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Objective: This study examined the association between a single preoperative physiotherapy session during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and physical function and that between preoperative physical activity and prognosis., Methods: In this retrospective, single-center, observational study, we evaluated data from 234 patients scheduled for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy who underwent a single preoperative physiotherapy session. The five-repetition sit-to-stand test was performed before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, patients were classified into high- and low-physical activity groups based on preoperative physical activity. To examine the association between preoperative physiotherapy and changes in physical function, a multivariate regression analysis was performed. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the association between preoperative physical activity and overall survival., Results: The median percentage change in the five-repetition sit-to-stand test score was - 3.36%. In the multivariate regression analysis, the regression coefficient of the constant term was - 23.93 (95% confidence interval - 45.31 to - 2.56; P = 0.028). Low physical activity was significantly associated with overall survival after adjustment for confounding factors (P = 0.040)., Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a single preoperative physiotherapy session during neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves physical function, and preoperative physical activity is significantly associated with prognosis., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery.)

Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction caused by sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare observation. We describe a successful case of valve-sparing root replacement using reimplantation technique for RVOT obstruction by a large right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in a 76-year-old man. In the pathological examination, the elastic fibers of the medial layer were defective not only in the wall of the aneurysmal Valsalva sinus but also in the remaining two sinus walls. Our experience illustrated that valve-sparing root replacement can be an effective procedure in such a case.

Objectives: To review the outcomes of bicuspid aortic valve repair with the reimplantation technique., Patients and Methods: From 2006 to 2018, 46 patients with bicuspid aortic valve underwent the reimplantation procedure for aortic valve repair. Those patients were included in this study. The mean age was 45 ± 15 years and 44 were male. Preoperative echocardiography showed a mean ventriculoaortic junction diameter of 28 ± 3 mm. The mean diameter at the sinus of Valsalva was 41 ± 9 mm. The minimum cusp height was 19 ± 3 mm. Regarding cusp repair technique, central plication was used in 45 patients, free margin reinforcement in 10 patients, and patch repair in 4 patients. Follow-up was performed by annual echocardiography., Results: There were no hospital deaths. All patients were found with either no/trivial or mild AR on postoperative transesophageal echocardiography. The postoperative ventriculoaortic junction diameter was 23 ± 2 mm and 83 ± 17% preoperatively. Freedom from moderate AR was 85 ± 6% at 5 years, and freedom from reoperation was 93 ± 4% at 5 years., Conclusions: Reimplantation for bicuspid aortic valve repair showed acceptable mid-term outcomes.

A 65 year-old man was diagnosed with congestive heart failure secondary to severe mitral regurgitation resulting from a parachute-like asymmetrical mitral valve. We performed mitral annuloplasty and triangular resection of the thick tissue. The postoperative course was uneventful with no recurrence of mitral regurgitation.

Despite advances in emergency care and the emergent transportation system, cardiac and aortic ruptures after blunt trauma are associated with high mortality and morbidity. We present a rare case of a 70-year-old man with a ruptured left atrial basal appendage and distal aortic arch after sustaining blunt trauma to the chest during a motor vehicle accident. The patient was transported to our hospital in a state of shock and taken directly to the operating room. Hybrid treatment was performed, including surgical repair of the left atrium under cardiopulmonary bypass and thoracic endovascular aortic repair, was performed. The patient fully recovered without any complications.

Objective: This study investigated the mid-term outcomes of simultaneous mitral valve repair in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) and concomitant annulo-aortic ectasia., Methods: The study included 26 patients with MR and annulo-aortic ectasia [mean age 46.0 ± 19.9 (10-86) years] who underwent simultaneous mitral valve repair between January 2007 and March 2018. Of these 26 patients, 11 (42.3%) were diagnosed with Marfan syndrome and 10 (38.5%) with Barlow's disease. All patients underwent complete ring annuloplasty; a semi-rigid ring was used in 14 (53.8%) and a semi-flexible ring (anterior-flexible) in 12 patients (46.2%). All patients underwent valve-sparing root replacement using the reimplantation technique., Results: The overall 3-year survival rate was 95.7 ± 4.3%. The 3-year freedom from > moderate MR rate was 94.7 ± 5.1%, and the 3-year freedom from > moderate aortic regurgitation (AR) rate was 86.7 ± 7.3%. The 3-year freedom from reoperation rate was 100%. The 3-year freedom from > moderate MR rate was 100% in the semi-rigid ring group and 85.7 ± 13.2% in the semi-flexible ring group (log-rank test, p = 0.5371). The 3-year freedom from > moderate AR rate was 100% in the semi-rigid ring group and 72.9 ± 16.5% in the semi-flexible ring group (log-rank test, p = 0.0815)., Conclusions: Simultaneous mitral valve repair in patients with MR and concomitant annulo-aortic ectasia showed favorable mid-term outcomes.

We present a rare case of common carotid artery with acute type A aortic dissection. A 72-year-old woman underwent emergent aortic arch repair using Antegrade selective cerebral protection. Bottom-tapped cannulae were inserted into three orifices of arch vessels, however, regional cerebral oxygen saturation decreased after rewarming. We found that arch branches were in order from front to back, right subclavian artery, common carotid trunk, and left subcravian artery. The patient complicated stroke in the right middle cerebral artery.

In the original publication of the article, the values of the row "Norwood procedure", under "(3) Main procedure" in Table 3 were published incorrectly. The corrected part of the table is given in this Correction.

Objectives: The present study analyzed the prevalence of variations of the aortic arch branching in Japanese population, comparing patients with aortic arch disease with healthy controls., Methods: Between from October 1999 and December 2015, 815 Japanese patients with aortic arch disease defined as aortic arch aneurysm (diameter ≥ 45 mm) and aortic dissection (group A) underwent aortic arch surgery in our institution. As a control group, 1506 traumatic screened patients were enrolled (group C)., Results: Aortic arch anomaly was diagnosed in 140 patients (17.2%) in the group A and in 222 patients (14.7%) in the group C (p = 0.125). Significant differences were found in the incidence of aberrant subclavian artery (A: 14 patients, 1.7%, vs. C: 8 patients, 0.5%, p = 0.006). Significantly more patients with aortic arch aneurysm in the group A had anomalies of the aortic arch compared with the group C (p = 0.009), including bovine aortic arch (p = 0.049) and aberrant subclavian artery (p < 0.001). In term of aneurysm location, bovine arch was detected in more patients with proximal arch aneurysm (15.7%, p = 0.043), whereas aberrant subclavian artery was in more patients with distal location (3.7%, p < 0.001). No difference was found in aortic arch anomaly in patients with acute or chronic dissection., Conclusion: Aberrant subclavian artery was a significant maker of aortic arch disease in Japanese populations. Bovine arch was a risk maker of proximal arch aneurysm, and aberrant subclavian artery was a risk factor of distal arch aneurysm.

Objective: Presenting our experience of direct perfusion of the carotid artery in patients with brain malperfusion secondary to acute aortic dissection., Patients: Among 381 patients who underwent aortic repair for acute type A aortic dissection from October 1999 to August 2017, brain malperfusion was recognized in 50 patients. Nine patients had direct perfusion of the right carotid artery in patients with brain malperfusion secondary to acute aortic dissection. Age at surgery was 65.7 ± 13.5 years and three patients were male. Preoperative consciousness level was alert in one patients, drowsy in six, and coma in two. Five patients had preoperative hemiplegia. All patients showed a blood pressure difference between the upper extremities and eight patients showed more than 15% difference of rSO 2 . Seven patients had a temporary external active shunt from the femoral artery to the right common carotid artery preoperatively. Two patients had direct perfusion to the right common carotid artery during cardiopulmonary bypass or in the intensive care unit after surgery because of a sudden decrease of rSO 2 and cessation of carotid artery flow. Antegrade cerebral perfusion was used in all patients. Total arch replacement was performed in six patients and hemiarch in three., Results: The hospital mortality was 33% (3 patients). Causes of death were huge hemispheric brain infarction or anoxic brain damage in two patients and myocardial infarction in one. The postoperative neurological outcome was alert in four, hemiplegia in two, and coma in three, but five patients showed some improvement of neurological signs., Conclusion: Aggressive direct reperfusion of the carotid artery before the aortic repair may reduce neurological complications in patients with preoperative brain malperfusion secondary to acute aortic dissection.

Orally administered Qing-dai, called indigo naturalis in Latin, is reportedly useful for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. We herein describe two patients with ulcerative colitis who developed colitis with wall thickening and edematous changes during oral administration of the powdered form of Qing-dai. In Case 1, a 35-year-old man developed colitis similar to ischemic colitis with bloody stool that recurred each time he ingested Qing-dai. He had no signs of recurrence upon withdrawal of Qing-dai. In Case 2, a 43-year-old woman underwent ileocecal resection for treatment of an intussusception 2 months after beginning oral administration of Qing-dai. Edema and congestion but no ulceration were present in the mucosa of the resected specimen. Both patients exhibited abdominal pain with bloody diarrhea, and abdominal computed tomography showed marked wall edema affecting an extensive portion of the large bowel.

Objective: Although aortic valve-sparing operations are performed throughout Japan, the indications, specific repair techniques, and outcomes have not been reported in full. Thus, we conducted the first nationwide survey of aortic valve-sparing surgery., Methods: We mailed a questionnaire to 508 institutions across Japan to obtain information on elective aortic valve and aortic root surgeries performed in 2014. Included in the mailing was a secondary questionnaire that sought further information from institutions reporting aortic valve-sparing surgeries., Results: Two hundred and fifty (49%) institutions responded and reported a total of 7859 aortic valve operations and 771 aortic root operations. Aortic valve operations performed strictly for aortic regurgitation totaled 2080, 156 (8%) of which were aortic valve repairs. Of the 699 aortic root surgeries performed for aortic regurgitation, 236 (34%) were valve-sparing root replacement surgeries. The valve-sparing root replacement surgeries comprised aortic valve reimplantation (n = 173, 73%) and aortic root remodeling (n = 63, 27%). Five of 57 (9%) institutions were responsible for 42% (99/233) of the total aortic valve-sparing surgeries performed. Detailed information that was obtained for 233 patients who underwent aortic valve repair or valve-sparing root replacement showed 30-day mortality and reoperation for regurgitation after aortic valve repair (n = 97), aortic root remodeling (n = 37), and aortic valve reimplantation (n = 99) to be 1, 0, and 1% and 3, 3, and 1%, respectively., Conclusion: To date, aortic valve-sparing operations have been performed for limited patients at limited institution in Japan, but the early outcomes have been excellent.

Objective: Radical resection for thoracic malignancies that invade the great vessels or heart structure is an uncommon, high-risk operation. To help surgeons determine therapeutic strategy, we reviewed the patient characteristics and outcomes of combined thoracic and cardiovascular surgery for thoracic malignancies., Methods: Surgical resections of lung cancer, mediastinal tumor and pulmonary artery sarcoma invading great vessels or heart structures were reviewed from the literature., Results: Pneumonectomy was often performed for lung cancer invading the aorta, superior vena cava, and left atrium. Complete resection (R0), no mediastinal lymph node metastasis and without using cardiopulmonary bypass led to a good prognosis. Induction therapy was often performed for complete resection. Regarding mediastinal tumors, thymic epithelial tumors or germ cell tumors occasionally invaded the great vessels or heart structures. For these malignancies, multimodality therapy was often performed, and complete resection could be one of the prognostic factors. The resection of primary pulmonary artery sarcoma (PPAS) is also a combined thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. The primary treatment for PPAS is surgical resection; specifically, pulmonary endarterectomy and pneumonectomy, because PPAS has substantial resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The prognosis of PPAS is poor, but surgical resection has potential for long-term survival., Conclusion: Although these surgeries are uncommon and invasive for the patients, selecting appropriate patients, aggressive multimodality therapy, and performing combined thoracic and cardiovascular surgery can contribute to a good outcome.

A 30-year-old man with Marfan syndrome who underwent Crawford type II extension aneurysm repair about 9 years ago was referred to our hospital with persistent fever. Computed tomography (CT) showed air around the mid-descending aortic prosthetic graft. Because the air did not disappear in spite of intravenous antibiotics, (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) was performed. FDG-PET/CT revealed four high-uptake lesions. After dissecting the aortic graft particularly focusing on the high-uptake lesions, this patient underwent in situ graft re-replacement of descending aortic graft with a rifampicin-bonded gelatin-impregnated Dacron graft and omentopexy. The patient remains well without recurrent infection at 3 months after surgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of acquired and innate immunity on spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury using a mouse model of spinal cord ischemia., Methods: To define the ischemic duration that caused paraplegia, wild-type and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice were subjected to cross-clamping of the aorta for 7, 9, 9.5, or 10.5 min with ischemic preconditioning for intestinal protection. In wild-type and SCID mice with paraplegia, histological analyses were performed to investigate viable neurons, inflammatory cells, and reactive astrocytes at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h as well as 7 days after reperfusion., Results: In both wild-type and SCID mice, immediate paraplegia was induced by occlusion for 10.5 min. In both wild-type and SCID mice, no infiltration of T or B lymphocytes was observed at any point after reperfusion, but reactive astrocytes were clearly visible at 7 days after reperfusion, and the number of activated microglia peaked at 12 and 48 h after reperfusion. Although there was no significant difference, wild-type mice had a tendency to have more activated microglia than SCID mice at 12 h after reperfusion, and to have less viable neurons than SCID mice at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after reperfusion. There was a tendency that the frequency of immediate paraplegia in wild-type mice was more than SCID mice though no statistical difference was observed., Conclusions: Innate immunity, rather than acquired immunity, may be involved in the developing immediate paraplegia in our mouse model.

Aortoesophageal fistula is a fatal disease which needs immediate control of bleeding and infection. We report a case of aortoesophageal fistula successfully treated with extra-anatomical bypass and complete resection of infected aorta and esophagus following endovascular repair. He was discharged after reconstruction of esophagus and recurrence of infection has not been observed for the past 5 years.

At SPring-8, synchrotron radiation-based X-ray phase-contrast tomography (PCXI) has been developed to measure the inner structures of biological soft tissue without destroying them. To resolve the three-dimensional (3D) morphology, we have applied PCXI to various cardiovascular tissue samples, including the thoracic aorta, ductus arteriosus, and cardiac conduction system. In the aortic walls, PCXI demonstrated differences in 3D structures of tunica media of aortic dissection. These findings correlated well with the irregularity of the structure of the media. In the surgically excised sample of coarctation of the aorta, PCXI showed 3D morphological changes in transition from the ductus arteriosus to the descending aorta. PCXI is also useful for examining abnormalities of the cardiac conduction system in congenital heart defects. Synchrotron radiation-based X-ray phase-contrast tomography has strong modality for analyzing 3D morphology and is useful for understanding the pathophysiology of various cardiovascular surgical pathologies.

Erratum to: Clin J Gastroenterol (2015) 8:10–13,DOI 10.1007/s12328-014-0540-0. The name of the third author should be given as Hiroki Imaoka, not Yuhki Imaoka.

Recent advances in surgery for thoracic aorta have been described, including data by the annual survey of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery. Current clinical problems in aortic root surgery, brain protection during aortic arch surgery, spinal cord protection during thoracoabdominal aortic surgery, acute aortic dissection and endovascular stenting have been discussed.

Noroviruses cause epidemic and sporadic acute gastroenteritis in both children and adults. We report a rare case of intestinal necrosis due to norovirus gastroenteritis in a healthy adult. A 47-year-old man presented with worsening abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal fullness. Physical examination revealed abdominal distension and diffuse tenderness. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed intestinal distention, pneumatosis, and portal venous gas, findings suggestive of intestinal necrosis. Norovirus genome was detected in his stools using the RT-PCR method. Upon laparotomy, a segment of necrotic bowel 170 cm from the ileocecal valve was identified, and the lesion was resected with an end ileostomy. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and he was transferred to another hospital on the 7th post-operative day. Ileostomy closure was performed one month after the first surgery at the transfer hospital. He had no recurrent episodes.

Purpose: The development fistulas between the thoracic aorta and the esophagus are highly fatal conditions. We aimed to identify a therapeutic strategy for treating aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) in this study, by investigating all AEF cases presented in this special symposium at the 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery., Methods: Forty-seven AEF patients were included in this study. The survivors and nonsurvivors at six and 18 months after diagnosis of AEF were classified into "Group A6", "Group D6", "Group A18", and "Group D18", respectively. Comparisons between Group A6 and Group D6 and between Group A18 and Group D18 were made with regard to therapeutic strategy., Results: Twenty-two (46.8 %) and 33 (70.3 %) of the 47 patients died within 6 and 18 months, respectively. The patients treated with omentum wrapping (p = 0.0052), esophagectomy (p = 0.0269) and a graft replacement strategy for the aorta (p = 0.002) were more frequently included in Group A6. The patients with the omentum wrapping (p = 0.0174) and esophagectomy (p = 0.0203) and graft replacement were more significantly included in Group A18. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that the mortality rate at 6 and 18 months after diagnosis was significantly correlated with graft replacement (p = 0.0188) and esophagectomy (p = 0.0257), respectively. There were significant differences in the actuarial survival curves in patients who had omentum wrapping, graft replacement, and esophagectomy compared to patients who did not have these 3 therapeutic procedures., Conclusion: The use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair alone for AEF should not be considered a definitive surgery. In contrast, esophagectomy, open surgery with aortic replacement using prostheses and homografts and greater omentum wrapping significantly improve the mid-term survival of AEF.

Objectives: To improve the clinical outcome of patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) associated with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), we compared the therapeutic efficacy of mitral annuloplasty (MAP) with that of mitral valve replacement (MVR)., Methods: In a retrospective observation 63 consecutive patients underwent mitral valve surgery for severe ICM-FMR from November 1999 to March 2012. All patients had severe FMR (regurgitant volume >60 ml/beat) with Carpentier type I and type IIIb disease. Mean RV was 74.0 ± 35.0 ml/beat and coaptation depth was 12.7 ± 3.0 mm. Twenty-six patients (41.3 %) were treated by MVR with sparing of the subvalvular apparatus and 37 (58.7 %) by MAP., Results: Total in-hospital mortality was 6.3 %. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates at 1 and 5 years were 84.2 and 78.6 % in the MVR group and 82.6 and 71.6 % in the MAP group, with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.758). Freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 5 years was 66.9 % for patients treated by MVR and 64.1 % for those treated by MAP (p = 0.866). At the last follow-up visit, >grade II MR had recurred in 4 annuloplasty patients (10.8 %). In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of increased late death and MACCE were significantly associated with residual pulmonary hypertension (late death: odds ratio = 25.0, p = 0.0009; MACCE: odds ratio = 31.3, p = 0.0001)., Conclusions: Mitral valve replacement with sparing of the subvalvular apparatus is a safe and effective surgical alternative for patients with severe FMR.

Delayed diagnosis or surgery sometimes causes more extensive destruction of aortic periannular abscess, or pseudoaneurysm, resulting in left ventricular-aortic discontinuity, particularly in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. The condition complicates the surgical procedures and causes worsening of short- and long-term outcomes. In-hospital mortality in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis has been reported to be as high as 15-20 %, even at leading hospitals in the world. Contemporary modes of surgery for periannular abscess/pseudoaneurysm involve drainage of the cavity, radical debridement of necrotic tissue, annular reconstruction of the destroyed annulus, and root replacement using an optimal conduit. Radical debridement is of primary importance and is the universally accepted procedure, which frequently requires annular reconstruction using a pericardial patch. Conventional aortic valve replacement using a mechanical or stented biological valve, aortic valve replacement with translocation, aortic root replacement using an allograft, pulmonary autograft (Ross procedure), stentless biological valve, or a composite graft are conduits of choice. All things considered, allograft is believed to be the best conduit for a destroyed annulus because of better fit and its resistance to infection; however, recent reports have failed to confirm the superiority of allograft over other conduits in terms of long-term survival and freedom from reoperation/recurrence of infection. Short- and long-term outcomes have been studies for every type of conduit, but the selection of conduits for aortic root replacement is still controversial.

A 79-year-old woman with bloody diarrhea was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. She developed intestinal perforation after high-dose steroid therapy. An emergency laparotomy revealed a perforation in the ascending colon, and a subtotal colectomy was performed with an ileostomy and a mucous fistula in the sigmoid colon. Histological findings of the resected colon showed the presence of cytomegalovirus in the endothelial cells of vessels around the ulcer floor. Twelve days after the laparotomy, she developed an ileal perforation with a bloody discharge from the ileostomy and underwent an emergency laparotomy. Multiple intestinal perforations were found in the ileum, and the perforated ileum was resected. Cytomegalovirus infection was controlled with ganciclovir postoperatively. Histological findings of the resected ileum showed the presence of cytomegalovirus in the endothelial cells of vessels around the ulcer floor. This is the first report of ileal perforation due to cytomegalovirus infection confirmed pathologically in a patient with ulcerative colitis.

Purpose: Cardiac surgery for the patients with advanced liver cirrhosis is still challenging. High mortality has been reported in the literature. We evaluate the clinical outcome of cardiac surgery in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis., Methods: Patients with advanced liver cirrhosis who underwent cardiac surgery between October 1999 and April 2009 were reviewed. The severity of liver cirrhosis was assessed using Child-Pugh class, Child-Pugh score, and MELD score. Advanced liver cirrhosis was defined as Child-Pugh class B or C. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was carried out at higher flow rate (2.4-3.2 L/min/m(2)), and hematocrit (25-30 %). Moderate and more tricuspid regurgitation were aggressively treated. Dilutional ultrafiltration was performed at the termination of CPB., Results: Eighteen patients (mean age 70 years, male:female = 14:4) were identified. Twelve patients had hepatitis virus infection and 6 cases were alcohol-related. Fourteen patients were graded as Child-Pugh class B and 4 in class C. Seventeen patients underwent cardiac surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, and 1 patient underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. The overall mortality rate was 17 % (3 of 18). The cause of death was liver failure, esophageal variceal bleeding and bacteremia. The mortality of redo surgery was high (50 %). The incidence of postoperative liver failure was 11 % (2 of 18). Child-Pugh class or score was not correlated with hospital mortality. MELD score was significantly higher in hospital mortality (10.8 ± 4.0 vs. 17.3 ± 2.1, p = 0.001)., Conclusions: Although the mortality of redo surgery was high, cardiac surgery could be safely performed in selected patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.

A 39-year-old woman with familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia had supravalvular and valvular aortic stenosis. Modified Nick's procedure and aortic valve replacement was performed to relieve both the supravalvular and annular stenoses. At surgery, the ascending aorta was found to be narrowing at the level of the sinotubular junction, which was compatible with congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis. Histological examination of the aortic cusps showed sclerotic change due to hypercholesterolemia. These findings indicated that familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia caused valvular aortic stenosis and exacerbated congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis.

A 72-year-old woman with a known history of homozygous familial hyperlipidemia (IIa) was referred to our hospital for an operation necessitated by aortic and mitral stenosis and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Computed tomography and cardiac catheterization revealed a heavily calcified aortic root and mitral annulus as well as a high-grade stenosis of the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries. Double aortic and mitral valve replacement concomitant with replacement of ascending aorta, maze III procedure, and coronary artery bypass were performed. Temporary hypothermic arrest was employed to reduce the risk of cerebral emboli.

Paraplegia or paraparesis after otherwise successful thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction is a devastating complication for both patient and physician. Various strategies have been developed to minimize the incidence of neurological complications after aortic surgery. The incidence of spinal cord ischemia and subsequent neurological complications has been correlated with (1) the duration and severity of ischemia, (2) failure to establish a spinal cord blood supply, and (3) reperfusion injury. Preoperative identification of the arteria radicularis magna, the artery of Adamkiewicz, facilitates identification of critical intercostal vessels for reimplantation, resulting in reestablishing spinal cord blood flow. Techniques for monitoring spinal cord function using evoked potentials have been developed, and surgical techniques have evolved to reduce the duration of ischemia. Furthermore, sequentially sacrificing all the intercostal arteries while maintaining collateral circulation to the cord has produced good outcomes. The severity of ischemia can be minimized by using cerebrospinal fluid drainage, hypothermia, distal bypass, managing the blood pressure, and adjunctive pharmacological therapy. Reperfusion injury can be reduced with the use of antioxidant therapy. Recent advances in endovascular stentgrafting have reduced the incidence of postoperative spinal complications, especially among high-risk patients., (© The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery 2011)

We report a case of refractory granulomatous colitis and perineal fistulas complicated by Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) that was successfully treated by repeated infusions of infliximab. The patient was a mentally retarded 30-year-old Japanese man who was diagnosed with HPS based on albinism, nystagmus, and a history of bleeding diathesis in his childhood. Since he was 28 years old, he had suffered from severe granulomatous colitis with perineal fistulas, which had been resistant to medical treatment including sulfasalazine, mesalamine, and steroids. At 30 years of age, diverting colostomy was performed aiming at subsiding severe bleeding and a perianal abscess. Three months after surgery, the patient developed sudden onset of fever, chills, and bloody bowel movements. Then, infliximab was administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg, and most of symptoms were relieved within 48 h of administration. The patient obtained remission with a constant daily dosage of azathioprine and a monthly dosage of infliximab. The present case is the first report of complicated granulomatous colitis with HPS, which was successfully treated with infliximab in Japan.

A 61-year-old man developed a ruptured innominate artery associated with localized acute dissection. The innominate artery was reconstructed with a bifurcated prosthetic graft without brain complication.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a fatal disease that is caused by a cervical or odontogenical infection spreading downward to the mediastinum through anatomical cervical spaces. The mortality rate of DNM is still high. We have experience of 2 cases of DNM. In case 1 patient, a cervical abscess expanded to the esophageal hiatus through the superior and posterior mediastinum. A right minithoracotomy on the triangle of auscultation was performed with a thoracoscope in order to dissect the necrotic materials and drain the abscess. In case 2 patient, a left second costal cartilage resection was performed to approach the anterior mediastinal abscess. Both patients recovered well.