Spinal Schwannoma Classification Based on the Presumed Origin With Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Images.

Objective: Classification guides the surgical approach and predicts prognosis. However, existing classifications of spinal schwannomas often result in a high 'unclassified' rate. Here, we aim to develop a new comprehensive classification for spinal schwannomas based on their presumed origin.

The effect of high perioperative inspiratory oxygen fraction for abdominal surgery on surgical site infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Guidelines from the World Health Organization strongly recommend the use of a high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) in adult patients undergoing general anesthesia to reduce surgical site infection (SSI). However, previous meta-analyses reported inconsistent results. We aimed to address this controversy by focusing specifically on abdominal surgery with relatively high risk of SSI.

T-cell specific antibody induction versus corticosteroid induction immunosuppression for liver transplant recipients: a meta-analysis.

Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of immunosuppression for liver transplant recipients despite several serious complications including infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension. We attempted to compare the safety and efficacy of T-cell specific antibody induction with complete corticosteroid avoidance. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane central library.

Two-stage Surgical Treatment of a Giant Solitary Fibrous Tumor Occupying the Thoracic Cavity.

A solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a mesenchymal fibroblastic tumor inside the pleura, for which complete surgical resection is the standard treatment. For large SFTs, preoperative identification of tumor-feeding vessels using angiography is important for achieving complete resection without unexpected operative bleeding. Extensive adhesions can make resection difficult in a limited operative window, and pulmonary resection may be required to achieve complete SFT resection.

Simplified surgical approach to improve surgical outcomes in the center with a small volume of acute type A aortic dissection surgery.

Background: Despite recent advances in surgical techniques and perioperative management, the surgical mortality of acute type A aortic dissection remains high.

Objective: In a hospital with few acute type A aortic dissection operations, we retrospectively investigated whether simplified surgical approach could obtain proper surgical outcomes.

Methods: Between October 2007 and December 2016, we performed emergency surgery in 99 patients who had acute type A aortic dissection, including replacement of the hemi-arch in 62 patients (63%) and total arch in 32 patients (32%) and aortic root surgery in 7 patients (7%).

Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly Patients with the Cox Maze Procedure Concurrently with Other Cardiac Operations.

Background: In elderly patients who have atrial fibrillation (AF), surgical ablation of the arrhythmia during cardiac surgery may be challenging. Despite the reported advantages of ablating AF with the Cox maze procedure (CMP), the addition of the CMP may complicate other cardiac operations. We evaluated the effect of the CMP in elderly patients concurrent with other cardiac operations.

Simple Anastomotic Techniques for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Patients with Small Coronary Arteries or a Marked Size Discrepancy Between the Coronary Artery and Graft.

Different suture techniques have been used for anastomosis in coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Bypass surgery may be difficult for patients who have small coronary arteries or marked size discrepancies between target coronary arteries and grafts. For proximal and distal anastomoses, three continuous stitches are first placed in the heel and toe of the small coronary arteries; for sequential anastomosis, an interrupted eight-stitch technique is used.

Haemodynamic improvement of older, previously replaced mechanical mitral valves by removal of the subvalvular pannus in redo cardiac surgery.

Patients requiring redo cardiac surgery for diseased heart valves other than mitral valves may show increased pressure gradients and reduced valve areas of previously placed mechanical mitral valves due to subvalvular pannus formation. We treated four women who had mechanical mitral valves inserted greater than or equal to 20 years earlier and who presented with circular pannus that protruded into the lower margin of the valve ring but did not impede leaflet motion. Pannus removal improved the haemodynamic function of the mitral valve.

SRSF5: a novel marker for small-cell lung cancer and pleural metastatic cancer.

Objectives: SR-splicing factors (SRSFs) play important roles in oncogenesis. However, the expression of SRSF 5-7 proteins in lung cancer (LC) is unclear, and their use in the diagnosis of pleural diseases has never been assessed. We evaluated SRSF 5-7 protein levels in LC and their diagnostic potential for cancer cells in lung and pleural effusion (PE) and, for the dysregulated SRSFs, investigated their neutralization effect on LC.

Intimal Detachment of the Left Main Coronary Artery in a Marfan Patient with Acute Aortic Dissection: An Alternative Technique for Coronary Revascularization.

In patients with acute type A aortic dissection, intimal detachment associated with circumferential dissection of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is a rare but lethal complication. We report a Marfan patient with dissection and intimal detachment of the LMCA that was caused by acute aortic dissection involving the left aortic sinus and that was reconstructed using a short reversed saphenous vein graft. doi: 10.

Dynamic mitral annular motion after posterior mitral annuloplasty: Use of a strip that is designed for placement in the posterior annulus.

Background: Most annuloplasty rings and bands used for mitral valve repair restrict annular motion due to their fixation to the posterior annulus, the commissures, and the trigones.

Objective: Annular motion was evaluated after posterior mitral annuloplasty (PMA) for correction of mitral valve regurgitation (MR) using a strip that is designed for placement in the posterior annulus only, sparing the anterior annulus and both commissural angles.

Methods: Valve annular dynamics were analyzed in 51 patients who underwent PMA for MR.

Mediastinal Desmoid Tumor With Remarkably Rapid Growth: A Case Report.

Desmoid tumors (DTs) are a group of rare and benign soft tissue tumors that result from monoclonal proliferation of well-differentiated fibroblasts. Since DTs tend to infiltrate and compress adjacent structures, the location of DTs is one of the most crucial factors for determining the severity of the disease. Furthermore, DTs can further complicate the clinical course of patients when the growth is remarkably rapid, especially for DTs occurring in anatomically critical compartments, including the thoracic cavity.

Delayed recovery of right ventricular systolic function after repair of long-standing tricuspid regurgitation associated with severe right ventricular failure.

After tricuspid valve surgery for long-standing tricuspid regurgitation associated with right ventricular failure, reverse remodelling of the enlarged right ventricle, including recovery of right ventricular systolic function, is unpredictable. We present the case of a 31-year old man with early reduction of dilated right ventricular dimensions and delayed recovery of impaired right ventricular systolic function after valve repair for traumatic tricuspid regurgitation lasting 16 years.

Posterior mitral annuloplasty for enhancing mitral leaflet coaptation: using a strip designed for placement in the posterior annulus.

Background: In patients with mitral valve regurgitation (MR), posterior mitral annuloplasty (PMA) was performed for mitral valve repair using a strip designed for placement in the posterior annulus, sparing the anterior annulus and anterior half of the commissures.

Methods: Between September 2009 and October 2013, we performed PMA using a novel strip in 74 consecutive patients with MR greater than 3+. Procedures associated with mitral valve repairs were performed in 41 patients (56.

Right atrial reduction plasty associated with the cox-maze procedure.

We performed a right atrial reduction plasty combined with the Cox-maze procedure in a patient with a giant right atrium and permanent atrial fibrillation. The reduction plasty involved excisions of the redundant atrial wall along two ablation lines of the maze procedure, and excision of the redundant thin septum primum. This procedure achieved a 60% dimension reduction and an 80% volume reduction.

Cost-Effectiveness of Carotid Endarterectomy versus Carotid Artery Stenting for Treatment of Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Background: Symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with significant carotid artery stenosis (range, 70% to 99%) generally undergo either carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) to prevent stroke. In this study, we evaluated the cost effectiveness of these two treatment modalities.

Methods: A total of 47 patients (mean age, 67.

Commissuroplasty for the anterior commissure defect caused by tricuspid valve endocarditis using patch closure and modified placement of a rigid ring.

The anterior commissure defect of tricuspid valve may leave remnant regurgitation with inadequate leaflet coaptation after simple patch closure of the defect. A 19-year-old man underwent commissuroplasty for the anterior commissure defect caused by tricuspid valve endocarditis. Significant remnant regurgitation after patch closure of the anterior commissure defect was successfully solved by modified placement of an undersized rigid ring along the functional valve opening.