Endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy/sympathotomy (ETS) is the first-line treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis with best minimally invasive effect. In recent years, with the widespread development of ETS in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, many medical centers list ETS surgery as the day surgery. Nevertheless, there is no expert consensus on medical quality control of day surgery for ETS yet. Therefore, the Chinese Medical Doctor Association Thoracic Surgeons Branch Hyperhidrosis Subcommittee, Sympathetic Neurosurgery Expert Committee of WU Jieping Medical Foundation, and Fujian Provincial Strait Medical and Health Exchange Association Hyperhidrosis Special Committee organized domestic experts to conduct repeated consultations and sufficient discussions based on domestic and foreign literatures, to formulate the "Chinese expert consensus on ETS optimization and surgical quality control of day surgery for palmar hyperhidrosis". It aims to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis for thoracic surgery colleagues in our country, to enhance their management level and work efficiency, and ultimately to achieve standardized quality control.

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of using indocyanine green combined with autologous blood and methylene blue for localization of small lung nodules during thoracoscopic wedge resection. Methods Patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous lung puncture injection of localization agents to locate lung nodules at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from November 2023 to January 2024 were selected. Under thoracoscopy, lung nodules were located by white light mode, fluorescence mode, or near-infrared mode and wedge resection was performed. The feasibility of using indocyanine green combined with autologous blood and methylene blue for localization of small lung nodules was preliminarily verified by evaluating whether the localization agent concentrated around the nodules, and the safety of this method was verified by analyzing the incidence of adverse reactions during patient puncture and surgery. Results A total of 30 patients with lung nodules were included, including 10 males and 20 females, with an average age of (55.5±11.2) years. In 26 patients, the amount of localization agent used was moderate, the localization agent concentrated around the nodules, and successful precise localization of small lung nodules was achieved. In 4 patients, due to excessive use of localization agent, the marker was diffuse with pleural staining. The overall localization success rate was 86.7%, and when the injection volume of localization agent was 0.2-0.5 mL, the localization success rate was 100.0%. All patients successfully completed thoracoscopic wedge resection and found nodule lesions, with negative margins and a distance from the margin to the lesion that met the requirements. There were no complications. Conclusion Thoracoscopic surgery using indocyanine green combined with autologous blood and methylene blue for localization of small lung nodules is safe and feasible.

Objective To investigate the prognosis and satisfaction of the R2 intervention procedure and develop related predictive models. Methods The clinical data of 64 patients with primary craniofacial hyperhidrosis who underwent R2 intervention surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from November 2018 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. By statistically analyzing the risk factors for compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) and satisfaction, and conducting feature screening, a relevant prediction model was established. Results Finally, 51 patients were collected, including 43 (84.3%) males and 8 (15.7%) females, with an average age of (30.27±7.22) years. Overall postoperative satisfaction was high, with only 5.9% of patients expressing regret about the surgery. However, 92.2% of patients experienced CH. The onset of postoperative CH was most prominent within the first 3 months postoperatively, with the incidence rate stabilizing thereafter. Preoperative heart rate and R2 sympathetic nerve clipping were identified as independent risk factors for severe CH. The preoperative body mass index, the degree of sweating in the chest and abdomen, are significantly correlated with postoperative satisfaction. Conclusion The R2 intervention surgery effectively alleviates the symptoms of primary craniofacial hyperhidrosis, and patient satisfaction is high.

Objective To investigate whether the efficacy of acupuncture differs in patients with discogenic sciatica at different disease duration.Methods This study was a secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.A total of 216 patients with discogenic sciatica were divided into acupuncture(108 cases)and sham acupuncture groups(108 cases)using stratified block randomization.The bilateral D(a)ch(a)ngshū(BL25)and Gu(a)nyuánshū(BL26)were used as obligatory points in the acupuncture group,and five unilateral points were used as adjunct acupoints based on meridian syndrome differentiation theory.Seven non-acupoints that localized away from the relative meridians preset for sham acupuncture treatment were used for the sham acupuncture group.Patients were assigned to receive 10 sessions over 4 weeks.The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)scores were used for assessment at baseline,Week 4,and Week 52.Patients were divided into three subgroups(up to 24 months,more than 24 but up to 48 months,and more than 48 months)based on the duration of sciatica for secondary analyses,and the association between efficacy of acupuncture and duration was assessed.Results The acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups had lower VAS and ODI scores than at pre-treatment(P<0.05).In the subgroups with different disease durations,the acupuncture group had lower VAS and ODI scores than the sham acupuncture group(P<0.05).Further analysis of patients at different disease durations within the acupuncture group showed no differences in VAS and ODI scores among disease duration groups after acupuncture(P>0.05).Interaction analysis for both the treatment and follow-up periods showed no interaction effect between efficacy of acupuncture and disease duration(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture is effective in patients with discogenic sciatica at different durations,and efficacy does not differ significantly according to duration,suggesting that acupuncture efficacy is relatively stable,which may provide a reference for clinical decision-making.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and depression/anxiety/sleep disturbances (D/A/S) in patients with chronic pain.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at 13 tertiary hospitals across China, enrolling patients who experienced chronic pain between November 2023 and May 2024. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and TCM constitution categories were used to assess the patients. The association between the TCM constitution and the D/A/S ratio was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsA total of 1107 patients (63.2% women) were analyzed. Compared with those with a balanced constitution, patients who had qi-deficiency and yin-deficiency were at a higher risk of depression. Qi-deficiency and yin-deficiency were associated with anxiety. Sleep disturbances were common in patients with qi-deficiency constitution (odds ratio [OR]: 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42–3.81), yang-deficiency constitution (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.26–2.98), yin-deficiency constitution (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.24–3.32), blood stasis constitution (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.01–4.22), and qi-stagnation constitution (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.35–5.25).ConclusionIn patients with chronic pain, specific TCM constitutions may be associated with D/A/S. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the potential causal relationships between TCM constitution types and these conditions.

Objective To investigate whether the efficacy of acupuncture differs in patients with discogenic sciatica at different disease duration.Methods This study was a secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.A total of 216 patients with discogenic sciatica were divided into acupuncture(108 cases)and sham acupuncture groups(108 cases)using stratified block randomization.The bilateral D(a)ch(a)ngshū(BL25)and Gu(a)nyuánshū(BL26)were used as obligatory points in the acupuncture group,and five unilateral points were used as adjunct acupoints based on meridian syndrome differentiation theory.Seven non-acupoints that localized away from the relative meridians preset for sham acupuncture treatment were used for the sham acupuncture group.Patients were assigned to receive 10 sessions over 4 weeks.The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)scores were used for assessment at baseline,Week 4,and Week 52.Patients were divided into three subgroups(up to 24 months,more than 24 but up to 48 months,and more than 48 months)based on the duration of sciatica for secondary analyses,and the association between efficacy of acupuncture and duration was assessed.Results The acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups had lower VAS and ODI scores than at pre-treatment(P<0.05).In the subgroups with different disease durations,the acupuncture group had lower VAS and ODI scores than the sham acupuncture group(P<0.05).Further analysis of patients at different disease durations within the acupuncture group showed no differences in VAS and ODI scores among disease duration groups after acupuncture(P>0.05).Interaction analysis for both the treatment and follow-up periods showed no interaction effect between efficacy of acupuncture and disease duration(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture is effective in patients with discogenic sciatica at different durations,and efficacy does not differ significantly according to duration,suggesting that acupuncture efficacy is relatively stable,which may provide a reference for clinical decision-making.

Objective To observe the effect of abdominal acupuncture in treating allergic rhinitis(AR).Methods Twenty-seven AR patients who attended Fangshan Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from August to October 2022 were selected.They were divided into treatment group(15 cases)and control group(12 cases)according to randomized numerical table method.The treatment group received abdominal acupuncture.The control group at the same point was used one-time sterile cannula acupuncture to simulate acupuncture,but no needle was inserted into the acupoint.Two groups were treated,3 times a week for 4 weeks.The visual analogue scale(VAS),rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ),Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)scores,and the histamine(HIS),leukotriene D4(LTD4),immunoglobulin E(IgE)levels were compared between two groups before and after treatment.Results At each time point after treatment,the VAS,RQLQ,PSQI scores and HIS,LTD4,IgE levels of patients in treatment group were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in VAS,RQLQ,and PSQI scores,the HIS,LTD4,and IgE levels after 2-week treatment in both groups(P>0.05).After 4-week treatment and follow-up 4-week,the VAS,RQLQ,and PSQI scores,the HIS,and LTD4 levels in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Abdominal acupuncture has good therapeutic effect on AR and significantly improves life quality of the patients,which can reduce the levels of HIS,LTD4 and IgE.The therapy is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To explore the efficacy of negative pressure ureteral access sheath combined with disposable flexible ureteroscope(UAS+FRUS)in the treatment of renal calculi of 2-3 cm,so as to provide reference for the treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 130 cases of renal calculi of 2-3 cm treated with surgery in Xiamen Third Hospital during Sep.2021 and Sep.2023,including 68 cases with UAS+FRUS and 62 cases with super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotripsy(SMP).The perioperative indexes and stone-clearance rate(SFR)were compared between the two groups.Results All operations were successful.There were no statistically significant differences in the total SFR and incidence of complications(5.88％vs.9.67％)between the two groups 3 days(88.24％vs.90.32％)and 1 month(91.18％vs.93.55％)after surgery(P＞0.05).For patients with lower calyceal calculi with infundibulopelvic angle(IPA)＜45°,the SFR of the UAS+FRUS group was significantly lower than that of the SMP group(57.14％vs.100％,P＜0.05).The UAS+FRUS group had a longer operation time than the SMP group[(104.94±8.79)minutes vs.(77.98±6.60)minutes,P＜0.001],higher hospitalization costs[(23 112.82±1152.34)yuan vs.(21 975.84±1512.24)yuan,P＜0.001],less postoperative decrease in hemoglobin[(6.71±2.07)g/L vs.(9.81±4.80)g/L,P＜0.001],and shorter postoperative hospitalization time[(3.28±0.51)d vs.(5.58±0.71)d,P＜0.001].The UAS+FRUS group had lower postoperative VAS score at 6,24,and 48 hours than the SMP group[(6.38±0.69)vs.(7.87±0.88);(3.62±0.73)vs.(5.81±0.83)and(3.12±0.33)vs.(3.81±0.60)],with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both surgical methods have a high SFR in the treatment of renal calculi of 2-3 cm.SMP has the advantages of short operation time,low hospitalization costs,and high SFR for lower calyx calculi,while UAS+FURS has the advantages of little bleeding,minimal trauma,and short hospital stay.Surgeons can make reasonable choices based on the patients'condition and willingness,combined with their own surgical experience.

Compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is a severe side effect that occurs after endoscopic thoracic sympathotomy (ETS) for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. CH significantly interferes with daily activities such as work, study, and social interactions, leading to a substantial decrease in the quality of life for patients. Preventing and treating CH are currently important and challenging issues in minimally invasive surgery for palmar hyperhidrosis. In this report, we presented a 29-year-old male patient who experienced severe CH for 8 years following ETS. The patient underwent staged unilateral endoscopic expanded sympathotomy (ES) at our hospital on December 11, 2023 and January 3, 2024, targeting the R4-R10 levels. After a 3-month follow-up, the patient experienced significant improvement in clinical symptoms and quality of life, with no recurrence of palmar hyperhidrosis or other complications. The treatment outcome was satisfactory.

Blinding is an important means to control and reduce measurement bias in clinical research， and blinding assessment is the main method to measure the success of the blinding method. By summarizing the current situation of blinding assessment in randomized controlled trials （RCT） of acupuncture， it was found that the report rate of blinding assessment by acupuncture RCT was relatively low， and the studies reporting blinding assessment had several problems， such as incomplete assessment individuals， unreasonable assessment questionnaires， and unscientific analysis methods， and the setting of the assessment time point is controversial. Given the above problems， this paper discussed the key elements of blinding assessment individuals， assessment questionnaires， assessment time points， and analysis methods. It is suggested that blinding assessment should be carried out on all blinded participants and personnel in the study； the assessment questionnaire should be designed by direct inquiry， with responses designed using three or more categorical options that include an "unclear" option； the early stage of the trial should be taken as the mandatory time point for assessment， integrating the evaluation index of the James blinding index and the Bang blinding index， in order to standardize the application of blinding assessment in acupuncture RCT and improve the quality of acupuncture clinical research.