ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of elbow arthrography through lateral approach in the treatment of elbow fractures in infants.MethodsThe clinical data of 24 infants with elbow fractures admitted between May 2016 and May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 boys and 10 girls with an average age of 1.8 years (range, 2 months to 3 years). The time from injury to admission ranged from 1 hour to 7 days, with an average of 6.7 hours. The preoperative carrying angle was (30.8±4.5)° (range, 24°-41°), and the elbow range of motion was (128.5±4.5)° (range, 125°-134°). Elbow arthrography through lateral approach was used in all cases, including 10 cases of humeral lateral condylar fracture, 6 cases of distal humeral epiphysis fracture, 3 cases of fresh Monteggia fracture, and 5 cases of radial neck fracture. According to fracture types, open reduction with Kirschner wire fixation, closed reduction with plaster cast fixation, or closed reduction with percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation were used.ResultsNone of the children had adverse reactions such as drug allergy. All patients were follow-up 14-38 months, with an average of 19.6 months. The skin irritation around the needle tail occurred in 2 cases after operation, and the symptoms disappeared after the Kirschner wire was pulled out. The anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films of elbow joint showed that the fractures healed well and no mulunion at the fracture site or premature epiphysis closure was observed. At last follow-up, the carrying angle was (5.2±1.9)° (range, 2°-8°) and the elbow range of motion was (137.1±4.7)° (range, 133°-141°), which were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (t=22.670, P=0.000; t=11.910, P=0.000). According to Flynn clinical function evaluation standard of elbow joint, 22 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and 1 case was fair. The excellent and good rate was 95.8%.ConclusionElbow arthrography through lateral approach can clearly judge the cartilage damage of the elbow joint surface in infants, and minimize the occurrence of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, and can guide the choice of treatment.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) assisted with microscope in treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis. MethodsBetween January 2011 and June 2012, 52 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent MI-TLIF assisted with microscope. There were 29 males and 23 females with an average age of 46 years (range, 32-67 years). The median disease duration was 3.2 years (range, 3 months to 6 years). There were 38 cases of lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis and 14 cases of degenerative spondylolisthesis; 12 cases had stenosis secondary to lumbar spondylolisthesis. The affected segments were L4, 5 (29 cases) and L5, S1 (23 cases). According to the Meyerding evaluating system, 24 cases were classified as degree I and 28 cases as degree Ⅱ. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI)were used for clinical assessment, and the clinical effects were also analyzed by Macnab criterion at last follow-up. The radiographic data were used to evaluate reduction of spondylolisthesis, including slipping degree, slipping angle, and intervertebral space height. The fusion rate was assessed by Suk criterion. ResultsThe operations were performed successfully in all patients. No dural tear or cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred during operation. The average operation time was 105 minutes; the average intraoperative blood loss was 225 mL; the average postoperative drainage volume was 75 mL; and the average hospitalization days were 5.5 days. Superficial infection of incision occurred in 1 case and was cured after change dressing, and primary healing of incision was obtained in the others. All patients were followed up 12-26 months (mean, 18 months). No loosening, breakage, and displacement of pedicle screw and no Cage dislocation occurred by X-ray films after operation. The lumbar spondylolisthesis all got good correction. The three-dimensional CT showed continuous bone trabecula between centrums. The VAS score, ODI, and the slipping degree, slipping angle, and intervertebral space height were significantly improved at last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). According to Macnab criterion at last follow-up, the results were excellent in 20 cases, good in 29 cases, and fair in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 94.2%. According to Suk criterion for fusion, 49 cases obtained complete fusion and 3 cases got possible fusion. ConclusionAs long as indications are seized, MI-TLIF assisted with microscope is safe and reliable for treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis (Meyerding dergee I or Ⅱ), and it has the advantage of less injury, less blood loss, less complications, and definite short-term effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the effect of different dilution methods of replacement fluid on cardiopulmonary bypass lifespan and small molecule clearance rate in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) without anticoagulation. Methods Patients who needed to undergo CRRT in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between December 2019 and June 2020 were selected in this prospective cohort study. Continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration treatment mode was applied, with three different dilution methods, namely pre-dilution, post-dilution, and pre- and post-dilution. The lifespan of cardiopulmonary bypass was recorded, and blood samples were taken to detect creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, etc. Only the lifespan of the first tube of each patient was included. Results A total of 74 patients and pipelines were included, including 18 pre-dilution cases, 34 pre- and post-dilution cases, and 22 post-dilution cases. There was no significant difference in the baseline gender, age, catheterization method, or coagulation function among the three groups of patients (P>0.05). The service life of the circulation pipeline was (32.67±17.42) h in the pre-dilution group and (30.32±16.77) h in the post-dilution group, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P<0.05); the service life of the circulation pipeline was (44.15±21.48) h in the pre- and post-dilution group, which was statistically different from those in the other two groups (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the decrease of blood urea nitrogen or serum creatinine among the three groups when treated with the three different dilution methods (P>0.05). Conclusion On the premise of not affecting the clearance rate of small molecules, compared with pre-dilution and post-dilution, pre- and post-dilution can prolong the service life of extracorporeal circulation pipelines and filters, and has certain promotion value in clinical practice.
The umbrella trial has received increasing attention in the design of clinical trials for oncology drugs in recent years. This trial design categorizes a single disease into multiple sub-types based on predictive biomarkers or other predictive factors, and simultaneously evaluates the efficacy of multiple targeted therapies. When compared with the traditional drug development model of phase Ⅰ, phaseⅡ, and phase Ⅲ randomized controlled trials, umbrella trials are a more scientifically rigorous trial design that can speed up drug evaluation to address the conflict between numerous untested drugs and diseases with a lack of effective treatment options. This article will focus on the concept, main characteristics, eligibility criteria, design and statistical considerations, ethical considerations, and future directions of umbrella trials, with the aim of providing methodological guidance for the design of clinical trials for oncology drugs.
Objective To investigate the level and influencing factors of perceived HIV stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Methods By using convenience sampling method, 123 patients were recruited from the department of infectious diseases in a tertiary hospital in Chengdu from April to May in 2017. Berger HIV stigma scale was used to measure the level of perceived HIV stigma. Results The mean score of Berger HIV stigma scale was 113.72±17.890, which revealed a middle to upper level. Among the four subscales, the score of disclosure concerns (3.07±0.462) was the highest, while the score of negative self-image (2.70±0.494) was the lowest. Multiple regression analysis showed that gender and self-perceived health status were the influencing factors of perceived HIV stigma. Conclusions The level of perceived HIV stigma among PLWHA is from middle to upper level. Female gender and poor self-perceived health status are associated with a higher level of perceived HIV stigma. Individualized interventions are required in order to reduce the level of HIV stigma.