The Meridian-raching theory is a core of Traditinal Chinese Medicinal Herbs,and a guidebook of Chinese clinical medicine. It is beneficial to discuss the underling methods, advan tages and disadvantages of the theory.

Objective Evaluate the outcome of aortic root reconstruction on the analysis of the risk factors influencing surgical results. Methods Between August 1996 and November 2009, 92 patients(56 men, 36 women) aged from 14 to 77years [mean (44.8 ±1.4) years] with aortic root aneurysm underwent aortic root reconstruction. 72 patients had over moderate aortic valve insufficiency. 47 patients suffered from Marfan syndrome. The aortic pathology was aortic dissection in 45. Bentall technique was used in 59 patients, the button technique in 13, the David I with the Valsalva graft in 6 patients and the aortic valve resuspension in 14 patients. Results The hospital mortality rate was 8.7%. The major complications 31. 7%. 18patients died during the period of follow-up. Late complications among 55 survivors were 12. Univariate predictors of the morbidity were the presence of male, non-Marfan, concomitant procedure, deep hypothermia cardiac arrest, aortic cross clamp time and blood infusion. Risk facts for mortality were emergent or urgent operation, aortic dissection, concomitant procedure, aortic cross clamp time and blood infusion. Multivariate analysis revealed risk factors of concomitant procedure and blood infusion were responsible for both morbidity and mortality. The overall long-term survival rate is (97.1 ±2.0)% at 1-year, (88.1 ±4.7)% at 5-year, (54.0 ±9.2)% at 10-year. The mean for survival time is (9.9 ±0.59) years, 95% confidence interval 8.70 -11.01. Conclusion The aortic root restitution procedures are safe and effective in general. The short and long-term outcome is satisfactory. The button technique is the first choice for reimplantation coronary patch. Valve-sparring aortic root reconstructions show promise in safety and applicability.

Plague, infectious disease in modern medicine, refers to a type of disease with strong pathogenicity and infectiousness, it refers to the infectious diseases of western medicine. Due to its wide variety, the knowledge and understanding of plagues of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctors in different stages have evolved and developed with the times. This article, via collating ancient documents, differentiatesthe classification in TCM and analyzes itsrelated theories to perfect the type of plagues in TCM, providing the theoretical basis for the research of plague in modern times.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects and experiences of short stem ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty in the treatment of young and middle-aged patients with femoral head necrosis.Methods From December 2009 to March 2011,40 patients with femoral head necrosis were treated primarily with short stem ceramic-on-ceramic hip arthroplasty (43 hips) through posterior-lateral or anterior-lateral approach.There were 23 males,17 females； with the mean age of 40.5 years (range,27-55 years).All cases were stage Ⅳ or more according Steinberg stage.The patients were followed up at the 3,6,12 months after operation,and then once each year.Standard X-ray films were taken at the follow-ups.Femoral prosthesis subsidence was assessed through X-ray films.Harris scores system and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index were recorded before and after operation to evaluate clinical effects of surgery.Results Thirty-eight patients (41 hips) were followed up for 21-36 months,with an average of 31.3 months.The femoral stem subsided 0.68±2.90 mm at the last follow-up.After operation,hip pain of patients was relieved obviously.The Harris score improved from 38.7±12.1 (15-66) preoperatively to 95.2±4.49 (83-100) postoperatively,WOMAC Index from 66.7±12.0 (49-94) to 12.8±5.6 (0-24).During follow-up period,there was no serious complication such as femoral neck fracture,infection of wound,pulmonary embolism,et al.No dislocation,implant prosthesis failure and infection were observed.Conclusion The short stem hip arthroplasty preserves bone stock to a great extent.The short stem implant showed a good stability and osseous integration.The wear rate of ceramic-on-ceramic bearing surface is extremely low.Short stem hip arthroplasty plus ceramic-on-ceramic bearing surface might be a good option for the young and middle-aged patients with femoral head necrosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical indications and outcomes of dynesys neutralization system in the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases.Methods From January 2007 to December 2011,102 consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar spine diseases underwent posterior decompression and internal fixation with the Dynesys dynamic neutralization system.Among them,69 patients were followed up,including 39 males and 30 females,aged from 30 to 62 years (average,44 years).The series of cases were composed of 24 cases of lumber disc herniation,35 cases of degenerative spinal stenosis,10 cases of degenerative changes of lumbar discs.Results The mean follow-up period was 35 months (range,6-44 months).The visual analogue scale (VAS) score decreased from preoperative 8.6 (range,6-9) to postoperative 2.8 (range,0-5),and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) improved from preoperative 73％ (range,30％-91％) to postoperative 30％ (range,0-61％).There were no implant failure or infection.According to the evaluation criteria of surgical treatment for low back pain,which was established by the Chinese Orthopaedic Association,the result was excellent in 53 patients,good in 12 patients,fair in 4 patients and poor in 1 patient.Conclusion The Dynesys dynamic neutralization system is effective in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spine disease,which can reserve the range of motion of stabilized segments,prevent degeneration of adjacent segments and improve clinical outcomes.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy for Crowe Ⅳ developmental dysplasia of the hip.Methods From September 2003 to September 2012,21 patients (24 hips) underwent total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy for Crowe Ⅳ developmental dysplasia of the hip in our hospital.There were 3 males and 18 females,aged from 28 to 71 years (average,54±10 years).The ceramicpolyethylene articulation was used in 17 patients (20 hips),and metal-polyethylene articulation in 4 patients (4 hips).The osteotomy site was treated with autologous bone graft in 18 patients (21 hips) and allogeneic bone graft in 3 patients (3 hips).The Harris hip score was used to assess the clinical results.Results A total of 18 patients were followed up for 0.5 to 9 years (average,3.5 years).The Harris hip score was improved from preoperative 47.9±9.1 to 88.4±3.5 at 6 months postoperatively.For most patients,hip pain relieved significantly; range of motion of the hip was improved,and the gait returned to normal.Sciatic nerve palsy occurred in 1 patient.There was no wound infection.X-rays 6 months after operation showed that the position of prostheses was satisfactory,without loosening of prostheses and bone block resorption.Conclusion Total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy can achieve good clinical effect in Crowe Ⅳ developmental dysplasia of the hip.Moreover,it can improve leg length discrepancy and decrease the risk of sciatic nerve injury.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the methods and clinical outcome to treat Crowe type Ⅳ developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in young adults with total hip arthroplasty (THA) after limb-lengthing with external fixator.Methods From October 2007 to January 2012,12 patients with unilateral Crowe type Ⅳ DDH were treated with two-staged surgical method in our department.There were 2 males and 10 females with an average age of 25.7 years (range,18-35 years).In the first stage,the patients underwent soft tissue relaxation and iliofemoral distraction with use of an external fixator for 10-17 days.There were 1-2 cm distraction at the first time and 3-5 mm daily distraction.When the femoral head was distracted to the level of anatomical position,the second stage-THA was performed.All patients underwent uncemented prosthesis with bulk femoral head autograft for acetabular reconstruction.The acetabular cup was placed in the anatomical position in every patient.Shortening femoral osteotomies were not required.Results The mean time of first operation was 35.2±3.6 min,and hospital stay was 13.3±1.6 days.The mean time of second operation was 77.3±12.4 min,and hospital stay was 9.2±2.5 days.The average follow-up was 13.6±3.2 months,limb-length discrepancy was 5.6±1.5 cm on average preoperatively and 0.5±0.2 cm on average postoperatively.The Harris hip score was increased from 45.7±2.6 preoperatively to 92.3±3.3 postoperatively.All of the cases had acquired good hip and knee function.No patient suffered pin-site infection,hip joint infection,prosthesis loosening or deep vein thrombosis in our research.Transient nerve palsy occurred during the leg limb lengthening in 3 cases; calf skin numbness after THA occurred in 5 cases.Conclusion For the Crowe type Ⅳ DDH in young adults,normal limb length can be restored nearly and avoid nerve injury via continuously limb-lengthing with external fixator before THA.This method can get precise results,improve limb function significantly and have fewer complications.