lithotripsy and ballon catheter. In all other cases where plastic stents are placed into the common bile duct we should keep in mind that stents can act as nidus for stone formation, as all foreign bodies do.

Acute Hemorrhagic Colitis Induced by Oral Administration of Oseltamivir / 이화의대지

Oseltamivir has been used as a worldwide preparation for treatment of influenza A and B including H1N1. Gastrointestinal discomforts as like nausea, vomiting are commonly reported but acute hemorrhagic colitis is a very rare adverse effect. We report a case of a 17-year-old male who showed abdominal pain, diarrhea and hematochezia after the second administration of oseltamivir. Computed tomography revealed continuous, circumferential and edematous wall thickening involving ascending to descending colon with pericolic infiltration. Colonoscopic examination revealed diffuse mucosal edema, congestion and friability, suggesting hemorrhagic colitis. Histopathological examination showed ischemia and focal loss of the crypts. It also showed hyalinization and minimal inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria, consistent with acute to subacute ischemic colitis. This report is the first case of oseltamivir-related ischemic colitis proved by both endoscopic examination and pathologic findings in the patient who had no risk factor of ischemic colitis in Korea.

Arterial Switch Operation in Patients with Intramural Coronary Artery: Early and Mid-term Results

BACKGROUND: The intramural coronary artery has been known as a risk factor for early death after an arterial switch operation (ASO). We reviewed the morphological characteristics and evaluated the early and mid-term results of ASO for patients with an intramural coronary artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1994 to September 15th 2010, 158 patients underwent ASO at Dong-A and Pusan National University Hospitals for repair of transposition of the great arteries and double outlet right ventricle. Among these patients, 14 patients (8.9%) had an intramural coronary artery. Mean age at operation was 13.4+/-10.2 days (4 to 39 days) and mean body weight was 3.48+/-0.33 kg (2.88 to 3.88 kg). All patients except one were male. Eight patients had TGA/IVS and 4 patients had an aortic arch anomaly. Two patients (14.3%) had side-by-side great artery relation, of whom one had an intramural right coronary artery and the other had an intramural left anterior descending coronary artery. Twelve patients had anterior-posterior relation, all of whom had an intramural left coronary artery (LCA). The aortocoronary flap technique was used in coronary transfer in 8 patients, of whom one patient required a switch to the individual coronary button technique 2 days after operation because of myocardial ischemia. An individual coronary button implantation technique was adopted in 6, of whom 2 patients required left subclavian artery free graft to LCA during the same operation due to LCA injury during coronary button mobilization and LCA torsion. RESULTS: There was 1 operative death (7.1%), which occurred in the first patient in our series. This patient underwent an aortocoronary flap procedure for coronary transfer combining aortic arch repair. Overall operative mortality for 144 patients without an intramural coronary artery was 13.2% (19/144). There was no statistical difference in operative mortality between the patients with and without an intramural coronary artery (p>0.1). There was no late death. The mean follow-up duration was 52.1+/-43.0 months (0.5 to 132 months). One patient who had a subclavian artery free graft required LCA stenting 6.5 years after surgery for LCA anastomotic site stenosis. No other surviving patient needed any intervention for coronary problems. All patients had normal ventricular function at latest echocardiography and were in NYHA class 1. CONCLUSION: The arterial switch operation in Transposition of Great Arteries or Double Outlet Right Ventricle patients with intramural coronary can be performed with low mortality; however, there is a high incidence of intraoperative or postoperative coronary problems, which can be managed with conversion to the individual coronary button technique and a bypass procedure using a left subclavian free graft. Both aortocoronary flap and individual coronary button implantation techniques for coronary transfer have excellent mid-term results.

The Clinical Outcome of Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy for the Treatment of Chronic Pulmonary Thromboembolism / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing chronic pulmonary embolism at an early stage is difficult because of the patient's non-specific symptoms. This condition is not prevalent in Korea, and in fact, there have been only a few case reports on this in the Korean medical literature. We analyzed the surgical outcome of performing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in patients with chronic pulmonary embolism. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study subjects included those patients who underwent surgery for chronic pulmonary embolism from 1996 to 2008. For making the diagnosis, echocardiography, chest CT and a pulmonary perfusion scan were performed on the patients who complained of chronic dyspnea. RESULT: Pulmonary endarterectomy was performed as follows: by incision via a mid-sternal approach (7 patients); by incision via a left posterolateral approach (1 patient); using the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest technique (4 patients); under ventricular fibrillation (3 patients); and under cardioplegic arrest (1 patient). The postoperative systolic pulmonary artery blood pressure significantly decreased from a preoperative value of 78.9+/-14.5 mmHg to 45.6+/-17.6 mmHg postoperatively (p=0.000). The degree of tricuspid regurgitation was less than grade II after surgery. Two patients died early on, including one patient who had persistent pulmonary hypertension without improvement and right heart failure. CONCLUSION: Patients who have chronic pulmonary embolism are known to have a poor prognosis. However, we think that early surgical treatment along with making the proper diagnosis before the aggravation of right heart failure can help improve the quality of a patient's life.

Outcome of the Modified Norwood Procedure: 7 Years of Experience from a Single Institution / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: We assessed the early and mid-term results of the modified Norwood procedure for first-stage palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and its variants to identify the risk factors for hospital mortality. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between March, 2003, and December, 2009, 23 patients (18 males and 5 females) with HLHS or variants underwent the modified Norwood procedure. The age at operation ranged from 3 to 60 days (mean, 11.7+/-13.2 days) and weight at operation ranged from 2.2 to 4.8 kg (mean, 3.17+/-0.52 kg). We used a modified technique that spared the anterior wall of the main pulmonary artery in 20 patients. The sources of pulmonary blood flow were RV-PA conduit in 15 patients (group I) and RMBTS in 8 (group II). Follow-up was completed in 19 patients (19/20, 95%) in our hospital (mean 26.0+/-22.8 months). RESULT: Early death occurred in 3 patients (3/23, 13%), of whom 2 had TAPVC. Fourteen patients underwent subsequent bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BCPC, stage 2) and seven underwent the Fontan operation (stage 3). Three patients died between stages, 2 before stage 2 and one before stage 3. The estimated 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 78% and 69%, respectively. On multivariate regression analysis, aberrant right subclavian artery (RSCA) and associated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) were risk factors for hospital mortality after stage 1 Norwood procedure. CONCLUSION: HLHS and its variants can be palliated by the modified Norwood procedure with low operative mortality. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection adversely affects the survival after a stage 1 Norwood procedure, and interstage mortality rates need to be improved.

Clinical Experience of the Surgical Treatment of Cardiac Tumor / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare. The most common type are benign myxomas, and these are almost completely curable with early surgery. Malignant tumors, however, such as sarcomas, are difficult to remove surgically, and their prognosis is known to be poor. In this study, data on patients who had undergone surgical treatment of cardiac tumor in the authors' hospital were collected and analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The subjects included 28 patients who had undergone surgical treatment of cardiac tumor from August 1993 to December 2008. Their medical records were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. RESULT: The patients were aged from 20 to 76 years (mean age: 54.2+/-15.6), and 11 were male (39%) and 17 female (61%). Fifteen of them (54%) underwent emergency surgery to improve heart failure symptoms. The most common preoperative symptom was dyspnea (15 cases, 54%). Preoperative echocardiography was performed on all the patients. The average size of the tumor as measured during the operation was 7.0+/-6.9 cm (the average length of the long axis was 2~40 cm), and the sites of tumor attachment were the interatrial septum (18 cases, 64%), the left atrium (9 cases, 32%), the mitral valve annulus (2 cases, 7%), and the left ventricle (2 cases, 7%). The operation was performed with an incision through both atria in all the patients, and a complete excision was made in 25 cases (89%). According to the biopsy results, there were 4 cases of sarcoma (14%), 1 case of lipoma (4%), and 23 cases of myxoma (82%). The three cases in which the tumors were not completely excised were sarcomas. No operative deaths occurred after the operations. Outpatient follow-up was possible for 24 cases (86%), with a mean follow-up period of 46.8+/-42.7 months. Late death occurred in 3 of the 24 patients; each of these patients had sarcomas. Of these patients, the first had undergone two repeat surgeries, the second had metastatic sites removed, and the last had only chemotherapy. The average recurrence time was 12.7+/-10.8 months, and the average metastasis time was 20.5+/-16.8 months. CONCLUSION: Most cardiac tumors are benign myxomas. In principle, they should be surgically treated because they can create risks such as embolism, and can be radically treated when surgically removed. In most cases, however, malignant sarcomas are already considerably advanced with severe infiltration into the neighboring tissues at the time of diagnosis. The surgical removal of malignant sarcomas is known to be difficult because of the advanced stage and degree of infiltration. We suggest that excision of the removable portion of the tumor sites to alleviate symptoms such as heart failure can improve quality of life.

da Vinci Robot-Assisted Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Case of Esophago-gastrostomy through the Retrosternal Route : A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Operations using the da Vinci robot have performed in for many surgeries, but the adoption of robotics to general thoracic surgery has been slow. The patient (age 74, male) visited our hospital complaining of hiccups and dysphagia. The CT scan and endoscopic biopsy revealed esophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). We performed transthoracic esophagectomy using a da Vinci robot and this was followed by gastric tube mobilization via laparoscopy. Cervical esophago-gastric anastomosis was done using the hand-sewn method. The gastric tube was brought into the neck through the retrosternal route. The patient was discharged without any complications. We report here on a case of successful da Vinci robotic esophgagectomy.

The Thracoabdominal Aortic Replacement Using Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest Technique / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal aortic replacement is an extensive operation that opens both the pleural cavity and abdominal cavity, which has high mortality and morbidity rate. The authors have reported 9 cases of the thoracoabdominal aortic replacement in 2001. Since 2003 we have applied the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest to the Crawford type I and II thoracoabdominal aortic replacement. Therefore, we analysed the effect of the changes in operative techniques. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1996 and 2005, we have performed 20 cases of thoracoabdominal aortic replacement. The underlying diseases were 8 cases of atherosclerotic aneurysm with 4 cases of ruptured aneurysm and 12 cases of aortic dissection with 10 cases of a previous operations. According to Crawford classification, there were 2 cases of type I, 7 cases of type II, 1 case of type III, 7 cases of type IV, and 3 cases of type V. We compaired the results of the patients who underwent thoracoabdmoninal replacement before 2001 which already has been reported and after then. RESULT: Before 2001 we have performed 9 cases of thoracoabdominal replacement and 5 patients were died of the operation. All three patients with type I and II were died. There was no case of thoracoabdominal replacement between 2001 and 2002, but after 2003 we have performed 11 cases of thoracoabdominal replacement which involved 1 case of type I, 5 cases of type II, 1 case of type III, 2 cases of type IV and 2 cases of type V. There was no mortality and no fetal complications. CONCLUSION: The deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is a safe method of extended thoracoabdominal aortic replacement.

The Clinical Effect of Administration of Magnesium Sulfate in Cardiac Surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Hypomagnesemia is a common complication after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical beneficial effect of administration of magnesium sulfate in cardiac surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty five patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to magnesium group (n=20) which received magnesium sulfate in priming solution (1 g) and cardioplegic solution (1 g) or control group (n=15) which did not receive it. Arterial blood samples were drawn for measuring Mg++ and electrolytes contents, blood gas analysis, CBC, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), creatine phosphokinase (CpK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), troponin-I (TNI), prothrombin time (PT) and activated pratial thromboplastin time level (aPTT). Venous blood samples were drawn before and after the operation for measuring activated clotting time level (ACT). RESULT: Mg++ levels in magensium group were higher than those of control group at intraoperative and postoperative periods (p<0.05). dysrhythmias were lower in magnesium group (8 cases out of 17 patients, 46.4%) than in control group (10 cases out of 10, 100%, p=0.050). CONCLUSION: These results showed that administration of low dose magnesium sulfate during cardiac surgery prevented hypomagnesemia and lowered incidence of dysrhythmia.