OBJECTIVE: To explore the construction of a canine model of vascularized allogeneic spinal cord transplantation (vASCT) and preliminarily evaluate its therapeutic efficacy for spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Sixteen female Beagle dogs aged 8-12 months were randomly selected, with 8 dogs serving as donors for the harvesting of spinal cord tissue with a vascular pedicle [dorsal intercostal artery (DIA) at the T₁₀ level and accompanying vein]. The remaining 8 dogs underwent a 1.5-cm-length spinal cord defect at the T₁₀ level, followed by transplantation of the donor spinal cord tissue for repair. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was applied to both ends to spinal cord graft; then, using a random number table method, the dogs were divided into an experimental group (n=4) and a control group (n=4). The experimental group received immunosuppressive intervention with oral tacrolimus [0.1 mg/(kg∙d)] postoperatively, while the control group received no treatment. The operation time and ischemia-reperfusion time of two groups were recorded. The recovery of hind limb function was estimated by Olby score within 2 months after operation; the motor evoked potentials (MEP) was measured through neuroelectrophysiological examination, and the spinal cord integrity was observed through MRI. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the operation time and ischemia-reperfusion time between the two groups (P>0.05). All dogs survived until the completion of the experiment. Within 2 months after operation, all dogs in the control group failed to regain the movement function of hind limbs, and Olby scores were all 0. In the experimental group, the movement and weight-bearing, as well as walking abilities of the hind limbs gradually recovered, and the Olby scores also showed a gradually increasing trend. There was a significant difference between the two groups from 3 to 8 weeks after operation (P<0.05). Neuroelectrophysiological examination indicated that the electrical signals of the experimental group passed through the transplanted area, and the latency was shortened compared to that at 1 month after operation (P<0.05), showing continuous improvement, but the amplitude did not show significant improvement (P>0.05). The control group was unable to detect any MEP changes after operation. MRI examination showed that the transplanted spinal cord in the experimental group survived and had good continuity with normal spinal cord tissue, while no relevant change was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION The vASCT model of dogs was successfully constructed. This surgical procedure can restore the continuity of the spinal cord. The combination of tacrolimus anti-immunity is a key factor for the success of transplantation.
Animals ; Dogs ; Female ; Spinal Cord/blood supply* ; Spinal Cord Injuries/surgery* ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Disease Models, Animal ; Recovery of Function ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Tacrolimus ; Immunosuppressive Agents

Objective:To investigate the effect of vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) combined with lymphatico-venous anastomosis (LVA) in the treatment of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.Methods:The data of patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery who were treated in the Department of Reconstructive and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatment methods, the patients were divided into LVA group and VLNT combined LVA group. Indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared lymphography was performed on all affected limbs before surgery. In the LVA group, according to the results of ICG lymphography, 4 to 5 levels of the affected limb were selected, Z shaped incisions were made and dissescted until the subcutaneous fat layer. End-to-end or end-to-side anastomosis was performed between lymphatic vessels and subcutaneous venules under the microscope. In the VLNT combined LVA group, the branches of brachial artery and vein in the axillary region were marked. The inguinal flap with the superficial iliac circumflex vessel pedicle and 4-5 lymph nodes was dissected. End-to-end anastomoses of the superficial iliac circumflex vessel pedicle with the branches of brachial artery and vein were performed in the axillary region of the affected limb. LVA was performed according to ICG lymphography, the same as in the LVA group. The skin and soft tissue condition of the affected limb and the blood supply of the flap in the VLNT combined LVA group were observed after operation. The circumference of the upper arm (from the wrist to 32 cm above the wrist, every 4 cm, a total of 9 levels of circumference) and upper limb volume were measured before and after operation. SPSS 24.0 was used for data processing and analysis. Measurement data were expressed Mean±SD. The data before and after operation in the same group were compared by paired samples t test, and the comparison between the two groups was conducted by independent samples t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 14 female patients were enrolled, with 7 patients in each group. All cases were unilateral lymphedema. There were no significant differences in age, stage of disease, limb circumference and limb volume between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). After operation, the skin and soft tissue condition of the affected limbs were good, and no complications such as erysipelas, cellulitis, or lymphangitis occurred. All flaps in the VLNT combined LVA group survived successfully, and the operation wounds healed well. There were no complications such as infection and necrosis of the flaps. One year after operation, the circumference and volume of the affected limb in the two groups were improved to varying degrees, and the circumference of the affected limb (wrist, upper wrist 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 cm levels) in the VLNT combined LVA group was significantly smaller than that before operation ( P<0.01). In the LVA group, the circumference of the affected limb (wrist, upper wrist 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 cm levels) after operation was significantly smaller than that before operation ( P<0.05). The limb volumes of both groups were significantly reduced ( P<0.05). The comparison between the two groups showed that the reduction degree of postoperative affected limb cricumference (at the levels of 24, 28 and 32 cm above the wrist) and volume in the VLNT combined LVA group were more significant than those in the LVA group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with LVA alone, VLNT combined with LVA is more effective in the treatment of patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.

Objective:To investigate the effect of vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) combined with lymphatico-venous anastomosis (LVA) in the treatment of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.Methods:The data of patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery who were treated in the Department of Reconstructive and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatment methods, the patients were divided into LVA group and VLNT combined LVA group. Indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared lymphography was performed on all affected limbs before surgery. In the LVA group, according to the results of ICG lymphography, 4 to 5 levels of the affected limb were selected, Z shaped incisions were made and dissescted until the subcutaneous fat layer. End-to-end or end-to-side anastomosis was performed between lymphatic vessels and subcutaneous venules under the microscope. In the VLNT combined LVA group, the branches of brachial artery and vein in the axillary region were marked. The inguinal flap with the superficial iliac circumflex vessel pedicle and 4-5 lymph nodes was dissected. End-to-end anastomoses of the superficial iliac circumflex vessel pedicle with the branches of brachial artery and vein were performed in the axillary region of the affected limb. LVA was performed according to ICG lymphography, the same as in the LVA group. The skin and soft tissue condition of the affected limb and the blood supply of the flap in the VLNT combined LVA group were observed after operation. The circumference of the upper arm (from the wrist to 32 cm above the wrist, every 4 cm, a total of 9 levels of circumference) and upper limb volume were measured before and after operation. SPSS 24.0 was used for data processing and analysis. Measurement data were expressed Mean±SD. The data before and after operation in the same group were compared by paired samples t test, and the comparison between the two groups was conducted by independent samples t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 14 female patients were enrolled, with 7 patients in each group. All cases were unilateral lymphedema. There were no significant differences in age, stage of disease, limb circumference and limb volume between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). After operation, the skin and soft tissue condition of the affected limbs were good, and no complications such as erysipelas, cellulitis, or lymphangitis occurred. All flaps in the VLNT combined LVA group survived successfully, and the operation wounds healed well. There were no complications such as infection and necrosis of the flaps. One year after operation, the circumference and volume of the affected limb in the two groups were improved to varying degrees, and the circumference of the affected limb (wrist, upper wrist 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 cm levels) in the VLNT combined LVA group was significantly smaller than that before operation ( P<0.01). In the LVA group, the circumference of the affected limb (wrist, upper wrist 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 cm levels) after operation was significantly smaller than that before operation ( P<0.05). The limb volumes of both groups were significantly reduced ( P<0.05). The comparison between the two groups showed that the reduction degree of postoperative affected limb cricumference (at the levels of 24, 28 and 32 cm above the wrist) and volume in the VLNT combined LVA group were more significant than those in the LVA group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with LVA alone, VLNT combined with LVA is more effective in the treatment of patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.

Objective:To explore the method and effect of free thining anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTP) in repairing soft tissue defect of scar contracture deformity after hand trauma.Methods:From March, 2015 to August, 2019, 12 patients who suffered scar contracture after hand trauma were repaired with thin ALTP. First, completely resected the scar contracture tissue from the hands and restored the normal bone structure and force line of the hand. The area of hand wound defects were 5.0 cm×6.0 cm-8.0 cm×10.0 cm. The wound was repaired by free ALTP, and the flap was micro-thinned for the first time. The flaps did not carry broad fascia, and the donor sites were directly sutured. The wound healing, the flap appearance, texture, sensation, scarring of the donor area, and functional recovery of the affected hand were observed regularly after surgery. The patients were followed-up by outpatient review and WeChat.Results:All the flaps survived well after the operation. Two cases suffered crisis because hematoma entraps vein cause by bleeding from perforator branch. After surgical exploration, the flaps survived successfully. All 12 flaps were followed-up successfully, including 6 cases reviewed in outpatient clinic, 4 cases followed by WeChat video and 2 cases by telephone consultation. The follow-up time was 3-20 months, with an average of 11 months. The flaps were not bloated, soft, non-pigmented, and beautiful in appearance. Only linear scars remained in the donor sites. The gripp function, palm function, thumb opposition function and finger function of the affected hand were largely restored. According to the TAM method of Upper Limb Function Evaluation of the Chinese Medical Association: 7 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, and 1 case was fair.Conclusion:The thinning ALTP can be used to repair the scar contracture deformity after hand trauma. It can carry different tissues for 3-dimensional repair. After operation, the flap has a beautiful appearance, the donor site can be closed directly, and the damage of donor site can be reduced. It is an effective method to repair the hand contracture deformity.

PURPOSE: Details of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in mainland China are lacking. To improve disease control and reduce economic burden, a large sample survey among this patient population is indispensable. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of such patients.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in 29 hospitals of 29 regions in mainland China during the period 2013 to 2014. Demographic features, pre-admission conditions, exacerbation details, and outcomes were summarized. Risk factors for exacerbation severity were analyzed.RESULTS: There were 3,240 asthmatic patients included in this study (57.7% females, 42.3% males). Only 28.0% used daily controller medications; 1,287 (39.7%) patients were not currently on inhaled corticosteroids. Acute upper airway infection was the most common trigger of exacerbation (42.3%). Patients with severe to life-threatening exacerbation tended to have a longer disease course, a smoking history, and had comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and food allergy. The multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, comorbidities of hypertension, COPD, and food allergy were independent risk factors for more severe exacerbation. The number of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation varied with seasons, peaking in March and September. Eight patients died during the study period (mortality 0.25%).CONCLUSIONS: Despite enhanced education on asthma self-management in China during recent years, few patients were using daily controller medications before the onset of their exacerbation, indicating that more educational efforts and considerations are needed. The findings of this study may improve our understanding of hospital admission for asthma exacerbation in mainland China and provide evidence for decision-making.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; China ; Comorbidity ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Medication Adherence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking

Objective To summarize the pattern and main characteristics of fatal cases related to medical disputes in Yancheng area. Methods Sixty fatal cases of medical disputes were retrospectively analyzed to elucidate the annual incidence, characters of distribution of hospitals, gender and age of the decedents, types of diseases, and cause of death. Results Among 60 fatal cases, most cases happened in health clinics of county, township and village. There were more males than females. The major medical specialties in-volved included internal medicine, surgery, gynecology and pediatrics, with the internal medicine specialty having the highest incidence. Conclusion Police institutions have advantages in investigation of these cas-es in their jurisdictions, which could enhance the ability of local medicolegal examination.