Mitral exposure technique for redo cardiac surgery. A left mediastinal pleurotomy and minimal adhesiotomy method.

We report an improved mitral exposure technique for mitral valve re-operation. Left mediastinal pleurotomy through a median sternotomy achieves rotation of the heart and excellent exposure of the mitral valve allowing the apex to drop posteriorly. We employed this technique in redo mitral valve surgeries for over a 3-year period. This minimal adhesiotomy method is technically simple, safe and time-saving.

[A case of the spinal subdural hematoma formation following ventriculoperitoneal shunting for von Recklinghausen's disease associated with aqueductal stenosis].

Von Recklinghausen's disease associated with hydrocephalus due to non-tumoral aqueductal stenosis is rare. Furthermore the formation of subdural hematoma within the spinal canal is also a very rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt. We presented a case of spinal subdural hematoma formation following ventriculoperitoneal shunting for von Recklinghausen's disease associated with aqueductal stenosis. A 10-year-old girl with von Recklinghausen's disease was referred to our hospital for gait disturbance during the previous 8 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hydrocephalus due to non-tumoral aqueductal stenosis, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt was instituted. Three months later, the patient developed lumbar pain and paraplegia. MRI revealed subdural hematoma in the lumbosacral spinal canal, and bilateral intracranial subdural hematoma were shown on computerized tomography (CT) scans. Subdural hematoma in the lumbosacral spinal canal was evacuated by laminectomy. Improvement of her neurological deficit was obtained postoperatively, and intracranial subdural hematomas disappeared spontaneously. Spinal subdural hematoma is assumed to be formed by the migratory movement of intracranial subdural hematoma under the influence of gravity. A characteristic finding of MRI is that such a subdural hematoma in the lumbosacral canal is located around the cauda equina.

[A case of symmetrical aneurysms at the bilateral middle cerebral arteries associated with the deep seated arteriovenous malformation in the midline].

A case of symmetrical aneurysms at the bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCA) associated with the deep seated arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the midline was presented. Because symmetrical aneurysms at the MCA are 1.17% of all aneurysms, and those associated with the deep seated AVM in the midline are very rare. A 75-year-old female suffered from a sudden onset of a severe headache and a loss of consciousness, and was admitted to our department on June 14, 1996. Computed tomography(CT) showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the right sylvian fissure (Fisher's Group 4). Bilateral symmetrical MCA's aneurysms and the deep seated AVM were clarified by angiography. The symmetrical aneurysms stood out anterior lateral side and the right aneurysm had bleb. On the other hand, the afferent vessels of the AVM were the branches of bilateral posterior cerebral arteries, and the efferent vessel was the vein of Galen. So we determined SAH due to right MCA aneurysm, and performed the neck clipping of the ruptured aneurysm. The symmetrical aneurysms at the MCA associated with AVM in midline have not been reported. Each parent's artery was not connected each other. These origins, therefore, are suggested to be related not only to acquired factors like hypertension, hemodynamic stress etc, but also to a congenital factor. The origin of the saccular aneurysm is suggested congenital either but it isn't definite.

[New practical sizer for ATS medical open pivot valve].

The sewing cuff of the ATS Medical valve is made from double velour polyester, making the sewing cuff diameter larger than the tissue anulus diameter of this prosthetic heart valve. The ATS valve sizer, with the diameter marked in millimeters, has a ring which allows for an easy measurement of the patient's tissue anulus. However, the diameters of this ring and the prosthetic valve (tissue anulus diameter) are made to equal in size. Therefore, if the valve size is determined by using this sizer, the sewing cuff diameter will be considerably larger than the patient's tissue anulus diameter. In order to also take into account the diameter of the sewing cuff, we added a flange around the sizer in the shape of the sewing cuff. The new and more practical sizer allows us to avoid sizing trouble in valve replacement surgery.

[Use of the radial artery graft in coronary artery bypass grafting: harvesting technique and spasm prevention].

The use of radial artery (RA) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been increasing recently as a revival. In this report, we describe several practical suggestions for improving patency rate of the graft. Between April of 1997 and February of 1998, 41 CABGs were performed using RA graft, totalling 56 anastomoses. The early patency rate of the graft has been 100% (graft: 38/38, anastomosis: 53/53). Harvesting technique: with the use of Harmonic Scalpel, it is possible to atraumatically harvest the vessel in a short time. Although longitudinal fasciotomy of the adventitia has been recently reported to be effective in releasing spasm, the nature of the vessel raise concern that the fasciotomy may even induce spasm. We hypothesize that leaving the adventitia intact, preserving vasa vasorum, rather than performing fasciotomy leads to improvement of long-term patency. Spasm prevention: we consider the body temperature to be the most important factor. Therefore, we utilize normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Another important factor is that the arterial CO2 is kept at a high level during CPB. For dilation of RA graft, milrinone is used instead of papaverine. For the intra- and postoperative management, intravenous continuous administration of diltiazem was changed to nicorandil. Technically, essential resolution for improvement of patency rate is either to allow for large proximal anastomosis, or to make sequential anastomosis with another coronary artery which has a good run off. For these purposes, the proximal anastomosis on the ascending aorta seems to have the advantage over placing it on ITA.

Three-graft technique for ascending aorta and total aortic arch replacement.

We have developed a procedure for total aortic arch replacement using three separate Hemashield grafts and establishing deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and continuous retrograde cerebral perfusion followed by antegrade cerebral perfusion. This method is technically simple and yields secure anastomoses.

[A case of epidermoid tumor inside the Meckel's cave].

An epidermoid tumor inside the Meckel's cave is rare. The symptoms caused by this tumor include trigeminal neuralgia, facial hypesthesia and paresis of the 3rd, 4th and 6th nerves. A case of epidermoid tumor inside Meckel's cave was presented. A 54-year-old female who had complained of 3rd nerve palsy with right facial hypesthesia since 3 years before was referred to our clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the tumor at Meckel's cave. The tumor removal was performed using the orbito-zygomatic approach. To avoid injury of the internal carotid artery and nerves inside the cavernous sinus, removal of the tumor inside the capsule was carried out leaving the capsule. Postoperatively, the tumor removal was confirmed by MRI and improvement of the 3rd and the 5th nerve palsy was obtained three months after surgery. This case suggests that the capsule of the tumor inside the Meckel's cave should be allowed to remain to avoid injury of the adjacent 4th, 5th and 6th nerves and of the internal carotid artery.

[Clinical results of left ventricular free wall rupture following acute myocardial infarction].

We studied 19 cases of Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture (LVFWR) following acute myocardial infarction, admitted to our CCU between 1987 and 1996. We were able to treat 15 patients and diagnosed 4 cases as LVFWR at postmortem after sudden deaths. Of the treated 15 patients, 11 survived: 1 out of 2 repaired under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 5 out of 7 repaired without CPB, and 5 out of 6 non-surgically treated. Although the survival rate for those able to be treated was 73%, overall rate was 58%. There were 7 cases of blow-out type: 4 of which were sudden deaths, and 3 were operated. Thoracotomy and direct closure of rupture without CPB was done at bed-side in 2 cases. Even though hemostasis was successful, they did not survive. The 3rd case survived with the patch closure under CPB. In this case, the circulation was maintained pre-operatively with the pericardial-central venous bypass drainage method. This method seems to be extremely effective in saving blow-out cases. There were 12 subacute patients. Although 2 cases were lost, total of 10 patients were saved, including 2 direct suture closures of rupture without CPB, 3 median sternotomy and fibrin-glue fixations, 1 where only pericardial drainage was done, and 4 in whom percutaneous intrapericardial fibrin-glue fixation therapy was utilized. Since the risk of secondary damage to the fragile infarcted are from direct suturing of ruptured myocardium exists in LVFWR, we changed to the Infarction Exclusion Technique under CPB during surgical repair, based on our experiences with ruptured intraventricular septum. In general, the only treatment believed to be available for LVFWR has been surgical. However, our experiences suggest that other treatments may also be effective. If the best suitable method could be chosen from various therapies, it may contribute to improving outcome statistics. The reduction of left ventricular pressure in the treatment is extremely important, being the key to improving survival rate.

[Infarction exclusion technique for postinfarction ventricular septal defect].

A new technique for post-infarction ventricular septal defect is accomplished by suturing a single patch to healthy endocardium excluding the infarcted area from the high left ventricular pressure. We have used this infarction exclusion technique for 3 cases since 1994. Three patients developed cardiogenic shock before operation and were managed initially with an intra-aortic balloon pump. All patients were urgently operated using this technique, at the same time, CABG operation was performed in 2 cases from the finding of preoperative coronary angiography. All of the patients survived. The first patient had a residual shunt (L-R; 30%), which spontaneously resolved in one month after the operation. In this method, a two-dimensional plane patch has to be sutured to healthy endocardium like a three-dimensional dome. Consequently the edge of the patch has wrinkles, which cause a residual shunt easily at the suture line. So from the second case, previously prepared circular conic patch, which had been made from a plane circular patch, was sutured to the left ventricular endocardium. At the suture line, this conic patch was well fitted to the endocardium, and the patients had no residual shunt. Though this method has the advantage to retain left ventricular function and volume, the technique must be improved to prevent residual shunt after operation.

[A case report of reconstructive operation in traumatic tricuspid regurgitation].

Tricuspid regurgitation due to non-penetrating trauma occurred in a 21-year-old male patient who had received chest trauma in a motorcycle accident. Echocardiography demonstrated prolapse of the tricuspid anterior leaflet into the right atrium and massive tricuspid regurgitation. He was diagnosed as traumatic tricuspid regurgitation from his past history of the trauma. A reconstructive operation was performed successfully 4 years after the trauma. The chordal rupture of the anterior tricuspid leaflet was repaired using PTFE suture and annuloplasty of the dilated annulus was made using Carpentier ring. Tricuspid regurgitation was completely repaired as shown by the postoperative echocardiogram.

[A successful surgical treatment of traumatic dissecting aneurysm].

Dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm caused by blunt trauma was reported. A 64-year-old woman involved in automobile accident was transported to our hospital. Chest X-ray showed multiple rib fractures and enlargement of mediastinal shadow. Emergent CT scan and angiography (DSA) revealed aortic dissection (DeBakey IIIb). She suffered from acute renal and respiratory failure soon after admission, but underwent operation 6 months after the trauma because of enlargement of false channel. Graft replacement was performed and postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathologic findings showed dissection of adventitia of the aorta.

[Electrophysiological identification of the cochlear and vestibular nerves in the cerebellopontine angle: experimental study and clinical implication].

Electrical stimulation was applied on the surface of the eighth cranial nerve in the cerebellopontine angle of dogs and the evoked potentials were recorded with surface electrodes on the scalp. The shape of the evoked potentials recorded was different according to the portion of the nerve stimulated electrically. It was, therefore, possible to precisely identify the nerve stimulated from the surface recorded evoked potentials. This electrophysiological method may be helpful for the surgeon to precisely locate the cochlear and vestibular nerves in various operations in the cerebellopontine angle in human. Our preliminary experience of this monitoring method in acoustic neuroma excision was presented.

[A fungal aneurysm in a patient with presumed Tolosa-Hunt syndrome].

A case of fungal aneurysm associated with presumed Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is reported. A 57-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with complaints of left blepharoptosis, headache and weight loss. Neurological examination revealed left ophthalmoplegia without facial hypesthesia. Visual acuity was normal. Laboratory studies showed raised ESR, 4+ glycosuria, and a blood sugar of 351mg/dl. Computerized tomography (CT) scan and left carotid angiography were considered normal. Left orbital venography showed no filling of the left cavernous sinus. Diabetic ophthalmoplegia was suspected by a neurologist. The patient was treated with insulin therapy, but visual acuity worsened, and hypesthesia was noted in the first and second divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Subsequent CT scan demonstrated a high density lesion, which was homogeneously enhanced, in the left cavernous portion and the superior orbital fissure. The patient was presumed of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, and prednine therapy (30mg/day) was started. On the second day after the administration of prednine, hypesthesia of the first and second division of the left trigeminal nerve improved. After 9 days of prednine therapy, the patient suddenly complained of severe headache, and lapsed into a coma. Massive hemorrhage with subarachnoid hemorrhage was recognized on the CT scan, with a marked midline shift to the right. The hematoma was immediately removed. A ruptured cerebral aneurysm was found at the bottom of the hematoma. The aneurysm was located in the distal portion of the left middle cerebral artery. Aneurysm clipping with external decompression and bilateral ventricular drainage was performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rotatostereoradiography: a new radiodiagnostic method--development of a new three-dimensional radiodiagnostic device and evaluation in neurosurgical clinics.

The rotatostereoradiographic device uses an x-ray tube coupled with an image intensifier rotating through a 180 degree arc in 2.25 seconds. The rapidly rotating x-ray tube allows 180 degree-arc angiograms to be obtained with a single injection of contrast medium. Subtracted fluoroscopic angiograms can be viewed immediately after injection of the contrast medium with digital recording. These three-dimensional images are displayed on side-by-side monitors stereoscopically. The mortality and morbidity of subarachnoid hemorrhage can only be greatly reduced by surgical treatment of unruptured aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations detected by a wide survey of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Such a wide survey would be possible utilizing intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography via the ascending aorta and this new three-dimensional radiodiagnostic method. A fluoroscopic device must be used to allow easier manipulation of the catheter from the axillary or brachial artery.

[Disproportionately large communicating fourth ventricle with bilateral exotropia: report of two cases].

Two cases of disproportionately large communicating fourth ventricle (DLCFV) accompanied by consciousness disturbance and bilateral exotropia are reported. Case #1 was a 21-year-old male who suffered from consciousness disturbance and bilateral exotropia due to malfunction of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) which had previously been operated on twice for a left parietal arteriovenous malformation, which had caused ventricular hemorrhage several times. The last hemorrhage was massive and made ventricular casting, including the fourth ventricle. Both bilateral exotropia and the fourth ventricular dilatation were well controlled by the reconstruction of the VPS. Case #2 was a 66-year-old female, semicomatous because of massive subarachnoid hemorrhage with ventricular casting hematoma due to rupture of the right middle cerebral aneurysm. Though an improvement of the consciousness disturbance was obtained by continuous ventricular drainage (CVD), bilateral exotropia and consciousness deterioration appeared after lumboperitoneal shunt followed by the removal of the CVD. Another CVD was then carried out and some improvement was obtained again. However, the same symptoms appeared again after the VPS, followed by the removal of the CVD. The patient finally died despite a third CVD. Autopsy revealed a markedly dilated fourth ventricle and massive subarachnoid clots particularly around the foramen of Magendie and Luschka. The pathogenesis of DLCFV and bilateral exotropia are also discussed.

[Spasm in aortocoronary vein graft].

A case of spasm of saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass graft in a 70-year-old man is reported. Six months after coronary artery bypass grafting for three vessel disease, routine coronary angiography revealed narrowings of RCA just distal to the site of graft insertion and midportion of vein graft for right coronary artery. PTCA was performed for these stenoses, and then spasm of the vein graft occurred in other 2 points. Isosorbide dinitrate administration and balloon angioplasty for spastic parts were tried. No spastic narrowing of the vein graft was seen in angiography on the next day.

[An operative case of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection with patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect].

The patient was a 28-year-old female who had underwent the operation of the closure of ASD on 7 years old. She administered due to palpitation. Cardiac catheterization revealed PDA, residual ASD, and PAPVC that blood flow from right superior pulmonary vein returned to the high level of SVC (juxsta-inominate vein). Successful repair was performed by intraluminal direct closure for PDA and placing a long patch for ASD and PAPVC.

[Intracranial bacterial aneurysms--report of two cases with special reference to operative indications].

Two cases of intracranial bacterial aneurysms caused by bacterial endocarditis are reported. Case 1 was a 20-year-old male who underwent mitral valve annuloplasty because of mitral regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse syndrome 3 year prior to this admission. He was referred when a large intracerebral hemorrhage of the right frontal lobe ruptured into the lateral ventricle was seen in computed tomography (CT) scan on admission. An aneurysm at the distal portion of precentral artery of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was found by right carotid angiography. Emergency evacuation of the hematoma and trapping of the aneurysm were performed. Another three aneurysms, located at the distal portion of contralateral left precentral artery of MCA, the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and the right anterior falx artery were found in the subsequent angiogram. The latter two aneurysms developed while receiving antibiotics. The aneurysms of PCA and MCA were trapped surgically. However, the aneurysm of anterior falx artery disappeared spontaneously under antibiotic therapy without surgery. Case 2 was a 21-year-old female who underwent cardiac surgery one month prior to presentation for aortic insufficiency and coarctation of the aorta. She was referred to our clinic because of sudden loss of consciousness, aphasia and right hemiparesis. CT scan and left carotid angiography showed a large hematoma in the left frontal lobe and an aneurysm at the distal portion of the opercular-frontal artery. Emergency ventricular drainage was performed. The operation for evacuation of the hematoma and clipping of aneurysm was performed 10 days later. However, at the operation the aneurysm neck was only partially clipped in order to prevent the obstruction of efferent vessels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)