ObjectiveTo explore procalcitonin (PCT) dynamically in severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) patients to evaluate the effects of different kinds of medical treatments and assess the clinical significance of the change of PCT.
MethodsAll of the selected 60 SCAP patients treated from January 2009 to April 2011 met the standards of IDSA/ATS Guidelines for CAP. There were 38 males and 22 females, with an average age of 66.3 years. The sterile venous blood specimen samples were collected from the patients at day 0 to day 5. PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay throughout the research. At day six, based on oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) ratio higher than 250, inflammation absorption on chest X ray after vasoactive agents were stopped, Glasgow scores higher than 10 and urine volume equal to or higher than 0.5 mL/(kg·d), we divided the patients into recovery group and deterioration group. Data were analyzed by SAS 9.0 software, and P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
ResultsThe analysis results showed that PCT and CRP bore a significantly positive relationship on day 0 (r=0.38, P=0.00). The research also indicated that PCT had a faster declining rate than CRP and white blood cells count throughout the clinical treatment. The average of PCT declined 29% in 48 hours. Following the criterion of PCT decrease by 30%, the research showed that PCT had a higher sensibility and specificity (66.87% and 85.50%, respectively) in 48 hours than 72 hours (70.05% and 100.00%), 96 hours (79.88% and 75.23%), and 120 hours (83.10% and 100.00%).
ConclusionFollowing the criterion of PCT decrease by 30% after using antibiotics can be an clinical objective index to guide the use of antibiotics and provide the basis for clinical application and prognosis.
Objective To review the recent research and clinical progress of artificial osteoconductive materials. Methods Recent and related literatures were extensively and comprehensively reviewed. Results Many achievements about the clinical application of the artificial osteoconductive materials were made. Ithad become one of the hotspots of bone tissue engineering research. Some were clinically applied and good clinical results were achieved. Conclusion As it provides new clinic method for treating bone defect, artificial osteoconductive material is of great potential in its application. To improve its microstructure, macroshape, mechanism of osteoinductive ability, and to accelerate new bone for mation will be the hotspots of the research on artificial osteoconductive material.
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy for early oeteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).
Methods
Between March 2010 and December 2013, 91 patients with early ONFH were treated with the operation of multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy in 39 cases (53 hips, group A) or with drilling decompression alone in 52 cases (74 hips, group B). The patients in 2 groups had obvious hip pain and limited motion before operation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, etiology, effected side, stage of osteonecrosis, and preoperative Harris score between 2 groups (P>0.05).
Results
All operations succeeded and all incisions healed by first intention. The operation time was significantly longer in group A [(73.3±10.6) minutes] than in group B [(41.5±7.2) minutes] (t=8.726, P=0.000). Temporary of sciatic nerve apraxia after operation occurred in 2 patients of group A, and no complication occurred in other patients. Patients were followed up 24-52 months (mean, 39.3 months) in group A and 24-48 months (mean, 34.6 months) in group B. At last follow-up, the Harris scores were 83.34±8.76 in group A and 76.61±9.22 in group B, showing significant differences when compared between 2 groups (t=–4.247, P=0.029) and when compared with preoperative values in 2 groups (t=–10.327, P=0.001; t=–8.216, P=0.008). X-ray films showed that the collapse of the femoral head was observed in 6 hips (1 hip at stage Ⅰand 5 hips at stage Ⅱ) in group A, and in 16 hips (4 hips at stageⅠand 12 hips at stage Ⅱ) in group B; and hip arthroplasty was performed. The total effective rates were 88.68% (47/53) in group A and 78.38% (58/74) in group B, respectively; showing significant difference between 2 groups (χ2=5.241, P=0.041).
Conclusion
Multiple small-diameter drilling decompression combined with hip arthroscopy is effective in pain relief, improvement of hip function, slowing-down the process of femoral head necrosis, delaying the need for total hip arthroplasty in patients with early ONFH.
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopy for synovial chondromatosis of hip joint.
Methods
Between April 2012 and September 2015, 32 patients with synovial chondromatosis of hip joint were treated by arthroscopy. There were 19 males and 13 females, with an average age of 42.1 years (range, 22-64 years). The synovial chondromatosis located at right hip in 15 cases and left hip in 17 cases. The main clinical symptoms were pain and swelling of hip joint. Of all patients, 6 cases were hip hinge, 2 cases were lower limb weakness, and 1 case was snapping hip. The " 4” sign was positive in 9 cases, Thomas’ sign positive in 4 cases, and rolling test positive in 2 cases.
Results
All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication occurred. All patients were followed up 16-48 months (mean, 33.8 months). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was 1.4±0.8 at last follow-up, which was significantly lower than that before operation (4.8±1.2) (t=6.382, P=0.013). The hip Harris score was 92.6±6.7 at last follow-up, which was significantly higher than that before operation (63.2±8.3) (t=9.761, P=0.006). At last follow-up, the " 4” sign and Thomas’ sign were positive in 3 cases and 1 case, respectively. The others had no positive sign. X-ray film showed no recrudescence in all cases.
Conclusion
Treating synovial chondromatosis of hip joint under arthroscopy has advantages of less trauma, complete debridement, quick postoperative recovery, and the satisfactory short-term effectiveness.
Objective To analyze the causes and managing methods of long bone fracture nonunion after allogeneic bone transplantation. Methods From December 1995 to December 2000, 43 cases of postoperative nonunion of long bone fracture were treated. These cases included 31 males and 12 females at the age of 19-57 years (40 years on average). The locations were femur in 11 cases, tibia in 21 cases, humerus in 8 cases and forearm in 3 cases. Bone nonunionafter allogeneic bone transplantation was caused by extensive soft tissue contusion and poor cover around bone fractue site in 6 cases, by incomplete debridement in 8 cases of osteomyel itis (including 6 without continual lavage and 4 only skin flap transfer), by secondary infection of wounds in 3 cases, by severe primary injury or secondary scar covering bone in 12 cases, instable internal fixation in 7 cases, and by earl ier weight bearing in 7 cases. Accroding to Weber classification, there were 4 cases of hypertrophic type and 39 cases of atrophic type. Basing on the type of nonunion, the methods such as refixation, bone retransplantation and transferring tissue flap were chosen to manage the cases. Results Incision healed by first intention in 37 cases, superficial infection occurred and cured after 2 weeks of dressing change in 5 cases, and sinus formed and cured after 2 months of dressing change and drainage in 1 case. All transferring tissue flap survived, and partial necrosis occurred at flap edge in 4 cases and cured after dressing change. All patients were followed up for 38-91 months with an average of 54.6 months. All the nonunion cases achieved bone union 5-11 months with an average of 7.6 months. But low extreme shorten monstrosity occured in 4 cases, malunion in 2 cases, functional l imitation near joints in 7 cases, and rotational l imitation of forearm in 1 case. Conclusion Fracture nonunion after allogeneic bone transplantation mainly shows atrophic type with overall or partial absorption of the allograft bone. The preconditions to guarantee fracture nonunion heal ing include stabil ity of fracture fixation, using transferring tissue flaps, controll ing infection, and adequate bone transplantion.
