Objective To retrospectively analyze the effectiveness of percutaneous anterior odontoid and transarticular screw fixation for type II odontoid fracture treated in the elderly patients. Methods Between October 2009 and March 2012, 5 patients with odontoid fracture were treated with anterior triple screws fixation. There were 4 males and 1 female with an average age of 69.4 years (range, 65-74 years). Fracture was caused by falling injury from height in all cases. The average time between injury and operation was 6.8 days (range, 3-12 days). According to Anderson-D’Alonzo classification system, all 5 cases were classified as type II odontoid fractures; 1 case accompanied by anterior arch fracture. Four cases were rated as grade E and 1 case as grade D on the basis of Frankel classification system on nerve function evaluation. Percutaneous anterior odontoid and transarticular screw fixation were used in all cases. The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, X-ray exposure time, and complications were recorded. The X-ray films were taken to observe atlantoaxial stability and implant conditions. Results All patients were successfully complete the surgery, and no open operation was needed. The average operation time was 103.6 minutes (range, 93-114 minutes). The average intra-operative blood loss was 5.6 mL (range, 3-10 mL). The average X-ray exposure time was 24.2 seconds (range, 17-32 seconds). Good reduction of atlantoaxial joint and primary healing of incision were obtained in 5 patients. The average follow-up duration was 21.4 months (range, 12-35 months). Transient dysphagia occurred in 3 cases, and was cured after 5 days of expectant treatment. No major complications of carotid artery laceration, spinal cord injury, esophageal perforation, airway obstruction, and implant failure occurred. The X-ray films showed odontoid bony union, atlantoaxial stability and good position of screws. The average time of odontoid fracture union was 7 months (range, 5-10 months). Five patients had normal neurological function (Frankel grade E) at last follow-up. Three patients complained of neck discomfort and movement limitation and had normal daily activities without special therapy; the other 2 patients had no clinical symptom of discomfort. Conclusion Percutaneous anterior odontoid and transarticular screw fixation is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of type II odontoid fractures in the elderly patients with minimally invasive surgical advantages.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) by helmet in adults with acute respiratory failure. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies about noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) by helmet in adults with acute respiratory failure were retrieved in PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2016), Web of Science, EMbase, CBM, CNKI and WanFang Data databases from inception to November 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Stata 12.0 software was then used to perform meta-analysis. Results A total of eight studies were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, NPPV by helmet could significantly reduce the carbon dioxide partial pressure (cohort study: SMD=–0.46, 95%CI –0.75 to –0.18, P=0.001), tracheal intubation rate (RCT: OR=0.36, 95%CI 0.17 to 0.77, P=0.008) and hospital mortality (RCT: OR=0.48, 95%CI 0.24 to 0.98, P=0.044), improve the positive end expiratory pressure (RCT: SMD=1.27, 95%CI 0.87 to 1.67, P<0.05) and respiratory status (RCT: SMD=–0.45, 95%CI –0.81 to –0.08,P=0.017). There was no significant difference in the duration of NPPV(cohort study: OR=–0.20, 95%CI –0.50 to 0.09, P=0.177; RCT: OR=–0.24, 95%CI –0.86 to 0.38, P=0.445). Conclusion NPPV by helmet can reduce the carbon dioxide partial pressure, tracheal intubation rate, hospital mortality and improve the positive end expiratory pressure, respiratory status. But the effects in the duration of NPPV and oxygenation index are uncertain. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify above conclusion.
Objective?To investigate the effectiveness of minimally invasive plate fixation in treatment of unstable pelvic fractures.?Methods?Between May 2006 and December 2009, 21 patients with unstable pelvic fractures were treated. There were 13 males and 8 females with an average age of 39 years (range, 21-66 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 9 cases, falling from height in 6 cases, and heavy pound injury in 6 cases. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1 to 4 hours with an average of 2.8 hours. According to Tile’s classification, there were 12 cases of type B and 9 cases of type C. After admission, bone traction and exo fixation were performed, and minimally invasive plate fixation was given at 5-24 days after injury.?Results?All incisions healed by first intention, and no complications of nerve and vessel injuries occurred. According to the reduction criteria of Matta radiography, anatomic reduction was achieved in 16 cases, satisfactory reduction in 4 cases, and fair reduction in 1 case. All patients were followed up 12 months. The X-ray films showed all fractures healed at 2-4 months (mean, 2.6 months). According to Majeed clinical evaluation, the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 2 cases.?Conclusion?Minimally invasive plate fixation can provide effective fixation, reconstruct pelvic ring, and reduce perioperative complications in the treatment of unstable pelvic fractures.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness and changes of sagittal spino-pelvic parameters between minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and conventional open posterior lumbar interbody fusion in treatment of the low-degree isthmic lumbar spondylolisthesis. MethodsBetween May 2012 and May 2013, 86 patients with single segmental isthmic lumbar spondylolisthesis (Meyerding degree Ⅰ or Ⅱ) were treated by minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (minimally invasive group) in 39 cases, and by open posterior lumbar interbody fusion in 47 cases (open group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, degree of lumbar spondylolisthesis, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between 2 groups (P>0.05). The following sagittal spino-pelvic parameters were compared between 2 groups before and after operation: the percentage of slipping (PS), intervertebral height, angle of slip (AS), thoracolumbar junction (TLJ), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), spino-sacral angle (SSA), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI). Pearson correlation analysis of the changes between pre- and post-operation was done. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients of 2 groups. The postoperative hospital stay of minimally invasive group [(5.1±1.6) days] was significantly shorter than that of open group [(7.2±2.1) days] (t=2.593, P=0.017). The patients were followed up 11-20 months (mean, 15 months). The reduction rate was 68.53%±20.52% in minimally invasive group, and was 64.21%±30.21% in open group, showing no significant difference (t=0.725, P=0.093). The back and leg pain VAS scores, and ODI at 3 months after operation were significantly reduced when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P>0.05). The postoperative other sagittal spino-pelvic parameters were significantly improved (P<0.05) except PI (P>0.05), but there was no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). The correlation analysis showed that ODI value was related to the SVA, SSA, PT, and LL (P<0.05). ConclusionBoth minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and conventional open posterior lumbar interbody fusion can significantly improve the sagittal spino-pelvic parameters in the treatment of low-degree isthmic lumbar spondylolisthesis. The reconstruction of SVA, SSA, PT, and LL are related to the quality of life.
ObjectiveTo compare the safety and efficacy of a modified 23G with suturing incision and traditional 23G vitrectomy for silicone oil removal. MethodsA total of 177 patients (180 eyes) who underwent silicon oil removal (the average tamponade period was 4.5 months) were enrolled in this prospective study. The patients included 112 males (113) and 65 female (67). The mean age was (43.8±10.3) years. The corrected vision, indirect ophthalmoscopy, intraocular pressure, B-ultrasound and optical coherence tomography were measured for all patients. All patients had no complete retinal detachment. The patients were randomly divided into modified 23G with suturing incision group (group A, 88 eyes) and traditional 23G vitrectomy (group B, 92 eyes). The differences of sex (χ2=1.596), age, corrected vision (t=0.785), intraocular pressure (t=0.352), primary disease (χ2=1.982) and lens condition (χ2=2.605) were not significant (P>0.05). The operation time, intraocular pressure, silicon oil retention, choroidal detachment, retinal redetachment and endoophthalmitis were recorded at the end of the operation. ResultsThe difference of mean operation time was not significant between group A and B (t=1.950,P>0.05). The differences of mean visual acuity 1 day, 1 week and 3 months after operation were not significant between group A and B (t=0.873, 1.115, 0.141; P>0.05). There was difference of mean intraocular pressure at 1 day after operation (t=2.550,P<0.05), but not at 1 week and 3 months after operation (t=1.451,1.062; P>0.05) between group A and B. There were 25 eyes (28.4%) with intraocular hypotension, 8 eyes (9.1%) with choroidal detachment, 5 eyes (5.7%) with vitreous hemorrhage, 9 eyes (10.2%) with retinal redetachment, and 7 eyes (8.0%) with silicon oil retention in group A. There were 5 eyes (5.4%) with intraocular hypotension, 2 eyes (2.2%) with choroidal detachment, 2 eyes (2.2%) with vitreous hemorrhage, 8 eyes (8.7%) with retinal redetachment, and 1 eye (1.1%) with silicon oil retention in group B. The differences of incidence of intraocular hypotension, choroidal detachment and silicon oil retention were significant (P<0.05). No endoophthalmitis occurred. ConclusionThe safety of modified 23G with suturing incision is better than traditional 23G vitrectomy for silicone oil removal, with decreased incidence of intraocular hypotension, choroidal detachment and silicon oil retention.
Objective To evaluate the value of the application of laparoscopic hepatectomy in hepatolithiasis. Methods The clinical data of 35 patients with hepatolithiasis performed with laparoscopic hepatectomy were analyed retrospectively. Operations included laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy， left hemihepatectomy， cholecystectomy， choledocholithotomy， choledochoscopy， and T-tube drainage. Results All operations of 35 patients were performed complete laparoscopically. The mean operative time was 205 minutes （150-370minutes）. The mean blood loss was 330mL（50-1 000mL）. Patients felt less pain without administration of painkillers after operation. Ambulation resumed on thefirst day and liquid diet resumed on the second day after operation. The average hospital stay was 12.7 days （4-15d）. There was no death. The excellent and good rate of operation was 71.4% and 25.7%， respectively. Conclusion Laparoscopic hepatetomy is an effect and minimally invasive alternative method for hepatolithiasis in slective patients.
Objective To investigate the efficacy of minimally invasive osteotomy with preservation of blood supply to the transversely transported bone segment in the treatment of chronic ischemic lower limb diseases using tibial transverse bone transport. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 12 patients with chronic ischemic lower limb diseases who met the selection criteria and were treated between June 2016 and December 2023. The cohort included 7 males and 5 females, aged 26-87 years (mean, 61.2 years). Among them, 7 patients had diabetic foot (DF), including 2 cases complicated by arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), with a DF duration ranging from 1.7 to 23.0 months (mean, 9.6 months) and ulcer sizes ranging from 3.2 cm×2.4 cm to 10.0 cm×6.6 cm. Three patients had ASO with a disease duration of 1.7-23.0 months (mean, 10.4 months) and ulcer or post-amputation wound sizes ranging from 2.2 cm×2.1 cm to 12.0 cm×7.7 cm. Additionally, 2 patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) had a disease duration of 7 and 12 months, respectively. Preoperatively, the mean foot skin temperature was (27.63±0.34)℃, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 8.5±0.7. All patients underwent tibial transverse bone transport using minimally invasive osteotomy while preserving the blood supply to the transported bone segment. Postoperative complications and foot ulcer healing were observed. The effectiveness of tibial transverse bone transport was evaluated by comparing preoperative and postoperative foot skin temperature, VAS scores, as well as through CT angiography (CTA).Results One DF patient with ASO was lost to follow-up, while the remaining 11 patients were followed up 10-29 months (mean, 20.5 months). One DF patient had a displaced fracture at the site of tibial transport due to trauma, which healed after plaster immobilization; 1 DF patient had a small amount of pigmentation in the skin of the donor site, but the blood circulation was good; no complication such as pin tract infection, skin necrosis, or osteomyelitis occurred in the donor site of all patients. At 2-3 weeks postoperatively, the foot skin temperature was (34.21±0.65)℃, and the VAS score was 0.3±0.1, both significantly improved compared to preoperative ones (t=?31.578, P<0.001; t=49.000, P<0.001). Two TAO patients experienced recurrent, persistent, intolerable pain at 7-10 days postoperatively, with no reduction in ulcer size or necrotic areas; 1 underwent toe amputation, and the other required a mid-leg amputation. The remaining patients achieved complete ulcer healing, with healing time ranging from 5.1 to 9.2 weeks (mean, 6.8 weeks). CTA showed no new vascular occlusions or embolisms. X-ray films at 4 months postoperatively demonstrated proper repositioning and good healing of the transported tibial bone segment. ConclusionThe application of minimally invasive osteotomy with preserved blood supply to the transversely transported bone segment in tibial transverse bone transport for the treatment of chronic ischemic lower limb diseases effectively minimizes extensive soft tissue dissection, reduces surgical soft tissue damage, and better maintains local blood supply. This approach lowers the risk of postoperative infection and skin necrosis while accelerating postoperative recovery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness and safety of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for upper lumbar disc herniation. MethodsRetrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 26 patients with upper lumbar disc herniation, who were in line with the selection criteria and underwent MIS-TLIF in 14 patients (MIS-TLIF group) and open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (OTLIF) in 12 patients (OTLIF group) between December 2007 and May 2012. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, level of disc herniation, side of disc herniation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and complications were compared between 2 groups. The clinical outcome was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. The fusion rate was determined by using CT three-dimensional reconstruction and dynamic lumbar radiography at last follow-up. ResultsPrimary healing of incisions was obtained in both groups. No difference was found in operation time between 2 groups (t=0.858, P=0.399), but MIS-TLIF group had less intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume than OTLIF group (P<0.05). The average follow-up duration was 34.1 months with a range of 12-50 months. No complication of dural tear, infection, spinal nerve trauma, and implant failure occurred. The VAS scores of lower back pain and radicular pain and ODI scores at preoperation showed no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). The VAS score of lower back pain and ODI score at 1 day after operation in MIS-TLIF group were significantly lower than those in the OTLIF group (P<0.05), but no difference was found in VAS scores of radicular pain between 2 groups (P>0.05). Difference in all scores was not significant at last follow-up between 2 groups (P>0.05). The fusion rate was 92.8% (13/14) in MIS-TLIF group, and was 100% (12/12) in OTLIF group at last follow-up. ConclusionMIS-TLIF is a safe and effective procedure for upper lumbar disc herniation as an alternative to other techniques.
Objective To explore the causes of conversion to thoracotomy in patients with minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) in a surgical team, and to obtain a deeper understanding of the timing of conversion in MIE. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent MIE between September 9, 2011 and February 12, 2022 by a single surgical team in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The main influencing factors and perioperative mortality of patients who converted to thoracotomy in this group were analyzed. Results In the cohort of 791 consecutive patients with MIE, there were 520 males and 271 females, including 29 patients of multiple esophageal cancer, 156 patients of upper thoracic cancer, 524 patients of middle thoracic cancer, and 82 patients of lower thoracic cancer. And 46 patients were converted to thoracotomy for different causes. The main causes for thoracotomy were advanced stage tumor (26 patients), anesthesia-related factors (5 patients), extensive thoracic adhesions (6 patients), and accidental injury of important structures (8 patients). There was a statistical difference in the distribution of tumor locations between patients who converted to thoracotomy and the MIE patients (P<0.05). The proportion of multiple and upper thoracic cancer in patients who converted to thoracotomy was higher than that in the MIE patients, while the proportion of lower thoracic cancer was lower than that in the MIE patients. The perioperative mortality of the thoracotomy patients was not significantly different from that of the MIE patients (P=1.000). Conclusion In MIE, advanced-stage tumor, anesthesia-related factors, extensive thoracic adhesions, and accidental injury of important structures are the main causes of conversion to thoracotomy. The rate varies at different tumor locations. Intraoperative conversion to thoracotomy does not affect the perioperative mortality of MIE.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgeries are the trend in the future. Among them, robotic cardiac surgery is the latest iteration with several key-hole incision, 3-dimentional visualization, and articulated instrumentation of 7 degree of ergonomic freedom for those complex procedures in the heart. In particular, robotic mitral valve surgery, as well as coronary artery bypass grafting, has evolved over the last decade and become the preferred method at certain specialized centers worldwide because of excellent results. Other cardiac procedures are in various stages of evolution. Stepwise innovation of robotic technology will continue to make robotic operations simpler, more efficient, and less invasive, which will encourage more surgeons to take up this technology and extend the benefits of robotic surgery to a larger patient population.