OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of nickel-titanium shape memory staples in treating multiple metatarsal fractures. METHODS: The clinical data of 27 patients with multiple metatarsal fractures who were treated between January 2022 and June 2023 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analysed. The cohort consisted of 16 males and 11 females, aged 33-65 years (mean, 47.44 years). The causes of injury included heavy object impact in 11 cases, traffic accidents in 9 cases, and crush in 7 cases. Simultaneous fractures of 2, 3, 4, and 5 bones occurred in 6, 6, 4, and 8 cases, respectively, with tarsometatarsal joint injury in 3 cases. Fixation was performed using staples for 16, 22, and 9 fractures in the metatarsal neck, shaft, and the base, respectively, and 5 tarsometatarsal joint injuries. Preoperative soft tissue injuries were identified in 8 cases and classified according to the Tscherne-Oestern closed soft tissue injury classification as type Ⅰ in 5 cases and type Ⅱ in 3 cases. One case of type Ⅱexhibited preoperative skin necrosis. The patients were treated with fixation using nickel-titanium shape memory staples. Complications and fracture healing were documented. At last follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score was used to evaluate the function, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the pain. RESULTS: The 27 patients were followed up 9-19 months (mean, 12.4 months). Postoperative X-ray films revealed no loss of fracture reduction, and all fractures achieved bony union. No internal fixator loosening, breakage, or other mechanical failures was observed. The mean fracture healing time was 3.13 months (range, 3-4 months). Postoperatively, 4 cases (2 of Tscherne-Oestern type Ⅰ, 2 of type Ⅱ) developed superficial skin necrosis, which resolved with dressing changes. No infection was observed in the remaining patients, and all wounds healed. At last follow-up, the AOFAS forefoot score ranged from 70 to 95, with an average of 86.6, of which 19 cases were excellent, 6 cases were good, and 2 cases were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 92.6%; the VAS score ranged from 0 to 3, with an average of 0.9, of which 24 cases were excellent, and 3 cases were good, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. CONCLUSION The use of nickel-titanium shape memory staples in the treatment of multiple metatarsal fractures can effectively protect local skin and soft tissues and minimize secondary damage associated with internal fixator insertion. It is a viable surgical option for management of multiple metatarsal fractures.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Titanium ; Nickel ; Retrospective Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Aged ; Metatarsal Bones/surgery* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Sutures ; Fractures, Multiple/surgery*

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of a free superficial palmar branch of the radial artery (SPBRA)-pedicled wrist crease flap for bridging and repairing finger C-shape soft tissue defect.Methods:From March 2021 to January 2023, the clinical data of patients with finger C-shape soft tissue defects in Department of Orthopedics, the Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperatively, color Doppler was used to locate the perforator point, and the position and size of the flap were designed. A free SPBRA-pedicled wrist crease flap was used in a Flow-through method to bridge and repair the defects. Postoperatively, the survival, color, texture, sense, and shape of the skin flap were observe, and the healing of the donor site was assessed. The clinical efficacy was evaluated using Evaluation Trail Standards for Replantation Function of Chinese Society of Hand Surgery.Results:All 10 patients completed the entry result analysis, including 8 males and 2 females. The age ranged from 22 to 54 years old. Among them, 3 cases involved the index finger, 5 cases involved the middle finger, and 2 cases involved the ring finger. All of them showed segmental defects of the unilateral volar medial artery with combined digital nerve defects, including 7 cases of radial injury and 3 cases of ulnar injury. 3 cases of the vascular defect ranged in the proximal phalanx areas, 6 cases in the middle phalanx region, and 1 case in the middle to distal phalanx region. The length of the proper artery defect ranged from 1.0 cm to 1.8 cm, the area of skin defect ranged from 1.0 cm×2.5 cm to 2.2 cm×4.0 cm, and the harvested flap area range ranged from 1.2 cm×2.8 cm to 2.5 cm×5.0 cm. The patients were followed up for 10 to 19 months. All flaps survived and healed well, with no bulky appearance, and a texture similar to normal finger skin. The static two-point discrimination ranged from 7.0~ 10.0 mm (average 8.5 mm). Superficial infection around the flap occurred in 1 case after surgery. It improved after dressing change. No vascular crisis occurred. The wounds at the donor site healed primarily, leaving linear scars. The flexion and extension activities of the wrist joint were not affected. According to the Evaluation Trail Standards for Replantation Function of Chinese Society of Hand Surgery: 8 cases received excellent results, 2 cases were good, and the patient satisfaction was high.Conclusion:The free SPBRA-pedicled wrist crease flap has good and accurate efficacy in bridging and repairing finger C-shape soft tissue defects. It has the advantages of convenient harvesting, minimal trauma, and low complication rate, and has clinical promotion and application value.

Objective:To investigate the surgical techniques and clinical efficacy of arthroscopic-assisted posterior malleolus reduction for the management of ankle fracture-dislocation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 27 patients who underwent arthroscopy-assisted posterior malleolar reduction via the posterior approach for the surgical management of ankle fracture-dislocation at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital) between January 2022 and June 2023. The cohort comprised 17 males and 10 females, with a mean age of 43.67±9.56 years (range, 25-63 years). Based on the Bartonícek and Rammelt classification, there were 15 type II cases, 9 type III cases, and 3 type IV cases. The operation time, posterior ankle arthroscopy duration, and postoperative complications, such as neurovascular injury, wound infection, or skin necrosis, were recorded. X-ray and 3D CT imaging were utilized to assess joint surface reduction quality, tibiofibular matching and fracture healing status. The ankle plantarflexion, dorsiflexion and hallux flexion contractures were recorded at the last follow-up. Functional outcomes were measured using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and the Olerud-Molander ankle score (OMAS), while pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS).Results:All 27 patients were followed up postoperatively, with a mean follow-up duration of 14.30±1.38 months (range, 12-18 months). Postoperatively, one patient experienced wound exudation, while another developed intermuscular venous thrombosis in the calf. No cases of neurovascular injury, wound infection, skin necrosis, or hallux flexion contracture occurred, and no reduction loss was observed. The mean operation time was 96.11±11.55 min (range, 80-120 min), and the posterior ankle arthroscopy duration was 35.74±5.67 min (range, 30-45 min). Postoperative X-ray evaluations demonstrated no loss of fracture reduction, and all fractures achieved bony union. The mean fracture healing time was 3.78±0.75 months (range, 3-5 months). Postoperative CT evaluations showed no joint surface malalignment, and distal tibiofibular matching was satisfactory. At the final follow-up, mean ankle plantarflexion was 46.74°±4.73° (range, 33°-50°), and dorsiflexion was 20.96°±3.29° (range, 14°-26°). There was no hallux flexion contracture occurred. The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 92.11±7.19 (range, 74-100), with 20 excellent, 5 good, and 2 fair, yielding an excellent-good rate of 93%. The mean OMAS score was 94.44±7.25 (range, 75-100), comprising 20 excellent and 7 good results, yielding an excellent-good rate of 100%. The mean VAS score was 0.70±0.95 (range, 0-3).Conclusion:Arthroscopy-assisted posterior malleolar reduction in ankle fracture-dislocation surgery provides optimal soft tissue protection and ensures precise fracture reduction and fixation.

To investigate the bone health status and potential influencing factors of bone mineral density in adult patients with hemophilia, providing a reference for improving their bone health and for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation intervention of osteoporosis.

Objective:To investigate the surgical techniques and clinical efficacy of arthroscopic-assisted posterior malleolus reduction for the management of ankle fracture-dislocation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 27 patients who underwent arthroscopy-assisted posterior malleolar reduction via the posterior approach for the surgical management of ankle fracture-dislocation at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital) between January 2022 and June 2023. The cohort comprised 17 males and 10 females, with a mean age of 43.67±9.56 years (range, 25-63 years). Based on the Bartonícek and Rammelt classification, there were 15 type II cases, 9 type III cases, and 3 type IV cases. The operation time, posterior ankle arthroscopy duration, and postoperative complications, such as neurovascular injury, wound infection, or skin necrosis, were recorded. X-ray and 3D CT imaging were utilized to assess joint surface reduction quality, tibiofibular matching and fracture healing status. The ankle plantarflexion, dorsiflexion and hallux flexion contractures were recorded at the last follow-up. Functional outcomes were measured using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and the Olerud-Molander ankle score (OMAS), while pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS).Results:All 27 patients were followed up postoperatively, with a mean follow-up duration of 14.30±1.38 months (range, 12-18 months). Postoperatively, one patient experienced wound exudation, while another developed intermuscular venous thrombosis in the calf. No cases of neurovascular injury, wound infection, skin necrosis, or hallux flexion contracture occurred, and no reduction loss was observed. The mean operation time was 96.11±11.55 min (range, 80-120 min), and the posterior ankle arthroscopy duration was 35.74±5.67 min (range, 30-45 min). Postoperative X-ray evaluations demonstrated no loss of fracture reduction, and all fractures achieved bony union. The mean fracture healing time was 3.78±0.75 months (range, 3-5 months). Postoperative CT evaluations showed no joint surface malalignment, and distal tibiofibular matching was satisfactory. At the final follow-up, mean ankle plantarflexion was 46.74°±4.73° (range, 33°-50°), and dorsiflexion was 20.96°±3.29° (range, 14°-26°). There was no hallux flexion contracture occurred. The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 92.11±7.19 (range, 74-100), with 20 excellent, 5 good, and 2 fair, yielding an excellent-good rate of 93%. The mean OMAS score was 94.44±7.25 (range, 75-100), comprising 20 excellent and 7 good results, yielding an excellent-good rate of 100%. The mean VAS score was 0.70±0.95 (range, 0-3).Conclusion:Arthroscopy-assisted posterior malleolar reduction in ankle fracture-dislocation surgery provides optimal soft tissue protection and ensures precise fracture reduction and fixation.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of a free superficial palmar branch of the radial artery (SPBRA)-pedicled wrist crease flap for bridging and repairing finger C-shape soft tissue defect.Methods:From March 2021 to January 2023, the clinical data of patients with finger C-shape soft tissue defects in Department of Orthopedics, the Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperatively, color Doppler was used to locate the perforator point, and the position and size of the flap were designed. A free SPBRA-pedicled wrist crease flap was used in a Flow-through method to bridge and repair the defects. Postoperatively, the survival, color, texture, sense, and shape of the skin flap were observe, and the healing of the donor site was assessed. The clinical efficacy was evaluated using Evaluation Trail Standards for Replantation Function of Chinese Society of Hand Surgery.Results:All 10 patients completed the entry result analysis, including 8 males and 2 females. The age ranged from 22 to 54 years old. Among them, 3 cases involved the index finger, 5 cases involved the middle finger, and 2 cases involved the ring finger. All of them showed segmental defects of the unilateral volar medial artery with combined digital nerve defects, including 7 cases of radial injury and 3 cases of ulnar injury. 3 cases of the vascular defect ranged in the proximal phalanx areas, 6 cases in the middle phalanx region, and 1 case in the middle to distal phalanx region. The length of the proper artery defect ranged from 1.0 cm to 1.8 cm, the area of skin defect ranged from 1.0 cm×2.5 cm to 2.2 cm×4.0 cm, and the harvested flap area range ranged from 1.2 cm×2.8 cm to 2.5 cm×5.0 cm. The patients were followed up for 10 to 19 months. All flaps survived and healed well, with no bulky appearance, and a texture similar to normal finger skin. The static two-point discrimination ranged from 7.0~ 10.0 mm (average 8.5 mm). Superficial infection around the flap occurred in 1 case after surgery. It improved after dressing change. No vascular crisis occurred. The wounds at the donor site healed primarily, leaving linear scars. The flexion and extension activities of the wrist joint were not affected. According to the Evaluation Trail Standards for Replantation Function of Chinese Society of Hand Surgery: 8 cases received excellent results, 2 cases were good, and the patient satisfaction was high.Conclusion:The free SPBRA-pedicled wrist crease flap has good and accurate efficacy in bridging and repairing finger C-shape soft tissue defects. It has the advantages of convenient harvesting, minimal trauma, and low complication rate, and has clinical promotion and application value.

Objective To investigate the effects of low dose of gamma knife irradiation on the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits in cortex and hippocampus of epileptic rats. Methods The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, GK group, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) group and GK+ PTZ group. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with PTZ to establish the epileptic models. Gamma knife irradiation was performed on bilateral frontal cortex of rats at a peripheral dose of 15Gy. After irradiation, the changes of the seizure and behaviors were observed and recorded. The rats were killed on the 12th week after irradiation, Immunohistochemstry and western blotting were used to detect the relative expression levels of NMDAR subunits (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B) in the cortex and hippocampus. Results There were no epileptic seizures in the control group and the GK group. Compared with the PTZ group, the epileptic seizures of rats in the GK+PTZ group were significantly reduced after low dose gamma knife irradiation (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the protein expression levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2B in the PTZ group increased significantly in the cortex and hippocampus, and so were the positive neurons and their average absorbance value (P<0.05). Compared with PTZ group, the protein expression levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2B of the GK+PTZ group decreased remarkably in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.05). Protein expression levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2B were not significantly different between control group and GK group (P＞0.05). Conclusion Epileptic rats exhibited an increase in the protein expression levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2B in the cortex and hippocampus while low dose of gamma knife irradiation can decrease expression levels of NMDA receptor subunits in the cortex and hippocampus of epileptic rats, which might represent a possible mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of gamma knife irradiation on epileptic seizure.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO), also known as oncogenic osteomalacia, is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by hypophosphatemia resulting from decreased tubular phosphate reabsorption, with a low or inappropriately normal level of active vitamin D. The culprit tumors of TIO could produce fibroblast growth factor 23 which plays a role in regulating renal Pi handling and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase activity. Chronic hypophosphatemia could eventually lead to inadequate bone mineralization, presenting as osteomalacia. The diagnosis should be considered when patients manifest as hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia, or rickets and needs to be differentiated from other disorders of phosphate metabolism, such as the inhereditary diseases like X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets, autosomal dominant hypophosphataemic rickets, autosomal recessive hypophosphataemic rickets and acquired diseases like vitamin D deficiency. Localization of responsible tumors could be rather difficult since the vast majority are very small and could be everywhere in the body. A combination of thorough physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging techniques should be applied and sometimes a venous sampling may come into handy. The technology of somatostatin-receptor functional scintigraphy markedly facilitates the localization of TIO tumor. Patients undergoing complete removal of the causative neoplasm generally have favorable prognoses while a few have been reported to suffer from recurrence and metastasis. For those undetectable or unresectable cases, phosphate supplements and active vitamin D should be administrated and curative intended radiotherapy or ablation is optional.
Calcification, Physiologic ; Diagnosis ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Humans ; Hypophosphatemia ; Metabolism ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteomalacia ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Physical Examination ; Prognosis ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Rickets ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognosis of intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)combined with chemotherapy for limited-stage small cell lung cancer(LS-SCLC). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 484 LS-SCLC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy in our center from 2006 to 2014. The patients with partial or complete response to IMRT received prophylactic cranial irradiation(PCI). The Kaplan?Meier method was used to calculate survival rates, and the log-rank test and Cox regression were used for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively. Results In all the patients, the follow-up rate was 93%;the median overall survival(OS) time was 23.8 months;the 2-,3-,and 5-year OS rates were 48.7%,39.8%,and 28.6%,respectively;the median progression-free survival(PFS)time was 14.1 months;the 2-, 3-, and 5-year PFS rates were 34.4%,30.5%, and 28.3%, respectively. The incidence rates of grade ≥3 bone marrow suppression, grade ≥2 radiation esophagitis, and grade ≥2 radiation pneumonitis were 26.9%, 24.8%, and 18.4%, respectively, in SCLC patients after IMRT. The objective response rate was 84.5%. The univariate analysis showed that age, smoking history, TNM stage, PCI, and the number of chemotherapy cycles before radiotherapy were prognostic factors for OS(P= 0.006, 0.001, 0.047, 0.000, and 0.046). The multivariate analysis showed that smoking history and PCI were independent prognostic factors(P=0.001 and 0.000).Conclusions IMRT combined with chemotherapy achieves satisfactory clinical outcomes in the treatment of LS-SCLC. Smoking history and PCI are independent prognostic factors for OS of LS-SCLC patients.

Objective To investigate the consensus and controversies on the delineation of radiotherapy target volume for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC).Methods Questionnaires including 15 questions on the delineation of radiotherapy target volume of NSCLC were sent to 12 radiation departments in China in November 2015.A patient with LA-NSCLC was selected by Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and simulation CT images and medical history data were sent to the 12 radiation departments.Twelve radiation oncologists from the 12 radiation departments showed and explained the delineation of radiotherapy target volume of their own, and the patient was discussed by all experts in the sixth multidisciplinary summit forum of precise radiotherapy and chemotherapy for tumor and lung cancer.Results All receivers of the questionnaire answered the questions.The standard lung window width/level for the delineation of lung cancer was 800-1600/-600 to-750 HU, and the mediastinum window was 350-400/20-40 HU.Respiratory movement was measured by stimulator, 4D-CT, and stimulator+4D-CT with 2-5 mm expansion based on experience.The primary clinical target volume (CTV) was defined as gross target volume (GTV) plus 5-6 mm for squamous carcinoma/5-8 mm for adenocarcinoma.The metastatic lesion of mediastinal lymph nodes was delineated as 5 mm plus primary lesion in 6 departments and as primary lesion in another 6 departments.Of the 12 departments, 10 applied 5 mm of set-up error, 1 applied 3 mm, and 1 applied 4-6 mm.For V20 of the lungs, 10 departments defined it as<30%, 1 as<35%, and 1 as 28%.Nine departments defined the radiation dose of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for LA-NSCLC as 60 Gy in 30 fractions, 62.7 Gy in 33 fractions in 1 department, 50-60 Gy in 25-30 fractions in 1 department, and 60-70 Gy in 25-30 fractions in 1 department.For the delineation of target volume for the LA-NSCLC patient treated with CCRT, the primary planning target volume (PTV) was defined as GTV plus organ movement (IGTV) and set-up error (GTV→IGTV→PTV) in 3 departments, as CTV plus organ movement (ITV) and set-up error (GTV→CTV→ITV→PTV) in 8 departments, and as CTV plus set-up error/IGTV plus 5-6 mm for squamous carcinoma/5-8 mm for adenocarcinoma (CTV) and set-up error (GTV→CTV→PTV/GTV→IGTV→CTV→PTV) in 1 department.For the delineation of PTV in the mediastinal lymph node, GTV→IGTV→PTV was performed in 3 departments, GTV→CTV→ITV→PTV in 8 departments, and GTV→CTV→PTV in 1 department.For 10%-100% patients with LA-NSCLC, the radiation field needed to be replanned when 38-50 Gy was completed.There was no unified standard for the optimal standardized uptake value (SUV) of positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) simulation and delineation.Seven departments had applied magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation and 10 departments had applied stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the treatment of early-stage NSCLC.For the delineation of PTV for early-stage NSCLC (T1-2N0M0), GTV→IGTV→PTV was performed in 5 departments, IGTV→PTV in 3 departments, and GTV→CTV→ITV→PTV in 2 departments.In all the 12 departments, peripheral early-stage NSCLC was given 6.0-12.5 Gy/fraction, 3-12 fractions and central early-stage NSCLC was given 4.6-10.0 Gy/fraction, 5-10 fractions.The results of discussion on the delineation of target volume for the patient were as follows:respiratory movements should be measured by 4D-CT or simulator;the lung window width/level is 1600/-600 HU and the mediastinal window width/level is 400/20 HU;the primary controversy is whether the involved-field irradiation or elective nodal irradiation should be used for the delineation of CTVnd in the mediastinal lymph node.Conclusions Basic consensus is reached for the delineation of target volume in LANSCLC in these aspects:lung window width/level, respiratory movements and set-up error, primary lesion delineation, the radiation dose in CCRT, and the optimal time for replanning the radiation field.There are controversies on the optimal SUV in the delineation of target volume based on PET-CT simulation, the optimal dose fractionation in SBRT for early-stage NSCLC, and the delineation of CTVnd.