The interventional therapy of vascular stent implantation is a popular treatment method for cardiovascular stenosis and blockage. However, traditional stent manufacturing methods such as laser cutting are complex and cannot easily manufacture complex structures such as bifurcated stents, while three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a new method for manufacturing stents with complex structure and personalized designs. In this paper, a cardiovascular stent was designed, and printed using selective laser melting technology and 316L stainless steel powder of 0−10 µm size. Electrolytic polishing was performed to improve the surface quality of the printed vascular stent, and the expansion behavior of the polished stent was assessed by balloon inflation. The results showed that the newly designed cardiovascular stent could be manufactured by 3D printing technology. Electrolytic polishing removed the attached powder and reduced the surface roughness Ra from 1.36 µm to 0.82 µm. The axial shortening rate of the polished bracket was 4.23% when the outside diameter was expanded from 2.42 mm to 3.63 mm under the pressure of the balloon, and the radial rebound rate was 2.48% after unloading. The radial force of polished stent was 8.32 N. The 3D printed vascular stent can remove the surface powder through electrolytic polishing to improve the surface quality, and show good dilatation performance and radial support performance, which provides a reference for the practical application of 3D printed vascular stent.
ObjectiveTo discuss the operation skill and clinical effects of using domestic balloon-expandable Prizvalve® transcatheter "valve-in-valve" to treat the degenerated bioprosthesis in the tricuspid position.MethodsAll the admitted surgical tricuspid valve bioprosthetic valve replacement patients were evaluated by computerized tomography angiography (CTA), ultrasound, and 3D printing technology, and 2 patients with a degenerated bioprosthesis were selected for tricuspid valve "valve-in-valve" operation. Under general anesthesia, the retro-preset Prizvalve® system was implanted into degenerated tricuspid bioprosthesis via the femoral vein approach under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance.ResultsTranscatheter tricuspid valve implantation was successfully performed in both high-risk patients, and tricuspid regurgitation disappeared immediately. The operation time was 1.25 h and 2.43 h, respectively. There was no serious complication in both patients, and they were discharged from the hospital 7 days after the operation.ConclusionThe clinical effect of the degenerated tricuspid bioprosthetic valve implantation with domestic balloon-expandable valve via femoral vein approach "valve-in-valve" is good. Multimodality imaging and 3D printing technology can safely and effectively guide the implementation of this innovative technique.
Objective To explore the effect of endovascular treatment guided by ultrasonography combined with portosystemic shunts on the patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome （BCS）.Methods The clinical data of 136 patients with BCS treated by balloon angioplasty and stent implantation guided by Doppler ultrasonography in our hospital from January 1995 to January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.After balloon angioplasty,53 patients were treated by inferior vena cava （IVC） stent implantation and 31 patients with hepatic venous occlusion underwent portosystemic shunts （PSSs） at one week after endovascular treatment.The long-and short-term effects after treatment were studied.Results After endovascular procedures,the IVC pressure of patients significantly decreased （P＜0.01）,while IVC diameter, flow velocity in the lesion,and right atrial pressure of patients showed significant increase（P＜0.01）.Slight heart dysfunction appeared in 13 cases of patients.After shunting,acute pancreatitis occurred in 3 cases, and 1 patient died of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage on the 10 d after PSSs.Doppler ultrasonography for IVC and shunt vessels showed：the swollen liver and spleen lessened on 3d after endovascular procedures.The swollen liver lessened 2-7cm （mean 5.5cm）,swollen spleen lessened 3-8cm （mean 5.8cm）, and the time of ascites disappearance was 3-60d （mean 14d）.All the patients were followed up for 1 month to 15 years with an average of 3 years.Restenosis of the distal part of stent was found in 1 patient in 2 years after operation, hepatic vein occlusion occurred in 1 case in 1 year after treatment,hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in 1 patient in 3 years after stent implantation,and 1 patient died of C type hepatitis after 1 year,and 5 out of 6 cases of patients with infertility had babies after 1 year.All patients had no stent migration or occlusion of shunts and the symptoms of portal hypertension were obviously relieved.Conclusions Endovascular treatment guided by Doppler ultrasonography is a convenient,safe,and effective method for BCS.Portosystemic shunts are commended to patients with hepatic venous occlusions.The above mentioned methods provide a feasible and effective means for IVC stenosis and short segment occlusion with hepatic vein occlusion of BCS.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and effect of balloon sinuplasty for the treatment of chronic sphenoid sinusitis. MethodsFrom November 2011 to March 2013, 17 patients received balloon catheter dilation of sinus ostia. All the patients were followed up for 12 months postoperatively and the therapeutic effect was evaluated. ResultsAt the end of the following-up, the clinical symptoms of all the patients got relieved. Through nasal endoscopic examination, we found that apertura sphenoidalis developed well in 15 cases, sinus mucosa edema in one case, sinus stenosis in one case, and no postoperative complications occurred. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were 5.21±1.51 preoperatively and 3.23±1.34, 3.35±1.41, 3.58±1.46 at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The mean sino-nasal outcome test-20 scores were 12.50±1.96 preoperatively and 7.30±1.79, 7.64±1.93, 7.77±2.02 at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. The mean Lund-Kennedy endoscopic mucosal morphology scores were 3.51±1.47 preoperatively and 1.77±1.11, 1.88±1.01, 2.00±0.97 at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. The mean CT scores were 1.57±1.06 preoperatively and 0.85±0.62 at 12 months postoperatively. Compared with the preoperative scores, the postoperative scores were significantly different. ConclusionBalloon sinuplasty is worthy of clinical application for its advantages of good clinical effect and safety.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and the value of balloon kyphoplasty in treating aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture. Methods Between January 2003 and January 2008, 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture patients were treated. There were 15 males and 21 females with an average age of 65.4 years (range, 59-72 years). Fourteen cases had no obvious history of trauma, 19 had a history of sl ight trauma, and 3 had a history of severe trauma. Forty vertebral bodies were involved, including 1 T7, 3 T9, 8 T10, 10 T12, 9 L1, 7 L2, and 2 L4. All patients displayed local pain and osteoporosis by bone density measurement with no neurological symptom of both lower limbs. Balloon kyphoplasty through unilateral (31 cases) or bilateral (5 cases) vertebral pedicles with polymethylmethacrylate was performed at the injection volume of (3.46 ± 0.86) mL per vertebral body. Before and after operation, the anterior height and posterior height of fractured vertebral body and the sagittal displacement were measured. Results Two cases had intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage; 1 case had no remission of waist-back pain and pain was released after symptomatic treatment. All 36 patients were followed up 2.3 years on average (range, 1.5-4.0 years). No cement leakage was found with good diffusion of cement on X-ray film. The restoration of the height of vertebral bodies was satisfactory without nerve compression symptoms and other compl ications. The Visual Analogue Score at last follow-up (2.34 ± 1.03) was significantly lower than that of preoperation (6.78 ± 1.21), (P lt; 0.05). The compressive percentage of anterior height (19.80% ± 1.03%) of fractured vertebral body after operation was significantly lower than that before operation(25.30% ± 2.50%), (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in posterior compressive percentage and sagittal displacement between pre- and post- operation (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Based on roentgenographic scores, balloon kyphoplasty is selectively used to treat aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture, and the radiographic and cl inical results were satisfactory.
Objective To evaluate the application value of spiral CT virtual endoscopy and three dimensional imaging in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Methods Thirty-three cases of benign tracheobronchial stenosis from June 2004 to November 2008 were checked by spiral CT with airway tracheobronchial reconstruction. For the patients with indications, balloon dilatation was performed under fiberoptic bronchoscope. The three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared with the findings under bronchoscopy. And the preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared for airway diameter. Results Three cases were found stenosis of middle lobe by CT virtual endoscopy and did not undergo balloon dilatation. The remaining 30 cases were confirmed by bronchoscopy findings similar to the images by tracheobronchial reconstruction with CT, with consistent rate of 100% . Immediate postoperative three-dimensional CTreconstruction of tracheal bronchus revealed that diameter of stenotic bronchus increased from ( 2. 7 ±1. 3) mm to ( 6. 9 ±1. 6) mmafter operation. Conclusion Multislice spiral CT virtual endoscopy is helpful in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis and postoperative follow-up.
Objective To evaluate the cl inical effect of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and PTA and stenting (PTAS) in treating multilevel arteriosclerosis obl iterans (ASO) of lower extremities. Methods Between January 2007 and October 2009, 29 cases of multilevel ASO of lower extremities were treated with PTA or PTAS. There were 17 males and 12females with an average age of 71 years (range, 56-83 years). The cl inical manifestations were l imbs numb with cold sensation, intermittent claudication (lt; 100 m), and 19 patients had rest pain. According to Fontaine stages classification, there were 7 cases of stage II, 14 cases of stage III, and 8 cases of stage IV. Concomitant diseases included hyperl ipidemia in 13 cases, diabetes in 6 cases, hypertension in 12 cases, chronic heart failure in 5 cases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 3 cases, cerebral infarction in 5 cases, and toe ulcer in 15 cases. The preoperative ankle/brachial index (ABI) was 0.28 ± 0.13. Results In 3 cases of below knee lesions for the guide wire puncturing through the artery wall, 1 case gave up, and 2 cases continued recanal ized other arteries without serious bleeding compl ications. After operation, cerebral infarction occurred in 1 case, pulmonary infection in 2 cases, and groin puncture site hematoma in 2 cases. All patients were followed up 3 to 36 months. Limb skin temperature was significantly improved, and intermittent claudication disappeared or claudication distance lengthened, rest pain disappeared or significantly reduced in 27 patients (30 l imbs). The wound of amputee achieved good heal ing in 2 cases (2 l imbs). In 27 patients undergoing endovascular treatment, the postoperative ABI was 0.72 ± 0.19, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative one (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The PTA and PTAS treatment for multilevel ASO of lower extremities is a safe and effective option, and the short-term effect is good. Different treatments should be chosen according to the location and length of vascular occlusion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficiency of pelvic and sacrum tumor surgery using sizing balloon occlusion of the lower abdominal aorta. MethodsFrom January 2005 to June 2011, 156 patients were diagnosed to have sacrum or pelvic tumor and underwent surgery in our institution. Temporary balloon occlusion of abdominal aorta was used in 51 patients during the resection of sacrum and pelvic tumors (balloon group). Another 105 patients received the traditional surgery resection (control group). The results of the whole operation time, the volume of blood loss and transfusion, the complication and the total days of stay in hospital in the two groups were compared with each other. ResultsAfter the abdominal aorta was occluded, 92.2% of the patients in the balloon group had holistic resection or edge resection, while the number was 86.7% for the control group. In the balloon group, the average operation time was (171.96±65.16) minutes, the average intraoperative blood loss was (746.86±722.73) mL, and the blood transfusion was (411.76±613.73) mL. The postoperative lead flow was (294.50±146.09) mL, and the postoperative tube removal was within (2.98±1.07) days. Improvement of patients'condition was significantly better than the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the total days of stay in hospital and the postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionUsing abdominal aorta occlusion can effectively control intraoperative hemorrhage, and show the operation field clearly. It also can reduce operation time and control the blood transfusions. Appropriately extended balloon blocking time can obviously improve the tumor removal rate and the safety of the operation.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of balloon dilatation in the treatment of lower urinary tract obstruction in children. Methods Twenty-six boys suffering from lower urinary tract obstruction underwent the balloon dilatation operation. These patients included 23 cases of posterior urethral valves, 2 cases of anterior urethral valves and 1 case of traumatic urinary tract stricture. Their ages ranged from 18 days to 7 years. All the patients were diagnosed by voiding cystourethrogram (VCG). Some of the boys suffered from bilateral hydronephrosis and dilated ureters. Before operation, the patients with urine retention or abnormal renal function should drain urine and correct the disorderof fluid and electrolyte. Balloon dilatation was done after their conditions were improved. During operation, ketamine anaesthesia was used, and 30% diatrizoate melglumine was used as dilatation drug. The balloon catheters which had the length of 4 cm and the diameters of 5，8，10 mm respectively were used for dilating the urethra. After operation, a Foley’s catheter was routinely indwelled. Results During procedure, compression phenomena disappeared in the course of operation. All the patients urinated normally after catheter was removed at 1 week post operatively. 6 cases received ureteral reimplantation to prevent vesioureteral reflux after 1 to 3 months. 25patients were followed up from 1 to 13 years and all patients had normal micturition and the bilateral hydronephrosis were improved. Conclusion Balloon dilatation is a safe, effective and feasible therapy for lower urinary tract obstruction in children.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of balloon vertebroplasty combined with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. MethodsBetween June 2011 and December 2013, 22 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were included. There were 14 males and 8 females, aged 20-60 years (mean, 42.5 years). The fracture segments included T11 in 1 case, T12 in 4 cases, L1 in 10 cases, L2 in 6 cases, and L3 in 1 case. According to AO classification system, there were 13 cases of type A and 9 cases of type B. Spinal cord injury was classified as grade C in 2 cases, grade D in 3 cases, and grade E in 17 cases according to Frankel scale. The time from injury to operation was 3-10 days (mean, 5.5 days). All patients underwent posterior reduction and fixation via the injured vertebra, transpedicular balloon reduction of the endplate and calcium sulfate cement (CSC) injection. The ratio of anterior vertebral height, the ratio of central vertebral height, the sagittal Cobb angle, the restoration of nervous function, and internal fixation failure were analyzed. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in the others except 2 cases of poor healing, which was cured after dressing change or debridement. All the patients were followed up 9-40 months (mean, 15 months). CSC leakage occurred in 2 cases. Absorption of CSC was observed at 8 weeks after operation with complete absorption time of 12-16 weeks (mean, 13.2 weeks). The mean fracture healing time was 18.5 weeks (range, 16-20 weeks). The ratio of anterior vertebral height, ratio of central vertebral height, and sagittal Cobb angle were significantly improved at 1 week and 3 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative values (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found among 3 time points after operation (P>0.01). There was no internal fixation failure or Cobb angle loss more than 10°. Frankel scale was improved with no deterioration of neurologic function injury. ConclusionBalloon vertebroplasty combined with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation is simple and safe for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures, and it can improve the quality of reduction, restore vertebral mechanical performance effectively, and prevent the loss of correction and internal fixation failure.