The Postoperative Results and the Risk Factors Between Removed and Retained Intraocular Foreign Bodies

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the results and prognosis between the two groups; the removed (group A) and retained (group B). The factors which affect the final vision were also studied. METHODS: 57 eyes of 57 patients (56 male, mean age 36.3 years old) who had been managed for intraocular foreign bodies were divided in two; Group A 39 eyes, Group B 18 eyes. To determine prognostic factors for visual outcomes, variables including age of patient, visual acuity at first examination, kind and size of foreign body, site of penetration, intraocular location, timing and number of surgical session, and complications were compared with final visual acuity. RESULTS: The average follow up period was 26.8 months. During these period, the mean number of surgical treatment was 2.32 +/- 1.14 per one eye for primary closure or management of complications and sequelae. The risk factors which affect the final vision were initial visual acuity (p=0.000), size (p=0.012), number of surgical session (p=0.021) and retinal detachment (p=0.001), while others including age, kind, entry site, location, surgical timing and endophthalmitis showed no significance. There are no significant difference of anatomical and functional outcome between Group A and B, and there are no significant determinants among prognostic factors affecting final visual acuity between Group A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic intraocular foreign bodies require early surgical removal and adequate management. However, our study suggests the final visual acuity correlates best with the extent of damage at the time of the initial injury, and the presence of an intraocualr foreign body doesn't affect the visual prognosis when compared to cases without a foreign body.

Anticoagulant Therapy for Left Ventricular Thrombosis after Dor Procedure / 대한흉부외과학회지

Left ventricular thrombosis is a frequent and potentially dangerous complication in acute myocardiac infarction, but its occurrence and adequate therapy has not been known in patients with Dor procedure for the ischemic cardiomyopathy. We report a patient, 45 year-old male, who had a new left ventricular thrombus developed after coronary arterial bypass graft, Dor procedure, and removal of the left ventricular thrombus for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Left ventricular thrombus was disappeared on the follow-up cardiac MRI following intravenous heparin injection and oral coumadin therapy. This case suggest that anticoagulation therapy may prevent patients with the severe left ventricular dysfunction and apical aneurysm and dyskinesia from developing the left ventricular thrombus, and that thrombi will resolve without clinical evidence of systemic embolism.

Aortic Root Replacement in Patient of Right Ventricular Hypoplasia with Annuloaortic Ectasia, Ventricular Septal Defect and Aortic Regurgitation: Report of 1 case / 대한흉부외과학회지

Annuloaortic ectasia, aortic regurgitation (AR), and ventricular septal defect (VSD) in patients with right ventricular hypoplasia is a very rare condition. We report a patient who underwent aortic root replacement with a composite graft for annuloaortic ectasia associated with VSD and AR in right ventricular hypoplasia. The patient was a 19 year-old male. Transthoraic echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization revealed a perimembranous VSD (2 cm in diameter), severe AR, annuloaortic ectasia, bipartite right ventricle with hypoplasia, and hypoplastic tricuspid valve. Operative findings showed that free margins of the right and noncoronary cusps were markedly elongated, thickened, and retracted, and commissure between the right coronary cusp and the noncoronary cusp was fused and calcified. VSD was closed with an autologous pericardial patch and composite graft aortic root replacement using direct coronary button reimplantation was performed, and the hypertrophic muscle of the right ventricular outflow tract was resected. The patient had transient weaning failure of cardiopulmonary bypass and was discharged at the postoperative 14 days without any problems.

Outcomes of Combined Mitral Valve Repair and Aortic Valve Replacement / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The long-term results of combined mitral valve repair and aortic valve replacement (AVR) have not been well evaluated. This study was performed to investigate the early and long-term results of mitral valve repair with AVR. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 45 patients who underwent mitral valve repair and AVR between September 1990 and April 2002. The average age was 47 years; 28 were men and 17 women. Twelve patients had atrial fibrillation and three had a previous cardiac operation. The mitral valve disease consisted of pure insufficiency (MR) in 34 patients, mitral stenosis (MS) in 3, and mixed lesion in 8. Mitral valve disease was due to rheumatic origin in 24 patients, degenerative in 11, annular dilatation in 8, and ischemia or endocarditis in 2. The functional anatomy of mitral valve was annular dilatation in 31 patients, chordal elongation in 19, leaflet thickening in 19, commissural fusion in 13, chordal fusion in 10, chordal rupture in 6, and so on. Aortic prostheses used included mechanical valve in 32 patients, tissue valve in 12, and pulmonary autograft in one. The techniques of mitral valve repair included annuloplasty in 32 patients and various valvuloplasty of 54 techniques in 29 patients. Total cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp time were 204+/-62 minute and 153+/-57 minutes, respectively. RESULT: Early death was in one patient due to low output syndrome (2.2%). After follow up of 57+/-37 months, late death was in one patient and the actuarial survival at 10 years was 96+/-4%. Recurrent MR developed grade II or III in 11 patients and moderate MS in 3. Three patients required reoperation for valve-related complications. The actuarial freedom from recurrent MR, MS, and reoperation were 64+/-11%, 86+/-8%, and 89+/-7% respectively. CONCLUSION: Combined mitral valve repair with AVR offers good early and long-term survival, and adequate techniques and selection of indication of mitral valve repair, especially in rheumatic disease, are prerequisites for better long-term results.

Surgical Treatment of Postinfarction Posterobasal Left Ventricular Aneurysm: Report of 2 cases / 대한흉부외과학회지

At least 88 percents of ventricular aneurysms result from anterior infarction, while the remainder follow inferior infarction. Posterior infarction that produce a distinct left ventricular aneurysm is unusual. We report two operative cases of postinfarction posterobasal left ventricular aneurysms, one with a true aneurysm and the other with a false one.

Immediate Reoperation for Failed Mitral Valve Repair / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: We analysed the surgical outcomes of immediate reoperations after mitral valve repair. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eighteen patients who underwent immediate reoperation for failed mitral valve repair from April 1995 through July 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 13 female patients. The mitral valve disease was regurgitation (MR) in 12 patients, stenosis (MS) in 3, and mixed lesion in 3. The etiologies of the valve disease were rheumatic in 9 patients, degenerative in 8, and endocarditis in 1. The causes of reoperation was residual MR in 13 patients, residual MS in 4, and rupture of left ventricle in 1. Fourteen patients had rerepair for residual mitral lesions (77.8%) and four underwent replacement. RESULT: There was no early death. After mean follow-up of 33 months, there was one late death. Echocardiography revealed no or grade I of MR (64.3%) in 9 patients and no or mild MS in 11 patients (78.6%). Reoperation was done in one patient. The cumulative survival and freedom from valve-related reoperation at 6 years were 94% and 90%, respectively. The cumulative freedom from recurrent MR and MS at 4 years were 56% and 44%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that immediate reoperation for failed mitral valve repair offers good early and intermediate survival, and mitral valve rerepair can be successfully performed in most of patients. However, because mitral rerepair have high failure rate, especially in rheumatic valve disease, adequate selections of valvuloplasty technique and indication are important to reduce the failure rate of mitral rerepair.

Left Atrial Myxoma Associated with Mitral Regurgitation and Coronary Artery Disease / 대한흉부외과학회지

Obstructive intracardiac lesions, like mitral stenosis or insufficiency (MR), by myxomas of the left atrium have been commonly reported, but the attenuation of MR by myxoma combined with coronary artery disease is very rare. We report a 70-year-old female patient whose left atrial myxoma had attenuated moderate MR to mild MR and required mitral valve surgery after removal of the myxoma. She also had coronary artery disease, severe pulmonary hypertension and moderate tricuspid regurgitation due to the mitral valve lesions obstructed by myxoma. The patient underwent removal of myxoma, mitral and tricuspid valve reconstructions, and coronary artery bypass grafting. She was discharged at the postoperative 14 day without any problems.

Aortic Valvuloplasty Using Triangular Resection Technique / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: With an increasing awareness of the limitations of both mechanical prostheses and bioprostheses, aortic valvuloplasty has gained attention as an alternative procedure for aortic valve disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eight consecutive patients underwent aortic valvuloplasty caused by leaflet prolapse between June 1999 to June 2000. Mean age of the patients was 18.4+/- 12.6 year. Four paitents(50%) were male. Six patients had tricuspid valves and ventricular septal defect and two patients had bicuspid valves. The extent of aortic insufficiency was 3.5+/- 0.5 by preoperative Doppler echocardiography. The technique involved triangular resection of the free edge of the prolapsed leaflet, annular plication at the commissure, and resection of a raphe when present in bicuspid valves. RESULT: There was no in-hospital mortality or morbidity. Mean follow-up was complete at 11.9+/- 3.6months. There was no late mortality or morbidity. The amount of the severity of aortic insufficiency, as assessed by echocardiography preoperatively, postoperatively and at late follow-up was 3.5+/- 0.5, 0.6+/- 0.5 and 0.8+/- 0.6, respectively(p value = 0.01). There was one patient with grade 2/4 aortic insufficiency and in the other patients, grade 1/2 or trivial aortic insufficiency were detected with late echocardiograms. CONCLUSION: Triangular resection in the patients with aortic leaflet prolapse offers a good early clinical result, but long-term follow-up is necessary.

Composite Valve Graft Replacement of the Aortic Root / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to analyze the outcome of composite valve graft replacement(CVGR) for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between April 1995 and June 2001, 56 patients had replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic root with a composite graft valve and were reviewed retrospectively. Aortic regurgitation was present in 50 patients(89%), Marfan's syndrome in 18 patients(32%), and bicuspid aortic valve in 7(12.5%). The indications for operation were annuloaortic ectasia(AAE) in 30 patients(53.6%), aortic dissection in 13(23.2%), aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving aortic root in 11(19.6%), and aortitis in 2(3.6%). Cardiogenic shock due to the aortic rupture was present in 2 patients. Nine patients(16%) had previous operations on the ascending aorta or open heart surgery. The operative techniques used for CVGR were the aortic button technique in 51 patients(91%), the modified Cabrol technique in 4, and the classic Bentall technique in 1. The concomitant procedures were aortic arch replacement in 24 patients(43%), coronary artery bypass graft in 8(14.3%), mitral valve repair in 2, redo mitral valve replacement in 1, and the others in 7. The mean time of circulatory arrest, total bypass, and aortic crossclamp were 21+/-14 minutes, 186+/-68 minutes, and 132+/-42 minutes, respectively. RESULT: Early mortality was 1.8%(1/56). The postoperative complications were left ventricular dysfunction in 16 patients(28.6%), reoperation for bleeding in 7(12.5%), pericardial effusion in 2, and the others in 7. Fifty-three patients out of 55 hospital survivors were followed up for a mean of 23.2+/-18.7 months(1-75 months). There were two late deaths(3.8%) including one death due to the traumatic cerebral hemorrhage, and CVGR-related late mortality was 1.9%. The 1- and 6-year actuarial survival was 98.1+/-1.9% and 93.2+/-5.1%, respectively. Two patients required reoperation for complication of CVGR(3.8%) and two other patients required subsequent operations for dissection of the remaining thoracoabdominal aorta. The 1- and 6-year actuarial freedom from reoperation was 97.8+/-2.0% and 65.3+/-26.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that aortic root replacement with a composite valve graft for a variety of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root is a safe and effective therapy, with good early and intermediate results. Careful follow-up of all patients following composite graft root replacement is important to long-term survival.

Anomalous Origin of The Left Circumflex Coronary Artery from The Left Pulmonary Artery / 대한흉부외과학회지

Anomalous origin of the coronary artery in children is a rare disease. Especially anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from pulmonary artery(ALCAPA) is a fatal condition in neonates with myocardial failure. Among the ALCAPA, origin of the circumflex coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is an extremely rare congenital coronary anomaly. We report a case of reimplantation of the left circumflex coronary artery from the left pulmonary artery to the ascending aorta in a 4-year-old girl.

Composite Graft Aortic Root Replacement with Coronary Button Reimplantation: The Early and Mid-Term Results / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to investigate the outcome of composite graft aortic root replacement using coronary button reimplantation technique for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between April 1995 and September 2001, 54 patients having aortic root replacement with a composite valve graft using direct coronary button reimplantation were reviewed retrospectively. Left ventricular dysfunction was present in 14 patients(25.9%), aortic regurgitation in 48(89%), and Marfan's syndrome in 17(31.5%). The indications for operation were annuloaortic ectasia in 29 patients(53.7%), aortic dissection in 11(20.4%), aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving aortic root in 12(22.2%), and aortitis in 2(3.7%). Six patients(11.1%) had previous cardiac or ascending aortic operations. Concomitant procedures were arch replacement in 21 patients(38.9%), coronary artery bypass graft in 7(13%), mitral valve repair or replacement in 4(7.4%), and others in 6. The mean time of circulatory arrest, total bypass, and aortic crossclamp were 18+/-9 minutes, 177+/-42 minutes, and 127+/-31 minutes, respectively. RESULT: There was 1 early death(1.9%). Mean follow-up was 24.6+/-19.5 months. There were two late deaths(3.8%) including one death due to the traumatic cerebral hemorrhage. The Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 98.0+/-2.0% and 93.1+/-5.1% at 1 and 6 years, respectively. Two patients required reoperation owing to a false aneurysm at the root anastomosis site anda malfunction of prosthetic aortic valve(3.8%). Staged operation for dissection of the remaining thoracoabdominal aorta was performed in 1 patient. The freedom rate from reoperation was 97.8+/-2.0% and 65.3+/-26.7% at 1 and 6 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that composite graft aortic root replacement using open button technique is a safe and effective therapy for a variety of aneurysms of the aortic root, resulting in good early and mid-term results. Careful follow-up of all patients following composite graft root replacement is important for the good long-term results.

Reoperations on the Aortic Root and Ascending Aorta / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Reoperations on the aortic root or the ascending aorta are being performed with increasing frequency and remain a challenging problem.This study was performed to analyze the results of reoperations on the ascending aorta and aortic root. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between May 1995 and April 2001,30 patients had reoperations on the ascending aorta and aortic root and were reviewed retrospectively.The mean interval between the previous repair and the actual reoperation was 56 months(range 3 to 142 months).Seven patients(23.3%)had two or more previous operations.The indications for reoperations were true aneurysm in 7 patients(23.3%),prosthetic valve endocarditis in 6(20%),false aneurysm in 5(16.7%),paravalvular leak associated with Behcet's disease in 4(13.3%),malfunction of prosthetic aortic valve in 4(13.3%),aortic dissection in 3(10%),and annuloaortic ectasia in 1(3.3%).The principal reoperations performed were aortic root replacement in 17 patients(56.7%),replacement of the ascending aorta in 8(26.7%),aortic and mitral valve replacement with reconstruction of fibrous trigone in 2(6.6%),patch aortoplasty in 2(6.6%), and aortic valve replacement after Bentall operation in 1(3.3%).The cardiopulmonary bypass was started before sternotomy in 7 patients and the hypothermic circulatory arrest was used in 16(53.3%).The mean time of circulatory arrest,total bypass,and aortic crossclamp were 20 +/- 12 minutes,228 +/- 56 minutes,and 143 +/- 62 minutes,respectively. RESULT: There were three early deaths(10%).The postoperative complications were reoperation for bleeding in 7 patients(23.3%),cardiac complications in 5(16.7%),transient acute renal failure in 2(6.6%), transient focal seizure in 2(6.6%),and the others in 5.The mean follow-up was 22.8 +/- 20.5 months.There were two late deaths(7.4%).The actuarial survival was 92.6 +/- 5.0%at 6 years. One patient required reoperation for complication of reoperation on the ascending aorta and aortic root(3.7%).The 1-and 6-year actuarial freedom from reoperation was 100%and 83.3 +/- 15.2%,respectively.One patient with Behcet's disease are waiting for reoperation due to false aneurysm,which developed after aortic root replacement with homograft.There were no thromboembolisms or anticoagulant related complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that reoperations on the ascending aorta and aortic root can be performed with acceptable early mortality and morbidity,and adequate surgical strategies according to the pathologic conditions are critical to the prevention of the reoperation.

Biventricular Repair of Critically Ill Neonate with Ebstein's Anomaly: Report of 1 case / 대한흉부외과학회지

Patients with severe Ebstein's anomaly showing in the neonatal period, represent progressive cardiac enlargement with pulmonary hypoplasia and functional pulmonary atresia with patent ductus arteriosus-dependent pulmonary circulation. Biventricular repair in these patients had been mostly unsuccessful except for Starnes' procedure that converts the anatomy to single ventricle physiology for Fontan procedure. A 4-days old male was admitted with the diagnosis of severe Ebstein's anomaly with anatomic pulmonary atresia and severe cardiac enlargement. He successfully underwent biventricular repair with vertical plication method of atrialized right ventricle, tricupid annuloplasty, transannular right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, atrial septal defect patch closure with fenestration, and right atrial reduction angioplasty. Postoperatively, cardiothoracic ratio was significantly reduced and mild tricuspid regurgitation was remnant in echocardiography. The patient is currently 10 months old and is fully active without restrictions.

Usefulness and Surgical Strategies of Pulmonary Artery Banding in Functional Univentricular Heart / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery banding (PAB)in the functional univentricular heart (UVH)is a palliative procedure for staging toward the Fontan procedure;however,it is known to be a risk factor. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The records of all 37 patients with functional UVHs who underwent surgical palliation using PAB between September 1989 and August 1999 were reviewed retrospectively.We investigated the aortic arch obstruction,the development and progression of subaortic stenosis after PAB,and risk factor of mortality according to surgical method. RESULT: In 37 neonates and infants with single ventricular physiology,aortic arch obstruction was combined in 7.There were 6 early deaths (16.2%)after PAB and 3 late deaths (8.1%)after Fontan operation.The actuarial overall survival including early mortality at 3 and 5 years were 8 0 .7+/-6.6%,72.2 +/-8.2% respectively. Among 31 patients who survived PAB,27 patients (87.1%)could become candidates for Fontan operation;22 patients(71.0%)completed Fontan operation with 3 deaths and 5 were waiting bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt(BCPS)or Fontan operation (follow-up mean 4.5 year,minimal 2 year). Subaortic stenosis developed in 8 patients after PAB (8/29,27.6%);3 cases in the patients without arch anomaly (3/22,13.6%)and 5 in those with arch anomal y (5/7,71.4%).The subaortic stenosis was managed with Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure (DKS)in 6 patients without operative mortality and conal septum resection in 2 without long-term survivor. Analysis of risk factors established that aortic arch obstruction was strongly associated with subaortic stenosis (p<0.001).The only risk factor of late mortality was Fontan procedure without staged palliation by BCPS (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: PAB is effective as an initial palliative step in functional UVH.And the high risk group of patients with aortic obstruction can undergo effective short-term PAB as an initial palliative step,with subsequent DKS for subaortic stenosis.This strategy,initial PAB and careful surveillance,and early relief of subaortic stenosis can maintain acceptable anatomy and hemodynamics for later Fontan procedures.

Fontan Conversion with Arrhythmia Surgery in a Jehovah's Witnesses / 대한흉부외과학회지

The conversion of failing Fontan circuit to total cavopulmonary connection(TCPC) is recommended as a therapeutic option in patients with late Fontan complications such as atrial arrhythmia, atrial enlargement, pulmonary venous obstruction, and ventricular dysfunction. Combined TCPC with extracardiac conduit and cryoablation of arrhythmia circuit is preferred for treatment of failing Fontan connection with atrial tachyarrhythmia. We report a case of conversion of atriopulmonary connection to extracardiac conduit Fontan and cryoablation of atrial arrhythmia circuit in a patient with tricuspid atresia, who also had ectopic atrial tachycardia, right atrial thrombi, pulmonary venous obstruction, and ventricular dysfunction. This patient and the parents were Jehovah's Witnesses; therefore, the patient underwent the procedure without blood transfusion.

Modified Norwood Procedure without Circulatory Arrest and Myocardial Ischemia: Report of 2 cases / 대한흉부외과학회지

The effects of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest during aortic arch reconstruction are associated with potential neurologic and myocardial injury. We describe a surgical technique that two patients underwent a modified Norwood procedure without circulatory arrest and myocardial ischemia. One was 13-day-old female patient, weighing 3.1kg, having a variant of hypoplastic left heart syndrome and another was 38-day-old male patient, weighing 3.4 kg, diagnosed Taussig-Bing anomaly with severe aortic arch hypoplasia, coarctation of the aorta, and subaortic stenosis. The arterial cannula was inserted in innominate artery directly. During Norwood reconstruction, regional high-flow perfusion into the inominate artery and coronary perfusion were maintained and there were no neurologic, cardiac, and renal complications in two patients. This technique may help protect the brain and myocardium from ischemic injury in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or other arch anomalies including coarctation or interruption.

Diffuse Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis Associated with Congenital Anomaly of the Aortic Valve (Williams Syndrome): 1 case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

The diffuse form of supravalvar aortic stenosis represents a surgical challenge when the ascending aorta, aortic arch, proximal descending thoracic aorta and arch arteries are involved. It can be treated by a variety of surgical approaches. We report a case of severe diffuse supravalvar aortic stenosis combined with an aortic valve anomaly and occlusion of the right coronary artery ostium in a 14-year-old boy with Williams syndrome. We enlarged the aortic root (Nick's procedure), ascending aorta, aortic arch, proximal descending thoracic aorta, and innominate artery with patches and replaced aortic valve with 19 mm St. Jude valve. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion were used during repair of the arch and arch artery.

Effect of Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction(UUO) on the Expression of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor(PDGF) in the Sprague-Dawley Rat / 대한신장학회잡지

Unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) results in severe renal vascular constriction through the activation of renin-angiotensin system, which causes progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) plays an important role in stimulating myofibroblasts and regulating synthesis of extracellular matrix in renal interstitial proliferation and fibrosis. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between unilateral ureteral obstruction and PDGF expression in tubulointerstitial fibrosis of the kidney. Eleven adult male Spraugue-Dawley rats were carried out unilateral ureteral ligation and sham operation. After 14 days, control kidney, UUO kidney and intact opposite(IO) kidney were harvested. Tissue fibrosis was quantified morphologically using the point detection method after Masson-Trichrome stain. Expression of PDGF-A and B was determined by immunohistochemical staining, RT-PCR and Western blot assay. Results were as follows: 1) UUO and IO group resulted in reduced kidney weight compared with control group(p<0.05). 2) Collagen deposition was increased in the renal cortex of UUO group(p<0.05). 3) PDGF-A and B mRNA expression was increased significantly compared with control and IO group(p< 0.05). 4) PDGF-A and B protein expression were increased in UUO and IO group(p<0.05). 5) On the immunohistochemical staining for PDGF- A and B, staining intensity was increased significantly at the renal cortex, interstitium and tubular epithelial cells in the UUO group. This results indicated that PDGF-A and B plays important role in tubulointerstitial fibrosis developed after unilateral ureteral obstruction and compensatory fibroproliferative growth in contralateral kidney.

Relation between Renal and Scrotal Involvememt in Henoch-Sch nlein Purpura

PURPOSE: Although Henoch-Sch nlein purpura(HSP) has been described in detail, there is a paucity of information describing scrotal involvement and risk factors for renal involvement. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence of scrotal involvement and the relationship between renal and nonrenal involvement, including scrotal involvement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 164 male children who were diagnosed as HSP at the Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Guro Hospital between January 1985 and December 1997. RESULTS: The incidence of scrotal involvement was 13.4%(22/164), and the mean age of the group of scrotal involvement was significantly younger(5.6+/-1.9 year) than that of the others (P<0.05). One patient was initially seen with scrotal involvement without any other symptoms, another patient, who presented with acute scrotal pain and swelling, turned out to have testicular torsion through laparotomy. Those with scrotal and gastrointestinal symptoms were more likely to be related to renal involvement at acute stage, but there was no statistical difference. Those with scrotal symptoms at acute stage developed nephritis more frequently after 6 months(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Those with scrotal symptoms at acute stage of HSP should be followed up for at least 6 months.

Open Heart Surgery in Infants Weighing Less than 3kg / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: There are well-known problems in the management of low weight neonates or infants with congenital heart defects. In the past, because of a perceived high risk of operations using cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) in these patients, there was a tendency for staged palliation without the use of CPB. However, the recent trend has been toward early reparative surgery using CPB, with acceptable mortality and good long-term survival. Therefore we reviewed our results of the operations in infants weighing less than 3kg and considered the technical aspect of conducting the CPB including myocardial protection. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between Jan. 1995 and Jul. 1998, 28 infants weighing less than 3kg underwent open heart surgery for many cardiac anomalies with a mean body weight of 2.7kg(range; 1.9-3.0kg) and a mean age of 41days(range; 4-110days). Preoperative management in the intensive care unit was needed in 20 infants and preoperative ventilator support therapy in 11. Total correction was performed in 23 infants and the palliative procedure in 5. Total circulatory arrest was needed in 11 infants(39%). There were seven hospital deaths(25%) caused by myocardial failure(n=3), surgical failure(n=2), multiorgan failure(n=1), and sudden death(n=1). The median duration of hospital stay and intensive care unit stay were 13days(range; 6-93days) and 6days(range; 2-77days) respectively. The follow-up was achieved in 21 patients and showed three cases of late mortality(15%) and a one-year survival rate of 62%. No neurologic complications such as clinical seizure and intracranial bleeding were noticed immediately after surgery and during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The early and late mortality rate of open heart surgery in our infants weighing less than 3 kg stood relatively high, but the improved outcomes are expected by means of the delicate conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass including myocardial protection as well as the adequate perioperative management. Also, the longer follow-up for the neurologic development and complications are needed in infants undergoing circulatory arrest and continuous low flow CPB.