Objective
To observe the clinical outcomes of Hangman fracture treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
Methods
A total of 41 patients with Hangman fracture were retrospectively analyzed, who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion from May 2010 to May 2016. Intervertebral bone graft fusion was observed through postoperative radiographic images, and improvement of symptoms was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale (m-JOA). Surgical complications were evaluated as well.
Results
No severe complications occurred after surgery, but 5 patients had a transient dysphagia, which relieved spontaneously. Thirty-five patients had a fusion of intervertebral bone graft 3 months after surgery, and the remaining 6 patients did at the last follow-up. The VAS score was improved from 4.5±1.6 pre-operatively to 2.4±1.7 immediately post-operatively (P>0.05), and was further improved to 0.7±0.9 at the last follow-up (P<0.05). The NDI score was improved from 29.3±10.9 pre-operatively to 13.2±5.4 immediately post-operatively (P<0.05), and was further improved to 4.6±3.1 at the last follow-up (P<0.05). The m-JOA score was improved from 8.4±2.3 pre-operatively to 11.6±3.5 immediately post-operatively (P<0.05), and was further improved to 14.3±2.0 at the last follow-up (P<0.05).
Conclusion
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion can be used in Hangman fracture, which is safe and reliable.
Objective To review the research advances in animal models of human disc degeneration. Methods The relative articles in recent years were extensively reviewed. Studies both at home and abroad were analyzed and classified. The advantages and disadvantages of each method were compared. Results Studies were classified as either experimentally induced models or spontaneous models. The induced models were subdivided as mechanical (alteration of forces on the normal disc), structural (injury or chemical alteration) and genetically induced models. Spontaneous models included those animals that naturally developed degenerative disc disease. Conclusion Animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration is an important path for revealing the pathogenesis of human disc degeneration, and play an important role in testing novel interventions. With recent advances in the relevance of animal models and humans, it has a great prospect in study of human disc degeneration.
In deep learning-based image registration, the deformable region with complex anatomical structures is an important factor affecting the accuracy of network registration. However, it is difficult for existing methods to pay attention to complex anatomical regions of images. At the same time, the receptive field of the convolutional neural network is limited by the size of its convolution kernel, and it is difficult to learn the relationship between the voxels with far spatial location, making it difficult to deal with the large region deformation problem. Aiming at the above two problems, this paper proposes a cascaded multi-level registration network model based on transformer, and equipped it with a difficult deformable region perceptron based on mean square error. The difficult deformation perceptron uses sliding window and floating window techniques to retrieve the registered images, obtain the difficult deformation coefficient of each voxel, and identify the regions with the worst registration effect. In this study, the cascaded multi-level registration network model adopts the difficult deformation perceptron for hierarchical connection, and the self-attention mechanism is used to extract global features in the basic registration network to optimize the registration results of different scales. The experimental results show that the method proposed in this paper can perform progressive registration of complex deformation regions, thereby optimizing the registration results of brain medical images, which has a good auxiliary effect on the clinical diagnosis of doctors.
ObjectiveTo analyze why sleeve gastrectomy (SG) with jejunojejunal bypass (SG-JJB), despite being the second most common bariatric procedure in China, has not been recommended in national and international guidelines nor endorsed by expert consensus; to investigate the primary obstacles to its standardization and widespread adoption; and to propose strategies leveraging China’s extensive clinical experience to refine the technique, establish standardized protocols, and address existing challenges, thereby defining its future role in metabolic surgery. MethodsBy systematically reviewing the evolution, current evidence profile, and distinctive features of SG-JJB compared to other SG-Plus procedures, this study aimed to identify constraints hindering its adoption. Concurrently, considering the characteristics of domestic healthcare resources, we explored the feasibility of procedural refinements, key steps for standardization, and solutions to potential challenges, thereby facilitating the optimization and standardization of SG-JJB. ResultsThe three key constraints hindering SG-JJB development were: risks of blind loop syndrome, uncertainty regarding optimal bypass limb length, and limited evidence on long-term efficacy. To address these issues, this study proposed leveraging China’s clinical and multi-center collaboration strengths to: conduct high-quality studies defining the impact of bypass length on outcomes, establish unified diagnostic and monitoring protocols for blind loop syndrome, and systematically collect longitudinal data to evaluate long-term efficacy, thereby informing evidence-based surgical standardization. ConclusionsSG-JJB holds significant potential in Chinese bariatric-metabolic practice, yet its standardization faces persistent challenges. Addressing concerns about blind loop syndrome, defining optimal bypass limb length, and accumulating robust long-term efficacy data are pivotal for advancing SG-JJB standardization and adoption. Leveraging domestic clinical resources through multi-center collaborations, high-quality research, and evidence-based protocol development is the essential pathway to overcoming these barriers, achieving standardized implementation, and securing recognition in authoritative guidelines.
Objective To compare the sequential efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) with non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV). Methods Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of NIV sequential invasive mechanical ventilation with HFNC were included in the Chinese Journal Full-text Database, VIP Journal database, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software. Results A total of 2404 subjects were included in 19 studies. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with NIV, HFNC had a statistically significant difference in reducing patients' re-intubation rate in invasive mechanical ventilation sequence [relative risk (RR)=0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 - 0.86, Z=3.10, P=0.002]. HFNC showed statistically significant difference compared with NIV in reducing lung infection rate (RR=0.40, 95%CI 0.21 - 0.79, Z=2.67, P=0.008). HFNC was significantly different from NIV in terms of length of stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (MD=–5.77, 95%CI –7.64 - –3.90, Z=6.05, P<0.00001). HFNC was significantly different from NIV in improving 24 h oxygenation index (MD=13.16, 95%CI 8.77 - 17.55, Z=5.87, P<0.00001). There was no significant difference in ICU mortality between HFNC and NIV (RR=0.70, 95%CI 0.45 - 1.08, Z=1.61, P=0.11). Conclusion Compared with NIV, sequential application of HFNC in invasive mechanical ventilation can improve the reintubation rate and pulmonary infection rate to a certain extent, reduce the length of ICU stay and improve the 24 h oxygenation index, while there is no difference in ICU mortality, which is worthy of clinical application.
Objective To summarize the research progress of stem cell transplantation in treating spinal cord injury (SCI) at different stages based on the pathophysiological mechanism of SCI. Methods The relevant research literature at home and abroad was extensively reviewed to explore the impact of transplantation timing on the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation in treating SCI. Results Researchers performed different types of stem cell transplantation for subjects at different stages of SCI through different transplantation approaches. Clinical trials have proved the safety and feasibility of stem cell transplantation at acute, subacute, and chronic stages, which can alleviate inflammation at the injured site and restore the function of the damaged nerve cells. But the reliable clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation at different stages of SCI are still lacking. Conclusion Stem cell transplantation has a good prospect in treating SCI. In the future, the multi-center, large sample randomized controlled clinical trials are needed, with a focus on the long-term effectiveness of stem cell transplantation.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of endogenous repair strategy (ERS) in intervertebral disc (IVD).MethodsThe domestic and foreign literature related to ERS in IVD in recent years was reviewed, and its characteristics, status, and prospect in the future were summarized.ResultsThe key of ERS in IVD is to improve the vitality of stem/progenitor cells in IVD or promote its migration from stem cell Niche to the tissue that need to repair. These stem/progenitor cells in IVD are derived from nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and cartilaginous endplate, showing similar biological characteristics to mesenchymal stem cells including the expression of the specific stem/progenitor cell surface markers and gene, and also the capacity of multiple differentiations potential. However, the development, senescence, and degeneration of IVD have consumed these stem/progenitor cells, and the harsh internal microenvironment further impair their biological characteristics, which leads to the failure of endogenous repair in IVD. At present, relevant research mainly focuses on improving the biological characteristics of endogenous stem/progenitor cells, directly supplementing endogenous stem/progenitor cells, biomaterials and small molecule compounds to stimulate the endogenous repair in IVD, so as to improve the effect of endogenous repair.ConclusionAt present, ERS has gotten some achievements in the treatment of IVD degeneration, but its related studies are still in the pre-clinical stage. So further studies regarding ERS should be carried out in the future, especially in vivo experiments and clinical transformation.
Objective To explore an improved surgical approach to the superior posterior partial resection of the fractured vertebral body followed by the single segmental fusion to treat lumbar burst fracture and to evaluate its preliminary clinical application. Methods From June to October 2006, 4 patients (2 males, 2 females; age, 17-39 years) with Denis B type lumbar burst fracture underwent the superior posterior partial resection of the fractured vertebral body followed by the single segmental fusion. The fracture occurred in 2 patients at L1 and 2 at L2. According to the Frankel scales assessment, before operation, 2patients were at Grade B and the other 2 at Grade C, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) was 7.00±0.82. Radiological evaluation was performed, which revealed the kyphosis Cobb angel of 22.94±11.21°, the adjacent superior and the inferiorintervertebal disc heights of 12.78±1.52 mm and 11.68±1.04 mm, espectively, and the vertebral canal sagittal diameter of 9.56±2.27 mm on the computer tomography (CT) scan. The neurological and the radiological evaluations were also made immediately and 3 months after operation. Results The anterior single segmental decompression and fusion operations were performed successfully in all the patients. The average operating time was 166±29 min and the average amount of blood loss was 395± 54 ml. The Frankel scales assessment showed that at the time immediately after operation, one of the 2 Grade B patients had an improvement to Grade C, but the other patient had no improvement. One of the 2 Grade C patientshad an improvement to Grade D, but the other patient had no improvement. Three months after operation, the 2 Grade B patients had an improvement to Grade C. The 2 grade C patients had an improvement to Grade D or E. The VAS score was significantly decreased to 3.50±1.29 after operation and to 1.25±0.50 3 months later （P＜0.05）. The vertebral canal sagittal diameter was significantly increased to 19.76±3.82 mm (Plt;0.01), but it was maintained to 19.27±3.41 mm3 months later, with no significant difference（Pgt;0.05）. The patients’ kyphosis Cobb angle was significantly improved to 8.71±5.41° (P＜0.05) , but it was maintained to 9.52±5.66° 3 months later, with no significant difference（Pgt;0.05）. The heights of the adjacent discs remained unchanged. No complication was observedduring and after operation, and the radiological and the CT scanning evaluations 3 months later showed no failure of the internal fixation. Conclusion The superior and posterior partial resection of the fractured vertebral body followedby the single segmental fusion can effectively decompress the vertebral canal and maintain the spine stability in treatment of the Denis B type fracture thoughthe longterm effectiveness requires a further follow-up.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical results of the medial multiplex flap pedicled with the posterior tibial vessel. METHODS: Twelve cases with soft tissue defects and bone defects of limbs were treated with the medial multiplex flap pedicled with the posterior tibial vessel from September 1992 to May 1999. Among them, bone and soft tissue defects following opened fracture in 7 cases, chronic ulcer following chronic osteomyelitis in 2 cases, melanoepithelioma in 2 cases, bone and soft tissue defects following osteoma resection in 1 case. The bone defect area was from 2.5 cm x 5.0 cm to 4.5 cm x 11.0 cm. Free graft was performed in 5 cases, bridged transposition in 3 cases and reversal transposition in 4 cases, among them, periosteal myocutaneous flap with autogenous or allogeneic bone grafting in 8 cases, myocutaneous flap in 4 cases. The area of the flaps from 6 cm x 8 cm to 12 cm x 25 cm. RESULTS: All flaps were healed by first intention, but in the distal fragments of bigger flaps were partially necrosed in 2 cases. In 10 cases bone healing were obtained after 16 weeks of operation according to the X-ray photos. All cases were followed up from 6 to 18 months. All cases achieved satisfactory result but 1 case died because of lung metastasis of osteoma. CONCLUSION: The multiplex graft pedicled with the posterior tibial vessel is an ideal graft for repairing the large soft tissue defects and bone defects, because it has such advantages as adequate blood supply, big vascular diameter, long pedicle and big dermatomic area.
Objective To summarize the research progress on rodent models of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods The relevant domestic and foreign literature in recent years was reviewed, the methods of establishing the rodent models of cervical SCI and the evaluation methods of behavior, imaging, neuroelectrophysiology, and histology were summarized. Results Cervical SCI involves primary and secondary injuries. Primary cervical SCI can be simulated with contusion, contusion compression, fracture dislocation, spinal cord traction, and spinal cord transection; scondary cervical SCI can be simulated with photochemical model and excitotoxicity model. Certain evaluation methods such as behavior, imaging, neuroelectrophysiology, and histology are used to evaluation during model building and research. Conclusion Different rodent models of cervical SCI have different advantages and application directions, and it is critical importance for the study of cervical SCI to establish effective animal models.
