Objective To explore adaptability of the patellofemoral joint after combined soft-tissue surgery in treatment of habitual patellar dislocation at different age. Methods Seventy-three children with habitual patellar dislocation were retrospectively reviewed from 2000 to 2007. There were 24 males and 49 females, with a mean age of 7.1 years(ranged 3-15). The mean follow-up period was 38 months (ranged 25-98). There were 24 patients with 30 knees aged from 3 to 8 years in A group and 49 cases with 69 knees aged from 8 to 15 years in B group. The combined soft-tissue surgery procedure consists of lateral capsular release, medial retinacular tightening of the knee, vastus medialis muscle transfer to the patella, medial and distal transfer of the half patellar tendon. Patella axial and knee lateral X-ray examination were obtained.Femoral trochlear angle,patellar height changes, patellofemoral congruence angle and patellar tilt angle (Laurin angle) were measured to evaluate adaptability of the patellofemoral joint. Results The data of 73 cases were complete. At the last visit, no recurrence of patellar lateral dislocation was found and two cases had patella medial dislocation. Femoral trochlear angle improved from 150.1°±5.1° preoperatively to 144.3°±6.0° postoperatively (P ＜0.05) in A group, while similar changes had not found (P ＞ 0.05) in B group. There were no difference in A and B group in regard to patellar height, congruence angle and Laurin angle. Conclusion The combined soft-tissue surgery had effect on patellofemoral joint remodel in children with habitual patellar dislocation. These procedures can significantly promote development of the femoral condyle, decrease femoral trochlear angle and improve adaptability of the patellofemoral joint in children under the age of 8 years. But it had no obvious influence on older than 8-year-old children.

Objective To evaluate narrow band imaging (NBI) assisted argon plasma coagulation (APC) in treatment of Barrett's esophagus (BE). Methods Suspected BE lesion was observed under white light, NBI and magnification, biopsies were taken at the site with characteristic pit pattern and capillary architecture of BE. A total of 86 patients with pathologically confirmed BE were randomly divided into NBI group (n= 42) to receive APC under NBI, or control group (n= 44) to receive APC under whit light. For APC procedure, the probe was inserted through biopsy channel to reach 1 cm beyond the endoscope tip, and was located 1-2 cm from the lesion to assure safe use. All patients were followed up with endoscopy and biopsy at 3 and 6 months after APC, respectively. Results There was no significant difference between 2 groups in effective rate of BE mucosal eradication at 3 and 6 months after APC procedure (P > 0.05). Conclusion NBI assisted APC is safe and effective in eradication of BE epithelium, in reducing procedure time and in relieving of functional gastrointestinal symptoms related with BE.