To explore the clinical application and value of small incisions in the treatment of benign thyroid diseases with endoscopic assistance.A total of 57 cases with thyroid nodules were operated under the assistance of ultrasonic scalpel and endoscope with the lifting-up of special instrument and small neck incisions.However one malignant case was converted iuto open surgery according to frozen sections.The other 56 cases were successfully operated.The mean operative duration was 42 min and postoperative stay 2 -3 days.All incisions achieved primary healing and the length range was 1.5 - 3.5 cm.Except for transient hoarseness in 1 case,there was no such complications as choking,lip paralysis or hemorrhage,etc.All were discharged uneventfully.This surgical approach shall be recommended for its merits of miniinvasiveness,less hemorrhage,fewer complications and wider applications.

Objective To investigate the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling in the liver of aged rats after warm ischemia reperfusion injury.Methods A 70％ hepatic warm ischemia-reperfusion model was established in aged rats (15-16 months old) (1 hour after ischemia and 2 hours after reperfusion).12 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups:pretreatment group and control group.The level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was detected after operation and the liver tissues were harvested for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of antioxidant enzyme-superoxide dismutase (SOD).The pathological changes of liver were observed.The change of Nrf2 protein expression in liver tissue was examined by Western blot.Results Serum ALT and MDA in the pretreatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group.The liver pathological damage of pretreatment group rats were lighter than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the control group,the Nrf2 protein expression and the activity of SOD increased in the liver of pretreatment group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Remote ischemic preconditioning can reduce 70％ hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in aged rats,and its mechanism may be related to its activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the role of septum incision technique in laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE).Methods:The data of 22 patients with choledocholithiasis undergoing LTCBDE by septum (a membrane-like wall of the cystic duct running parallel to the common hepatic duct) incision technique at the Suzhou Ninth Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from April 2020 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 13 males and 9 females, aged (54.4±20.3) years. The operative time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications (bile leakage, abdominal hemorrhage, abdominal infection, etc.) and follow-up data were collected and analyzed.Results:All 22 patients (including two patients undergoing common bile duct exploration through the residual cystic duct) underwent the exploration of common hepatic duct, left and right hepatic duct openings, and secondary branch openings successfully. It was confirmed using this procedure that there were no obstruction of the common hepatic duct and intrahepatic bile ducts, or residual stones. The operation time was (79.6±23.2) min and the postoperative hospital stay was (6.3±1.7) d. No complications such as biliary leakage, abdominal hemorrhage or infection occurred after surgery. No cases of biliary stricture or residual stones were observed during short-term postoperative follow-ups.Conclusion:The septum incision technique improved the visualization of hilar bile duct in LTCBDE, which could be a safe and effective procedure to facilitate the LTCBDE and increase its success rate.