Objective To evalute the cl inical outcomes of two different surgical treatments for arachnoid cysts in sacral canal. Methods From January 2004 to March 2009, 55 cases of arachnoid cysts in the sacral canal were treated by traditonal simple sacral laminectomies with resection of the cysts (group A, 25 cases) and novel CT-guided percutaneous fibrin glue therapy of arachnoid cysts (group B, 30 cases). Of them, there were 23 males and 32 females, aging 15-66 years with an average of 42.6 years; the duration of symptoms was 6 months to 15 years with an average of 3.5 years. L5-S1 was involved in 22 cases, S1,2 in 25 cases, S2,3 in 12 cases, S2 in 8 cases, and presacral in 2 cases. The size of cysts was 1.5 cm × 1.0 cm to 6.0 cm × 2.8 cm. The MRI examination showed that all patients had cysts in the sacral canal. There were no significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in sex, ages, disease duration and cysts size between two groups. Preoperative data and postoperative lumbosacral pain and function improvement were analyzed and compared between two groups. Results All operations were performed successfully. The operative time, blood loss and hospital ization days of group B were significantly less than those of group A (P lt; 0.01). All 55 cases were followed up from 9 to 61 months (mean 23 months). In group A, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (25 cases), intracranial infection (2 cases), nerve injury (3 cases), and nerve root irritation (8 cases) occurred; in group B, mild meningitis (3 cases) and low grade fever (5 cases) occurred. Except for nerve injury, other compl ications were cured after symptomatic management. During the follow-up, 2 recurrent cases were found in group A and 1 case in group B. Of them, 2 recurrent cases were treated with CT-guided percutaneous fibrin glue therapy of arachnoid cysts, and cysts disappeared. For two groups, there were significant differences in Oswestry functional disabil ity index and visual analogue scale score between preoperation and postoperation (P lt; 0.01), and in the rate of score improvement between two groups (P lt; 0.01). According to the rating scale, the excellent and good rates of pain improvement were 64% in group A and 100% in group B; the excellent and good rates of function improvement were 24% in group A and 97% in group B. Conclusion CT-guided percutaneous fibrin glue therapy for arachnoid cysts in the sacral canal is a mini-invasive, safe, effective, and economical method, it may be better choices for the treatment of arachnoid cysts in the sacral canal.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between the method of simple posterior debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and internal fixation and the method of one-stage anterior radical debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and posterior internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis so as to provide the reference for the clinical treatment. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 148 cases of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis between January 2002 and January 2012. Simple posterior debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and internal fixation was used in 78 cases (group A), and one-stage anterior radical debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and posterior internal fixation in 70 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, involved vertebral segments, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neural function grade of America Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), and kyphosis Cobb angle before operation between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The peri operation period indexes (hospitalization time, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss) and the clinical effectiveness indexes (VAS score, ASIA grade, Cobb angle, and ESR) were compared; the bone fusion and the internal fixation were observed. ResultsIncision infection and paravertebral and/or psoas abscess occurred in 2 and 3 cases of group A respectively. All incisions healed by first intention and 2 cases had pneumothorax in group B. The operation time and the hospitalization time of group A were significantly shorter than those of group B (P < 0.05), and the intraoperative blood lossof group A was significantly lower than that of group B (P < 0.05). All of the cases in 2 groups were followed up 14-38 months, 25 months on average. The VAS, ESR, and Cobb angle were significantly decreased at each time point after operation when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The neurological function was significantly improved at 3 months after operation; there were 1 case of ASIA grade C, 14 cases of grade D, and 63 cases of grade E in group A, and there were 1 case of grade C, 11 cases of grade D, and 58 cases of grade E in group B; and difference was not significant (Z=0.168, P=0.682). The grafting bone fusion was observed in both groups. The fusion time was (8.7±0.3) months in group A and (8.6±0.4) months in group B, showing no significant difference (t=0.591, P=0.601) was found. At last follow-up, no loosening or fracture of internal fixation was found. ConclusionBased on regular medicine therapy, the effectiveness of the two methods is satisfactory in the treatment of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis as long as the operation indications should be controlled strictly.
Objective?To compare the double dorsal phalangeal flap (DDPF) with the combination of digital neurovascular island flap (NVIF) and first dorsal metacarpal artery flap (FDMA) in terms of repairing digit degloving injury.?Methods?From October 2005 to March 2008, DDPF was used to repair 9 patients (9 fingers) with degloving injury of the thumb and index finger and completely amputated thumb and index finger (group A). From August 1996 to June 2007, NVIF and FDMA were used to repair 13 patients (13 fingers) with the thumb degloving injury and completely amputated or necrotic thumb (group B). In group A, there were 7 males and 2 females aged 19-48 years old, there were 4 cases of thumb and index finger degloving injury repair and 5 cases of completely amputated thumb and index finger reconstruction, the skin defect ranged from 6.0 cm × 3.5 cm to 7.0 cm × 4.5 cm, and the interval between injury and operation was 3-10 hours. The size of DDPF harvested during operation was 4.0 cm × 3.5 cm-5.0 cm × 4.0 cm. In group B, there were 10 males and 3 females aged 18-50 years old, there were 5 cases of thumb degloving injury repair and 8 cases of completely amputated or necrotic thumb reconstruction, the skin defect ranged from 6.0 cm × 3.0 cm to 7.0 cm × 4.5 cm, and the interval between injury and operation was 3 hours-5 days, and the size of NVIF and FDMA harvested during operation was 3.5 cm × 3.0 cm-5.0 cm × 4.0 cm. The donor site was repaired with the full-thickness skin graft.?Results?All the flaps survived uneventfully except for 1 case in group A suffering from venous crisis 1 day after operation and 2 cases in group B suffering from FDMA artery crisis 4-12 hours after operation. Those flaps survived after symptomatic treatment. All the wounds healed by first intention. All patients in two groups were followed up for 1-12 years (average 3.2 years). All the donor sites were normal except for 3 cases in group B suffering from flexion contracture deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint due to the scar contracture in the margin of NVIF donor site. According to Allen test, the skin temperature and color of the donor fingers in two groups were normal under room temperature; 1 case of group A and 6 NVIF donor fingers of group B were pale and cold under ice water. According to sensory recovery evaluation system, 16 fingers in group A were graded as S4, 1 as S3+, and 1 as S2; while in group B, 3 NVIF fingers were graded as S3, 6 NVIF fingers as S2, 4 NVIF fingers as S1, and 13 FDMA fingers as S4. The appearance of the recipient flap was satisfactory and the color was similar to the surrounding skin. The skin temperature and color of the flaps in two groups were normal under room temperature; 2 cases of group A and 4 recipient fingers of group B were pale and cold under ice water. In group A, all the palmar flap of the recipient finger achieved the reorientation of the recipient flap sensation; while in group B, 8 cases achieved the reorientation of the recipient flap sensation, and 5 cases had double sensation. For the two-point discrimination of the flap, group B was superior to that of group A in terms of the palmar aspect (P lt; 0.05), no significant difference was evident between two groups in terms of the dorsal aspect (P gt; 0.05), and the palmar aspect of each group was superior to the dorsal flap (P lt; 0.05).?Conclusion?DDPF is less invasive to donor finger, easy to be operated, able to partially restore the sensory of the injured finger, and suitable for the repair of the degloving injury of the thumb and the index finger. Combination of NVIF and FDMA can restore the fine sensory of recipient palmar flap better and is applicable for those patients suffering from digital nerve defects from the proximal phalanx and with high demand for the recovery of thumb sensory.
Objective To compare the short-term curative results between Nissen, Thal and Toupet fundoplications in treatment of gastroesophageal reflux(GER) and to provide the basis for operative procedure. Methods Thirty-three male Japan rabbits were randomly divided into six groups: group reflux(n=7), transabdominal Heller’s esophagomyotomy (TAHE)；group Nissen(n=7)，TAHE and Nissen fundoplication；group Thal(n=7)，TAHE and Thal fundoplication；group Toupet(n=7)，TAHE and Toupet fundoplication； control group (n=5)，ventrotomy. The anti-reflux efficacy of fundoplication was evaluated by intraesophageal pH monitoring and MGV（maximal gastric volume sustained by lower esophageal sphincter）4 weeks postoperatively. Results ① The total number of reflux episodes and the reflux ratio（0.83±0.41,2.20%±1.12%） of group Nissen were significantly lower than those of group Thal (2.20±0.45, 4.32%±0.82%) and group Toupet (1.80±0.45, 4.20%±0.57%), respectively (Plt;0.05). ② MGV of group Nissen (233.00±9.44)ml was significantly larger than those of group Thal （203.40±11.13）ml and group Toupet（197.60±10.99）ml, respectively (Plt;0.05). ③There were no significant difference in total number of reflux episodes, reflux ratio and MGV between group Thal and group Toupet (Pgt;0.05).Conclusion Nissen fundoplication was better than Thal and Toupet fundoplications,Thal and Toupet fundoplications are similar in short-term curative result.
Objective To evaluate and compare the efficacy of anterior subcutaneous and submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve in treating cubital tunnel syndrome. Methods From August 2006 to August 2008, 66 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with anterior subcutaneous transposition (subcutaneous group, 24 cases) and with anterior submuscular transposition (submuscular group, 42 cases). According to McGowan stages, all patients were at Stage2 or 3 entrapment neuropathy with paresthesia in the ring and small fingers. Respectively, 3 cases and 8 cases compl icated by interosseous muscle atrophy in subcutaneous group and in submuscular group. No significant difference was found in gender, age, duration of the disease, and compl ication between two groups (P lt; 0.05). The surgical features, distribution of Bishop rates, two-point discrimination test, muscular strength, and compl ications were recorded. Results The operation time was (28.4 ± 5.2) minutes in subcutaneous group and (43.8 ± 5.6) minutes in submuscular group, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.01). The incision length was (12.2 ± 2.5) cm in subcutaneous group and (13.6 ± 2.8) cm in submuscular group, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). All patients were followed up 1-3 years. According to Bishop scoring system, the results were excellent in 18 cases, good in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases in subcutaneous group; excellent in 36 cases, good in 3 cases, and poor in 3 cases in submuscular group; and showing no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). At 6 months postoperatively, twopoint discrimination and grip strength were improved when compared with that of preoperation (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Pain and dysesthesia of the scar were noted in 1 patient of the subcutaneous group and 3 patients of the submuscular group. No infection or hematoma was found and no patient needed reoperation. Conclusion Both operative methods are effective alternative for treating cubital tunnel syndrome. The anterior ubcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve has fewer traumas, and it is a better choice for some old patients.
ObjectiveTo compare the visual outcomes of treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab alone or in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsIn this retrospective and comparative study, 36 eyes of 36 patients with PCV were enrolled. Eighteen eyes received 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) ranibizumab injection only (simple injection group) and the other 18 eyes underwent combination therapy of ranibizumab injection and PDT (combination treatment group). Intravitreal ranibizumab was given at the third day after PDT. Re-treatment was considered in clinic examination. The minimum re-treatment interval was 3 months for combination therapy and 1 month for ranibizumab. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline and each follow-up visit at 1, 3, 6, 12 month was measured as a primary outcome, and complications also observed in every follow-up. ResultsNo complications occurred in these 36 patients during the treatment or follow-up, such as retinal detachment, sustained high intraocular pressure, retinal holes, intraocular inflammation, and systemic adverse reactions. The average times of ranibizumab injections of simple injection group and combined treatment group were (3.00±0.84) and (1.89±0.68) times respective, and the difference was significant (t=4.370, P=0.000). The logMAR BCVA of the first and third month after initial treatment between two groups were significant different (t=0.668, 0.940; P>0.05). However, there was no significant difference between them at the 6th and 12th month (t=2.188, 2.547; P<0.05). In the last follow-up, the logMAR BCVA were improved in simple injection group and combination treatment group compared to the pre-treatment values (t=3.351, 9.408; P=0.012, 0.000). In simple injection group, visual acuity was improved in 3 eyes (16.7%), stable in 13 eyes (72.2%) and decreased in 2 eyes (11.1%). In combination treatment group, visual acuity was improved in 4 eyes (22.2%), stable in 13 eyes (72.2%) and decreased in 1 eyes (5.6%). ConclusionsIntravitreal ranibizumab injection and combined with PDT are both effective to improve vision in patients with PCV. Visual acuity was the same between the two treatments in 3 months after initial treatment; however 6 to 12 months after first treatment, patients received PDT combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injection had better visual acuity than those received the intravitreal ranibizumab injection only.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone or in combined with ranibizumab versus ranibizumab monotherapy (intravitreal injection, IVR) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods80 eyes of 72 patients with PCV were enrolled into this retrospective and comparative study according to their therapeutic plan. 30 eyes of 28 patients, 28 eyes of 30 patients and 22 eyes of 21 patients were divided into PDT group, ranibizumab 0.5 mg group (IVR group) or the combination group, respectively. The patients with PCV were diagnosed according to clinical symptoms, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescent indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before treatment was more than 0.05, and there was no retinal fibrosis and scar for all patients. There was no statistical difference of age (F=0.187), gender (χ2=0.423), average BCVA (F=1.120) and central retinal thickness (CRT) (F=0.431) among three groups (P > 0.05). They had not received any treatment before. Patients received verteporfin PDT in PDT group, 3 consecutive monthly IVRs starting day 1 in IVR group, and 3 IVRs after 3 days, 1 month, 2 months of PDT starting day 1 in combination group. Re-treatment was considered 3 months later if the follow up shown no changes in fundus photography, OCT and ICGA. The average follow-up time was 19 months. BCVA at baseline and follow-up visit at 1, 3, 6, 12 months was measured, and the proportion of patients with ICGA-assessed complete regression of polyps at month 6 was recorded as primary outcome. The CRT was measured at baseline and 6 months as secondary outcome. ResultsThere were significant difference of BCVA at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months among three groups(F=5.480, 5.249, 3.222, 4.711; P < 0.05). The average BCVA was significantly better at 1, 3, 6, 12 month than that at baseline(t=-6.632, -4.127, -3.904, -4.494; P < 0.05) in combination group, and was significantly better at 3, 6, 12 months than that at baseline (t=-5.636, -3.039, -3.833; P < 0.05) in IVR group. However there was no significant difference of the average BCVA in PDT group between follow-up at 1, 3, 6, l 2 months and baseline (t=1.973, 0.102, -0.100, -0.761; P > 0.05). The proportion of patients with complete regression of polyps at 6 months was higher in PDT (76.7%) or combination group (68.2%) than IVR group (35.7%) (χ2=0.003, 0.025; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of CRT among 3 groups at baseline (P=0.651). The mean CRT decreased in all 3 treatment groups over 6 months (t=5.120, 3.635, 5.253; P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference of CRT among 3 groups (F=1.293, P > 0.05). ConclusionsThree therapies could effectively decrease CRT. IVR or IVR combined with PDT are both more effective than PDT therapy to improve vision of PCV patients. PDT or PDT combined with IVR was superior to IVR pnly in achieving complete regression of polyps in 6 months in PCV patients.
ObjectiveTo summarize the current comparison of the efficacy of different treatments for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodTo search the literatures about the comparative studies on the efficacy of different treatments for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in recent years and analyze them.ResultsIn the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma, percutaneous arterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation could improve the survival rate and tumor-free survival rate to some extent, compared with the single use of percutaneous arterial chemoembolization. In the short term, there was no difference in efficacy between radiofrequency ablation and surgical resection, but the local recurrence rate of radiofrequency ablation was higher than that of surgical resection group. Salvage liver transplantation offered potential opportunity to reduce the risk of recurrence and tended to improve long-term survival outcomes, but liver sources were scarce and costly. ConclusionsAt present, there is no systematic staging scheme and treatment system for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma. At the same time, most studies are retrospective, and more prospective studies are needed to further explore the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.
To compare the effectiveness of dressing by a combination of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-Western medicine (WM) after TCM bath and by the silver sulfadiazine cream (SD-Ag) in treating residual deep burn wound. Methods A total of 128 cases of residual deep burn wound between July 2003 and December 2009 were randomly divided into the TCM-WM treatment group (70 cases) and the WM control group (58 cases). In the treatment group, there were 45 males and 25 females with an average age of 38.6 years (range, 18-60 years), including 34 cases of flame burns, 28 cases of molten steel burns, and 8 cases of chemical burns with an average burn area of 57.6% total body surface area (TBSA) and an average residual wound of 7.4% TBSA. In the control group, there were 50 males and 8 females with an average of 37.9 years (range, 20-59 years), including 26 cases of flame burns, 12 cases of hot water burns, 16 cases of molten steel burns, and 4 cases of chemical burns with an average burn area of 56.5% TBSA and an average residual wound of 6.9%TBSA. There was no significant difference in general data between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05), so the cl inical data of 2 groups had comparabil ity. In the treatment group, the patients had a bath with TCM, and then the wounds were treated with dressing change of combined TCM-WM. In the control group, the wounds were treated with SD-Ag after cleaning the wounds with chlorhexidine solution. The pain, wound heal ing time, and the rate of scar formation were observed in 2 groups after treatment. Results According to wound pain classification after medication, the results were excellent in 23 cases, good in 30 cases, fair in 17 cases in the treatment group; were excellent in 17 cases, good in 20 cases, fair in 13 cases, poor in 5 cases, and fairly poor in 3 cases in the control group. The wound heal ing time of the treatment group (13.45 ± 4.74) days was significantly shorter than that of the control group [(23.87 ± 14.45) days, P lt; 0.05)]. After 2 weeks of treatment, scar occurred in 15 patients (21.4%) of the treatment group and 35 patients (60.3%) of the control group, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Based on TCM bath, a combination of TCM-WM for the residual burn wounds is obviously superior to SD-Ag. It has the advantages of rapid heal ing, l ight pain, no obvious scar, and short hospital ization time.