Degradation of Interface Pressure under Tubular Compressive Bandage (Tubifast™) for 6 Days

PURPOSE: Pressure garment is the most effective tool in treatment of burn scar hypertrophy. But most patients feel discomfort to pressure garment. So tubular compressive bandage (TCB; Tubifast™) is widely used as a substitute. We checked daily pressure of tubular pressure bandage for 6 days and tried to find out the proper use. METHODS: Three doctors and two nurses were included in this study. They wore the TCB on both arms. One arm worn with one layer and the other arm with two layers. For six days, we checked the average pressure on arm and forearm with Picopress®. We used the SPSS (PASW statistics 18) as a statistics. RESULTS: During the first three days the pressure was markedly declined on both arm and forearm when with two layers. After then the pressure showed plateau. But one layer showed slow and continuous declining. The plateau pressure was above 10 mmHg with two layers and below 7 mmHg with one layer. CONCLUSION: Wearing the tubular compressive bandage (TCB; Tubifast™) is better with two layers than one layer and must be changed it in every 4 days.

Management of Major Burn Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures: 2 Case Report

About 5% of burn patients come with other injuries. When patients with multiple rib fractures are put under general anesthesia, there is a higher rate of a variety of complications, such as hemothorax, pneumothorax, lung contusion, and etc. Also, symptoms of the complications are likely to get worse. Therefore, it is important to decide when it is appropriate to perform surgery. Our hospital delayed operation time on two burn patients who had multiple rib fractures and then performed surgery under general anesthesia, treating patients without any particular complications.

A Case of Pumpless Extracorporeal Interventional Lung Assist Application in a Patient with Severe ARDS Who Is Severe Burn with Inhalation Lung Injury: A Case Report

A 35 year old male patient with inhalation injury including 45% body surface area burn was transferred to the hospital. After 2 days of hospitalization lung protective ventilation was supported due to acute respiratory distress occurrence. Fifth day the patient suffered hypercapnea which was uncontrollable with mechanical ventilators. Interventional lung assist (iLA) was proceeded on the tenth day, and the patients hypercapnia symptom was compatible with lung protective ventilation at the time, but the patient eventually suffered death after 12 days of treatment and care in the hospital.

The Surgical Treatment for Aorto-cutaneous Fistula after Open Heart Surgery: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Aorto-cutaneous fistula is a rare complication after performing open heart surgery, but if this develops, it is a fatal condition. So, prompt diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment is needed. We report here on a patient who had two mechanical double valves placed during heart surgery and she was treated for repeated sternal wound infections for about 5 years. She visited the ER due to abrupt bleeding at the sternal wound. She was diagnosed as having an aorto-cutaneous fistula by performing an aortogram and we then performed cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery. The patient is currently doing well and is under follow up 24 months after the repair.

Low-intensity Oral Anticoagulation Versus High-intensity Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Mechanical Bileaflet Prosthetic Heart Valves / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: All the patients with mechanical valves require warfarin therapy in order to prevent them from developing thromboembolic complications. According to the ACC/AHA practice guidelines, after AVR with bileaflet mechanical prostheses in patients with no risk factors, warfarin is indicated to achieve an INR of 2.0 to 3.0. After MVR with any mechanical valve, warfarin is indicated to achieve an INR of 2.5 to 3.5. But in our clinical experience, bleeding complications (epistaxis, hematuria, uterine bleeding, intracerebral hemorrhage etc.) frequently developed in patients who maintained their INR within this value. So, we retrospectively reviewed the patients with bileaflet mechanical heart valve prosthesis and we determined the optimal anticoagulation value. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1984 to February 2007, 311 patients have been followed up at a national medical center. We classified the AVR patients (n=60) into three groups as follows: an INR from 1.5 to 2.0 in Group I, an INR from 2.0 to 2.5 in Group II and an INR from 2.5 to 3.0 in Group III. We classified the MVR (n=171) and DVR (n=80) patients into four groups as follows: an INR from 1.5 to 2.0 in Group I, an INR from 2.0 to 2.5 in Group II, an INR from 2.5 to 3.0 in Group III and an INR from 3.0 to 3.5 in Group III. We compared the groups for their thromboembolic and bleeding complications by means of the Kaplan Meier method. RESULT: In the AVR patients, 2 thromboembolic complications and 4 bleeding complications occurred and the log rank test failed to identify any statistical significance between the groups for thethromboembolic complication rate, but groups I and II had lower bleeding complication rates than did group III. Thirteen thromboembolic complication and 15 bleeding complication occurred in the MVR and DVR patients, and the log rank test also failed to identify statistical significance between the groups for the thromboembolic complication rate, but groups I and II had lower bleeding complication rates that did groups III and IV. CONCLUSION: The thromboembolic complication rate was not statistically different between groups I and II and groups III and IV, but the bleeding complication rates of groups I and II were lower than those of groups III and IV. So this outcome encouraged us to continue using our low intensive anticoagulation regime, that is, an INR of 1.5 to 2.5.

Redo CABG through a Left Posterolateral Thoracotomy: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

We report there on a 46-year-old male patient whose angina recurred after a coronary bypass graft (CABG). Occlusion of the first diagonal branch was found on performing a coronary angiogram (CAG), and this occlusion had not previously been present. So, a redo-off pump CABG was performed via a left posterolateral thoracotomy. The anastomosis was made between the descending thoracic aorta and the diagonal branch by using the right radial artery. On the Multi-detector computerized tomography (MDCT) coronary angiogram conducted after the operation, it was confirmed that there was no abnormality in the anastomosis site. A Redo-CABG was successfully performed via left posterolateral thoracotomy in the patient whose disease was only at the diagonal branch.

Surgical Results for Treating Postpneumonectomy Empyema with BPF by Using an Omental Pedicled Flap and Thoracoplasty / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE) due to bronchopleural fistula (BPF) can be a surgical challenge for surgeons. We analyzed the follow-up outcomes after performing omentopexy and thoracoplasty for the treatment of PPE with BPF after pneumonectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between December 1991 and January 2006, 9 patients underwent BPF closure using an omental pedicled flap for the treatment of PPE with BPF after pneumonectomy. There were 7 males and 2 females (mean age: 45.9+/-9 years). The patients were followed up for a mean of 58 months (median: 28 months, range: 6~169). When we performed omentopexy, the surgical procedures for empyema were thoracoplasy for 8 patients and the Clagett procedure for 1 patient. Thoracoplasty was performed for the latter patient due to recurrence of empyema. RESULT: For the 8 patients who were treated by omentopexy and thoracoplasty, there was 1 operation-related death due to sepsis. During follow up, 1 patient, who was treated by omentopexy and a Clagett procedure, died of acute hepatitis 40 months postoperatively. The early mortality was 11.1% (8/9). Of the 8 patients, including the 1 late death patient, successful closure of the BPF were achieved in all patients (8/9) and the empyema was cured in 7 patients (7/8). CONCLUSION: The BPF closure using an omental pedicled flap was an effective method for treating PPE with BPF due to TB-destroyed lung, and thoracoplasty with simultaneous omentopexy was effective and safe for removing dead space if the patient was young and in a good general condition.

The Use of Greater Saphenous Vein In Situ Graft in Arterial Occlusive Disease of Lower Extremity / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Distal anastomosis using artificial vascular graft is difficult when luminal size mismatch occurred owing to severe occlusion of popliteal artery and its branches. So we reconstructed blood flow to ischemic lower limb by using autologous greater saphenous vein in situ graft (GSVISG) as vascular graft material. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From July 2000 to July 2005, 26 patients treated using GSVISG. We analyzed clinical results retrospectively by chart review. RESULT: There was no in hospital or early postoperative death and 6 late deaths occurred during follow up period. Postoperative complications were 5 cases of early graft obstruction, 2 cases of wound dehiscence, 1 case of graft aneurysmal change, 1 case of seroma formation at inguinal wound and 1 case of graft injury during valvulotomy. Overall patency rate during follow up period was 69.3%. CONCLUSION: Greater saphenous vein in situ graft is acceptable vascular graft for arterial occlusive disease of lower extremity.

Lung Cancer Incidentally Found on Surgery of Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Spontaneous pneumothorax is rarely occurred as an initial sign of primary lung cancer. As a lot of these cases have already advanced, even then surgical resection is performed, the prognosis is often undesirable. We happened to find a ruptured cavity on a 65-year-old male patient who had suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis in the past, while performing VATS bullectomy for simple spontaneous pneumothorax. Then, as a result of frozen biopsy, it was diagnosed as squamous cell cancer. Because the tumor was infiltrated from the upper lobe into the lower lobe passing by fissure, we should remove by pneumonectomy and the pathologic stage was found stage I (T2N0M0). When we made an follow-up observation for one year and a half, there was neither relapse nor complication. When there appears spontaneous pneumothorax to the high risk group for lung cancer who were smokers over forty-year old, with chronic bronchitis or pulmonary emphysema, it needs to have a closer observation on a base lung disease such as lung cancer through chest CT, and it is also necessary to make more active approach by performing the surgical operation through a thoracoscopy when there is a continued air release.

Case Report of Partial Endocardial Cushion Defect with Mild Pulmonary Hypertension in Old Age / 대한흉부외과학회지

The partial endocardial cushion defect including ostium primum atrial septal defect and anterior mitral leaflet cleft, presents less significant clinical symptoms than complete endocardial cushion defect. But, as mitral insufficiency develops, cardiomegaly, congestive heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension appear. So, partial endocardial cushion defect has poor prognosis and is rarely seen in elderly patients. A 67 years old woman admitted at our hospital for operative treatment with partial endocardial cushion defect. She had increased pulmonary pressure of 45/22 mmHg, mean 32 mmHg. She had repair of ostium primum defect with patch, and the mitral valve was treated with valve replacement. Because advanced atrioventricular block developed postoperatively, she received permanent pacemaker.

Case Report of Partial Endocardial Cushion Defect with Mild Pulmonary Hypertension in Old Age / 대한흉부외과학회지

The partial endocardial cushion defect including ostium primum atrial septal defect and anterior mitral leaflet cleft, presents less significant clinical symptoms than complete endocardial cushion defect. But, as mitral insufficiency develops, cardiomegaly, congestive heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension appear. So, partial endocardial cushion defect has poor prognosis and is rarely seen in elderly patients. A 67 years old woman admitted at our hospital for operative treatment with partial endocardial cushion defect. She had increased pulmonary pressure of 45/22 mmHg, mean 32 mmHg. She had repair of ostium primum defect with patch, and the mitral valve was treated with valve replacement. Because advanced atrioventricular block developed postoperatively, she received permanent pacemaker.

Clinical Analysis of Arteriovenous Fistula in Chronic Renal Failure Patients / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Owing to the fact that the average life span has increased and the progress in medical science has been made, the number of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) who have to take hemodialysis (HD) has been going up gradually. Accordingly, it is considered to be as a significant issue to obtain blood vessels which can be used repetitively and supply enough blood flows. Therefore, there have been various kinds of study on an inosculation rate andfactors influencing it following an arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula) and lots of studies are ongoing for the purpose of escalating the inosculation rate. The authors analyzed the effects of short-term result, age, sex, diabetes and hypertension on arteriovenous inosculations in 134 anatomical snuffbox operated subjects among the patients who have taken an AV fistula at this center. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Based on 134 patients who underwent an AV fistula at the department of thoracic surgery of this center from July, 2000 to May, 2004, the difference in arteriovenous inosculation rate was compared and analyzed depending on age (discriminated by 65-year-old), sex and the condition of the presence or absence of diabetes and hypertension. Correlation analyses were conducted for each parameter and statistical tests were performed by using SPSS for windows Release 11.0.1, which were determined to be statistically significant if p value was below 0.05. RESULT: The total number of operations was 169 including 35 of re-operations. The male/female rate was 70:64 (52%:48%). The average age was 56.3+/-12.26 years and there were 33 (24%) old aged patients above 65-year-old; there were 103 (71%) patients with hypertension and 90 (67%) patients with diabetes. Overall arteriovenous inosculation rate was 93+/-2.4%, 91+/-2.7%, 89+/-3.0% at 6, 12, 24 months, respectively. The arteriovenous inosculation rate of above 65-year-old patient group was 85+/-4.8%, 80+/-5.8%, 80+/-5.8% and below 64-year-old patient group's was 85+/-4.8%, 80+/-5.8%, 80+/-5.8% at given time points, respectively, which showed higher inosculation rate in below 64-year-old patient group with a statistical significance (p=0.0034). However, no statistical significance was found between the patients with hypertension and diabetes and the patients with no complication. In addition, there was no statistical significance in inosculation rate between male and female. CONCLUSION: The arteriovenous inosculation ratewas higher in the treated patient below 64-year-old than in the treated patient above 65-year-old. Thus it is advantageous for increase in long-term inosculation rate to obtain hemodialysis routes at an early age. The conditions of sex and the presence or absence of diabetes and hypertension do not make statistically significant effect on the arteriovenous inosculation rate.

Clinical Analysis of the Early Result of Coronary Artery bypass Graft / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Recently, coronary artery obstructive disease and coronary artery bypass graft surgery have increased, and the operative result has been improved. We reviewed 154 cases of coronary artery bypass graft surgery from Jan. 1985 to Jun. 2004. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed 148 patients, 154 cases of coronary artery bypass surgery from Jan. 1985 to Jun. 2004. This investigation is designed to illustrate the preoperative diagnosis, severity of disease, operative method, the kind of used bypass graft used, number of distal anasomosis, associated surgery, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. RESULT: There were 84 males, 64 females and the average age was 58.9+/-8.3 years old. Preoperative clinical diagnosis were unstable angina in 97 cases (63.0%), stable angina in 31 cases (20.1%), acute myocardial infarction in 12 cases (7.8%) and postinfartion angina in 14 cases (9.1%). Preoperative angiographic diagnosis were three-vessel disease in 68 (44.2%), two-vessel disease in 39 (25.3%), one-vessel disease in 35 (22.7%), and left main disease in 12 (7.8%) cases. There were 78 cases of on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery and 76 cases of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The total distal anastomoses number was 319, mean number of anastomoses was 2.06+/-0.96. There were 10 concomitant procedures. Postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump was used in 21 (13.6%) cases, but only 4 cases were used at off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Total early mortality was 7.8%. The mortality was decreased as 4.5% from Jan. 2001 to Jun. 2004. Post operative complication was perioperative myocardial infarction in 9 cases (5.8%), low cardiac output syndrome in 17 cases (11%), and arrhythmia in 30 cases (19.5%) cases. CONCLUSION: Since 1985, The result of coronary artery bypass graft surgery has been improved because of more refined technique, use of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, use of internal thoracic artery and radial artery as bypass graft. We should study the long-term follow up more for better operative results.

The Proximal Tibial Physeal Changes in the Skeletally Immature Rabbits after the physeal Distraction / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Physeal distraction is used for limb lengthening or correction of deformities in skeletally immature patients. But the effect of distraction on the physis is uncertain. The young rabbits were arranged into five groups according to the slow distraction rates: Group I (no distraction), Group II (distraction rate of 0.25mm per day), Group III (distraction rate of 0.5mm per day), Group IV (distraction rate of 0.75 mm per day), Group V (distraction rate of 1mm per day). The tibial length, size of proliferating zone, microscopic findings of physis immunostained with bromodeoxyuridine, and physeal response to physeal distraction on each group were studied. The results were as follows. 1. There was an increase in bone length on the distracted side (1.8 to 4.2mm). 2. There was an irregular increase in the thickness of the distracted physis. 3. There was an abnormal accumulation of hypertrophic chondrocytes in hypertrophic zone in distracted physis. 4. There was no evidence of anomalous cell proliferation, in the resting, proliferating and hypertrophic zones. These results conclude that the physeal distraction does not stimulate cell proliferation in the physis, even when it is seen to be thickened after the chondrodiatasis.