Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease with indefinite pathogenesis. MG is closely related to thymic diseases, and thymectomy is an important way for MG treatment. However, there are some controversies regarding thymectomy, including indications, operation opportunities, operative procedures, surgical approaches, perioperative managements, and efficacy evaluations, etc. Therefore, based on the literature and the experience of Chinese experts, this consensus has been written after careful discussion and inquiry and 29 recommendations have been made, aiming to guide surgical treatment of MG and improve the clinical outcomes.
Dense breast is an independent risk factor for females with breast cancer, and also one of the important reasons for decreased sensitivity of mammography and increased risk of missed diagnosis. Females with dense breast in China account for a high proportion, making the breast cancer screening a key and difficult point in the prevention and control targeting breast cancer in such population. The formulation of specialized screening expert consensus for dense breast populations is conducive to achieving more accurate early detection, improving screening efficiency, and reasonably allocating medical resources. Committee for Integrative Prevention and Screening of Breast Cancer, China Anti-Cancer Association takes the lead and organizes multi-disciplinary experts to systematically review relevant evidence-based medical evidence domestically and internationally, integrate the actual situation, and clinical experience of China, and conform to setting norms of international guidelines to complete evidence integration and form recommendations, thereby formulating “Expert Consensus on Breast Cancer Screening in Chinese Female with Dense Breast (2025 edition)”. This expert consensus puts forward recommendations on the risk stratification, screening age, screening interval, screening methods, joint screening strategies, and other key issues of females with dense breast, aiming to promote the standardized screening practice of such population, improve the level of early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, and provide technical support and implementation basis for the prevention and control of Chinese females with breast cancer.
Maculopathy caused by various fundus diseases in the late stage is a common cause of low vision. Medical technology is difficult to reverse the loss of macular function currently, so interventions that help improve the visual system, utilize residual visual function, and improve quality of life deserve attention. Damage to the fovea of the macula does not mean that the entire retinal function is impaired. There may be one or more retinal regions adjacent to the fovea that can serve as a fixation center. It is possible to form stable paracentral fixation, complete functional remodeling of the visual system, and effectively utilize residual visual function by taking appropriate training on these potential paracentral fixation points for most patients. In 2021, a clinical guideline has been published for low vision rehabilitation in China. In order to strengthen the precise management of diseases and develop a standard operating procedure for visual training specifically for patients with low vision due to macular disease, the National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases initiated and organized relevant domestic experts, utilizing the latest research experience at home and abroad, and through repeated discussions, this consensus (International Practice Guideline Registration Number: PREPARE-2023CN199) was formed as a reference for ophthalmologists, optometrists and rehabilitation physicians in their clinical research and practice.
Lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans, also known as peripheral artery disease (PAD), is a chronic arterial occlusive disease characterized by atherosclerosis affecting the arteries of the lower extremities, leading to luminal stenosis or occlusion, and consequently resulting in ischemia and necrosis of the lower limbs. PAD not only significantly reduces patients’ quality of life but also carries a non-negligible risk of amputation and mortality, imposing a heavy economic and health burden on both patients and society, especially among the elderly. Advanced age has been identified in multiple studies as a key risk factor for amputation and death in PAD patients. The prevalence of PAD in the elderly increases significantly with age, as they often have multiple coexisting conditions such as coronary artery disease, renal insufficiency, and tumors. Consequently, the pathophysiological characteristics, treatment options, and prognostic assessments are more complex compared to those of younger patients. Diagnostically, because comorbidities can often mask the symptoms of PAD in elderly patients, a comprehensive approach involving detailed medical history, physical examination, and auxiliary tests is required. In terms of treatment, the management of elderly patients with PAD is further complicated by issues such as poor adherence to therapy and difficulties in follow-up, which increase the challenges in clinical management. Currently, there is a lack of specific national or international guidelines or consensuses focused on the diagnosis and treatment of PAD in the elderly. To address this gap, the “Chinese expert consensus on management of peripheral arterial disease in the elderly” has been developed. This consensus integrates the latest evidence-based medical data and clinical experience, with a focus on key issues in elderly PAD patients, such as disease characteristics, comorbidity management, personalized treatment, and long-term follow-up. It aims to establish scientific and practical diagnostic and therapeutic standards to provide guidance for clinicians.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is effective in the treatment of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and its applicable population is also gradually expanding, but it carries risk of ischemic and bleeding events, which underscores the importance of optimizing adjuvant antithrombotic regimens. The release of the 2022 version of Chinese expert consensus on antithrombotic therapy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation has promoted the standardized and safe development of antithrombotic therapy after TAVR in China. Combined with the latest progress of antithrombotic therapy after TAVR, from emphasizing ischemia and bleeding risk assessment, single-agent antiplatelet therapy for patients without anticoagulation indications, the selection of antithrombotic strategies for patients with other antithrombotic indications, antithrombotic strategy changes in postoperative valve thrombosis and bleeding events, this article interprets this consensus.
In patients with a functionally univentricular heart, the Fontan strategy achieves separation of the systemic and pulmonary circulation and reduction of ventricular volume overload. Contemporary modifications of surgical techniques have significantly improved survival rate. However, the resulting Fontan physiology is associated with high morbidity. Despite large improvements in outcomes of contemporary Fontan patients, a large burden of disease exists in this patient population. In face of the imbalance of medical resources in China and different understanding of Fontan treatment in various regions, there is no consensus on the current status of Fontan strategy, surgical technique and perioperative treatment. By reviewing large amounts of literature, assessing survival rate and risk factors for mortality and complications of the Fontan circulation, knowledge sharing from tens of experts, we achieved a consensus on many aspects of palliation of Fontan. We hope this consensus will help Chinese colleagues further continue their efforts to improve surgical outcomes of the univentricular heart patients.
Local treatment improves the outcomes for oligometastatic disease, an intermediate state between locoregional and widespread disease. However, consensus about the definition, diagnosis and treatment of oligometastatic oesophagogastric cancer is lacking. The first edition "Definition, diagnosis and treatment of oligometastatic oesophagogastric cancer: A Delphi consensus study in Europe" was published on February 15, 2023 by 65 European medical specialists. In this article, the consensus will be interpreted to provide new idea for the diagnosis and treatment of oligometastatic oesophagogastric cancer for Chinese clinicians.
Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (UniVATS) is a significant approach of mini-invasive surgery for lung cancer. UniVATS was first used for treatment of lung cancer in 2010. The European consensus and the Chinese consensus were published in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The latest Chinese consensus included the definition of UniVATS, indications for lung cancer treatment, safety and feasibility, surgical skills, learning curve, short-term and long-term results, providing suggestions for the standardization of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, which are essential to improve the quality of surgery and reduce the incidence of related complications. The Chinese consensus also summarized the current status of subxiphoid UniVATS and non-intubated UniVATS for lung cancer. Considering the technical difficulties and challenges, the application of both technologies in clinical treatment has certain limitation. This article aims to give an interpretation of the results of the Chinese consensus and the similarities and to compare the differences with the European consensus, and to provide a reference for the majority of thoracic surgery colleagues.
Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a relatively rare but complex congenital heart disease characterized by the anomalous drainage of the pulmonary veins. Rather than connecting to the left atrium, the pulmonary veins drain either directly or indirectly into the systemic venous circulation or the right atrium via abnormal pathways. While there is broad consensus on the diagnostic criteria for TAPVC, significant debate persists regarding the optimal timing of surgical intervention, preferred surgical techniques, and postoperative management including re-intervention strategies. This article formulates a Chinese consensus based on evidence-based data from the literature and opinions from domestic experts, with the goal of further standardizing the surgical treatment of TAPVC in China.