1.Expert consensus on neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitors for locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (2026)
LI Jinsong ; LIAO Guiqing ; LI Longjiang ; ZHANG Chenping ; SHANG Chenping ; ZHANG Jie ; ZHONG Laiping ; LIU Bing ; CHEN Gang ; WEI Jianhua ; JI Tong ; LI Chunjie ; LIN Lisong ; REN Guoxin ; LI Yi ; SHANG Wei ; HAN Bing ; JIANG Canhua ; ZHANG Sheng ; SONG Ming ; LIU Xuekui ; WANG Anxun ; LIU Shuguang ; CHEN Zhanhong ; WANG Youyuan ; LIN Zhaoyu ; LI Haigang ; DUAN Xiaohui ; YE Ling ; ZHENG Jun ; WANG Jun ; LV Xiaozhi ; ZHU Lijun ; CAO Haotian
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(2):105-118
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.
2.Predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in invasive breast cancer using machine learning models based on serum biomarkers and other clinical features
Yilihamu YIPALA ; Wang LEI ; Ma TAO ; Gao CHUNJIE ; Liu JING ; Zhao TING ; Wang YAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(10):507-514
Objective:Serum tumor markers(STMs)are important indicators associated with metastasis in patients with breast cancer(BC).This study focuses on predicting the risk of axillary lymph node metastasis(ALNM)in patients with invasive BC in Xinjiang by combining STMs and clinicopathological factors.Methods:Data from 3,360 patients diagnosed with invasive BC and treated at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed,focusing on 11 relevant demographic and clinical factors.Five ma-chine learning(ML)algorithms were used to develop predictive models for ALNM.Their performance was compared using metrics such as area under the curve(AUC),accuracy,Kappa value,and Brier score.The best-performing model was then compared with a nomogram based on Logistic regression(LR)to determine the final model.Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)values were used to rank the importance of factors contributing to ALNM.Results:Of the 3,266 patients studied,1,368(41.89%)developed ALNM.Among the five constructed ML models,eXtreme gradient boosting(XGBoost)demonstrated the best predictive performance with an AUC of 0.768,an accuracy of 0.735,and a Kappa value of 0.450.In both the training and validation sets,the XGBoost model outperformed the LR-based nomogram(training set AUC and Brier score:0.822(0.810~0.820)vs.0.742(0.721~0.763),0.170(0.163~0.177)vs.0.197(0.189~0.204);validation set AUC and Brier score:0.769(0.740~0.770)vs.0.747(0.716~0.779),0.190(0.178~0.202)vs.0.195(0.189~0.204)).Therefore,XGBoost was selec-ted as the final predictive model.SHAP analysis identified T stage,age,molecular subtype,and CEA level as the four most influential factors for ALNM prediction.Conclusions:The XGBoost model effectively predicts the risk of ALNM in patients with invasive BC based on STMs and clinicopathological features,outperforming traditional nomograms.SHAP analysis highlighted T stage as the most critical factor influencing ALNM.
3.Identification of endothelial cell key genes associated with pathogenesis and invasion of human venous malformations using single-nucleus RNA sequencing-based co-expression network analysis
Wenbo LIU ; Junjie LIN ; Meijuan ZHANG ; Chunjie YUAN ; Xiaojuan FENG ; Wenting JIAO ; Junbo QIAO ; Wenqiu WANG ; Bin FANG ; Changkuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(4):458-467
Objective:This study aimed to identify key genes in endothelial cell (EC) associated with the pathogenesis and progression of human venous malformations (VMs) through bioinformatics analysis, providing potential biomarkers for early screening and targeted therapy of VMs.Methods:A case-control study was conducted using surgically resected tissue specimens from VMs patients at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (from September 2021 to September 2023), with malformed venous tissues as the experimental group and distal normal venous tissues as controls. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) was performed on paired experimental and control samples from four VM patients. High-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis (hdWGCNA), combined with gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, identified critical genes. Validation experiments included 15 additional VM cases and controls using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western blot.Results:A total of 55 430 nuclei were captured using snRNA-seq, with 30 391 nuclei from the experimental group and 25 039 nuclei from the control group. Cluster analysis identified 22 distinct cell populations, which were annotated into 8 cell types. hdWGCNA revealed four modules associated with invasion, which were enriched in angiogenesis, integrin signaling, and cell adhesion according to GO analysis. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and focal adhesion are key regulatory mechanisms. PPI network analysis combined with cytoscape identified EGFL7, TEK, and FLT1 as key genes. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the relative mRNA expression levels of these three genes in the experimental group (6.66±2.31, 1.86±0.62, 3.49±0.58) were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.05±0.14, 1.00±0.14, 1.06±0.25), with statistically significant differences ( t=9.37, 4.27, 11.20, P<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the relative protein expression levels of these three genes in the cytoplasm of the experimental group (0.84±0.15, 0.68±0.14, 0.85±0.12) were also significantly higher than those in the control group (0.19±0.05, 0.23±0.06, 0.30±0.05), with statistically significant differences ( t=16.62, 5.93, 11.68, P<0.05). Western blot analysis confirmed that the relative protein expression levels of these three genes in the experimental group (0.35±0.04, 0.36±0.09, 0.31±0.04) were significantly higher than those in the control group (0.19±0.01, 0.13±0.02, 0.14±0.04), with statistically significant differences ( t=7.05, 4.61, 5.93, P<0.05). Conclusion:EGFL7, FLT1, and TEK in EC may play crucial roles in the occurrence and invasion of VMs.
4.Predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in invasive breast cancer using machine learning models based on serum biomarkers and other clinical features
Yilihamu YIPALA ; Wang LEI ; Ma TAO ; Gao CHUNJIE ; Liu JING ; Zhao TING ; Wang YAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(10):507-514
Objective:Serum tumor markers(STMs)are important indicators associated with metastasis in patients with breast cancer(BC).This study focuses on predicting the risk of axillary lymph node metastasis(ALNM)in patients with invasive BC in Xinjiang by combining STMs and clinicopathological factors.Methods:Data from 3,360 patients diagnosed with invasive BC and treated at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed,focusing on 11 relevant demographic and clinical factors.Five ma-chine learning(ML)algorithms were used to develop predictive models for ALNM.Their performance was compared using metrics such as area under the curve(AUC),accuracy,Kappa value,and Brier score.The best-performing model was then compared with a nomogram based on Logistic regression(LR)to determine the final model.Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)values were used to rank the importance of factors contributing to ALNM.Results:Of the 3,266 patients studied,1,368(41.89%)developed ALNM.Among the five constructed ML models,eXtreme gradient boosting(XGBoost)demonstrated the best predictive performance with an AUC of 0.768,an accuracy of 0.735,and a Kappa value of 0.450.In both the training and validation sets,the XGBoost model outperformed the LR-based nomogram(training set AUC and Brier score:0.822(0.810~0.820)vs.0.742(0.721~0.763),0.170(0.163~0.177)vs.0.197(0.189~0.204);validation set AUC and Brier score:0.769(0.740~0.770)vs.0.747(0.716~0.779),0.190(0.178~0.202)vs.0.195(0.189~0.204)).Therefore,XGBoost was selec-ted as the final predictive model.SHAP analysis identified T stage,age,molecular subtype,and CEA level as the four most influential factors for ALNM prediction.Conclusions:The XGBoost model effectively predicts the risk of ALNM in patients with invasive BC based on STMs and clinicopathological features,outperforming traditional nomograms.SHAP analysis highlighted T stage as the most critical factor influencing ALNM.
5.Identification of endothelial cell key genes associated with pathogenesis and invasion of human venous malformations using single-nucleus RNA sequencing-based co-expression network analysis
Wenbo LIU ; Junjie LIN ; Meijuan ZHANG ; Chunjie YUAN ; Xiaojuan FENG ; Wenting JIAO ; Junbo QIAO ; Wenqiu WANG ; Bin FANG ; Changkuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(4):458-467
Objective:This study aimed to identify key genes in endothelial cell (EC) associated with the pathogenesis and progression of human venous malformations (VMs) through bioinformatics analysis, providing potential biomarkers for early screening and targeted therapy of VMs.Methods:A case-control study was conducted using surgically resected tissue specimens from VMs patients at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (from September 2021 to September 2023), with malformed venous tissues as the experimental group and distal normal venous tissues as controls. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) was performed on paired experimental and control samples from four VM patients. High-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis (hdWGCNA), combined with gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, identified critical genes. Validation experiments included 15 additional VM cases and controls using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western blot.Results:A total of 55 430 nuclei were captured using snRNA-seq, with 30 391 nuclei from the experimental group and 25 039 nuclei from the control group. Cluster analysis identified 22 distinct cell populations, which were annotated into 8 cell types. hdWGCNA revealed four modules associated with invasion, which were enriched in angiogenesis, integrin signaling, and cell adhesion according to GO analysis. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and focal adhesion are key regulatory mechanisms. PPI network analysis combined with cytoscape identified EGFL7, TEK, and FLT1 as key genes. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the relative mRNA expression levels of these three genes in the experimental group (6.66±2.31, 1.86±0.62, 3.49±0.58) were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.05±0.14, 1.00±0.14, 1.06±0.25), with statistically significant differences ( t=9.37, 4.27, 11.20, P<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the relative protein expression levels of these three genes in the cytoplasm of the experimental group (0.84±0.15, 0.68±0.14, 0.85±0.12) were also significantly higher than those in the control group (0.19±0.05, 0.23±0.06, 0.30±0.05), with statistically significant differences ( t=16.62, 5.93, 11.68, P<0.05). Western blot analysis confirmed that the relative protein expression levels of these three genes in the experimental group (0.35±0.04, 0.36±0.09, 0.31±0.04) were significantly higher than those in the control group (0.19±0.01, 0.13±0.02, 0.14±0.04), with statistically significant differences ( t=7.05, 4.61, 5.93, P<0.05). Conclusion:EGFL7, FLT1, and TEK in EC may play crucial roles in the occurrence and invasion of VMs.
6.Application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound lymphography in preoperative planning for lymphaticovenous anastomosis in secondary upper extremity lymphedema
Jinglan TANG ; Litao SUN ; Kefeng LU ; Yongfeng LI ; Lisong ZHU ; Han LIU ; Pei DU ; Chunjie HOU
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(7):755-764
Objective:To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a preoperative planning strategy for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in improving the quality of LVA and the outcome of short-term limb volume reduction in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema.Methods:Patients with breast cancer-related upper extremity lymphedema who underwent LVA at the Department of General Surgery Cancer Center Division of Breast Surgery of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled retrospectively. According to whether preoperative ultrasound lymphography was performed, the patients were divided into CEUS assisted group and control group. In the CEUS assisted group, preoperative CEUS lymphography combined with high-frequency ultrasound color Doppler imaging was utilized for precise localization of lymphatic vessels and recipient veins, as well as surgical target planning for LVA. In the control group, preoperative indocyanine green lymphography was employed to guide surgical exploration. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of LVA surgical exploration incisions per limb and the number of successful anastomoses per limb between the two groups. The success rate of anastomosis (total number of successful anastomoses/total number of surgical exploration incisions) was compared by the chi-square test. The duration of single anastomosis, mean arm circumference, and the difference between preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared by independent sample t-test. Paired-sample t-test was used to compare the improvement of the mean arm circumference of the operated limb of the two groups after 3 months of follow-up. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 47 female patients were enrolled, including 27 patients in the CEUS assisted group, with an average age of (57.1±9.0) years and a median edema course of 2 years. There were 20 cases in the control group, with an average age of (58.1±9.6) years and a median duration of edema of 2 years. The CEUS group, compared with the control group, exhibited a higher number of surgical exploration incisions per limb [6.0 (4.0, 7.0) cases vs. 5.0 (3.0, 6.0) cases], a greater number of successful anastomoses per limb [5.0 (3.0, 6v0) cases vs. 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) cases], and a significantly increased overall success rate of anastomosis [82.8% (125/151) vs. 61.4% (54/88)]. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference difference [(6.2±3.3) cm vs. (3.9±1.9) cm]. The duration of single anastomosis was significantly shortened [(57.4±16.0) min vs. (92.8±18.5) min], with statistically significant differences observed in all comparisons (all P < 0.05). The preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared between the CEUS group [(31.4±4.6) cm vs. (25.3±4.7) cm] and the control group [(31.3±4.3) cm vs. (27.5±3.8) cm], respectively, with statistically significant differences observed in both groups (both P < 0.01). Conclusion:CEUS lymphography, as a preoperative planning strategy for LVA, can significantly increase the number and success rate of LVA anastomosis in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema, shorten the duration of single anastomosis, and improve the short-term effect of limb volume reduction after LVA.
7.Expert consensus on the evaluation and management of dysphagia after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery
Xiaoying LI ; Moyi SUN ; Wei GUO ; Guiqing LIAO ; Zhangui TANG ; Longjiang LI ; Wei RAN ; Guoxin REN ; Zhijun SUN ; Jian MENG ; Shaoyan LIU ; Wei SHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Yue HE ; Chunjie LI ; Kai YANG ; Zhongcheng GONG ; Jichen LI ; Qing XI ; Gang LI ; Bing HAN ; Yanping CHEN ; Qun'an CHANG ; Yadong WU ; Huaming MAI ; Jie ZHANG ; Weidong LENG ; Lingyun XIA ; Wei WU ; Xiangming YANG ; Chunyi ZHANG ; Fan YANG ; Yanping WANG ; Tiantian CAO
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2024;40(1):5-14
Surgical operation is the main treatment of oral and maxillofacial tumors.Dysphagia is a common postoperative complication.Swal-lowing disorder can not only lead to mis-aspiration,malnutrition,aspiration pneumonia and other serious consequences,but also may cause psychological problems and social communication barriers,affecting the quality of life of the patients.At present,there is no systematic evalua-tion and rehabilitation management plan for the problem of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in China.Combining the characteristics of postoperative swallowing disorder in patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors,summarizing the clinical experience of ex-perts in the field of tumor and rehabilitation,reviewing and summarizing relevant literature at home and abroad,and through joint discussion and modification,a group of national experts reached this consensus including the core contents of the screening of swallowing disorders,the phased assessment of prognosis and complications,and the implementation plan of comprehensive management such as nutrition management,respiratory management,swallowing function recovery,psychology and nursing during rehabilitation treatment,in order to improve the evalua-tion and rehabilitation of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in clinic.
8.LncRNA SENCR targeted miR-206 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells of aortic dissection tissues
Runwei MA ; Chunjie MU ; Wenting GUI ; Yao DENG ; Minzhang ZHAO ; Min LIU ; Yi SONG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(3):302-308
Objective To investigate the expression of lncRNA SENCR in aortic dissection(AD)tissues of AD patients and its effect on and mechanism in the proliferation apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells(HVSMCs).Methods HE staining was done to detect the pathological changes of AD tissues.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)and RT-qPCR were used to determine the expression of SENCR in the AD tissue and HVSMCs and the expression of SENCR and miR-206 in the tissues,respectively.HVSMCs were cultured and trans-fected with pcDNA3.1-SENCR overexpression plasmids,or pcDNA3.1 blank plasmid.Then cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 method and Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry assay,respectively.Double luciferase report verified the targeting relationship between SENCR and miR-206.Results SENCR was mainly located in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HVSMCs.Compared with the normal tissue,the expression of SENCR in the AD tissues was down-regulated(P<0.01),but the expression of miR-206 was up-regulated(P<0.01).Overexpressed SENCR decreased the cell proliferation of HVSMCs(P<0.01),but significantly increased the cell apoptosis of HVSMCs(P<0.01).SENCR could target and negatively regulate miR-206.Conclusion The expression of SENCR is down-regulated in AD tissues,and overexpressed SENCR may inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of HVSMCs by targeting down-regulated miR-206.
9.Systemic inflammatory response index, systemic immune-inflammatory index, and CT perfusion imaging parameters predict early neurological deterioration in patients with minor stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion
Hu HUANG ; Zhiwei LIU ; Zihan YU ; Chunjie SONG ; Dan LI ; Yuanyuan HAN
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2024;32(6):407-413
Objective:To investigate the predictive value of systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and CT perfusion imaging (CTP) parameters for early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with mild stroke duo to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion.Methods:Patients with minor stroke duo to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion admitted to the First People's Hospital of Suqian from November 2021 to December 2023 were included. Minor stroke was defined as a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤ 5, and END was defined as an increase of ≥ 4 in NIHSS score within 24 hours of admission compared to the baseline. SIRI and SII were calculated based on the findings of blood routine examination. According to CTP at admission, the cerebral blood volume (CBV) index, infarct core volume, and early infarct growth rate (EIGR) were obtained. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for END. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of each predictor on END. Results:A total of 132 patients were included, with 85 males (64.4%) and a median age of 68 years (interquartile range, 58-77 years). Thirty-nine patients (29.5%) experienced END. The baseline NIHSS score, fasting blood glucose, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, SIRI, SII, infarct core volume, and EIGR in the END group were significantly higher than those in the non-END group, while the CBV index was significantly lower than that in the non-END group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SIRI (odds ratio [ OR] 3.672, 95% confidence interval[ CI] 1.838-6.326; P<0.001), SII ( OR 4.824, 95% CI 2.057-7.135; P<0.001), CBV index ( OR 0.968, 95% CI 0.947-0.986; P<0.001), and EIGR ( OR 2.527, 95% CI 1.918-3.589; P<0.001) were the independent predictive factors of END. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curves of SIRI, SII, CBV index, and EIGR for predicting END were 0.780 (95% CI 0.692-0.863), 0.798 (95% CI 0.709-0.888), 0.775 (95% CI 0.697-0.853), and 0.772 (95% CI 0.732-0.829), respectively. Conclusion:SIRI, SII, CBV index, and EIGR are the independent predictive factors of END in patients with minor stroke duo to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion, and have certain predictive value for END.
10.Application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound lymphography in preoperative planning for lymphaticovenous anastomosis in secondary upper extremity lymphedema
Jinglan TANG ; Litao SUN ; Kefeng LU ; Yongfeng LI ; Lisong ZHU ; Han LIU ; Pei DU ; Chunjie HOU
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(7):755-764
Objective:To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a preoperative planning strategy for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in improving the quality of LVA and the outcome of short-term limb volume reduction in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema.Methods:Patients with breast cancer-related upper extremity lymphedema who underwent LVA at the Department of General Surgery Cancer Center Division of Breast Surgery of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled retrospectively. According to whether preoperative ultrasound lymphography was performed, the patients were divided into CEUS assisted group and control group. In the CEUS assisted group, preoperative CEUS lymphography combined with high-frequency ultrasound color Doppler imaging was utilized for precise localization of lymphatic vessels and recipient veins, as well as surgical target planning for LVA. In the control group, preoperative indocyanine green lymphography was employed to guide surgical exploration. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of LVA surgical exploration incisions per limb and the number of successful anastomoses per limb between the two groups. The success rate of anastomosis (total number of successful anastomoses/total number of surgical exploration incisions) was compared by the chi-square test. The duration of single anastomosis, mean arm circumference, and the difference between preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared by independent sample t-test. Paired-sample t-test was used to compare the improvement of the mean arm circumference of the operated limb of the two groups after 3 months of follow-up. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 47 female patients were enrolled, including 27 patients in the CEUS assisted group, with an average age of (57.1±9.0) years and a median edema course of 2 years. There were 20 cases in the control group, with an average age of (58.1±9.6) years and a median duration of edema of 2 years. The CEUS group, compared with the control group, exhibited a higher number of surgical exploration incisions per limb [6.0 (4.0, 7.0) cases vs. 5.0 (3.0, 6.0) cases], a greater number of successful anastomoses per limb [5.0 (3.0, 6v0) cases vs. 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) cases], and a significantly increased overall success rate of anastomosis [82.8% (125/151) vs. 61.4% (54/88)]. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference difference [(6.2±3.3) cm vs. (3.9±1.9) cm]. The duration of single anastomosis was significantly shortened [(57.4±16.0) min vs. (92.8±18.5) min], with statistically significant differences observed in all comparisons (all P < 0.05). The preoperative and postoperative mean arm circumference were compared between the CEUS group [(31.4±4.6) cm vs. (25.3±4.7) cm] and the control group [(31.3±4.3) cm vs. (27.5±3.8) cm], respectively, with statistically significant differences observed in both groups (both P < 0.01). Conclusion:CEUS lymphography, as a preoperative planning strategy for LVA, can significantly increase the number and success rate of LVA anastomosis in patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema, shorten the duration of single anastomosis, and improve the short-term effect of limb volume reduction after LVA.


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