We experienced 26 cases of free internal mammary artery (IMA) grafting for coronary artery bypass (CABG) during past 44 months. There were 3, 6 distal anastomoses per patient and 1.6 distal anastomoses per patient were performed with free IMA. The early mortality rate (within 1 month after surgery) was 3.8%. The surgical complications were 0 in mediastintis requiring operation, 0 in reoperation for bleeding and 1; phrenic nerve paralysis with respiratory dysfunction, the patency rate at 1 month after surgery were 97.2% in free IMA and were 96.1% in in-situ IMA. Conclusion was as followed that the use of free IMA for CABG provided excellent result in early period and we would anticipate to expand the use of IMA.

The long-term results of a “tighter” tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) by De Vega's technique for secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were studied. From June 1985 to July 1993, 122 patients underwent TAP following mitral valve surgery in our clinic. The analysis was performed on 50 patients who were followed up for more than 5 years (a mean of 75.1 months ranging from 60 to 96 months). The patients consisted of 13 males and 37 females with a mean age of 53.7 years (range from 28 to 71 years). The echocardiogram taken after long-term follow-up showed that the right ventricular inflow peak velocity at rest was a mean of 0.72m/s ranging from 0.53 to 1.04m/s, while the mean pressure half time was 76.7±14.9msec. Significant residual TR was observed in 16% at 1 month, 6% at 1 year, 10% at 3 years, and 12% at 5 years or more after operations. We conclude that a “tighter” TAP by De Vega's technique for secondary TR seems to be effective for the long-term reduction of residual TR and is not a causative factor for tricuspid stenosis.

We herein review the early results of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB). From April 1994 to November 1998, 23 patients underwent MIDCAB, and 12 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (CABG). We compared and analyzed the findings of these two groups. Regarding preoperative factors, the MIDCAB group included elderly patients, while the CABG group consisted of younger patients. However, the frequency of hemodialysis, respiratory disorders and cerebral vascular accidents did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Regarding perioperative factors, the MIDCAB group needed a shorter operation time, and also had a lower bleeding volume, and a low incidence of blood transfusion. Regarding the postoperative course, the MIDCAB group needed a shorter artificial respiration time, and a shorter postoperative hospital stay, and no mortality was observed. The graft patency of the MIDCAB group was lower (88%) than the CABG group (100%). However, the graft patency of the MIDCAB group reached 94% after we used a stabilizer in the operation. In conclusion, the operation results of the MIDCAB group were comparatively better than those of the CABG group. Thanks to recent technological advances, the results of MIDCAB continue to improve. Though MIDCAB remains an invaluable operative modality for the treatment of one-vessel disease, surgeons must be careful to select appropriate candidates for this operative method.

Introduction: Amyloidosis is a variety of symptoms, such as organ failure and peripheral neuropathy amyroid protein is deposited in the systemic organs. We report a case of ketamine was effective for vulba referred pain in end stage. Case report: A 72-year-old male patient in end-stage primary generalized amyloid light-chain amyloidosis experienced excruciating pain in his genitalia about four times daily, lasting from tens of seconds to three minutes. No abnormal findings were noted in the genitalia. Bowel movement and large amounts of peritoneal dialysis fluid triggered excessive traction of the glans penis, which caused the excruciating pain. Referred pain originating from the pelvic plexus was suspected. Continuous infusion of ketamine was started at 50 mg/day for pain relief, which eliminated his pain, and the patient passed away 17 days later. Conclusion: The reason a small dosage of ketamine was effective, we consider there is a possibility of recovery from central sensitization effect of NMDA receptor antagonist worked effectively.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To confirm the feasibility of using newly developed endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with Zone sonography(TM) technology (ZST; Fujifilm Corp.). METHODS: Seventy-five patients with pancreatic disorders were enrolled: 45 with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; 15 with ductal carcinoma; five with neuroendocrine tumors; three with serous cystic neoplasms; and seven with simple cysts. The endoscopes used were EG-530UR2 and EG-530UT2 (Fujifilm Corp.). Two items were evaluated: visualization depth among four frequencies and image quality after automatic adjustment of sound speed (AASS), assessed using a 5-scale Likert scale by two endosonographers blinded to disease status. Because sound speed could be manually controlled, besides AASS, image quality at sound speeds of 1,440 and 1,600 m/sec were also assessed. RESULTS: In all cases, sufficient images were obtained in the range of 3 cm from the EUS probe. Judgments of image quality before AASS were 3.49+/-0.50, 3.65+/-0.48, respectively. After AASS, A and B scored 4.36+/-0.48 and 4.40+/-0.49 (p<0.0001). There were significant differences in the data before and after AASS and plus 60 m/sec, but no significant difference between the datasets were seen after AASS and at sound speeds manually set for minus 100 m/sec. CONCLUSIONS: EUS with ZST was shown to be feasible in this preliminary experiment. Further evaluation of this novel technology is necessary and awaited.
Endoscopes ; Endosonography ; Humans ; Judgment ; Mucins ; Pancreatic Diseases