Objective To study and analyze both merits and demerits of 4 famous foreign evidence-based medicine databases, so as to provide references for the development of Chinese evidence-based medicine databases. Methods By means of document analysis and web search, the databases including UpToDate, MD Consult, Clinical Evidence and DynaMed were comprehensively analyzed from the following aspects: management ideas, editing process, personalized services and so on. Results a) Time of foundation: UpToDate founded in 1992 is the earliest-established evidence-based medicine database; b) Management ideas: All 4 databases aim to integrate all the high quality evidences about some clinical topics and help doctors to make the most reasonable decisions at present; c) Editing process: The inclusive criteria of Clinical Evidence is more strict than other databases, for the evidence needs to go through 18 steps before it is included; and d) Update rate: DynaMed updates every day as the fastest than other databases. Conclusion A mature evidence-based medicine database needs a powerful methodology team, b financial support and a large number of literature services. Besides learning good foreign experiences, it is also very important to assemble a methodology team, and particularly to integrate domestic characteristics for the establishment of domestic evidence-based medicine database.
Objective To compare the cl inical effects of indirect decompression versus open decompression to vertebral canal in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurologic deficit. Methods From April 2004 to June 2008, 52 cases of thoracolumbar burst fracture without neurologic deficit underwent posterior exposition, reduction and fixation with Atlas Fixator (AF) instrumentation. There were 34 males and 18 females with an average age of 43.1 years (range, 31-63 years). The affectd locations were T11 in 5 cases, T12 in 24 cases, L1 in 16 cases, and L2 in 7 cases. The time from injury to operation was 3-8 days (4.4 days on average). All cases were devided into indirect decompression group (group A) and open decompression group (group B). There were no statistically significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in sex, age, affect site, and disease course between two groups. The operative time, blood loss were recoded. Preoperatively, immediately postoperstively and at last follow-up, the height of the fracture vertebra and the Cobb angle were obtained from X-ray pictures and were statistically analysed. Radiographic parameters on computed tomography (CT) pictures were used to get the encroachment rate of vertebral canal. Results The operative time was (87.3 ± 7.9) minutes and (125.3 ± 13.6) minutes, and the blood loss was (273.7 ± 23.4) mL and (512.6 ± 37.7) mL in groups A and B, respectively; showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The average follow-up time was 17.4 months (range, 11-31 months) in group A and 19.9 months (range, 12-33 months) in group B. All wounds achieved primary heal ing postoperatively without deaths and spinal cord injuries. Postoperative compl ications in group B included 3 cases of screws loosening, 1 case of screw breakage, and 3 cases of low back pain, and were given symptomatic management. There were no statistically significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in the height of the fracture vertebra, the Cobb angle andthe encroachment rate of vertebral canal preoperatively or postoperstively between two groups. There were statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05) in the above three parameters between preoperation and postoperation in two groups, but there were no statistically significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in the spinal correction between two groups. The losing-rate of spinal correction of the height of the fracture vertebra and the Cobb angle of group A was lower than group B, showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The short-term results of two decompression styles in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurologic deficit were satisfactory, but indirect decompression has more merits than open decompression: shorter operative time, less blood loss, lower losing-rate of spinal correction, and better stabil ization of vertebral column.
Objective To compare the short-term result between the high-flex (HF) and conventional posteriorstabil ized (PS) prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods From April 2005 to October 2007, 23 cases (27 knees) underwent TKA by HF prosthesis (HF group), and 35 cases (41 knees) underwent TKA by PS prosthesis (PS group).In HF group, there were 2 males (3 knees) and 21 females (24 knees) aged (64.3 ± 5.6) years, including 20 cases (23 knees) of osteoarthritis and 3 cases (4 knees) of rheumatoid arthritis; body mass index (BMI) was 27.3 ± 3.9; the course of disease was (5.3 ± 5.6) years; the Hospital for Special Surgery Scoring System (HSS) score was 58.4 ± 7.9; the Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) score was 49.4 ± 6.9; the maximum knee flex degree was (107.6 ± 8.3)°; and the range of knee motion was (103.5 ± 7.7)°. In PS group, there were 3 males (3 knees) and 32 females (38 knees) aged (65.1 ± 5.9) years, including 33 cases (39 knees) of osteoarthritis and 2 cases (2 knees) of rheumatoid arthritis; BMI was 27.1 ± 4.1; the course of disease was (5.1 ± 4.9) years; HSS score was 60.1 ± 10.4; WOMAC score was 47.9 ± 7.2; the maximum knee flex degree was (108.4 ± 9.7)°; and the range of knee motion was (105.9 ± 11.4)°. There were no significant differences in general data between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Results All incisions achieved heal ing by first intention. No compl ication of ankylosis, blood vessel and nerve injuries, and prosthesis loosening occurred. All patients were followed up for 24-54 months (average 32.8 months). There were no significant differences in the HSS score, WOMAC score, the maximum knee flex degrees, and the range of knee motion at 3, 12, and 24 months after operation between two groups (P gt; 0.05), but there were significant differencesbetween pre- and post-operation (P lt; 0.05). Anterior knee pain occurred in 1 case of HF group and 4 cases of PS group after 24 months, the incidence rates were 3.70% in HF group and 9.76% in PS group, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). The X-ray films showed that no lucent zone around prosthesis and no patella baja were observed, and the force l ine was excellent. Conclusion There is no significant difference in the range of knee motion and cl inical scores between the HF prosthesis and the PS prosthesis, but the former’s incidence rate of anterior knee pain is lower.
To compare the effectiveness of microdiscectomy and macrodiscectomy on the single-level lumbar disc protrusion (LDP). Methods Between November 2002 and October 2005, 241 patients with LDP underwent 2 surgical procedures: microdiscectomy (group A, 93 cases) and macrodiscectomy (group B, 148 cases). All patients had singlelevel LDP. In group A, there were 51 males and 42 females with an average age of 32.3 yeares (range, 18-47 years); there were 23cases of protrusion, 52 cases of prolapse, and 18 cases of sequestration with an average disease duration of 8.5 months (range, 1-18 months), including 8 cases at L2,3 level, 11 cases at L3,4 level, 35 cases at L4,5 level, and 39 cases at L5, S1 level. In group B, there were 81 males and 67 females with an average age of 31.8 years (range, 16-50 years); there were 37 cases of protrusion, 85 cases of prolapse, and 26 cases of sequestration with an average disease duration of 9.3 months (range, 1-20 months), including 9 cases at L2,3 level, 15 cases at L3,4 level, 63 cases at L4,5 level, and 61 cases at L5, S1 level. There was no significant difference in age, sex, segment level, type, or disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results Immediate back and sciatic pain rel ief was achieved in 225 (93.4%) patients after operation. The satisfactory rates were 91.4% in group A and 87.8% in group B at 1 week after operation, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). The length of incision, amount of bleeding, amount of drainage, and hospital ization time in group A were significantly fewer than those in group B (P lt; 0.05); while the operative time in group A was longer than that in group B, but showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). Dural laceration occurred in 4 cases of groupA and 5 cases of group B, superficial infections of incision occurred in 5 cases of group B and intervertebral space nfections occurred in 4 cases of group B, and epidural hematoma occurred in 1 case of group A. The perioperative compl ication rate (5.4%, 5/93) in group A was significantly lower (P lt; 0.05) than that in group B (9.5%, 14/148). LDP recurred in 4 cases (4.3%) of group A and in 9 cases (6.1%) of group B postoperatively, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05); of them, 11 cases received second operation and 2 cases were treated conservatively. All cases were followed up 36-77 months (mean, 51.4 months). There were significant differences in visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disabil ity index (ODI) between 2 groups at the last follow-up and preoperation (P gt; 0.05), but there was significant difference in VAS at 1 week postoperatively between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). VAS and ODI were obviously improved at 1 week and last follow-up when compared with preoperation (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement rates of VAS and ODI between 2 groups at last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). According to cl inical evaluation of Modified Macnab criteria, the excellent and good rate was 90.3% in group A and 86.5% in group B at final follow-up (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Both macrodiscectomy and microdiscectomy are effective for LDP, furthermore microdiscectomy is less invasive than macrodiscectomy. Microdiscectomy is recommended to treat single-level LDP.
Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of conventional discectomy, posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) on the recurrent lumbar disc protrusion (RLDP). Methods From January 2000 to January 2008, 65 patients with RLDP underwent different surgical procedures, namely conventional discectomy (group A, 25 cases), PLIF (group B, 22 cases), and TLIF (group C, 18 cases). There were 44 males and 21 females aged 26-65 years old (average 41 years old). All the patients were single-level protrusion, including 33 cases at the L4, 5 level and 32 cases at the L5, S1 level. The primary procedure included laminectomy discectomy in 39 patients, unilateral hemilaminectomy discectomy in 15 patients, and bilateral laminectomy and total laminectomy discectomy in 11patients. The recurrent time to the primary operation was 13-110 months (average 64 months). The location of recurrent disc protrusion was at the ipsilateral side in 47 cases and the contralateral side in 18 cases. No significant differences among three groups were evident in terms of basel ine data (P gt; 0.05). Results The incision all healed by first intention. The incidence of perioperative compl ication in group A (24.0%) and group B (22.3%) was significantly higher than that of group C (5.6%) (P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference between group A and group B (P gt; 0.05). The operation time and bleed loss during operation of group B were obviously higher than that of group A and group C (P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference between group A and group C (P gt; 0.05). There were no significant differences among three groups in terms of the length of hospital ization (P gt; 0.05). Six-one patients were followed up for 12-36 months (average 20 months). At 1 week after operation, the satisfied rate of patients was 84.0% in group A, 81.8% in group B, and 88.9% in group C (P gt; 0.05). All the patients in group B and group C achieved fusion uneventfully. There were no significant differences among three groups in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disabil ity index (ODI) when compared the preoperative value with the final follow-up value (P gt; 0.05). There was significant difference within group A, B, and C in terms of VAS and ODI when compared the preoperative value with the final follow-up value (P lt; 0.05), but there were no significant differences among three groups in the improvement rate (P gt; 0.05). The intervertebral space grading method proposed by Roberts et al. was adopted to evaluate the intervertebral space height (ISH), the preoperative value was 2.04 ± 0.93 in group A, 2.18 ± 0.91 in group B, and 2.11 ± 0.90 in group C, andat the final follow-up, the value was 2.64 ± 0.58 in group A, 1.05 ± 0.59 in group B, and 1.06 ± 0.42 in group C. There were significant differences among three groups in the ISH when compared the properative value with the final follow-up value (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion All of the three surgical procedures are effective for RLDP, but conventional discectomy and PLIF have more compl ications than TLIF. Conventional discectomy may result in the further narrow of the intervertebral space and the occurrence of segment instabil ity, whereas TLIF is safer, more effective, and one of the ideal methods to treat RLDP.
Objective To explore the neck axial symptom (AS) after Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty traditional anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and to make contrastive analysis. Methods From October 2004 to April 2006, 22 patients, 13 males and 9 females, aged 33-54 years old (43.3 on average), underwent Bryan cervical disc placement (groupA). Among them, there were 16 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and 6 of nerve root cervical syndrome, with 20of single segment replacement and 2 of two segments replacement. The courses of disease were 1-21 months (6 months on average). Meanwhile, 30 patients, 17 males and 13 females, aged 35-64 years old (50.3 on average) underwent traditional anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (group B). Among them, there were 19 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and 11 of nerve root cervical syndrome, with 26 of single segments replacement and 4 of two segments replacement. The course of disease was 1-23 months (7 months on average). In both groups, the neurologic recovery rate, the change of cervical curvature of the operated segments and total range of motion (ROM), and incidence of neck axial symptoms were recorded and compared. Results All the patients were followed up for 24-42 months (30.6 months on average). There was no graveness compl ication happening during and after operation in both groups. There were no compl ications of prosthesis bit shifting and amotio in group A, and group B exhibited a bony fusion on X-ray films 6 months after operation, without plate and bolt loose or broken. The patients’ cl inical symptoms of radiculopathy were obviously rel ieved and the curative effect was satisfactory in two groups of nerve root cervical syndrome. In both groups of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, the patients’ JOA scores at the postoperative follow-up increased obviously than preoperative (Plt; 0.01), and there was no significant difference between the two groups before the operation and at the end of the follow-up (P gt; 0.05). The rate of sagittal al ignment of the operated segment with kyphosis increased obviously in group B, higher than in group A (P lt; 0.05).The total ROM of group B was obviously lower than preoperative (Plt; 0.01), and the pre- and postoperative difference of group A was not statistically significant (P gt; 0.05). The rate of postoperative neck AS was 18.18% in group A and 46.67% in group B, and the difference was statistically significant(Plt; 0.05). Conclusion Compared with traditional anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the use of Byran disc arthroplasty for cervical syndrome is associated with good outcomes. At the same time, it can maintain the cervical motion and curvature of operated segments, avoid the decrease of total ROM and lower the incidence of the postoperative neck AS.
Objective To study the influence of the pedicle length on the perforator flaps in hemodynamics. Methods Four mature swine (2 males, 2 females; weight, 23.0±2.0 kg) were applied to the experiment.Two transverse abdominal skin flaps, based on the superior epigastric pedicle orits rectus abdominal muscle perforators, were designed; each swine was used as its own control. At 2 hours and 1, 2, 3 weeks postoperatively, the skin paddle perfusion and the blood stream velocity in the superior epigastric artery were measured by the Laser Doppler Flowmeter and the Color Doppler Ultrasound, respectively. Flap survival percentages were calculated by the grid method at 1 week postoperatively. The swine were euthanatized, and they underwent angiography at 3 weeks postoperatively. Results At 2 hours and 1 week after operation, edema of the perforator flaps with the superior epigastric pedicle was more severe than that of the skin flaps with the rectus abdominal muscle perforator, and the skin perfusion had a statistical difference between the two kindsof flaps (Plt;0.05). The skin paddle viability and the skin perfusion had nostatistical difference after the first week postoperatively (Pgt;0.05). At 2hours and 1 week after operation, the blood stream velocity in the superior epigastric artery in the perforator flap with the superior abdominal artery pediclewas reduced, and there was a statistical difference between the two kinds of flaps (Plt;0.05); however, the velocity was almost the same after the first week postoperatively. Conclusion The excessively long pedicle of the perforator skin flap may have an unfavorable influence on the flap perfusion,especially during the first week after operation, because of the vascular compromise during the dissection of the long pedicle. The blood vessel anastomosis atthis level of the blood vessels may have no relationship with the perforator flap in hemodynamics. This study can also indicate that the ligation of the branches in the recipient vessels cannot make the perforator flaps overperfused.
Objective To evluate the clinical outcome of autograftsof ilium and interbody fusion cage or bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)／artificial bone material／ cage in treating lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods From January 1997 to January 2004，114 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were treated with posterior lumbar interbody fusion and pedicle screw fixation． There were 45 males and 69 females with an average age of 43 years ranging from 32 to 61 years. Of 114patients, 85 cases were classified as degree Ⅰ, 24 cases as degree Ⅱ and 5 cases as degree Ⅲ. The patients were divided into three groups accordingto the material used for interbody fusion: autografts of ilium (group A, n=42), interbody fusion cages(group B, n=36), and BMP／artificial bone material／ cage (group C, n=36)．The clinical and radiographic results of the patients were compared among three groups． Results All patients were followed from 13 to 30 months with an average of 15 months． There were no statistically significant differences in surgical time, blood loss, and disc space height of preoperation(P＞0.05) among three groups. No severe complication occurred in the three groups(P＞0.05). The excellent and good rates in groups A，B and C were 81.0％, 80.6％, and 83.3％ respectively, showing no statisticallysignificant difference(P＞0.05)．The fusion rate of group C(97.0%) was significantly higher than those of group A(81.0%) and group B(83.3%) (P＜0.05) after 1 year of operation．And the average loss of disc space height in groups B and C was significantly lower than that in group A(P＜0.05). Conclusion Higher fusion rate and lower loss of disc space height can beobtained in treating lumbar spondylolisthesis with BMP／artificial bone materiel.It is an effective method in the treatment of spondylolisthesis.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of autologous implantation between bone marrow stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells for treatment of lower limb ischemia. Methods From December 2004 to December 2005, 42 patients with unilateral lower limb ischemia were treated with both autologous bone marrow stem cell implantation(group A, n=21)and autologous peripheral blood stem cell implantation (group B, n=21). Fortytwo patients included 32 males and 10 females. The age ranged from 34 to 80 years, with a mean of 65.6 years. Of the patients, there were 28, 8 and 6 patients suffered from diabetic lower limb ischemia, Burger’s disese and atherosclotic occlusion, respectively. Ischemic history was from 3 months to 5 years, with amean of 2.1 years. A series of subjective indexes (such as improvement of pain, cold sensation and numbness) and objective indexes such as increase of ankle brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), angiography, amputation rate, and improvement of foot wound healing, were used to evaluate the effect. Results After 4 weeks of implantation, the rate of pain relief was 88.2% in group A and 89.5% in group B (Pgt;0.05) ; the rate of cold sensation relief was 94.4% in group A and 94.7% in group B（Pgt;0.05）; improvement of numbness was 69.2% and 66.7% respectively in groups A and B（Pgt;0.05）. Increaseof ABI was 38.1% in group A and 33.3% in group B（Pgt;0.05）; increase of TcPO2 was 85.7% and 90.5% respectively in groups A and B（Pgt;0.05）; angiography was performed in 12 patients (group A) and 9patients (group B), and the new formed collateral vessel rate was 83.3% in group A and 77.8% in group B（Pgt;0.05）; the amputation rate was 9.1% in groups A and B（Pgt;0.05）; the rate of improvement of foot wound healing was 60.0% in group A and 66.7% in group B(P＞0.05). Forty patients were followed up 3-15 months(mean 8 months). The improvement rate of subjective symptoms was 75.0% in group A and 70.0% in group B (Pgt;0.05); increase of ABI was 60.0% in group A and 65.0% in group B; increase of TcPO2 was 80.0% and 75.0% respectively in groups A and B; the new formed collateral vessel rate was 90.0% in group A and 84.6% in group B. All ulcers healed except 1 case in group B. Conclusion Bone marrow stem cell graft and peripheral blood stem cell graft are all effective in treatingower limb ischemia.
Objective To investigate an effect of the Fixion expandable intramedullary nail on treatment of the closed fracture of the tibial shaft, and to compare the Fixion nail with the traditional locked intramendullary nail.Methods From September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006, 79 patients (53 men, 26 women; aged 17-57 years, 37 years on average) with the closed fracture of the tibial shaft were treated with the Fixion expandable intramedullary nail, and the effect of the nail was evaluated. According to the AO classification, the patients were typed as Type 42A or Type 42B. And the patients were divided into the following two groups: the expandable intramedullary nail group (n=31) and the traditional locked intramedullary nail group (n=48). Of the 31 patents in the first group, 24 were of Type 42A and 7 were of Type 42B; of the 48 patients in the second group, 37 were of Type 42A and 11 were of Type 42B. All the patients were followed up after operation. Observation was made on the time of the bony callus development and the time of the clinical healing of the bone,and on whether there was the bone malunion, late healing, disunion or infection. The limb function was also evaluated.Results The follow-up of all the 79 patients for 4-15 months averaged 10.3 months revealed that in the expandable intramedullary nail group, the average operating time was 35 minutes (range, 20-60 minutes), with no requirement of blood transfusion. The X-ray examination showed that the bony callus developed as early as 4 weeks after operation. The clinical healing time of the bone was 3-8 months, averaged 5 months. All the patients in this group had the healing by first intention. Evaluatedby the Johner-Wruhs method, an excellent result was found in 28 patients, goodin 3 patients, and poor in none of the patients, with an excellent/good rate of100%. In the traditional locked intramedullary nail group, the average operating time was 75 minutes (range, 45-110 minutes), with no requirement of blood transfusion. The X-ray examination showed that the bony callus developed as early as 4.5 weeks after operation. The clinical healing time was 3-12 months, averaged 5.8 months. In this group, 46 patients had the healing by first intention and 2 patients had the healing by second intention. Evaluated by the JohnerWruhs method,an excellent result was found in 35 patients, good in 11 patients, and fair in 2 patients, with an excellent/good rate of 95.8%.Conclusion The expandable intramedullary nail treatment has advantages of less invasion, simpler manipulation, earlier weightbearing of the bone, quicker healing ofthe bone fracture, and fewer complications. This kind of treatment is worth popularizing in the medical practice if the indication is strictly controlled.