Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare benign tumor of the heart. A 21-year-old man presented with dyspnea on exertion and echocardiogram showed a small round mass attached to the anterolateral papillary muscle. After excision of the mass, including anterior papillary muscle, chordae tendinae, and anterior leaflet, he underwent mitral valve replacement with a mechanical valve. He was discharged on anticoagulant therapy without further problems.
Dyspnea ; Heart ; Heart Ventricles* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Papillary Muscles ; Young Adult

Isolated resection of the caudate lobe of the liver is a technically demanding operation because of its unique anatomical location. Moreover the laparoscopic approach for this operative procedure has been rarely attempted. We report on a total laparoscopic liver resection of the caudate lobe including Spiegel lobe and most of paracaval portion that was performed in a 63-year-old male with a colorectal liver metastasis. The operative procedure was performed using five trocars with the patient placed in the lithotomy position. The operative time was 170 minutes. Blood loss was 350 ml and no perioperaive transfusion was needed. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 without any significant complications. This case shows that total laparoscopic liver resection of the caudate lobe is a feasible operation and that laparoscopic approach may be a useful option for the lesion located in Spiegel lobe in selected cases.
Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Liver* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Operative Time ; Surgical Instruments ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

A tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) was detected in a woman who received chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The fistula biopsy confirmed the aspergillus infection. A large fistula was located at the lateral wall of the carina involving the proximal left main bronchus, and the orifice of left main bronchus was almost completely obstructed by white mass-like plaque. Primary repair was planned using the right thoracotomy approach. We originally planned to selectively intubate the left lung with the aid of fiberoptic bronchoscope without success. Therefore, we selectively intubated the right lung. Hypoxemia developed during surgery and the level of oxygenation was improved by selectively intubating the left bronchus from the surgical field once the defect had been exposed. We review the ventilation technique and anesthetic problems encountered in patients with a large distal TEF.
Anoxia ; Aspergillus ; Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopes ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Lung ; Oxygen ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Thoracotomy ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula* ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation has been considered as a secondary lesion when it is combined with left valvular heart diseases. However, there have been some reports which show that tricuspid regurgitation keeps going and results in congestive heart failure even after a successful operation for left valvular heart disease. So far, there are no definite operation indications and predictive factors for the tricuspid regurgitation which is resulted from the left sided valvular heart disease. We designed this study to evaluate the effects of pulmonary artery pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction on the prognosis of tricuspid regurgitation, and to make an operation indication for the patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent surgery for the left sided valvular heart disease with tricuspid regurgitation and were followed for more than 1 year with echocardiograms. There was a total of 114 cases. We compared the grades of tricuspid regurgitations and pulmonary artery pressures and left ventricular ejection fractions on the basis of echocardiograms which were checked preoperatively and on the last follow up. RESULT: There were 43 cases of tricuspid annuloplasty. In these patients, the grades of tricuspid regurgitations were improved in 42 cases (97.7%). But in 71 cases without annuloplasty, 29 cases (41%) were improved, 32 cases (45%) had no change, and 10 cases (14%) were aggravated. This finding shows significant differences in the prognoses of tricuspid regurgitations between the two groups (p<0.05). There was no difference in pulmonary artery pressures and ejection fractions between the patients who showed progression of tricuspid regurgitations and those who didn't (p>0.05). The improvements of tricuspid regurgitations are not statistically related to the changes of pulmonary artery pressures or left ventricular ejection fractions. CONCLUSION: This study shows that it is impossible to predict the prognoses of tricuspid regurgitations with preoperative pulmonary artery pressures or left ventricular ejection fractions. Also, the excellent results of tricuspid annuloplasty is proven in controlling the secondary tricuspid regurgitations. Therefore, when tricuspid regurgitation is detected preoperatively, the procedures to correct the tricuspid regurgitation at the time of the operation for the left-sided valvular heart disease must be considered positively, regardless of the grades of tricuspid regurgitations, to prevent significant tricuspid regurgitation that may develop later.
Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Heart Valve Diseases* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Prognosis* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Stroke Volume ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite of increasing numbers of reports on intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT), there is still difficulty in its' diagnosis, treatment and prediction of prognosis. The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the clinico-pathological features of IPMT in Korea and suggest the prediction criteria of malignancy in IPMT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinico-pathological data of 208 patients who underwent operations with IPMT between 1993 and 2002 at 28 institutes in Korea. RESULTS: Of the 208 patients with a mean age of 60.5+/-9.7 years, 147 were men and 61 were women. 124 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, 42 distal pancreatectomy, 17 total pancreatectomy, 25 limited pancreas resection. Benign cases were 128 (adenoma (n=62), borderline (n=66)) and malignant cases were 80 (non-invasive (n=29), invasive (n=51)). A significant difference in 5-year survival was observed between benign and malignant group (92.6% vs. 65.3%; p=0.006). Of the 6 factors (age, location, duct dilatation, tumor appearance, main duct type, and tumor size) that showed the statistical difference in univariate analysis between benign and malignant group, we found three significant factors (tumor appearance (p=0.009), tumor size (p=0.023), and dilated duct size (p=0.010)) by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Although overall prognosis of IPMT is superior to ordinary pancreatic cancer, more curative surgery is recommended in malignant IPMT. Tumor appearance (papillary), tumor size (> or =30 mm) and dilated duct size (> or = 12 mm) can be used as preoperative indicators of malig-nancy in IPMT.
Academies and Institutes ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mucins* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Various bronchoplastic procedures have been attempted in patients with long segmental bronchial stenosis, but it is still not clear which procedure is the best method for restoring bronchial patency. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To study the feasibility of designed patch as a bronchial substitute in bronchoplastic procedure, 10 experimental dogs of each 5 were divided into two groups according to the different patches applied. In group A (n=5), 0.5X0.5 cm sized rectangular defects were created on ventral aspect of left main bronchus and were then covered with patches made of costal cartilage mounted autologous pericardium. In group B(n=5), same sized bronchial defects were created and covered by patches made by glutaraldehyde treated bovine pericardium. Dogs were sacrificed on the twelfth weeks after bronchoplasty and the macroscopic and microscopic findings were examined. RESULT: In group A, external surface of grafted patches revealed some membranous adhesions with surrounding connective tissue and the margin of patches were smoothly incorporated into native bronchial wall. The bronchial lumen kept good integrity without stenosis and preserved the glistening mucosa well. Formation of new transitional epithelial bridging between native bronchial wall and grafted patches with tiny scattered granulation tissues were present. In group B, external surface of grafted patches were brownish shrunken with partial collapse of bronchial lumen. Inner surface showed dirty granulation at the edge of native bronchus and grafted patches with intermingled hemorrhages. New epithelial growth into the patches had not occurred. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that costal cartilage mounted autologous pericardial patches could be considered as one of the appropriate bronchial substitutes for covering bronchial defects since it maintains bronchial stability and forms epithelial bridging with native bronchus.
Animals ; Bronchi ; Cartilage* ; Connective Tissue ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dogs* ; Glutaral ; Granulation Tissue ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Pericardium ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Small-sized carcinoids, less than 1 cm, are easily detected using flexible sigmoidoscopy or total colonoscopy and can be treated by local excision. Recently, there has been many advances in the technique of endoscopic resection. The aim of this study was to determine the endoscopic findings of a rectal carcinoid and to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic resection. METHODS: We experienced 22 rectal carcinoids in 21 patients who were treated by endoscopic resection from June 1996 to February 1999. Nineteen cases were followed for an average of 21 months. Follow-up studies consisted of chest P-A, hepatic ultrasonography, and total colonoscopy. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 1.6 to 1. The most common age group was the 4th decade. The tumor was located at the lower rectum in 10 patients, at the upper rectum in 10 patients, and at the rectosigmoid junction in 2 patients. The tumor sizes ranged from 3 to 12 mm in diameter and were smaller than 10 mm in 20 cases (90.1%). Endoscopic finding revealed that the tumors were covered by a normally appearing mucosa in 12 cases, were yellow-discolored polyps in 17 cases, and were sessile-type tumors in 19 cases. The method of treatment was an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR, 14 cases) or a snare polypectomy (8 cases). Microscopically positive margins were noticed in four cases, two cases of EMR (2/14, 14%) and two cases of snare polypectomy (2/8, 25%). All the patients were alive and clinically free of disease; however, the duration of the follow-up is short. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection for rectal carcinoid tumors smaller than 1 cm in diameter is a safe, functional, time-saving, and effective treatment. If the tumor suggests a carcinoid, EMR is advised rather than a polypectomy even though the tumor is small. Microscopically positive margins are not absolute indications for further surgery in the treatment of carcinoids smaller than 1 cm in diameter. It is much more important for an endoscopist to be confident that the endoscopic resection is done completely. It is necessary to identify the factors influencing the malignancy potential and to have a longer follow-up.
Carcinoid Tumor* ; Colonoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Polyps ; Rectum ; Sigmoidoscopy ; SNARE Proteins ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In spite of improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods, the prognosis of hepatocarcinoma( HCC) is still poor because of the high recurrence rate. Early detection and active treatment of recurrent HCC are important to improve the survival. The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of diagnostic tools for early detection of the recurrence of HCC. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 236 patients who underwent curative hepatic resection for HCC at SNUH between 1993 and 1995. Postoperatively, we checked radiologic studies every three months and serum alpha- fetoprotein level monthly first, then every three months to detect recurrence. The patients were divided into four group (Low-Low;L-L, Low-High;L-H, High-Low;H-L, High-High;H-H) according to the serum levels of pre- and post-operative(3 months) alpha-fetoprotein levels (Low ; <20ng/ml, High >20ng/ml). RESULTS: Overall recurrence rate was 55.1%. The recurrence rates in L-L gr., L-H gr, H-L gr., and H-H gr were 40.7%, 75.0%, 42.9% and 91.8% respectively. Increasing levels of alpha-fetoprotein at the time of dectection of recurrence were found in 13.6%, 66.7%, 25.9% and 92.9%, respectively(p<0.05). The 3- year disease-free survival rates are 62.1%, 25.0%, 57.8% and 6.3%, respectively(p<0.05). The 3-year overall survival rates are 79.2%, 50.0%, 83.6% and 51.1%, respectively(p<0.05). The detection rates of ultrasonography(US) and computed tomograpy(CT) were 82.4% and 97.2% respectively. Seven patients had lung metastasis on chest X-ray and two bone metastasis on bone scan, two spinal metastasis on spine X-ray and MRI and 2 adrenal metastasis by US and CT were detected. CONCLUSION: The patients who have high serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein postoperatively have a tendency to recur early. On the other hand, patients who have low serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein postoperatively recur late, usually without its elevation. Therefore, in former cases, early recurrence or remnant tumor should be suspected and in latter cases, regular US and/or CT is a more useful method for early detection of recurrent HCC than frequent checking of serum alpha-fetoprotein.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Fetal Proteins ; Hand ; Humans ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Survival Rate ; Thorax

PURPOSE: Delayed hemorrhage rarely happens after a colonoscopic polypectomy, ranging from 0.2 to 1.8% in frequency. Although its occurrence is unpredictable and it may be serious in some cases, scanty data on its causes, characteristics, and effective management exist in Korea. This study was conducted to provide such data, especially data on the characteristics of delayed hemorrhage and its effective management. METHODS: From 1997 to 1999, one endoscopist at Song-Do Colorectal Hospital performed 5236 polypectomies on 2511 patients. Delayed hemorrhage occurred after 9 of those polypectomies, for a bleeding incidence rate of 0.17% (9/5236). The authors reviewed those 9 incidence of delayed hemorrhage, which involved 9 patients and 9 lesions, with emphasis on the characteristics of the bleeding and the treatment. RESULTS: The mean age of the 9 patients was 50 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 8: 1. The sigmoid colon was involved in 4 of those patients (44.4%), and the right-sided colon was involved in another 4 of those patients. Lesions smaller than 11 mm were either sessile or flat-elevated and accounted for 6 of the 9 lesions (66.7%). The remaning lesions, which were larger than 10 mm, were either pedunculated or semipedunculated. Three (3) of the 9 patients (33.3%) experienced bleeding on day 1, the most common bleeding day. Another 5 patients (55.6%) experienced bleeding during the next 4 days (days 2 to 5). The last patient experienced bleeding on day 9, the latest bleeding day. A snare polypectomy had been performed on 7 of the 9 patients (77.8%), and a hot biopsy had been performed on the other 2 (22.2%). All delayed bleeding was treated by using hemoclips; additional epinephrine injection was used in 55.6% of the cases and an additional detachable snare in 22.2%. Rebleeding was noticed the day following the initial treatment of bleeding in one case and was managed by using hemoclips. CONCLUSIONS: The first 5 days after a colonoscopic polypectomy are crucial, and caution is required during the next 5 days. Thorough knowledge about preventing and managing bleeding is essential.
Biopsy ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Epinephrine ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; SNARE Proteins

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the effect of treatment using glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) ointment with that of conservative treatment (CT) on chronic anal fissure. METHODS: As a preliminary study, maximal resting pressures of the anal canal were checked in 13 patients having chronic anal fissure before and 10 minutes after application of 0.2% GTN ointment. As the study groups, 59 patients having chronic anal fissure were randomly allocated to the GTN and the placebo groups. All the patients in both groups were given oral analgesics, sedatives, and bulk-forming agents. They had applied 0.2% GTN ointment or a placebo ointment three times a day to their perianal skin. Maximal resting pressures of the anal canal were checked at the beginning and at the endpoint of the treatment period which continued for 6 weeks. If there was complete healing of the fissure in the middle of the treatment, the treatment was stopped. Sixteen patients were lost during the study. RESULTS: Among the rest, 22 and 21 patients were included in the GTN group and the placebo group, respectively. The maximal resting pressure decreased significantly in all groups (p<0.05). The healing rates, the recurrence rates, and the operation rates were not significantly different between the GTN group and placebo group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of GTN on the symptomatic relief and results of treatment in patients having chronic anal fissure is not superior to that of conservative treatment.
Anal Canal ; Analgesics ; Fissure in Ano* ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Nitroglycerin* ; Prospective Studies* ; Recurrence ; Skin