BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the preoperative attributes and clinical impacts of complete pericardiectomy in chronic constrictive pericarditis. METHODS: A total of 26 patients were treated from January 2001 to December 2013. The pericardium was resected as widely as possible. When excessive bleeding or hemodynamic instability occurred intraoperatively, a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB; n=3, 11.5%) or an apical suction device (n=8, 30.8%) was used. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent ≥ 80% resection of the pericardium (group A, n=18) and those who underwent <80% resection of the pericardium (group B, n=8). RESULTS: The frequency of CPB use was not significantly different between groups A and B (n=2, 11.1% vs. n=1, 12.5%; p=1.000). However, the apical suction device was more frequently applied in group A than group B (n=8, 30.8% vs. n=0, 0.0%; p=0.031). The postoperative New York Heart Association functional classification improved more in group A (p=0.030). Long-term follow-up echocardiography also showed a lower frequency of unresolved constriction in group A than in group B (n=1, 5.60% vs. n=5, 62.5%; p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis demonstrated symptomatic improvement through complete pericardiectomy. Aggressive resection of the pericardium may correct constrictive physiology and an apical suction device can facilitate the approach to the posterolateral aspect of the left ventricle and atrioventricular groove area without the aid of CPB.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Classification ; Constriction ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Pericardiectomy* ; Pericarditis, Constrictive* ; Pericardium ; Physiology ; Suction*

Transradial access is a widely accepted method for percutaneous coronary diagnostic and interventional procedures, and it has dramatically reduced access site vascular complications compared to transfemoral access. Arteriovenous fistula formation at the access site is an especially rare complication in transradial access. We report an extremely rare case of delayed radial arteriovenous fistula that developed one year after transradial coronary angiography, which was successfully treated by surgical repair.
Angiography ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Coronary Angiography ; Vascular Diseases

Ascending aortic aneurysms are usually treated with graft replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass. However, if a candidate for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting has an enlarged ascending aorta, surgeons may consider wrapping it without cardiopulmonary bypass. Here, we report a 78-year-old female who underwent successful wrapping of the ascending aorta concomitant with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, using a new wrapping technique that involves multiple bootstraps.
Aged ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump* ; Female ; Humans ; Transplants*

We experienced 3 cases of incomplete intertrochanteric fracture that were detected by multiplanar reconstruction computerized tomography (MPR CT). On the plain radiographs, two cases had only greater trochanteric fracture and the other case had a localized intertrochanteric fracture. There were linear hot uptakes in the intertrochanteric area in all cases on the bone scintigrams. On MPR CT, cortical breakage was found only in the anterior cortex, and the medial, lateral and posterior cortices were intact in all cases. Two cases were treated surgically with using compression hip screws and the other case was managed conservatively because of the patient's poor general condition. The findings of MPR CT were definitely different from those MRI findings of the previously reported incomplete intertrochanteric fractures.
Femur ; Hip ; Hip Fractures

Due to its low prevalence and because there is lack of awareness about it, Loeys-Dietz syndrome is often mis-diagnosed as Marfan syndrome, which has similar skeletal abnormalities and aortic pathology. However, the differential diagnosis between these two connective tissue diseases is critical because they correspond to different surgical indications and surgical decision-making. We report two cases of successful thoracoabdominal aortic replacement in patients with previously undiagnosed Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
Aortic Aneurysm ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome* ; Marfan Syndrome ; Pathology ; Prevalence

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) was first introduced in the 1990s. Currently, itis a widely accepted surgical approach for the treatment of esophageal cancer, as it isan oncologically sound procedure; its advantages when compared to open procedures,including reduction in postoperative complications, reduction in the length of hospitalstay, and improvement in quality of life, are well documented. However, debates are stillongoing about the safety and efficacy of MIE. The present review focuses on some of thecurrent issues related to conventional MIE and robot-assisted MIE based on evidence fromthe current literature.

Background: Indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPN) suspected for early stage lung cancer mandate accurate diagnosis. Both percutaneous needle biopsy (PCNB) and surgical biopsy (SB) are valuable options. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness between PCNB and SB for IPN suspected for early stage lung cancer. Methods: During January–November 2018, patients who underwent operation for IPN suspected for early stage lung cancer (SB group, n = 245) or operation after PCNB (PCNB group, n = 113) were included. Patient-level cost data were extracted from medical bills from the institution. Propensity score matching was performed between the two groups from a retrospectively-collected database. Results: Fifteen patients (11.5%) had complications after PCNB; thirteen (11.5%) were not confirmed to have lung cancer through PCNB but underwent operation for IPN. In SB group, 172 (70.2%) and 7 (2.9%) patients underwent wedge resection and segmentectomy for SB, respectively; 66 patients (26.9%) underwent direct lobectomy without SB. After propensity score matching, 58 paired samples were produced. Most patients in PCNB group were admitted twice (n = 55, 94.8%). The average hospital stay was longer in PCNB group (12.9 ± 5.3 vs. 7.3 ± 3.0, P < 0.001). Though the cost of the operation was comparable (USD 12,509 ± 2,909 vs. 12,669 ± 3,334; P = 0.782), the total cost was higher for PCNB group (USD 14,403 ± 3,085 vs. 12,669 ± 3,334; P = 0.006). The average subcategory cost, which increases proportional to hospital stay, was higher in PCNB group, whereas the cost of operation and surgical materials were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion Lung cancer operation following SB for IPN was associated with lesser cost, shorter hospital stays, and lesser admission time than lung cancer operation after PCNB. The increased cost and longer hospital stay appear largely related to the admission for PCNB.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine clinical significance of weight difference in twin pregnancies. METHODS: The medical records of 157 sets of twin pregnancies delivered between 1992 and 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Birth weight differences were stratified 3 categries; 15% or less, 16-30%, 31%, or more. x2 stastics and ANOVA was used. RESULTS: The degree of difference correlated strongly with risk for SGA, RDS, Sepsis, Length of hospital stay, congenital anomaly, perinatal mortality but there were no increment in PDA and preterm delivery. There were no differences in outcomes for the smaller compared with larger twin of the twin pair. Maternal complications such as preeclampsia was increased in weight discordant twin. CONCLUSION: Twin birth weight difference was closely related to adverse perinatal outcome. In severe intrapair weight difference (31% or more), all cases showed fetal death, which means physicians need to consider pregnancy termination. Birth weight discordance was a very complex problem. In the management of discordant twin, more frequent antenatal care and closer observation was recommended.
Birth Weight* ; Fetal Death ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Parturition* ; Perinatal Mortality ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The miss rate of colon polyps and its related factors have not been clearly identified yet. This study aims to review the miss rate of polyps both on the patient-level and on the polyp-level and to analyze the factors affecting the miss rate such as those related to the endoscopist, procedure, patient, and polyp. METHODS: From August 2011 to August 2013, patients who underwent elective second colonoscopy for resection of polyps, the sizes of which were not small enough to be resected by biopsy forceps alone at first colonoscopy, were enrolled retrospectively. RESULTS: The miss rate on the patient-level was 59.2% (234/395) and on the polyp-level was 27.9% (578/2,068). There was no significant difference in the miss rate depending on the experience of the endoscopists or characteristics of the patients. In terms of the procedure, the miss rate was higher when the colonoscopy was performed in the afternoon (OR 1.632, p=0.046). It was found that the miss rate of polyps increased when the polyps were small (OR 4.595, p<0.001 in <5 mm/OR 3.447, p<0.001 in 5-10 mm), flat or sessile (OR 2.406, p<0.001 in flat/OR 1.768, p=0.002 in sessile), and located in the left colon (OR 1.391, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The experience of endoscopists did not have influence on the accuracy of polyp detection. However, the fatigue of endoscopists in the afternoon is considered to render polyp detection less accurate. Also, the large curves and folds of the sigmoid colon are regarded as a reason for the higher miss rate of polyps in the left colon.
Adenoma/diagnosis ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Clinical Competence ; Colonic Neoplasms/diagnosis ; Colonic Polyps/*diagnosis/pathology ; *Colonoscopy ; *Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVES: The adverse health effects of mercury in dental amalgam have not yet been clarified. This study was conducted to examine the effects of dental amalgam on the concentration of blood mercury in Korean children. METHODS: A total of 1,275 students were enrolled in the elementary school in Seoul, Incheon, and Daegu. The number and location of dental amalgam filling of teeth were ascertained by oral examination. Dietary habits-including frequency of seafood intake-and other demographic factors were obtained from the children's parents. The concentration of blood mercury was measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer to which a hydride generator was installed. RESULTS: The geometric mean of blood mercury concentration was 1.91 microg/L. It was found that elementary school students in Seoul and the 4th grade elementary school students have the lowest concentration of blood mercury among the study groups. Both linear and secondary linear increase of the concentration of blood mercury, depending on the number of dental amalgam fillings, were statistically significant (p-trend < 0.01, p-quadratic < 0.01). As a result of multiple regression analysis on the blood mercury concentration of elementary school students, the regression coefficient (beta) of a dental amalgam filling was found to be 0.027 (standard error = 0.014, p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: In children, the dental amalgam fillings were significantly contribute to the concentration of blood mercury. To accurately assess the effect of dental amalgam on the concentration of body mercury, further studies using the concentration of urine mercury are needed.
Absorption ; Child ; Demography ; Dental Amalgam ; Diagnosis, Oral ; Humans ; Korea ; Parents ; Seafood ; Tooth