Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of tendon insertion medialized repair in treatment of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears (L/MRCT). Methods The clinical and imaging data of 46 L/MRCT patients who underwent arthroscopic insertion medialized repair between October 2015 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 20 females with an average age of 57.7 years (range, 40-75 years). There were 20 cases of large rotator cuff tears and 26 cases of massive rotator cuff tears. Preoperative imaging evaluation included fatty infiltration (Goutallier grade), tendon retraction (modified Patte grade), supraspinatus tangent sign, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), and postoperative medializaiton length and tendon integrity. The clinical outcome was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score, shoulder range of motion (including anteflexion and elevation, lateral external, and internal rotation) and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength before and after operation. The patients were divided into two groups (the intact tendon group and the re-teared group) according to the integrity of the tendon after operation. According to the medializaiton length, the patients were divided into group A (medialization length ≤10 mm) and group B (medialization length >10 mm). The clinical function and imaging indexes of the patients were compared. Results All patients were followed up 24-56 months, with an average of 31.8 months. At 1 year after operation, MRI showed that the medializaiton length of supraspinatus tendon was 5-15 mm, with an average of 10.26 mm, 33 cases in group A and 13 cases in group B. Eleven cases (23.91%) had re-teared, including 5 cases (45.45%) of Sugaya type Ⅳ and 6 cases (54.55%) of Sugaya type Ⅴ. At last follow-up, the VAS score, ASES score, shoulder anteflexion and elevation range of motion, lateral external rotation range of motion, and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in internal rotation range of motion between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). The Goutallier grade and modified Patte grade of supraspinatus muscle in the re-teared group were significantly higher than those in the intact tendon group, and the AHD was significantly lower than that in the intact tendon group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). Except that the ASES score of the intact tendon group was significantly higher than that of the re-teared group (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the other postoperative clinical functional indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of re-tear, VAS score, ASES score, range of motion of shoulder joint, and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength between group A and group B (P>0.05). ConclusionTendon insertion medialized repair may be useful in cases with L/MRCT, and shows good postoperative shoulder function. Neither tendon integrity nor medialization length shows apparent correlations with postoperative shoulder function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the MRI manifestations of internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) before and after treatment. MethodsMRI materials of 20 patients with ICAD between November 2007 and February 2013 were collected for analysis. ResultsMRI manifestations of ICAD showed 17 cases of artery stenosis, 16 cases of mural hematoma or thrombus, 3 cases of aneurysmal dilatation, and 2 cases of lines of intimal flap. The treatment outcome MRI manifestations showed that 18 patients had effective response, including disappeared (n=9) and lessened (n=8) artery stenosis, disappeared (n=13) and diminished (n=3) hematoma and thrombus, and shrunken aneurysmal dilatation (n=1); and there were 2 cases of unchanged aneurysmal dilatation, and another 2 patients had aneurysmal dilatation while stenosis lessened. ConclusionMRI manifestations of internal carotid artery dissection mainly include stenosis, mural hematoma or thrombus, and aneurysmal dilatation. Stenosis, mural hematoma or thrombus usually disappear and lessen in the treatment, and all MRI findings may vary among each other.
Objective To explore the effect of pulmonary arterial hypertension on the children with functional single ventricle in the early period after Fontan operation. Methods Forty-three children with pulmonary arterial hypertension after Fontan operation were enrolled in our department between January 2015 and December 2016. There were 24 males and 19 females at a median age of 4.3 years ranging from 2.5 to 4.8 years. The pulmonary arterial pressure was evaluated by cardiac catheterization. There were 23 children diagnosed without pulmonary hypertension (a non-PAH group) including 16 males and 7 females, while 20 patients were diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (a PAH group) including 8 males and 12 females. Postoperative parameters related to outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results There was no death in the non-PAH group, but the mortality of children in the PAH group was 20.0% (4/20, χ2=5.34, P=0.02). The central venous pressure (t=–2.50, P=0.02), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP, Z=–3.50, P<0.01), peritoneal dialysis rate (χ2=5.40, P=0.02), incidence of arrhythmia (χ2=4.40, P=0.03) in the PAH group were significantly higher than those of the non-PAH group. The early postoperative utilization rate of pulmonary vascular targeting agents in the PAH group was significantly higher than that in the non-PAH group (χ2=6.30, P=0.04). Conclusion Pulmonary arterial hypertension is one of the most important factors which influence the early postoperative prognosis of children with functional single ventricle after Fontan operation.
Objective To investigate the etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and outcomes of acute necrotizing mediastinitis (ANM) in order to guide future diagnosis and treatment of ANM. Methods The clinical data of patients with ANM referred to West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March 2012 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology, clinical manifestations, demographic characteristics, bacterial culture results, surgical approach and prognostic factors of these patients were summarized. ResultsA total of 176 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 60 ( 0-84) years. There were 124 (70.5%) males and 52 (29.5%) females. The most common origin of infection was neck (n=66, 37.5%). The most common symptom was fever (n=85, 48.3%). Streptococcus constellatus represented the most common pathogens in secretion culture. Surgical treatment was administered to 119 (67.6%) patients through different approaches, including 54 (30.7%) patients of cervical approach, 9 (5.1%) patients of thoracotomy, 18 (10.2%) patients of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), 7 (4.0%) patients of cervical combined with thoracotomy, 30 (17.0%) patients of cervical combined with VATS, and 1 (0.6%) patient of subxiphoid approach. Among this cohort, 144 (81.8%) patients were cured, while 32 (18.1%) patients died. Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (OR=2.95, P=0.022), perioperative sepsis (OR=2.84, P=0.024), and non-surgical treatment (OR=2.41, P=0.043) were identified as independent predictors of poor outcomes. Conclusion For patients with corresponding history and manifestations of ANM, it is crucial to go through imaging examination to confirm the presence of an abscess and guide the selection of surgical approach. Once the diagnosis of ANM is made, it is imperative to promptly perform surgical intervention for effective drainage. Our study highlights the significance of age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, perioperative sepsis and surgical treatment in predicting patients’ outcomes.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of epileptics with pregnancy and then provide reference for standardized management of epileptics with pregnancy. MethodsFrom June 2012 to June 2021, epileptics with pregnancy who delivered in Jinan Central Hospital were selected as the research subjects. The clinical data such as the application of Antiseizure medications (ASMs) during pregnancy, seizure frequency, pregnancy outcomes, delivery ways, offspring feeding ways and the incidence of complications were investigated and analyzed. ResultsAmong 36 epileptics with pregnancy, 20 cases (55.56%) were treated with ASMs alone, 5 cases (13.88%) were treated with combined medication, and 11 cases (30.56%) were treated without ASMs during pregnancy. 15 cases (41.67%) adhered to systematic application of ASMs, 17 cases (47.22%) did not adhere to systematic application of ASMs, and 4 cases (11.11%) had unknown medication history. The frequency of seizures increased in 5 cases, decreased in 7 cases and unchanged in 24 cases during pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes: full-term delivery in 33 cases (91.67%), preterm delivery in 1 case (2.78%) and abortion in 2 cases (5.56%). Delivery mode: cesarean section in 31 cases (91.18%), vaginal delivery in 3 cases (8.82%). After delivery, 4 cases (11.76%) were fed with milk powder and 30 cases (88.24%) were breast-fed. Complications: There were 6 cases complicated with anemia (16.67%), 5 cases complicated with gestational hypertension (13.89%), 3 cases complicated with gestational diabetes (8.33%), 4 cases complicated with premature rupture of membranes (11.11%), 2 cases complicated with fetal growth restriction (5.56%), 2 cases complicated with oligohydramnios (5.56%), 3 cases complicated with fetal distress (8.33%) and 3 cases complicated with neonatal asphyxia (8.33%). ConclusionsThe proportion of epileptics with pregnancy who were systematically treated with ASMs was low and the seizures were poorly controlled. There is a lack of standardized management for such patients in clinical practice.
Objective To review recent advancement of the relationship between obesity and gastric cancer. Method We searched PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, CNKI, and WanFang database for recent clinical trials about the impact of obesity on occurrence, surgery outcomes, and prognosis of gastric cancer. Results Obesity significantly increased the risk of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG), increased difficulty in radical operation of gastric cancer and complications of perioperative period, but it had no effect on the long-term operative outcomes. The association between obesity and the survival of gastric cancer was not clear. However, the better survival was observed in most researches of gastric cancer patients with excess body weight. Conclusions The relationship between obesity and gastric cancer is very complex, and there is no consistent conclusion. A reasonable body weight by a healthy lifestyle is expected to decline the incidence of AEG.
ObjectiveTo compare oncologic and short-term outcomes between the robotic and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study using a prospectively collected database. Patients’ records were obtained from Gansu Provincial Hospital between July 2015 and October 2017. Eighty patients underwent robotic-assisted total mesorectal excision (R-TME group) and one hundred and sixteen with the same histopathological stage of the tumor underwent an laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (L-TME group). Both operations were performed by the same surgeon. Results The time to the first passage of flatus ［(3.28±1.64) d vs. (6.01±2.77) d, P<0.001］, the time to the first postoperative oral fluid intake ［(4.46±1.62) d vs. (6.28±2.74) d, P<0.001） and the length of hospital stay ［（11.20±5.80）d vs. (14.72±6.90) d, P=0.023］ of the R-TME group was about 3 days faster than the L-TME group. The incidence of postoperative urinary retention (2.50% vs 7.76%, P=0.016) was significantly lower in the R-TME group than the L-TME group. However, the intraoperative blood loss of the R-TME group was more than the L-TME group ［(175.06±110.77) mL vs. (123.91±99.61) mL, P=0.031, ）. The operative time, number of lymph nodes harvested and distal margin were similar intergroup（P>0.05）. The total cost was higher in the R-TME than in the L-TME group ［(85 623.91±13 310.50) CNY vs. (67 356.79±17 107.68) CNY, P=0.084), however, this difference was statistically insignificant. ConclusionsCompared with the L-TME, the R-TME has the same oncologic outcomes and rapid postoperative short-term recovery. However, the long-term outcome of the R-TME remains to be further observed.
Objective To compare the early outcomes of domestic third-generation magnetically levitated left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with or without concomitant mitral valvuloplasty (MVP). Methods The clinical data of 17 end-stage heart failure patients who underwent LVAD implantation combined with preoperative moderate to severe mitral regurgitation in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from May 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a LVAD group and a LVAD+MVP group based on whether MVP was performed simultaneously, and early outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results There were 4 patients in the LVAD group, all males, aged (43.5±5.9) years, and 13 patients in the LVAD+MVP group, including 10 males and 3 females, aged (46.8±16.7) years. All the patients were successful in concomitant MVP without mitral reguragitation occurrence. Compared with the LVAD group, the LVAD+MVP group had a lower pulmonary artery systolic pressure and pulmonary artery mean pressure 72 h after operation, but the difference was not statistically different (P>0.05). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure was significantly lower 1 week after operation, as well as pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure and pulmonary artery mean pressure at 1 month after operation (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in blood loss, operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamping time, mechanical ventilation time, or ICU stay time between the two groups (P>0.05). The differences in 1-month postoperative mortality, acute kidney injury, reoperation, gastrointestinal bleeding, and thrombosis and other complications between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Concomitant MVP with implantation of domestic third-generation magnetically levitated LVAD is safe and feasible, and concomitant MVP may improve postoperative hemodynamics without significantly increasing perioperative mortality and complication rates.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical settings, antibiotic susceptibilities, management and outcomes of streptococcal endophthalmitis. MethodsA retrospective observational case series study. Fifty six eyes of 56 patients diagnosed with streptococcal endophthalmitis in Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University from 2012 to 2022 were collected. The treatment followed the general principles of relevant guidelines, including pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), vitreous injection of antibiotics (IVI), vitreous injection of glucocorticoids and systemic application of antibiotics. The follow-up time was (11.9±17.0) months. Patients' clinical characteristics, pathogenic distribution and antibiotic susceptibilities, treatment and outcomes in their medical records were retrospectively collected and analyzed. ResultsAll 56 patients had monocular onset, including 39 (69.6%, 39/56) males and 17 (30.4%, 17/56) females, 26 (46.4%, 26/56) with left eyes involved and 30 (53.6%, 30/56) with right eyes involved. Their average age was (25.0±24.4) years. Ocular trauma was the leading cause of streptococcal endophthalmitis (73.2%, 41/56), followed by ophthalmic surgery (23.2%, 13/56) and endogenous infection (3.6%, 2/56). The streptococcal species included Streptococcus viridans (50.0%, 28/56), Streptococcus pneumoniae (18/56, 32.1%) and β-hemolytic Streptococcus (17.9%, 10/56). The susceptibility rates of Streptococcus to penicillin, cefatriaxone, vancomycin and levofloxacin were 66.0%, 57.1%, 94.1% and 92.4%, respectively. Patients received PPV+IVI and IVI as initial treatment were 49 eyes (87.5%, 49/56) and 7 eyes (12.5%, 7/56), respectively. Vitreous injection of glucocorticoids were performed in 17 eyes (30.4%, 17/56); and systemic antibiotics were applied in 52 cases (92.9%, 52/56). At the final follow-up, 47 eyes were recorded with visual acuity. Twenty (35.7%, 20/56) had best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)≥0.05 and 27 (48.2%, 27/56) had BCVA ＜0.05, of which 1 (1.8%, 1/56) had an eyeball enucleation. The etiology of endophthalmitis, streptococcal species, initial treatment with PPV, vitreous injection of glucocorticoids, and systemic antibiotics did not significantly affect patients' visual outcomes (P＞0.05). Timely visit to the hospital after the onset of symptoms (≤3 days) was significantly associated with achieving a final BCVA above 0.05 (P=0.025). ConclusionsOcular trauma was the primary cause of streptococcal endophthalmitis. Streptococcus viridans is the most common pathogenic bacterium. Streptococci had high susceptibility to vancomycin, but patients' visual outcomes were poor.
In the clinical evidence-based decision-making process, factors including benefits and harms, evidence certainty, cost and feasibility of interventions should be considered based on the best evidence. The development of decision threshold of effect size (DTES) for patient health outcomes can help stakeholders understand the benefits and harms of interventions, assess evidence certainty, and interpret research results. Based on international experience, the MERGE Working Group through group discussions, semi-structured interviews, expert consensus, and pilot application developed a set of 8-step guidelines for the development of DTES for health outcomes. These steps included necessity assessment, formation of working groups, selection of patient important outcomes, creation of scenarios based on the best evidence, design of expert consultation questionnaires, analysis of expert consultation results, face-to-face expert consensus, dissemination of the application and reevaluation. The DTES guideline development is intended to provide methodological guidance for stakeholders to develop DTES for health outcome indicators in different domains.