Objective To compare the long-term survival of elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with surgical versus non-surgical treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of elderly patients aged ≥70 years with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy or radiotherapy/chemotherapy at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2009 to September 2017. Patients were divided into a surgical group (S group) and a non-surgical group (NS group) according to the treatment method. The propensity score matching method was used to match the two groups of patients at a ratio of 1∶1, and the survival of the two groups before and after matching was analyzed. Results A total of 726 elderly patients with ESCC were included, including 552 males and 174 females, with 651 patients aged ≥70-80 years and 75 patients aged ≥80-90 years. There were 515 patients in the S group and 211 patients in the NS group. The median follow-up time was 60.8 months, and the median overall survival of the S group was 41.9 months [95%CI (35.2, 48.5)], while that of the NS group was only 24.0 months [95%CI (19.8, 28.3)]. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the S group were 84%, 54%, and 40%, respectively, while those of the NS group were 72%, 40%, and 30%, respectively [HR=0.689, 95%CI (0.559, 0.849), P<0.001]. After matching, 138 patients were included in each group, and there was no statistical difference in the overall survival between the two groups [HR=0.871, 95%CI (0.649, 1.167), P=0.352]. Conclusion Compared with conservative treatment, there is no significant difference in the long-term survival of elderly patients aged ≥70 years who undergo esophagectomy for ESCC. Neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery is still an important choice to potentially improve the survival of elderly patients with ESCC.

Objective To construct a predictive model for clinical pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer(FET)cycles in women with advanced maternal age(age≥35 years)and to analyze its influencing factors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 2717 older patients who underwent FET treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2018 to December 2023.These Patients were divided into a clinical pregnancy group(n=851)and a non-clinical pregnancy group(n=1866)based on whether the clinical pregnancy had occurred.The general characteristics and transplantation details of the two groups were compared,and a logistic regression analysis model was constructed.Results The clinical pregnancy rate(CPR)was 31.32%.The CPR for women aged 35-40 years(40.06%)was higher than that for women aged≥40 years(19.35%),with a statistically significant difference(χ2=133.371,P<0.05).The model results showed that the higher anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH)levels(OR=1.053,95%CI:1.012-1.095),the more high-quality blastocysts were transferred(OR=1.704,95%CI:1.143-2.542;OR=2.861,95%CI:1.921-4.262);the more high-quality blastocysts were transferred(OR=2.033,95%CI:1.077-3.836;OR=3.886,95%CI:2.035-7.420),the thicker the endometrial lining on the day of transfer(OR=1.150,95%CI:1.092-1.212)and it could increase the probability of clinical pregnancy.However,for women over 40 years of age(OR=0.551,95%CI:0.437-0.694)and secondary infertility(OR=0.704,95%CI:0.552-0.896),the probability of clinical pregnancy would be reduced;ROC curve analysis results showed that the AUC for predicting clinical pregnancy occurrence in the training set and validation set of the predictive model were 0.723(95%CI:0.699-0.748)and 0.726(95%CI:0.689-0.764),respectively,with cutoff values of 0.262 and 0.260 and the model fit was good(P>0.05).Conclusion Female age,AMH level,type of infertility,number of high-quality embryos(cleavage embryos,blastocysts)transferred,and endometrial thickness on the day of transfer are important factors affecting FET cycles in advanced maternal age women.The constructed prediction model based on these factors has a certain predictive ability for clinical pregnancy.

Background and Aims:Secondary hyperparathyroidism(SHPT)is a common and difficult-to-treat complication of chronic kidney disease(CKD),significantly impairing patients'quality of life and prognosis.For patients who respond poorly to medical therapy,surgical intervention remains an effective treatment option.This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation(tPTX+AT)in the treatment of CKD-related SHPT.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients with CKD complicated by SHPT who underwent tPTX+AT in Gaozhou People's Hospital between January 2020 and June 2023.Changes in intact parathyroid hormone(iPTH),serum phosphorus,calcium,alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and bone mineral density(BMD)were recorded preoperatively and at multiple postoperative time points.Postoperative symptom relief,complications,and follow-up outcomes were also analyzed.Results:A total of 158 parathyroid glands were removed during surgery.Among the patients,38 had four glands successfully excised,while two had only three glands removed.After operation,levels of iPTH,phosphorus,calcium,and ALP decreased significantly compared to preoperative values(all P<0.05),and BMD increased significantly at 3 months(P<0.05).Symptoms such as bone pain,pruritus,and restless leg syndrome improved markedly by 3 months postoperatively(all P<0.05).Hypocalcemia occurred in 34 cases(85.0%);one patient experienced transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and one had superior laryngeal nerve injury,both of which resolved after treatment.The two patients who had only three glands removed exhibited persistent SHPT postoperatively,with iPTH levels of 457 pg/mL and 609 pg/mL,respectively.Although their symptoms improved partially,the condition was medically controlled without the need for reoperation.Conclusion:tPTX+AT can effectively correct mineral metabolism disorders and improve BMD and clinical symptoms in SHPT patients.The procedure achieves a high rate of complete gland resection and stable autograft function.Although postoperative hypocalcemia is common,overall complications are manageable.This surgical approach is safe and effective for the treatment of refractory SHPT.

Background and Aims:Secondary hyperparathyroidism(SHPT)is a common and difficult-to-treat complication of chronic kidney disease(CKD),significantly impairing patients'quality of life and prognosis.For patients who respond poorly to medical therapy,surgical intervention remains an effective treatment option.This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation(tPTX+AT)in the treatment of CKD-related SHPT.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients with CKD complicated by SHPT who underwent tPTX+AT in Gaozhou People's Hospital between January 2020 and June 2023.Changes in intact parathyroid hormone(iPTH),serum phosphorus,calcium,alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and bone mineral density(BMD)were recorded preoperatively and at multiple postoperative time points.Postoperative symptom relief,complications,and follow-up outcomes were also analyzed.Results:A total of 158 parathyroid glands were removed during surgery.Among the patients,38 had four glands successfully excised,while two had only three glands removed.After operation,levels of iPTH,phosphorus,calcium,and ALP decreased significantly compared to preoperative values(all P<0.05),and BMD increased significantly at 3 months(P<0.05).Symptoms such as bone pain,pruritus,and restless leg syndrome improved markedly by 3 months postoperatively(all P<0.05).Hypocalcemia occurred in 34 cases(85.0%);one patient experienced transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and one had superior laryngeal nerve injury,both of which resolved after treatment.The two patients who had only three glands removed exhibited persistent SHPT postoperatively,with iPTH levels of 457 pg/mL and 609 pg/mL,respectively.Although their symptoms improved partially,the condition was medically controlled without the need for reoperation.Conclusion:tPTX+AT can effectively correct mineral metabolism disorders and improve BMD and clinical symptoms in SHPT patients.The procedure achieves a high rate of complete gland resection and stable autograft function.Although postoperative hypocalcemia is common,overall complications are manageable.This surgical approach is safe and effective for the treatment of refractory SHPT.

Objective To investigate the effects of different contrast injection schemes on the image quality of triple-rule-out com-puted tomography angiography(TRO-CTA).Methods A total of 691 patients with acute chest pain who underwent TRO-CTA exami-nation from multiple centers were prospectively selected and randomly divided into mixed group and unmixed group according to dif-ferent contrast injection methods.The image quality of aorta,pulmonary artery and coronary artery in the two groups was evaluated subjectively and objectively and the radiation dose was calculated.Results There were no significant differences in subjective image quality scores,aorta and coronary CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between the two groups(P>0.05),while there were significant differences in pulmo-nary CT values,SNR,CNR and radiation dose between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The utilization of a mixed contrast injection scheme in TRO-CTA can satisfy diagnostic require-ments while ensuring a low proportional dosage and reduced radiation dose,which has clinical application value.

Objective To investigate the effects of different contrast injection schemes on the image quality of triple-rule-out com-puted tomography angiography(TRO-CTA).Methods A total of 691 patients with acute chest pain who underwent TRO-CTA exami-nation from multiple centers were prospectively selected and randomly divided into mixed group and unmixed group according to dif-ferent contrast injection methods.The image quality of aorta,pulmonary artery and coronary artery in the two groups was evaluated subjectively and objectively and the radiation dose was calculated.Results There were no significant differences in subjective image quality scores,aorta and coronary CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between the two groups(P>0.05),while there were significant differences in pulmo-nary CT values,SNR,CNR and radiation dose between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The utilization of a mixed contrast injection scheme in TRO-CTA can satisfy diagnostic require-ments while ensuring a low proportional dosage and reduced radiation dose,which has clinical application value.

Objective To develop a novel transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement device and test its performance. Methods The transcatheter tricuspid valve stent consisted of double-layer self-expanding nitinol stent, biotissue-derived bovine pericardial leaflets, and PTFE woven. The delivery system, mainly consisting of a handle control unit and a delivery sheath, was sent to the correct position via right atrium or jugular vein. The sheath had a visualization feature, and the handle control unit could realize the functions of stable release and partial recovery of the interventional valve. In addition, this study performed animal survival experiments on the basis of in vitro experiments. A large-white pig was used as the experimental animal. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established through median thoracotomy, then the right atrium was opened, and the interventional valve was released under direct vision without cardiac arrest. Approximately 1 month after interventional valve implantation, the maneuverability and stability of the interventional tricuspid device were evaluated by autopsy. Results Through the animal experiment, the interventional valve was successfully released, and the anchoring was satisfactory. Postoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed that the interventional valve opened and closed well, the flow rate of tricuspid valve was 0.6 m/s, and there was no obvious tricuspid regurgitation. One month after the operation, we dissected the large-white pig and found the interventional valve was not deformed or displaced, the leaflets were well aligned, and there was thrombus attachment in the groove between the inner and outer layers of the interventional valve. Conclusion Animal experiment shows that the novel device can stably and firmly attach to the tricuspid annulus, with good anchoring effect, and effectively reduce paravalvular leakage.

Objective    To compare the clinical effects of segmentectomy and lobectomy for ≤2 cm lung adenocarcinoma with micropapillary and solid subtype negative by intraoperative frozen sections. Methods    The patients with adenocarcinoma who received segmentectomy or lobectomy in multicenter from June 2020 to March 2021 were included. They were divided into two groups according to a random number table, including a segmentectomy group (n=119, 44 males and 75 females with an average age of 56.6±8.9 years) and a lobectomy group (n=115, 43 males and 72 females with an average of 56.2±9.5 years). The clinical data of the patients were analyzed. Results    There was no significant difference in the baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). No perioperative death was found. There was no statistical difference in the operation time (111.2±30.0 min vs. 107.3±34.3 min), blood loss (54.2±83.5 mL vs. 40.0±16.4 mL), drainage duration (2.8±0.6 d vs. 2.6±0.6 d), hospital stay time (3.9±2.3 d vs. 3.7±1.1 d) or pathology staging (P>0.05) between the two groups. The postoperative pulmonary function analysis revealed that the mean decreased values of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second percent predicted in the segmentectomy group were significantly better than those in the lobectomy group (0.2±0.3 L vs. 0.4±0.3 L, P=0.005; 0.3%±8.1% vs. 2.9%±7.4%, P=0.041). Conclusion    Segmentectomy is effective in protecting lungs function, which is expected to improve life quality of patients.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia and a preliminary study to explore the relationship between different clinical classification and liver damage. Methods: Consecutively confirmed novel coronavirus infection cases admitted to seven designated hospitals during January 23, 2020 to February 8, 2020 were included. Clinical classification (mild, moderate, severe, and critical) was carried out according to the diagnosis and treatment program of novel coronavirus pneumonia (Trial Fifth Edition) issued by the National Health Commission. The research data were analyzed using SPSS19.0 statistical software. Quantitative data were expressed as median (interquartile range), and qualitative data were expressed as frequency and rate. Results: 32 confirmed cases that met the inclusion criteria were included. 28 cases were of mild or moderate type (87.50%), and four cases (12.50%) of severe or critical type. Four cases (12.5%) were combined with one underlying disease (bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, malignant tumor, chronic kidney disease), and one case (3.13%) was simultaneously combined with high blood pressure and malignant tumor. The results of laboratory examination showed that the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), and total bilirubin (TBil) for entire cohort were 26.98 (16.88 ~ 46.09) U/L and 24.75 (18.71 ~ 31.79) U/L, 39.00 (36.20 ~ 44.20) g/L and 16.40 (11.34- ~ 21.15) mmol/L, respectively. ALT, AST, ALB and TBil of the mild or moderate subgroups were 22.75 (16.31- ~ 37.25) U/L, 23.63 (18.71 ~ 26.50) U/L, 39.70 (36.50 ~ 46.10) g/L, and 15.95 (11.34 ~ 20.83) mmol/L, respectively. ALT, AST, ALB and TBil of the severe or critical subgroups were 60.25 (40.88 ~ 68.90) U/L, 37.00 (20.88 ~ 64.45) U/L, 35.75 (28.68 ~ 42.00) g/L, and 20.50 (11.28 ~ 25.00) mmol/L, respectively. Conclusion The results of this multicenter retrospective study suggests that novel coronavirus pneumonia combined with liver damage is more likely to be caused by adverse drug reactions and systemic inflammation in severe patients receiving medical treatment. Therefore, liver function monitoring and evaluation should be strengthened during the treatment of such patients.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficiency of robot assisted surgery guided by damage control orthopaedics(DCO) in polytraumatised patients with pelvic ring injuries.Methods A retrospective review of the pelvic fracture database was performed.Twenty-six patients who had sustained a pelvic fracture from September 2012 to December 2015 were suitable for robot-assisted minimally invasive internal fixation.They were 17 men and 9 women,aged from 23 to 58 years (average,42.6 years).Their Injury Severity Score(ISS) ranged from 20 to 31 points (average,21.3 years).According to Tile classification,6 cases were type B2,3 type B3,9 type C2 and 8 type C3.Guided by DCO,the vital signs were stabilized by all means and the fractures treated by simple and temporary external fixation before the pelvic and other fractures were managed by the robot-assisted minimally invasive internal fixation.Demographics,times to operating room (TOR),time from acute stabilization to late definitive internal fixation (TAL),time for bone union,type of robot-assisted surgery for major fractures,length of stay (LOS),postoperative complications and mortality were recorded.The outcomes of the pelvis were evaluated at the final follow-up according to the Matta criteria.Results Of the 26 patients,robot-navigated percutaneous screwing was conducted with 23 sacroiliac screws in 19,with 9 ramus pubicus screws in 9,with 6 supraacetabular screws in 4,and with 4 both-column screws in 2 cases.TOR averaged 2.7 times,TAL 5.9 days,LOS at ICU 2.1 days,ICU admission rate 46.2％ (12 of 26),hospital LOS 7.3 days,and time for pelvic bone union 79.0 days.None patients had postoperative complications related to the pelvic fracture and no one died.According to the Matta criteria at the final follow-ups,8 cases were excellent,11 good,5 fair and 2 poor,yielding an excellent and good rate of 73.1％.Conclusion Robot-navigated minimally invasive surgery plus DCO is effective,time saving and safe treatment for polytraumatised patients with pelvic ring injuries.