1/8. Revascularization of turnover sternum: A definitive treatment for intractable funnel chest.Twelve intractable funnel chests in young adults were treated with revascularization of the turnover sternum. The sternum and costal composite tissue were resected at the outskirt of the depressed area. Special attention was paid to the dissection of the vascular pedicle at both sides of the internal mammary vessels. The recipient vessels at one side were left long, so were the donor vessels at the other side. A segment of the rib at the exit of the recipient internal mammary vessels had to be removed to accommodate the vessels and to facilitate vascular anastomosis. Vascular anastomosis was accomplished with loupes (Keeler, sixfold magnification) in five patients because the direction of the vessels is vertically oriented. In four cases, artery and vein grafts were taken from the other side of the internal mammary vessels not bound for vascular anastomosis for length discrepancy of the vessels, while the remaining cases had direct vascular anastomosis without vascular grafting. Revascularization of the turnover sternum was performed successfully without vascular compromise. The patients all recovered well with much improved physical condition. Only one patient sustained spontaneous pneumothorax 1 month after the operation. Postoperative three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed increment of thoracic cage volume for 9-17%. Follow-up CT scan 2 years later revealed even more improved thoracic cage expansion.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/8. The spectrum of intramyocardial small vessel disease associated with sudden death.Intramyocardial small vessel abnormalities are not commonly recognized. The best known abnormality is fibromuscular dysplasia involving the sinoatrial or atrioventricular nodal arteries. Small vessel disease has been reported as an isolated cardiac anomaly in individuals with sudden death, and may also be associated with other cardiac conditions including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and mitral valve prolapse. The nature of the association is unknown, and the mechanism causing sudden death is sometimes obscure. We describe pathological changes of the intramyocardial small vessels of three individuals with sudden death. Abnormalities involved small vessels at different levels. In all the cases, the abnormalities were thought to have caused or contributed to the individual's death. The possible mechanisms of this are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/8. Severe hypotension in the prone position in a child with neurofibromatosis, scoliosis and pectus excavatum presenting for posterior spinal fusion.A 34-mo-old boy with neurofibromatosis, scoliosis, and pectus excavatum developed severe hypotension when positioned prone. A magnetic resonance image study revealed neurofibromas encircling the great vessels. During the next anesthetic the patient was placed in the prone position on transverse bolsters and hypotension ensued again. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) revealed compression of the right ventricle by the sternum. When the child was turned supine, the blood pressure returned to baseline. The patient was returned to the prone position, this time with bolsters placed longitudinally, without problem. This case supports a cardiac evaluation, possible intraoperative TEE, and avoidance of sternal pressure in patients with chest wall deformities requiring prone positioning. IMPLICATIONS: A child with neurofibromatosis, scoliosis, and a chest wall deformity presenting for spinal fusion developed severe hypotension while prone. This was due to compression of the heart by the sternum, not compression of the great vessels by neurofibromas. Sternal pressure in prone patients with chest wall deformities should be avoided. Unique management included the use of transesophageal echocardiography to determine the cause of the hypotension.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.25keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/8. Common pleural cavity in combination with pectus excavatum.A very rare case is being described; common pleural cavity was accidentally diagnosed in a 3-year-old boy operated for funnel chest (pectus excavatum). During 36 years 516 patients were operated in our department and we often notice pectus excavatum associated with other types of congenital pathology but only one had the common pleural space. In normal human beings pleural space is divided into left and right chambers separated by the mediastinum with no communication in between. In some mammals such as pigs, cows etc. a congenital communication is found between the pleural cavities, but this type of communication is very rare in humans and most often is of acquired origin. Pleural communication may also develop after major cardiothoracic surgery. In this case a 3-year-old male patient was admitted for the elective surgery on pectus excavatum. Clinical examination showed a very deep funnel chest. Both the heart and the mediastinum are left-shifted by the deformed breastbone; it is clearly demonstrated on a plain and lateral X-ray. On the left, beside the main vessels, an indistinct patch is noted. Typical M. Ravitch procedure was performed, by accident the pleural space was opened. Both pleural cavities had an evident communication along the anterior mediastinum. The torn pleura was sutured, the excess air removed by a puncture. postoperative period was uneventful, additional treatment was not needed; currently the boy is feeling well. The postoperative X-ray showed the heart and the mediastinum to return to normal position.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/8. postpericardiotomy syndrome after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) was first reported in 1998 and has gained wide acceptance since then. A 17-year-old girl who had undergone thoracotomy and cardiac surgery for transposition of great vessels at the age of 18 months presented with a deep, long pectus excavatum with asymmetry. After initial uneventful postoperative clinical course after MIRPE, the patient had bilateral pleural and pericardial effusion on the sixth postoperative day. Suspecting postpericardiotomy syndrome, systemic steroids were administered, and the symptoms resolved without affecting wound healing. Manifestation of a pericardial effusion combined with bilateral pleural effusion after MIRPE, especially in patients after cardiac surgery, may indicate a postpericardiotomy syndrome that can be treated successfully by intravenous steroids.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/8. Complications of the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) has become widely popular since its introduction in the late 1990s by Nuss. We describe 1 unusual complication after MIRPE and 1 life-threatening bleeding during removal of the pectus bar. methods: We report the cases of 2 patients in a single institution, more than 100 MIRPE procedures performed so far, and review of literature. CASES: A 14-year-old girl presented 6 months after MIRPE in another institution. During removal of the pectus bar, a massive hemorrhage from both chest wounds occurred, requiring emergency sternotomy. Arrosion of a pulmonary vessel close to the metal bar had led to the bleeding. The second case was a bilateral sternoclavicular dislocation after MIRPE, which has not caused symptoms so far, in a 13-year-old girl. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous operative and postoperative complications after MIRPE are feasible. This is the first report of a life-threatening bleeding during removal of the pectus bar. Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum procedure and removal of the pectus bar should only occur in specialized institutions with wide experience in thoracic surgery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/8. A simple sternal turnover procedure using a vascular pedicle for a funnel chest.We have improved the sternal turnover surgical procedure by using a vascular pedicle for a funnel chest. Rather than performing a simple sternal turnover, we thought it better to use the sternum with the vascular pedicle attached, anticipating that this would lead to fewer postoperative complications and a more desirable result. The following method for performing the operation was devised: (1) cutting the deformed sternum at the second intercostal position; (2) cutting the second costal cartilages to allow a repositioning of the vascular pedicle onto the presternal surface; (3) turning the sternum over, placing one end on the other, and attaching one end to the other; and (4) making a groove in the turned-over sternum to prevent the decussated vascular pedicle from becoming constricted. By using this method, it is easily possible to keep the bilateral internal thoracic vessels intact. We used this surgical technique on a 17-year-old boy and obtained very favorable results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/8. Pectus excavatum deformities simulating mediastinal masses.Three patients with various pectus excavatum deformities in whom radiographic findings suggested hilar and mediastinal masses are presented. Computed tomography of the chest yielded valuable diagnostic information and made it possible to exclude the existence of these masses. Compression deformity of the heart and great vessels by the pectus deformity is the most likely explanation for these findings.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |