Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopy-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in thoracoscopic pulmonary resection, and to provide strategies for enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in thoracoscopic lung resection. Methods Patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary resection (including sublobar resection and lobectomy) in the 987th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of People's Liberation Army, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, and the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University between May 2021 and June 2023 were prospectively enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups in a single-blind manner using a random number table. Group A (incisional nerve block group) received a subcutaneous injection of ropivacaine (0.375%, 2 mg/kg) around the incision during chest closure. Group B (ultrasound-guided TPVB group) received an ultrasound-guided injection of ropivacaine (0.375%, 2 mg/kg) at the paravertebral space after chest closure. Group C (thoracoscopy-guided TPVB group) received a thoracoscopy-guided intrathoracic injection of ropivacaine (0.375%, 2 mg/kg) at the paravertebral space during chest closure. Perioperative adverse drug reactions, pain scores, postoperative analgesic consumption, and postoperative length of hospital stay were compared among the three groups. Results A total of 180 patients were included, comprising 108 females and 72 males, with a mean age of (62.15±7.36) years. There were no statistical differences among the three groups in baseline characteristics, including age, weight, gender, prevalence of comorbidities, operative time, number of surgical incisions, number of chest tubes, or intraoperative dosages of sufentanil and propofol (P>0.05). No adverse anesthesia events occurred during surgery in any of the groups. The pressing frequency of the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) pump, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores, the rate of postoperative rescue analgesic use, and the incidences of postoperative cough and dizziness in the group C were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). The postoperative length of hospital stay in the group B and group C was significantly shorter than that in the group A (P<0.05). Conclusion Thoracoscopy-guided TPVB during chest closure can effectively alleviate postoperative pain without increasing postoperative side effects, which facilitates the enhanced recovery after thoracoscopic lung surgery.

Objective:To investigate the surgical technique and clinical effect of the island flap of dorsal branch of proper palmar digital artery in repair of the soft tissue defect of digits.Methods:From March 2013 to March 2021, 22 cases of digit soft tissue defects were repaired with dorsal branch of proper palmar digital artery island flap. The digit defects involved: 9 thumbs, 5 index fingers, 3 middle fingers, 3 ring fingers and 2 little fingers. The repair of defects covered 8 digit-tips, 7 pulps and 7 dorsal and nail beds. The defected area of soft tissue was 0.8 cm×0.5 cm-1.5 cm×8.0 cm, and the size of flap was 1.0 cm×0.7 cm-1.8 cm×1.0 cm. The donor site in 6 cases was closed directly. The other 16 cases were covered with medium thickness skin graft and pressurised bandaging. The follow-up reviews were carried out via the outpatient clinic visit, telephone or WeChat interview. Results:After operation, 1 flap had cyanosis due to a tight suture and it was relieved after the removal of intermittent suture; Tension blisters appeared in 2 cases and disappeared after 1 week; One case had necrosis at distal flap and healed after dressing change. Other flaps survived successfully and the incision and donor site healed in the first stage. All patients were entered to 6 to 18(mean 10) months of follow-up. At the final follow-up, the appearance and texture of the flaps were good and the protective sensation was restored. The flexion and extension function of the affected digit was normal with the TPD at 7-11 mm. The original shape and function of the digit body were basically reconstructed, except the failure in reconstruction of the special structure of digit body, such as nail, finger pulp thread and fine sensation. According to the Evaluation Standard of Upper Limb Function of Chinese Hand Surgery Society, 11 cases were in excellent, 9 in good and 2 in fair. The excellent and good rate was 91%. The function at donor sites was not affected.Conclusion:Repair of digit soft tissue defect with dorsal branch of proper palmar digital artery island flap is easy to operate, and with a low risk, high success rate and satisfactory curative effect.