[Evaluation of the performance of a minimally invasive thoracic drainage tube in a rabbit model of hemothorax].

Objective: To assess the performance of a minimally invasive thoracic drainage tube (14 F) made of polyurethane (PU) in a rabbit model of hemothorax in comparison with the conventional 28 F chest tube (CCT).

Methods: Thirty New Zealand rabbits were divided into experimental chest tube (ECT) group (=9), CCT group (=6), and blood provider group (=15). Blood samples (20 mL) collected from the blood providing rabbits were injected into the chest cavity of the rabbits in the other two groups, and the time taken for closed drainage of the thoracic cavity was recorded.

[Establishment of a rabbit model of small diameter vascular graft replacement].

Objective: To establish an rabbit model that mimics the hemodynamics of the bypass graft after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods: Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups for abdominal aortic artery replacement using a 3-cm-long ePTFE graft with an inner diameter 4 mm through an incision at 1/3 from the middle to the lower part of the abdomen (group A) or in the lower abdomen (group B). The general conditions of the rabbits, operative time, number of collateral vessels that needed to be ligated, rate of massive intraoperative bleeding, fluctuation of vascular anastomosis after surgery, patency rate of the graft on day 7 after the operation were compared between the two groups.

[Hemocompatibility evaluation in vitro of small-caliber expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vessel with silk fibroin coating sulfonated by low temperature plasma].

Objective: To evaluate the hemocompatibility of a small-caliber expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vessel with silk fibroin coating sulfonated by low temperature plasma treatment.

Methods: The composite blood vessel was prepared by first coating the small-caliber expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vessel with silk fibroin followed by sulfonation by low temperature plasma treatment. After hemolysis test in vitro, dynamic coagulation time test, blood platelet adhesion test, and recalcification time test were performed to evaluate the hemocompatibility of the composite blood vessel.

[Experience with coronary artery bypass grafting and concomitant procedures in 21 cases].

Objective: To review our experience with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and its concomitant procedures.

Methods: From December, 1998 to December, 2002, 21 patients underwent CABG and their clinical data were analyzed.

Results: Nineteen patients were discharged uneventfully after the procedure.

[Minimally invasive closure of atrial septal defect without extracorporeal circulation: report of 5 cases].

Objective: To review our experience with a new surgical approach for closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) through a minimally invasive method without extracorporeal circulation.

Methods: Five female patients (age range, 7-38 years) with secondary atrial septal defect ranging from 1.8 to 3.