Fixation of Traumatic Sternal Fractures Using SternaLock Plating System.

A 43-year-old man experienced chest trauma due to a car accident. Compound sternal fractures with severe dislocation were seen on computed tomography of the chest. Using a SternaLock plating system with manual reduction, fixation of the sternal fracture was successfully performed.

Primary repair of tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch.

We report a successful primary repair of a tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch by open surgery.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor minimizes negative remodeling of decellularized small diameter vascular graft conduits but not medial degeneration.

Background: Poor endothelialization and intimal hyperplasia are major causes of small diameter vascular conduit (SDVC) failure. The present study was aimed to investigate the influence of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on inhibiting adverse remodeling of decellularized SDVCs.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats implanted with allograft infra renal abdominal aortic conduits were divided into 2 groups according to whether they were treated with G-CSF (+G-CSF group; n=6) or without (Decell group; n=6).

Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis and Concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass: Long-term Outcomes and Predictors of Mortality.

Background: We evaluated the surgical results and predictors of long-term survival in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at the time of an aortic valve replacement (AVR) due to aortic stenosis.

Materials And Methods: Between January 1990 and December 2009, 183 consecutive patients underwent CABG and concomitant aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. The mean follow-up period was 59.

Traumatic right diaphragmatic rupture combined with avulsion of the right kidney and herniation of the liver into the thorax.

Right-sided diaphragmatic rupture is less common and more difficult to diagnose than left-sided lesion. It is rarely combined with the herniation of the abdominal organs into the thorax. High level of suspicion is the key to early diagnosis, and a delay in diagnosis is implicated with a considerable risk of mortality and morbidity.

Left internal thoracic artery composite grafting with the right internal thoracic versus radial artery in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the results of all arterial multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting using the left internal thoracic artery composite bypass graft constructed with the right internal thoracic artery or radial artery. 

Methods: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with a left internal thoracic artery constructed as a composite bypass graft with either a right internal thoracic artery (n = 45; RITA group) or radial artery (n = 352; RA group) between 2003 and 2009 were included in the present study. 

Results: The three-year patency rates for the RITA and RA groups were 91.

Mild-to-moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation in patients undergoing valve replacement for rheumatic mitral disease: the influence of tricuspid valve repair on clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

Background: The decision to repair mild-to-moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) during left-side heart surgery remains controversial. Objectives To avoid heterogeneity in patient population, patients with TR undergoing isolated mechanical mitral valve (MV) replacement for rheumatic mitral diseases were evaluated.

Methods: Between 1997 and 2009, 236 patients with mild-to-moderate functional TR underwent first-time isolated mechanical MV replacement for rheumatic mitral diseases with (n=123; repair group) or without (n=113; non-repair group) tricuspid valve (TV) repair.

Clinical feasibility and surgical benefits of video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy in the treatment of resectable lung cancer.

Objective: This study was performed to assess the clinical feasibility and surgical outcomes of video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy in the treatment of resectable lung cancer.

Methods: Between July 2004 and December 2009, we retrospectively analyzed 108 consecutive video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomies in lung cancer patients from a prospectively collected database. Ninety-seven (89.

Hemoperitoneum caused by hepatic necrosis and rupture following a snakebite: a case report with rare CT findings and successful embolization.

We report the computed tomographic and angiographic findings in the case of a recently obtained successful clinical outcome after embolization of the hepatic artery in the case of a snakebite causing hemoperitoneum associated with hepatic necrosis and rupture with active bleeding.

Heart transplantation. A retrospective analysis of the long-term results.

Long-term results of orthotopic heart transplantation vary among different institutions. The purpose of the present study was to assess the factors, which might affect long-term survival and complications. Between November 1992 and July 2003, 112 heart transplantations (M/F=89:23) were performed.