Hyung Sun Lim

Computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction of the fetal pancreas including the supplying arteries according to immunohistochemistry of pancreatic polypeptide

PurposeComputer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction of the fetal human pancreas was prepared to reconsider topographical relation between the dorsal/ventral anlagen and the vascular supply.MethodsTissue sections from the upper abdominal viscera of three fetuses were examined. Sections were immunohistochemically stained to determine pancreatic polypeptide expression, a marker of the ventral pancreas.ResultsThe immunohistochemical findings were used to create three-dimensional computer-assisted reconstructions to identify pancreatic arteries. The narrowest part of the pancreas, or the neck, corresponding to a part of the dorsal pancreas, was located on the left side of the common bile duct, portal vein and gastroduodenal artery (GDA). The posterior arterial arcade accompanied the ventral pancreas, whereas the anterior arcade did not. In contrast to the GDA, the splenic artery was clearly separated from the neck in fetuses. The GDA appears to be the primary and stable arterial supply for the neck of the pancreas.ConclusionsThis observation may have implications for the preservation of the neck with the GDA during pancreaticoduodenectomy for benign and low-grade malignant diseases.

Isoflurane cracks the polycarbonate connector of extra-corporeal circuit -A case report-.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is widely used for cardiac surgery by virtue of its proven safety over the course of its use during the past half century. Even though perfusion is safer, incidents still occur. During the repair of a ventricular-septal defect in an 11-month-old infant, we experienced a critical incident related to the potential hazardous effect of volatile anesthetics on the polycarbonate connector of extra-corporeal circuit. The damage to the polycarbonate connector had occurred after spillage of isoflurane during the filling of the vaporizer, causing it to crack and leak. The incident was managed by replacement of the cracked connector during a temporary circulatory arrest. The patient was hypothermic and the time off bypass was less than 1.5 min. There were no neurologic sequelae, the patient made an uneventful recovery. In conclusion, the spillage of volatile anesthetics can cause cracks in the polycarbonate connector of the extra-corporeal circuit, leading to potentially interruption of CPB.

A comparison of the consumption of inhaled anesthetics according to fresh gas flow and anesthetic circuits

BACKGROUND In the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation (KNHIC), payment for inhaled anesthetics are made according to the simulated dose and not the consumed dose. We compare the consumption of inhaled anesthetics according to fresh gas flow (FGF) and anesthetic circuits to compare the consumption of anesthetics and the guidelines for KNHIC payments. METHODS 161 patients were randomized into six groups who received isoflurane using a closed circuit (group I-C), a semi-closed circuit with FGF 3 L/min (group I-3), or 4 L/min (group I-4), as for the sevoflurane group (group S-C, S-3, and S-4). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were maintained within +/- 20% of baseline. Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) and consumption of inhaled anesthetics were recorded by a new anesthetic machine. RESULTS There were no significant differences among the groups for MAP, HR, and MAC. During anesthesia maintenance, the mean consumption per 15 minutes of inhaled anesthetics was significantly lower in group I-C (1.0 +/- 0.3 ml) than in group I-3 (3.5 +/- 0.7 ml) and than group I-4 (4.9 +/- 0.9 ml) and similar to the sevoflurane groups (group S-C [1.3 +/- 0.4 ml] vs group S-3 [5.3 +/- 1.0 ml] vs group S-4 [6.9 +/- 1.3 ml], respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In sevoflurane groups, inhaled anesthetics were consumed more than in isoflurane groups. The KNHIC payment guidelines were close to the actual consumption of inhaled anesthetics under using a semi-closed circuit with FGF 3 L/min in sevoflurane and FGF 4 L/min in isoflurane.