PURPOSE: Perforated duodenal ulcer can be treated by variable methods ranging from non-operative management to immediate definitive acid-reduction surgery. With the current availability of potent H2 blocker, proton pump inhibitor, and effective Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication regimens, ulcer recurrence is usually low and the need for definitive surgery has been reduced. Furthermore, the introduction of laparoscopic closure makes the principles of conventional surgical approach weakened at present and surgeons are faced with the choice of definitive surgery or omental patch repair, open or laparoscopic surgery. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic omental patch repair in comparison with conventional surgery and to investigate the status of H. pylori infection and the role of eradication of H. pylori. In addition, we tried to introduce our unique surgical experience using a 3-port technique. METHODS: We treated 31 patients of perforated duodenal ulcer laparoscopically and compared with 30 patients operated by conventional omental patch repair. The patients treated by laparoscopy were evaluated for H. pylori status postoperatively. H. pylori infected patients received 1 or 2 weeks course of Omeprazole plus Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin. RESULTS: Laparoscopic repair was successful in 26 cases and the conversion rate was 16.1%. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of operative time and mortality. Morbidity was comparable between both groups, but the wound infection was more common in the open group. The clinical course and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group. H. pylori infection rate was 47% and there were 2 cases of ulcer recurrence and 2 cases of reperforation in H. pylori negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic closure of perforated duodenal ulcer using a 3-port technique is a technically feasible and safe alternative to open repair, with early recovery and low morbidity. H. pylori is positive in about half of perforated duodenal ulcer patients and should be eradicated in positive patients. Other risk factors on ulcer perforation should be identified.
Amoxicillin ; Clarithromycin ; Duodenal Ulcer* ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Omeprazole ; Operative Time ; Proton Pumps ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Sutures* ; Ulcer ; Wound Infection

In off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), multiple proximal anastomosis may increase the risk of cerebral embolism (air, debris) and aortic injury (dissection, pseudoaneurysm). Radial artery (RA) has no intraluminal valve such as saphenous vein. We applied Cabrol technique using aortic root replacement for proximal anastomosis in off-pump CABG. Cabrol technique using RA graft can reduce numbers of proximal anastomosis and reduce number of aortic manipulation in off-pump CABG. We report a Cabrol technique for proximal anastomosis in off-pump CABG with RA graft.
Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump* ; Intracranial Embolism ; Radial Artery* ; Saphenous Vein ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Transplants*

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.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Fontan Procedure ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mortality ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Risk Factors ; Survivors

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular dysfunction is one of the important prognostic factors of early mortality and long-term survival after valve operation. We studied the intermediate term results of mitral valve reconstruction in patients with moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty four patients who underwent mitral valve reconstruction with a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of <45% or less (20~45%) from April 1995 through July 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Ages ranged from 10 to 67 years (46+/-14 years) and 32 patients were in NYHA class III-IV. The mitral valve diseases were regurgitation (MR) in 28 patients, stenosis(MS) in 10, and mixed lesion in 5. The etiologies of mitral valve disease were rheumatic in 20 patients, degenerative in 14, ischemic in 5, annular dilatation in 2, congenital in 2, and endocarditis in 1. Operatively, all patients had annuloplasty and/or various valvuloplasty techniques, and a total of 52 procedures were concomitantly performed. Total cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamp time were 160+/-57 minutes and 112+/-45 minutes respectively. RESULT: Two operative deaths occurred as a result of left ventricular failure (4.5%). After the mean follow-up of 39 months (range, 10~83 months), there was no late death. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed no or grade I of MR in 29 patients (72.5%) and no or mild MS in 35 patients (87.5%). The actuarial survival at 5 years was 100%. Four patients required mitral valve replacement due to progressive mitral valvular disease. The actuarial freedom from valve-related reoperation at 5 years was 84+/-9%. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that mitral valve reconstruction in patients with moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction offers good early and intermediate survival and acceptable freedom from valve-related reoperation, and it is the strategy for effective management for these patients.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Dilatation ; Echocardiography ; Endocarditis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Humans ; Mitral Valve* ; Mortality ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Dysfunction ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left*

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.
Aortic Valve* ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Autografts ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Dilatation ; Endocarditis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Male ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Mitral Valve* ; Prostheses and Implants ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Rupture