Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs)are common orthopedic conditions that can lead to spinal pain and deformity,which greatly affects the quality of life of patients.Currently,there are various treatment methods for OVCFs,but there is still a lack of standards for optimal treatment modalities.Therefore,this article introduces the current treatment methods and character-istics of epidemiology for OVCFs,in order to improve the awareness of this disease among clinicians and provide a reference for select-ing more appropriate treatment regimens.Conservative treatment measures,such as bracing and analgesia,are the basic treatment mea-sures for OVCFs,and anti-osteoporosis drugs play a crucial role in management.Minimally invasive procedures,including percutane-ous vertebroplasty and percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty,remain the primary surgical interventions,and traditional open surgeries are also an important part of treatment,such as anterior spinal fusion,combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion,posterior spinal fusion with three-column osteotomy,and posterior spinal fusion with vertebroplasty.Furthermore,surgeons should focus on the accumulation of related surgical techniques and skills during surgery to effectively address the challenges and complications associated with surgical interventions.Finally,scientific and appropriate treatment methods should be selected for patients,in order to improve long-term treat-ment outcomes and increase the degree of satisfaction among pa-tients.

Objective:To summarise the main points of operation during thyroid surgery using bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) with a domestic robot and to analyse the learning curve.Methods:From May. 2023 to Oct. 2023, we retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 38 patients who underwent thyroid surgery with domestically manufactured robot via BABA attending the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the 960th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, proposed and constructed learning curves using cumulative and analytical methods to study the minimum number of learning cases required for the loading time of assistants and surgeon-in-charge with da Vinci surgical experience to transition from the initial learning stage to the proficiency stage. The age, BMI, surgical time (loading time, operating time), postoperative drainage time, and number of lymph nodes dissected were compared among patients at different stages of the learning curve.Results:A total of 38 thyroidectomy patients successfully underwent surgery, with an average surgical time of (176.61 ± 47.98) minutes. After 18 cases, the assistant's loading time shortened and stabilized at (42.20 ± 3.44) minutes. The operator reached peak proficiency at the 18th case (loading time, operating time), which was considered the dividing point between the learning phase and the proficiency phase. During the learning phase, the average surgical time was (209.72 ± 49.28) minutes, operation time: (165.44 ± 49.93) minutes, while in the proficiency phase, the average surgical time decreased to 146.80 ± 18.34 minutes, operation time: (104.60 ± 19.01) minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, postoperative drainage time, or the number of central compartment lymph nodes dissected between the two phases ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Over the results of this study, it was shown that for robosurgeons with experience in da Vinci robotic surgery, the transition from the learning stage to the proficiency stage could be considered after crossing the learning curve for 18 cases, and that assistants could become proficient in loading techniques after 18 procedures.

Objective:To summarise the main points of operation during thyroid surgery using bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) with a domestic robot and to analyse the learning curve.Methods:From May. 2023 to Oct. 2023, we retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 38 patients who underwent thyroid surgery with domestically manufactured robot via BABA attending the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the 960th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, proposed and constructed learning curves using cumulative and analytical methods to study the minimum number of learning cases required for the loading time of assistants and surgeon-in-charge with da Vinci surgical experience to transition from the initial learning stage to the proficiency stage. The age, BMI, surgical time (loading time, operating time), postoperative drainage time, and number of lymph nodes dissected were compared among patients at different stages of the learning curve.Results:A total of 38 thyroidectomy patients successfully underwent surgery, with an average surgical time of (176.61 ± 47.98) minutes. After 18 cases, the assistant's loading time shortened and stabilized at (42.20 ± 3.44) minutes. The operator reached peak proficiency at the 18th case (loading time, operating time), which was considered the dividing point between the learning phase and the proficiency phase. During the learning phase, the average surgical time was (209.72 ± 49.28) minutes, operation time: (165.44 ± 49.93) minutes, while in the proficiency phase, the average surgical time decreased to 146.80 ± 18.34 minutes, operation time: (104.60 ± 19.01) minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, postoperative drainage time, or the number of central compartment lymph nodes dissected between the two phases ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Over the results of this study, it was shown that for robosurgeons with experience in da Vinci robotic surgery, the transition from the learning stage to the proficiency stage could be considered after crossing the learning curve for 18 cases, and that assistants could become proficient in loading techniques after 18 procedures.

Objective:To investigate the short-term outcome of transoral robotic thyroidectomy.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinicopathologic characteristics and postoperative results of 107 patients who underwent transoral robotic thyroidectomies in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the 960 th Hospital of People′s Liberation Army from May 2020 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 95 females, with an age of (31.8±9.4) years (range: 11 to 55 years), including 20 benign tumors and 87 thyroid papillary carcinoma. Postoperative follow-up was carried out through returning visit and telephone, mainly to observe the recovery of postoperative complications, cosmetic effects and recurrence results. Results:All transoral robotic thyroidectomy was successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The tumor size of thyroid papillary carcinoma patients was (5.6±2.7) mm (range: 2 to 15 mm). Furthermore, central cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 45 cases. The number of central cervical lymph nodes retrieved and metastasized ( M(IQR)) were 11 (8) (range: 3 to 26) and 1 (3) (range: 0 to 13), respectively. There was no recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and permanent hypoparathyroidism. The transient hypoparathyroidism after surgery was 8 cases. Other complications occurred as follows: postoperative infection ( n=1), left submandibular perforation ( n=1), skin scald ( n=1), and perioral numbness ( n=1), oral tear ( n=2). The postoperative stay was 6 (2) days (range: 3 to 11 days). No local lymph node recurrence or metastasis occurred after a follow-up of (22.6±10.0) months (range: 1.0 to 37.4 months). All patients were satisfied with the postoperative cosmetic results, the aesthetic effect score was 9.3 (0.2) (range: 8.4 to 9.6) one month after surgery. Conclusion:For highly screened patients with early thyroid cancer, experienced surgeons can perform a transoral robotic thyroidectomy that has excellent cosmetic results.

Objective:To research the efficacy and safety of robotic thyroidectomy and bilateral modified radical neck dissection through bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) .Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 37 patients with thyroid cancer who received bilateral modified radical neck dissection through the BABA at the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the 960th Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army from Jan. 2014 to Jan. 2023. There were 24 females and 13 males, and the average age of the patients was (33,22±10.53) years old. The tumor diameter, number of lymph node dissection and metastasis in the central and lateral regions, average operation time, average hospital stay, complications, and aesthetic score were recorded. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and the measurement data was calculated using mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and the counting data was expressed in percentages and numbers. Results:A total of 37 thyroid cancer patients underwent robotic bilateral regional lymph node dissection. The 37 patients received total thyroidectomy, bilateral central compartment and cervical lateral regional lymph node dissection. All the pathological types were papillary carcinoma, with a maximal tumor diameter of (1.47±0.85) cm. The average number of central lymph nodes dissected was 19.46±8.84, and there were (10.24±5.95) metastases; The average number of lymph nodes removed from the bilateral cervical region was 38.92±14.21, and there were (7.92±5.84) metastases. The average operation time was (288.05±77.09) min, the average length of stay in the hospital was (10.76±3.92) days, and the average length of stay in the hospital following surgery was (8.03±2.08) days. These patients had no permanent hypoparathyroidism, permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, infection, accessory nerve injury and phrenic nerve injury after operation. Transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in 15 patients, transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 1 patient, and chyle leak occurred in 2 patients. One month after surgery, the aesthetic score was 9.51±0.69.Two patients were found lymph node metastases during the (27.81±15.10) months of follow-up, and received robotic cervical lymph node dissection with BABA.Conclusion:For carefully chosen thyroid cancer patients with bilateral lateral cervical region lymph node metastases, robotic bilateral cervical lymph node regional dissection via BABA is safe and feasible, and good cosmetic results can be obtained.

Objective:To investigate the short-term outcome of transoral robotic thyroidectomy.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinicopathologic characteristics and postoperative results of 107 patients who underwent transoral robotic thyroidectomies in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the 960 th Hospital of People′s Liberation Army from May 2020 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 95 females, with an age of (31.8±9.4) years (range: 11 to 55 years), including 20 benign tumors and 87 thyroid papillary carcinoma. Postoperative follow-up was carried out through returning visit and telephone, mainly to observe the recovery of postoperative complications, cosmetic effects and recurrence results. Results:All transoral robotic thyroidectomy was successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The tumor size of thyroid papillary carcinoma patients was (5.6±2.7) mm (range: 2 to 15 mm). Furthermore, central cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 45 cases. The number of central cervical lymph nodes retrieved and metastasized ( M(IQR)) were 11 (8) (range: 3 to 26) and 1 (3) (range: 0 to 13), respectively. There was no recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and permanent hypoparathyroidism. The transient hypoparathyroidism after surgery was 8 cases. Other complications occurred as follows: postoperative infection ( n=1), left submandibular perforation ( n=1), skin scald ( n=1), and perioral numbness ( n=1), oral tear ( n=2). The postoperative stay was 6 (2) days (range: 3 to 11 days). No local lymph node recurrence or metastasis occurred after a follow-up of (22.6±10.0) months (range: 1.0 to 37.4 months). All patients were satisfied with the postoperative cosmetic results, the aesthetic effect score was 9.3 (0.2) (range: 8.4 to 9.6) one month after surgery. Conclusion:For highly screened patients with early thyroid cancer, experienced surgeons can perform a transoral robotic thyroidectomy that has excellent cosmetic results.

Objective:To observe the application of near-infrared autofluorescence imaging (NIRAF) technology combined with carbon nanoparticle (CNP) negative imaging in identification of parathyroid gland (PG) during thyroid carcinoma surgery.Methods:80 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent total thyroidectomy + central lymph node dissection performed by the same experienced physician team at the 960th Hospital of the PLA from Jan. to Mar. 2022 were prospectively included. Before operation, they were divided into two groups using random number table method before surgery: control group (40 cases) using CNP negative imaging, and experimental group (40 cases) using CNP negative imaging combined with NIRAF technique for intraoperative identification of PG. The gold standard for the identification of parathyroid glands was to compare the amount of intraoperative discovery retention misresection and transplantation of PG and the number of postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the number of complications in the two groups by immune colloidal gold technique. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:All patients in the two groups were successfully operated and followed up. 137 149 PG were found and confirmed in the control group and the observation group, 108 132 PG were retained in situ and 29 17 PG were transplanted, the differences were statistically significant (all P <0.05) ; The number of A1 PG was 103 and 109, respectively. Among them, 84 102 were retained in situ and 19 7 were transplanted, the difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05) . There was no significant difference in the amount of A2 type PG and B type PG between the two groups ( P >0.05) . No A3 type PG was found in the two groups, and a total of 3 A3 types of PG were confirmed in postoperative pathological reports. There were no significant differences in misresection in the control group and the observation group, 5 and 2 PG were mistakenly cut, respectively (all P >0.05) . The PTH 1 day after surgery was 17.7 (5.6,30.4) pg/mL in the control group and 21.7 (12.8,38.3) pg/mL in the observation group, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . There were no significant differences in the levels of serum calcium and serum phosphorus 1 day after operation and PTH 1 month after surgery between the two groups (all P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Compared with CNP alone, combined with NIRAF technique can quickly and effectively identify PG, and PG can be better protected in situ and postoperative hypoparathyroidism can be reduced.

Objective:To investigate the correlations between perfused lung volumes, visual scores (using perfusion SPECT/CT) and right-heart catheter (RHC) hemodynamic parameters in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Methods:A total of 51 consecutive CTEPH patients (17 males, 34 females, age (59±12) years) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between March 2015 and July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent lung perfusion SPECT/CT imaging and RHC examinations. Perfused lung volumes were determined using threshold-based (15%-85%) segmentation. Visual semiquantitative scoring in each lung segment was performed using Begic method. RHC hemodynamic parameters including pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure (PADP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary arteriolar wedge pressure (PAWP), pulmonary vessel resistance (PVR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI) were recorded. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlations between perfused lung volumes, visual scores and hemodynamic parameters.Results:There were significant correlations between perfused lung volumes (30%-70% threshold) and mPAP ( rs values: from -0.414 to -0.302, all P<0.05). Among them, perfused lung volumes under the threshold of 40% and 45% were moderately correlated with mPAP ( rs values: -0.414, -0.412, both P<0.05). Perfused lung volume (40% threshold) was moderately negatively correlated with PASP, PADP ( rs values: -0.402, -0.440, both P<0.05), and slightly negatively correlated with PVR ( rs=-0.352, P<0.05). Visual scores were slightly positively correlated with the PADP ( rs=0.311, P<0.05), while there was no correlation between visual scores and other RHC hemodynamic parameters ( rs values: from -0.201 to 0.275, all P>0.05). Conclusion:Perfused lung volumes based on threshold-based segmentation in lung perfusion SPECT/CT imaging can accurately reflect hemodynamic status and may provide useful information for severity assessment of CTEPH.

Objective:To examine the surgical outcome, completeness and safety of robotic thyroidectomy by bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA).Methods:From February 2014 to May 2019, 1 000 cases of robotic thyroidectomy via BABA at the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, the 960 th Hospital of People′s Liberation Army were performed. The clinicopathologic characteristics, operation times, perioperative complications, and oncologic outcomes of patients underwent robotic thyroidectomy were collected and reviewed retrospectively. There were 216 males and 784 females, aging (42.3±11.5) years (range: 7 to 75 years). There were 270 cases with benign tumors, and 730 cases with malignant cancers (the tumor diameter was (7.9±6.7) mm (range: 0.1 to 60.0 mm)). Results:There were 999 patients received robotic thyroidectomy using BABA approach successfully, while only 1 case conversed to open operation. The postoperative hospital stay was (7.5±2.5) days (range: 2 to 30 days). Among the 730 patients with thyroid cancers, 725 cases (99.3%) were papillary thyroid carcinoma, 579(79.3%) cases were with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Lymph node metastasis was observed in 371(50.8%) cases. The retrieved central lymph node number was 11.2±6.1 (range: 1 to 44),and the retrieved lateral lymph node number was 14.0±8.8 (range: 1 to 52). Postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord palsy occurred in 247(24.70%) and 56(5.60%) cases. Both of permanent hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord palsy occurred in 2 (0.20%) cases. Other surgical complications included chyle leakage (6.1%, 28/460), trachea injury (0.40%, 4/1 000), carotid artery injury (0.10%, 1/1 000). Local regional lymph node recurrence was developed in 4 patients. All patients were satisfied with the postoperative cosmetic outcomes.Conclusions:Robotic thyroidectomy by BABA is safe and effective, suitable for large benign tumors and early thyroid cancers with central or lateral lymph node metastasis. It could obtain superior cosmetic results.

Objective:To examine the surgical outcome of transoral robotic thyroidectomy.Methods:Clinic data of total 30 cases of transoral robotic thyroidectomy at the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, the 960 th Hospital of People′s Liberation Army from May 2020 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 3 males and 27 females, aged (31.5±11.0) years (range: 17 to 55 years), including 6 cases of benign tumor and 24 cases of malignant cancer (all papillary thyroid carcinoma). An inverted U-shaped incision 1.5 cm in length was made over the end of the frenulum of the lower lip. A wide subplatysmal space was created by bluntly passing with a vascular tunneller (8 mm diameter), and a 12 mm trocar was inserted through the lip incision for the camera port. Lateral oral mucosal incisions 8 mm in length were made near both lateral labial commissures, 8 mm robot trocars were inserted through the incisions. An 5 mm trocar was inserted through an incision made along the patient′s right axillary fold into the subplatysmal working space and was connected with 5 mm ProGrasp for counter traction during the operation and for later drain insertion. Numerical scoring system (NSS) was used to assess cosmetic effect 1 month post-operation. Results:All the 30 transoral robotic thyroidectomies was successful, no case conversed to open operation. Postoperative hospital stay was (6.3±1.2) days (range: 4 to 10 days). The tumor size of thyroid cancers was (5.3±3.0) mm (range: 2 to 15 mm). Lymph node metastasis was observed in 12 cases. The retrieved central lymph node number was 10.5±4.4 (range: 4 to 20), while the central metastatic lymph node number was 2(2) (range: 1 to 11). Postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in 2 cases. Permanent hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord palsy didn′t occur. Other surgical complications included hematoma, surgical site infection and perforation of chin flap, retrospectively in 1 case. Local regional lymph node recurrence wasn′t developed during 1 to 7 months follow-up. All patients were satisfied with the postoperative cosmetic outcomes,NSS was 9.4±0.8 (range: 8.7 to 9.6).Conclusion:Transoral robotic thyroidectomy is safe and effective, suitable for early thyroid cancers without lateral lymph node metastasis, and has superior cosmetic results when the patients are selected carefully.