Objective To review the clinical operation methods of abdominal incisional hernia. Methods Classification, operation method and fellow-up of 78 patients with abdominal incisional hernia were retrospectively analyzed. Results The average time of fellow-up was 26 months. Nineteen cases were repaired with simple suture with 3 cases (15.8%) recurrence, 57 cases were repaired with man-made material with 2 case （3.4%） recurrence. Conclusions Individual operation method should be chosen according to body condition, classification of the size of abdominal loss and abdominal hypertension. It is an effective method to repair the hernia of abdominal incision with man-made material.
Network meta-analysis (NMA) is a statistical technique that integrates data from multiple clinical studies and compares the efficacy and safety of multiple interventions, which can provide pro and con ranking results for all intervention options in the evidence network and provide direct evidence support for clinical decision-making. At present, NMA is usually based on the aggregation of the same type of data set, and there are still methodological and software difficulties in achieving cross-study design and cross-data format data set merging. The crossnma package of R programming language is based on Bayesian framework and Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, extending the three-level hierarchical model to the standard NMA data model to achieve differential merging of varied data types. The crossnma package fully considers the impact of risk bias caused by the combination of different types of data on the results by introducing model variables. In addition, the package provides functions such as result output and easy graphing, which makes it possible to combine NMA across study designs and evidence across data formats. In this study, the model based on crossnma package method and software operation will be demonstrated and explained through the examples of four individual participant datasets and two aggregate datasets.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical phenotype of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by cluster analysis and provide a basis for individualized treatment.MethodsA total of 515 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted to this department from January 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled. The age, duration, smoking index, number of hospitalizations in the past 1 year, hospitalization days, treatment costs and other information were collected for cluster analysis.ResultsThe patients were divided into three categories of phenotype: " mild-glucocorticoid resistance-antibiotic dependent”," mild-glucocorticoid sensitive”, and " serious complication”. The patients with the first two phenotypes had a milder condition and lower hospitalization costs. There were differences in the time and cumulative dose of glucocorticoids in different pathways, antibiotic use time and usage rate. The third phenotype was the most serious, with the highest cost of hospitalization, and may merge or co-exist with other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and digestive tract disease.ConclusionCluster analysis may identify different phenotypes of acute exacerbation of COPD to provide a reference for clinical individualized treatment.
Objective To explore and evaluate the accuracy and feasibil ity of individual rapid prototype (RP) drill templates for atlantoaxial pedicle screw implantation. Methods Volumetric CT scanning was performed in 8 adult cadaveric atlas and axis to collect Dicom format datas. Then three-dimensional (3D) images of atlas and axis were reconstructed and the parameters of pedicles of 3D model were measured by using software Mimics 10.01. The 3D model was saved by STLformat in Mimics. The scattered point cloud data of 3D model were processed and the 3D coordinate system was located in software Imageware 12.1. The curves and surfaces of 3D model were processed in software Geomagic Studio 10. The optimal trajectory of pedicle screw was designed and a template was constructed which accorded with the anatomical morphology of posterior arch of atlas and lamina of axis by using software Pro/Engineer 4.0. The optimal trajectory of pedicle screw and the template were integrated into a drill template finally. The drill template and physical models of atlas and axis were manufactured by RP (3D print technology). The accuracy of pilot holes of drill templates was assessed by visually inspecting and CT scanning. Results The individual drill template was used conveniently and each template could closely fit the anatomical morphology of posterior arch of atlas and lamina of axis. Template loosening and shifting were not found in the process of screw implantation. Thirty-two pedicle screws were inserted. Imaging and visual inspection revealed that the majority of trajectories did not penetrate the pedicle cortex, only 1 cortical penetration was judged as noncritical and did not injury the adjacent spinal cord, nerve roots, and vertebral arteries. The accuracy of atlas pedicle screw was grade 0 in 15 screws and grade I in 1 screw, and the accuracy of axis pedicle screw was grade 0 in 16 screws. Conclusion The potential of individual drill templates to aid implantation of atlantoaxial pedicle screw is promising because of its high accuracy.
The prominent feature and form of clinical diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine is individualization, which has generated difficulty for clinical evaluation and has restricted the production of high-level evidence for traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. Based on the complexity and dynamics of individualized information under the characteristics of time and space, this paper references the theory of space-time of system science to analyze the individualized data of diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and summarizes the concept of the long time course for clinical evaluation. Based on the concept of the long time course, this paper starts with the origin of clinical evaluation, which is the construction of clinical problem elements named PICO, introduces dynamic evaluation factors, explores the construction of individualized dynamic evaluation method of traditional Chinese medicine, and provides demonstration and examples for the design and implementation of individualized clinical research in future.
ObjectiveTo review individual treatment effect (ITE) models developed from randomized controlled trials, with the aim of systematically summarizing the current state of model development and assessing the risk of bias. MethodsPubMed and Embase databases were searched for studies published between 1990 and 14 June 2024. Data were extracted using the CHARMS inventory, and the PROBAST risk of bias tool was used to assess model quality. ResultsA total of 11 publications were included, containing 19 ITE models. The ITE modelling methods were regression models with interaction terms (n=8, 42.1%), dual-range models (n=5, 26.3%) and machine learning (n=6, 31.6%). The ITE models had a reporting rate of 78.9%, 73.2% and 10.5% for differentiation, calibration and clinical validity, respectively. Fourteen models were assessed as having a high risk of bias (73.7%), particularly in the area of statistical analysis, due to inappropriate handling of missing data (n=15, 78.9%), inappropriate consideration of model fit issues (n=5, 26.3%), etc. ConclusionCommon approaches to ITE model development include constructing interaction terms, dual procedure theory, and machine learning, but suffer from a low number of model developments, more complex modeling methods, and non-standardized reporting. In the future, emphasis should be placed on further exploration of ITE models, promoting diversified modeling methods and standardized reporting to improve the clinical promotion and practical application value of the models.
In the process of evidence-based practice, the evaluation of evidence applicability relied on the subjective judgment of clinicians, while the systematic method of which was still in lack. The complex clinical information of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) enhanced the uncertainty and risk of applying evidence. Based on the analysis of the process of evidence-based practice, this paper introduced the method of TCM evidence applicability evaluation and used the raw data of clinical trials to develop a clinical prediction model to enable the assessment of the evidence applicability on individual patients. The establishment of individual evidence applicability evaluation method could promote the rational application of TCM evidence in the long term.
Individual patient data meta-analyses are conducted through development of collaboration with trial investigators, central collection and checking of individual patient data of all eligible trials, and pooling of patient data to produce the best estimate of effects of health care interventions. They ensure study data to be update, accessible, reliable and complete so as to minimize the risk of bias, and are the gold standard of systematic reviews addressing effects of health care interventions. Meta-analyses using individual patient data enable higher flexibility of data analyses and more completeness and balance of results interpretation. The study conduct differs between individual patient data versus conventional meta-analyses. This article discussed the steps of conducting individual patient data meta-analyses.
ObjectiveTo explore a new method of treating serious tibiofibula comminuted fracture by using three-dimensional (3-D) printing personalized external fixator. MethodsIn April 2015, a male patient (aged 18 years with a height of 171 cm and a weight of 67 kg) with left tibiofibula comminuted fracture was included in the study. Computer-assisted reduction technique combined with 3-D printing was used to develop a customised personalized external fixator for fracture reduction. The effectiveness was observed. ResultsThe operation time was about 10 minutes without fluoroscopy, and successful reduction was obtained. The patient had equal limb length after operation. X-ray films showed that the posterior angulation of distal fracture was corrected 37°, and the eversion angle was corrected 4°. The tibial fractures had good paraposition or alignment, and the lower limb force line was corrected completely. No new fracture displacement occurred. The clinical healing time of fracture was 3.5 months and the bone union was achieved after 8 months. The function of affected limb recovered well after operation. ConclusionA personalized external fixator for serious tibiofibula comminuted fracture reduction made by 3-D printing technique has the merits of easy manipulation, high individuation, accurate reduction, stable fixation, and no need of fluoroscopy.
Abstract: Objective To compare the midterm patency rates of individual and sequential saphenous vein grafts (SVG) as coronary bypass conduits of offpump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) and evaluate the impact of the grafting techniques (individual or sequential grafts) on the graft patencyafter OPCAB. Methods The clinical data of 398 patients in General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army receiving OPCAB with individual and sequential grafts from June 2005 to March 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 301 males and 97 females with their age ranged from 53 to 82 years (63.6±10.3 years). A total of 714 distal coronary anastomoses on 448 SVG were assessed by using 64multislice computed tomography (64MSCTA) at an average of 19.8±23.6 months (3 months to 5 years) after OPCAB procedure. The blood flow of grafts in the proximal segment of individual and sequential SVG and the patency rates of grafts and anastomoses were compared, and the effect of different locations on the patency rate of the anastomoses was analyzed. Results The mean blood flow in double SVG (37.11±16.70 ml/min vs. 25.15±14.24 ml/min, P0.042) and in triple SVG (37.56±19.58 ml/min vs. 25.15±14.24 ml/min, P=0.048) were both significantly higher than the flow in single SVG. The anastomoses on the sequential conduits had better patency (95.1％ vs. 90.1％, P=0.013). The patency of sideto side anastomoses was better than that of endtoside anastomoses (97.0% vs. 93.1%, P=0.002) and that of the individual endtoside anastomoses (97.0% vs. 90.1%, P=0.041). There was no significant difference between distal anastomoses in sequential and those in single grafts (P=0.253). No significant difference was observed between the two methods in regard to the three major coronary systems (including the anterior descending branch, the right coronary artery, and the circumflex branch). However, anastomoses on sequential grafts had superior patency to those on individual grafts in the right coronary system (P=0.008). Conclusion The midterm patency of a sequential SVG conduit after OPCAB is excellent and generally superior to that of an individual one. The best runoff coronary artery should be placed at the distal end and the poor coronary vessels should be arranged in the middle of the grafts.