In this paper, a heart rate variability analysis system is presented for short-term (5 min) applications, which is composed of an electrocardiogram signal acquisition unit and a heart rate variability analysis unit. The electrocardiogram signal acquisition unit adopts various digital technologies, including the low-gain amplifier, the high-resolution analog-digital converter, the real-time digital filter and wireless transmission etc. Meanwhile, it has the advantages of strong anti-interference capacity, small size, light weight, and good portability. The heart rate variability analysis unit is used to complete the R-wave detection and the analyses of time domain, frequency domain and non-linear indexes, based on the Matlab Toolbox. The preliminary experiments demonstrated that the system was reliable, and could be applied to the heart rate variability analysis at resting, motion states. etc.
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect of Masquelet technique combined with tissue flap grafting for bone defect and soft tissue defect. MethodsBetween August 2012 and April 2015, 18 cases of bone defect and soft tissue defect were treated by using Masquelet technique combined with tissue flap grafting. There were 11 males and 7 females, aged from 23 to 59 years (mean, 37.1 years). The time between injury and treatment was 15 days to 39 months (mean, 0.9 months). Defect located at the proximal tibia in 4 cases, at the middle tibia in 8 cases, at the distal tibia in 4 cases, and at the lateral heel in 2 cases. All patients were treated with debridement. After debridement, the bone defect was (5.7±1.8) cm in length, and the soft tissue defect was 5 cm×4 cm to 13 cm×11 cm in size. In one-stage operation, bone defect was repaired with the antibiotic cement and fracture was fixed by temporary external fixation. The surfaces of wound were repaired with tissue flap. After 6 to 8 weeks when wounds healed with no sign of infection, bone grafting from iliac bone and/or fibula was performed in two-stage operation. ResultsEighteen patients followed up 10-38 months (mean, 24.3 months). After one-stage operation, 6 cases had pin track infection, which was cured by strengthened disinfection and oral antibiotics. All the tissue flaps survived. Bone healing was observed on X-ray film at 15-57 weeks (mean, 25.3 weeks) after two-stage operation. The function of the knee and ankle joint recovered well. According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score for the ankle joint, the scores of ankle function ranged from 74 to 98, with an average of 89.7; the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 1 case. ConclusionThe Masquelet technique combined with tissue flap grafting is an effective method to treat bone defect and soft tissue defect.
ObjectiveTo analyze the outcome and prognostic factors of using locking plate for treating proximal humerus fracture. MethodsBetween January 2005 and January 2012, 45 aged patients with a displaced 3-part or 4-part fracture of the proximal humerus were treated by locking plate. Range of motion and Constant-Mudey score were observed during the follow-up. ResultsForty-three patients were followed up from 12 to 48 months with an average of 18 months. The mean final Constant-Mudey score was 72.3±9.5 and 6 of them needed a second surgery. In addition to fracture type, other prognostic factors included redisplacement (4 cases, 9.3%), nonunion (3 cases, 7.0%), crashing (3 cases, 7.0%), necrosis of the humeral head (6 cases, 14.0%) and screw cut-out (5 cases, 11.6%). Among the patients with disrupted medial calcar, 4 needed a second surgery at the final follow-up, 3 had redisplacement, 2 had nonunion, and 2 had screw cut-out. ConclusionLocked screw-plates provide more secure fixation of fracture in aged patients, but the complication rate remains high. We suggest anatomic reduction, and plate and screws position, length of the screws, the medial cortical contact and stability may be the chief prognostic factors affecting the shoulder function following a proximal humeral fracture.