Objective To investigate the effect of applying a tourniquet on perioperative blood loss and short-term effectiveness in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A total of 94 patients (94 knees) with osteoarthritis underwent primary TKA between September 2010 and December 2011, whose data met the inclusion criteria and were retrospectively analyzed. A tourniquet was used in 51 cases (group A), no tourniquet in 43 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, affected side, body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level, range of motion (ROM), visual analogue scale (VAS), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The data were compared between 2 groups, including hematocrit (Hct), Hb, hidden blood loss, dominant blood loss, theoretical total blood loss, the operation time, hospitalization days, increasing rate of circumference length above 10 cm of the knee, VAS score, ROM, HSS score, and WOMAC score. Results Four cases (7.84%) of group A and 1 case (2.33%) of group B received blood transfusions, showing no significant difference (χ2=1.410, P=0.235). There was no significant difference in the Hb and Hct between 2 groups at 2 days after operation (P gt; 0.05). The dominant blood loss of group A was significantly less than that of group B (P lt; 0.05), while the hidden blood loss of group A was significantly more than that of group B (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference in theoretical total blood loss between 2 groups (t=0.662, P=0.510). The operation time, hospitalization days, and VAS score at 3 days showed no significant difference between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The wound healed by first intention after operation without related complication. At 3 days after operation, the increasing rate of circumference length above 10 cm of the knee in group A was significantly higher than that of group B (t=9.435, P=0.000), but no significant difference at 7 days (t=0.462, P=0.645). At 3 and 5 days after operation, the ROM values in group B were significantly larger than those of group A (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference at 7 days (t= — 1.279, P=0.204). The patients were all followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.3 months). There was no significant difference in the HSS score between 2 groups at 1 year after operation (t=0.952, P=0.344), but significant difference was found in the WOMAC score between 2 groups (t= — 2.488, P=0.015). The X-ray films showed that the prosthesis was in good position, without loosening, subsidence, or osteolysis. Conclusion Application of a tourniquet in TKA increases hidden blood loss, and there is no obvious advantage in reducing transfusion rate compared with the non-tourniquet group, so it is recommended to reduce the time and pressure of the tourniquet for patients with high-risk of thrombosis.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness and feasibil ity of modified single-stage transpedicular decompression, debridement, and posterior instrumentation in treatment of thoracic tuberculosis. Methods Between January 2005 and December 2009, 22 cases of thoracic tuberculosis were treated with modified single-stage transpedicular decompression, debridement, and posterior instrumentation. There were 12 males and 10 females with an average age of 39.4 years (range, 22-52 years). The mean disease duration was 1.2 years (range, 3 months to 10 years). The involved vertebral bodies were T5-12, including 2 segments in 17 cases and 3 segments in 5 cases. The kyphosis Cobb angle was (31.2 ± 14.5)° before operation. According to Frankel score system for neurological deficits, 2 cases were classified as grade A, 1 case as grade B, 8 cases as grade C, 5 cases as grade D, 1 case as grade E, and 5 cases had no neurological deficits before operation. Results All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 22.2 months on average (range, 12-65 months). Pain in low back was rel ieved in varying degrees 2 weeks after operation. Fusion was achieved in the bone implant area at 3 months after operation. According to Frankel score system, 1 case was rated as grade B, 2 cases as grade C, 4 cases as grade D, 7 cases as grade E, and 8 cases had no neurological deficits at last follow-up. The kyphosis Cobb angle was (16.2 ± 3.6)°, showing significant difference when compared with the value before operation (t=5.952, P=0.001). No loosening, emersion, breakage of internal fixation or pneumothorax occurred 1 year after operation. Conclusion Single-stage transpedicular decompression and posterior instrumentation is an effective and safe method in treatment of thoracic tuberculosis.
Objective To develop a high-accuracy, better-safety and low-cost cervical pedicle locator system for guiding cervical pedicle screw placement. Methods Cervical pedicle screw locator system was made of stainless steel. Ten cervical specimens from voluntary donation were divided into two groups according to compatibil ity design: control group inwhich 60 screws were planted into C2-7 by free hand; and experimental group in which 60 screws were planted into C2-7 under the guidance of three-dimensional locator system. The condition of screw insertion was observed and the accuracy was evaluated by the integrity of pedicle walls. Results In the control group, 32 screws (53.33%) were placed inside the pedicles and 28 (46.67%) were outside; 9 screws (15.00%) led to nerve root injury, 5 screws (8.33%) caused vertebral artery injury and no spinal cord injury occurred; and the qual ification ratio of screw insertion was 76.67% (excellent 32, fair 14, poor 14). While in the experimental group, 54 screws (90.00%) were placed inside the pedicles and 6 (10.00%) were outside; 1 screw (1.67%) caused vertebral artery injury and no nerve root injury and spinal cord injury occurred; and the qual ification ratio of screw insertion was 98.33% (excellent 54, fair 5, poor 1). There was significant difference between the two groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Cervical pedicle screw locator system has the advantages of easy manipulation, high accuracy of screw placement and low cost. With further study, it can be appl ied to the cl inical.
ObjectiveTo study the expression of Lumican in colorectal cancer tissues and investigate its role in the carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer. MethodsLumican expression in 114 colorectal cancer and 43 normal tissues was detected by immunohistochemical SP method. ResultsLumican expression was negative in 43 normal colorectal tissues，while 79.82%（91/114） positive in cancer tissues, the difference of which was significant (Plt;0.05). The intensity of Lumican expression correlated conversely to the grade of differentiation for the colorectal cancer (Plt;0.05). So Lumican expression was statistically higher in Dukes A+B group than that in C+D group (Plt;0.05). There was no difference of Lumican expression in age and gender (Pgt;0.05). ConclusionsLumican didn’t express in normal colorectal tissues while expressed in cancer tissues, which suggests that Lumican may play a role in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer. The expression of Lumican is correlated with tumor differentiation grade and Dukes staging, which could be considered as an valuable index to biological features of colorectal cancer.