Surgical Outcomes for Native Valve Endocarditis

Background@#The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term results of surgical treatment for native valve endocarditis (NVE) and to investigate the risk factors associated with mortality. @*Methods@#Data including patients’ characteristics, operative findings, postoperative results, and survival indices were retrospectively obtained from Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. @*Results@#A total of 29 patients underwent surgery for NVE (affecting the mitral valve in 20 patients and the aortic valve in 9) between 2003 and 2017. During the follow-up period (median, 46.9 months; interquartile range, 19.1–107.0 months), the 5-year survival rate was 77.2%. In logistic regression analysis, body mass index (p=0.031; odds ratio [OR], 0.574; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.346–0.951), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (p=0.026; OR, 24.0; 95% CI, 1.459–394.8), and urgent surgery (p=0.010; OR, 34.5; 95% CI, 2.353–505.7) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. Based on Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, the statistically significant predictors of long-term outcomes were hypertension, ESRD, and urgent surgery. @*Conclusion@#Surgical treatment for NVE is associated with considerable mortality. The in-hospital mortality and 5-year survival rates of this study were 13.8% and 77.2%, respectively. Underlying conditions, including hypertension and ESRD, and urgent surgery were independent risk factors for unfavorable outcomes.

Extravascular Migration of a Fractured Inferior Vena Cava Filter Strut

A 20-year-old man presented with a femur fracture and epidural hemorrhage (EDH) following a fall. One month after fracture surgery, swelling developed in both legs, and he was diagnosed as having a deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. A retrievable inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) was inserted, because EDH is a contraindication to anticoagulants. Four months later, he complained of abdominal pain, and a computed tomography scan showed a fractured IVCF strut. After percutaneous removal failed 3 times, the IVCF was surgically removed by orthopedists using a portable image intensifier without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Conversion from Off-Pump to On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) is performed worldwide, but significant risks are associated with conversion to on-pump surgery. Therefore, we evaluated the composite outcomes between an OPCAB group and a conversion group. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2012, 100 consecutive patients underwent OPCAB at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, of whom 84 underwent OPCAB without adverse events (OPCAB group), and 16 were converted to on-pump surgery (conversion group). Early morbidity, early and long-term mortality, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were the primary and long-term composite endpoints. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 55±26 months, with 93% of the patients completing follow-up. The composite outcomes in the OPCAB and conversion groups were as follows: early morbidity, 2.3% versus 12.5%; early mortality, 4.7% versus 0%; long-term mortality, 14.3% versus 25.0%; and MACCEs, 14.3% versus 18.8%, respectively. No composite endpoints showed statistically significant differences. Preoperative acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was identified as an independent risk factor for conversion (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: The conversion group showed no statistically significant differences in early mortality and morbidity, MACCEs, or long-term mortality compared with the OPCAB group. The preoperative diagnosis of AMI was associated with an increased number of conversions to on-pump surgery.

Delayed Repair of Ventricular Septal Rupture Following Preoperative Awake Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support

Outcomes of ventricular septal rupture (VSR) as a complication of acute myocardial infarction are extremely poor, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 45% in surgically treated patients and 90% in patients managed with medication. Delaying surgery for VSR is a strategy for reducing mortality. However, hemodynamic instability is the main problem with this strategy. In the present case, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used to provide stable hemodynamic support before the delayed surgery. Awake ECMO was also used to avoiding the complications of sedatives and mechanical ventilation. Here, we describe a successful operation using awake ECMO as a bridge to surgery.

Learning Curve of a Young Surgeon's Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Lobectomy during His First Year Experience in Newly Established Institution

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper is to present a guideline for beginning video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy to junior surgeons, and to review the first year experience of a new surgeon performing VATS lobectomies who had not performed a VATS lobectomy unassisted during his training period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A young surgeon opened a division of general thoracic surgery at a medical institution. The surgeon had performed about 100 lobectomies via conventional thoracotomy during his training period, but had never performed a VATS lobectomy unassisted while under the supervision of an expert. After opening the division of general thoracic surgery, the surgeon performed a total of 38 pulmonary lobectomies for various pulmonary diseases from March 2009 to February 2010. All data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 14 lobectomies via thoracotomy, 14 VATS lobectomies, and 10 cases of attempted VATS lobectomies that were converted to open thoracotomies. The number of VATS lobectomies increased from the second quarter (n=0) to the third quarter (n=5). The lobectomies that were converted from VATS into thoracotomies decreased from the second quarter (n=5) to the third quarter (n=1) (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: It can take 6 months for young surgeons without experience in VATS lobectomy in their training period to be able to reliably perform a VATS lobectomy.

Acute Cerebral Infarction Following Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated With Pneumothorax

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a transient condition characterized by acute left ventricular dysfunction without evidence of significant coronary artery obstruction. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is not an uncommon complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage or acute cerebral infarction, but acute cerebral infarction is a rare thromboembolic complication in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We present a patient with acute cerebral infarction following Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with pneumothorax.

The Laparoscopic Repair of a Morgagni Hernia in a Child

A 12-year-old female presented with the abnormal findings on the chest PA. The chest CT revealed a retrosternal defect of the diaphragm and a fatty opacity in the pleural cavity, resulting in a diagnosis of Morgagni hernia. It was decided to undergo a laparoscopic surgery. The retrosternal defect of the diaphragm measuring 3.5 cm in diameter was found, through which a portion of the greater omentum and the fatty tissue connected with the falciform ligament were herniated into the pleural cavity. The greater omentum was pushed back into the peritoneal cavity and the fatty tissue connected with falciform ligament was excised. The mediastinal pleura was plicated and the defect of the diaphragm was repaired primarily. Immediately after the operation, the patient developed a right pneumothorax for which a chest tube was inserted. She was discharged at the post-operative third day without any further complications.

Staged Repair of Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula in a Very Low-birth-weight Infant: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

There are still some controversies in treatment strategy for the very low-birth-weight baby with esophageal atresia even though the result of primary repair has been improving. We report a successful end to end anastomosis with staged approach in one of twin weighing 1,270 g at birth.

Isolated and Ectopic Mediastinal Paragonimiasis without Any Pulmonary or Pleural Lesion / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 55-year-old female presented to Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital with left neck and shoulder pain. An anterior mediastinal mass was detected on chest CT and there were no other specific lesions in the lung or pleural cavity. An infected pericardial cysts was suspected and excision was performed through a left-sided VATS approach. The patient was discharged on the second post-operative day with left diaphragm palsy and praziquantel was prescribed after paragonimaisis was confirmed on pathology. The patient has not shown any particular problems at my outpatient clinic.

Clinical Experiences of Congenital Aortic Stenosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess the clinical results of various procedures in congenital aortic stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From August 1987 to June 2004, 53 patients of congenital aortic stenosis underwent procedures such as percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, aortic valvuloplasty, Ross procedure, and aortic valve replacement. The mean age of initial procedures was 8.2+/-6.0 years. Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty was performed in sixteen patients, aortic valvuloplasty in thirty two patients, Ross procedure in nineteen patients, and aortic valve replacement in fourteen patients. The mean follow duration was 80.6+/-60 (0~207) months. RESULT: There was 15.1% (8/53) of early mortality and no late mortality. The six patients with critical aortic stenosis were died of left ventricular dysfunction in early series (before 1 year; 4 cases) and two patients died after the Ross procedure and aortic valve replacement respectively. After percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, most patients needed reoperations (14/16). Thirteen patients needed reoperation, after aortic valvuloplasty. After Ross procedure, two patients needed reoperation due to aortic regurgitation caused by progressive aortic root dilatation. The actuarial survival rate after Ross procedure at 7 years was 90.5%. CONCLUSION: In young children before the age of one, percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty was considered as the safe initial palliative procedure. But children over one year-old, aortic valvuloplasty were the effective procedure. Ross procedure can be preformed safely with good results.

A Case Report of Heart Transplantation Bridged by Bi-ventricular Assist Device in a Pediatric Patient of Prerenal Type ARF / 대한흉부외과학회지

The patient was an eight-year-old female. She was diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy. She was supported with bi-ventricular assist because of heart failure for 15 days. After 7 days, she was suffered from prerenal type ARF and support with continuous veno-veno hemodyalisis (CVVHD). And then heart transplantation was performed, heart donor's blood type was A. Immune suppressants were used after due consideration for renal toxicity. ARF was resolved on post operative 14th day. She was discharged on post operative 52nd day without any specific post operative complication. She has been followed up without any immune rejection reaction upto 14 months.