ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation versus traditional open surgical operation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CBM, CNKI and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation versus traditional open surgery for benign thyroid nodules from inception to June 30th, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was then performed by RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 38 RCTs involving 4 078 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation might be more effective than traditional open surgery for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (RR=1.09, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.19, P=0.04), and compared with traditional open surgery, ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation reduced the rate of postoperative complication (RR=0.26, 95%CI 0.21 to 0.31, P<0.000 01), shortened postoperative hospital stay (MD=–3.60, 95%CI –4.04 to –3.15, P<0.000 01) and the time consumed in operation (MD=–48.79, 95%CI –54.16 to –43.41, P<0.000 01), and reduced operative blood loss (MD=–22.02, 95%CI–23.87 to –20.17, P<0.000 01). Meanwhile, microwave ablation reduced the elevated levels of serum IL-6 content (MD=–10.34, 95%CI –10.70 to –9.97, P<0.000 01), serum CRP content (MD=–9.70, 95%CI –10.95 to –8.44, P<0.000 01) and serum TNF-α content (MD=–7.94, 95%CI –9.00 to –6.88, P<0.000 01).ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation may improve clinical efficacy and can reduce postoperative complications, bleeding volume, operation time, hospitalization days and postoperative inflammatory reaction. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
Objective To investigate therapeutic effects of continous regional arterial infusion with verapamil on preventing the progression of acute pancreatitis. Methods Forty-five patients with mild acute pancreatitis were randomly divided into three groups: conventional treatment group, intravenous treatment group and arterial infusion group. After admission, conventional treatments were performed in conventional treatment group. Reasonable fluid and verapamil were intravenously injected to the patients in intravenous treatment group, and fluid treatments and continous regional arterial infusion with verapamil were performed in arterial infusion group for 1－2 weeks. The levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1β, ICAM-1 and P-selectin were determined on the 1st, 4th and 7th day after treatment, respectively. Results On the 4th and 7th day after treatment, the levels of serum TNF-α and P-selectin significantly decreased in arterial infusion group compared with the other two groups （P＜0.05）, while the level of serum IL-1β significantly decreased in arterial infusion group and intravenous treatment group compared with the conventional treatment group （P＜0.05）. The level of serum ICAM-1 significantly decreased in arterial infusion group compared with the conventional treatment group （P＜0.05）.Conclusion Continous regional arterial infusion with verapamil could reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the up-regulation of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and P-selectin, and prevent the progression of acute pancreatitis ultimately.
Objective To evaluate the effect of Fogarty balloon catheter embolectomy on arteriovenous graft thrombosis in hemodialysis patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 11 patients who underwent maintaining hemodialysis and arteriovenous graft thrombosis through Fogarty balloon catheter embolectomy between March 2010 and November 2014. The thrombosed graft was incised, and a 4 or 6 French catheter was placed in the venous and arterial limbs of the graft respectively. The Fogarty balloon was passed beyond the thrombus and pulled out after saline was infused into the balloon, and the thrombus was taken out. The procedure was considered unsuccessful if the blood flow was not re-established or if the graft re-thrombosed within hours. Results The treatment was successfully performed in all the patients. Of the 11 patients, 3 received balloon dilation due to stenosis of venous anastomosis, and 2 received angioplasty due to underlying arterial anastomosis lesion. After corresponding measures were taken, the thrombus of all the 11 patients were taken out, and blood flow was recovered. Two to seven days after surgery, low molecular weight heparin was used for anti-coagulation. The blood flow of all arteriovenous grafts reached over 250 mL/min. All the patients were followed up for 4 to 30 months. During the follow-up, the arteriovenous graft remained functional in 5 patients; 4 patients had re-thrombosis on day 2, 3, 25, and 71 after surgery respectively; one changed to undergo peritoneal dialysis due to rupture and infection of the graft, and one patient was transferred to another hospital in another area and was not followed up any longer. The therapy was successful in 81.8% of this group of patients. Conclusion Fogarty balloon catheter embolectomy is effective in restoring patency of thrombosed arteriovenous graft in hemodialysis patients, and more studies are needed.