The surgical management of empyema (excluding those caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria) is rapidly evolving towards minimally invasive, precise, and stepwise approaches. The traditional three-stage classification (exudative, fibrinopurulent, and organizing) has limitations in guiding dynamic clinical decision-making. For the first time, this consensus explicitly identifies two critical junctures in the pathological progression of empyema: "early transformation" (stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ) and "late transformation" (stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ), and thereby constructs a corresponding "identification-early warning-intervention" stepwise therapeutic framework. The consensus emphasizes that proactive debridement via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be performed during the early transformation phase to halt disease progression. Conversely, during the late transformation phase, therapeutic goals should be rationally adjusted to prioritize adequate drainage, avoiding futile pleural decortication. Moreover, the consensus underscores the pivotal role of precise perioperative etiological diagnosis (e.g. metagenomic nest-generation sequencing) and standardized anti-infective therapy. Integrating practical experiences from multiple thoracic surgery centers in China and relevant evidence-based literature, this consensus formulates recommendations on the precise definitions of staging, surgical indications for each phase, key technical points, perioperative management, and training systems. It aims to promote the standardized and individualized surgical management of empyema, ultimately optimizing patient prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that for postmenopausal osteoporosis patients,the Bushen Jianpi Formula can help regulate serum osteoclast-and osteoblast-related factors and intestinal flora levels,improve clinical symptoms of patients and further improve efficacy.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Bushen Jianpi Formula on bone metabolism and bone microarchitecture in ovariectomized rats.METHODS:Twenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups by random number table method:sham operation group(n=6)was subjected to periovarian fat removal,and bilateral ovariectomy was performed in model group(n=6),alendronate group(n=6),and Bushen Jianpi Formula group(n=6).Five days after modeling,the Bushen Jianpi Formula group was given Bushen Jianpi Formula by intragastric administration(once a day).The alendronate sodium group was given alendronate by intragastric administration(once a week).The sham operation group and model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by intragastric administration(once a day)for 12 consecutive weeks.After intragastric administration,serum levels of procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal peptide,β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen degradation product,and tumor necrosis factor α were detected.The distal femur microstructure was detected by Micro-CT.The femoral tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expression of type Ⅰ collagen and tumor necrosis factorα in the femur was detected by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The serum ELISA test showed that compared with the sham operation group,the level of procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal peptide in the model group decreased(P＜0.05),and the levels of degradation products of β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen and tumor necrosis factor α increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the levels of the procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal peptide in the Bushen Jianpi Formula group and the alendronate sodium group increased(P＜0.05),and the levels of β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen degradation products and tumor necrosis factor α decreased(P＜0.05).(2)Micro-CT three-dimensional reconstruction showed that compared with the sham operation group,the number of bone trabeculae in the model group was significantly reduced,the continuity was worsened,and the gaps were increased.Both alendronate sodium and Bushen Jianpi Formula had a positive improvement effect on this phenomenon.(3)Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that compared with the sham operation group,the number of bone trabeculae in the model group was reduced and the shape became thinner,and the network structure was destroyed.Compared with the model group,the number of bone trabeculae in the Bushen Jianpi Formula group and the alendronate sodium group increased,the shape became thicker,and the reticular structure was restored.(4)Immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the sham operation group,the expression of type Ⅰ collagen was reduced and tumor necrosis factor α expression was increased in the model group.Compared with the model group,the expression of type Ⅰ collagen increased and the expression of tumor necrosis factor α decreased in the Bushen Jianpi Formula group and the alendronate sodium group.The results show that the Bushen Jianpi Formula can effectively improve bone metabolism and bone microstructure in ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that for postmenopausal osteoporosis patients,the Bushen Jianpi Formula can help regulate serum osteoclast-and osteoblast-related factors and intestinal flora levels,improve clinical symptoms of patients and further improve efficacy.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Bushen Jianpi Formula on bone metabolism and bone microarchitecture in ovariectomized rats.METHODS:Twenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups by random number table method:sham operation group(n=6)was subjected to periovarian fat removal,and bilateral ovariectomy was performed in model group(n=6),alendronate group(n=6),and Bushen Jianpi Formula group(n=6).Five days after modeling,the Bushen Jianpi Formula group was given Bushen Jianpi Formula by intragastric administration(once a day).The alendronate sodium group was given alendronate by intragastric administration(once a week).The sham operation group and model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by intragastric administration(once a day)for 12 consecutive weeks.After intragastric administration,serum levels of procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal peptide,β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen degradation product,and tumor necrosis factor α were detected.The distal femur microstructure was detected by Micro-CT.The femoral tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expression of type Ⅰ collagen and tumor necrosis factorα in the femur was detected by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The serum ELISA test showed that compared with the sham operation group,the level of procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal peptide in the model group decreased(P＜0.05),and the levels of degradation products of β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen and tumor necrosis factor α increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the levels of the procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal peptide in the Bushen Jianpi Formula group and the alendronate sodium group increased(P＜0.05),and the levels of β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen degradation products and tumor necrosis factor α decreased(P＜0.05).(2)Micro-CT three-dimensional reconstruction showed that compared with the sham operation group,the number of bone trabeculae in the model group was significantly reduced,the continuity was worsened,and the gaps were increased.Both alendronate sodium and Bushen Jianpi Formula had a positive improvement effect on this phenomenon.(3)Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that compared with the sham operation group,the number of bone trabeculae in the model group was reduced and the shape became thinner,and the network structure was destroyed.Compared with the model group,the number of bone trabeculae in the Bushen Jianpi Formula group and the alendronate sodium group increased,the shape became thicker,and the reticular structure was restored.(4)Immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the sham operation group,the expression of type Ⅰ collagen was reduced and tumor necrosis factor α expression was increased in the model group.Compared with the model group,the expression of type Ⅰ collagen increased and the expression of tumor necrosis factor α decreased in the Bushen Jianpi Formula group and the alendronate sodium group.The results show that the Bushen Jianpi Formula can effectively improve bone metabolism and bone microstructure in ovariectomized rats.

Objective:To introduce a surgical technique utilizing suture plate fixation for the treatment of elbow "terrible triad" injuries and to evaluate its clinical outcomes.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 11 patients (9 males and 2 females; mean age: 40.5±9.0 years, range: 26-53 years) with elbow terrible triad injuries who underwent treatment via a single lateral approach (Kaplan approach) combined with loop plate fixation at the Trauma Emergency Center of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 2018 and July 2022. During surgery, coronoid process fractures were stabilized using loop plates. Among the radial head fractures, 7 cases were fixed with headless compression screws, while 4 cases underwent radial head prosthetic replacement. Additionally, the lateral collateral ligament complex and common extensor tendon origin were repaired using one suture anchor in all cases. Postoperative evaluations included elbow range of motion (ROM), encompassing flexion-extension and forearm pronation-supination. Radiographic assessments were performed to evaluate the alignment of the humeroradial and humeroulnar joints, degenerative changes, and heterotopic ossification. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) during follow-up.Results:All surgeries were successfully completed without intraoperative complications such as neurovascular injuries. Primary wound healing was achieved in all cases, with no instances of infection or other early complications. The mean follow-up duration was 15.55±3.78 months (range, 12-24 months). At 2 weeks postoperatively, the mean flexion-extension ROM was 66.82°±6.69°, forearm rotation ROM was 132.55°±10.61°, and MEPS was 62.73±3.44 points. By 3 months postoperatively, these values improved to 99.27°±10.82°, 159.18°±9.18°, and 83.18±10.31 points, respectively. At the final follow-up, further improvements were observed, with flexion-extension ROM reaching 115.18°±4.29°, forearm rotation ROM 164.73°±8.71°, and MEPS 95.45±7.89 points. Statistical analysis revealed significant increases in flexion-extension ROM ( F=268.014, P<0.001), forearm rotation ROM ( F=67.621, P<0.001), and MEPS ( F= 63.100, P<0.001) over time. At the final follow-up, MEPS outcomes were rated as excellent in 9 cases and good in 2 cases, yielding an excellent-to-good rate of 100%. Radiographic evaluation confirmed satisfactory joint alignment and bony union in all patients, with no reports of significant pain, elbow instability, or neurological deficits. Mild heterotopic ossification was observed in 2 cases but did not impair daily activities or necessitate additional treatment. Conclusion:The suture plate technique significantly reduced operative time, minimized surgical trauma, and lowered the risks of elbow infection and stiffness, demonstrating favorable clinical outcomes.