ObjectiveTo establish a predictive model for neck lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in unilateral papillary thyroid cancer (uni-PTC) with central lymph node metastasis (CLNM). MethodsThe uni-PTC patients with CLNM were included in this study. The patients underwent thyroid surgery in the 960th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from May 2018 to December 2021, who were randomly divided into the modeling group and the validation group according to the ratio of 7∶3. The risk factors of neck LLNM were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression and the nomogram of prediction model was constructed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve were used to validate the prediction model. ResultsA total of 237 patients were included in this study, including 158 patients in the modeling group and 79 patients in the validation group. The LLNM occurred in the 84 patients of the modeling group and 43 patients of the validation group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed according to the statistical indicators in the univariate analysis results of the modeling group and the risk factors considered in the previous studies. The results showed that the patients with maximum diameter of the lesions >1 cm, multiple lesions, extraglandular invasion, the rate of CLNM ≥0.414, and lesions located at the upper portion had higher probability of LLNM (OR>1, P<0.05). The area under ROC curve of the nomogram in predicting LLNM in the modeling group was 0.834 [95%CI (0.771, 0.896)], which in the validation group was 0.761 [95%CI (0.651, 0.871)]. The calibration curve showed a good calibration degree in the prediction model. ConclusionThe clinical risk prediction model established based on the risk factors can better predict the probability of LLNM.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and feasibility of domestic MP1000 robotic surgical system assisted thyroidectomy via submaxillary approach in porcine animal model. MethodThe thyroidectomy process assisted by the MP1000 robotic surgical system via submaxillary approach for a Bama pig in the 960th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force was retrospectively analyzed. ResultsThe operation was performed as planned programme using the MP1000 robotic surgical system without opening, adding or lengthening the surgical incision. There was no mechanical problems during the MP1000 robotic surgical operation. The operative time was 53 min and the estimated intraoperative blood loss was 10 mL. There was no shaking of instruments and robotic arm during the operation, and the 3 surgical instruments cooperated skillfully, the establishment of surgical operation space successfully was completed, the thyroid blood vessels accurately and finely was dissected, and the separation, coagulation and cutting of blood vessels were smoothly completed. The recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid gland were delicately dissected and protected. The carotid sheath, trachea, esophagus, and other important organs around the thyroid did not be damaged. The master-slave mapping frequency was high, and there was no delay sense during the operation. The lens resolution of MP1000 was 1 920×1 080, the surgical field of vision was clear, no visual field was defected and the visual field was stable and not shaking, light source front and intelligent adaptive temperature control system reduced the fogging of the lens, and the lens was scoured for 4 times during the operation. ConclusionAccording to the preliminary results of the experimental animal in this study, MP1000 robotic surgical system can successfully complete thyroidectomy via submaxillary approach in porcine animal model.
ObjectiveTo investigate the causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with its typical symptoms (snoring and daytime sleepiness) by using Mendelian randomization (MR). MethodsThe inverse-variance weighted method was used as the main analysis method to assess the causal effect. Sensitivity and pleiotropy analyses were carried out using leave-one-out and MR-Egger analysis, and then heterogeneity tests were conducted. ResultsIn the MR analysis, genetically predicted GERD was associated with a greater risk of OSA (IVW: OR=1.528, 95%CI 1.374 to 1.699, P=5.315E‒15). Additional MR results were consistent with the IVW results, and no pleiotropy or heterogeneity was found. We also discovered a significant causal relationship between GRED and snoring (IVW: OR=0.959, 95%CI 0.949 to 0.969, P=1.507E‒15), and daytime sleepiness (IVW: OR=1.024, 95%CI 1.021 to 1.036, P=4.580E‒5), with no evidence of pleiotropy. ConclusionThe MR study supports a causal effect between GERD and OSA with its typical symptoms (daytime sleepiness and snoring).