OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of bilateral vertebral puncture guided by an angle-adjustable linear laser auxiliary device versus free-hand bilateral vertebral puncture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 47 patients who underwent thoracolumbar percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP) from July 2022 to July 2023. All patients received bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty, among whom 27 cases underwent conventional free-hand puncture (conventional puncture group) and 20 cases underwent puncture guided by a laser auxiliary device (auxiliary puncture group). In the conventional puncture group, there were 11 males and 16 females, with an average age of (69.6±5.1) years and a disease duration of (6.5±3.8) days;the fractured vertebrae were T₁₁-T₁₂ in 13 cases and L₁-L₂ in 14 cases. In the auxiliary puncture group, there were 7 males and 13 females, with an average age of (70.8±5.6) years and a disease duration of (6.4±3.8) days;the fractured vertebrae were T₁₁-T₁₂ in 7 cases and L₁-L₂ in 13 cases. The operation time, total blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, fluoroscopy duration, radiation dose, puncture success rate, and surgical complications were compared between the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate low back pain before surgery, 2 days after surgery, and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: All patients achieved successful puncture, with good postoperative wound healing and no complications. The operation time of the auxiliary puncture group was (12.1±2.6) minutes, which was shorter than that of the conventional puncture group (14.1±2.8) minutes. The total blood loss of the auxiliary puncture group was (228.5±35.8) ml, less than that of the conventional puncture group (257.0±48.3) ml. The fluoroscopy times, fluoroscopy duration, and radiation dose of the auxiliary puncture group were (5.4±1.3) times, (15.9±3.3) seconds, and (159.4±37.4) μSv, respectively, all lower than those of the conventional puncture group (6.4±1.6) times, (18.8±4.6) seconds, (192.2±48.5) μSv, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in low back VAS scores between the two groups before surgery, 2 days after surgery, or 1 year after surgery(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Both laser auxiliary device-guided vertebral puncture and free-hand vertebral puncture have high success rates and similar postoperative curative effects. However, the laser auxiliary device-guided puncture has shorter operation time, less blood loss, and lower radiation hazard.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Punctures/methods* ; Kyphoplasty/instrumentation* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Lasers ; Thoracic Vertebrae/injuries* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inverted-Y urethral function-preserving holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) on stress urinary incontinence after surgery in patients with BPH. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 109 cases of BPH treated in our hospital from June 2022 to May 2023 by traditional HoLEP with preservation of the apical prostatic urethral valve (group A, n = 52) or inverted-Y urethral function-preserving HoLEP (group B, n = 57). We recorded the intra- and post-operative parameters, evaluated the urinary incontinence status and post-void symptoms according to the International Continence Society standards, and analyzed the effect of inverted-Y versus traditional HoLEP in improving the postoperative urinary incontinence of the patients. RESULTS: The incidence rate of stress urinary incontinence after catheter removal was significantly lower in group B than in A (10.52% vs 26.92%, P = 0.027), and so was it at 2 weeks after surgery (1.75% vs 11.54%, P = 0.037), and at 1 month postoperatively (0% vs 7.69%, P = 0.033). CONCLUSION For the treatment of BPH, inverted-Y urethral function-preserving HoLEP is superior to traditional HoLEP with preservation of the apical prostatic urethral valve in improving stress urinary incontinence after surgery.
Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery* ; Urethra/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/etiology* ; Prostatectomy/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Urinary Incontinence ; Prostate/surgery*

Objective:This study aims to explore the clinical effectiveness of a novel treatment method for refractory laryngeal contact granuloma, involving CO2 laser excision with local pedicled mucosal flap transfer combined with type A botulinum toxin injection. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 18 patients with refractory laryngeal contact granuloma who visited Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nanjing Tongren Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University from January 2021 to June 2023. These patients underwent CO2 laser excision of the granuloma with local pedicled mucosal flap transfer combined with type A botulinum toxin injection. During follow-up, electronic laryngoscopy were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and local laryngeal mucosa, voice quality, and pharyngeal discomfort symptoms were evaluated. Results:Postoperative electronic laryngoscopy revealed the disappearance of granulomas in all 18 patients. Symptoms such as hoarseness, foreign body sensation in the throat, and cough were significantly improved. No complications were observed systemically or locally. No recurrence was observed during one-year follow-up. Conclusion:CO2 laser excision of granuloma with local pedicled mucosal flap transfer combined with type A botulinum toxin injection could eliminate the lesion, restore the integrity of the vocal fold lining, preserve the perichondrium, and provide a time window for mucosal flap recovery. This approach adheres to the principle of preserving normal mucosa, achieves a high cure rate, and is therefore worthy of widespread promotion and application in clinical practice.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Female ; Granuloma/therapy* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Granuloma, Laryngeal/therapy* ; Laryngeal Diseases/therapy* ; Lasers, Gas/therapeutic use* ; Laryngoscopy ; Laser Therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: To develop risk prediction models for postoperative hypothermia after transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) using machine learning algorithms. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 403 patients from our center (283 patients in the training set and 120in the internal validation set) and 120 patients from Weifang People's Hospital (as the external validation set). The risk prediction models were built using logistic regression, decision tree and support vector machine (SVM), and model performance was evaluated in terms of accuracy, recall, precision, F1 score and AUC. RESULTS: Operation duration, prostate weight, intraoperative irrigation volume, and being underweight were identified as the predictors of postoperative hypothermia following HoLEP. Among the 3 algorithms, SVM showed the best precision rate and accuracy in all the 3 data sets and the best area under the ROC (AUC) in the training set and validation set, followed by logistic regression, which had a similar AUC in the two data sets. SVM outperformed logistic regression and decision tree models in the validation set in precision, accuracy, recall, F1 score, and AUC, and performed well in the external validation set with better precision rate and accuracy than logistic regression and decision tree models but slightly lower recall rate, F1 index, and AUC value than the decision tree model. SVM outperformed logistic regression and decision tree models in precision, accuracy, F1 score, and AUC in the training set, but had slightly lower recall rate than the decision tree. CONCLUSIONS Among the 3 models, SVM has the best performance and generalizability for predicting post-HoLEP hypothermia risk to provide support for clinical decisions.
Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Machine Learning ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate/adverse effects* ; Hypothermia/etiology* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery* ; Algorithms ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Risk Assessment ; Postoperative Complications ; Decision Trees ; Logistic Models ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Support Vector Machine

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of low-energy semiconductor laser treatment on the promotion of wound healing after maxillofacial fracture surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Patients with maxillofacial fractures who were hospitalized in the Department of Trauma and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, from August 2021 to June 2023 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was treated with a low-energy semiconductor laser once a day for six consecutive days after daily routine dressing change on the first day after surgery. The control group only underwent routine dressing change treatment and did not receive low-energy semiconductor laser treatment. Wound healing times, wound healing conditions, modified Stony Brook scar evaluation scale (mSBSES) scores, pain indices, and wound infection rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were included in this study. A total of 104 and 107 cases comprised the experimental and control groups, respectively. A total of 128 males and 83 females were included. After low-energy semiconductor laser treatment, the facial skin wound healing time of the experimental group was found to be significantly shorter than that of the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the wound grade A healing rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group on the seventh day after surgery (P<0.05). Among postoperative facial skin wound evaluation indices, the mSBSES scores of the experimental group at all observation points were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05), and the scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group in terms of wound width reduction, height reduction, color lightening, and incision line loss (P<0.05). In postoperative wound pain evaluation, the pain index of the experimental group after low-energy semiconductor laser treatment was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference in wound infection rates was found between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS For facial skin wounds in maxillofacial fracture surgery, low-energy semiconductor laser treatment can effectively promote wound healing, improve wound healing quality, fade scars, and relieve wound pain.
Humans ; Wound Healing/radiation effects* ; Male ; Female ; Lasers, Semiconductor/therapeutic use* ; Prospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; Maxillofacial Injuries/surgery* ; Young Adult

Bacterial therapy has attracted increasing attention due to its special mechanism and abundant applications. With the flourishing development of synthetic biology, therapeutic genes have been introduced into engineering bacteria to improve their antitumor efficacy. However, it is difficult to spatiotemporally control the expression of these therapeutic genes at the tumor site in vivo, thereby considerably limiting the application of engineered bacteria in tumor treatment. To resolve this problem, we constructed a temperature-responsive bacterial strain capable of triggering the expression of exogenous genes in a laser-controllable way. Noxa, a pro-apoptotic protein, is chosen to test the expression of exogenous protein and its anti-tumor effect in engineered bacteria upon laser irradiation. Firstly, Noxa was fused to the C-terminus of the bacterial outer membrane protein cytolysin A (ClyA), and then the recombinant gene fragment ClyA-Noxa was inserted into the temperature-sensitive plasmid pBV220 and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into non-pathogenic Escherichia coli MG1655. Thus, we constructed the engineering strain (TRB@Noxa) that could express Noxa on the bacterial surface. TRB@Noxa could target and colonize the tumor tissue without causing notable host toxicity. The bacterial infection triggered thrombosis in the tumor tissue, resulting in the darkness of tumor sites. In a xenograft mouse tumor model, our strategy demonstrated precise tumor targeting and strong tumor inhibition. In conclusion, we successfully constructed a new engineering bacterial strain TRB@Noxa. TRB@Noxa combined with photothermal therapy could arrest tumor growth in the absence of photosensitizers, which represents an appealing method for antitumor therapy in the future.
Escherichia coli/radiation effects* ; Animals ; Humans ; Lasers ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Genetic Engineering ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics*

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatments are the first-line therapy for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, for patients who are not candidates for surgery, non-surgical options, such as pulsed dye laser (PDL), may be considered.

This study aimed to review the existing literature on the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of PDL in the treatment of BCC.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of PDL for BCC were conducted. The primary outcomes assessed were clearance and recurrence rates. The secondary outcome was the incidence of adverse events.

The review included 11 studies (4 randomized controlled trials, 6 cohort studies, and 1 case series) comprising a total of 204 patients and 295 BCCs. Most BCCs were low-risk histologically and predominantly located on low-risk areas. The meta-analysis revealed an overall clearance rate of 69% and a recurrence rate of 32%, with follow-up periods ranging from 1 to 72 months. However, there was substantial and statistically significant heterogeneity across all studies. The most frequently reported adverse effects included pigmentary changes, primarily hypopigmentation, and varying degrees of scarring.

PDL is a safe and tolerable option for treating BCC, though it is not recommended as a sole treatment due to the higher clearance rates and lower recurrence rates associated with other modalities. PDL may be considered an alternative for non-surgical candidates with small or superficial BCCs. Further research is needed to establish standardized parameters for its use in BCC treatment.

BACKGROUND

Striae distensae are common disfiguring atrophic dermal scars. Fractonal lasers have been utilized to improve the appearance of this condition.

To compare the efficacy and safety of picosecond fractional 1064-nm Nd:YAG (PS Nd:YAG) laser versus fractional 10,600-nm Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser in treating abdominal striae alba (SA).

Thirty-two women with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V and abdominal SA participated in a split-abdomen study, receiving four sessions of fractional PS Nd:YAG and CO2 laser treatments on each side at four-week intervals. Striae texture, atrophy, clinical improvement, and satisfaction were assessed for each side at one and three months, with striae length and width compared pre- and post-treatment. Adverse reactions were noted at each visit.

Abdomen treated with both lasers had significantly improved skin texture, atrophy and clinical improvements (assessed by physicians and patients) at both follow-ups (p < 0.05), with no difference between the two. Striae length and width did not change significantly (p = 0.203 and p = 0.558). Patients reported greater improvement on the CO2-treated side at 1 month, but not at the final follow-up. High satisfaction was noted for both lasers. Adverse reactions noted after both lasers include erythema, edema, crusting/scaling, pruritus, pain and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The PS Nd:YAG laser was associated with greater pain (p < 0.05), but shorter healing time of 10.26 days.

Both fractional PS Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers were effective, well-tolerated and safe treatment options for SA.

This is a case of a 20-year-old female with no known comorbidities presenting with verrucous plaques arranged in a unilateral blaschkoid distribution at birth. Biopsy was consistent with epidermal nevus hence patient was diagnosed as systematized epidermal nevus, Nevus Unius Lateris type. Gold standard treatment is full thickness surgical excision however, due to the extensive involvement, treatment of this condition remains a challenge. Hence, non-surgical combination of ablative CO2 laser and topical tretinoin 0.1% were done. Thinner lesions (1-3 mm) showed lower recurrence (50%) as compared to thicker lesions (>3 mm) showing 100% recurrence after six months. Hence, another CO2 laser session is needed. Quality of life was measured using the Dermatologic Life Quality Index (DLQI) with noted 35% improvement post-treatment.
CO2 laser ; lasers, gas ; tretinoin ; retinoids

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of holmium laser ω-shaped pre-transection of the prostate apex (PTPA) with preservation of the bladder neck on the urinary continence and sexual function of the patients with BPH after transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). METHODS: This retrospective study included 165 cases of BPH undergoing holmium laser ω-shaped PTPA with preservation of the bladder neck following HoLEP from January 2018 to January 2023. We recorded and compared the baseline, perioperative and 12-month follow-up data on the patients, and evaluated their urination function using IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), and quality of life (QOL) scores. For those who had had sexual activity and normal ejaculation before surgery, we further assessed their erectile and ejaculatory functions postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean surgical time was (70.35±12.27) min, the intraoperative blood loss (60.12±19.54) ml, and the weight of the excised gland (56.37±13.71) g. The hospital stay and postoperative catheter-indwelling time averaged (5.13±2.34) and (3.21±1.37) d, respectively. Significant improvements were observed in IPSS, QOL, PVR and Qmax at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery compared with the baseline (P<0.05), which all remained stable throughout the follow-up period. At 3 months after surgery, stress urinary incontinence was found in 10.91% of the patients, and all but 1 case (0.6%) recovered within 12 months. There were no significant changes in the IIEF-5 and Erectile Hardness Scale (EHS) scores postoperatively (P>0.05). Retrograde ejaculation occurred in 19 (11.52%) of the patients, but none experienced painful ejaculation after surgery. CONCLUSION Holmium laser ω-shaped PTPA with preservation of the bladder neck is safe and effective for the treatment of BPH, which can effectively improve the urinary continence and protect the sexual function of the patient.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery* ; Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate/methods* ; Prostate/surgery* ; Ejaculation ; Aged ; Middle Aged