Nowadays, thoracoscopic laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE) has been widely used in the treatment of esophageal cancer. In recent years, robot assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) has been developing vigorously. According to the research progress and practical experience in the world, RAMIE has the same safety and effectiveness as TLE. In this paper, several aspects on this novel operation were demonstrated, including the safety evaluation, lymph node dissection, prognosis of RAMIE, comparison of RAMIE and TLE, and the role of RAMIE in multidisciplinary treatment of esophageal cancer, in order to promote the rational application of RAMIE in esophagectomy.
Abstract： Objective To summarize the application experience of Gore-Tex patch in clinical chest wall reconstruction. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 33 patients who underwent chest wall reconstruction using Gore-Tex patch from January 2001 to December 2010 in Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University. There were 19 men and 14 women, ranging in age from 20 to 73 years with a median age of 45.7 years. The surgical strategies included choosing different incisions according to tumor location and size, and preserving normal chest wall soft tissue as much as possible during surgery. Gore-Tex patch was used to reconstruct the huge chest wall defect, and covered by transferred muscle flaps. Results All the 33 patients underwent surgical reconstruction successfully and there was no perioperative death. Complete tumor resection was performed in all the patients, including 25 patients with malignant tumor and 8 patients with benign tumor. The diameter of the resected tumors ranged from 8 to 20 cm. All the patients were followed up from 5 to 60 months, except that 3 patients （9.09%） were lost during follow-up. There was no rejection response, abnormal breathing and foreign body sensation during follow-up. The infection incidence was 3%（1/33）. Conclusion Gore-Tex patch is a safe and effective material for chest wall reconstruction due to its excellent biocompatibility. Appropriate selection of muscle flap for covering Gore-Tex patch can reduce postoperative complications.
Objective To analyze the causes of cardiac myxoma recurrence and discuss its clinical classification. Methods We reviewed the data of two female patients, aged thirty three and forty two, with recurrent cardiac myxoma, who were admitted into our hospital separately in December 2004 and October 2005. We searched articles with “cardiac myxoma” as the key words at www.cqvip.com, and reviewed literature of big case groups having undergone surgical operations, case reports of recurrence and literature with a followup time longer than 4 years between January 1994 and December 2008. Results We reviewed a total of 1 969 cases of cardiac myxoma, in which there were 60 recurrent cases with a recurrence rate of 3.0%, and there were 15 recurrence case reports. Data analysis showed that single pedicle recurrence rate was 3.0% (3/99) and multiple pedicle recurrence rate was 35.7% (5/14); In two reports on cardiac myxoma distributed in multiple chambers, the recurrence rate was 41.7% (5/12) and 33.3% (3/9) respectively;Average interval of recurrence was 4.1 years; Repeated recurrence happened to 9 cases (12.0%) with the most repetition times of 4 in one case; Malignancy on recurrence was found in one case; Reoperation rate was 64.0% (32/50); Six cases (8.0%) were familial myxoma. Accordingly, we advocate a clinical classification of “typical” and “atypical” cardiac myxoma. The typical myxoma refers to the tumors located at left atrium with single pedicle, rooted at or around fossa ovalis, and without abnormal DNA, while the atypical myxoma are familial tumors and tumors stemming from multiple points or multiple chambers, rooted in abnormal position of the left atrium, arising from clear gene mutation, or with malignant tendency. Conclusion Myxomas with multiple pedicles, distributed in more than one chamber, and rooted in abnormal position of the left atrium have a much higher recurrence rate. Close follow-up is needed for abovementioned patients to achieve an optimal treatment results.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) in gastric cancer and its correlation with clinicopathological features, prognosis and tumor cell invasion ability. Methods① Database analysis: the expression of RUNX1 in gastric cancer and adjacent tissues were analyzed by TCGA and GEO database. Kaplan-Meier Plotter database was used to analyze the correlation between RUNX1 expression level and overall survival (OS) of gastric cancer patients. GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment were used to analyze the possible functions and signaling pathways of RUNX1 in gastric cancer, and gene correlation was verified by GEPIA database. ② Clinical case validation: the cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 62 patients with gastric cancer admitted to the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from June 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected for immunohistochemical staining, HE staining and Sirius red staining, and the relation between RUNX1 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients was explored. ③ Cell experiment: we knocked down RUNX1 by using small interfering RNA, and then analyzed the relation between RUNX1 and the invasion ability of gastric cancer cells by Transwell assay. Results① Database analysis: RUNX1 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and negatively correlated with OS (P<0.001). GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that RUNX1 was not only involved in the construction of collagen in extracellular matrix (ECM), but also significantly enriched in ECM-receptor interaction pathway. The results of GEPIA gene correlation analysis showed that RUNX1 was positively correlated with gene expression involved in ECM-receptor interaction pathway (P<0.05). ② Clinical case validation: the results of immunohistochemical staining showed that RUNX1 was relatively highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues, and the high expression of RUNX1 was a risk factor affecting the postoperative OS of gastric cancer patients (RR=5.074, P=0.034); the expression of RUNX1 in gastric cancer tissues was positively correlated with red staining area of Sirius red staining (r=0.46, P<0.001). ③ Cell experiment: invasion experiments confirmed that the number of invasive AGS or HGC27 cells in si-001 group and si-002 group decreased after RUNX1 knockdown. ConclusionRUNX1 is highly expressed in gastric cancer and suggests a worse survival prognosis, and it is possible that RUNX1 promotes the development of gastric cancer by activating the ECM-receptor interaction pathway.
Objective To investigate the surgical techniques and effectiveness for reconstruction of severe full-thickness chest wall defects. Methods Between January 2006 and December 2010, 14 patients with full-thickness chest wall defects were treated, including 12 cases caused by giant chest wall mal ignant tumor excision, 1 case by thermocompression injury, and 1 case by radiation necrosis. There were 8 males and 6 females with an average age of 42 years (range，23-65 years). The size of chest wall defects ranged from 8 cm × 5 cm to 26 cm × 14 cm. All patients compl icated by rib defect (1-5 ribs), and 3 cases by sternum defect. Thoracic skeleton reconstruction was performed with Vicryl mesh or polytetrafluroethylene mesh in 10 patients. Other 4 patients did not undergo thoracic skeleton reconstruction. The bilobed skin flaps, pectoral is major myocutaneous flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, and rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap were util ized for repairing soft tissue defects. The size of the dissected flaps ranged from 10 cm × 7 cm to 25 cm × 13 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or were repaired by free skin graft. Results Poor heal ing of incision occurred in 2 cases, which was cured after debridement, myocutaneous flap transfer, and skin graft. The other wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean, 8 months). No tumor recurrence during follow-up, except 1 patient with osteosarcoma who died of l iver matastasis at 6 months after operation. Transient sl ight paradoxical respiration occurred in 1 patient who did not undergo thoracic skeleton reconstruction at 5 days after operation. Integrity of chest wall in other patients was restored without paradoxical respiration and dyspnea. Conclusion Depending on the cause, the size, and the location of defect, single or combination flaps could be used to repair soft tissue defect, and thoracic skeleton reconstruction should be performed when defect is severe by means of syntheticmaterials.
ObjectiveTo give an annual data report of surgical treatment of esophageal cancer in Shanghai Chest Hospital to provide reference for treatment and research on esophageal cancer.MethodsThe clinical data of 414 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent endoscopy (9 patients) and esophagectomy (405 patients) in Shanghai Chest Hospital in 2015 were reviewed, including 334 males and 80 females. Their tumor biological characteristics and short-term and long-term treatment results were analyzed.ResultsPatients in this group were predominantly aged 60 to 69 years (46.9%), and the tumor was mainly located in the middle thorax (50.7%). About 79.9% of the patients received trans-right thoracic esophagectomy, 44.4% received minimally invasive surgery; 388 (93.7%) patients accepted upfront esophagectomy without induction therapy, and 179 (43.2%) patients received postoperative adjuvant therapy. The R0 resection rate was 90.6%, and the 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 1.4% and 2.4%, respectively. The 4-year overall survival rate of the R0 resection patients was 65.7%.ConclusionSatisfactory long-term survival results can be obtained for thoracic esophageal cancer if R0 resection can be achieved by trans-right thoracic esophagectomy and extended lymphadenectomy combined with appropriate postoperative adjuvant treatment.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of pedicled il iac bone graft transposition for treatment of avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH) after femoral neck fracture. Methods Between June 2002 and December 2006, 22 cases (22 hips, 16 left hips and 6 right hips) of ANFH after femoral neck fracture were treated with il iac bone graft pedicled with ascending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex vessels. There were 18 males and 4 females with an age range from 28 to 48 years (mean, 37.5 years). The time from injury to internal fixation was 2-31 days, and all fractures healed within 12 months after internal fixation. The ANFH was diagnosed at 15-40 months (mean, 22 months) after internal fixation. The ANFH duration was 3-11 months (mean, 8 months). According to Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging system, 2 hips were classified as stage IIa, 3 hips as stage IIb, 3 hips as stage IIc, 3 hips as stage IIIa, 7 hips as stage IIIb, and 4 hips as stage IIIc. The preoperative Harris hip score (HHS) was 64.10 ± 5.95. Results All incisions healed by first intention and the patients had no compl ication of lung embol ism, sciatic nerve injury, lower l imb deep venous thrombosis, and numbness and pain of donor site. All patients were followed up 2.5 to 6.3 years (mean, 4.8 years). The fracture heal ing time was 8-12 months, and no femoral neck fracture recurred. The HHS was 90.20 ± 5.35 at last follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative value (t= —18.447, P=0.000). The hi p function were excellent in 11 hi ps, good in 10 hips, fair in 1 hip, and the excellent and good rate was 95.5%. Four hips were radiographically progressed in ARCO staging, 18 hips remained stable with a stable rate of 81.8%. Conclusion Pedicled il iac bone graft transposition is an ideal option for treatment of ANFH after internal fixation of femoral neck fracture for the advantages of femoral head revascularization, sufficient cancellous bone supply, and relatively simple procedure.
Objective To compare short-term quality of life and postoperative complications in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with different routes reconstruction after McKeown esophagectomy. Methods The clinical data of 144 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received McKeown esophagectomy in Shanghai Chest Hospital from January 2016 to October 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them 93 patients accepted retrosternal approach (a RR group, 71 males and 22 females at an average age of 63.5±7.7 years) and 51 patients accepted posterior mediastinal approach (a PR group, 39 males and 12 females at an average age of 62.3±8.0 years). Short-term surgical outcomes were compared and a Quality of Life Questionnaire of Patients Underwent Esophagectomy 1.0 was performed at postoperative 1st and 3rd month. Results There was no difference in two groups in sex, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), and location and clinical stage of tumors (P>0.05). The neoadjuvant therapy was more performed in the RR group (16.1%vs. 5.9%, P=0.075). There were more robot-assisted esophagecctomy operations performed in the PR group (52.9% vs. 45.2%, P=0.020). No significant difference was noted in operation duration, intraoperative blood loss or length of ICU stay between the RR and PR groups (251.3±59.1 min vs. 253.1±27.7 min, P=0.862; 223.7±75.1 ml vs. 240.0±75.1 ml, P=0.276; 3.7±6.6 d vs. 2.3±2.1 d, P=0.139). The patients in the PR group had more lymph nodes dissected and shorter hospital stay (P<0.001). Rate of R1/2 resection was higher in the RR group (12.9%vs. 5.9%, P=0.187). No surgery-related mortality was observed in both groups. The anastomotic leak and the anastomotic stricture was higher in the RR group than that in the PR group (25.8% vs. 5.9%, P=0.003). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the quality of life at postoperative 1st and 3rd month. However, the quality of life at postoperative 3rd month significantly improved in both groups (P<0.001). Compared with the PR group, the dysphagia was more severe in the RR group at postoperative 1st month (3.3±1.5 vs. 2.6±1.1, P=0.007), while the reflux symptom was lighter at postoperative 3rd month (3.0±1.8 vs. 3.6±1.6, P=0.045). Conclusion The two different routes reconstruction after McKeown esophagectomy are both safe and feasible. The anterior mediastinal approach increases the risk of anastomotic leak, but with low incidence of reflux symptom.
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy followed by minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 56 consecutive patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer treated by neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery in our hospital between January 2015 and December 2016. There were 51 males and 5 females. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Neoadjuvant therapy followed by open surgery esophagectomy group was as an OE group with 25 patients aged 61 (50-73) years. And neoadjuvant therapy followed by MIE was as a MIE group with 31 patients aged 60 (55-79) years. Results The pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 28 patients with neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy was significantly higher than that of 28 patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (21.4% vs. 10.7%, P<0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, R2 rate and the number of lymph nodes dissection in the MIE group were obviously better than those of the OE group with statistical differences (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the number of resected lymph nodes along the bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves and lymph node metastasis rate (P>0.05) between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative respiratory complications in the MIE group was lower than that of the OE group (P=0.041). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of other complications, re-operation, re-entry to ICU, median length of stay or perioperative deaths (P>0.05). There was only one patient with neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the OE group died due to gastric fluid asphyxia caused by trachea-esophageal fistula. Conclusion Neoadjuvant therapy followed by MIE for locally advanced esophageal cancer is safe and feasible. The oncological outcomes seem comparable regardless of OE.
Cell migration is defined as the directional movement of cells toward a specific chemical concentration gradient, which plays a crucial role in embryo development, wound healing and tumor metastasis. However, current research methods showed low flux and are only suitable for single-factor assessment, and it was difficult to comprehensively consider the effects of other parameters such as different concentration gradients on cell migration behavior. In this paper, a four-channel microfluidic chip was designed. Its characteristics were as follows: it relied on laminar flow and diffusion mechanisms to establish and maintain a concentration gradient; it was suitable for observation of cell migration in different concentration gradient environment under a single microscope field; four cell isolation zones (20 μm width) were integrated into the microfluidic device to calibrate the initial cell position, which ensured the accuracy of the experimental results. In particular, we used COMSOL Multiphysics software to simulate the structure of the chip, which demonstrated the necessity of designing S-shaped microchannel and horizontal pressure balance channel to maintain concentration gradient. Finally, neutrophils were incubated with advanced glycation end products (AGEs, 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 μmol·L−1), which were closely related to diabetes mellitus and its complications. The migration behavior of incubated neutrophils was studied in the 100 nmol·L−1 of chemokine (N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine) concentration gradient. The results prove the reliability and practicability of the microfluidic chip.