AIM:To compare the efficacy and safety of early combination therapy with ranibizumab and dexamethasone intravitreal implants versus ranibizumab monotherapy for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME).METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on a total of 62 cases(64 eyes)of patients who were first diagnosed with RVO-ME at the Eye Centre of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University between February 2022 and February 2023. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the different treatment regimens: 32 cases(34 eyes)in the monotherapy group received only ranibizumab [3+pro re nata(PRN)regimen], and 30 cases(30 eyes)in the combination therapy group were injected with ranibizumab once first, followed by dexamethasone intravitreal implant 3 wk later(1+DEX regimen). The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central retina thickness(CRT), foveal avascular zone(FAZ)area, macular vascular density(MVD)at the level of the deep vascular complex(DVC)of the retina, the incidence of ocular adverse effects, the number of drug injections, and the total cost between the two groups were compared before and after treatment.RESULTS: At 3 wk, 3 and 6 mo, and at the final follow-up of the two groups of patients, the improvement in BCVA, CRT, and MVD in the DVC layer was significantly better than that before treatment(all P<0.05); there were differences in the comparisons of BCVA and CRT between the two groups at 6 mo and the final follow-up(all P<0.05), and the increase in the number of letters of BCVA was the most pronounced in the combination therapy group at 6 mo of treatment. Statistical significant difference was observed in the comparison of MVD in the DVC layer between the two groups at 3 and 6 mo after treatment and at the final follow-up(all P<0.05). However, no significant change in FAZ area was evident before and after treatment in both groups(P>0.05). The combination therapy group exhibited a reduced number of injections and total cost in comparison to the monotherapy group. The combination therapy group exhibited a slightly higher incidence of high intraocular pressure and cataract progression compared to the monotherapy group, with no statistical significant difference(all P>0.05). Furthermore, no serious adverse events were observed in either group following treatment.CONCLUSION:Compared with ranibizumab alone, ranibizumab combined with dexamethasone intravitreal implant significantly improved vision, reduced macular edema, and lowered the frequency of injections and total treatment cost in patients with RVO-ME. CRT and MVD in the DVC layer are reliable prognostic indicators for patients with RVO-ME.

BACKGROUND: Valvular heart disease (VHD) has become increasingly common with the aging in China. This study aimed to evaluate regional differences in the clinical features, management strategies, and outcomes of patients with VHD across different regions in China. METHODS: Data were collected from the China-VHD Study. From April 2018 to June 2018, 12,347 patients who presented with moderate or severe native VHD with a median of 2 years of follow-up from 46 centers at certified tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in Chinese mainland were included in this study. According to the locations of the research centers, patients were divided into five regional groups: eastern, southern, western, northern, and central China. The clinical features of VHD patients were compared among the five geographical regions. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence rate. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients (mean age, 61.96 years; 6877 [55.70%] male), multiple VHD was the most frequent type (4042, 32.74%), which was mainly found in eastern China, followed by isolated mitral regurgitation (3044, 24.65%), which was mainly found in northern China. The etiology of VHD varied significantly across different regions of China. The overall rate of valve interventions was 32.67% (4008/12,268), with the highest rate in southern China at 48.46% (205/423). In terms of procedure, the proportion of transcatheter valve intervention was relatively low compared to that of surgical treatment. Patients with VHD in western China had the highest incidence of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure. Valve intervention significantly improved the outcome of patients with VHD in all five regions (all P  <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that patients with VHD in China are characterized by significant geographic disparities in clinical features, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Targeted efforts are needed to improve the management and prognosis of patients with VHD in China according to differences in geographical characteristics. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03484806.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Heart Valve Diseases/therapy* ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To systematically review the profile of lymph node dissection (LND) for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in China.Methods:Using the key words "intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma" "intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma" "lymph node dissection" "lymphadenec-tomy" "lymph node metastasis", the databases including China Zhiwang, Wanfang, Weipu, Sinomed, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library were systematically searched. Cohort studies or randomized controlled clinical trials with intraoperative LND documentation and with analysis on the clinicopathologic characteristics or prognostic influences on patients with ICC were included into this meta-analysis from the date of database creation to April 20, 2022. The risk of bias in non-randomized controlled trials was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A meta-analysis of preoperative imaging lymph node enlargement rates, LND rates, and pathological lymph node metastasis rates were performed using R software.Results:Thirty-three relevant studies that met the systematic evaluation criteria were included, all of which were retrospective cohort studies. All these publications were of medium to high quality. Patients’ enrollment ranged from 1993 to 2020. Patients were enrolled from 20 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities with a total of 39 medical centers and 4 278 patients. The meta-analysis indicated that the LND rate, preoperative imaging lymph node enlargement rate, pathological lymph node metastasis rate were 47.8%(95% CI: 41.3%-54.3%), 18.5%(95% CI: 7.5%-29.6%) and 51.2%(95% CI: 43.8%-58.6%), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed the LND rate was 36.0%(95% CI: 27.0%-45.0%) in studies with a median year of enrollment before 2010, 48.3% (95% CI: 38.1%-58.6%) in studies from 2010 to 2017, and 53.3%(95% CI: 43.3%-63.2%) in studies after 2017. The LND rates were statistically different in the studies in the different periods of patient enrollment ( P=0.032). Conclusion:The meta-analysis indicated that the overall LND rate for ICC in China was not high but showed an increasing tendency.

In the past few years, there has seen an increase in the detection rate of early upper gastric cancer. Early upper gastric cancer is of good prognosis. How to further enhance the postoperative quality of life of patients has increasingly become an issue of concern. This has naturally given rise to function-preserving proximal gastrectomy. However, due to its damage to the original structure of cardia and its vicinity, proximal gastrectomy is prone to postoperative reflux. To prevent postoperative reflux, various ways of digestive tract reconstruction have emerged one after another, but the optimal way thereof remains controversial. Therefore, reducing postoperative reflux through an appropriate way of digestive tract reconstruction has been taken as a focus of proximal gastrectomy. Esophagogastric anastomosis with seromuscular flap technique, as a way of digestive tract reconstruction, builds an "artificial cardia" on the basis of guarantee of normal entry of food into the digestive tract, and functions against postoperative reflux. For its good anti-reflux effect, eso-phagogastric anastomosis with seromuscular flap technique has gradually become a research focus. On top of the latest research progress at home and abroad and relevant evidence-based medicine, the authors provide on the principles, key points, improvement, postoperative status, and applica-tion of esophagogastric anastomosis with seromuscular flap technique in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.

Objective:To study the efficacy of endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) in the treatment of non-dilated small choledocholithiasis.Methods:Clinical data of 142 patients with non-dilated small choledocholithiasis admitted to Zhanjiang Central People's Hospital from April 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 63 males and 79 females, aged (55.1±15.4) years old. Patients were divided into the EPBD group ( n=63) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) group ( n=79). Blood amylase, liver enzymology, liver metabolism, and blood routine were monitored before and 48 hours after treatment. The occurrences of intraoperative bleeding, perforation, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), and cholangitis were compared between the groups. Patients were followed up and screened for stone recurrence by outpatient review 3 to 12 months from discharge. Results:Compared to preoperative data, the white blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bili-rubin, and direct bilirubin decreased 48 hours after treatment (all P<0.05). The operation time in EPBD group was slightly longer than that in EST group [(43.1±5.9) min vs. (38.5±4.5) min, P=0.064] without statistical significance. There were no case of perforation in both groups. The incidences of intraopera-tive bleeding [3.17%(2/63) vs. 6.33%(5/79)], PEP [17.46%(11/63) vs. 10.53%(8/79)], and postoperative cholangitis [4.76%(3/63) vs. 1.27%(1/79)] were comparable between the groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:EPBD could be feasible for non-dilated small choledocholithiasis, which does not increase the operation time and incidence of adverse events compared to EST.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted inters-phincteric resection (ISR) with different surgical approaches for low rectal cancer.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 90 patients with low rectal cancer who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected. There were 58 males and 32 females, aged (60±9)years. Of 90 patients, 60 cases underwent laparoscopic assisted ISR with transpelvic approach, 30 cases underwent laparoscopic assisted ISR with transabdominal and transanal mixed approach. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopathological characteristics of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach; (2) intraoperative and postoperative conditions of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach; (3) postoperative complications of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach; (4) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted by telephone interview and outpatient examination once every 3 months within postoperative 3 years, once every six months in the postoperative 3 to 5 years and once a year after postoperative 5 years to detect tumor recurrence and metastasis, and survival of patients.Follow-up was up to March 2021 or patient death. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and the t test was used for comparison between groups. Measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was performed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed by the non-parametric rank sum test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and calculate survival rates, and survival analysis was performed by the Log-Rank test. Results:(1) Clinicopathological characteristics of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach. The sex (males, females), distance from the distal margin of tumor to anal margin were 34, 26, (4.5±0.5)cm for patients with transpelvic approach, versus 24, 6, (3.5±0.5)cm for patients with mixed approach, respectively, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=4.75, t=8.35, P<0.05). (2) Intraoperative and postoperative conditions of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, distance from the postoperative anastomosis to anal margin were (187±9)minutes, 50(range, 20?200)mL, (3.4±0.7)cm for patients with transpelvic approach, versus (256±12)minuets, 100(range, 20?200)mL, (2.6±0.7)cm for patients with mixed approach, showing significant differences between them ( t=?26.99, Z=?2.48, t=4.67, P<0.05). None of the 90 patients had a positive distal margin. The stoma reversal rates of patients with transpelvic and mixed approach were 93.3%(56/60) and 90.0%(27/30), respectively. Of the 60 patients with transpelvic approach, 3 cases had no stoma reversal due to anastomotic complications, and 1 case was not yet to the reversal time. Of the 30 patients with mixed approach, 2 cases had no stoma reversal due to anastomotic complications, and 1 case was not yet to the reversal time. The 1-, 3-month Wexner scores after stoma reversal were 15(range, 12?17), 12(range, 10?14) for patients with transpelvic approach, versus 16(range, 14?18), 14(range, 12?16) for patients with mixed approach, showing significant differences between them ( Z=?4.97, ?5.49, P<0.05). The 6-month Wexner score after stoma reversal was 10(range, 9?12) for patients with transpelvic approach, versus 11(range, 8?12) for patients with mixed approach, showing no significant difference between them ( Z=?1.59, P>0.05). (3) Postoperative complications of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach. The complications occurred to 16 patients with transpelvic approach and 9 patients with mixed approach, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.11, P>0.05). Cases with postoperative anastomotic fistula, cases with anastomotic bleeding, cases with anastomotic stenosis, cases with intestinal obstruction, cases with incision infection, cases with urinary retention, cases with pelvic infection, cases with pulmonary infection, cases with incisional hernia, cases with chylous fistula, cases with abdominal and pelvic abscess were 5, 2, 1, 7, 0, 1, 5, 3, 1, 1, 1 for patients with transpelvic approach, versus 6, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 1, 1 for patients with mixed approach, showing no significant difference between them ( P>0.05). The same patient could have multiple postoperative complications. (4) Follow-up. All the 90 patients were followed up for 27(range, 6?62)months. The follow-up time of 60 patients with transpelvic approach was 27(range, 8?62)months. The follow-up time of 30 patients with mixed approach was 28(range, 6?53)months. Of the 60 patients with transpelvic approach, 3 cases had local recurrence, 4 cases had liver metastasis, 3 cases had lung metastasis, and all of them survived with tumor. Of the 30 patients with mixed approach, 1 case had local recurrence, 2 cases had liver metastasis, 1 case had lung metastasis, and all of them survived with tumor. There was no death. The 3-year disease-free survival rates of patients with transpelvic approach and mixed approach were 84.7% and 87.9%, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.39, P>0.05). Conclusions:Lapa-roscopic assisted ISR via transpelvic approach or mixed approach for low rectal cancer are safe and feasible. Compared with transanal mixed approach, the transpelvic approach of laparoscopic-assisted ISR has shorter operation time, less volume of intraoperative blood loss and longer distance from the postoperative anastomosis to anal margin.

In recent years, the detection rate of early gastric cancer in China has increased. Early gastric cancer has a good prognosis, and how to further improve the postoperative quality of life for patients has become an increasingly concerned problem in the treatment of early gastric cancer. Therefore, function preserving gastrectomy has emerged. Function preserving gastrectomy aims to reduce the resection scope and preserve part of the gastric function on the premise of radical tumor resection. As a representative of function preserving gastrectomy, pylorus-preserving gastrec-tomy is suitable for early gastric cancer in middle segment. Compared with distal gastrectomy, laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy not only has the advantage of less trauma, but also can reduce the incidence of postoperative dumping syndrome, bile reflux gastritis and gallstones, and improve postoperative nutritional status. However, the practice of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy is still in controversial. Based on the new Japanese guidelines for the treatment of gastric cancer, and combined with the latest domestic and foreign research trends and relevant evidence-based medicine basis, the authors review the definition and indications, safety, advantages, technical points, digestive tract reconstruction methods, postoperative complications and other aspects of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities in Chinese advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients.Methods:A total of 46 recurrent or metastatic ESCC patients selected from ESWN 01 trial were randomly assigned to irinotecan plus S-1 group [intravenous infusion of irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) on day 1 and oral S-1 (80-120 mg) on days 1-10, repeated every 14 days]. Peripheral venous blood at baseline was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. The genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities of patients with different UGT1A1 polymorphisms were observed. The correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the adverse effects was analyzed. Results:Among the 46 patients, the numbers of UGT1A1*6 wild type genotype (GG), mutant heterozygote (GA) and mutant homozygote (AA) were 30, 15 and 1, while those with UGT1A1*28 wild type genotype (TA6/6), mutant heterozygote (TA6/7) and mutant homozygote (TA7/7) were 36, 8 and 2, respectively. Only one patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype occurred grade 3 diarrhea, while one of the 2 patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 4 diarrhea. No neutropenia was observed in the patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype, however, both of the two patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 3-4 neutropenia. Patients with UGT1A1*28 genetic polymorphism (TA 6/7 or TA7/7) had a higher response rate compared with wild-type TA6/6 carriers. (55.6% versus 26.5%).Conclusions:The homozygous genotype of UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 are rare (<5%) in Chinese ESCC population. Not all homozygous AA and TA7/7 carriers occur severe dose limited toxicities (DLT) when treated with irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) plus S-1 regimen for 2 weeks. However, it′s still necessary torigorously observe the occurrence of severe diarrhea and neutropenia in patients with UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 and adjust the dose timely.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities in Chinese advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients.Methods:A total of 46 recurrent or metastatic ESCC patients selected from ESWN 01 trial were randomly assigned to irinotecan plus S-1 group [intravenous infusion of irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) on day 1 and oral S-1 (80-120 mg) on days 1-10, repeated every 14 days]. Peripheral venous blood at baseline was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. The genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Irinotecan plus S-1 regimen-induced toxicities of patients with different UGT1A1 polymorphisms were observed. The correlation between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and the adverse effects was analyzed. Results:Among the 46 patients, the numbers of UGT1A1*6 wild type genotype (GG), mutant heterozygote (GA) and mutant homozygote (AA) were 30, 15 and 1, while those with UGT1A1*28 wild type genotype (TA6/6), mutant heterozygote (TA6/7) and mutant homozygote (TA7/7) were 36, 8 and 2, respectively. Only one patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype occurred grade 3 diarrhea, while one of the 2 patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 4 diarrhea. No neutropenia was observed in the patient with UGT1A1*6 AA genotype, however, both of the two patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 genotype occurred grade 3-4 neutropenia. Patients with UGT1A1*28 genetic polymorphism (TA 6/7 or TA7/7) had a higher response rate compared with wild-type TA6/6 carriers. (55.6% versus 26.5%).Conclusions:The homozygous genotype of UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 are rare (<5%) in Chinese ESCC population. Not all homozygous AA and TA7/7 carriers occur severe dose limited toxicities (DLT) when treated with irinotecan (160 mg/m 2) plus S-1 regimen for 2 weeks. However, it′s still necessary torigorously observe the occurrence of severe diarrhea and neutropenia in patients with UGT1A1*6 AA and UGT1A1*28 TA7/7 and adjust the dose timely.

Objective:To intestigate the clinical efficacy between modified Overlap anastomosis and traditional auxiliary incision anastomosis in laparoscopic total gastrectomy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 115 patients with gastric cancer who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2016 to December 2018 were collected. There were 62 males and 53 females, aged from 27 to 83 years, with a median age of 62 years. Of 115 patients, 51 patients undergoing totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy with modified Overlap anastomosis using linear stapler were divided into modified Overlap group and 64 patients undergoing laparoscopic assisted total gastrectomy with traditional auxiliary incision anastomosis using circular stapler were divided into traditional assisted group. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) anastomotic complications; (4) follow-up. Follow-up using outpatient examination or telephone interview was conducted to detected tumor recurrence and survival of patients up to December 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ranked data was analyzed using the rank sum test. Results:(1) Surgical situations: the operation time, time of esophagojejunostomy, volume of intraoperative blood loss, the number of lymph node dissected, length of proximal incisional margin and length of auxiliary incision of the modified Overlap group were (234.0±11.0)minutes, (29.4±2.1)minutes, (53±14)mL, 42±13, (2.0±0.3)cm and (5.1±0.4)cm, respectively. The above indicators of the traditional assisted group were (231.0±11.0)minutes, (29.2±2.2)minutes, (50±13)mL, 40±10, (2.2±0.4)cm and (8.2±0.4)cm, respectively. There was significant difference in the length of auxiliary incision between the two groups ( t=-43.098, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the operation time, time of esophagojejunostomy, volume of intraoperative blood loss, the number of lymph node dissected, length of proximal incisional margin between the two groups ( t=1.168, 0.460, 0.990, 1.127, -1.926, P>0.05). (2) Postoperative situations: cases with mild, moderate, severe pain (postoperative pain degree), time to first flatus, time to initial fluid diet intake, duration of postoperative hospital stay of the modified Overlap group were 40, 9, 2, (2.9±1.0)days, (4.8±2.2)days, (11.7±2.8)days, respectively. The above indicators of the traditional assisted group were 31, 27, 6, (3.9±1.4)days, (6.5±2.5)days, (13.0±3.1)days, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-3.217, t= -4.344, -3.888, -2.261, P<0.05). (3) Anastomotic complications: cases with anastomotic leakage, cases with anastomotic bleeding, cases with anastomotic stenosis of the modified Overlap group were 1, 1, 0, respectively. The above indicators of the traditional assisted group were all 1. There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). Cases with anastomotic leakage were cured after the treatment of enteral nutritional support through nasogastric catheterization, which were confirmed by gastroenterography. Cases with anastomotic bleeding were improved by active hemostatic therapy. Cases with anastomotic stenosis were improved after the symptomatic treatment of anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling. (4) Follow-up: 109 of the 115 patients were followed up. Forty-eight of 51 patients in the modified Overlap group were followed up for 15.0-45.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 33.5 months. Sixty-one of 64 patients in the traditional assisted group were followed up for 16.0-46.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 27.0 months. There was no tumor recurrence in the modified Overlap group. One patient in the traditional assisted group had tumor recurrence with liver metastasis and survived with tumor. There was no significant difference in tumor recurrence rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no patient died during the follow-up. Conclusion:Compared with traditional auxiliary incision anastomosis, patients undergoing total laparoscopic total gastrectomy with modified Overlap anastomosis have small incision, good postoperative recovery.