Objective To evaluate and compare the efficacy of anterior subcutaneous and submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve in treating cubital tunnel syndrome. Methods From August 2006 to August 2008, 66 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with anterior subcutaneous transposition (subcutaneous group, 24 cases) and with anterior submuscular transposition (submuscular group, 42 cases). According to McGowan stages, all patients were at Stage2 or 3 entrapment neuropathy with paresthesia in the ring and small fingers. Respectively, 3 cases and 8 cases compl icated by interosseous muscle atrophy in subcutaneous group and in submuscular group. No significant difference was found in gender, age, duration of the disease, and compl ication between two groups (P lt; 0.05). The surgical features, distribution of Bishop rates, two-point discrimination test, muscular strength, and compl ications were recorded. Results The operation time was (28.4 ± 5.2) minutes in subcutaneous group and (43.8 ± 5.6) minutes in submuscular group, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.01). The incision length was (12.2 ± 2.5) cm in subcutaneous group and (13.6 ± 2.8) cm in submuscular group, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). All patients were followed up 1-3 years. According to Bishop scoring system, the results were excellent in 18 cases, good in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases in subcutaneous group; excellent in 36 cases, good in 3 cases, and poor in 3 cases in submuscular group; and showing no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). At 6 months postoperatively, twopoint discrimination and grip strength were improved when compared with that of preoperation (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Pain and dysesthesia of the scar were noted in 1 patient of the subcutaneous group and 3 patients of the submuscular group. No infection or hematoma was found and no patient needed reoperation. Conclusion Both operative methods are effective alternative for treating cubital tunnel syndrome. The anterior ubcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve has fewer traumas, and it is a better choice for some old patients.
In recent years, clinical research shows the trend of globalization. Due to characteristics of the huge number and relative concentration of patients, the wide variety of diseases, a high patient enrolment rate, lower trials costs, and so on, China and India become a focus of this trend. However, China and India also have their own advantages in the aspects of diseases, infrastructure, policies, regulations, regulatory environment, language, and culture. The key question to address is: how to increase the shares in the trial market in the future and to enhance the international status of China’s clinical research? Before we answer this question, we must understand the present situations of clinical research resources in China and India. So, we searched the relevant literature at home and abroad by computer and hand to analyze advantages and efficiency of clinical research resources in China and India.
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence, severity and consequences of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the patients who underwent total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).MethodsThe clinical data of TCPC patients in our center from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The patients with renal replacement therapy, missing serum creatinine data before operation or combined with valve procedures were excluded. We identified whether AKI was associated with hospital length of stay, ICU duration, mechanical ventilation duration, hospital acquired infection, and early mortality by univariable and multivariable analyses.ResultsA total of 163 patients were included. AKI occurred in 57% of patients (n=93), mild AKI in 26.4% (n=43), moderate AKI in 12.3% (n=20) and severe AKI in 18.4% (n=30). Compared with the no AKI group, the AKI group had higher hospital acquired infection rate (15.1% vs. 0.0%, P<0.001). AKI was independently associated with hospital length of stay (median, 10 d, 95%CI 3.9-16.0, P=0.001), ICU duration (median, 103.9, 95%CI 48.6-159.2, P<0.001) , but not associated with mechanical ventilation duration (median, 8 h vs. 7 h, P=0.529).ConclusionPostoperative AKI in the patients undergoing TCPC is common. AKI is associated with higher hospital acquired infection rate, longer hospital length of stay and ICU duration, but not associated with mechanical ventilation duration.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of delayed sternal closure (DSC) on sternal wound debridement after pediatric cardiac surgery. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 491 pediatric patients underwent DSC in Guangdong General Hospital between June 2009 and June 2014. There were 333 males and 158 females with age of 1 day to 153.37 (5.68±17.24) months. The rate of sternal wound debridement between the DSC patients and the non-DSC patients was compared. ResultsA total of 454 pediatric patients with DSC initiated in the operation room. And 37 patients with DSC initiated in intensive care unit after emergency sternotomy. A total of 392 patients with delayed sternal closure were discharged. Eight patients gave up treatment for family reasons and 91 patients died. Patients with DSC had higher incidence of sternal wound debridement than the patients with non-DSC did (χ2=6.693, P=0.010). ConclusionDSC is an effective treatment for children with severe cardiac surgery, while it causes higher incidence of sternal wound debridement.
Objective To investigate the application of delayed sternal closure (DSC) following arterial switch operation for neonates with transposition of great arteries (D-TGA). Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 172 neonates underwent arterial switch operation with transposition of great arteries (D-TGA) between June 1st 2009 and December 31st 2015. These neonates were divided into 2 groups including a DSC group (118 patients with 99 males and 19 females) and a non-DSC group (54 patients with 47 males and 7 females). The outcome of the two groups were compared. Results Preoperative mechanical ventilation(P<0.001), emergency surgery (P=0.023) and extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001) were the risk factors for delayed sternal closure. The incidence of complications of median sternotomy incision in the DSC group was not higher than that in the non-DSC group. The mortality rate in the DSC group was markedly higher than that in the non-DSC group (P<0.001). However, DSC was not a risk factor for the death of the neonates. Conclusion Delayed sternal closure does not increase the incidence of complications of the median sternotomy incision, nor is it a risk factor for the death of the neonates. Reasonable application of delayed sternal closure is helpful for early postoperative recovery of the neonates.
ObjectiveTo further understand the anatomical characteristics and rules of left upper lingual pulmonary artery.MethodsCT data of 120 patients (82 males, 38 females, median age of 65 years ranging 36-78 years) with pulmonary nodules from December 2018 to August 2020 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The anatomic characteristics of the lingual segment of the upper left lung were analyzed by three-dimensional reconstruction. ResultsMediastinal lingual artery appeared in 34 of the 120 patients, accounting for 28.4%. There were 26 patientsof mixed mediastinal/interlobar type, 8 patients of pure mediastinal lingual artery, and 92.3% (24/26) mixed mediastinal/interlobar type blood vessel contained A4b. Fifty-eight (58/120, 48.3%) patients had interlobar type A4+5 type, the rest were two-branches type. And 22 patients of A4 and A5 type accounted for the most two-branches type (22/28, 78.6%). The single-branch type was located at the distal end of A6 in 54 (54/58, 93.1%) patients, originated from the proximal end of A6 in 4 patients, and originated from the basilar artery in 6 patients. The two-branches type was at the distal end of A6 accounting for 50.0% (14/28).ConclusionMediastinal lingual artery is more common than expected, accounting for 28.4%, among which mixed lingual artery is more prevalent, usually located in the first pulmonary trunk, and mostly follows the principle of proximity to supply relevant lung tissues. The location of the interlobar branches in the pulmonary trunk can be at the distal or proximal end of A6, care should be taken to avoid damaging adjacent structures.
ObjectiveTo establish an efficient method of isolating and culturing high activity and high purity of Schwann cells, and to identify the cells at the levels of transcription and translation. MethodsThe sciatic nerves harvested from a 4-week-old Sprague Dawley rat were digested in the collagenase I for 15 minutes after dissecting, and then the explants were planted in culture flask directly. The cells were cultured and passaged in vitro, the growth state and morphological changes of the cells were observed under inverted phase contrast microscope. MTT assay was used to test the proliferation of cells and the cells growth curve was drawn. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining were used to detect S100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) at the levels of transcription and translation, respectively. The purity of cells was caculated under microscope. ResultsAfter the digestion of collagenase I, fibroblast-like cells appeared around explants within 24 hours, with slender cell body and weak refraction. After tissues were transferred to another culture flask, a large number of dipolar or tripolar cells were seen after 48 hours, with slender ecphyma, plump cell body, and b refraction, and the cells formed colonies within 72 hours. The cells were covered with the bottom of culture flask within 48-72 hours after passaging at a ratio of 1∶2, and spiral colonies appeared. Cells showed vigorous growth and full cytoplasm after many passages. MTT assay results showed that the cells at passage 3 entered the logarithmic growth phase on the 3rd day, reached the plateau phase on the 7th day with cell proliferation, and the growth curve was “S” shape. RT-PCR results showed that the cells expressed S100 gene and GFAP gene, and immunohistochemistry staining showed that most of the cells were positively stained, indicating that the majority of cells expressing S100 protein and GFAP protein. The purity of Schwann cells was 98.37% ± 0.30%. ConclusionHigh activity and high purity of Schwann cells can be acquired rapidly by single-enzyme digestion and explant-culture method.
ObjectiveTo explore surgical methods and risk factors of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). MethodsClinical data of 28 ALCAPA patients who underwent surgical repair from October 1993 to September 2013 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. There were 8 male and 20 female patients with their age of 0.6-l6.8 (4.3±0.7)years including 10 patients less than 1 years old. Surgical procedures included simple ligation of left coronary artery, intrapulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi)and direct coronary reimplantation of the anomalous artery. Postoperative death, complication and cardiac function were observed. ResultsAmong the 28 patients, 1 patient received simple ligation of left coronary artery, and 7 patients received intrapulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi), among whom 2 patients died postoperatively. Twenty patients received direct implantation of the anomalous artery into the ascending aorta, and 3 patients died postoperatively. Five patients who died postoperatively were 10.20±3.27 months old, including 3 patients with moderate mitral regurgitation (MR)and 2 patients with mild MR preoperatively. Preoperative heart function of the patients who died postoperatively was significantly reduced. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction of the patients who died postoperatively was significantly lower than that of the patients who survived (36.6%±8.5% vs. 60.9%±10.7%, P=0.000). Low cardiac output syndrome was the reason for all postoperative death. All survival patients were followed up from 1 month to 18 years. One patient who underwent intra-pulmonary tunnel procedure (Takeuchi)received pulmonary artery balloon dilatation for pulmonary supravalvular stenosis 15 years after discharge. None of the other patients received a secondary operation. During follow-up, left ventricular function was improved. Growth and development of all the patients was normal. MR did not significantly aggravate in all the patients. ConclusionPatients with younger age and worse left ventricular function have greater surgical risks of ALCAPA.
Objective To explore the value of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) combined with hypothermia therapy for children patients with refractory cardiac arrest after congenital heart disease surgery. Methods From January 2013 to June 2016, we conducted a prospective study of 23 children (18 males, 5 females at age of 7±11 months) who underwent ECMO for refractory cardiac arrest after congenital heart disease surgery. All patients were randomly divided into two groups: a standard group (11 patients) and a hypothermia group (12 patients). The patients of the standard group received standard therapy (the core body temperature maintaining at 37.0℃) and the hypothermia group received hypothermia therapy (the core body temperature maintaining at 33.0℃). The hospital discharge rate, the rate of weaning from ECMO and the morbidity were compared between the two groups. Results Eleven of 23 patients (47.8%) were weaned from ECMO successfully and 7 of 23 patients (30.4%) discharged from hospital. The hospital discharge rate between the hypothermia group (n=6, 50.0%) and the standard group (n=1, 9.1%) had no statistical difference (χ2=4.537, P=0.069). The rate of weaning from ECMO of the hypothermia group (n=9, 75.0%) was higher than that of the standard group (n=2, 18.2%, χ2=7.425, P=0.006). The morbidity between the two groups had no statistical difference. Conclusion Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation can improve the survival rate of the children who suffered from refractory cardiac arrest after congenital heart disease surgery. There is no evidence that ECMO combined with hyperthermia therapy is better than the only ECMO in improving the discharge rate. But ECMO combined with hypothermia therapy has higher rate of weaning from ECMO than that of the only ECMO.
Objective To investigate diagnostic and treatment strategies of patients with congenital heart diseases and right aortic arch. Methods Clinical data of 27 children who underwent surgical correction for congenital heartdiseases and right aortic arch in Children’s Heart Center of Beijing Children’s Hospital from January 1，2012 to April 1，2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 male and 7 female patients with their age of 10.96±12.08 months and body weight of 7.70±3.13 kg. All the patients had right aortic arch，including 14 children with tetralogy of Fallot，9 childrenwith ventricular septal defect，1 child with patent ductus arteriosus，1 child with pulmonary artery sling and 2 children with isolated double aortic arch. Thirteen children were found to have a vascular ring including aberrant left subclavian artery and double aortic arch. All the patients received surgical correction for their intracardiac anomalies and concomitant transposition of the left subclavian artery for aberrant left subclavian artery or division of the nondominal arch for double aortic arch. Results Three children died perioperatively including 1 child who was unable to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass，1 child without vascular ring who died 7 days postoperatively，and 1 child with double aortic arch who died of acuterespiratory distress syndrome. There was another child who gave up further postoperative treatment. Twenty-three children were followed up for 3-17 months after discharge. Echocardiography showed satisfactory correction of their intracardiac anomalies. All the patients alive recovered well with good pulses in arteries of both arms. Conclusion Careful strategiesare needed for surgical correction of patients with congenital heart diseases and concomitant right aortic arch. Comprehensivepreoperative evaluation including contrast-enhanced CT and magnetic resonance imaging is helpful for clinical decision making in diagnosis and treatment. Clinical outcomes of 1-stage surgical correction of vascular ring and other concomitant intracardiac anomalies are satisfactory with good short-term results.