Changes in the Eradication Efficacy of Fluoroquinolone-containing Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection in Korea

Background/Aims@#Fluoroquinolone-containing triple eradication therapy could be considered an alternative regimen for the second- line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the eradication efficacy of fluoroquinolone- containing triple therapy from 2003 to 2018 in Korea. @*Materials and Methods@#Patients with a history of first-line eradication therapy failure were consecutively enrolled at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from 2003 to 2018. All patients took moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy as the second-line eradication therapy. The treatment regimen comprised a three-drug combination comprising a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and moxifloxacin. Data on age, sex, endoscopic diagnosis, eradication results, compliance, and adverse outcomes were acquired and analyzed. @*Results@#In total, 824 participants were enrolled during the study period, of whom, 46 were lost to follow-up. Finally, 778 participants were included in the per-protocol (PP) analysis, of whom, 72.1% received moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy for 14 days. The eradication rate of moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy was 72.1% (594/824) in the intention-to-treat analysis and 76.3% (594/778) in the PP analysis. A decline in eradication efficacy was observed, especially in the PP analysis (P=0.046). Diarrhea was the most commonly observed adverse event, accounting for 19.6% (41/209) of recorded adverse events. @*Conclusions@#Moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy has shown suboptimal eradication efficacy as the second-line eradication therapy. In addition, there is a concern that eradication rate will decrease due to increase in antimicrobial resistance.

A Case of Autoimmune Hepatitis after Occupational Exposure to N,N-Dimethylformamide

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), a widely used solvent in the chemical industry, is known to induce toxic hepatitis. However, there have been no reported cases of DMF-associated autoimmune hepatitis. A 31-year-old healthy man working at a glove factory since July 2015 had intermittently put his bare hands into a diluted DMF solution for his first 15 days at work. After 2 months, he felt nausea, fatigue, and hand cramping, and a jaundice followed. His laboratory findings showed positive autoantibodies and elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG), and his liver biopsy pathology was typical of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Prednisolone and azathioprine therapy began, and he recovered rapidly without adverse events. Though his liver chemistry was normalized, the IgG level remained persistently upper normal range. His 2nd liver biopsy performed in April 2019 showed mild portal activity, and he was well under a low dose immunosuppressive therapy up to April 2020. This case warns of the hazard of occupational exposure to DMF, and clinicians should be aware of DMF-related AIH for timely initiation of immunosuppressive therapy.

Capsule Endoscopy with Retention of the Capsule in a Duodenal Diverticulum: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

Capsule endoscopy is being increasingly recognized as a gold standard for diagnosing small bowel disease, but along with the increased usage, capsule retention is being reported more frequently. We report a case of capsule endoscopy retention in a diverticulum of the duodenal proximal third portion, which we treated by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A 69-year-old male visited hospital with hematochezia. He had hypertension and dyslipidemia for several years, and was taking aspirin to prevent heart disease. CT and colonoscopy revealed a diverticulum in the third portion of the duodenum, rectal polyps, and internal hemorrhoids. Capsule endoscopy was performed but capsule impaction occurred. The capsule was later detected by CT in the diverticulum. Endoscopy was performed a day later and the capsule was removed using a net. A small bowel series was conducted after capsule removal, and no stenosis was found. The patient fully recovered and no recurrence of hematochezia was observed at his one month exam. This is the first case in Korea of capsule retention in a duodenal diverticulum, with successful removal by endoscopy.

Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate Versus Blood Cardioplegic Solutions: A Prospective, Myocardial Ultrastructural Study / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: We performed a prospective clinical study to evaluate the ultrastructural integrity of the myocardium after using Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) solution in comparison with blood cardioplegic solution during congenital heart surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty two patients with acyanotic heart disease, who were scheduled for elective open heart surgery, were randomized into two groups. The HTK Group (n=11) received HTK cardioplegic solution; the blood group (n=11) received conventional blood cardioplegic solution during surgery. The preoperative diagnoses included ventricular septal defect (n=9) and atrial septal defect (n=2) in each group. A small biopsy specimen was taken from the right ventricle's myocardium, and this was processed for ultrastructural examination at the end of 30 minutes of reperfusion. Semiquantitative electron microscopy was carried out "blindly" in 4 areas per specimen and in 5 test fields per area by 'random systematic sampling' and 'point and intersection counting'. The morphology of the mitochondrial membrane and cristae were then scored. The interstitial edema of the myocardium was also graded. RESULT: The semiquantitative score of the mitochondrial morphology was 19.65+/-4.75 in the blood group and 25.25+/-5.85 in the HTK group (p=0.03). 6 patients (54.5%) in the blood group and 3 patients (27.3%) in the HTK group were grade 3 or more for the interstitial edema of the myocardium. CONCLUSION: The ultrastructural integrity was preserved even better with HTK solution than with conventional blood cardioplegic solution.

One-stage Repair of Aortic Arch Anomaly and Associated Complex Intracardiac Defects:Recent 5-year's Result

PURPOSE: The optimal surgical approach for aortic arch anomaly associated complex intracardiac defects is not universally agreed upon. We reviewed our recent experience of one-stage repair for the aortic arch anomaly associated with complex intracardiac defects. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 15 consecutive patients with arch anomaly associated with complex intracardiac defects underwent going a one-stage repair through median sternotomy between September 2000 and May 2004. Transposition of the great artery or Taussig-Bing was associated in 9 patients, truncus arteriosus in 2, Shone' complex in 2, aorticopulmonary window in 1, and double outlet right ventricle in 1 patient. Aortic arch anomalies were coartation in 9 patients and interruption in 6. Age at operation ranged from 3 days to 23.4 months (median 12.5 days) and body weight ranged from 2.3 to 10.3 kg (mean 3.7+/-1.9 kg). RESULTS: There were 2 early deaths (13.3%) in the patients with Taussig-Bing anomaly and Shone's complex respectively. The causes of deaths were sepsis with right heart failure and pulmonary edema respectively. There were 2 late deaths. A patient with truncus arteriosus died suddenly of unknown cause and the other patient with Taussig-Bing anomaly died of ventricular dysfunction. One of 2 patients who died lately underwent balloon aortoplasty with success. There was no residual or recurrent coarctation in the rest of the patients. A patient required reoperation for left pulmonary artery stenosis. All survivors were in NYHA functional class I. CONCLUSION: One-stage repair of aortic arch with complex intracardiac defects can be performed with acceptable operative mortality. This procedure is strongly recommended as considering their grave prognosis and adverse effects of staged repair.

Surgical Management of Coarctation of the Aorta with a Ventricular Septal Defect and Coexisting Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

A newborn girl with a partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, coarctation of the aorta, and ventricular and atrial septal defects underwent a complete repair successfully at 19 days of age. In this case, the left upper pulmonary vein was connected to the left innominate vein via an atypical vertical vein.

Clinical Analysis of Pleuropneumonectomy for Chronic Inflammatory Lung Disease / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Pneumonectomy for inflammatory lung disease has been of major concern because of its associated morbidity and mortality, particularly with respect to pleuropneumonectomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcomes, and identify the risk factors contributing to postoperative complications in patients undergoing pleuropneumonectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ninety-eight patients underwent pneumonectomy for benign inflammatory lung disease were retrospectively analyzed. Pleuropneumonectomy (Group A) was done in 48 patients and standard pneumonectomy (Group B) was done in 50 patients. Clinical characteristics, postoperative complications were examined and compared between 2 groups. In pleuropneumonectomy group, postoperative risk factors affecting morbidity were evaluated. RESULT: There was one in-hospital death. Twenty-three major postoperative complications occurred in 21 patients (21.4%). The common complications were empyema and bronchopleural fistula (BPF) in 8 (8.4%), re-exploration due to bleeding in 8. At least one postoperative complication occurred in 14 of 48 patients from Group A (29.2%) and in 7 of 50 patients from Group B (14%). In Group A, empyema and BPF encountered in 6 and re-exploration for bleeding in 6 were the most common complication. In univariate analysis, right pneumonectomy, completion pneumonectomy, large amount of blood loss (>1,000 mL), and intrapleural spillage were risk factors contributing to postoperative complications in Group A. In multivariate analysis, intrapleural contamination during operation was a risk factor of postoperative complication. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and mortality rates of pneumonectomy for chronic inflammatory lung disease are acceptably. However, we confirm that pleuropneumonectomy is a real technical challenge and a high-risk procedure and technically demanding. Meticulous surgical techniques are very important in preventing serious and potentially lethal complications.

One-stage Repair of Aortic Arch Anomalies and Intracardiac Defects through Median Sternotomy / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: One-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects through median sternotomy has been recently adopted by many institutions since it is known to be safer than the staged repair. The early and midterm results of the one-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects were retrospectively evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 45 patients who underwent one-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects performed by one surgeon from January 1996 to July 2003 were included in this retrospective study. The median age of repair was 16 days (range, 3 days~23.7 months) and the mean weight was 3.62+/-1.30 kg. Thirty one (68.9%) had coarctation and 14 (31.1%) had interrupted aortic arch. Associated intracardiac anomalies were VSD in 31 patients (VSD group), TGA or Taussig-Bing anomaly in 10 (TGA group), and others in 4 (ASD in 1, aortopulmonary window 1, truncus arteriosus 1, aortic and mitral stenoses 1, miscellaneous group). The arch obstruction was repaired with end-to-side anastomosis in 23 patients and end-to-end anastomosis in 22. RESULT: Overall postoperative hospital mortality was 22.2% (10/45); 16.1% (5/31) in VSD group, 40% (4/10) in TGA group, and 25% (1/4) in miscellaneous group. There was no mortality in VSD group since 1998, and the mortality in TGA group has remarkably reduced since technical modification for coronary transfer was adopted (75% vs 16.7%). There was no postoperative seizure or other neurological complications. Postoperative aortic restenosis occurred in 5 patients (5/35, 14.3%). Two patients underwent balloon aortoplasty with successful results. There was no reoperation. There was one late death caused by pneumonia 5 months after the operation. Two-year actuarial survival rate including operative death was 72.9%. CONCLUSION: The operative mortality of one-stage repair has been reduced with time and aortic restenosis rate was also acceptable. We concluded that this procedure is a reproducible procedure for aortic arch anomalies associated with intracardiac defects.

Early and Midterm Results of Arterial Switch Operation for Double-Outlet Right Ventricle with Subpulmonary VSD / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Excellent clinical results of the arterial switch operation and the limited availablity of the intraventricular rerouting has recently made an arterial switch operation to become the therapeutic method of choice for the repair of double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (VSD). The early and midterm outcomes of arterial switch operation for this anomaly were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between August 1994 and July 2002, 13 patients underwent an arterial switch operation for the correction of double-outlet right ventricle with subpulmonary VSD at Dong-A university hospital.. The 50% rule was used to define DORV. Median age and mean body weight were 27 days (range, 3~120 days) and 3.8+/-0.7 kg (range, 2.92~5.3 kg) respectively. Aortic arch anomalies were associated in 6 cases (46.2%), which were all repaired through one-stage operation. The relationship of the great arteries were side-by-side in 8 cases (61.5%) and anteroposterior in 5 (38.5%). Coronary artery patterns were 1LCx-2R in 6 cases, retropulmonary left coronary artery (LCA) in 6, and intramural LCA in 1 respectively. The enlargement of VSD was required in 1 patient and the patch enlargement of right ventricular outflow tract was performed in another one patient. The Lecompte maneuver was used in all but 3 patients with a side by side relationship of the great arteries. RESULT: Overall postoperative hospital mortality was 23.1% (3/13). All operative deaths were occurred in the patients with aortic arch anomalies. There was one late death related to the postoperative complication of the central nerve system during the mean follow-up of 41.3+/-30.7 months. Pulmonary valvar stenosis (>30 mmHg of pressure gradient) developed in 1 patient (10%) and left pulmonary artery stenosis in 2 (20%), among them, one required reoperation 52 months after repair. There was an asymptomatic patient with moderate aortic regurgitation. 5-year survival rate including operative deaths was 68.3%. CONCLUSION: Although the operative mortality is high in the patients with aortic arch anomaly, the arterial switch operation for DORV with supbpulmonary VSD can be performed with low operative mortality and low reoperation rate in the patients without arch anomaly. The arterial switch operation can be considered a good option for this complex anomaly.

Arterial Switch Operation: The Technical Modification of Coronary Reimplantation and Risk Factors for Operative Death / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Anatomic correction of the transposition of the great arteries (TGA) or Taussig-Bing anomaly by means of the arterial switch operation is now accepted as the therapeutic method of choice. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for operative deaths and the efficacy of technical modification of the coronary transfer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 85 arterial switch operations for TGA or Taussig-Bing anomaly which were performed by one surgeon from 1994 to July 2002 at Dong-A university hospital were included in this retrospective study. Multivariate analysis of perioperative variables for operative mortality including technical modification of the coronary transfer was performed. RESULT: Overall postoperative hospital mortality was 20.0% (17/85). The mortality before 1998 was 31.0% (13/42), but reduced to 9.3% (4/43) from 1998. The mortality in the patients with arch anomaly was 61.5% (8/13), but 12.5% (9/72) in those without arch anomaly. In patients who underwent an open coronary reimplantation technique, the operative mortality was 28.1% (18/64), but 4.8% (1/21) in patients undergoing a technique of reimplantation coronary buttons after neoarotic reconstruction. Risk factors for operative death from multivariated analysis were cardiopulmonary bypass time (> = or 250 minutes), aortic cross-clamping time (> = or 150 minutes), aortic arch anomaly, preoperative event, and open coronary reimplantation technique. CONCLUSION: Operative mortality has been reduced with time. Aortic arch anomaly and preoperative events were important risk factors for postoperative mortality. However atypical coronary artery patterns did not work as risk factors. We think that the technical modification of coronary artery transfer played an important role in reducing the postoperative mortality of arterial switch operation.

Operative Treatment of Mitral Valve Regurgitation Due to Chordal Rupture and/or Papillary Muscle Rupture / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: As the rupture of chordae and/or papillary muscle became the main cause of mitral valve regurgitation, mitral reconstructive surgery has a very important role. In this regard, we analyzed the clinical result and postoperative early result of operative treatment performed in our hospital. MATERIAL ANDMETHOD: For this analysis, forty nine patients (male 26, female 23, mean age 49.0+/-16.5) who underwent mitral valve operation caused by the rupture of chordae and/or papillary muscle from August 1991 to April 2002 were reviewed. Among forty nine patients, twenty two (44.9%) received mital valve reconstruction and twenty seven (59.2%) received mitral valve replacement. RESULT: As to the pathological etiology of rupture of mitral and papillary muscle, twenty five cases (51.0%) were nonspecific degeneration, eleven cases (22.4%) were myxomatous degeneration, seven cases (14.3%) were subacute bacterial endocarditis. Three patients suffered mortality after operation (6.1%) and valve replacement was performed again on one patient because of remnant mitral insufficiency after valve reconstruction. The 5-year survival rate after operation for the entire mitral valve regurgitation patients was 81.4%. We have also compared and analyzed the operation results of a group of patients who underwent valve reconstruction and the other group of patients who underwent valve replacement from thirty six patients who had suffered from mitral valve regurgitation caused by degenerative disease. The mortalities were 0% and 14.3%, respectively and the 5-year survival rates were 90.2% and 64.3%, respectively, but there were no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The most common pathological etiology of mitral valve regurgitation caused by rupture of chordae and/or papillary muscle was nonspecific degeneration. In case of degenerative disease is the cause of mitral valve regurgitation, valve reconstruction showed better long-term effects in many respects and better operation results compared to valve replacement.

Fate of Regurgitation of Left Atrioventricular Valve Following Repair of Atrioventricular Septal Defect / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fate of left atrioventricular valve regurgitation(LAVVR) following repair of complete atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between July 1984 and March 2002, repair of complete AV defects were performed in 77 patients. Mean age at surgery was 30.23+/-69.11 months (range 1 to 456). Echocardiograms of all survivors after isolated AVSDs correction were reviewed. LAVVR were evaluated with color doppler echocardiography in 64 survival periodically. On each study, LAVVR severity was graded on a 1 to 4 scale, based upon the size of the regurgitated jet. RESULT: Mild deterioration of LAVV function was fairly common. LAVVR severity increased by >1 grade in 19 patients (30.2%) during the course of the study. However, the deterioration in LAVVR function occurred primarily between 12 and 24 months postoperatively. After the initial 24 postoperative months, LAVVR worsened on only 8 occasions and in each instance worsened by only 1 grade. Deterioration more than 3+ LAVVR occurred in only 3 patients. And deterioration to 4+ LAVVR was not observed after the initial 24 postoperative months but one. Survival curve analysis predicted a 88.2% of ten-year freedom rate from development of 4+ LAVVR after initial operation of complete AVSDs. CONCLUSION: Postoperative LAVVR remains fairly stable following AVSDs repair. Serious deterioration is rare after 24 postoperative months, especially after the initial 48 postoperative months. But serial follow-up study with echocariogram was need till 24 postoperative months after repair of complete AVSDs.

One-stage Repair of Truncus Arteriosus with Interrupted Aortic Arch / 대한흉부외과학회지

Truncus arteriosus with interrupted aortic arch is a very rare congenital cardiac anomaly that has an unfavorable natural course. We report a successful one-stage repair of truncus arteriosus with interrupted aortic arch through median sternotomy in a 25-day-old neonate weighing 3.1 kg. We reconstructed the aortic arch with direct side-to-end anastomosis between ascending and descending aortas. The right ventricular outflow reconstruction was performed with untreated autologous pericardial conduit without valve following Lecompte maneuver. The patient has been grown-up in good condition (25~50 percentile of body weight) and shows the right ventricular outflow tract wide 1 year after the operation.

Surgical Repair of Truncus Arteriosus in an Low-Birth Weight Premature Baby:Right Ventricular Outflow Reconstruction with Valveless Autologous Pericardial Conduit and the Result of 20-Month's Follow-up / 대한흉부외과학회지

It is known that low birth weight is a risk factor for poor outcome in cardiac surgery for many cardiac defects. Truncus arteriosus is a rare congenital anomaly that has an unfavorable natural course. We report a successful surgical correction of truncus arteriosus in an 13-day-old premature infant with body weight of 1.5 kg and gestational age of 32 weeks. We used autologous untreated pericardial conduit without valve in right ventricular outflow reconstruction. The patients remains in good condition with normal body weight (50 percentile) and wide right ventricular outflow tract 20 months after the operation.

Surgical Treatment for Celiac Trunk Aneurysm: 2 case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Celiac artery aneurysms are rare, their incidence being reported as only 4% of all visceral artery aneurysms. Atherosclerosis and medial degenerative changes are recognized main pathogenesis. They are usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally, but the mortality rate of ruptured celiac artery aneurysm is approximately 80%. So one should give an aggressive surgical aid to the patients. We report 2 cases of celiac artery aneurysm which were successfully treated by elective aneurysmorrhaphy and anerysmectomy with aortoceliac bypass graft.