Navigation-Assisted Knee Arthroplasty in Case of Extra-Articular Deformity or Retained Hardware / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Total knee arthroplasty is a surgical treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. Postoperative lower limb alignment is one of the factors determining the long-term prognosis after total knee arthroplasty. Navigation-assisted surgery can be used to achieve an accurate lower limb alignment. Particular situations, such as severe extra-articular deformity in the femur or tibia and retained hardware, are a good indication for navigation-assisted surgery. On the other hand, thorough preoperative planning and an understanding of each steps of surgery are necessary to perform total knee arthroplasty successfully in these special cases. In this review article, preoperative radiological measurements and surgical planning for extra-articular deformity correction will be elucidated. The surgical steps and necessary instruments for navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty will be described in cases of extra-articular deformity or retained hardware. A literature review showed that the radiological and clinical results after total knee arthroplasty using navigation in osteoarthritis with extraarticular deformity were good. Therefore, it is essential to use navigation when performing total knee arthroplasty in patients with extraarticular deformity or retained hardware.

Delayed Treatment of Iatrogenic Brachial Arteriovenous Fistula

Iatrogenic vascular injuries may occur during venipuncture, arterial cannulation, or catheterization procedures. Brachial arteriovenous fistula (AVF) resulting from antecubital vascular access is rare and develops slowly. We report the case of an 18-year-old man who had developed iatrogenic brachial AVF. He had a history of several venipunctures in the left arm at the age of 10 months. Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomographic angiography were used to establish a diagnosis of brachial AVF, and surgical correction of the AVF was performed. As our case indicates, delayed surgery can be considered as a treatment option and may be associated with a decreased risk of vascular complications in the management of iatrogenic brachial AVF in infants.

Effect of chronic kidney disease on outcomes of total joint arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

Background@#This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the differences in preoperative comorbidities, postoperative mortality, the rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), and revision rate after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) between patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)(CKD group) and patients with normal kidney function (non-CKD group). @*Methods@#We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for studies assessing the effect of CKD on TJA outcome. This meta-analysis included studies that (1) compared the outcomes of TJA between the CKD and non-CKD groups; (2) compared the outcomes of TJA based on CKD stage; and (3) evaluated the risk factors for morbidity or mortality after TJA. We compared the mortality, PJI, and revision rate between CKD and non-CKD groups, and between dialysis-dependent patients (dialysis group) and non-dialysis-dependent patients (non-dialysis group). @*Results@#Eighteen studies were included in this meta-analysis. In most studies that assessed preoperative comorbidities, the number and severity of preoperative comorbidities were reported to be higher in the CKD group than in the non-CKD group. The risk of mortality was found to be higher in the CKD and dialysis groups compared with the respective control groups. In the studies based on administrative data, the unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of PJI was significantly higher in the CKD group than in the non-CKD group; however, no significant difference between the groups was noted in the adjusted OR.After total hip arthroplasty (THA), the risk of PJI was higher in the dialysis group than in the non-dialysis group. No significant difference was noted between the groups in the rate of PJI following total knee arthroplasty. The revision rate did not significantly differ between the CKD and non-CKD groups in the studies that were based on administrative data. However, the unadjusted OR was significantly higher in the dialysis group than in the non-dialysis group. @*Conclusions@#Preoperative comorbidities and mortality risk were higher in the CKD and dialysis groups than in their respective control groups. The risk of revision was greater in the dialysis group than in the non-dialysis group, and the risk of PJI in the dialysis group became even greater after THA. Surgeons should perform careful preoperative risk stratification and optimization for patients with CKD scheduled to undergo TJA.

The effect of patellar facet angle on patellofemoral alignment and arthritis progression in posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing

Background@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of patellar facet angle on pre- and postoperative patellofemoral alignment and the progress of arthritis of the patellofemoral joint in posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty (PS TKA) without patellar resurfacing. @*Methods@#Patients who had a PS TKA for a varus osteoarthritic knee who were followed up for more than 2 years were included in this study. The radiologic and clinical outcomes were compared between 72 knees (group A) whose patellar facet angle was greater than 126° (> 126°) and 32 knees (group B) whose patellar facet angle was smaller than or equal to 126° (≤ 126°). For the radiologic assessment, the Kellgren-Lawrence grade, mechanical femorotibial angle, Insall-Salvati ratio, patellar tilt angle, patellar displacement and the osteosclerosis of the patellar ridge were evaluated. The range of motion (ROM) and patient-reported outcomes (the Knee Society knee score, the Knee Society function score, the Feller patellar score, and the Kujala patellofemoral score) were used for the clinical assessment. @*Results@#The preoperative patellar tilt angle was 9.8° (standard deviation [SD] 5.5) and 14.6° (SD 4.1) in group A and group B, respectively, a significant difference (p 0.05). At the last-follow-up, 22 knees (30.6%) showed progression of osteosclerosis of the patellar ridge in group A and 13 knees (40.6%) showed progression of osteosclerosis in group B (p = 0.371). The postoperative radiologic and clinical outcomes showed no significant difference between the two groups (all parameters,p > 0.05). @*Conclusions@#Although a narrow patellar facet angle was related to an increase of lateral tilting of the patella, it showed no impact on the preoperative clinical assessment. The radiologic and clinical outcomes evaluated after the PS TKA showed no statistical difference according to the patellar shape. Although the patellar shape evaluated by the patellar facet angle can partially affect the preoperative patellofemoral alignment, this study result indicated insignificant clinical relevance of the patellar shape in the PS TKA.

Difference of Critical Shoulder Angle (CSA) According to Minimal Rotation: Can Minimal Rotation of the Scapula Be Allowed in the Evaluation of CSA?

BACKGROUND: Minimal rotation of the scapula may affect the measurement of critical shoulder angle (CSA). We investigated the difference in the CSA measured in minimal rotation between the patients with rotator cuff tear and those without non-rotator cuff tear and the CSA measurement error by comparing with computed tomography (CT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tear and whose X-ray views correspond to Suter-Henninger classification type A1 and C1. The CSA values between the normal control group (without rotator cuff tear) and the rotator cuff tear group were compared according to A1 type and C1 type. In the rotator cuff tear group, we compared the CSA values measured by using X-ray and CT. RESULTS: A total of 238 patients (rotator cuff tear group, 139 patients; normal cuff group, 99 patients) were included in this study. The mean CSA of the rotator cuff tear group was 33.4° ± 3.5°, and that of the normal cuff group was 32.6° ± 3.9° (p = 0.085). On comparison of the CSA according to the Suter-Henninger classification type, the CSA values on the A1 type view and C1 type view were 32.7° ± 3.5° and 33.7° ± 3.5°, respectively, in the rotator cuff tear group and 30.5° ± 3.1° and 33.1 ± 3.9°, respectively, in the normal cuff group (p = 0.024 and p = 0.216, respectively). The mean CSA was 32.5° ± 3.1° in CT and 33.3° ± 3.2° in X-ray (p = 0.184). On comparison of the CSA according to the Suter-Henninger classification type, the CSA values on the A1 type view and C1 type view were 32.6° ± 3.6° and 32.5° ± 2.4°, respectively, in CT and 32.5° ± 3.5° and 34.2° ± 2.6°, respectively, in X-ray (p = 0.905 and p = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The X-ray view corresponding to Suter-Henninger classification type A1 or CT-reconstructed image can be used to reduce the measurement error and obtain reliable CSA values. The CSA measured on the X-ray view corresponding to Suter-Henninger classification type A1 may be related with rotator cuff tear.

Ankle Arthrodesis: A Comparison of Anterior Approach and Transfibular Approach

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological results of arthrodesis performed by the anterior approach and by the transfibular approach in ankle osteoarthritis. METHODS: Sixty patients underwent open arthrodesis (38 by the anterior approach and 22 by the transfibular approach). The visual analogue scale score and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were examined clinically, and radiological examination was performed on the alignment of the lower extremity and bone union. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement in AOFAS score (from 39.8 to 58.3 in the anterior approach group and from 44.5 to 60.7 in the transfibular approach group). There was no significant difference in AOFAS score at the last follow-up in both groups. The time to fusion was 13.5 weeks in the anterior approach group and 11.8 weeks in the transfibular approach group. Nonunion occurred in four cases in the anterior approach group and in one case in the transfibular approach group. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle arthrodesis by the anterior approach and the transfibular approach showed comparably good clinical results.

Effects of Femoral Lateral Bowing on Coronal Alignment and Component Position after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comparison of Conventional and Navigation-Assisted Surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of femoral lateral bowing on coronal alignment after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and examine whether the use of navigation helps obtain better postoperative coronal alignment and component position. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiological results and outlier rates were compared between the conventional TKA group and the navigation-assisted TKA group, and factors associated with postoperative alignment were evaluated. For clinical assessment, patient-reported outcomes were used. RESULTS: A total of 297 knees were retrospectively reviewed. Among the patients with femoral lateral bowing, a significant difference was observed between the conventional TKA group (n=72) and the navigation-assisted TKA group (n=96) in postoperative mechanical femorotibial angle (mFTA, 1.6° vs. 0.8°; p=0.005) and femoral component alignment angle (89.0° vs 90.0°; p=0.017). Preoperative mFTA (p < 0.001), femoral bowing angle (p < 0.001), and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (p=0.032) had effects on postoperative mFTA in the conventional TKA group. In the navigation-assisted TKA group, only preoperative mFTA (p < 0.001) had effects on postoperative mFTA. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the individualized determination of the valgus correction angle through preoperative planning, in the cases with severe lateral bowing, the outlier rate was higher in the conventional TKA group than in the navigation-assisted TKA group. However, there was no significant difference in the clinical results between the two groups in the short-term follow-up.

Acquired Pharyngeal Diverticulum after Anterior Cervical Fusion Operation Misdiagnosed as Typical Zenker Diverticulum

A pharyngeal diverticulum is a rare complication of an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). We present a case of a pharyngeal diverticulum after an ACDF, which was misdiagnosed as a typical Zenker diverticulum. A 54-year-old woman presented with dysphagia and a sense of irritation in the neck following C5 through C7 cervical fusion 3 years prior. The patient underwent open surgery to resect the diverticulum with concurrent cricopharyngeal myotomy. An ACDF-related diverticulum is difficult to distinguish from a typical Zenker diverticulum.

Clinical Outcome after Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation with Small Bony Bankart

BACKGROUND: The consensus is that a bony Bankart lesion shorter than 25% of the length of glenoid does not affect the clinical result; hence, such lesions were often neglected. However, small bony Bankart lesions are associated with various types of capsulolabral lesions. METHODS: A total of 82 patients who had undergone arthroscopic capsulolabral lesion repair surgery for anterior shoulder dislocation were reviewed. The prevalence rates of early and late type of capsulolabral lesions were compared between a group of patients with and a group without small bony Bankart lesions. In addition, the types of accompanying capsulolabral lesion were analyzed according to the type of bony Bankart lesion. Finally, the clinical outcomes were evaluated (active range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and Rowe's score). RESULTS: Among the 13 patients who had small bony Bankart lesions, the prevalence rate of early and late type of capsulolabral lesions was 38.5% and 61.5%, respectively. Among the 69 patients without bony Bankart lesion, the prevalence rates of early and late type of capsulolabral lesions were 74% and 26%, respectively. Significantly worse clinical outcome was observed for the group of patients with both small bony Bankart lesions and late type of capsulolabral lesion. CONCLUSIONS: More severe type of small bony Bankart lesion appears to be associated with late type of capsulolabral lesion. The significantly worse clinical outcome for patients with both small bony Bankart lesion and late type of capsulolabral lesion indicates that small bony Bankart lesions cannot always be neglected.

Clinical Outcome after Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation with Small Bony Bankart

BACKGROUND: The consensus is that a bony Bankart lesion shorter than 25% of the length of glenoid does not affect the clinical result; hence, such lesions were often neglected. However, small bony Bankart lesions are associated with various types of capsulolabral lesions. METHODS: A total of 82 patients who had undergone arthroscopic capsulolabral lesion repair surgery for anterior shoulder dislocation were reviewed. The prevalence rates of early and late type of capsulolabral lesions were compared between a group of patients with and a group without small bony Bankart lesions. In addition, the types of accompanying capsulolabral lesion were analyzed according to the type of bony Bankart lesion. Finally, the clinical outcomes were evaluated (active range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and Rowe's score). RESULTS: Among the 13 patients who had small bony Bankart lesions, the prevalence rate of early and late type of capsulolabral lesions was 38.5% and 61.5%, respectively. Among the 69 patients without bony Bankart lesion, the prevalence rates of early and late type of capsulolabral lesions were 74% and 26%, respectively. Significantly worse clinical outcome was observed for the group of patients with both small bony Bankart lesions and late type of capsulolabral lesion. CONCLUSIONS: More severe type of small bony Bankart lesion appears to be associated with late type of capsulolabral lesion. The significantly worse clinical outcome for patients with both small bony Bankart lesion and late type of capsulolabral lesion indicates that small bony Bankart lesions cannot always be neglected.

The Factors Affecting Pain Pattern after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the factors that affect pain pattern after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. METHODS: From June 2009 to October 2010, 210 patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair operations. Of them, 84 patients were enrolled as subjects of the present study. The evaluation of postoperative pain was conducted by visual analog scale (VAS) scores during postoperative outpatient interviews at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The factors that were thought to affect postoperative pain were evaluated by dividing into three categories: preoperative, operative, and postoperative. RESULTS: Pain after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery showed a strictly decreasing pain pattern. In single analysis and multiple regression tests for factors influencing the strictly decreasing pain pattern, initial VAS and pain onset were shown to be statistically significant factors (p = 0.012, 0.012, 0.044 and 0.028, respectively). With regard to the factors influencing lower than average intensity pain pattern for each period, the stiffness of internal rotation at 3 months postoperatively was shown to be a statistically significant factor in single and multiple regression tests (p = 0.017 and p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: High initial VAS scores and the acute onset of pain affected the strictly decreasing postoperative pain pattern. Additionally, stiffness of internal rotation at postoperative 3 months affected the higher than average intensity pain pattern for each period after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Cubital tunnel syndrome is compressive neuropathy, entrapment of the ulnar nerve around the medial epicondyle of the elbow joint, and the second most common neuropathy after carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients complain of hypoesthesia or paresthesia in the ulnar half of the ring and small fingers early in the disease. Advanced disease is complicated by irreversible muscle weakness or atrophy and claw hand deformity of the ring and small fingers. Although traditional decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is known as standard treatment, according to recent reports only simple decompression has a good outcome. So, variety of surgical treatment options are available. In this paper, we purpose to describe the causes, clinical features and recent surgical treatments of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Clinical Results Comparing Transtibial Technique and Outside in Technique in Single Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical results of single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the conventional transtibial technique and the anatomical outside-in technique for femoral tunneling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2007 to 2011, 89 patients who received ACL reconstruction were followed for > or =1 year were enrolled in the study. The conventional transtibial technique was used in 41 patients and the outside-in technique, in 48 patients. Femoral tunnel angle measurement and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) were used for radiologic assessment of the location of femoral tunnel and Lysholm score and other tests were used for clinical assessment. RESULTS: Both techniques did not reveal statistical differences in the clinical assessment. However, in International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee evaluation, the sum of two questionnaire items regarding instability showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.01). In the pivot shift test, the anatomical outside-in technique showed outstanding rotational stability over the transtibial technique (p=0.04). The mean femoral tunnel inclination in coronal plane were 69.2degrees and 30.3degrees, respectively, for both techniques, and 21.6degrees and 50.8degrees, respectively in sagittal plane, showing statistically significant differences on simple radiography (p=0.04, 0.05). A 3D CT was performed in 17 patients with the conventional transtibial technique and 25 patients with the outside-in technique. Coefficients of variation were 0.33 and 0.13, respectively, from dorsal border of the condyle and 0.67 and 0.24, respectively, from the roof of intercondylar notch. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral tunnels created with the outside-in technique have superior knee joint rotational stability compare to the transtibial technique. Therefore, the outside-in technique could be considered as a valuable technique in single-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Clinical Results Associated with Changes of Posterior Tibial Slope in Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate the effect of posterior tibial slope (PTS) on clinical results in total knee replacement arthroplasty (TKA).

Results of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Second Look Arthroscopic Examination: Focus on Graft Material and Age / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We classified patients who underwent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction into six groups according to graft material and age, and clinical, radiological, and second look arthroscopic results were compared and analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2009, 57 patients underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and second look arthroscopic examination. We divided patients according to graft materials into the autogenic hamstring tendon group (group 1) and the allogenic tibialis tendon group (group 2), and according to age into three groups (A, B, and C). The mean age at follow-up for second look arthroscopy was 34 years old. Fifty four patients were male and three patients were female, and mean follow-up period was 21.8 months. The result was clinically evaluated using a KT-1000 arthrometer under anesthesia, and the subjective and objective score of International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and radiologically evaluated using the Telos(TM) stress test. We observed graft tension, synovialization and gross findings through a second look arthroscopic examination. RESULTS: The clinical and radiographic results in patients in group 1 and group A showed excellent finding, however, no statistically significant difference was observed. Second look arthroscopic examination in group 1 and group A showed excellent finding. In particular, the formation of synovialization showed excellent finding (50% or more synovialization) in 75% of patients in group 1A who were young and used an autogenic tendon graft, and 45% of patients in group 2C (over 50 years old and allogenic graft), and they were significantly different (p=0.046). There was significant difference in that tension of graft was excellent in group 1A (less than 3 mm). Through the IKDC evaluation method, 93% of cases that showed normal formation of synovialization and 50% of cases that showed inadequate formation of synovialization showed 'like normal' abnormality, so that was correlation was observed between synovialization and IKDC evaluation (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients who used autogenic hamstring tendon and who were young showed excellent synovial membrane formation. In the old age group, autogenous graft will be more optimal.

Management of Focal Chondral Lesion in the Knee Joint

Articular cartilage does not contain vascular, nervous and lymphatic tissue and chondrocytes hardly participate in the healing or repair process of chondral tissue because of being surrounded by plenty of extracellular matrix. Therefore, the injury to articular cartilage frequently requires an operative treatment. The goal of surgical repair of articular cartilage is to regenerate nearly normal chondral tissue and prevent degenerative arthritis caused by the articular cartilage defect. Microfracture is a kind of cartilage repair procedure that makes a fibrin clot containing mesenchymal stem cells in the chondral lesion. Microfracture is a simple procedure but it has a disadvantage that the repaired tissue is fibrocartilage. Autologous chondrocyte implantation has an advantage that it implants fully differentiated chondrocytes to the lesion, which theoretically produces hyaline cartilage. Its disadvantages are that it is a two stage and a costly procedure. Osteochondral autograft transplantation is a one stage procedure and repairs the lesion with hyaline cartilage. But its limitation is the lack of donor site availability. Surgeons who understand the theoretical background, indications, surgical methods, rehabilitation, complications, and clinical course of cartilage repair procedures can achieve the goal of preventing degenerative arthritis.

ACL Reconstruction with Autologous Hamstring Tendon: Comparison of Short Term Clinical Results between Rigid-fix and PINN-ACL Cross Pin

PURPOSE: To compare the short term clinical results of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autologous hamstring tendon between Rigid-fix and PINN-ACL Cross Pin for femoral side fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 127 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using autologous hamstring tendon and had been followedup for over than one year were enrolled for the present study. Rigid-fix was used in 71 cases (group 1), and PINN-ACL Cross Pin was used in 56 cases (group 2). Clinical and radiological results, operation time, and perioperative complications were compared amongst the two groups. RESULTS: The International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score and Lysholm score were 94 and 95 in group 1 and 87 and 91 in group 2, with no statistical difference (p=0.892, p=0.833), respectively. However, significant difference was observed in one-leg hop test between the two groups (p=0.032). Five cases in group 1 and 40 cases in group 2 were found to be associated with perioperative complications with statistical difference (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no resultant difference between the employment of PINN-ACL Cross Pin and Rigid-fix as femoral graft fixation for ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon. However, PINN-ACL Cross Pin led to complications with extensive operation times. Hence, it needs further improvement of tools for minimization of complications.

A Comparison of Patella Retention versus Resurfacing for Moderate or Severe Patellar Articular Defects in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Minimum 5-year Follow-up Results

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological results of patients who underwent patellar retention or resurfacing for moderate or severe patellar articular defects during total knee arthroplasty and evaluate the clinical efficacy of patellar resurfacing according to the articular defect of the patella. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2003 to March 2006, 252 patients (277 cases) underwent total knee arthroplasty by one surgeon. Intraoperatively, we divided these patients into a moderate articular defect group (50-75%: group I) and a severe articular defect group (75-100%: group II) and randomly performed patellar resurfacing. The average age was 67.2 years. There were 234 female and 17 male patients. The average follow-up period was 74.6 months. Clinical outcomes were analyzed using the Knee Society (KS) knee score. Functional score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Feller patellar score and range of motion (ROM). Radiological outcomes were analyzed using the congruence angle, Insall-Salvati ratio and patella tilt angle. RESULTS: The KS knee score and functional score at the last follow-up were 84.4/73.1 in the retention group and 85.2/71.8 in the resurfacing group (p=0.80, p=0.63) in group I. In group II, the values were 82.1/75.1 and 87.0/71.2, respectively (p=0.51, p=0.26). The HSS score and Feller patella score were 86.7/20.3 in the retention group and 84.3/21.7 in the resurfacing group (p=0.31, p=0.29) in group I. In group II, the values were 91.6/21.2 and 85.5/22.1, respectively (p=0.37/p=0.30). The knee ROM (p=0.36/p=0.41), congruence angle (p=0.22/p=0.16), Insall-Salvati ratio (p=0.16/p=0.21) and patella tilt angle (p=0.12/p=0.19) were not statistically different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we could not find any correlations between the degree of patellar articular defect and patellar resurfacing in terms of the clinical and radiological results. Therefore, patellar articular defects is thought to be less meaningful in determining patellar resurfacing.

Pneumothorax due to Metastasis of Angiosarcoma to the Lung / 대한흉부외과학회지

An 80 year-old male with a medical history of angiosarcoma of the scalp visited the Emergency Department complaining of dyspnea, and the chest X-ray revealed pneumothorax. He has undergone scalp resection and radiotherapy three years ago due to angiosarcoma. Due to a persistent air leak, he underwent wedge resection of the lung and was pathologically diagnosed with metastatic angiosarcoma to the lung. He underwent radiotherapy following the lung resection, but he died from his disease at 15 month following surgery due to further aggravation of the lung metastasis. Angiosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor and it frequently occurs on the scalp and face in elderly patients. Angiosarcoma frequently metastasizes to the lung and it may cause pneumothorax as a consequence of a ruptured cavitary lesion. We report here on a case of pneumothorax that was caused by lung metastasis in an elderly patient with a history of angiosarcoma of the scalp.

Gastrointestinal Complications after Lung Transplantation / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The postoperative management following lung transplantation has dramatically improved in the recent decade. However, some complications still remain as troublesome problems. We retrospectively reviewed the gastrointestinal complications and their management after lung transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 25 cases in 23 patients who underwent lung and heart-lung transplantations from July 1996 to March 2009. The definition of gastrointestinal complication was the gastrointestinal tract-related disease that occurred after lung transplantation. There were eight postoperative deaths (within postoperative 30 days) that were excluded from the analysis. RESULT: Twenty three gastrointestinal complications occurred in 11 (64.7%) of the 17 cases. The median follow-up period was 6.9 months (range: 2 months to 111 months), and chronic gastritis (23.5%, 4 of 17 cases) was the most common complication. Severe, prolonged (more than 2 weeks) diarrhea occurred in 3 cases. Three patients had gastric ulcer with one case requiring gastric primary closure for gastric ulcer perforation. This patient had gastric bleeding due to recurrent gastric ulcer 2 months after laparotomy. Cytomegalovirus gastritis and esophagitis occurred in 2 cases and 1 case, respectively, and esophageal ulcer occurred in 2 cases. There were esophageal strictures in 2 patients who underwent esophageal stent insertion. Other complications were one case each of ileus, early gastric cancer requiring endoscopic mucosal resection, gall bladder stone accompanied with jaundice, and pseudomembranous colitis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of gastrointestinal complication is relatively high in patients after they undergo lung transplantation. Since gastrointestinal complications can induce malnutrition, which might be related to considerable morbidity and mortality, close follow-up is necessary for the early detection and proper management of gastrointestinal complications.