Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of great saphenous venous insufficiency using a newly developed VENISTAR catheter: A preliminary study.

Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the preliminary outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a newly developed catheter (VENISTAR) for the treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs).

Methods: In this prospective observational study, endovenous RFA using a VENISTAR catheter was performed on 16 saphenous veins in 12 patients between August and November 2019. Patients' pre- and post-procedural data were recorded.

Clinical Outcomes of Arteriovenous Grafts Using the Superficial Vein versus Venae Comitantes as Venous Outflow.

Background: The superficial veins are commonly used in conventional autogenous arteriovenous fistulas and the placement of prosthetic grafts. When they are unsuitable, however, the use of the deep veins (venae comitantes) is generally considered to be a reasonable alternative. This study conducted a comparative analysis of clinical outcomes for arteriovenous grafts between 2 groups based on the type of venous outflow: superficial veins or venae comitantes.

Endovenous radiofrequency ablation using a new bipolar electrode in a canine model: a new endovenous radiofrequency electrode.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of a newly developed endovenous radiofrequency (RF) catheter compared with that of the existing RF catheter in a canine model.

Methods: Seven dogs underwent ablation using 1 control catheter (ClosureFAST, CF; Covidien) and 1 experimental catheter (VENISTAR, VS; STARmed Co., Ltd.

Clinical application of a digital thoracic drainage system for objectifying and quantifying air leak versus the traditional vacuum system: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Digital thoracic drainage systems have recently been introduced and widely used in clinical practices in developed countries. These systems can monitor intrathoracic pressure changes and air leaks in real time, and also allow for objective and quantitative analyses, which aid in managing patients with a prolonged persistent air leak into the pleural space. We investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of such a new device versus the traditional vacuum system for treating patients with pneumothorax.

Feasibility and short-term complication rate of mechanochemical ablation for epifascial tributaries of incompetent great saphenous veins.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of skin complications after mechanochemical ablation with the ClariVein device (Merit Medical, South Jordan, Utah) for incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs) and compare the results in terms of the target vein characteristics, especially in the presence of an epifascial GSV tributary.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was performed. We reviewed 33 limbs of 32 patients with GSV insufficiency who had undergone mechanochemical ablation with the ClariVein device from December 2017 to February 2020.

Femoral arteriovenous fistula associated with surgery of proximal femoral fracture: a systematic review of the literature and case presentation.

Background: Proximal femoral fracture (PFF), such as intertrochanteric femoral fracture or femur neck fracture, and its management are crucial issues to surgeons. PFF has been dramatically is becoming exponentially prevalent, and it is at high risk of complication and mortality because it is frequently associated with serious trauma and advanced age, especially in patients treated with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. Surgical management is essential for the treatment of PFF.

Computed tomography-guided percutaneous hook wire localization of pulmonary nodular lesions before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: Highlighting technical aspects.

Objective: Confirming the histologic diagnosis of small pulmonary nodules or Ground-glass opacity nodules (GGNs) of unknown origin is difficult. These nodules are not always appropriate for percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. Preoperative localization of pulmonary lesions provides more precise target points to ensure complete surgical excision.

Effects of glycyrrhizin on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in a mouse model.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are serious clinical disease entities characterized by inflammatory pulmonary edema, which lead to acute hypoxic respiratory failure through various etiologies. According to the studies to date, ALI/ARDS has been recognized as a form of multiorgan failure related to overactive immune response, and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines released from activated inflammatory cells are considered to play a key role in the development of ALI. Glycyrrhizin (GL) is an extractive component derived from (licorice), which has recently been reported to have various pharmacological effects like anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hepato-protective, and anti-viral activities.

Spontaneous lumbar artery rupture and massive retroperitoneal hematoma, successfully treated with arteriographic embolization.

Background And Objective: Massive retroperitoneal hematoma caused by lumbar artery rupture is generally associated with trauma or retroperitoneal malignancy. However, despite recent advances in technologies and tools, spontaneous lumbar artery rupture is a very rare disease entity but remains a challenging problem because it is frequently associated with significantly high mortality and morbidity and is very difficult to make a correct diagnosis.

Methods: We evaluated the databases of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, Google Scholar, the KoreaMed and the Research Information Sharing Service databases, and a detailed systematic review was performed by searching in PubMed.

Clinical implications of the initial SAPS II in veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation.

Background: Prediction of survival and weaning probability in VA ECMO (veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) patients could be of great benefit for real-time decision making on VA ECMO initiation in critical ill patients. We investigated whether the SAPS II score would be a real-time determinant for VA ECMO initiation and could be a predictor of survival and weaning probability in patients on VA ECMO.

Methods: Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014, VA ECMO was carried out on 135 adult patients suffering from primary cardiogenic shock.

Regression of varicose veins after cyanoacrylate closure of incompetent great saphenous veins without a localized concomitant procedure.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endovenous cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) of incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV) and to assess the regression of varicose vein following CAC without a concomitant procedure.

Methods: A total of 63 limbs in 48 patients treated with CAC because of an incompetent GSV between December 2016 and November 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. In five limbs, incompetent GSV and small saphenous vein were treated simultaneously in the same session.

Postoperative chest tube placement after thoracoscopic wedge resection of lung for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: is it mandatory?

Background: The goal of present study is to assess the efficiency and feasibility of postoperative care without positioning of chest tube after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP).

Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized trial of patients who have undergone video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection surgery for PSP. During the period of April 2015 until December 2016, 119 eligible patients undergoing VATS for PSP were consecutively included.

The management of chemical pleurodesis with viscum album in patients with persistent air leakage.

Background: Persistent air leak (PAL) after major pulmonary resection or involved with secondary lung disease is prevalent and associated with significant morbidity. Chemical pleurodesis is a practical therapeutic tool to manage the patients with PAL. Among various sclerosing substances, viscum album (fraxini) is considered effective and safe.

Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Mimicking Mediastinal Tumor in a Patient with Hereditary Spherocytosis: Case report.

Introduction: Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a rare disorder, defined as the appearance of hematopoietic elements outside the bone marrow or peripheral blood. The exact mechanism of this development is still unknown. We herein report a case of intrathoracic EMH, manifesting as a posterior mediastinal tumor in a patient with hereditary spherocytosis.

Retrograde Endovenous Laser Ablation through Saphenopopliteal Junctional Area for Incompetent Small Saphenous Vein: Comparison with Antegrade Approach.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of retrograde endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and to compare it with the conventional antegrade EVLA for incompetent small saphenous vein (SSV).

Materials And Methods: Small saphenous vein was cannulated via two approaches under ultrasound-guidance. One method involved puncturing the SSV cranially at mid-calf (the antegrade group).

Preoperative risk factor analysis of postoperative stroke after Cox-maze procedure with mitral valve repair.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a life-threatening arrhythmia that carries the high risk of thromboembolic complication. Stroke often develops in patients who undergo successful Cox Maze procedure, despite the fact that the procedure has shown a high rate of success in sinus conversion from AF. This study examined the preoperative risk factors predictive of stroke following Cox Maze procedure in patients with mitral valve disease.

Efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine for postoperative delirium in adult cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Delirium after cardiac surgery is associated with serious long-term negative outcomes and high costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate neurobehavioral, hemodynamic, and sedative characteristics of dexmedetomidine, compared with the current postoperative sedative protocol (remifentanil) in patients undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: One hundred and forty two eligible patients who underwent cardiac surgery on CPB between April 2012 and March 2013 were randomly divided into two groups.

Novel Early Predictor of Acute Kidney Injury after Open Heart Surgery under Cadiopulmonary Bypass Using Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin.

Background: Open heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is considered one of the most frequent surgical procedures in which acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and serious complication. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as an early AKI biomarker after CPB in cardiac surgery (CS).

Methods: Thirty-seven adult patients undergoing CS with CPB were included in this retrospective study.

The 1,470-nm bare-fiber diode laser ablation of the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein at 1-year follow-up using 8-12 W and a mean linear endovenous energy density of 72 J/cm.

Purpose: To demonstrate 1-year outcomes after low-energy endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of incompetent saphenous veins with linear endovenous energy density (LEED) of 80 J/cm or lower with the use of a 1,470-nm diode laser.

Materials And Methods: Incompetent saphenous veins in 236 patients (355 limbs; Clinical/Etiology/Anatomy/Pathophysiology classifications of C2-C4) were treated by EVLA with a bare-tipped 1,470-nm laser with LEED no greater than 80 J/cm (mean, 72.4 J/cm) and laser power of 8-12 W.

Fluoroscopy-guided endovenous sclerotherapy using a microcatheter prior to endovenous laser ablation: comparison between liquid and foam sclerotherapy for varicose tributaries.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of endovenous foam sclerotherapy (EFS) and liquid sclerotherapy (ELS) using a microcatheter for the treatment of varicose tributaries.

Materials And Methods: From December 2007 to January 2009, patients with venous reflux in the saphenous vein were enrolled. The foam or liquid sclerosant was injected through a microcatheter just before endovenous laser ablation (EVLA).

Flail chest stabilization with Nuss operation in presence of multiple myeloma.

Nowadays the Nuss operation has been widely adopted as a minimally invasive procedure and standard surgical choice in pectus excavatum. However, much debate and concern have been raised regarding its applicability in adults with pectus excavatum flail chest and other thoratic wall deformities, as compared with younger patients, in terms of complications after surgery. To stabilize the segment of paradoxical chest wall movement we performed the Nuss operation on a patient with multiple myeloma who sustained blunt thoracic trauma.

A 7.3×5.3×3.5-cm heterotopic thyroid in the posterior mediastinum in a patient with situs inversus totalis.

Ectopic posterior mediastinal thyroid is a very rare clinical disease entity. It accounts for less than 1% of all mediastinal tumors. The mass is difficult to diagnose due to its rarity and non-specific clinical symptoms and thus remains asymptomatic for many years until it becomes larger.