Objective To locate the brain areas in which pain was induced by mechanical noxious stimulation by using functional magnetic resonance imaging.Methods Twenty healthy male volunteers,aged 20-40 yr,with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m2,were involved in this study.The volunteers were stimulated with 300 g von Frey filaments.Functional magnetic resonance imaging examinations were performed 1 week later.The monitoring data were collected during the scanning.The images were analyzed with SPM2 software.Results Bain areas in which pain was induced by mechanical noxious stimulation with 300 g yon Frey filaments were bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus,right contralateral insula and bilateral primary somatic sensory cortex.Conclusion The brain areas in which pain is induced by mechanical noxious stimulation include bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus,right contralateral insula and bilateral primary somatic sensory cortex.

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of fentanyl on pain-activated brain areas as demonstrated by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3.0 T.Methods Twenty healthy right-handed male volunteers aged 20-40 yr were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n =10 each); group F1 (fentanyl 1.0 μg/kg) and group F2 (fentanyl 1.5 μg/kg).Mechanical stimulation with von Frey filaments (vFFs,300 g) was delivered to left sole.The intensity of pain was assessed by VAS scores.fMRI was performed before and after fentanyl administration and the changes in the brain areas activated by pain were recorded.Results In group F1 ipsilateral (left) cingulate gyrus was activated after a bolus of fentanyl 1.0 μg/kg under stimulation with vFFs 300 g,while in group F2 bilateral cingulate gyrus and contralateral (right) insula were activated under vFFs stimulation after fentanyl 1.5 μg/kg.Conclusion Cingulate gyrus and insula may be the target brain areas of fentanyl analgesia.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of membrane estrogen receptor (mER) mediated pathway in the proliferation and apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). [Methods] Bone marrow (BM)-derived EPCs were cultured. The cells were divided into different groups, plus or not plus estrogen receptor blocker (ICI 182,780), PI3K inhibitors (LY294002), and NOS inhibitor (L-NAME) to show the effect of E_2-BSA on EPCs. The proliferation of EPCs was determined by MTT and nitric oxide (NO) release was measured by chromatometry. Apoptotic cell death was determined using the Hochest 33258 staining. The expression of phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS) were detected by Western blot. [Results] E_2-BSA could increase EPCs proliferation, and this effect was inhibited by estrogen receptor blocker ICI 182,780, thus indicated that mER-initiated membrane signaling pathways were involved in the action of estrogen on EPCs. E_2-BSA increased nitric oxide production and inhibited apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal, and this effect also inhibited by PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), NOS inhibitor (L-NAME)and estrogen receptor blocker(ICI 182,780), thus indicated that PI3K/Akt/NO pathway was involved the effect of estrogen on EPCs apoptosis. Moreover, E_2-BSA treatment increased phosphorylation of eNOS (p-eNOS). PI3K inhibitors (LY294002) also blocked these effects. [Conclusions] The results of present study suggested that mER mediated EPCs proliferation and apoptosis were related to the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway.

Objective To report the clinical effect of repair of significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection using anterolateral thigh perforator free flap with CTA three-dimensional reconstruction technique assistance.Methods From January,2012 to November,2015,13 cases were performed using anterolateral thigh perforator free flap in the repair of significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection.Preoperation CT scan of the free flap donor site was done to obtain the three-dimensional images of arterial blood area by Digital Three-dimensional Reconstruction CT Technique to determine the origin of the anterolateral thigh flaps,direction,classification,length,diameter and the position of pedicle perforator.According to the condition of the defect of the tongue,flap of area from10 cm×9 cm to 8 cm×6 cm was design,the flap arteries and veins were anastomosed with the external maxillary artery or the superior thyroid artery,anterior vein,internal jugular vein or external jugular vein respectively.The shape and recovery of function of the reconstructed tongue were observed regularly after operation.Results All the flaps in the 13 cases survived,in the postoperative 4 to 18 months followed up,the appearance of the reconstructed tongue was close to the normal one,the patients were satisfied with the mastication and feeding function.Conclusion CTA three-dimensional reconstruction technique assisted anterolateral thigh perforator free flap technique is useful in obtaining good clinical effect,and it is one of the most best methods for repairing significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection.

Objective To explore the clinical value of applying digital technology to make the course of toe vein clear before toe free flap transplantation for thumb reconstruction.Methods Before operation,scan the donor and recipient site by CT,and apply digital three-dimensional CT angiography reconstruction technology to got threedimensional images of the arteries and veins in the donor site for 22 various defected thumbs which were going to have toe free flap transplantation operation,thus indentifyed the types of FDMA and the distribution and course of the toe vein from June,2012 to March,2013.Used computer assisted anatomical modeling to analyze three-dimensional images of blood supply of the donor site and degree of defect of the recipient site and guide the operative design in the donor site according to the digital three-dimensional reconstruction technology.Conducted toe free flap transplantation for thumb reconstruction in accordance with the design.Results It shows that 64-slice dual-source spiral CT could well display the size,distribution and course of toe vein.The toe veins were clarified to two groups,deep one and superficial one whose diameter was larger and was the main reflux vein of the toe.Dorsal vein of the toe origind from venous plexus in the nail bed and it travels along the back of the toe to reach to the near side of metatarsophalangeal joint.And then it beeomes three to four dorsal metatarsal veins to infused dorsal venous arch of foot.The rule of its course was:centralize-decentralize-connect-decentralize again.The great saphenous vein origins from the inner side of dorsal venous arch of foot,rises along the crus before malleolus medialis and collect three larger tributaries:medial malleolar branches-anterior crural branch-outside crural branch.The small saphenous vein derives from the outside of dorsal venous arch of foot and winds behind lateral malleolus up to the back of the curs and infuses to the vein.Conclusion It is useful for venous return,reducing the incidence of vascular crisis by applying toe flap to reconstruct thumbs and clarifying the course and distribution of toe vein with the aid of digital three-dimensional technology to design operation,thus improving the survival rate of toe flap transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of the free fibula flap transplantation in repair of the defect of tibia and soft tissue with the help of augmented reality (AR) technology.Methods:From May, 2017 to May, 2019, 9 patients with tibial and soft tissue defects were treated. Before operation, CTA scan was performed on both shanks to obtain DICOM data of tibial bone defect. Images of the designed fibular flap and its blood supply model were imported into Sina software through computer virtual surgery assistant technology. With the AR technology, information of virtual fibula flap were projected onto the body surface at the donor site, and the operation was carried out under the precise positioning. In this group, the free fibular flap was harvested with an area of 6.0 cm×4.0 cm-12.0 cm×6.0 cm and the length of fibula was 6.0-13.5 cm. The free fibula flap were used to repair the tibial defect with 5.0-12.0 cm in length and soft tissue defect area at 5.0 cm×3.0 cm-10.0 cm×4.5 cm. Patients were followed-up to observe the survival of fibular flap and the functional recovery of the repaired lower limb, and evaluate the clinical effect.Results:All the fibular flaps survived without vascular crisis and without serious complications occurred at both of donor and recipient sites. After 8-12 months of follow-up, the flap was soft in texture and good in blood supply. The appearance of the repair site was not bloated. Callus began to form at the junction of fibula and tibia at 3-5 months and healed well in 8-12 months. No bone resorption, nonunion, loosening or falling off of screws were found. There was no pain in the shank of the recipient area. Patients could stand and walk freely, and the weight-bearing function was close to normal. According to Enneking system, the average score was 27 points; 7 cases were excellent and 2 cases were good.Conclusion:Application of AR technology in the repair of tibial bone defect with fibular flap transplantation has good clinical effect and has certain practical value.

Objective To review clinical experience of free flap transferring in the reconstruction of head and neck defects. Methods Fifteen free anterolateral thigh flaps, 5 free deep inferior epigastric flaps and 3 free lateral arm flaps were used to reconstruct large area head and neck defects. Results All 23 free flaps were alive with good appearance. 1 case survived by performing embolectomy after suffering arterial crisis and delayed recovery of wound took place in 2 cases. Conclusion Free flap transplantation is an ideal choice for reconstructing large area cranio-facio-cervical defects.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of toe transfer in reconstruction and repairation of thumb and finger defcts. Methods From December of 1996 to September of 2010,thirty-five partial thumb and finger defcts in 33 cases were treated with toe tissue for reconstructing and repairing.The transfer indication,surgery procedure,operative technique and treatment effect were retrospectively analyzed.Simultaneously how to improve the outcoming and success rate were explored and investigated.Results All 35 toe tissue were alive with aesthetic appearance and finefunction.Followed-up from 3 months to 12 years,and judged by the tentative evalution standard of function of upper limb,which was made by Chinese Medical Association for Surgery of the Hand.The results were excellent in 14,good in 16,fair in 3 and poor in 1.The rate of excellence and good was 85.7%. Conclusion Toe tissue transplantation is an ideal treatment for reconstructing and repairing partial thumb and finger defcts.

Objective To discuss the surgery procedure and treatment effect of reconstruction of the soft tissue of the thumb/finger defects by the second toe tibial toe pulp skin flap. Methods Ten patients with the soft tissue of pulp of the thumb/finger defects were treat by the same side of the second toe tibial toe pulp skin flap, all the patients have the soft tissue defect of finger pulp with exposed phalanx. Crush them in 4 cases, the machine cut wound in 6 cases. A fixed 2 cases, delayed operation 3-7d after injury to repair in 8 patients. The side of skin flap varied from 2.0 cm × 2.2 cm to 2.0 cm × 3.5 cm. Results Ten fingers in 10 cases all survived. Necrosis in edge part of the shin graft occurred in 2 cases, which was healed through changing of dressing. All cases were followed form 4 months to 16 months. The blood-supply, texture and elasticity of transferred flaps and the shape of fingers pulp were excellent. Good function recovery of the fingers was achieved. Pain and temperature sence were regained. Two point discrimination of the finger pulp was 5-9 mm.Primary healing occurred in all cases. It did not disturb dressing shoes and walking. Conclusion It is a reliable approach for soft-tissue coverage of the thumb/finger using the second toe tibial toe pulp skin flap based on distal perforators of digital artery or ulnar artery. The advantages include simply procedures, reliable blood supply without sacrificing main aneries and possibilities of sensoly recovery.

INTRODUCTIONUltrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) of thyroid nodules is an important diagnostic procedure. In most hospitals, patients are referred to radiologists for US-FNAC, but this often results in a long waiting time before results are available. Surgeon-performed US-FNAC (SP-US-FNAC) during the initial patient consultation attempts to reduce the waiting time but it is not known whether this is as accurate as radiologist-performed US-FNAC (RP-US-FNAC). The aim of this study is to compare the clinical efficiency between SP-US-FNAC and RP-US-FNAC.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA retrospective study was performed on patients from the Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) who underwent an US-FNAC from August 2011 to May 2012. All cases of SP-US-FNAC were performed by a single surgeon. This study compared the rates of positive diagnoses achieved by SP-US-FNAC and RPUS- FNAC as well as the time interval to reach a cytological diagnosis by each group.

RESULTSA total of 40 cases of SP-US-FNAC and 72 cases of RP-US-FNAC were included in the study. SP-US-FNAC resulted in 28 (70%) positive diagnoses and 12 (30%) nondiagnoses while RP-US-FNAC resulted in 47 (65.3%) positive diagnoses and 25 (34.7%) non-diagnoses. These results were comparable (P=0.678). The median time taken to reach a cytological diagnosis was 1 working day for SP-US-FNAC and 29.5 working days for RP-US-FNAC resulting in a shorter interval to reaching a cytological diagnosis for SP-US-FNAC (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONIn the workup of thyroid nodules, SP-US-FNAC is as accurate as RP-US-FNAC but significantly reduces the time taken to reach a cytological diagnosis. This leads to greater clinical efficiency in the management of patients with thyroid nodules, which in turn leads to other benefits such as decreased patient anxiety and increased patient satisfaction.

Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Image-Guided Biopsy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Specialties, Surgical ; Thyroid Nodule ; pathology ; Time Factors