To probe the etiopathogenisis of adjacent-segment disease by analyzing the imageology data and cl inical neurological function in patients with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) harvested by long-term follow-up. Methods A retrospective study was performed on 52 patients who had undergone ACDF with perfect documents from January 1990 to April 2003. Of the patients, 45 were males and 7 were females with a mean age of 48.5 years (range from 25 to 72 years). There was the fusion of 10 one-levels, 38 two-levels and 4 three-levels. The cervical anterior-posterior and lateral X-ray, CT and MRI examination were performed before the operation. Cl inical neurological function was recorded by the Nurick score, and this score at 6 weeks after the operation was compared with the later follow-up. In the radiological examination, the motion of adjacent vertebrae and osteophyte formation were reviewed on X-ray and CT, and were converted to the semi-quantitative degeneration score according to the Goffin method. The correlation between Nurick score or degeneration score and the age at operation or fusion levels was compared by Spearman correlation coefficients. The cervical canal sizes of adjacent level and remote level on MRI were reviewed and compared with each other by t test. Results The follow-up period was 3 to 10 years, 6.9 years on average. There was difference in the Nurick score between the 6th week after operation (1.07 ± 0.84) and the later follow up (1.92 ± 1.28) by rank test (P lt; 0.05). There was no correlation between the Nurick score change and the age at operation (r = 0.21, P gt; 0.05) or fused levels(r = 0.30, P gt; 0.05) by Spearman correlation coefficients. There was obvious difference in degeneration score between the 6th week after operation (0.73 ± 0.67) and the later follow up (1.58 ± 1.06), (P lt; 0.01). There was no correlation between the degeneration score change and the age at operation (r = 0.35, P gt; 0.05) or fusion levels (r = 0.38, P gt; 0.05) by Spearman correlation coefficients. The cervical canal size reductions were (1.7 ± 1.1) mm at superioradjacent level, (1.2 ± 0.6) mm at inferior adjacent level and (0.30 ± 0.68) mm at remote level. There was obvious difference between superior or inferior and remote level by t test (P lt; 0.01). The adjacent level developed prominent degeneration together with nerve function change after the fusion operation and displayed correlation between degeneration and nerve function change(r = 0.41, P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The adjacent-segment disease after interbody fusion is produced by multiple factors. The natural progression in adjacent disc, biomechanical natural change resulting from interbody fusion, destruction to l igament structure in front of cervical vertebrae by operation, and bone graft model are important factors not to be ignored.
ObjectiveTo review and analyze the long-term results of delayed repair of median nerve injury. MethodsBetween January 2004 and December 2008, 228 patients with median nerve injury undergoing delayed repair were followed up for more than 4 years, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 176 males (77.19%) and 52 females (22.81%), aged 2-71 years (median, 29 years). The main injury reason was cutting injury in 159 cases (69.74%);203 cases had open injury (89.04%). According to the injury level, injury located at area I (upper arm) in 38 cases (16.67%), at area II (elbow and proximal forearm) in 53 cases (23.25%), at area III (anterior interosseous nerve) in 13 cases (5.70%), and at area IV (distal forearm to wrist) in 124 cases (54.39%). The delayed operations included delayed suture (50 cases, 21.93%), nerve release (149 cases, 65.35%), and nerve graft (29 cases, 12.72%). ResultsFor patients with injury at area I and area II, the results were good in 23 cases (25.27%), fair in 56 cases (61.54%), and poor in 12 cases (13.18%) according to modified Birch and Raji’s median nerve grading system;there was significant difference in the results between 3 repair methods for injury at area II (χ2=6.228, P=0.044), but no significant difference was found for injury at area I (χ2=2.241, P=0.326). Twelve patients (13.18%) needed musculus flexor functional reconstruction. Recovery of thenar muscle was poor in all patients, but only 5 cases (5.49%) received reconstruction. Thirteen cases of nerve injury at area III had good results, regardless of the repair methods. For patients with injury at area IV, the results were excellent in 6 cases (4.84%), good in 22 cases (17.74%), fair in 72 cases (58.06%), and poor in 24 cases (19.35%) according to Birch and Raji’s grading system;there was significant difference in the results between 3 repair methods (χ2=12.646, P=0.002), and the result of delayed repair was better. ConclusionThe results of delayed repair is poor for all median nerve injuries, especially for high level injury. The technique of repair methods vary with injury level. For some delayed median nerve injuries, early nerve transfer may be a better choice for indicative patients.
At present, the whole lifecycle management of vascular access for hemodialysis in China is still in its early stages. Faced with a large group of chronic kidney disease patients, hospitals at all levels lack systematic and continuous nursing management models. To address the issue of lacking continuous and effective nursing management of vascular access for dialysis during the period from hospitalization for autologous arteriovenous fistula surgery to outpatient maintenance hemodialysis treatment, this article introduces the background, specific implementation methods, and preliminary results of the new model of integrated medical and nursing follow-up management of vascular access for patients with hemodialysis during hospitalization and outpatient period constructed by the Wenjiang Hemodialysis Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. The purpose is to explore a new model for continuous and effective management of vascular access for hemodialysis patients.
The main purpose of this study is to observe and analyze the characteristics and the clinical significance of long-term echocardiogram data in patients after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation. Fifty-five cases were recruited over 5 years after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation, with complete echocardiogram examination profiles. The 55 subjects were divided into predominate aortic stenosis group and predominate aortic regurgitation group, based on preoperative examinations. And another way of division was also carried out that according to the effective orifice area index (EOAI), the subjects were divided into three groups, i.e., severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) group, moderate PPM group, and non PPM group. Characteristics of long-term echocardiogram data of the subjects were analyzed. Patients with aortic stenosis showed significantly decreased thickness of intraventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall about half a year after operation (P<0.05). Half a year after operation, patients with aortic regurgitation showed decreased left ventricular internal dimension diastole and left ventricular internal dimension systole, and increased ejection fraction (P<0.05). Differences in mean aortic valve pressure gradient, forward blood flow across the aortic valves, and ejection fraction were not significant among those with severe PPM, moderate PPM, and non PPM groups (P>0.05). Number of cases of ascending aorta dimension increased as time goes on and pathogenesis of other valve diseases. A conclusion could be drawn that the heart function of patients with aortic valve disease could be improved after mechanical aortic valve replacement operation, but pathologies in other valves and ascending aorta might be increased, and therefore periodical postoperative echocardiogram evaluation with long tem pharmaceutical therapy could be necessary.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of retinal angioma. Methods The clinical data of 16 cases(20 e yes) were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients included 5 males and 11 females of 23.3 yeras old on average. Four cases in this series affected by bilateral retinal angiomas were identified as von Hippel-Lindou disease. The retinal an giomas were divided into 5 stages according to their degrees of developmnet from simple angiom without vessel dilation to feeder vessel dilation and intraretina l exudates, local retinal detachemnt, massive retinal detachment and complication occurrence in proper order. The methods of treatment were laser photocoagulati on, trans-scleral cryotherapy and vitreoretinal surgery. The patinets were followed up for 37.8 months on average. Results There were 10 eyes (2 in stage 1, 7 in stage 2, 1 in stage 3)treated with laser photocoagulation, and all of the angiomas were controlled after the treatment. The visual acuity im proved in 2 eyes, decreased in 4 eyes, and remained unchanged in 4 eyes. Cryothe r apy was performed on 7 eyes(5 in stage 3, 2 in stage 4). The visual deteriortion was found in 5 eyes; and the state of illness was stable in 3 eyes in stage 3 a nd aggravating in 4 eyes (2 in stage 3, 2 in stage 4). Vitreoretinal surgery was performed on 4 eyes including 2 which had been given photocoagulation, and the visual acuity improved in 2 eyes, decreased in 1 eye, and was unimproved in 1 ey e . The visual acuity decreased to no light perception in an untreated eye after 1.5 year follow-up. New angiomas occurred in 3 eyes with Von Hippel-Lindou disease in the follow-up period. Conclusion Laser photocoagulation is effective in treating the angiomas from stage 1 to 3. Cryotherapy can cause massive exudation and proliferation, and it is only suitable for a few patients in stage 3. The visual prognosis is more favorable in vitreoretinal surgery tha n other therapies for the patients in stage 4. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,17:296-298)
ObjectiveTo analyze the long-term efficacy and its influencing factors in the treatment of the permanent atrial fibrillation(AF) using monopolar radiofrequency ablation during concomitant cardiac valve replacement surgery with rheumatic heart disease. MethodsClinical data of the 116 patients with rheumatic heart disease and permanent AF who underwent modified maze procedure using monopolar radiofrequency ablation and concomitant cardiac valve replacement in the affiliated hospital of Qingdao university from October 2004 to December 2010 were collected and retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 73 females with their age of 50.5±7.5 years. Electrocardiogram (ECG) with 12-lead and echocardiography data, as well as the related complications, cardiac function and life quality were collected at the time of the immediately after the operation, discharge from hospital, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year postoperatively and every year after the operation. Patients were divided into eliminating group of AF (including sinus rhythm and nodal rhythm) and AF group according to the results of the ECG at the time of the ending follow-up. In the eliminating group of AF, there were 52 patients (16 males, 36 females) with their age of 48.4±7.3 years, and in the AF group, there were 50 patients (22 males, 28 females) with their age of 51.9±7.1 years. Analyzed the difference of the related factors between the two groups using statistical methods and tried to find the factors affecting the long-term clinical efficacy of the operation. ResultsThree patients died in hospital (one died of the hemolysis, acute renal insufficiency and hyperkalemia. One died of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the acute renal insufficiency. And the other one died of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the repetitive ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation on the day of the automatic discharge). Three patients died during the follow-up (one died after the reoperation because of the perivalvular leakage in other hospital, and the causes of death in the two others could not be catched). One patient occurred cerebral embolism, and the other one occurred cerebral hemorrhage in the af group during the follow-up. There was statistical significance between two group at the aspects of age, preoperative AF duration, preoperative left atrium diameter, time of the cardiopulmonary bypass and time of the cross-clamp ascending aorta. In multivariate analysis, age and preoperative left atrium diameter are risk factors affecting the long-term efficacy. ConclusionThe treatment of the permanent atrial fibrillation using monopolar radiofrequency ablation concomitant cardiac valve replacement with rheumatic heart disease is effective and has good long-term efficacy. The factors of affecting the long-term clinical efficacy are the patient's age and the diameter of left atrium.
Objective To build a systematic, comprehensive, high efficient and maneuverable follow-up system in multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Methods Comparing with abroad follow-up practical management, the advantages and disadvantages were analyzed by using multiple follow-up forms and the construct of staffs to guide and evaluate the postoperative patients in colorectal carcinoma at the beginning of follow up system. Results Follow-up system was made rationalized, and an effective follow-up model was built up to extend in MDT. Conclusion Following up the present situation with patients of colorectal cancer in this country, the correct direction which is based on current follow-up system would be put out. That would be the important study to improve the medical treatment in next stage.