Single center experiences of needle-scopic grasper assisted single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder benign disease: comparison with conventional 3-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy

PURPOSE: Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has some technical problems. Our group has performed needlescopic grasper assisted SILC (nSILC) to overcome these problems. In this study, we introduce our technique and evaluate the safety and feasibility of this technique compared with the conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). METHODS: The medical records of 485 patients who received nSILC and CLC were reviewed retrospectively. Surgical outcomes including operative time, hospital stay, postoperative pain and perioperative complication were compared between the 2 techniques. RESULTS: Although wound complications were developed more frequently in nSILC group, there was no significant difference between groups in other surgical outcomes. In subgroup analysis, surgical outcomes of nSILC were similar with those of CLC not only in easy group but also in difficult group. CONCLUSION: It seems that nSILC is safe and feasible not only in selected patients but also in difficult cases such as acute cholecystitis.

Facility characteristics as independent prognostic factors of nursing home-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, the incidence of nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP) has been increasing and is now the leading cause of death among nursing home residents. This study was performed to identify risk factors associated with NHAP mortality, focusing on facility characteristics. METHODS: Data on all patients > or = 70 years of age admitted with newly diagnosed pneumonia were reviewed. To compare the quality of care in nursing facilities, the following three groups were defined: patients who acquired pneumonia in the community, care homes, and care hospitals. In these patients, 90-day mortality was compared. RESULTS: Survival analyses were performed in 282 patients with pneumonia. In the analyses, 90-day mortality was higher in patients in care homes (12.2%, 40.3%, and 19.6% in community, care homes, and care hospitals, respectively). Among the 118 NHAP patients, residence in a care home, structural lung diseases, treatment with inappropriate antimicrobial agents for accompanying infections, and a high pneumonia severity index score were risk factors associated with higher 90-day mortality. However, infection by potentially drug-resistant pathogens was not important. CONCLUSIONS: Unfavorable institutional factors in care homes are important prognostic factors for NHAP.

The Effectiveness of a Snake Liver Retractor during Needlescopic Grasper Assisted Sinlge-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Aspect of Securing a Critical View of Safety

PURPOSE: Limited traction has been an obstacle in the advancement of single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC). Adequate retraction is necessary for safe performance of a cholecystectomy. In this study, we introduce our method for securing CVS for prevention of bile duct injury during performance of SILC and evaluated the effectiveness of the snake liver retractor. METHODS: A total of 148 patients who underwent needlescopic assisted SILC (nSILC) from February 2011 to February 2012 at Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, Uijeongbu, Korea were analyzed. Patients were categorized into two groups: G roup I consisted of patients who underwent nSILC without use of a snake liver retractor from February 2011 to October 2011 (n=51) and group II consisted of patients who underwent nSILC using a snake liver retractor from October 2011 to February 2012 (n=97). Patient characteristics and operative outcomes were compared between groups in order to evaluate the effectiveness of use of a snake liver retractor during performance of SILC. RESULTS: There were no differences in age, sex, BMI, and history of previous abdominal surgery. However, more difficult surgeries for acute cholecystitis were performed in group II. Nevertheless, no differences in operative outcomes, such as operative time, rate of bile spillage, open conversion rate, intraoperative complication, and postoperative hospital stay were observed between groups. In addition, CVS identification time was rather shorter in group II, compared with group I. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that nSILC using a snake liver retractor can allow for achievement of CVS safely and for expansion of indication for SILC through improvement of exposure and obtaining adequate traction.

Prognostic Significance of the Lymph Node Ratio Regarding Recurrence and Survival in Rectal Cancer Patients Treated with Postoperative Chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the prognostic impact of the lymph node ratio (LNR: the ratio of positive lymph nodes to the total number of lymph nodes examined) on disease recurrence and survival among rectal cancer patients who received curative surgery and postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: Between 1995 and 2008, 124 patients with pathologic T3-4 or node-positive rectal cancer underwent curative surgery and postoperative CRT. Postoperative radiotherapy was delivered at a median dose of 50.4 Gy (range, 45 to 59.4 Gy) for 6 weeks. Chemotherapy consisted of a bolus injection of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in the first and last week of radiotherapy (91.9%) or daily capecitabine during radiotherapy (8.1%). Further adjuvant chemotherapy was administered after chemoradiation. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 5.1 years. In the multivariate analysis, pathologic N (pN) stage and lymphovascular invasion were significantly associated with disease-free survival and disease-specific survival (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The LNR predicts recurrence and survival more accurately than pN stage. The pN stage and the LNR should be considered together when estimating the risk of disease recurrence among rectal cancer patients.

Clinical Significance of Lymph Node Ratio in Stage III Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Recent literature has shown that lymph node ratio is superior to the absolute number of metastatic lymph nodes in predicting the prognosis in several malignances other than colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with stage III colorectal cancer. METHODS: We included 186 stage III colorectal cancer patients who underwent a curative resection over a 10-year period in one hospital. The cutoff point of LNR was chosen as 0.07 because there was significant survival difference at that LNR. The Kaplan-Meier and the Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the prognostic effect according to LNR. RESULTS: There was statistically significant longer overall survival in the group of LNR > 0.07 than in the group of LNR 0.07, P = 0.025), but there was no survival difference for the N2 group (4 > or = LN) according to LNR. The multivariate analysis showed that the LNR is an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: LNR can be considered as a more accurate and potent modality for prognostic stratifications in patients with stage III colorectal cancer.

Clinical Comparative Evaluation of Open Method and Gasless or Gas Insufflation Anterior Chest Approach in Endoscopic Thyroidectomy in a Single Institution

PURPOSE: After the first endoscopic thyroidectomy by Huscher in 1997, several surgeons reported their experiences with endoscopic thyroidectomies. And these papers showed that clinical outcomes of endoscopic thyroidectomy are similar to conventional thyroidectomy. But, there was no randomized prospective trial to determine which approach of endoscopic thyroidectomy achieved better results. We evaluated clinical data of gasless and gas insufflation endoscopic thyroidectomies with conventional thyroidectomy to define its advantages or disadvantages. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2009, 1,117 patients underwent thyroidectomies (1,149 cases). 747 cases was performed by conventional open method, 402 cases by endoscopic thyroidectomy. Among them, 317 cases were operated by gasless techniques and 85 cases by carbon dioxide gas insufflation. RESULTS: Between conventional and endoscopic thyroidectomy groups, operation time, hospitalization period, tumor size, and number of retrieved lymph nodes were similar (P-value >0.05). Among 441 thyroid cancer patients, 19 had recurrence, of which 15/301 (4.98%) had conventional thyroidectomy, and 4/140 (2.85%) had endoscopic thyroidectomy. After postoperative radioactive iodine therapy, follow-up Tg levels were checked in 274 patients, the levels were <2.0 ng/ml in 87.63% (163/186) of patients after conventional thyroidectomies and in 93.18% (82/88) following endoscopic thyroidectomies. There were no significant differences (P-value=0.58). Complication incidences (hypocalcemia, hoarseness, bleeding, wound infection) in both groups were not significantly distinctive (P-value=0.58). CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive techniques are generally applied even for malignancy in selected cases because of its advantages, such as cosmetic results. Through this study, we showed similar clinical outcomes of conventional and gasless or gas insufflations endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Eosinophilic Enteritis Involving the Entire Intestinal Wall Presenting as Small Bowel Obstruction and Acute Abdomen

Eosinophilic enteritis is an uncommon disease that rarely manifests as an acute abdomen. A 50-year-old man visited our hospital and complained of epigastric and periumbilical pain. He reported direct and rebound tenderness over the periumbilical area. Laboratory examinations showed leukocytosis without eosinophilia. Plain abdominal radiography revealed air-fluid levels in the small intestine and computed tomography revealed concentric wall thickening in the small bowel and ascites in the pelvic cavity. We conducted an emergency operation and segmental resection of the jejunum was performed. Histologically, transmural, eosinophilic infiltration was observed. In patients with intestinal obstruction, even when presenting with an acute abdomen with no peripheral eosinophilia, eosinophilic enteritis should be included in the differential diagnosis.

hTERT Expression in Thyroid Nodule

PURPOSE: Telomerase is expressed by most malignancies including thyroid cancer. In this study, to evaluate the telomerase activity, we determine the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in benign and malignant thyroid tumors. METHODS: We examined the clinical data such as age, sex, and recurrence status of 100 patients that underwent thyroidectomy. Also, we reviewed the pathological data of the tissues (tumor size, lymph nodes, capsular invasion, perivascular invasion, perilymphatic invasion etc.). We checked hTERT expression by Allred scoring system using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: 21 patients had benign thyroid nodules and 79 patients had malignant nodules. The average size of benign tumors and malignant tumors were 3.1+/-1.1 cm and 2.1+/-1.7 cm, respectively. The hTERT expression was higher in malignant tumors (82.3%) than in benign tumors (9.5%) and that difference was statistically significant. In metastatic lymph nodes status of thyroid cancers, 45 of 65 patients (69.2%) had lymphatic metastases in hTERT positive group, which is much higher than hTERT negative group (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, hTERT expression may be used as a prognostic biologic marker in thyroid cancer and also in the diagnosis of malignancy.

A Case of Papillary Adenocarcinoma Presenting with Multiple Cysts / 결핵및호흡기질환

A 23-year old woman was admitted to our hospital with hemoptysis. The chest X-ray showed reticulonodular opacity and multiple cysts throughout the entire lung field. The chest CT scan revealed numerous bilateral cysts with various sizes, some of them with thickened walls. An open lung wedge resection was performed. The resected specimen showed scattered small nodules, 0.3 to 0.6 cm in size. Microscopically, each nodule was composed of atypical glands with an occasional papillary architecture spreading to the alveolar septa, which were morphologically consistent with a papillary adenocarcinoma with a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma growth pattern. Immunochemically, the tumor cells were negative for the S-100 protein. The patient was diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma of the lung. A variety of diseases can produce or mimic multiple, thin-walled cysts in the lung. Lung cancer with multiple cysts is quite rare. Nevertheless, adenocarcinoma should be a diagnostic consideration. We report a case of a multiple cystic adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Mutational Analysis of ASPP1 and ASPP2 Genes, a p53-related Gene, in Gastric and Cololorectal Cancers with Microsatellite Instability

No abstract available.

Association of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and malignancy that are linked to metabolic syndrome. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We examined the relationship between IPF and presenting factors associated with metabolic disorders. METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients who met the current consensus of IPF definition were enrolled from March 2000 to April 2006 in Gil Hospital and Samsung Medical Center in Korea. One hundred thirty-four control subjects without pulmonary diseases were selected from subjects who visited Gil hospital for routine medical examinations, including low-dose chest computed tomography from January 2002 to July 2006. Retrospectively, we analyzed the clinical characteristics, the results of blood examinations, and lung function tests from medical records of both groups. RESULTS: IPF patients and control subjects differed in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus as assessed by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that diabetes mellitus and obesity were associated with IPF. The adjusted odds ratios for diabetes mellitus were 2.733 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.282~5.827) and 2.001 (95% [CI], 1.063~3.766) for obesity. The remaining factors tested showed no differences between the patient group and the control. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus and obesity may be associated with IPF development.

Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Hernia Repair versus Open Lichtenstein Hernia Repair: Comparison of the Early Postoperative Outcomes and Complications / 대한내시경복강경외과학회지

PURPOSE: This study compared the postoperative outcomes and complications between laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair and open Lichtenstein hernia repair. METHODS: A total of 64 cases (30 cases by the TEP method and 34 cases by Lichtenstein repair) were enrolled in this study. The operative time, the hospital stay, the VAS score, the amount of analgesic used, the postoperative complications and recurrence were compared between the 2 methods. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 71 min for the TEP group, which was not significantly longer than that for the Lichtenstein group (66 min). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.7 days for the TEP group, which was significantly shorter than that for the Lichtenstein group (4.2) (p=0.035). The mean postoperative analgesic dose was 0.9+/-0.7 and 1.1+/-1.0 within 24 hours and 0.2+/-0.5 and 0.7+/-0.8 after 24 hours, respectively. The dose of analgesic after 24 hours was significantly lower for the TEP group (p=0.011), but the dose within 24 hours and the total dose was not significantly different. The VAS score was 2.3+/-1.0 and 2.6+/-0.9 at 12 hrs and 1.2+/-0.8 and 1.7+/-0.8 at 48 hrs, respectively. The VAS score was significantly lower for TEP group than that for the Lichtenstein group at 48 hrs (p=0.011), but there was no significant difference between the groups at 12 hrs. There was one recurrence in the TEP group. CONCLUSION: For the TEP group, the hospital stay was significantly shorter than that for the Lichtenstein group and this is maybe because the postoperative pain after 24 hours from the operation was less for the TEP group. Laparoscopic TEP repair may be performed efficiently with an acceptable operating time and a shorter hospital stay, as compared to open Lichtenstein hernia repair.

The Combination Effect of Sodium Butyrate, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine on the Tumor Suppressive Activity in RKO Colorectal Cancer and MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Lines

PURPOSE: It is known that DNA methylation is associated with histone acetylation status in regulation of gene expression. In this study, we investigate the effect of demethylating agents and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor on the tumor suppression and the combined effect of two agents according to methylation status in human colon and breast cancer cell lines. METHODS: In this study, the RKO colorectal cancer cell line, MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines were considered. For each cell line, we used HDAC inhibitor sodium butyrate (SB), demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-DC) and a combination of both agents. We estimated the percentage of cell survival using the XTT method and experimented with the augmentative effects of both agents. RESULTS: In RKO cell line in which most of the genes are methylated, 74% of cell survival was shown for 5-aza-DC treatment and 83% of cell survival for SB treatment. In MCF-7 cell line that approximately half of the genes are methylated, 82% cell survival was shown for 5-aza-DC treatment and 63% cell survival for SB treatment. We observed that the survival fraction is lower after the combined treatment of 5-aza-DC and SB than that of 5-aza-DC or SB alone in both RKO (53%) and MCF-7 (49%) cell lines (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: For highly methylated genes, 5-aza-DC is more effective on the tumor suppression than SB. On the other hand, if the methylation of the promoter region is at low density, SB is noted to be more effective than 5-aza-DC. Furthermore, the combined treatment of 5-aza-DC and SB is more effective than using each agent alone.

Small Bowel Volvulus Induced by Mesenteric Lymphangioma in an Adult: a Case Report

Mesenteric lymphangiomas are rare abdominal masses that are seldom associated with small bowel volvulus, and especially in adult patients. We report here on an unusual case of small bowel volvulus that was induced by a mesenteric lymphangioma in a 43-year-old man who suffered from repeated bouts of abdominal pain. At multidetector CT, we noticed whirling of the cystic mesenteric mass and the adjacent small bowel around the superior mesenteric artery. Small bowel volvulus induced by the rotation of the mesenteric lymphangioma was found on exploratory laparotomy. Lymphangioma should be considered as a rare cause of small bowel volvulus in adult patients.

The Relatioships Between Tumor-related Gene Expression and Tumor Budding, Tumor Nodule and Lymph Node Extracapsular Extension in Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Despite the similar lymph node metastasis observed in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC), there was a different clinical outcome. The relationships between tumor-related gene expression and prognostic factors such as tumor budding, tumor nodule and extracapsular extension (ECE) of lymph nodes in patients with CRC remain unclear yet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between expression of molecular markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and E-cadherin and the tumor budding, tumor nodule and ECE of lymph nodes in patients with stage III CRC. METHODS: The tissue of 87 patients with stage III CRC were investigated for expressions of molecular markers using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: VEGF and MMP-9 expression in tumor tissue were positively associated with the colorectal cancer prognostic factors such as tumor budding, tumor nodule and extracapsular lymph node extension (P<0.05). But, MMP-2, EGF and E-cadherin expression were of no value with regard to them. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that molecular markers, in particular VEGF and MMP-9, may provide additional prognostic information regarding tumor budding, ECE and tumor nodule.

Popliteal Artery Aneurysm Presenting as Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis

Popliteal artery aneurysms are rare, but they are the second commonest aneurysm in frequency after aorto-iliac aneurysms. The most commonly reported complications of popliteal artery aneurysm are arterial origin such as occlusion or distal embolization that may result in limb loss, so popliteal artery aneurysm is recognized as 'the silent killer of the leg circulation'. It rarely manifests the clinical symptoms of acute deep vein thrombosis. Thrombosis and compression of the popliteal vein may cause the symptoms of lower extremity venous insufficiency, which accounts for nearly 5% of all popliteal artery aneurysms. We report here a 40 year-old man with acute deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity, and this was secondary to popliteal artery aneurysm. Preoperative Duplex ultrasound and CT angiography revealed a 6 cm-sized popliteal artery aneurysm and thrombosis of the popliteal vein. The aneurysm was treated with partial resection of the aneurysm with an end to end PTFE bypass graft. We feel it is important to exclude a popliteal artery aneurysm in a patient suffering with deep vein thrombosis.

Particulate Matter 10 from Asian Dust Storms Induces the Expression of Reactive Oxygen Species, NF-kappaB, TGF-beta and Fibronectin in WI-26 VA4 Epithelial Cells / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter may be toxic to human tissue. Ambient air particulate matter < or =10micrometer in aerodynamic size (PM10), which changes under different environmental conditions, is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. The Asian dust event caused by meteorological phenomena can also spread unique particulate matter in affected areas. We evaluated production of ROS, TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B by exposing normal epithelial cells to Asian dust particulate matter. METHODS: Bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to 0, 50, 100microgramg/ml of a suspension of PM10 for 24 h. ROS were detected by measurement of DCF release from DCF-DA by FACScan. TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: PM10 exposure increased the expression of TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B. ROS production and TGF-betalevels were significantly higher with 50 or 100microgram/ml PM10. Fibronectin and NF kappa B production were significantly higher after 100microgram/ml of PM10. CONCLUSION: PM10 from Asian dust particles might have fibrotic potential in bronchial epithelial cells via ROS induction after PM10 exposure.

The Risk Factors for Pulmonary Embolism in Patients with Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis

PURPOSE: Pulmonary embolism (PE) represents the most important and fatal complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), of which a dislodged thrombus is most commonly derived from the deep venous system of the lower extremity. The aim of this study is to define the incidence and risk factors of PE in DVT patients. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 248 patients with DVT in a lower extremity at Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital between January 2000 and August 2008 and they had received additional examinations for making the diagnosis of PE regardless of its symptoms. RESULT: There were 117 men and 131 women, and their mean age was 59 years old (range: 13~91) at the time of diagnosis. There were 190 DVT-only patients and 58 patients with PE (the incidence rate of PE in the DVT patients: 23.8%). The gender ratio of the DVT only group was 1:1.3 (males: 83, female: 107) and the gender ratio of the DVT with PE group was 1:0.7 (males: 34, females: 24) (P<0.05). The risk factors of PE in the DVT patients were hypercoagulability (34%), cancer (23%), immobilization (17%), trauma/operation (10%), obesity (10%) and a past DVT history (7%). The idiopathic DVT patients had a relatively high cancer diagnosis rate (18.5%) and the majority of the newly detected cancer were from the chest or abdominal cavity. CONCLUSION: The incidence of DVT and PE is increasing and 23.8% of the DVT patients showed PE on their chest CT scan. The most significant risk factor for PE in the DVT patients was the male gender, yet an evaluation for cancer should be carefully done for idiopathic DVT patients because of their high rate of having cancer diagnosed.

The Relation of Residual Pleural Thickening with Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases of Pleural Effusion in Patients with Tuberculous Pleuritis / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Residual pleural thickening (RPT) is the most frequent complication of tuberculous pleurisy (TP), and this can happen despite of administering adequate anti-tuberculous (TB) therapy. Yet there was no definite relation between RPT and other variables. The aim of this study was to examine matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and to identify the factors that can predict the occurrence of RPT. METHODS: The patients with newly-detected pleural effusions were prospectively enrolled in this study from January 2004 to June 2005. The levels of MMP-1, -2, -8 and -9, and TIMP-1 and -2 were determined in the serum and pleural fluid by ELISA. The residual pleural thickness was measured at the completion of treatment and at the point of the final follow-up with the chest X-ray films. RESULTS: The study included 39 patients with pleural fluid (PF). Twenty-three had tuberculous effusion, 7 had parapneumonic effusion, 7 had malignant effusion and 2 had transudates. For the 17 patients who completed the anti-TB treatment among the 23 patients with TP, 7 (41%) had RPT and 10 (59%) did not. The level of PF TIMP-1 in the patients with RPT (41,405.9+/-9,737.3 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that of those patients without RPT (29,134.9+/-8,801.8) at the completion of treatment (p=0.032). In 13 patients who were followed-up until a mean of 8+/-5 months after treatment, 2 (15%) had RPT and 11 (85%) did not. The level of PF TIMP-2 in the patients with RPT (34.4+/-6.5 ng/mL) was lower than that of those patients without RPT (44.4+/-15.5) at the point of the final follow-up (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: The residual pleural thickening in TP might be related to the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels in the pleural fluid.

Clinical findings of the patients with legal pulmonary disability: Short-term follow-up at a tertiary university hospital in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Legal pulmonary disability in Korea is decided for chronic respiratory patients who have been diagnosed for a year or more, and the patients haven't gotten better after more than 2 months of sufficient treatment and they have shown no change in their pulmonary function within the two years after their original diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features and progress of those patients who have been diagnosed as having pulmonary disability. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of the patients who had been decided as having pulmonary disability at a tertiary university hospital from 2003 to 2004, and these patients could be followed up for more than 6 months. RESULTS: The number of enrolled patients was 118 (male : female = 95 : 23) and their mean age was 60+/-10 years. Their major underlying diseases were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=45, 38%), tuberculous destroyed lung (n=29, 25%), and bronchial asthma (n=27, 23%). Of them, the number of patients with a class 1 pulmonary disability were 24 (20%), there were 28 class 2 patients (24%) and 66 class 3 patients (56%). The FEV1 could be followed up for 42 of these patients, of whom 20 patients showed no change or a decrease in their FEV1 but 22 showed an increased FEV1. Especially, some of them showed the increase of their FEV1 of 10% or more, and the 50% of them were patients with bronchial asthma. During the follow-up period, 6 patients died; 3 were class 1, 1 was class 2 and 2 were class 3. Five of these patients died of their underlying pulmonary diseases or combined pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to decide the pulmonary disability after sufficient treatment and to perform periodic follow-up testing even after the disability decision for confirming that the disability is stable and also to adjust the class of the disability. Further studies are needed to observe the clinical progress and prognosis of patients with pulmonary disability by performing long-term follow-up for a large number of patients.