Background and purpose: Most of the patients with esophageal cancers were late stage cases when diagnosed clinically. Since the prognosis is very poor, it is extremely important to improve the quality of life (QOL) of these patients. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is an effective modality for esophageal cancer. However, effects on quality of life of chemoradiotherapy are rarely reported domestically. Our purpose was to assess the immediate effect on the quality of life in patients with primary esophageal carcinoma. Methods: QOL was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) Chinese edition. Fifty-two patients were randomized to receive either concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (LAHF). QOL questionnaires were given before therapy and at the 4th week during radiotherapy, the completion of radiotherapy, and then after 1 and 3 months after the completion of radiotherapy, respectively. Results: It has been observed that the scores of global health status, physical functioning,role functioning and social functioning during the radiotherapy and from completion of radiotherapy to 1 month post radiotherapy in CRT and LAHF groups, deteriorated temporarily, but it were not significant when compared with those before radiotherapy (P>0.05). However, global health status scores, physical functioning scores, role functioning scores were significantly improved in patients who received CRT at 3 months post radiotherapy. Mean scores were improved by 12.0±3.7 (P=0.012),8.1±2.9 (P=0.023) and 14.8±5.2 (P=0.015), respectively. Nausea and vomiting, pain and appetite loss scales scores rapidly recovered to the baseline level after therapy, although they were worsened during therapy.Conclusion: Global health status scores, physical functioning scores and role functioning scores were significantly improved at 3 months after radiotherapy in patients treated by CRT. In terms of QOL, CRT is a feasible modality for esophageal cancer.

Objective To evaluate the results of NiTi shape memory alloy four-corner arthrodesis concentrator (NTMA-FCAC) for carpal collapse. Methods We reviewed retrospectively 13 patients who underwent scaphoid excision with four-corner arthrodesis using NTMA-FCAC for carpal collapse from August 2006 to June 2009. There were eight males and five females, with an average age of 38 years (range, 23-61years). The cause of carpal collapse was SNAC in 7 cases, perilunate dislocations in five and SLAC in one.The injury mechanisms included traffic accidents (5 cases), falling from a height (4 cases), crashes (3 cases)and sprain (1 case). Objective measurements included grip strength and range of the wrist. Radiographs were performed in all patients. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess wrist pain. The results were evaluated according to the Krimmer wrist scores. Results The mean follow-up time was 26.5 months (range,6-36 months). Clinical evaluation yielded the mean grip strength of (32.49±6.21) kg (80.8% of opposite side).The mean range of the wrist reached over 53% of the healthy side. Non-union and wound infection were not seen. The mean VAS scores had improved from 4.46±1.27 preoperatively to 1.31 ±0.95 postoperatively. The mean pain scores under stress had improved from 7.00±1.41 preoperatively to 2.62±1.26 postoperatively.There were remarkable differences between them. The mean Krimmer wrist score was 79. Conclusion Four-corner arthrodesis using NTMA-FCAC is an effective method for carpal collapse, preserving a majority of wrist function.

Infectious bone defect is bone defect with infection or as a result of treatment of bone infection. It requires surgical intervention, and the treatment processes are complex and long, which include bone infection control,bone defect repair and even complex soft tissue reconstructions in some cases. Failure to achieve the goals in any step may lead to the failure of the overall treatment. Therefore, infectious bone defect has been a worldwide challenge in the field of orthopedics. Conventionally, sequestrectomy, bone grafting, bone transport, and systemic/local antibiotic treatment are standard therapies. Radical debridement remains one of the cornerstones for the management of bone infection. However, the scale of debridement and the timing and method of bone defect reconstruction remain controversial. With the clinical application of induced membrane technique, effective infection control and rapid bone reconstruction have been achieved in the management of infectious bone defect. The induced membrane technique has attracted more interests and attention, but the lack of understanding the basic principles of infection control and technical details may hamper the clinical outcomes of induced membrane technique and complications can possibly occur. Therefore, the Chinese Orthopedic Association organized domestic orthopedic experts to formulate An evidence-based clinical guideline for the treatment of infectious bone defect with induced membrane technique ( version 2023) according to the evidence-based method and put forward recommendations on infectious bone defect from the aspects of precise diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, operation procedure, postoperative management and rehabilitation, so as to provide useful references for the treatment of infectious bone defect with induced membrane technique.