Objective To confirm the difference between internal and external pressure of cervical esophageal and to discuss the relations between cervical esophageal pressure difference with the formation of cervical anastomotic leakage. Methods In the present study, 12 New Zealand white rabbits were used. We applied a pressure transducer to describe the variation of pressure of intrathoracic, thoracic esophagus, cervical esophagus and upper esophageal sphincter during resting and cough. Pressure value was recorded and read through MD3000 system. And the difference between each point was analyzed. Results The pressures resulting from the cough induced were significantly higher in intrathoracic than in thoracical esophagous (10.2±0.6 cm H2O vs. 36.7±1.0 cm H2O), exhibited significantly higher in upper esophageal sphincter and thoracic esophagous than in cervical esophageal (7.5±0.2 cm H2O vs. 12.0±0.4 cm H2O, vs. 10.2±0.6 cm H2O). Conclusion Cervical anastomotic leaks are affected by many factors.And the most notabe one is the constant pressure from inside-out around cervical anastomotic.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of internal and external lysis combined with Ilizarov external fixation technology for severe knee pathological flexion contracture deformity in children.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on 12 children (12 knees) with severe knee pathological flexion contracture deformity who were treated with internal and external lysis and Ilizarov external fixation between August 2012 and January 2017. There were 9 boys and 3 girls with an age of 3-12 years (mean, 8.4 years). There were 8 cases of tuberculosis, 3 cases of haemophilia A, and 1 case of residual deformity after extensive hemangioma drug injection. The disease duration ranged from 5 months to 4 years, with an average of 20.3 months. The degree of knee contracture was (67.42±23.30)°, and the range of motion of knee was (38.33±14.98)°. The preoperative Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was 78.42±15.57. The complication was observed after operation, and the degree of knee contracture, range of motion, and WOMAC score at 3 months and 1 year after operation were recorded and compared with those before operation.ResultsThe operations completed successfully in all children. All the 12 cases were followed up 9-24 months (mean, 14.5 months). All incisions healed by first intention after operation. The knee function of all children improved significantly and the weight-bearing walking function of the lower limbs restored. The degree of knee contracture, range of motion, and WOMAC score were significantly improved at 3 months and 1 year after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between 3 months and 1 year after operation (P>0.05).ConclusionFor severe knee pathological flexion contracture deformity in children, application of internal and external lysis combined with Ilizarov external fixation has advantages, such as small trauma, rapid recovery, and early postoperative knee function training, and good effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and feasibility of thoracoscopic surgery of anterior mediastinal tumors via subxiphoid approach under scissors position (SASP) and lateral thoracic approach under lateral position (LALP).MethodsClinical data of 69 patients who received anterior mediastinal tumor excision surgery in our hospital from June 2016 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 32 males and 37 females with an average age of 46.38±11.52 years. The clinical effects of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere was no perioperative death or conversion to thoracotomy. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the operative time (123.34±12.64 min vs. 125.05±17.02 min, P=0.642), intraoperative blood loss [50.00 (73.75) mL vs. 50.00 (80.00) mL, P=0.643], tumor diameter (2.75±0.57 cm vs. 2.89±0.45 cm, P=0.787) and total hospital expenses [32.70 (5.30) thousand yuan vs. 32.90 (4.80) thousand yuan, P=0.923]. However, the postoperative catheterization time [2.00 (1.00) d vs. 4.00 (1.50) d, P=0.000], postoperative drainage [260.00 (200.00) mL vs. 400.00 (225.00) mL, P=0.031], postoperative pain index [2.00 (1.00) points vs. 4.00 (2.00) points, P=0.000], postoperative analgesic time [1.50 (1.00) d vs. 3.00 (2.00) d, P=0.000], postoperative fever time [1.50 (1.00) d vs. 2.00 (1.00) d, P=0.000] in the SASP group were better than those in the LALP group.ConclusionThoracoscopic surgery via SASP is more suitable for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumor with rapid postoperative recovery and reduced pain, and the postoperative curative effect is definite. However, there is a high requirement for the surgical experience and techniques. It can be promoted in the clinic.
Anterior mediastinal inflammatory myofibroblastoma is a rare tumor with insidious onset and easy misdiagnosis. In this report, we presented a case of anterior mediastinal inflammatory myofibroblastoma with thymoma. The mediastinal tumor was found by physical examination, and the prognosis was good after surgical treatment. For this disease, operation is an effective method for definite diagnosis and treatment, and complete excision can achieve good outcomes.
Objective To investigate the effect of ultrasonic irradiation time on enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene transfection efficiency and local tissue in bone defects using ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction. Methods Thirty 3-month-old New Zealand rabbits (2.5-3.0 kg in weight) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6) and bone defect models were made on the right ulna. At 10 days after modeling, suspension of microbubbles and EGFP plasmids were locally injected (0.3 mL/kg) and then ultrasound was performed on defect at a frequency of 1 MHz, a intensity of 0.5 W/cm2, and a duty ratio of 20% for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes respectively (in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes groups respectively). The survival condition was observed. Rabbits were sacrificed for gross observation at 7 days after transfer. The gene expression was observed by fluorescence staining. HE staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the local tissue damage. Results The animals all survived. New soft tissue formed in bone defects area at 1 week after transfer, the surrounding muscle tissue was partly filled in it. Green fluorescence expression was observed in all rabbits. The expression was the strongest in 2 minutes group, and was the weakest in 1 minute group. The absorbance (A) value showed significant differences when compared 1 minute and 2 minutes groups with other groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 3, 4, and 5 minutes groups (P>0.05). Tissue damage was observed in all groups and it was aggravated with the increase of irradiation time. Conclusion EGFP transfection efficiency in bone defect by ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction is related to irradiation time. EGFP gene can be efficiently transfected without obvious toxicity at 1 MHz, 0.5W/cm2, and duty ratio of 20% for 2 minutes in bone defects of rabbits.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of percutanous fixation with helical bridge combined fixation system (BCFS) for treatment of long split fractures involving the middle and upper humerus. Methods Between February 2018 and February 2020, 15 patients of long split fractures involving the middle and upper humerus were treated. There were 6 males and 9 females, with an average age of 62 years (range, 37-82 years). The fractures were caused by slipping in 7 cases, falling from height in 3 cases, and traffic accident in 5 cases. According to AO classification, the shaft fractures were rated as type A in 4 cases, type B in 9 cases, and type C in 2 cases. And all fractures extended to proximal humerus; and the proximal fractures were rated as one-part fracture in 11 cases and two-part fracture in 4 cases according to Neer classification. The interval between injury and operation was 1-7 days (mean, 3.2 days). Nine patients underwent closed reduction and 6 patients underwent open reduction after lengthening the incisions. All fractures were percutaneously internal fixated with helical BCFS after reduction. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision healing, and fracture healing were recorded. Constant-Murley score was used to evaluate shoulder joint function, and Mayo score was used to evaluate elbow joint function. ResultsThe operation time ranged from 55 to 175 minutes, with an average of 76.5 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss ranged from 80 to 300 mL, with an average of 185.5 mL. All incisions healed by first intention, without infection or radial nerve injury. All patients were followed up 12-23 months, with an average of 16 months. The fractures all reached clinical healing, and the healing time was 12-20 weeks, with an average of 14.5 weeks. At 1 year after operation, the Constant-Murley score of the affected side was 88.7±7.6, and there was no significant difference when compared with that of the healthy side (90.8±8.3) (t=1.421, P=0.052). According to the elbow Mayo score, the score of the affected side was 97.6±6.5, and there was no significant difference when compared with the healthy side (97.7±7.3) (t=0.433, P=0.913). ConclusionThe helical BCFS can avoid the dissection of deltoid insertion and prevent the iatrogenic radial nerve injury. With satisfied effectiveness, it is suggested for minimally invasive surgical treatment of long split fractures involving the middle and upper humerus.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of minimally invasive small incision surgery under local anesthesia for pediatric stenosing tenovaginitis of thumb. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of children with stenosing tenovaginitis of thumb who received small incision tendinolysis under local anesthesia at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2013 and August 2022, to evaluate and analyze the safety and effectiveness of the surgery. Results A total of 949 pediatric patients were included, with an average age of (3.23±1.92) years. The average duration of surgery was (7.0±2.5) minutes, and the average follow-up time was (3.91±5.32) months. All patients did not need to fast for solids and liquids before surgery, and were immediately discharged from the hospital after outpatient surgery. The family members of the patients were highly satisfied with the treatment process and postoperative recovery. All patients had no nerve or vascular damage, and the wound margin skin showed linear healing with mild scars that fused with palm prints. There were 825 cases (86.93%) of children with thumb function fully restored to normal, 113 cases (11.91%) with limited maximum dorsiflexion function of the thumb, and 11 cases (1.16%) with recurrent stiffness of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. Conclusion Small incision tendinolysis under local anesthesia is a safe and effective treatment for pediatric stenosing tenovaginitis of thumb, with high satisfaction among the patients’ family members.
Objective To observe the clinical characteristics of asthma patients with chronic duration stage combined with small airway dysfunction (SAD), and analyze the influencing factors of SAD and the cardiopulmonary function of such patients under exercise. Methods The patients with chronic duration of asthma admitted to Nanjing Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2022 to April 2024 were divided into a SAD group and a non-SAD group according to the lung function results. Clinical data and relevant data of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were collected, the clinical data and cardiopulmonary function between the two groups were compared. The influencing factors of SAD were explored by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 102 patients with chronic asthma duration, 59 (57.8%) in the SAD group and 43 (42.2%) in the non-SAD group were included. In the SAD group, age, body masss index, asthma duration were greater than those in the non-SAD group, and SAD score was lower than that in the non-SAD group; the proportion of patients with acute onset of asthma, history of smoking, allergic rhinitis, and asthma control test score were higher than those in the non-SAD group, the exhaled nitric oxide level of SAD group was higher than that in the non-SAD group, and the conventional lung function level was lower than that in the non-SAD group (P<0.05). CPET showed that the VE/VCO2 slope and CO2 equivalent in the SAD group were higher than those in the non-SAD group, and the peak kg oxygen uptake, peak heart rate, and respiratory reserve were lower than those in the non-SAD group, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that age, increase of carbon dioxide equivalent at peak exercise, acute onset of asthma and allergic rhinitis were independent risk factors for SAD, and the increase of peak expiratory flow rate was the protective factor (P<0.05). Conclusions SAD in chronic persistent asthma is affected by various factors such as age, acute asthma attacks and history of allergic rhinitis. CPET indicates that patients with asthma who also have SAD have their cardiopulmonary function and aerobic capacity impaired to some extent.
Objective To explore the feasibility of establishing a rabbit model of flail chest. Methods Flail chest model was eatablished in 12 New Zealand white rabbits after anesthesia and sterile surgery. The paradoxical movement of chest wall was recorded by the biological signal acquisition system, arterial blood was collected for blood gas analysis, the vital signs were recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG) and the lung tissue was taken for the pathological analysis at the end of the experiment. The effect of flail chest on the respiratory function of experimental animals was analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of establishing flail chest model. Results All surgeries were successful without mortality. The operation time was 41.42±7.08 min. Duration of endotracheal intubation was 79.33±12.21 min. Statistical results showed that the pH, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and base excess (BE) increased; while partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygen saturation (SaO2) reduced. Pathological results showed that flail chest not intervented for a long period would lead to organic lesions. Conclusion The rabbit model of flail chest is feasible, safe, repeatable, easy and simple to handle. The animal is easy to access which is the foundation to study the disease process, recovery procedure and the efficacy after intervention.
Objective To explore the characteristics of exercise ventilation function in patients with chronic duration of asthma, and the correlation of cardiopulmonary exercise test and control level and conventional lung function in patients with chronic duration of asthma. Methods Seventy-three patients with chronic duration of asthma admitted from December 2021 to December 2022 were recruited in the study. The asthma control level was assessed with the asthma control test (ACT) and the patients were divided into a well-controlled group and a poorly-controlled group. Routine pulmonary function test (PFT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were performed in both groups, to analyze the difference of related parameters between the two groups and observe the correlation between CPET and PFT, ACT score in the patients with chronic persistent asthma. Results CPET results showed that the VE/VCO2 slope, anaerobic threshold carbon dioxide equivalent (EqCO2@AT), and physiologically ineffective peak during exercise (VD/VTpeak) were higher in the poorly-controlled group than those in the well-controlled group (all P<0.05). The peak minute ventilation (VEpeak) and tidal volume (VTpeak) of the patients in the poorly-controlled group were lower than those in the well-controlled group (both P<0.05). The peak respiratory rate (BFpeak) and respiratory reserve (BRpeak) of the two groups were not significantly different (both P>0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that the VE/VCO2 slope, EqCO2@AT, VD/VTpeak were negatively correlated with ACT score, and VEpeak was positively correlated with FVC%pred and MMEF%pred in the patients with chronic persistent asthma. BRpeak was positively correlated with FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC%pred, MMEF%pred in routine pulmonary function. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase of VE/VCO2 slope and VD/VTpeak were independent risk factors for poor asthma control (P<0.05). Conclusions Patients with poorly-controlled asthma have decreased exercise ventilatory function, mainly showing decreased ventilation and tidal volume during peak exercise and decreased ventilatory efficiency. There is some correlation between exercise ventilatory function and conventional lung function of control level in patients with chronic duration of asthma. The relevant indicators of ventilation efficiency in CPET have suggestive significance for asthma that is not well controlled, so it is necessary to carry out CPET in patients with asthma to improve the comprehensive evaluation of asthma.