BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality rates from acute respiratory failure remain noteworthy despite advances in conventional ventilatory techniques and improvements in supportive care. Repeated, the large tidal volume breaths during positive pressure mechanical ventilation lead to destruction of alveoli and pulmonary capillaries. Moreover, the overdistention of terminal lung units is considered as an important mechanism of ventilator induced lung injury. High frequency ventilation (HFV) is a technique involving a small tidal volume, and a higher than physiologic respiratory rate. Partial liquid ventilation (PLV), also known as perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange, is a new technique for respiratory support. This study was designed to compare conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), in combination with PLV. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were anesthetized with xylazine, ketamine and vecuronium. We studied rabbits with lung injury induced by saline lavage. Animal were randomized into one of two treatment groups. Ventilator parameters included the following; CMV: FIO2 of 1.0, respiratory rate 20-30 breaths/min, I/E ratio 1 : 1; HFJV: respiratory rate 2 Hz, driving pressure 2psi. Animals were briefly disconnected from the ventilator and lungs were lavaged with warmed saline. This procedure was repeated until PaO2 < 100 mmHg. After one hour, we initiated the instillation of perfluorodecalin via an endotracheal tube. Baseline measurements were performed at 60 mins after the induction of anesthesia and repeated again at hour after the induction of lung injury, which included 30 mins of stabilization. After PFD instillation, data were recorded. RESULTS: All animals developed hypoxemia after the lung injury, but oxygenation improved significantly after perfluorodecalin instillation. The PLV-HFJV group showed a high pH and a low PaCO2. Mean arterial pressure, cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance was differed significantly. Although there were no qualitative histological differences between lungs ventilated with HFJV on CMV, the lower lobes of all PLV-treated animals were damaged less than the upper lobes, but without statical significance. CONCLUSIONS: PLV-HFJV produced a more efficient gas exchange than PLV-CMV. No significant difference was observed in the pulmonary pathologies of the groups.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Arterial Pressure ; Capillaries ; High-Frequency Jet Ventilation* ; High-Frequency Ventilation ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Ketamine ; Liquid Ventilation* ; Lung Injury* ; Lung* ; Mortality ; Oxygen ; Pathology ; Rabbits ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Rate ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Tidal Volume ; Vascular Resistance ; Vecuronium Bromide ; Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Xylazine

Bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are relatively common congenital anomalies in the mediastinum. Most of the patients with BC can be managed both safely and effectively by minimally invasive methods. Selected patients with a BC in a favorable location can have the cyst partially or completely excised by mediastinoscopic techniques. Herein we report on a case of a left lower paratracheal bronchogenic cyst that was completely resected by a video-assisted mediastinoscopic technique, and we discuss the technical aspects of this procedure.
Bronchogenic Cyst ; Humans ; Mediastinal Diseases ; Mediastinoscopy ; Mediastinum

Pure lipoma, originating from the trachea is a very rara disease entity A-37-ycar-old-male patient had suf'leered from intermittent episodes of dyspnea and has been treated under the diagnosis of bronchial asthma for 6 months. On chest CT scan and bronchofiberscopic examination, a round mass with the pedunculated neck was found in the mid-portion of the membranous portion of the intrathoracic trachea. Under the guide of fiberoptic bronchoscope, the mass was extirpated using polypectomy w re loop and eletrocauterization. He was discharged without any events on third postoperative day of operation and has been well without recurrence for 6 months.
Asthma ; Bronchoscopes ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Lipoma* ; Neck ; Recurrence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Trachea

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common postoperative complication after the cardiac surgery. Postoperative ARF have various causes, and are combined with other complications rather than being the only a complication. It deteriorates the general condition of the patient, and makes it difficult to manage the combined complications by disturbing the adequate medication and fluid therapy. We have planned this study to evaluate the effects of postoperative ARF after the on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) on the recovery of patients and identify the risk factors. Method and Material: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass by a single surgeon from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2002. We checked the preoperative factors; sex, age, history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL, preoperatively last checked serum creatinine, diabetes, hypertension, left ventricular ejection fraction, intraoperative factors; whether the operation is an emergent case or not, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, the number of distal anastomosis, postoperative factors; IABP. Then we have studied the relations of these factors and the cases of postoperative peak serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL. RESULT: There were 19 cases with postoperative peak serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL in a total 97 cases. Dialysis were done in 3 cases for ARF with pulmonary edema and severely reduced urine output. There were 8 cases (42.1%) with combined complications among the 19 patients. This finding showed a significant difference from the 5 cases (6.4%) in the patients whose creatinine level have not increased over 2.0 mg/dL. The mortalities are different as 1.3% to 10.5%. The risk factors that are related with postoperative serum creatinine increment over 2.0 mg/dL are diabetes, the history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL and left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: Postoperative ARF after the on-pump CABG is related with preoperative diabetes, the history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL and left ventricular ejection fraction. Postoperative ARF could be the reason for increased rate of complications and mortality after on-pump CABG. Therefore, in the patients with these risk factors, the efforts to prevent postoperative ARF like off-pump CABG should be considered.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Edema ; Risk Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Thoracic Surgery

A combined anterolateral and posterior approach with thoracotomy has been recommended as the traditional surgical approach for the tumors of the thoracic spine. Recently, because of the morbidity associated with open thoracotomy, the thoracoscopically assisted surgical technique was introduced successfully in thoracic spinal surgery. Herein, we report a combined surgical technique for giant cell tumor of the thoracic spine (T10) consisting of bilateral thoracoscopic anterior release of the spine followed by a posterior en bloc spondylectomy and reconstruction by orthopedic surgeons. The thoracoscopic spinal surgery is safe and effective alternative for other open thoracotomic procedures in the approach to the anterior thoracic spine, avoiding the disadvantage inherent to thoracotomy.
Giant Cell Tumors ; Orthopedics ; Spine* ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy

Recently, Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB) is becoming one of the rapidly developing strategies in cardiac surgery. We report a case of MIDCAB used in upper sternotomy because of severe pleural adhesion.
Coronary Artery Bypass ; Sternotomy* ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Thoracic Surgery

We report a case of a patient with lung cancer, which invaded the left atrium and pericardium. Right middle and lower lobectomy was performed with the use of the extracorporeal circulation. Postoperative pathologic examination revealed the stage of IIIB (T4N1M0). Although the postoperative clinical course was complicated by acute localized right sided pulmonary edema and the bronchopleural fistula, the patient recovered smoothly after the procedure of omentopexy with pedicled graft of greater omentum in closing the BPF. As of August 2003, he has been followed up for 6 years and he is healthy without any evidence of recurrence. We could not find any report concerning lung cancer resection using cardiopulmonary bypass in Korean literature and believe this is the first report, especially with long-term survival.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Extracorporeal Circulation* ; Fistula ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Omentum ; Pericardium ; Pulmonary Edema ; Recurrence ; Transplants

Ibandronate (a bisphosphonate) is commonly used as an treatment of osteoporosis in combination with vitamin D. Monthly DP-R206-a novel, fixed-dose combination tablet (150 mg ibandronate/24,000 IU vitamin D3)-was recently developed to enhance patient compliance. This open, randomized, two-period crossover study was conducted to compare the pharmacokinetics of ibandronate when administered as DP-R206 or 150 mg ibandronate to healthy adult volunteers. Each volunteer was randomly allocated to receive single-dose DP-R206 or ibandronate with a 28-day washout period between treatments. Blood samples were assessed using pharmacokinetic analysis. Plasma ibandronate concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Safety and tolerability assessments were performed throughout the study. In total, 103 participants received the study drugs and 72 participants completed the study. The geometric mean ratios (DP-R206/ibandronate) of the maximum concentration (C(max)) and the area under the plasma concentration time curve from time zero to the last concentration (AUC(last)) values were 0.959 (90% CI: 0.820-1.120) and 0.924 (90% CI: 0.805-1.060), respectively. The frequencies of adverse events (AEs) and drug reactions were similar between treatment groups, and all AEs were recovered without sequalae. Ibandronate pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety are comparable when administered to healthy individuals, regardless if administered as DP-R206 or ibandronate.
Adult* ; Cross-Over Studies ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Osteoporosis ; Patient Compliance ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins* ; Volunteers

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery has been one of the most important surgical advances recently. Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung is a relatively rare anomaly and is clearly associated with various congenital anomalies such as pectus excavatum, cardiac and pulmonary vascular lesions. We have experienced a case that was treated with minimal invasive methods for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation involving in the right lower lobe and pectus excavatum in a 5-year-old boy. We simultaneously performed thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy and Nuss procedure of pectus excavatum using a substernal steel bar. Therefore, a minimally invasive surgical treatment for this diseases is feasible and cosmetically excellent.
Child, Preschool ; Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital* ; Funnel Chest* ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Steel ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thoracoscopy

Neurogenic tumors of the brachial plexus region are relatively rare. We report a recent experience of schwannoma of the right brachial plexus in the inferior trunk, which was successfully treated by microsurgical resection. A 38-year- old man presented a dysesthetic pain in the supraclavicular area and the right forearm of C6, 7 dermatome. Rubbery hard mass was palpated in the right supraclavicular area and magnetic resonance imaging showed a well circumscribed, well enhanced ovoid mass with cystic degeneration on the right brachial plexus portion. The patient underwent complete removal of the mass through the anterior cervicothoracic (modified Dartevelle) approach. At the postoperative 3 months, there is no neurologic deficit.
Brachial Plexus* ; Forearm ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurologic Manifestations