Anastomotic Leakage and Stricture Relating to Anastomotic Level and Methods in Esophageal Resection and Reconstruction for Esophageal Cancer / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of anastomotic complication is related to anastomotic procedure or site in esophageal cancer operation. We studied the anastomotic leakage and stricture related to the anastomotic procedure &site in patients who received the esophageal resection and reconstruction for esophageal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The anastomotic procedure, site and complication of 321 patients who received the esophageal reconstruction from August 1993 to May 2003 were investigated. Mean age was 64.5+/-4.9 (37~94) years, 300 patients (93.5%) were male and 21 patients were female (6.5%). RESULT: There were 7 anastomotic leakages (2.2%) and no difference in anastomotic site (cervical anastomosis 4.1%, thoracic anastomosis 1.6%) and procedure (stapler technique 1.6%, semi-staple technique 9.1%, hand-sewn technique 0.0%). There were 52 anastomotic strictures (16.2%), differences in sites (cervical anastomosis 2.7%, thoracic anastomosis 20.2%) (p <0.001) and procedure (stapler technique 20.0%, semi-stapler technique 3.0%, hand-sewn technique 4.7%). And the stapler technique showed higher stricture rate (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Anastomotic technique was less related to anastomotic leakage in esophageal reconstruction for esophageal cancer. However, stapler technique had higher stricture rate than other techniques. Therefore, we suggest that the anastomotic technique be improved to reduce anastomotic stricture.

Surgical Outcome of Tetralogy of Fallot in Adolt: Implication of Preoperative Cyanosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: We analysed differences in operative methods and postoperative outcome according to the severity of preoperative cyanosis in adult ToF (Tetralogy of Fallot) patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From August 1989 to June 2001, thirty three adult patients, 18 females and 15 males, underwent total correction for ToF. Their age ranged from 15 years to 54 years (median: 34). Patients were divided into 2 groups by preoperative SaO2 (arterial oxygen saturation): group I (n=cyanotic, SaO2 or =95%). Preoperative median hemoglobin level was higher in group I compared to group II (17.5 g/dl vs 15 g/dl). Postoperative follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 94 months (670 patient-month, median: 14 months), and 63 two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations were done during this period. RESULT: There were no early or late mortality. With regard to RVOT (right ventricular outflow tract) reconstruction, trans-annular patch and RV-PA extracardiac conduit were used in 7 and 3 patients respectively, and all of them belonged to group I. In group I, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamping time, ICU day, hospital day were significantly longer than in group II, and postoperative inotropic support was significantly greater than in group II. There was no ventricular arrhythmia in both groups, and one patient in group I suffered from atrial arrhythmia, which was resolved spontaneously after tricuspid and pulmonary valve replacement. During follow-up periods, functional class, residual RVOT stenosis and pulmonary regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, occurrence of ventricular and atrial arrhythmias were comparable between two groups. CONCLUSION: In adult ToF patients with severe preoperative cyanosis, more aggressive RVOT reconstruction and careful postoperative care are mandatory. However intermediate-term outcome of this group of patients is comparable to the patients with minimal or no preoperative cyanosis.

Arterial Switch Operation in 1140 gm LBW Premie Baby with TGA, IVS / 대한흉부외과학회지

Cardiac surgery in the neonate with congenital heart disease has progressed dramatically in the past three decades. However, low-birth-weight premie with congenital heart disease continue to challenge the intellectual and technical skills of those who care for them. We report a case of successful arterial switch operation in 1140 g premie with TGA, IVS after 4 week care 1317 gm.

Analysis of Recurred Mitral Regurgitation after Mitral Repair according to Procedure or Valve Related Causes / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair (MVP) is the optimal procedure for mitral regurgitation (MR), however, failure and subsequent reoperations are the limitations. The current study assessed the procedure in relation to the primary valve related causes of recurrent MR. MATERIAL AND METHOD: MR was treated in 493 patients undergoing MVP from January of 1994 to January of 2002. The causes of MR were degenerative (n=252, 51.5%), rheumatic (n=156, 31.6%), and others (n=85, 16.9%). Surgery comprised 446 ring annuloplasties (90.5%), 227 new chordae formations (46%), 125 quadriangular resections (25.3%), 28 chordae transfers (5.7%), and 8 Alfieri's stitches (1.6%). The mean follow up was 29.04+/-22.81 months. RESULT: There were 5 early (1.01%), and 5 late deaths (1.01%). The reoperation rate was 1.42%. There were 45 (9.1%) recurrent MR (grade III or IV). Of these, 24 were procedure related including incomplete repair (n=14), discordant new chordae length (n=8) and others (n=2). In 21 patients, the cause was valve related including rheumatic disease progression (n=10), recurrent chordae elongation or prolapse (n=5) and others (n=6). Severe MR was higher after incomplete repair (p <0.001), and valve related failure strongly correlated with rheumatic progression (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Since completeness of operation is the prime risk factor that determine the repair durability, intra-operative assessment of the initial repair with trans-esophageal echocardiography is essential.

Biventricular Repair in DORV with Remote VSD / 대한흉부외과학회지

The remote location of VSD relative to the aortic valve imposes considerable surgical difficulties in the repair of DORV with noncommitted VSD. We report a successful biventricular repair of the anomaly with VSD rerouting to pulmonary artery followed by arterial switching operation.

Result of Tracheal Resection and End-to-end Anastomosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Common treatment modalities for tracheal stenosis include conservative methods such as repeated balloon dilatation, removal of obstructive material through bronchoscopy and T-tube insertion as well as operative treatment methods. Recent advances in surgical approaches through tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis have been reported to give better functional and anatomical results. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between March 1990 and July 2002, 41 patients who received tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis at Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan were studied retrospectively. RESULT: The causes for tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis included 26 cases of postintubation stenosis, 10 cases of primary tracheal tumors (3 benign, 7 malignant), 1 case of endobronchial tuberculosis, 2 cases of traumatic rupture, and 2 cases of tracheal invasion of a thyroid cancer. Of the 41 patients who received tracheal resection and reconstruction, 29 received tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis, and 12 received laryngotracheal anastomosis with cricoid or thyroid cartilage resection. Four of these patients received supralaryngeal release. The average length of the resected trachea was 3.6+/-1.0 cm. Of the 41 patients who received tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis, 30 (73.2%) experienced no postoperative complications, and 8 (19.5%) experienced granulation tissue growth and/or minor infections which improved after conservative management. Good or satisfactory results were therefore achieved in 92.7%. Complications included repeated granulation tissue growth in 7, wound infection in 2, anastomotic site dehiscence in 2, restenosis resulting in dyspnea on exertion in 1, and repeated postoperative aspiration requiring retracheostomy in 1. There was no early postoperative mortality. There were 3 cases of hospital death. CONCLUSION: In cases of proper length of tracheal lesion, excellent results were obtained after tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. But, granulation tissue growth is so serious complication, it is necessary for continuous study and efforts to prevent it.

MIDCAB Extended to Upper Sternotomy / 대한흉부외과학회지

Recently, Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB) is becoming one of the rapidly developing strategies in cardiac surgery. We report a case of MIDCAB used in upper sternotomy because of severe pleural adhesion.

Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Excision of Mediastinal Masses / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Due to its less invasive nature and superior visual field, video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal mass is thought to be comparable to open thoracotomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1995 to August 2001, the medical records of 38 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal mass was retrospectively analyzed. The outcome of these patients were compared with 5 patients who converted to thoracotomy. RESULT: Male to female ratio was 13(34.2%) : 25(65.8%), and mean age was 39.2 +/-35.4 years. Regarding the pathology, there were 8 neurilemmomas(21.1%), 6 thymic cysts (15.8%), 5 teratomas(13.2%), 5 ganglioneuromas(13.2%), 4 bronchogenic cysts(10.5%), 3 pericardial cysts(7.9%), 3 thymomas(7.9%), and 2 lymphangiomas(5.3%). The mean operation time was 110.6+/-7.0 minutes, mean postoperative tube stay was 4.2+/-0.4 days, mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.2+/-0.4 days, and mean number of injection of analgesics was 1.9+/-0.4 times. Although the mean values for the above indices were less than those of the thoracotomy conversion cases, they were statistically insignificant. Postoperative complications of video- assisted thoracoscopic excision included chylothorax, prolonged air leakage, and unilateral phrenic nerve palsy, all of which recovered before patient discharge. There was, however, permanent unilateral ptosis in one patient. CONCLUSION: As video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal mass is safe, less painful, conducive to earlier recovery and cosmetically more appealing, a more active application of this technique is recommeded.