Anatomical feasibility of fenestrated stent graft to treat complex abdominal aortic aneurysms from a Korean single institute database

Purpose@#This study aims to investigate the feasibility of Zenith Fenestrated AAA Endovascular Graft (Z-FEN, Cook Medical) from a single Korean institution database by evaluating the vascular anatomy of Korean abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients with hostile aortic neck. @*Methods@#This is a retrospective study on patients with AAA who underwent endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and open surgery repair between January 2012 and December 2021 (n = 211). The anatomic characteristics of the aortic neck were evaluated using 3-dimensional reconstructed computed tomographic scans. For the juxtarenal AAA patients (n = 39), feasibility of fenestrated stent graft was evaluated under the protocol of fenestrated EVAR. For those who were not suitable for the application of Z-FEN, the reasons for unsuitability were analyzed. @*Results@#Among 211 AAA patients, 108 patients (51.2%) had complex aortic neck, and 39 (18.5%) had insufficient aortic neck length (<15 mm) for conventional EVAR. Of the 39 patients with juxtarenal AAAs, 13 (33.3%) were determined feasible for Z-FEN. Twenty-six patients (66.7%) were noncandidate for Z-FEN due to severe neck angulation, short aortic neck length, inadequate iliac artery anatomy, large aortic neck diameter, and severe calcification and thrombosis. Proximal aortic neck length of the non-feasible group was significantly shorter than that of the feasible group (P = 0.002). @*Conclusion@#Z-FEN was applicable to 33.3% of the juxtarenal AAA patients. As recent studies confirm, the effectiveness and safety of fenestrated EVAR, Z-FEN can be an option for AAA patients with short aortic neck.

Retroperitoneal Viscum album extract instillation in patients with a large amount of drainage after kidney transplantation

Purpose@#After kidney transplantation (KT), a large amount of drainage can delay postoperative recovery. Viscum album extract is an agent used in pleurodesis, and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of this agent in reducing the amount of drainage after KT. @*Methods@#Medical records of patients with a large amount of drainage (≥ 100 mL/day) on postoperative day (POD) 7 after KT who had undergone V. album extract instillation through drainage tube (n = 115) or conservative management (n = 177) were retrospectively reviewed. The primary endpoint was a decrease in the amount of drainage on POD 14 from POD 7. @*Results@#A decrease in the amount of drainage on POD 14 from POD 7 was larger in the V. album extract instillation group than in the conservative management group (–228.3 ± 181.6 mL vs. –144.6 ± 202.0 mL, P < 0.001). Duration of hospitalization after operation was shorter in the V. album extract instillation group than in the conservative management group (15.9 ± 3.2 days vs. 18.1 ± 5.3 days, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, there was a statistically significant association of V. album extract instillation with lower risk of persistent large amount of drainage (≥ 100 mL/day on POD 14), with an odds ratio of 0.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.35–0.93; P = 0.026). @*Conclusion@#Retroperitoneal V. album extract instillation could be effective in reducing the amount of drainage and promoting postoperative recovery in patients with a large amount of drainage after KT.

Changing pattern and safety of pretransplant malignancy in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Cancer rates are increasing not only in the general population but also in patients with end-stage renal disease. We investigated the changing pattern of pretransplant malignancy in kidney transplant recipients over 5 decades.METHODS: We reviewed 3,748 kidney transplant recipients between 1969 and 2016. We divided patients into three groups (1969–1998, 1999–2006, 2007–2016) based on the era of the cancer screening system used throughout the nation. We analyzed the incidence and pattern of pretransplant malignancy among the three groups. We also evaluated recurrent and de novo malignancy in these patients compared to patients without pretransplant malignancy.RESULTS: A total of 72 patients exhibited pretransplant malignancy (1.9%). There were no cases of pretransplant cancer until 1998, but the rate of pretransplant malignancy gradually increased to 1.1% during 1999–2006 and further increased to 4.3% thereafter. The most frequent types of pretransplant malignancy changed from the bladder, liver, and stomach cancers to thyroid cancer and renal cell carcinoma. There were no de novo cases, but there were three cases of recurrent cancer in patients with pretransplant malignancy; the recurrence rate among kidney transplant recipients with pretransplant malignancy was not significantly different from the incidence rate of de novo malignancy among kidney transplant recipients without pretransplant malignancy (4.2% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.48).CONCLUSION: The incidence of pretransplant malignancy in kidney transplantation candidates is gradually increasing, and recent increases were accompanied by changes in cancer types. Pretransplant malignancy may not be a hindrance to kidney transplantation because of the low incidence of posttransplant recurrence and de novo malignancy.

Kidney transplantation using expanded criteria deceased donors with terminal acute kidney injury: a single center experience in Korea

PURPOSE: We investigated the clinical outcomes of deceased donor kidney transplantation (KT) using kidneys with terminal acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: Between February 2000 and December 2013, we performed 202 deceased donor renal transplants from 159 brain dead donors. According to the expanded criteria donor (ECD) and AKI network criteria, we divided 202 recipients into 4 groups: Group I: Non-AKI & standard criteria donor (SCD) (n = 97); group II: Non-AKI & ECD (n = 15); group III: AKI & SCD (n = 52); and group IV: AKI & ECD (n = 38). RESULTS: The incidence of delayed graft function (DFG) was significantly higher in patients with AKI than it was in the non-AKI group (P = 0.008). There were no significant differences among the 4 groups in graft survival (P = 0.074) or patient survival (P = 0.090). However, the long-term allograft survival rate was significantly lower in group IV than it was in other groups (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Allografts from deceased donors with terminal AKI had a higher incidence of DGF than did those from donors without AKI. However, there is no significant difference in graft and patient survival rates among the groups. So, the utilization of renal grafts from ECDs with terminal AKI is a feasible approach to address the critical organ shortage.

Different Effects of Orbital Shear Stress on Vascular Endothelial Cells: Comparison with the Results of In Vivo Study with Rats

PURPOSE: An attempt was made to characterize the orbital shear stress by comparing the effects of orbital shear stress on vascular endothelial cells (ECs) with the results of animal experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the laboratory study, cultured ECs of well were distinguished by center and periphery then exposed to orbital shear stress using an orbital shaker. In the animal study, arteriovenous (AV) fistulas were made at the right femoral arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats to increase the effect of the laminar flow. The condition of the stenosis was given on the left femoral arteries. The protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Akt phosphorylation were observed and compared. RESULTS: Under orbital shear stress, ECs showed an increase in iNOS protein expression and phosphorylation of Akt but most of the protein expressions derived from the periphery. When compared to the animal study, the increased expression of iNOS protein and phosphorylation of Akt were observed in the sample of AV fistula conditions and the iNOS protein expression was decreased in the stenosis conditions. CONCLUSION: Orbital shear stress did not show the characteristics of a pure turbulent shear force. By comparing the observation with the morphological changes of vascular ECs and site-specific protein expression on the results of animal experiments, uniform directional lamina shear stress forces were expressed at the periphery.

Use of Reversed Iliac Leg Stent-Graft for the Treatment of Isolated Aneurysm of Internal Iliac Artery

This is to report the technique of reversed iliac leg stent-graft in endovascular treatment for isolated internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm, which had significant size discrepancy between the common iliac artery (CIA) and external iliac artery (EIA) in 3 patients from different hospitals. Three patients were a 85- and two 82-year-old men. Treated were right IIA aneurysms, sized 6.5x6.2 cm, 5.0x4.0 cm, and 4.1 cm in longest diameter, respectively. The diameters of the right CIA and right EIA measured 21 mm/11 mm, 15 mm/11 mm, and 20 mm/10 mm, respectively. In all cases, reversed iliac leg stent-grafts were prepared on-site; unsheathed and mounted upside-down manually, and deployed in each right CIA. Post-stent-graft angiograms showed complete exclusion of the aneurysms, except for minimal type 1 endoleak in one case. This technique is a useful treatment option in patients with isolated IIA aneurysm.

Predictors of Postoperative Mortality of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Retrospective Clinical Study

PURPOSE: Despite significant improvements in surgery, anesthesia, and postoperative critical care, the postoperative mortality rate of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) has remained at 40% to 50% for several decades. Therefore, we evaluated factors associated with the postoperative mortality of RAAA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2008, a retrospective study was performed with 34 patients who underwent open repair of RAAA. The preoperative factors included age, sex, smoking, comorbidities, serum creatinine, hemoglobin, shock, pulse rate, and time from emergency room to operation room. The intraoperative factors included blood loss, transfusion, aortic clamping site and time, aneurysmal characteristics, rupture type, graft type, hourly urine output (HUO), and operative time. The postoperative factors included inotropic support, renal replacement therapy (RRT), reoperation, bowel ischemia, multiple organ failure (MOF), and intensive care unit stay. The 2-day and the 30-day mortality rates were analyzed separately. RESULTS: The 2-day and the 30-day mortality rates were 14.7% and 41.2%, respectively. On univariate analysis, shock, transfusion, HUO, inotropic support and MOF for the 2-day mortality and serum creatinine, transfusion, aortic clamping site, HUO, inotropic support, RRT and MOF for the 30-day mortality were statistically significant. On multivariate analysis, shock, inotropic support and MOF for the 2-day mortality and aortic clamping site, RRT and MOF for the 30-day mortality were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: To decrease the postoperative mortality rate of RAAA, prevention of massive hemorrhage and acute renal failure with infrarenal aortic clamping, as well as prompt operative control of bleeding and maintenance of systemic perfusion are important.

Laparoscopic Primary Closure: A Better Method of Treatment in Perforated Peptic Ulcer Disease than Open Repair

PURPOSE: Perforation is a dreadful complication of peptic ulcer disease requiring immediate management. This study examined the feasibility of laparoscopic primary closure in perforated peptic ulcer disease to allow an earlier return to normal life. METHODS: This study reviewed our experience retrospectively with 72 consecutive patients treated with the simple closure of a perforated peptic ulcer disease in our hospital from December 2002 to January 2011. Thirty five patients were treated laparoscopically and the rest underwent open surgery. The operative time, nasogastric tube utilization, abdominal drain usage, time to oral feeding, hospital stay, postoperative complications and recurrence in both groups were compared. A student's t-test was used to make the comparisons. A p value<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The operative time, use of nasogastric tubes, and abdominal drainage were similar in both groups. After laparoscopic surgery, the patients showed an earlier return to normal oral feeding and discharge than the open surgery group (4.17+/-0.62 vs. 5.03+/-2.34 days, p=0.040, 8.63+/-1.96 vs. 10.24+/-3.59 days, p=0.021, respectively). The decreased handling of tissue in laparoscopic surgery led to less wound infection (0 in laparoscopic surgery vs. 3 in open) and postoperative ileus (0 vs. 2). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair of a perforated peptic ulcer is a safe and feasible treatment that offers early oral feeding and a shorter postoperative hospital stay.

Anterior Tibial Artery Angioplasty and Stenting by Retrograde Pedal Artery Approach in Diabetic Patient with Critical Limb Ischemia: A Case Report / 대한혈관외과학회지

Endovascular therapy of critical limb ischemia is indicated in high risk patients, especially the diabetics. The ipsilateral antegrade femoral approach is the most common access site. When this approach fails, the retrograde pedal artery percutaneous approach can be considered. A 51-year-old diabetic male patient was presented with severe rest pain and gangrene on his right 4th toe. Computed tomography angiography showed multilevel calcific arterial occlusive disease, involving the popliteal and proximal anterior tibial arteries. Below knee angioplasty and stenting of the right leg was done through ipsilateral antegrade femoral approach and retrograde pedal artery approach. The C-arm guided retrograde pedal approach for calcific artery was useful for recanalization of the occluded anterior tibial artery when antegrade approach failed.

Case-Payment System in Vascular Surgery / 대한혈관외과학회지

Medical insurance, which is mandatory in Korea, has been progressed in the way of expanding the relevant population and intensifying the guarantee. However, rapid increases in medical expenses led national health insurance into a state of financial crisis. The government considered the reason of financial crisis as fee-for-service and started reorganizing the terms of payment from fee-for-service to case-payment. Therefore, an expanded diagnosis related group (DRG) payment system is carried out to decrease the expense on health and to secure financial stability. At the same time, the new case-payment system, apposite to the medical case in Korean society, is under demonstration. DRG payment system is in execution for the 7 disease entities of the four departments requested for now. However, it is supposed to be carried out in all the hospitals from the second half of 2012 and be expanded to all the general hospitals from 2013. The new case-payment system is under development because it is difficult to apply DRG to all disease entities. These shake-ups in the payment system will be conducted from the year 2015, combining both the DRG and new case-payment system. Basically, the introduction of the new case-payment system will cause doctors' passive attitude in the treatment of patients. This would be an especially serious problem for the department of surgery whose charge for operation is very low. It would be worse for the vascular surgeons because only 80% of operational or interventional procedures will be compensated, the fee for ultrasound is included in the new case-payment system, and age-related severity is not reflected in the disease entity. If relaunch is inevitable, vascular surgeons should understand the new case-payment system exactly and point out the problems. Also, standard guidelines on treatment per procedure should be set up and used for the established case-payment system, which would be helpful in reducing unnecessary medical expenses.

A Clinical Consideration of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture / 대한혈관외과학회지

PURPOSE: With current advances in surgical technique, the prognosis for elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has improved, but the mortality rate for ruptured AAA remains high. The aim of this study was to define the risk factors of AAA rupture. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 169 AAA patients who underwent open surgical repair between March 2000 and October 2010. According to the rupture, the patients were divided into 2 groups: 'ruptured' (n=41), 'non-ruptured' (n=128). To define the risk factor of ruptured AAA, we compared following variables between the 2 groups: clinical co-morbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, malignancies), diameter (maximal diameter of AAA), location of rupture, gender, and previous abdominal surgery history. RESULTS: Mean patient-age was 68.4+/-4.4 years (range: 32 to 86 years); the majority of patients were males, 135 (79.8%). Mean diameter of AAA was 6.67+/-2.0 cm (range: 4 to 15 cm); 'non-ruptured': 6.3+/-1.6 cm, 'ruptured': 7.8+/-2.6 cm. The risk of AAA rupture was statistically significantly increased with increased diameter of the AAA (P=0.007). On multivariateanalysis, the only statistically significant risk factor for AAA rupture was diameter of AAA (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: The only significant risk factor for AAA rupture found in this study is the diameter of AAA. To minimize the rupture rate of the AAA patients, we will have to closely monitor the size of AAA diameter.

Effect of Anastomotic Method on Intimal Hyperplasia in Rabbit Aorta

PURPOSE: The clinical advantages of end-to-end (ETE) anastomosis have not been clear despite its biomechanical advantage over end-to-side (ETS) anastomosis. We compared the histomorphometric features of intimal remodeling after ETE and ETS anastomosis in a rabbit aortic bypass model. METHODS: Thirty-two bypass operations, 16 with ETS and 16 with ETE anastomoses, were performed using aortic allografts of donor rabbits (15 per group) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts (1 per group). To minimize bias from the immunologic response to aortic allografts or graft size, a long aortic tissue obtained from one donor was divided into 2 pieces and shared between each ETE and ETS bypass. PTFE graft bypasses, which are commonly used in clinical practice, were performed to provide comparison results for an allograft with a different compliance. Vessels were harvested at 1 day (1 per group), 5 days (1 per group), and 4 weeks (14 per group, including the PTFE bypass group) after surgery. Intimal thickening was evaluated with hematoxylin-eosin, van Gieson, immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis of TNF-alpha and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. RESULTS: Mean intimal thickness and volume (0.721+/-0.047 mm, 5.734+/-0.387 mm3 vs. 0.883+/-0.048 mm, 9.068+/-0.462 mm3) and intima/media volume ratio (0.70+/-0.05 vs 1.08+/-0.06) were significantly smaller in ETE (P<0.05). Western blotting showed a marked increase in TNF-alpha (203.15+/-5.29 vs. 494.49+/-6.11) and PCNA concentrations (152.66+/-7.37 vs. 175.53+/-4.36) in the ETS group. CONCLUSION: ETE anastomosis results showed significantly decreased inflammatory reaction and volume of intimal hyperplasia, and therefore seemed to be associated with better long-term graft patency.

Intimal Hyperplasia in Vascular Grafts: Surgery-induced Arteriosclerosis

Intimal hyperplasia is a feature of the normal adaptive response of vessels to hemodynamic stresses as well as a characteristic of the healing of vessel injuries. The events leading to intimal hyperplasia formation involve numerous cellular and molecular components. Various cellular elements of the vessel wall are involved as are leucocyte-endothelial interactions that trigger the coagulation cascade leading to localized thrombus formation. Subsequent phenotypic modification of the medial smooth muscle cells and their intimal migration is the basis of the lesion formation that is thought to be propagated by an immune-mediated reaction. Intimal hyperplasia in the region of endarterectomy, balloon angioplasty, and vascular bypass graft anastomosis is a major problem of long-term failure of vascular reconstruction. The underlying causes of intimal hyperplasia are proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells provoked by injury, inflammation, and stretch. This review discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms in the pathophysiology of intimal hyperplasia, and the different anastomosing techniques to improve the patency of peripheral arterial bypass.

Palma-Dale Operation for Chronic Ilio-femoral Vein Thrombosis

PURPOSE: Deep vein thrombosis is usually managed conservatively or with radiologic intervention. Yet deep vein reconstruction is of value as one of the treatments for a small group of patients who present with significant chronic venous insufficiency due to hypoplastic, absent or occluded deep venous outflow such as occurs because of chronic ilio-femoral vein thrombosis. Therefore, we evaluate the improvement of symptoms and graft patency after a Palma-Dale operation as a treatment modality for chronic ilio-femoral vein thrombosis. METHODS: From January 2001 to August 2008, a retrospective study was performed on 15 patients with chronic ilio-femoral vein thrombosis that was treated with a Palma-Dale operation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51.1+/-15.9 years. The ratio of males to females was 8 to 7. All the patients had lower limb swelling. A Palma-Dale operation was performed on all the patients. Simultaneous thrombectomy was done for 1 patient and arteriovenous fistulas were used to improve graft patency in four patients. The mean follow-up period was 36.3+/-24.0 months. Postoperatively, there was improvement of symptoms in all the patients. However, there was recurrence of symptoms in three patients after two or three months. The rate of graft patency was 84.1% at one year after surgery. CONCLUSION: The Palma-Dale operation has the possibility of recurrence of deep vein thrombosis and postoperative complications. Yet in patients with significant chronic venous insufficiency due to chronic ilio-femoral vein thrombosis, this type of surgery is obviously of value with respect to improvement of symptoms and an acceptable graft patency rate.

Intracystic Papillary Carcinoma in the Male Breast: A Case Report / 한국유방암학회지

Intracystic papillary carcinoma of the breast is a variant of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) characterized by the presence of papillary carcinoma within a cystically dilated duct. DCIS of the male breast is an uncommon disease, accounting for approximately 7% of all male breast carcinomas. Most DCIS in men is of the papillary type. We experienced one case of intracystic papillary carcinoma in the right breast of a 49-yr-old male and report the case with a review of the literature.

A Case of Retrograde Jejunogastric Intussusception Diagnosed by Gastroscopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Retrograde intussusception of the jejunum into the stomach through the stroma of a gastroenterostomy is a very rare, but potentially fatal complication after gastrectomy. Once symptoms develop, the mortality rate is high if this is not treated within 48 hours, so making an early diagnosis with a high index of suspicion and administering prompt treatment are mandatory. Gastroscopy could be a useful diagnostic tool for patients with a history of gastrectomy and who present with abdominal pain and hematemesis, and with considering the possibility of intussusception. A 65-year-old man with a history of Billroth II gastrectomy that was done 35 years ago due to gastric ulcer perforation was admitted with abdominal pain and hematemesis. A necrotic mucosa that was suspicious of an intussuscepted small bowel tissue was detected on gastroscopy. Subsequent open reduction and small bowel resection was performed with successful results. We report here on a case of postoperative retrograde jejunogastric intussusception that occurred 35 years after Billroth II gastrectomy, and it was first diagnosed by performing gastroscopy.

Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma in the Breast: A Case Report / 한국유방암학회지

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common form of soft tissue sarcoma during middle and late adulthood in the deep connective tissues of the extremities, abdominal cavity, and retroperitoneum. Primary breast sarcoma is a rare disease entity, comprising less than 1% of all breast malignancies. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the breast is very rare. We presented one case of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the right breast in a 49-year-old woman and report the case with a review of the literature.

Fenestration of the Common Femoral Artery in Patients with Acute Aortic Dissection Combined with Lower Limb Ischemia

Acute aortic dissection is a catastrophic event. Nowadays, the management of aortic dissection can be challenging with performing procedures such as aortic fenestration, stenting and endovascular treatment. While most cases of acute Stanford type A dissection are managed surgically, many cases of acute Stanford type B dissection are treated medically, although open surgery or stent-graft placement is sometimes performed. Patients with Stanford type B dissection may develop vascular complications such as mesenteric or peripheral ischemia, which cannot be managed medically. Fenestration is a procedure for decompressing the hypertensive false lumen by creating a hole in the distal part of the dissection flap and this allows outflow from the false lumen, it relieves branch vessel obstruction, it restores the flow to the ischemic organ and it reduces the risk of extension or rupture of the dissection. Urgent revascularization is required to correct mesenteric and renal ischemia and to restore distal perfusion if there is rest pain and ischemia signs at the lower extremity. We report here on a case of successful surgical fenestration of an acute aortic dissection for relief of lower limb ischemia, and we utilized a transfemoral artery to puncture the obstructed intimal flap.

Popliteal Artery Aneurysm Presenting as Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis

Popliteal artery aneurysms are rare, but they are the second commonest aneurysm in frequency after aorto-iliac aneurysms. The most commonly reported complications of popliteal artery aneurysm are arterial origin such as occlusion or distal embolization that may result in limb loss, so popliteal artery aneurysm is recognized as 'the silent killer of the leg circulation'. It rarely manifests the clinical symptoms of acute deep vein thrombosis. Thrombosis and compression of the popliteal vein may cause the symptoms of lower extremity venous insufficiency, which accounts for nearly 5% of all popliteal artery aneurysms. We report here a 40 year-old man with acute deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity, and this was secondary to popliteal artery aneurysm. Preoperative Duplex ultrasound and CT angiography revealed a 6 cm-sized popliteal artery aneurysm and thrombosis of the popliteal vein. The aneurysm was treated with partial resection of the aneurysm with an end to end PTFE bypass graft. We feel it is important to exclude a popliteal artery aneurysm in a patient suffering with deep vein thrombosis.

Intimal Hyperplasia

Intimal hyperplasia is a feature of the normal adaptive response of vessels to hemodynamic stresses, as well as being a characteristic of vessel injuries that are healing. Intimal hyperplasia in the region of endarterectomy, balloon angioplasty and vascular bypass graft anastomosis is a major cause of the long-term failure of vascular reconstruction. The underlying causes of intimal hyperplasia are proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and this is all provoked by injury, inflammation and mechanical stretch. This review discusses both the final common pathways that lead to smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation and their patho-physiological triggers. In this review, we have critically evaluated and summarized the literature to understand and interlink the numerous established and emerging factors that play key roles in the development of intimal hyperplasia.