To evaulate the effectiveness and risk factors for shunt failure of the Blalock-Taussig shunt in neonates, we analyzed the 21 neonates who were undergone Blalok-Taussig shunt operation at Dong-A University Hospital from December 1991 to Feburary 1996. We evaluated operative mortality, patency of the shunt. and distortion of pulmonary artery. We also determined the risk factors for the shunt failure. Age at operation was from 1 day to 30 days(mean 11.7 days). Weights were 2.4 to 4.5kg(mean 3.1 kg). The underlying lesions included severe tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary stenosls or atresia(N=11) and single ventricle varieties with. pulmonary stenosis or atresia(N=10). Prostaglandin E1 was given in 13 neonates prior to operation. The mean preoperative(prior to prostaglandin El therapy) and postoperative arterial oxygen tension were 30.1 mmHg and 46.3 mmHg respectively(P<0.01). The shunt was performed through a left thoracotomy in 11 patients and through a right thoracotomy In 10. A 5 mm graft was used in 15 patients and a 4 mm graft in 6 patients. The incidence of early shunt occlusion was 9.5%(2 patients). The hospital mortality was 9.5%(2 patients with early shunt occlusion). Univariate analysis revealed that body weight of 2.6 kg or less(p=0.021), pulmonary artery size of 3mm or less(p=0.008), and 4 mm graft (p=0.021) were risk factors predictive of early shunt failure. The patency rate of the shunt in hospital survivors was 100% at mean ollow-up of ll.3 months(There was not death or reoperation related to shunt failure). 10 patients were catheterized during postoperative follow-up. There was no significant distorsion of pulmonary artery. So we concluded that the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in neonates was excellent in the hospital survivors.
Alprostadil ; Blalock-Taussig Procedure* ; Body Weight ; Catheters ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Mortality ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Reoperation ; Risk Factors ; Survivors ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thoracotomy ; Transplants ; Weights and Measures

We experienced a case of submucosal gastric actinomycosis, presenting as bleeding. The 65-year-old woman had a symptom of epigastric pain, without any other intra-abdominal disease entity. A gastrofiberscopic study demonstrated a submucosal mass lesion with bleeding at the fundus. Because of the bleeding, laparotomy was undertaken, and a abscess containing a large mass was found at the gastric fundus, and total gastrectomy undertaken. Histological examination revealed a giant acute ulcer with a submucosal abscess due to actinomycosis. Because of its rarity, submucosal gastric actinomycosis is an entity overlooked by most surgeons. We report upon this case of submucosal gastric actinomycosis and include a review of the literature.
Female ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Surgical correction of the full spectrum of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula has improved over the years, but the mortality and morbidity assoiated with repair of these anomalies still remains high. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively analyzes 27 surgically treated patients with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula at Dong-A University Hospital between January 1992 and March 1997. RESULT: There were 21 male and 6 female patients. Mean birth weight was 2.62+/-.385 kg(2.0~3.4 kg). Twenty- four(88.9%) had esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula, and 3(11.1%) had pure esophageal atresia. Four(14.8%) infants were allocated to Waterston risk group A, 18(66.7%) to group B, and 5(18.5%) to group C. In eighteen(66.7%) infants with associated anomalies, cardiovascular anomalies were the most common. Three had a gap length of 3.5 cm or greater(ultra-long gap) between esophageal segments, 7 had 2.0 to 3.5 cm(long gap), 8 had 1.0 to 2.0 cm(medium gap), and 9 had 1 cm or less(short gap) gap length. Among 27 neonates, 3 cases underwent staged operation, late colon interposition was done in 2, and all other 24 cases underwent primary esophageal anastomosis. Oerative mortality was 2/27(7.4%). Causes of death included acute renal failure(n=1), empyema from anastomotic leak(n=1), necrotizing enterocolitis(n=1), sepsis(n=1), insulin-dependent diabetus mellitus(n=1 . There were 4 anastomosis- related complications including stricture in 3, leakage in 1. Mortality was related to the gap length(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Although the complication rate associated with surgical repair of these anomalies is high, this does not always implicate the operative mortality. The overall survival can be improved by effective treatment for combined anomalies and intensive postoperatve care.
Birth Weight ; Cause of Death ; Colon ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Empyema ; Esophageal Atresia* ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Acquired pulmonary artery stenosis which is secondary to tuberculosis is so rare that only a few scattered cases have been reported. We report one case of pulmonary stenosis caused by pulmonary tuberculosis.l A 50 year old man who gradually developed dyspnea was diagnosed as bilateral pulmonary stenosis, he underwent bypass surgery between the main diagnosed as bilateral pulmonary stenosis. he underwent bypass surgery between the main pulmonary artery and the right pulomonary artery with a 13mm Gortex ringed straight graft. The left pulmonary artery was too small to restore the perfusion. The patient was discharged on the 33rd day after the operation. Acquired pulmonary stenosis could be treated successfully with one-side pulmonary arery reconstruction.
Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis* ; Transplants ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Bilateral coronary artery fistula is very uncommon congenital anomaly which occupy small percentage of all congenital coronary artery fistula. About 20% of the cases associated with additional congenital heart disease. And it may cause congestive heart failure, especially severely in neonate. We experienced a case of neonate who was 1 day-old-male with bilateral coronary artery-right ventricular fistula associated with atrial septal defect and congestive heart failure. The Patient was admitted because dyspnea, cyanosis since birth. 2D ecgicardiogram and cardiac catheterization revealed that a fistulous communicating ; forming a large aneurysm, was noted from bilateral coronary artery emptied into the right ventricle, and there was oxygen step-up in right ventricle.
Aneurysm ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Coronary Vessels ; Cyanosis ; Dyspnea ; Fistula* ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Failure ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Oxygen ; Parturition

Nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis is a very rare skin disease which usually is present from birth. This uncommon condition is due to collections of ectopic. fat cells within the upper and mid dermis. There are two clinical varieties. The first is a lesion of zonal distribution, present from birth or childhood, usualIy on the buttocks or the lower back. The second form, a dome or sessile, papule, begins. in adult life and is less restricted in distribution. Cerebriform plaques tend to form from the coalescence of soft, yellowish papules. The authors observed two cases of typical nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis. The first case is a 25-year-old female who has had asymptomatic, soft, skin colored, and huge confluent nodules on the right infragluteal fold and upper thigh for 15 years; and the second case is a 15-year-old male who has had multiple, skin colored and soft papules or nodules in zosteriform distribution affecting the right side of the lower back and coccygeal area and right buttock for 4 years. The authors made the diagnosis of nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis from the characteristic clinical and histopathological findings.
Adipocytes ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Buttocks ; Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fluconazole ; Humans ; Male ; Nevus* ; Parturition ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Thigh

We experinced a case of 4p+ syndrome in male infant. He had multiple anomalies such as flat occiput, hypertelorism, low set malformed ear, lower anterior hair line, depressed nose, broad nasal bridge, bilateral complete cleft lip and palate, short neck, unusual position of fingers, ventricular septal defect and umblical hernia. He menifested growth and developmental retardation. Karyotype with banding revealed an extra short arm of chromosome 4. The mother's karyotype was normal. His father and father's sister had a translocation between the short arm of chromosome 4 and the short arm of chromosome 9; their karyotypes were 46, XY, t(4;9) and 46, XX, t(4;9), respectively. In this case, trisomy 4p was the result of parental balanced translocatiom. As this is the first case in Korea, it is worthwhile to report with reviewing literature.
Arm ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Cleft Lip ; Ear ; Fathers ; Fingers ; Growth and Development ; Hair ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hernia ; Humans ; Hypertelorism ; Infant ; Karyotype ; Korea ; Male ; Neck ; Nose ; Palate ; Parents ; Siblings ; Trisomy

We analyzed the mRNA expression patterns of major potassium channel genes to determine the mechanism of hypokalemia in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis. We used quantitative RT-PCR to examine the mRNA levels of both inward (KCNJ2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ14) and delayed rectifi er (KCNQ1 and KCNA2) potassium channel genes in skeletal muscle cells from both normal and patient groups, prior to and after exposure to 4 mM and 50 mM potassium buffers. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed no changes in the mRNA levels of these genes in normal and patient cells on exposure to 4 mM potassium buffer. However, after exposure to 50 mM potassium buffer, which was used to induce depolarization, normal cells showed a signifi cant decrease in KCNJ2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ14 expression, but no change in KCNQ1 and KCNA2 expression. In contrast, patient cells showed no change in KCNJ2 and KCNJ6 expression, but an increase in KCNJ14 expression. Furthermore, KCNQ1 and KCNA2 showed decreased expression. We found that the expression levels of both inward and delayed rectifi er potassium channel genes in patient cells differ from those in normal cells. Altered potassium channel gene expression in patient cells may suggest a possible mechanism for hypokalemia in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of abdominal meridian massage on abdominal distention, abdominal pain, and bowel motility recovery after sedated colonoscopy. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted from July 29, 2019 to September 10, 2019. Participants who underwent sedated colonoscopy at a general hospital in B city were assigned to experimental and control groups (n=27 each). The experimental group received abdominal meridian massage for 10 minutes at five acupoints (cheonchu, jungwan, gwanwon, gihae, daehoeng) post-colonoscopy. As outcomes, abdominal distention (subjective sensation of abdominal bloating and abdominal circumference), abdominal pain, and recovery of bowel movement (time of return of bowel sounds and passing gas post-colonoscopy) were measured. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, x2 test, Fisher's exact test, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and repeated-measures ANCOVA using SPSS for Windows version 25.0. Results: Statistically significant between-group differences were found for subjective sensation of abdominal bloating (F=3.89, p<.024), abdominal circumference (F=11.05, p<.001), time of return of bowel sounds (x2=33.40, p<.001) and passing gas (x2=32.88, p<.001), but not abdominal pain. Conclusion Abdominal meridian massage reduced abdominal distention and was effective for the early return of bowel function. Therefore, abdominal meridian massage can be used as a nursing intervention for relieving abdominal discomfort post-colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum(PA/IVS) is an anatomically heterogenous anomaly with a variety of surgical strategies possible. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the influence of right ventricular size on the early and midterm results of surgical repair of PA/IVS. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Medical records of 20 consecutive patients with PA/IVS operated on between January 1993 and August 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 12 boys and 8 girls whose ages ranged from 2 days to 14.5 months (median 6 days). Their body weight ranged from 2.52kg to 9.35 kg(median 3.18kg). The preoperative Z-value of the diameter of the tricuspid valve(T-valve) was less than or -4 in 5 patients, between -4 and -2 in 1, between -2 and 0 in 7, between 0 and 2 in 6, and greater than or 2 in 1. All patients who had z-value of tricuspid valve greater than -2.05 were attempted biventricular repair(n=15) and all patients who had it smaller than -4.4 underwent systemic-pulmonary shunt operation only(n=3) or bidirectinal cavopulmonary shunt with right ventricular reconstruction(n=2). RESULT: Two early deaths(2/20, 10%) occurred. Both were infants who underwent transannular patch with shunt. One of these two had huge right ventricle(Z-value of tricuspid valve = 5). There were 2 late non-cardiac deaths 3 and 7 months after operations respectively. Follow-up was completed in all children at a mean of 35.3 months(range, 5 to 54 months). 10 of 11 survivors who underwent transannular patch or valvotomy with or without shunt procedure were in NYHA functional class I even though some of them had small interatrial communication or patent shunt. All three patients who had shunt procedure only at initial palliation completed Fontan procedures with no death. Two patients who underwent right ventricular outflow reconstruction with bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt were also in good condition. CONCLUSIONS: The transanular RVOT patch or valvotomy with or without systemic-pumonary shunt as an initial palliative procedure to achieve biventricular repair for the patients who had neither too small nor too large right ventricle(-2.05< or =Z-value of T-value of T-valve< or =2) could be performed at low operative risk(1/14 7.1%). Systemic-pulmonary shunt procedure and bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt procedure for the patients who had small right ventricle(Z-value of T-valve< or =4.4) could be also performed with low risk. But a patient with huge right atrium and ventricle(Z-value of t-valve=5) had poor operative result.
Body Weight ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fontan Procedure ; Heart Atria ; Heart Bypass, Right ; Humans ; Infant ; Medical Records ; Pulmonary Atresia* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors ; Tricuspid Valve ; Ventricular Septum*