Objective To investigate the feasibility of endoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of compressed peripheral nerves. Methods An 1.5 cm transverse incision posterior to the margin of pectoralis major along the second rib was made in 2 old and 9 fresh cadaver specimens. The distance from the incision to the insertions of anterior and middle scalene muscle on the first rib was measured at various angles. The structures surrounding the approach was observed and measured to find a safer approach for endoscopic treatment of brachial plexus compression syndrome. Results With the upper limb hyperabducted at 120 degrees, anteriorly tilting at 30 degrees, through an 1.5 cm transverse incision made posteriorly to the margin of pectoralis major and along the second rib, the apparatus was inserted toward the point 6.5 cm laterally apart from the sternoclavicular articulation and 7.8 cm in depth, reaching the insertions of the anterior and middle scalene muscle on the first rib without injury to the nerves and vessels. Conclusion The approach is safe for endoscopic apparatus reaching the insertions of the anterior and middle scalene muscles on the first rib. It also provides a basis for further investigation of cutting anterior and middle scalene muscles through endoscope.

Objective To investigate the differential gene expression in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with typical syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM) syndromes, and to explore the relationship between TCM syndromes and gene expression. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from CHB patients and healthy volunteers before treatment. After total RNA of leukocytes was isolated, the gene expression profiles were detected by microarray. The expression levels of partial genes were tested by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) . Results Microarray analysis results showed that there were significant differences of gene expression between CHB patients and healthy volunteers, and among CHB patients with the syndrome of liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency, syndrome of damp-heat accumulation, and syndrome of liver-kidney yin deficiency. The results of gene ontology ( GO) and signal pathway analysis between the healthy control and CHB patients with various syndromes showed that the specially-regulated genes of CHB patients with liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency were mainly related to cytokinetic process, those in patients with dampness-heat accumulation were mainly related to the positive regulation of lipid storage, and those of patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency were mainly related to the activities of nitric oxide synthase regulator. The real time RT-PCR for partial genes presented the similar results with those of gene microarray. Conclusion There are specific expression profiles of differential genes and significant differential genes in CHB patients with the syndrome of liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency, syndrome of damp-heat accumulation, and syndrome of liver-kidney yin deficiency, which may be the molecular foundation for the classification of TCM syndromes of CHB patients.

Objective To study the ulnar nerve and its adjacent structures in the forearm and understand the anatomic basis for endoscopic harvesting of the ulnar nerve for the treatment of brachial plexus avulsion injury. Methods Ulnar nerves and their adjacent structures in 6 formaldehyde solution fixed upper limb specimen and 26 fresh upper limb specimens were carefully dissected and observed and measured. The entry path and implementation were designed according to the observations. Simulated operation was performed in 6 fresh autopsy specimens Results In the forearm, ulnar nerve passes through the flexor carpi ulnaris under the medial epicondyle of the humerus and the dorsal branch of the hand passes between the ulnar bone and flexor carpi ulnaris. Also the ulnar nerve descends through intermuscular space, accompaning the ulnar artery in the distant part of the forearm and the artery lies laterally along the nerve. The simulated operations were successfully done in all the 6 specimens. Conclusions The anatomy of the ulnar nerve in the forearm is fairly fixed with no crossing with important structures in its path, incisions of 1～2cm are made above the pisiform bone and under the medial epicondyle of the humerus 3～5cm respecitvely, After isolation of the ulnar nerve's two crosses from the muscle, the remaining part of the ulnar nerve and its adjacent structures are easily dissected. It is concluded that it is safe and reliable to harvest the ulnar nerve in the forearm with endoscopy.

The use of the accessory nerve as a donor is one of the best possibilities for treatment of the brachial plexus in case of paralysis due to root avulsion. In this paper, a brief history of the use of accessory nerve tran sfer for treatment of brachial plexus injury and recent development in the anato my of accessory nerve are introduced. The nerve transfer methods and the effects of the accessory nerve are discussed in particular. The progress in and the dev elopment trend of the accessory nerve transfer methods are also analyzed. It is advisable that the accessory nerve is transferred to restore the suprascapular n erve so as to obtain shoulder abduction. And it is a clinical trend that the dis tal terminal branch of the accessory nerve is used and the function of the upper part of the trapezius muscle is preserved in the transfer. At last, the factors affecting functional outcome in accessory nerve transfer are discussed.

To investigate the differential gene expression profile in two typical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and to find the relationship between TCM syndromes and gene expressions.

Objective To analyze features of the lateral leg peroneal artery perforator free flap,and study the clinical application of free peroneal artery perforator flap transplantation for repairing forefoot defects.Methods Retrospectively analyzed 9 patients with forefoot defects which had been repaired with free lateral leg peroneal artery perforator flap transplantation.In this group,the skin and soft tissue defects size were 4.5 cm ×4.0 cm-13.5 cm × 6.5 cm,Focused on analyzing the features of forefoot skin and soft tissue defects,the design and harvesting of lateral leg peroneal artery perforator flap,and vascular anastomosis and vessel matching,meanwhile,follow-up the survival condition and appearance of the flap,the function of foot and ankle after operation.Results In the 9 cases,the larger myocutaneous perforator arising from peroneal artery,accompanying 2 vena comitans,were found slightly above the midpoint of the line between fibula head and lateral malleolus in lateral leg.The flaps transfered to repair forefoot defects,artery end-end anastomosis:in 5 cases cutaneous branch of peroneal artery to dorsal artery of foot,in 4 cases by cutaneous branch of peroneal artery to dorsal metatarsal artery;vein end-end anastomosis:in 1 case 2 accompanying veins of peroneal artery cutaneous branch to 2 accompanying veins of dorsal artery of foot,in 5 cases 1 accompanying vein of peroneal artery cutaneous branch to 1 accompanying vein of dorsal artery of foot or metatarsal,in 3 cases 1 accompanying vein of peroneal artery cutaneous branch to 1 accompanying vein of dorsal artery of foot or metatarsal,simultaneously,the another accompanying vein of peroneal artery cutaneous branch to 1 dorsal superficial vein of the foot.All the 9 flaps survived,and no vessel articulo happened.The venous return of flaps had no significant difference between repairing 1 vein and 2 veins in gross appearance.All wounds healed in one-period.Followed-up 2-6 months postoperative,1 patient was performed flap reshaping due to flap fat and clumsy at 5 months postoperative,others,the skin texture and appearance of the flaps were good and satisfactive.Conclusion Free transplantation of the lateral leg peroneal artery perforator flap broke away from the bondage of pedicled flap,had more freedom in flap design,and effectively controlled the trauma of donor and recipient site.The flap have the merits,blood vessel anatomy is relatively stable,blood supply is reliable,harvesting is simple,skin texture is similar to the forefoot and the effect is better,operation of the donor and recipient sites can accomplish under a identical anaesthesia and tourniquet.Thus,the lateral leg peroneal artery perforator free flap is an effective metheod in reparation of the forefoot defects.

ObjectiveTo introduce the new method of full reconstruction for Ⅰ to Ⅲ-degree finger defect.MethodsFor reconstruction of Ⅰ to Ⅱ-degree finger defect, the surgery procedure was as follows:Harvest part of nail,skin and dorsal part of distal phalanx from hallux to form a composite flap,and then the flap was transplanted to the finger stump to reconstruct the defect part of the finger.The design of the composite flap was according to the recipient part. For reconstruction of Ⅲ-degree finger defect, the skin included in the flap could be designed according to the recipient part, but the bone can only be harvested from the fibulodoral part of the hallux and far from the insertion of the extensor hallucis longus tendon, which means the length was limited.If the bone length was not enough,one bone mass with appropriate size and shape was harvested from the iliac bone and connected with the bone of the composite flap. Some cases of Ⅲ-degree finger defect were reconstructed by harvesting interphalangeal joints from the second toes to reconstruct distal interphalangeal joints(DIP). The bone defect was reconstituted by bone mass from the iliac bone to conserve the contour of the second toe.The hallux wound was covered by a local flap or free flap transplantation.ResultsOne hundred and eighteen cases (126 fingers) of Ⅰ-degree defect, one hundred and eighty-seven cases (201 fingers) of Ⅱ-degree defect and 90 cases (111 fingers) of Ⅲ-degree finger defect were applied full reconstruction. All the reconstructed fingers survived completely and the configurations were similar to real fingers. Followed up our work on 150 fingers from a number of patients, between 1 and 11 years after the original surgery.Total ranges of motion of the reconstructed fingers got to over 180°.The reconstructed DIP joints had the range of motion of 15°-40°. The donor halluxes and toes were conserved with the normal length,relatively primary appearance and full function. ConclusionFull reconstruction for Ⅰ to Ⅲ-degree finger defect has great advantages in that the reconstructed finger has very realistic configuration as well as ideal function and the donor hallux is conserve well.

ObjectiveTo explore methods of donor repair of the great toe-nail flap in finger reconstruction surgery.MethodsFrom December 1998 to December 2010, various kinds of flaps were used in 511 donor sites to repair the great toe-nail flaps,including:32 dorsal pedal artery flaps;twenty-four first dorsal metatarsal artery flaps;twenty-one second dorsal metatarsal artery flaps;forteen anterior malleolar flaps;seventeen medial tarsal artery flaps;seventy-nine lateral tarsal artery flaps;one hundred and six plantar metatarsal flaps,seventy-nine flaps from second toe;fifteen flaps from mid/lower leg and 124 freed flaps.ResultsAfter postoperative 6 months to 11 years of follow-up, repaired donor sites of great toe-flaps all survived successfully,with ideal outlook and function.ConclusionThere are many kinds of methods for donor site repair of the great toe-nail flap,and each kind of method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Among these flaps, plantar pedal artery flap and free groin flap are amony the best ones.

Objective To illustrate the clinical and pathological features of Chinese upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients and to investigate the regional difference and the possible prognostic factors.Methods A retrospective study was performed on 2 628 patients from 9 centers of three different regions (Beijing:2 centers with 1 022 cases,Shanghai:1 center with 814 cases,Sichuan:6 center with 792 cases).The median age was 68 (range 20 to 93) and the mean age was 66.3.There were 1 447 male patients (55.1％) and 1 181 female patients (44.9％).The clinical information,pathological outcomes and prognosis were collected and analyzed based on South (Shanghai and Sichuan) and North (Beijing)region.Results The distribution of Ta + T1,T2,T3 and T4 was 914 (34.8％),715 (27.2％),857(32.6％) and 142(5.4％).Patients from North were more likely to be female (55.9％ vs.38.0％,P＜0.001) and suffer from ureteral tumors (43.4％ vs.35.9％,P ＜ 0.001);while in patients from South higher tumor stage(T3 or T4,42.5％ vs.31.0％,P ＜ 0.001),high grade(72.0％ vs.34.0％,P ＜0.001) and larger tumor size [(3.73 ±2.17) cm vs.(3.36 ±2.02) cm,P＜0.001] were more prevalent.Subgroup indicated that female patients in North had obviously lower tumor stage (T3 or T4,27.2％ vs.35.9％,P =0.014),while relatively higher tumor stage were noticed in female patients in South (T3 or T4,48.2％ vs.38.9％,P =0.004).The median follow-up was 41 (1-206) months,and 963 patients (36.6％) died including 815 (31.0％) died from cancer.In North female patients had better 5-year overall survival (75.5％ vs.62.2％,P ＜0.001) and cancer-specific survival (78.3％ vs.65.0％,P＜0.001),but in South gender had no impact on overall survival (58.5％ vs.60.1％,P =0.927) or cancer-specific survival (62.0％ vs.65.8％,P =0.345).Conclusions This study demonstrated that in Chinese patients with UTUC,those from North were featured for lower tumor stage and grade,higher proportion of females and females had better survival.High age,high tumor stage and grade,large tumor diameter,and the presence of lymph node metastasis or lymphovascular invasion were risk factors for poor prognosis in Chinese UTUC patients.

Objective: To compare the long-term outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent early or late delayed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational and single-center study. Consecutive STEMI patients (n=977), who admitted to Fuwai Hospital in 2013 and underwent successful selective PCI using drug-eluting stents (DES) within 3 to 35 days after symptom onset were enrolled and divided into the early delayed PCI (3-14 d) group (n=495) and the late delayed PCI (15-35 d) group (n=482). General clinical data of the patients and related data of coronary angiography and interventional therapy were collected, and the endpoint events were followed up. The primary endpoint was 2-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, definite or probable stent thrombosis and ischemic stroke. The secondary endpoint was 2-year ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization. The incidence of endpoint events of the two groups was compared, and it was compared again after the primary baseline characteristics such as age and gender were matched by the propensity scoring method at a 1∶1 ratio. Results: A total of 910 (93.1%) patients who underwent delayed PCI were transferred from other hospitals, and 292 (29.9%) patients received thrombolysis before PCI. The time interval before PCI was 14 (10, 20) days. The incidence of 2-year MACCE (3.0%(15/495) vs. 2.3%(11/482), P=0.468) and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (3.8%(19/495) vs. 5.0%(24/482), P=0.385) were similar between the two groups. The incidence of 2-year MACCE (3.3%(15/453 vs. 2.4%(11/453), P=0.426) and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (4.2% (19/453) vs. 4.9%(22/453), P=0.632) were also similar between the two groups after matching propensity score. Conclusion The long-term clinical outcomes after early delayed PCI using DES is statistically equivalent to those of late delayed PCI using DES for STEMI patients who missed the time window for emergency PCI.