OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects of video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) and transsternal extended thymectomy (TET) for myasthenia gravis (MG).

METHODThis study included 21 patients undergoing VATET through the "three holes" approach on the right chest and 32 undergoing TET with sternum dissection. The thymus was excised and the anterior mediastinum adipose tissue removed in both groups.

RESULTSVATET was associated with reduced intraoperative blood loss and longer operative time without the use of postoperative analgesics; very few patients were admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU), showing significant differences from the TET group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in tracheal tube removal time, length of stay in ICU, closed thoracic drainage removal time, and postoperative hospital stay, total hospital stay, postoperative complications, total hospitalization costs, or the rate of remission and improvement (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with TET, VATET requires only a small incision without leaving metal foreign body in the body, and the patients experience less postoperative pain and rapid recovery, with similar mid- and long-term clinical outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Myasthenia Gravis ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; adverse effects ; methods ; Thymectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the validity of criteria currently used in China for the classification of symmetric small for gestational age infants (SGA) as compared with its definition.

METHODSThis study included 417 inpatients diagnosed as SGA in authors' hospital from January 1998 to June 2002. Symmetric SGA was diagnosed by the following three criteria: (1) the Ponderal Index (PI), (2) the crown-heel length-to-head circumference ratio (BL/HC) issued in Chin J Pediatr (1988;26:164 - 165), as well as (3) the SGA definition. The definition criterion was considered as the "gold standard". The sensitivity, specificity, false positive and negative values, positive and negative predictive values, exact agreement ratio, diagnosis index, and Cohen's Kappa value were used to evaluate the validity and agreement of the methods of PI and BL/HC. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the validity of the diagnosis.

RESULTSOf 417 SGA infants, 376 (90.17%), 376 (90.17%) and 187 (44.84%) subjects were diagnosed as symmetric type with PI, BL/HC and the definition criteria, respectively. (2) The agreement rate and Kappa value between PI and BL/HC was 80.82% and -0.093 (SEM 0.026), respectively. And the agreement rates between PI or BL/HC and the definition criterion were 49.88% and 50.84%, respectively. As compared with the definition criterion, the PI and BL/HC methods had sensitivities of 91.8% - 96.4%, specificities of 9.3% - 25.9%, positive predictive values of 45.8% - 51.1%, negative predictive values of 72.7% - 82.8%, diagnosis indices of 4.9% - 17.7% and Kappa values of 0.070 - 0.167. (3) The areas under the ROC curves in full-term and preterm infants by PI method were 0.635 (95% CI, 0.573 - 0.697) and 0.698 (95% CI, 0.622 - 0.725), respectively. PI cutoffs at 2.47 in full-term SGA, at 2.43 in preterm SGA, and BL/HC cutoff at 1.43 produced the maximum diagnosis indices that were 24.7%, 39.6% and 33.7%, respectively. When the PI at 2.50 (full-term), PI at 2.31 (preterm) and BL/HC values at 1.46, the sensitivity closed mostly to the specificity. The sensitivities and specificities in full-term and preterm infants were 59.4% and 59.3%, 65.3% and 65.5%, and 66.3% and 65.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIn the classification of SGA, the results showed a poor agreement between PI or BL/HC and the definition criterion. The results suggested that the current cutoffs of PI and BL/HC might not be appropriate for the diagnosis of symmetric SGA. Low AUC suggested that PI and BL/HC could not give a valid diagnosis at any cutoffs.

Anthropometry ; methods ; Birth Weight ; Body Height ; China ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the early and midterm outcomes of endovascular repair of aortic dissection (AD).

METHODSBetween January 2001 and December 2006, 165 patients (145 male and 20 female) with AD were treated with endovascular repairing. The mean age of the patients was 52.8 years (range, 30-82 years). Among them, 36 patients had Stanford type A dissection, 121 had type B dissection and 8 had aortic ulcer. Among the dissection patients, 47 were acute AD (the interval between onset and surgery was < or = 7 days), 69 were subacute AD (the interval between onset and surgery was 8-30 days) and 41 were chronic AD (the interval between onset and surgery was > 30 days).

RESULTSThe stents were placed technically successfully in 164 patients (99.4%). The rate of endoleak within 30 days after placement of stents was 7.3% (12/165) and neurologic complication rate was 2.5% (4/165). The mortality rate within 30 days was 6.1% (10/165), and the mortality of acute, subacute and chronic AD was 12.8%, 1.4% and 7.3%, respectively. One hundred and forty-five cases were followed up for 6 to 75 months (median, 28.2 months). Complete thrombosis in false lumen was achieved in 62 patients (42.8%), while partial thrombosis was achieved in 83 patients (57.2%). Nine patients died during fellow-up.

CONCLUSIONIt's indicated that endovascular repair of AD is a microinvasive, safe and effective methods for aortic dissection. However, the long-term efficacy needs to be evaluated further.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of endovascular stent-graft repair for Stanford type A aortic dissection combined with extra-anatomic bypass.

METHODSTo perform endovascular repair for Stanford type A aortic dissection, we tried to extend the landing zone by extra-anatomic bypass to reconstruct the innominate artery, the left common carotid artery or the left subclavian artery, and then achieved the process immediately or at a secondary stage via either the carotid or the femoral approach.

RESULTSThirty-four patients with ascending aortic dissection (n=8) and aortic arch dissection (n=26) were treated with this technique. Thirty three patients were successfully done aortic endovascular repair, only one died during the operation. The thirty-day mortality rate was 8.8% (3/34), endoleak incidence rate was 11.8% (4/34) and incidence rate of cerebral infarction was 5.9% (2/34). Twenty-nine patients were followed-up for 6-70 months (mean, 24. 5 months). Complete (n=16) and partial (n=13) thrombosis of the false lumen were showed with CT angiography and/or vascular color Doppler ultrasound scanning.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular stent-graft repair combined with extra-anatomic bypass can be a novel option for Stanford type A aortic dissection; it is safe, less invasive, and with fewer complications. Nevertheless, indications need further consideration.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of albumin administration on lung injury in traumatic/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) rats.

METHODSForty-eight adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups randomly (n=16 in each group): Group A, Group B, Group C. In Group A, rats underwent laparotomy without shock. In Group B, rats undergoing T/HS were resuscitated with their blood plus lactated Ringer's (twice the volume of shed blood). In Group C, rats undergoing T/HS were resuscitated with their shed blood plus additional 3 ml of 5% human albumin. The expression of polymorphonuclear neutrophils CD18/CD11b in jugular vein blood was evaluated. The main lung injury indexes (the activity of myeloperoxidase and lung injury score) were measured.

RESULTSSignificant differences of the expression of CD18/11b and the severity degree of lung injury were founded between the three groups. (P<0.05). The expression of CD18/CD11b and the main lung injury indexes in Group B and Group C increased significantly compared with those in Group A (P<0.05). At the same time, the expression of CD18/CD11b and the main lung injury indexes in Group C decreased dramatically, compared those in Group B (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe infusion of albumin during resuscitation period can protect lungs from injury and decrease the expression of CD18/CD11b in T/HS rats.

Albumins ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; CD11b Antigen ; metabolism ; CD18 Antigens ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Neutrophils ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; complications ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study endovascular treatment of DeBakey type I aortic dissecting aneurysm.

METHODSSeven patients with DeBakey I aortic dissecting aneurysms were treated. Diagnoses were confirmed by MRA, CT and angiography. The intimal tear entry was in the ascending aorta, 2.5 approximately 6.0 cm from the ostia of the coronary arteries, and 0.5 approximately 4.0 cm from the brachiocephalic trunk opening. Endovascular stent-grafts were deployed via a left common carotid artery (LCCA) approach in 2 cases and right femoral artery (RFA) approach in 5 cases. Prior to treatment, a left subclavicular artery (LSA)-LCCA shunt was established to ensure blood supply to the LCCA during surgery in 2 cases via LCCA approach, and a LSA-LCCA-right common carotid artery (RCCA) synthetic bypass was established to ensure blood supply to the brain in 2 cases in RFA approach.

RESULTSThe operative success rate was 100%. In 3 cases, endoleak persisted after the first stent was placed, but this was eliminated by placement of a second stent. All patients survived except one who died of acute massive hemorrhage from the upper gastrointestinal tract one month postoperatively. The false lumen in all 6 cases became thrombosed and no endoleak or new aortic dissecting aneurysms developed.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular treatment of DeBakey type I aortic dissecting aneurysm is feasible, minimally invasive, and effective. Case selection depends on the distance of the coronary artery ostia from the tear entry.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo discuss the availability of endovascular stent-graft exclusion in giant and long-segment thoracic aortic aneurysms.

METHODSEndovascular stent-graft exclusion was performed on 3 male patients with giant and long-segment thoracic aortic aneurysm. Multiple stent-grafts were connected as a long stent-graft to repair these thoracic aortic aneurysms, of which one with 28 cm in length and 7.3 cm in maximum diameter was excluded by 4 stent-grafts with different diameters and same length of 130 mm. The preliminary bypass between right common carotid artery and left common carotid artery or left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery was performed on 2 patients.

RESULTSThree patients underwent the operation successfully, and achieved the good results. There was no endoleak at the conjunction of stent-grafts in 2 cases, and a little endoleak in 1 case, which disappeared 1 year after operation. One case presented temporal cerebral ischemia, which disappeared after 1 month.

CONCLUSIONSThe endovascular deployment with multiple stent-grafts connection is a safe, mini-invasive and effective therapeutic method for giant and long-segment thoracic aortic aneurysm, but long-term outcomes will be gotten after the follow-up study.

Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the single or staged endovascular stent-graft repair for aortic dissection with multi-tears.

METHODSThe stent-grafts were inserted through the femoral artery to seal the tears of dissection.

RESULTSBetween January 2001 and June 2004, 8 patients with aortic dissection underwent stent-graft placement. There were 5 tears in one patient, 4 tears in two patients, 3 tears in two patients and 2 tears in three patients. There were 11 tears located at descending thoracic aorta, 11 at abdominal aorta and 4 at iliac artery. Six patients underwent operation in single stage, and 2 in staged maneuver. Total 23 stent-grafts were used, including 20 straight type grafts and 3 bifurcated grafts. Placement of the stent-graft was technically successful in all patients. Follow-up with CT or MRA examination after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively showed the dissection disappeared with thrombosis in the false lumen, no endoleak occurred. All patients survived to present.

CONCLUSIONSingle or staged endovascular stent-graft repair is a promising, safe and effective procedure for aortic dissection with multi-tears.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo implore the positive effects of endoscopic sinus surgery on the symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and their changing regularity of symptoms and QOL.

METHODSA prospective, randomized and controlled trial was conducted to survey symptoms and QOL status of 120 CRS patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery, in contrast to that of 200 healthy individuals passing health examination, at the baseline and at 3- and 6-months postoperatively by visual analog score (VAS) symptom instrument and QOL instruments including medical outcome study short-form 36-items health survey (SF-36) and sino-nasal outcome test-20 (SNOT-20).

RESULTSIn the 3 months follow-up settings, total of individual symptom severity scores and global symptom severity scores of VAS, such domains as role physical and general health of SF-36 and total of the 20 items scores and the most important 5-item scores of SNOT-20 all began to get better markedly (P < 0.05); in the 3-6 months follow-up settings, the indices above stayed fixed (P > 0.05); and in the 6-months follow-up settings, indices of symptoms and QOL status entirely improved from the baseline, with SF-36 showing no scoring difference between CRS patients and healthy individuals, whereas VAS showed that abnormal nasal drainage and decreased sense of smell were still left and SNOT-20 showed that abnormal nasal drainage and lack of good sleep left, inferior to that of healthy objects significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOn the whole CRS patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery recover symptomatically and come back to normal level of QOL status at the 6 months postoperatively, but such significant problems as abnormal nasal drainage, decreased sense of smell and lack of good sleep still remain and need to be treated.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Polyps ; psychology ; surgery ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Sinusitis ; psychology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the techniques and therapeutic effects of endovascular stent-graft exclusion in aortic dissection and dissecting aneurysm.

METHODSThe clinical data of 20 cases with aortic dissection and(or) dissecting aneurysm were analysed. Stanford A dissection was found in 2 cases, in which one had a tear entry on ascending aorta. Stanford B dissection was found in 18 cases. Five patients had two or more tear entries in different sites. Endovascular polyester-covered stent-graft exclusion was performed in all cases, of which, one case was also given fenestration and graft replacement and one subjected to Y graft bypass from ascending aorta to the left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery before endovascular stent-graft exclusion.

RESULTSNo one died in operation. One patient died of heart infarction on the third day after operation. During the followup of 1 - 20 months, 19 patients were alive well (95%). The aortic dissections and(or) dissecting aneurysms of all the patients disappeared without endoleaks and organ or limb ischemia.

CONCLUSIONEndovascular stent-graft exclusion with high successful rate, low mortality and high survival rate, is simple, safe and effective in treating aortic dissection and dissecting aneurysm.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome