BACKGROUND:Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) can promote the division of endothelial cells and accelerate the growth of newborn vessels, whereas the expression and distribution of VEGF receptors (VEGFR) in spinal cord should be observed.OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression and distribution of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in rat spinal cord.DESIGN: A randomized controlled observation.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: Ten adult male Wistar rats of clean degree, weighing 180-200 g, were provided by the animal experimental center of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Immunohistochemical primary antibody was purchased from Santa Cruz Company; the second and third antibodies from Beijing Zhongshan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit was the product of Promega,Trizol reagents were purchased from Invitrogen Company, and the VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 primers were designed by Beijing Aoke Company.METHODS: The experiment was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Hand Surgery of Wuhan Union Hospital from March to June in 2004. ① Detection of VEGFR expression in spinal cord anterior horn: The rats were anesthetized by 100 g/L chloral hydrate, spinal cord of lumbar 4-6 (L4-6) was fixed in fixation solution at 4 ℃ for overnight, then routine dehydration, hyalinization and paraffin embedding were performed, and serial sections of about 5 μm were prepared for observing the VEGFR expressions using immuniohistochemical staining. ② Detection of VEGFR mRNA expression in spinal cord: Five rats were selected, L4-6 spinal cord (50 mg) was removed and centrifugated, then the content of total RNA was determined with ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The synthetized cDNA was amplified with PCR, and the PCR products (10 μL) were treated with 20 g/L agarose gel electrophoresis, and stained with 0.1 mg/L ethidium bromide, the results were observed and recorded under ultraviolet lamp and photographed. The products were scanned and quantified with gel imaging analytical system to record the gray value of each band, the gray value of β-actin band was taken as 1,and those of the other objective fragments were compared with it to record the gray value ratio and analyze the expressions of the objective fragments.MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURES: ① Expression and distribution of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in rat spinal cord anterior horn;② Results of VEGFR mRNA expression in spinal cord.RESULTS: ① Both VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were expressed in the microvessels of normal rat spinal cord tissue.Besides, VEGFR-2 mainly expressed in motor neurons, glial cells and the nerve fibers in surrounding white matter. ②The results of gel imaging analytical system showed that the VEGFR-2 content in normal spinal cord was obviously higher than VEGFR-1 (0.874±0.222, 0.486±0.181, P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: VEGF promote the formation of microvessels through the combined effects of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2,and it plays the neurotrophic and neuroprotective role through VEGFR-2.

[Objective]To study the effect of End-to-side neurorrhaphy for protection target muscle.[Method]Twenty-six wistar rats were divided into two groups,with 13 in each group,peroneal nerve was transacted on the right side of all the animals,in one group,the proximal end of peroneal nerve was turned back and ligated,the distal end was sutured to the side of tibial nerve with perineurial window,in another group,both ends of the transacted peroneal nerve were turned back and ligated as contrast,no operation was done on the left side.Three months after operation,the peroneal nerve and the tibial muscle were taken for histologic exmination,and the muscle's wet weight was examed.[Result]Significant difference was seen between the two groups in the muscle wet weight,the muscle fiber cross sectional area,the moter endplate area and color(P

This study is to investigate the effect of local phVEGF(165) injection on sciatic nerve regeneration in the rats and to search for a new way in the further treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. Forty-five adult male Wistar rats received a neurotomy to bilateral sciatic nerves, which were subsequently reconnected with 10/0 epineurial nylon sutures. The injured segments was locally injected with normal saline (group A), or 25 microg of phVEGF(165) (group B) or 50 microg phVEGF(165) (group C). Nerve conduction and regeneration were evaluated in terms of the histological changes, weight of gastrocnemius muscles, electrophysiology and morphometric results. Our study demonstrated that rats of group C showed the best results in terms of nerve regeneration, followed by group B and group A. Our findings suggested that local injection of phVEGF165 can facilitate nerve regeneration and promote functional recovery in a dose-dependent manner.

To identify the best suture techniques for the tendon repair, the biomechanical properties of tendons sutured by different methods were dynamically examined. 140 chickens were divided into 2 groups equally: group A and group B. The tendon of the right side was subjected to injury-repair process, and the tendons of the left sides served as controls in both groups. In group A, "figure-of-8" suture, modified Kessler suture and Bunnell suture were used for the 2nd to 4th paws respectively, while in group B, Kleinert suture, Tsuge suture and Ikuta suture were used. On the day 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 after operation, 10 animals were sacrificed and the flexor tendons of both sides were harvested for strength test. The results showed that the initial strength of the repaired tendons and the strength after 6 weeks following tendon cut were far below those of intact tendons, irrespective of suture techniques used. With the 6 techniques, the P(max) of tendons repaired by Tsuge suture was increased continually, reaching the highest value on the 42nd day. The P(max) of tendons sutured by the modified Kessler suture was slightly lower than that by Tsuge suture, but it was increased steadily in healing. The tendons repaired by figure-of-8 suture yielded the lowest P(max). It was concluded that Tsuge suture and modified Kessler suture were the best techniques for tendon repair.
Biomechanics ; Chickens ; Suture Techniques ; Tendon Injuries/*surgery ; Tendons/*surgery ; Tensile Strength ; Wound Healing

Objective To evaluate results of reconstructing thumb opposing function by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons. Methods Forty-nine patients with dysfunction of thumb opposing were admitted to this study. Twenty-nine had median nerve injury in the wrist, twenty complicated ulnar nerve injury at the same time. Thumb opposing function of all patients was reconstructed by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons. Results All patients with median nerve injury got satisfactory results. 80% of patients complicated ulnar nerve injury got fine therapeutic effect. Conclusion It is a convenient and efficient procedure that reconstructing thumb opposition function by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons.

BACKGROUND: Injured nerve can regenerate through end-to-side anastomosis and obtain partial physiological function in animal experiment. As an immuno-suppressivedrug, FK506, which is characterized by promoting neural growth and functional recovery, is paid widely attention to.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of FK506 on functional recovery of peripheral nerve after end-to-side anastomosis.DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal study.SETTING: Department of Operation Surgery, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: The experiment was completed in the Department of Operation Surgery, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in March 2005. Totally 26female Wistar rats were selected and divided into experimental group and control group with 13 in each group.METHODS: Peroneal nerve was transacted on the right side of all the animals, the proximal end of peronieal nerve was turned back and ligated, and the distal end was sutured to the side of tibial nerve with perineurial window. No operation was done on the left side. FK506 was injected in the right tibial muscle (2 mg/kg· d), once a day within two weeks in the experimental group, and saline was used in another group as contrast.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three months afteroperation, the bilateral common peroneal nerve and the tibial muscle were taken for electrophysiological and histological examination, and the number of common peroneal nerve fiber, area of tibialis anterior muscle fiber of transverse section and muscle wet weight of tibialis anterior muscle were measured. The results were expressed with the ratio between right side and left side (i.e.recovery rate).RESULTS: Totally 26 rats entered the final analysis. ① Results of histological examination: Both ratio of number of nerve fiber and ratio of area of muscle fiber in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (0.734±0.143, 0.412±0.119; 0.628±0.125, 0.432±0.135; P ＜ 0.01,0.05). ② Results of electrophysiological examination: Recovery rate of action potential, recovery rate of single muscular contractility and recovery rate of tetanus contractility in the experimental group were higher that those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05). ③ Ratio of wet weight in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (0.765±0.101,0.513±0.116, P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: FK506 injected into targeted muscle can promote growth and functional recovery of peripheral nerve in end-to-side anastomosis.

Objective To introduce the clinical application of a extensive revense peroneal artery flap in repairing big soft tissue defect in foot, especially in repairing a big defect in distal foot and the exposure of one or more metatarsophalangeal joint. Methods The skin flaps were used in 11 cases to repair the big soft tissue defect in foot, including the distal part of foot. The flap upper boundary may surpass the capitulum fibulae; The lower boundary may reach the back line between external malleolus and internal malleolus; Lat-eral boundary could overrun anterior margin of fibula about 2 cm; Inboard boundary could get to medial mar-gin of gastrocnemius muscle. In attention: the two branch vessels from peroneal vessel in the site of 11-13 cm and of 5-7 cm above the outer anker would be included in the flap. Results Ten of 11 skin flaps survived satisfactory. A small, marginal portion of one flap in one case presented necrosis. Conclusion The reverse peroneal artery flap is easy to elevate and safety, which is an ideal flap for a huge soft tissue defect in foot, especial in the distal part of foot.

To identify the best suture techniques for the tendon repair, the biomechanical properties of tendons sutured by different methods were dynamically examined. 140 chickens were divided into 2 groups equally: group A and group B. The tendon of the right side was subjected to injury-repair process, and the tendons of the left sides served as controls in both groups. In group A, "figure-of8" suture, modified Kessler suture and Bunnell suture were used for the 2nd to 4th paws respectively, while in group B, Kleinert suture, Tsuge suture and Ikuta suture were used. On the day 0, 3,7, 14, 21, 28, 42 after operation, 10 animals were sacrificed and the flexor tendons of both sides were harvested for strength test. The results showed that the initial strength of the repaired tendons and the strength after 6 weeks following tendon cut were far below those of intact tendons, irrespective of suture techniques used. With the 6 techniques, the Pmax of tendons repaired by Tsuge suture was increased continually, reaching the highest value on the 42nd day. The Pmax of tendons sutured by the modified Kessler suture was slightly lower than that by Tsuge suture, but it was increased steadily in healing. The tendons repaired by figure-of-8 suture yielded the lowest Pmax. It was concluded that Tsuge suture and modified Kessler suture were the best techniques for tendon repair.

Objective To investigate the influence of age on perioperative clinical parameters, tumor resection effects and complications of patients with early stage gastric cancer for single lesion treated by ESD.Methods 60 patients with early stage gastric cancer for single lesion treated by ESD were chosen from January 2013 to July 2014 and divided into 2 groups including A group (35 patients) with < 60 years old and B group (25 patients) with ≥ 60 years old; and the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital staying time, tumor curative resection and completed rate, the recurrence rate with follow-up and complications incidence of 2 groups were compared.Results All the patients were successfully performed the operation and no bleeding cases. There was no significant difference in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital staying time between 2 groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the tumor curative resection and completed rate between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate with follow-up between 2 groups (P < 0.05). There was no signiifcant difference in the complications incidence between 2 groups (P < 0.05).Conclusion ESD is safe and feasible in the treatment of elderly patients with early stage gastric cancer for single lesion, and it is equivalent to short- and long-term efifcacy in non-elderly patients and not increase the operation time, the trauma degree and complications risk.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestation,therapeutic methods and treatmenteffectiveness of hand contracture due to extravasation injury from peripheral intravenous therapy in children.Methods Data of 6 children who had received treatment for hand contracture in our hospital from March 2004 to September 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 3 boys and 3 girls,aged from 24 to 51 months (average,38 months).Two children underwent extensor tenolysis and dorsal capsular release at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints.The other 4 children received conservative treatment,including physical therapy (ultrasound and medium frequency pulse) to reduce the hand swelling and peritendinous adhesion,active and passive functional exercise of digital joints and night splint protection.Results The MCP joint could be passively flexed to 90° intraoperatively in 2 children who underwent operation; however the contracture recurred at 2 months and 6 months after operation,respectively,and then the MCP joints were fixed at 0° position.For 4 children who received conservative treatment,although the active flexion of their MCP joints ranged from 30° to 45° during the rehabilitative procedure,recurrence of hand contracture was observed after the cessation of the rehabilitation in all children,and the range of active MCP joints flexion varied from 0° to 15°.Conclusion The mechanism underlying hand contracture due to extravasation injury from peripheral intravenous therapy remains elusive.Either simple conservative or surgical management results in poor functional outcomes.Combined therapy based on different indications for conservative and surgical management may improve the outcomes.