OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of modified acupotome combined with blocking therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: Fifty-five patients with CTS were divided into three groups, which were modified acupotome group including 26 CTS patients with 28 lesions treated by modified acupotome combined with blocking therapy, traditional acupotome group including 14 CTS patients with 16 lesions treated by traditional acupotome combined with blocking therapy, and blocking therapy group including 15 CTS patients with 15 lesions only treated by local blocking. The treatment outcome and one-year recurrence rate were observed. RESULTS: The response rate and one-year recurrence rate after operation in the modified acupotome group were 85.7% (24/28) and 20.8% (5/24) respectively, which had no significant differences as compared with 81.3% (13/16) and 38.5% (5/13) in the traditional acupotome group. The response rate and one-year recurrence rate after operation in the above two groups were both improved significantly as compared with those in the blocking therapy group which were 46.7% (7/15) and 85.7% (6/7) respectively. There were no acupotome-related adverse effects and injuries observed in the modified acupotome group. CONCLUSION: The modified acupotome is a considerable treatment method for CTS with respect to its simple manipulation and high effectiveness.

To observe the effects of resveratrol on proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 cells and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in vitro.

Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) in MIA PaCa-2 cells blocked by AS-ODN cultured in hypoxia.Methods Heparanase(Hpa) expression of MIA PaCa-2 cells was blocked by AS-ODN and cultured in hypoxia.The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA and proteins in cell lysate was evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively,and the enzymatic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in supernatants were detected by gelatinase activity assay.Results Hypoxia stimulated mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9 in cultured MIA PaCa-2 cells and elevated at 6h,12 h(P ＜0.05)and 24 h(P ＜ 0.01).When Hpa expression was inhibited by AS-ODN,the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and protein as well as the gelatinase activity in supernatant decreased dramatically at 12 h and 24 h,especially at 24h(P ＜0.01),however,no significant difference of MMP-2 expression and gelatinase activity was observed after AS-ODN transfection.(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion In hypoxia,MMP-9 expression,either mRNA or protein in cultured MIA PaCa-2 cells,increased gradually accompanied with elevated gelatinase activities.When the heparanase expression was inhibited,the MMP-9 mRNA and protein,as well as the gelatinase B activity in supernatant,were decreased dramatically at 12h and 24h,however,no significantly differences of MMP-2 expression and gelatinase A activity were observed after the AS-ODN transfection.

Objective To explore the curative effect of colonoscopy combined with laparoscope in the treatment of colonic polyps.Methods The clinical data of 48 cases with colonic polyps were retrospectively analyzed.According to the operation pattern,the patients were divided into observation group(23 cases)and control group(25 cases).The observation group received colonoscopy combined with laparoscopy for radical surgery of colon polyps,the control group used the traditional open surgery to remove polyps.The operation time,bleeding volume, exhaust and defecation time,hospital days and cost as well as postoperative complications were observed.Results The two groups were successfully completed surgery.The operative time,bleeding volume of the observation group were (78.3 ±8.2)min and (1 3.1 ±4.5)mL respectively,which of the control group were (1 1 5.5 ±1 0.1 )min, (63.6 ±1 8.1 )mL,the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(t =1 3.93,1 3.01 ,all P <0.05).The anal exhaust time and defecation time of the observation group were (25.1 ±6.5)h and (42.5 ±7.6)h, which were significantly shorter than those of the control group[(36.6 ±8.1 )h,(82.3 ±1 1 .5)h],the differences were statistically significant(t =5.39,1 4.01 ,all P <0.05).The hospitalization time,hospital costs of the observation group were (5.5 ±0.6)d,(1 3 842.5 ±875.5)yuan,which of the control group were (8.2 ±1 .5)d,(1 8 992.5 ± 1 001 .5)yuan,the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(t =8.05,1 8.89,all P <0.05). Pulmonary infection in 1 case,anastomotic fistula in 2 cases,1 case of intestinal obstruction in the observation group, and in the control group,pulmonary infection occurred in 2 cases,2 cases of intestinal obstruction,the postoperative complications between the two groups had no statistically significant difference(P >0.05).Conclusion For simple colonoscopy treatment difficulties of colon polyps,colonoscopy,laparoscopy combined treatment is minimally invasive and can improve the safety,strictly control surgical indications,can give full play to the double mirror combined advantage.

Objective To study the safety and efficacy of damage control using percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in acute cholangitis of severe type (ACST) secondary to intrahepatic choledocholithiasis.Methods The clinical data of 8 patients who received PTBD after hospital admission followed by conventional surgery for ACST when their general condition improved were retrospectively studied.Results All patients received PTBD successfully and the amount of bile drained was 100-400 ml in the first day.The general condition of these 8 patients became better after 24 h and the total bilirubin decreased for about 25-100 mmol/L after 48 h.Three patients with a platelet count of less than 20 × 109/L showed an improved count to more than 50 × 109/L 72 h after PTBD.All patients were operated at different times after the PTBD:2 received T-tube drainage,3 T-tube drainage combined with left hepatectomy,and 3 choledochojejunostomy.Seven patients recovered uneventfully,but 1 developed hepatic failure with the total billurubin rose to more than 200 μmol/L.He was discharged home with the PTBD tube.During the waiting time of 7 days to 3 months before surgery,the tubes were kept patent and no mortality or morbidity such as bleeding,bile leakage,and peritonitis occurred.Conclusions PTBD was a safe and efficacious procedure for patients who were in a serious condition with ACST secondary to intrahepatic choledocholithiasis.It was more likely to be successful as it is minimally invasive and therefore well-tolerented.It reduced the biliary pressure,relieved the ongoing sepsis,and was a good preparatory procedure before any conventional surgery.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous celiac plexus block (NCPB) using 25 G controllable curved needle together with 22 G straight needle in treating refractory carcinomatous upper abdominal pain. Methods A total of 18 patients with advanced refractory carcinomatous upper abdominal pain were enrolled in this study. The carcinomatous upper abdominal pain failed to the three-step analgesic therapy. Guided by CT scan, percutaneous injection of ethanol with a 25 G controllable curved needle to destroy celiac plexus was carried out in all patients. According to WHO pain relief standards, the relieving degree of pain was evaluated before NCPB and 2 weeks, one, 2, 3 and 6 months after NCPB. The results were analyzed. Results The technical success rate was 100%. The short-term (within 2 weeks) efficacy rate was 88.8%and the complete remission rate was 38.8%. The long-term (over 3 months) efficacy rate was 50% and the complete remission rate was 20%. No severe complications occurred. Conclusion For refractory carcinomatous upper abdominal pain, CT-guided percutaneous celiac plexus block is a simple, safe and effective treatment.

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of a modified splenocaval shunt combined with pericardial devascularization ( PCDV ) in the treatment of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding. Methods From 1997 to 2007, 168 patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding caused by portal hypertension were treated at the People's Hospital of Shaanxi Province. Among all the patients, 90 received a splenocaval shunt + PCDV(combined group) and the remaining 78 received PCDV (PCDV group). Changes in intra- and postoperative hemodynamics of the portal venous system were detected by Doppler color flow imaging, and free portal pressure was measured intraoperatively. All data were analysed using analysis of variance, the paired t test and chi-square test.Results The mortality was 3% (3/90) in the combined group and 5% (4/78) in the PCDV group, with no significant difference between the two groups (x2 = 0.038, P ＞0.05 ). The postoperative rebleeding rate was 6%(5/79) in the combined group, which was significantly lower than 13% (8/60) in the PCDV group (x2 =4.824,P ＜ 0.05 ). The incidence of hepatic encephalopathy was 6% (5/79) in the combined group and 7% (4/60) in the PCDV group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( x2 = 0.072, P ＞ 0.05 ). The 1-, 3-, 5-,and 10-year survival rates were 97% (77/79), 92% (55/60), 80% (16/20) and 60% (3/5) in the combined group, and 97% (58/60), 83% (40/48), 73% (22/30) and 53% (8/15) in the PCDV group, respecitvely,with no significant difference between the two groups ( x2 = 0.731, P ＞ 0.05 ). The intra- and postoperative portal pressures in the combined group were (38.8±4.2) cm H20 ( 1 cm H2O =0. 098 kPa) and (33.1 ± 1.5) cm H2O,with a significant difference ( t = 8. 574, P ＜ 0.05 ). The intra-and postoperative portal pressures in the PCDV group were (38.9±2.5) cm H2O and (34.6±2.6) cm H2O, with a significant difference (t =6. 530, P ＜0.05 ). There was also a significant difference in postoperative portal pressure between the two groups ( t = 2. 859,P ＜ 0.05 ). The intra-and postoperative diameters of the portal vein in the combined group were (1.40 ± 0.41 )cm and ( 1.22 ± 0. 15) cm, respectively, with a significant difference ( t = 2. 608, P ＜ 0.05 ). The intra-and postoperative portal venous flows in the combined group were (1280 ±350) ml/min and (830±360) ml/min, with a significant difference ( t = 5. 668, P ＜ 0. 05 ). The intra-and postoperative diameters of the portal vein in the PCDV group were ( 1.41 ±0.32) cm and ( 1.27 ±0.32) cm, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (t = 1. 637, P ＞ 0.05 ). The intra-and postoperative portal venous flows in the combined group were ( 1350 ± 380) ml/min and (980 ± 290) ml/min, with a significant difference ( t = 4. 096, P ＜ 0.05 ). There was no significant difference in postoperative portal venous flow between the two groups ( t = 1.871, P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions The modified splenocaval shunt combined with PCDV is safe and effective with a low rate of recurrent rebleeding. The clinical outcome and rational hemodynamic changes show that the combined procedure of splenocaval shunt and PCDV is a good choice for treatment of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of portal vein thrombosis(PVT) after splenocaval shunt plus devascularization in treatment of portal hypertension and find Out ways for its prevention.Methods The formation,diagnosis,treatment of PVT and variceal rehemorrhage in 110 patients with portal hypertension who received splenocaval shunt plus devascularization procedures (Combined Group)and 92 patients subjected to pericardial devascularization operation(PCDV Group) were retrospectively analyzed.Meanwhile,the effect of two procedures on PVT was compared.Results The incidence of PVT was 10.0%in combined group and 22.8%in PCDV group (P<0.05).The rebleeding rate from esophagogastric varices because of PVT in combined group was 3.6%,which was significantly lower than that of 10.8%in PCDV group(P<0.05).Conclusion Splenoeaval shunt plus devascularization is a better choice to decrease the incidence of PVT.The postoperative anti-coagulation therapy in the early stage is important for the prevention of PVT.

Objective To evaluate the effects,hemodynamies and hepatic functional reserve of a combined procedure of modified pmximal splenocaval shunt and pericardial devascularlzation (PCDV) in the treatment of portal hypertension.Methods From 1997 to 2007,a total of 255 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension received combined (135 cases) or PCDV procedure (120 cases,) in our hospital.The clinical results were retrospectively analyzed.Changes of hemodynamics of the portal venous system were studied by Doppler color flow imaging and intraoperative free portal pressure (FPP) measurement.The hepatic functional reserve was evaluated by indocyanine green (ICG) retention ratio and functional hepatic flow(FHF).Results Postoperative mortality was 2.2% in combined group and 4.3% in PCDV group.The long term rebleeding rate was 5.5%as revealed by follow-up in combined group,which was significantly lower than that in PCDV group of 14.1%(P<0.05).The incidence of encephalopathy was 6.4%and 5.4%in combined group and PCDV group respectively(P>0.05).The 1-,3-,5-and 10 year-survival rates were 96.4%,90.0%,81.3%and 62.5% in combined group and 95.7%,86.7%,75.0%,57.1%in PCDV group.In combined group,the FPP、PVF and FHFwere(32.0±1.5)cm H_2O、(880±260)ml/min and(430±1 80)ml/min respectively,a significant decrease when compared with preoperative parameters (P<0.05),while R_(15) (30%±4%)increased (P<0.01).The similar results were observed in PCDV group postoperatively (P<0.05).Compared to PCDV group,the decrease of FPP in combined group was more significant(P<0.05),but the PVF,FHF and R_(15) were not significantly different (P>0.05).Conclusions The combined procedure is safe and effective in treatment of portal hypertension with better clinical outcome,moderate homodynamic changes and good maintenance of hepatic functional reserve.

Clinical data of 15 patients with penetrating injury in the distal segment of the common bile duct during biliary tract exploration were retrospectively analyzed.Nine injuries were found during the surgical procedures and successfully treated with common bile duct T tube and peritoneal drainage before discharged from the hospital (mean hospitalization time 16 days).Six penetrating wounds were found post-operatively, and underwent another operation.Four patients were fully recovered at 8 to 12 weeks, and 2 died from multiple organ failure caused by infectious shock.Our investigation suggests that for the penetrating injury in the distal part of the common bile duct, early diagnosis, proper management and effective draining may improve the survival of the patients and avoid serious complications.