Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy for the treatment of thymoma through subxiphoid uniportal approach using double sternum retractors, and subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients diagnosed with thymoma who underwent VATS thymectomy from June 2023 to June 2024 in West China Hospital. Patients were categorized based on the surgical approach into two groups: a subxiphoid uniportal VATS thymectomy (SUVT) group and a subxiphoid and subcostal arch VATS thymectomy (SASAT) group. Comparisons were made between the two groups regarding surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, thymoma size and location, and postoperative pain assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The SUVT group consisted of 20 patients, including 11 males and 9 females, with an average age of (51.5±14.3) years. The SASAT group comprised 40 patients, including 26 males and 14 females, with an average age of (50.0±13.0) years. Compared to the SASAT group, the SUVT group had significantly larger thymomas [ (5.9±2.7) cm vs. (4.2±2.1) cm, P=0.010] and a higher proportion of neoplasms located in the superior mediastinum (30.0% vs. 2.5%, P=0.007). Additionally, the VAS pain scores on postoperative days 3, 7, and 30 were significantly lower in the SUVT group compared to the SASAT group (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in demographic characteristics, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, duration and volume of postoperative drainage, length of postoperative hospital stay, or the VAS pain score on the first postoperative day. Conclusion SUVT using double sternum retractors significantly reduces postoperative pain and provides superior efficacy in the resection of larger thymomas or those situated in the superior mediastinum.

Objective To assess the clinical value of a novel surgical technique—Tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in the resection of anterior mediastinal masses. Methods Patients who underwent tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in anterior mediastinal masses process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to April 2025 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 4 patients were included, with 2 males and 2 females, aged 58-75 years. The diameter of the tumor was 2.5-3.0 cm. The operation time was 60.0-150.0 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 mL, pain score on the 3rd day after surgery was 0 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 2-3 days. All patients achieved complete resection of the masses and thymus without perioperative complications. Conclusion The tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device technique optimizes surgical visualization and instrument maneuverability while avoiding complications related to conventional anesthesia and tubing, thereby markedly enhancing the minimally invasive profile of anterior mediastinal masses resections. In addition to maintaining procedural safety, this approach effectively reduces postoperative pain and accelerates patient recovery, highlighting its potential for widespread clinical adoption.

Objective To introduce an innovative technique, the "balance-shaped sternal elevation device" and its application in the subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for anterior mediastinal masses resection. Methods Patients who underwent single-port thoracoscopic assisted anterior mediastinal tumor resection through the xiphoid process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from May to June 2024 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 7 patients were included, with 3 males and 4 females, aged 28-72 years. The diameter of the tumor was 1.9-17.0 cm. The operation time was 62-308 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-100 mL, postoperative chest drainage tube retention time was 0-9 days, pain score on the 7th day after surgery was 0-2 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 3-12 days. All patients underwent successful and complete resection of the masses and thymus, with favorable postoperative recovery. Conclusion The "balance-shaped sternal elevation device" effectively expands the retrosternal space, providing surgeons with satisfactory surgical views and operating space. This technique significantly enhances the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive surgery for anterior mediastinal masses, reduces trauma and postoperative pain, and accelerates patient recovery, demonstrating important clinical significance and application value.

Abstract Postoperative urinary retention is a common complication after mixed hemorrhoid surgery, referring to the inability of urine in the bladder to be normally expelled, leading to urine retention. This condition not only prolongs the postoperative recovery time and increases medical costs, but may also cause problems such as urinary tract infections and bladder dysfunction. The pathogenesis of urinary retention after mixed hemorrhoid surgery is complex, involving multiple factors such as the type of surgery, anesthesia method, individual differences among patients, postoperative pain management and psychological stress. Although there are various clinical treatment methods, their efficacy varies among individuals. This article reviews relevant literature from 2018 to 2024, analyzing the etiology of urinary retention after mixed hemorrhoid surgery. It summarizes the intervention measures and mechanisms of non-pharmacological treatments, such as physical therapy and analgesic techniques, as well as pharmacological treatments, including anticholinesterase drugs, selective α-receptor blockers and analgesics drugs, so as to provide the reference for the prevention and treatment of urinary retention after mixed hemorrhoid surgery.

Objective:To develop and validate a machine learning (ML) noninvasive model based on routine laboratory parameters to preoperatively predict the microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A total of 629 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2019 and December 2023 were retrospectively enrolled in this study and were divided chronologically into a training set ( n=464) and internal validation set ( n=165). A cohort with 190 HCC patients from Fujian Provincial Hospital were used as an external validation set. Preoperatively demographic features, tumor size and routine laboratory data were collected. All patients were divided into MVI-positive or MVI-negative group. The Boruta algorithm and LASSO regression algorithm were used to screen out related features in the training set. Eight different ML algorithms including multivariate logistic regression, decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGboost), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) and Naive Bayes were used to construct the prediction models. The predictive performances of these models on training and internal validation sets were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with the area under the curve (AUC). The ML model with the highest AUC values was defined as the optimal model and its performance was further validated in the external validation set. The calibration curve showed that the probability value curve was close to the actual occurrence probability curve, and the DCA showed that it could be applied within the threshold probability range of 0.3-0.8 to obtain net benefits. Results:After screening, eight parameters including α-fetoprotein (AFP), protein induced by vitamin K absence Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ), tumor size, eosinophil count, neutrophil count, creatinine, ApoA1 and total bilirubin were finally selected for the construction of the preoperative prediction model for MVI in HCC. Among all the tested eight ML algorithms, XGboost obtained the optimal performance with an AUC of 0.820 in training set, an AUC of 0.803 in internal testing set and an AUC of 0.758 in external testing set. Further stratified analysis showed that the AUC for preoperatively predicting MVI by XGboost was 0.817 for HCC patients with positive hepatitis B surface antigen, 0.779 for male patients and 0.790 for elder patients. The calibration curves showed good agreement between observed and predicted values and the decision curve analysis curve showed relatively higher net benefits.Conclusions:We successfully established and verified a novel XGboost model based on eight routine laboratory parameters with relatively high and reliable predictive accuracy to preoperatively predict MVI in HCC.

Objective To quantitatively analyze the effect of long-term ultrahigh-altitude and mid-high-altitude expo-sure on fundus microcirculation.Methods In the cross-sectional study,healthy residents from ultrahigh-altitude areas(＞3 500-5 500 m)and those from mid-high-altitude areas(＞1 500-3 500 m)were included as subjects.Meanwhile,healthy residents from plain areas were included as the control group.All subjects underwent optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)and spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)scans.Fundus images were quantified using ImageJ,and fundus microcirculation metrics were calculated and compared among these groups.Retinal microcircu-lation metrics included retinal vessel density(RVD),retinal skeleton density(RSD),fractal dimension(FD),foveal avas-cular zone(FAZ)area,and ganglion cell complex(GCC)thickness.Choroidal microcirculation metrics included subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT),luminal area(LA),total choroidal area(TCA),and choroidal vascularity index(CVI).Results In the ultra-high altitude group,the RVD was(32.52±3.57)％,the RSD was(15.05±4.24)％,and the FD was 1.68±0.08,all of which were significantly lower compared with the control group(all P＜0.001).The average thick-ness of GCC in the ultrahigh-altitude group was(98.76±10.26)μm,which was significantly thinner than the average thickness of GCC in the control group(P＜0.001).The TCA in the ultrahigh-altitude group was(2.15±0.49)mm2,the LA was(1.17±0.36)mm2,and the SFCT was(318.12±76.50)μm,all of which were significantly higher compared with the control group(all P＜0.001).However,the CVI was significantly decreased in the ultrahigh-altitude group compared with the control group(P＜0.001).There were no significant differences in fundus microcirculation metrics between the mid-high-altitude group and the control group(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Long-term ultrahigh-altitude exposure may induce ischemia and hypoxia in the fundus,primarily characterized by a decrease in the retinal and choroidal blood flow density,whereas long-term mid-high-altitude exposure cannot cause changes in the fundus microcirculation.

Digital health technology has gradually become a new healthcare vehicle for prehabilitation management of cancer patients. This paper reviews the application types, methods and effects of digital health technology in the prehabilitation management of cancer patients, and puts forward corresponding suggestions for the existing problems, with a view to provid reference for the research on digital prehabilitation in China.

Objective:To develop and validate a machine learning (ML) noninvasive model based on routine laboratory parameters to preoperatively predict the microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A total of 629 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2019 and December 2023 were retrospectively enrolled in this study and were divided chronologically into a training set ( n=464) and internal validation set ( n=165). A cohort with 190 HCC patients from Fujian Provincial Hospital were used as an external validation set. Preoperatively demographic features, tumor size and routine laboratory data were collected. All patients were divided into MVI-positive or MVI-negative group. The Boruta algorithm and LASSO regression algorithm were used to screen out related features in the training set. Eight different ML algorithms including multivariate logistic regression, decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGboost), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) and Naive Bayes were used to construct the prediction models. The predictive performances of these models on training and internal validation sets were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with the area under the curve (AUC). The ML model with the highest AUC values was defined as the optimal model and its performance was further validated in the external validation set. The calibration curve showed that the probability value curve was close to the actual occurrence probability curve, and the DCA showed that it could be applied within the threshold probability range of 0.3-0.8 to obtain net benefits. Results:After screening, eight parameters including α-fetoprotein (AFP), protein induced by vitamin K absence Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ), tumor size, eosinophil count, neutrophil count, creatinine, ApoA1 and total bilirubin were finally selected for the construction of the preoperative prediction model for MVI in HCC. Among all the tested eight ML algorithms, XGboost obtained the optimal performance with an AUC of 0.820 in training set, an AUC of 0.803 in internal testing set and an AUC of 0.758 in external testing set. Further stratified analysis showed that the AUC for preoperatively predicting MVI by XGboost was 0.817 for HCC patients with positive hepatitis B surface antigen, 0.779 for male patients and 0.790 for elder patients. The calibration curves showed good agreement between observed and predicted values and the decision curve analysis curve showed relatively higher net benefits.Conclusions:We successfully established and verified a novel XGboost model based on eight routine laboratory parameters with relatively high and reliable predictive accuracy to preoperatively predict MVI in HCC.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation(PTNS)in promoting recovery from short-term urinary dysfunction following surgery for benign anorectal diseases.Method:Eighty patients experiencing urinary dysfunction following surgery for benign anorectal diseases were randomly assigned to either a control group or a PTNS group,with 40 patients in each.The control group received standard treatment,whereas the PTNS group received standard treatment plus additional PTNS therapy.The outcomes of interest included urinary sensation grading,time to first urination,and urine volume.Additionally,postoperative pain,bowel function,and overall recovery were evaluated using the visual ana-logue scale(VAS),the HEMO-FISS-QoL(a quality of life questionnaire specific to hemorrhoidal disease),time to first bowel movement,and the Bristol stool scale.Result:The proportion of patients in the PTNS group who achieved an urinary sensation grade of III or high-er was 67.5%,significantly higher than the 37.5%observed in the control group(P=0.037).Furthermore,the PTNS group exhibited statistically significant improvements in the time to first urination(P=0.030)and the vol-ume of first urination(P=0.041)compared to the control group.In the control group,20%of patients re-quired indwelling catheterization,whereas only 12.5%of patients in the PTNS group required it.Regarding pain scores,patients in the PTNS group reported significantly lower levels of pain compared to those in the control group(P=0.024).Although both groups experienced improvements in quality of life scores post-treat-ment compared to pre-surgery,the between-group difference was not statistically significant(P=0.106).Pa-tients in the PTNS group had significantly shorter hospital stays compared to those in the control group(P<0.001).In terms of postoperative bowel movements,no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the time to first bowel movement(P=0.214)or stool consistency as assessed by the Bristol stool scale(P=0.363).No adverse events were reported in either group during the study period or follow-up.Conclusion:Surgery is a standard treatment for patients with mixed hemorrhoids,and when supplemented with postoperative PTNS therapy,it effectively restores bladder function,reduces postoperative pain,shortens hospital stays,and does not increase the risk of adverse events.Thus,it represents a viable alternative to tra-ditional treatment strategies.

Digital health technology has gradually become a new healthcare vehicle for prehabilitation management of cancer patients. This paper reviews the application types, methods and effects of digital health technology in the prehabilitation management of cancer patients, and puts forward corresponding suggestions for the existing problems, with a view to provid reference for the research on digital prehabilitation in China.