Objective To evaluate the immediate and mid-term effectiveness of hybrid procedures (combined open surgery and endovascular therapy) for multilerel femoral and popliteal artery occlusive disease. Methods Between June 2009 and June 2012, 22 cases of severe femoral and popliteal artery occlusive disease were treated by hybrid surgery. There were 15 men and 7 women with an age range of 52-78 years (mean, 66.2 years) and with a disease duration of 6 months to 5 years (mean, 1.5 years). Of 22 patients, 13 had a history of smoking; 8 were classified as Fontaine III and 14 as Fontaine IV. The complications included diabetes (8 patients), hypertension (16 patients), hyperlipemia (10 patients), coronary heart disease (11 patients), and chronic kidney failure (1 patient). Patency analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier life tables and log-rank test. Results All patients underwent successfully procedures. The time of operation was 70-160 minutes (mean, 137 minutes). Acute myocardial infarction, hematoma of incision, fracture of stent, and stent thrombosis occurred in 1 case, respectively. At 6 months after surgery, the ankle brachial index (ABI), the transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcpO2), and the average intermittent claudication distance were significantly increased when compared with preoperative ones [0.79 ± 0.33 vs. 0.32 ± 0.18, (42.7 ± 15.7) kPa vs. (17.6 ± 11.6) kPa, and (420 ± 80) m vs. (160 ± 54) m, P lt; 0.05]. The patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 14.5 months). The primary patency rate, primary assisted patency rate, and second patency rate were 77.3% (17/22), 90.9% (20/22), and 95.5% (21/22) respectively, showing no significant difference among them (P gt; 0.05). No significant difference was found in various-stage patency rates between patients at Fontaine III and IV (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Hybrid procedures provide an effective treatment of multilevel femoral artery and popliteal artery disease while there is good outflow.
Objective To evaluate the cl inical effect of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and PTA and stenting (PTAS) in treating multilevel arteriosclerosis obl iterans (ASO) of lower extremities. Methods Between January 2007 and October 2009, 29 cases of multilevel ASO of lower extremities were treated with PTA or PTAS. There were 17 males and 12females with an average age of 71 years (range, 56-83 years). The cl inical manifestations were l imbs numb with cold sensation, intermittent claudication (lt; 100 m), and 19 patients had rest pain. According to Fontaine stages classification, there were 7 cases of stage II, 14 cases of stage III, and 8 cases of stage IV. Concomitant diseases included hyperl ipidemia in 13 cases, diabetes in 6 cases, hypertension in 12 cases, chronic heart failure in 5 cases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 3 cases, cerebral infarction in 5 cases, and toe ulcer in 15 cases. The preoperative ankle/brachial index (ABI) was 0.28 ± 0.13. Results In 3 cases of below knee lesions for the guide wire puncturing through the artery wall, 1 case gave up, and 2 cases continued recanal ized other arteries without serious bleeding compl ications. After operation, cerebral infarction occurred in 1 case, pulmonary infection in 2 cases, and groin puncture site hematoma in 2 cases. All patients were followed up 3 to 36 months. Limb skin temperature was significantly improved, and intermittent claudication disappeared or claudication distance lengthened, rest pain disappeared or significantly reduced in 27 patients (30 l imbs). The wound of amputee achieved good heal ing in 2 cases (2 l imbs). In 27 patients undergoing endovascular treatment, the postoperative ABI was 0.72 ± 0.19, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative one (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The PTA and PTAS treatment for multilevel ASO of lower extremities is a safe and effective option, and the short-term effect is good. Different treatments should be chosen according to the location and length of vascular occlusion.
Objective To observe the effect of titanium mesh cage with self-locked titanium plate on the cervicalinter-body fusion after anterior discectomy of multilevel cervical intervertebral disc protrusion. Methods The therapeuticeffect of 18 patients who received the treatment of titanium mesh cage with self-locked titanium plate from September 2004 to June 2007 were retrospectively analyzed, including 11 males and 7 females (aged 32-75 years, 54 years on average). The course of disease was 6 months to 15 years (5.8 years on average). Sixteen patients suffered sensory dysfunction in l imbs. Concerning the muscle strength of extremities, 3 cases were on the second level, 12 were on the third level, 1 was on the fourth level, and 2 were on the fifth level. Sixteen cases had pyramidal sign, 13 had retention of urine and feces, 8 had sexual dysfunction, and 7 combined with symptoms of nerve root type. Twelve cases were consecutive multilevel and 6 cases were discontinuous multilevel. The mean JOA scores were 8.30 ± 1.21 preoperatively. X-ray films and MRI showed degeneration and protrusion of intervertebral disc and compression of cervical cord preoperatively. The height of involved intervertebral space was (6.40 ± 0.87) mm on X-ray films preoperatively. Results All the incisions were healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up for 6-36 months (18 months on average). The recovery of extremities motor function was better than that of sensory function at the early stage after operation. Muscular tension decreased after operation and mobil ity of l imbs was improved. The operated segments were instantly stable and sol id fusion was observed at 3-6 months after operation. JOA scores at 6 months after operation was 12.60 ± 0.78 with an improvement rate of 51.8%, indicating significant difference wasevident when compared with the JOA scores before operation (P lt; 0.05). The height of involved intervertebral space increased significantly to (8.20 ± 0.46) mm postoperatively, indicating the difference was significant (P lt; 0.05). According to Odom’s evaluation scale, 17 patients were graded as excellent and 1 as good. No death and compl ications of spinal cord, nerve, trachea and esophagus were observed. The cage witnessed no translocation. Conclusion Titanium mesh cage with self-locked titanium plate is more stable and effective for the treatment of multilevel cervical intervertebral disc protrusion.
Objective To determine the clinical effect of sequence and cross bypass or combined with endovascular procedure for mutilevelarterial occlusive disease of lower extremity so as to investigate the credibletreatment for mutilevel arterial occlusive disease of lower extremity. Methods Between April 2004 and July 2005， 11 patients （14 limbs）underwent sequence and cross bypass, thromboendarterectomy or combined with endovascular procedure. Among of them, 10 cases were male and 1 case was female, aging 62-79 years(mean 70.5 years), and including 8 cases of intermittent claudications (Fontaine stage Ⅱ), 3 cases of rest pain (Fontaine stage Ⅲ) and 1 case of toe ulcerwith gangrene (Fontaine stage Ⅳ). Colour Doppler ultrasonography showed that 14 lower limbswere diagnosed as having multilevel arterial occlusive disease and the preoperation and ankle brachial index(ABI) was 0.36±0.11 . Lower limb digital subtraction angiography(DSA) showed 3 cases of bilateral iliac artery stenosis，extrailiac artery occlusion and bilateral superficial femoral artery occlusions，1 case of right common iliac artery stenosis, extrailiac artery occlusion and bilateral superficial femoral artery occlusions and 8 cases of unilateral extrailiac artery stenosis and superficial femoral artery occlusions. Postoperation tests of DSA,colour Doppler ultrasonography and ABI were done to observe cumulative patency rate after operation. Results The follow-up period was from 3 to 26 months(mean 14.5 months ). All patients survived. The symptoms of intermittent claudication and rest pain disappeard in all patients. ABI was improved by0.89±0.13 after procedure（Ｐlt;0.01）. The overall salvage rate of limb was 100%. DSA was performed from 3 to 280 days after operation, the overall primary graft patency rate was 92.86%（13/14）.Conclusion Sequence and cross bypass， thromboendarterectomy or combined with endovascular procedure in treatment of mutilevel occlusive disease of lower extremity was effective, less invasive and safe.
Objective To compare the outcomes of two operative methods, the anterior decompression in subsection and the anterior decompression in one section, which were used to treat multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods Data of multilevel CSM undergoing the anterior decompression in subsection (33 cases, the subsection group) and the anterior decompression in one section (19 cases, the one section group) from July 1999 to January 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. The- incidence of perioperative complications and the rate of fusion were evaluated by the postoperative X-ray and MRI examinations, and improvement of the neurological function was evaluated by the JOA score.Results The incidence of perioperative complications was 36.8%in the one section group, mainly including immigration of the plate and grafts,which was settled by the revision surgery; while the incidence of perioperative compilcations was 12.1% in the subsection group, mainly including the immigration of the titanium mesh. There was a significant difference between the two groups (Plt;0.05). 84.2％ of the patients in the one section group and 81.8％ of the patients in the subsection group developed bony fusion by the end of the follow-up (9-31 mon, averaged 112 mon), and there was no significant differencebetween the two groups (Pgt;0.05). According to the JOA score, the ratio of the improvement in the neurological function was 70.4% in the subsection group and 64.4% in the one section group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion The anterior decompression in subsection is more rational for the surgical treatment on the multilevel CSM than the anterior decompression in one section. It can provide an equal decompressive effect but a more stable local mechanical environment right after the surgery and can maintain it well, which is critical for the bony fusion.
ObjectiveTo observe whether multipoint target muscle injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy in children is better than non-multipoint target muscle injection. MethodsFrom February to October 2013, 42 children with spastic cerebral palsy were treated in our hospital. According to the treatment sequence, the children were numbered. Those with an odd number were designated into multipoint target muscle injection group (group A), and those with an even number were put into non-multipoint target muscle ordinary injection group (group B). Each group had 21 children, and all of them were treated with the injection of BTX-A. Modified Ashworth Scoring (MAS) was performed for all the children before treatment, and 2 weeks, one month, and three months after treatment. The change of dorsiflexion range of motion with knee flexion and extension was recorded and compared. The analysis was done by using multilevel statistical method. ResultsBoth groups of children had significantly improved their ankle range and modified Ashworth score (P<0.05). No interaction between measurement time and group was detected, and the differences between the two groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05). ConclusionLower muscle tone, greater ankle mobility and better motor function can be achieved after Botulinum toxin A treatment. For now, we cannot draw the conclusion that the effect of multipoint target muscle injection is better than that of non-multipoint target muscle injection in the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy in children.
Longitudinal data had intrinsic correlation problems at different time points, and traditional meta-analysis techniques cannot resolve this problem. Regression coefficients based on multi-level models can fully consider the correlations of longitudinal data at various time points. This paper uses SAS software to perform multi-level regression coefficient model meta-analysis and provides programming code which is simple and easy to operate.
ObjectiveTo introduce a meta-analysis of linear or nonlinear multilevel models using SAS MIXED and SAS NLMIXED.MethodsA systematic review performed to evaluate the risk of local recurrence in patients with cervical cancer treated with radical chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant surgery published by Shim et al. was selected as an illustration. An SAS software was used to implement meta-analysis based on linear or nonlinear multi-level models, and programming codes were provided.ResultsIn the absence of covariates, the OR combined effect values of PROC MIXED based on the bivariate random effects model and PROC NLMIXED of the nonlinear mixed effects model were 0.63 (95%CI 0.46 to 0.87, P=0.005 7) and 0.60 (95%CI 0.39 to 0.81, P=0.000 3), respectively. In the case of covariates, the bivariate random effects model and the nonlinear mixed effects model provided an effect value of OR=0.65 (95%CI 0.47 to 0.91, P=0.011) and 0.59 (95%CI 0.38 to 0.80, P=0.000 3). Covariate OR effect values were 2.70 (95%CI 0.16 to 45.23, P>0.05) and 1.86 (95%CI −0.07 to 3.79, P=0.06).ConclusionsThe meta-analysis results of the SAS NLMIXED nonlinear mixed-effects model are similar to those of the SAS MIXED linear mixed-effects model. PROC NLMIXED has powerful programming capability and nonlinear mixed-effects model has flexible modeling capabilities for sparse data. Therefore, PROC NLMIXED will play an increasingly important role in meta-analysis.
With the establishment and development of regional healthcare big data platforms, regional healthcare big data is playing an increasingly important role in health policy program evaluations. Regional healthcare big data is usually structured hierarchically. Traditional statistical models have limitations in analyzing hierarchical data, and multilevel models are powerful statistical analysis tools for processing hierarchical data. This method has frequently been used by healthcare researchers overseas, however, it lacks application in China. This paper aimed to introduce the multilevel model and several common application scenarios in medicine policy evaluations. We expected to provide a methodological framework for medicine policy evaluation using regional healthcare big data or hierarchical data.
Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis is a quasi-experimental design for evaluating the effectiveness of health interventions. By controlling the time trend before the intervention, ITS is often used to estimate the level change and slope change after the intervention. However, the traditional ITS modeling strategy might indicate aggregation bias when the data was collected from different clusters. This study introduced two advanced ITS methods of handling hierarchical data to provide the methodology framework for population-level health intervention evaluation.