Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of digital technology-assisted debridement and bone and soft tissue reconstruction in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed clinical data from 38 patients (26 males, 12 females; mean age 45.61±18.36 years, range 16-83 years) with chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis complicated by soft tissue defects in the tibia, treated at the Department of Orthopaedics, Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between June 2021 and June 2023. There were 18 cases of traffic accidents, 6 cases of high-altitude falls, 6 cases of heavy objects and 6 cases of low-energy falls. Lesion sites: 12 cases in the upper segment of the tibia, 12 cases in the middle segment, and 14 cases in the lower segment. According to the Cierny-Mader classification, there were 24 cases of type III and 14 cases of type IV. Before the operation, the "3D point cloud technology" was used to plan the debridement range of bone and soft tissue. During the operation, the optical navigation system was used to monitor the debridement range in real time. The flap was designed by combining "Reading Tablet Treasure" with CT angiography, and the amount of bone graft was predicted by AI algorithm. The surgical method adopted is the Masquelet technique, namely thorough debridement, bone cement occupation and soft tissue repair in the first stage, and bone reconstruction in the second stage. Comparing the calculated bone defect amount and soft tissue defect area before the operation with the actual measured values after debridement. The cure rate of infection was evaluated by using the McKee bone infection treatment criteria after the operation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) were used to evaluate the improvement of the quality of life of postoperative patients.Results:38 patients were followed up with a mean follow-up of 13.53±2.37 months. 37 patients' infections were effectively controlled, and 1 patient had a recurrence of infection, with an effectiveness rate of 97% for the treatment of McKee's infections. The preoperative calculated bone defect amount and soft tissue defect area were 51.05±26.31 cm 3 and 68.42±43.45 cm 2 respectively, and the actual measured values after debridement during the operation were 51.66±26.35 cm 3 and 68.82±43.76 cm 2 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference before and after the operation ( P>0.05). The interval between the first and second stage surgeries was 10.36±1.61 weeks, and all flaps survived after the first stage surgery. Two months after the operation, one case had recurrent osteomyelitis. After palliative treatment, sinus tracts were formed at the infection site. At the 12-month regular dressing change follow-up, there were still purulent secretions in the sinus tracts. There was no recurrence of infection after primary debridement in 37 cases, and the bone grafts healed. The bone healing time was 3.58±0.97 months. The postoperative VAS, LEFS, and SAS scores were 1.00±0.91, 66.68±7.91, and 34.30±4.29, respectively, which were significantly improved compared with the preoperative scores of 7.54±1.52, 21.22±4.29, and 52.70±6.74, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of digital technology to precisely design the debridement range of bone and soft tissue, and the real-time holographic visualization monitoring of the debridement range during the operation can achieve precise debridement of bone and soft tissue and personalized and precise repair of soft tissue defects. It is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of eight members from a pedigree affected with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). METHODS: A girl presented with recurrent, unexplained blisters on the palmar and plantar skin for 8 years and sought medical care in October 2024 was enrolled as the study subject. A retrospective study was conducted to collect the child's clinical data, and a detailed medical history was taken for her family members. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the child and her parents for genomic DNA extraction. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the candidate variants was classified in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants issued by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG, hereinafter referred to as the "ACMG Guidelines"). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the 980th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Ethics No.: 2019-KY-01). RESULTS: The proband was an 8-year-and-4-month-old female. Four months after birth, she had developed recurrent blisters on the palmar and plantar skin without obvious triggers, accompanied by significant pain. Symptoms were more severe in summer and slightly relieved in winter. Although symptomatic treatment could alleviate the symptoms, she was unable to participate in physical activities. A detailed family history revealed that her great-grandfather, grandfather, father, half-brother, great-aunt, great-aunt's son and two grandsons, as well as her aunt and aunt's son, had similar clinical manifestations. WES revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous c.556-16(IVS1)C>G (NM_000424.4) variant in the KRT5 gene, which was identified as a splice site mutation. Reverse transcription sequencing confirmed that this variant can disrupt normal splicing, resulting in retention of a 15 bp sequence in the first intron. Sanger sequencing demonstrated that the variant was inherited from the father, and the 6 aforementioned relatives with similar phenotypes have all carried the same variant (the great-grandfather, grandfather, and great-aunt had declined genetic testing due to advanced age). Based on the ACMG guidelines, this variant was classified as pathogenic (PS3+PM2_Supporting+PP3+PP1_strong). CONCLUSION Patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex may exhibit clinical features including blistering on the skin or mucous membranes of friction-prone sites (e.g. hands, feet, elbows, and knees) following minor trauma or friction, as well as increased skin fragility. The c.556-16(IVS1)C>G (rs376462752) variant of the KRT5 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of EB in this child. Above findings have enriched the mutational spectrum of the KRT5 gene.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; China ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Keratin-5/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Retrospective Studies ; East Asian People/genetics*

The carotid web is a double-layered membranous structure protruding into the lumen,primarily affecting the carotid bifurcation and bulb.It is considered as a potential risk factors for ischemic stroke.Carotid web can alter the structure of the carotid artery lumen,leading to hemodynamic abnormalities that increase the risk of thrombus formation.Once detached,it can cause intracranial arterial embolism,making it a common cause of stroke in young adults.This case report presents a case of restenosis after mechanical thrombectomy and carotid endarterectomy for carotid web-induced ectopic embolism.It provides references and insights for clinicians to recognize,diagnose and treat this disease.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of digital technology-assisted debridement and bone and soft tissue reconstruction in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed clinical data from 38 patients (26 males, 12 females; mean age 45.61±18.36 years, range 16-83 years) with chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis complicated by soft tissue defects in the tibia, treated at the Department of Orthopaedics, Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between June 2021 and June 2023. There were 18 cases of traffic accidents, 6 cases of high-altitude falls, 6 cases of heavy objects and 6 cases of low-energy falls. Lesion sites: 12 cases in the upper segment of the tibia, 12 cases in the middle segment, and 14 cases in the lower segment. According to the Cierny-Mader classification, there were 24 cases of type III and 14 cases of type IV. Before the operation, the "3D point cloud technology" was used to plan the debridement range of bone and soft tissue. During the operation, the optical navigation system was used to monitor the debridement range in real time. The flap was designed by combining "Reading Tablet Treasure" with CT angiography, and the amount of bone graft was predicted by AI algorithm. The surgical method adopted is the Masquelet technique, namely thorough debridement, bone cement occupation and soft tissue repair in the first stage, and bone reconstruction in the second stage. Comparing the calculated bone defect amount and soft tissue defect area before the operation with the actual measured values after debridement. The cure rate of infection was evaluated by using the McKee bone infection treatment criteria after the operation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) were used to evaluate the improvement of the quality of life of postoperative patients.Results:38 patients were followed up with a mean follow-up of 13.53±2.37 months. 37 patients' infections were effectively controlled, and 1 patient had a recurrence of infection, with an effectiveness rate of 97% for the treatment of McKee's infections. The preoperative calculated bone defect amount and soft tissue defect area were 51.05±26.31 cm 3 and 68.42±43.45 cm 2 respectively, and the actual measured values after debridement during the operation were 51.66±26.35 cm 3 and 68.82±43.76 cm 2 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference before and after the operation ( P>0.05). The interval between the first and second stage surgeries was 10.36±1.61 weeks, and all flaps survived after the first stage surgery. Two months after the operation, one case had recurrent osteomyelitis. After palliative treatment, sinus tracts were formed at the infection site. At the 12-month regular dressing change follow-up, there were still purulent secretions in the sinus tracts. There was no recurrence of infection after primary debridement in 37 cases, and the bone grafts healed. The bone healing time was 3.58±0.97 months. The postoperative VAS, LEFS, and SAS scores were 1.00±0.91, 66.68±7.91, and 34.30±4.29, respectively, which were significantly improved compared with the preoperative scores of 7.54±1.52, 21.22±4.29, and 52.70±6.74, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of digital technology to precisely design the debridement range of bone and soft tissue, and the real-time holographic visualization monitoring of the debridement range during the operation can achieve precise debridement of bone and soft tissue and personalized and precise repair of soft tissue defects. It is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia.

The carotid web is a double-layered membranous structure protruding into the lumen,primarily affecting the carotid bifurcation and bulb.It is considered as a potential risk factors for ischemic stroke.Carotid web can alter the structure of the carotid artery lumen,leading to hemodynamic abnormalities that increase the risk of thrombus formation.Once detached,it can cause intracranial arterial embolism,making it a common cause of stroke in young adults.This case report presents a case of restenosis after mechanical thrombectomy and carotid endarterectomy for carotid web-induced ectopic embolism.It provides references and insights for clinicians to recognize,diagnose and treat this disease.

Bone Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Transplantation, Autologous/adverse effects*

Objective:To determine the factors related to postoperative 1-year and 5-year mortalities in elderly patients with hip fracture plus chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the elderly patients with hip fracture who had sought medical attention at Department of Orthopaedics, The 7th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2012 to December 2016.Of them, 103 were complicated with COPD, and another 103 without COPD were selected as controls who were matched in age, gender and fracture site. The 2 groups were compared in terms of postoperative 30-day, 1-year and 5-year mortalities; the risk factors were explored for postoperative 1-year and 5-year mortalities in patients with hip fracture plus COPD.Results:The postoperative 30-day, 1-year and 5-year mortalities in the COPD group were 7.8%(8/103), 29.1%(30/103) and 48.5%(50/103), significantly higher than those in the control group except for the 30-day value [1.9%(2/103), 13.6%(14/103) and 31.1%(32/103)] ( P<0.05). Advanced age ( P=0.003), cardiovascular disease ( P=0.006), respiratory disease ( P=0.009), acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) ( P<0.01), American Society of anesthesiologists (ASA) grades Ⅲ+Ⅳ ( P=0.001), delayed surgery (>48 h) ( P=0.015), pre-injury activities of daily living (ADL) score ( P=0.002) and mobility ( P=0.010) were related to an increased risk for 1-year mortality after operation. Advanced age ( OR=1.106, 95% CI: 1.016 to 1.210, P=0.021), AECOPD ( OR=5.053, 95% CI: 1.520 to 16.800, P=0.008), and ASA grades Ⅲ+Ⅳ ( OR=1.657, 95% CI: 1.072 to 3.912, P=0.040) were the risk factors for 5-year mortality in patients with COPD; pre-injury ADL ( OR=0.974, 95% CI: 0.987 to 0.967, P=0.043) was negatively correlated with 5-year mortality. Conclusions:COPD can significantly increase the short-term and long-term mortalities in elderly patients with hip fracture.Cardiovascular disease, AECOPD and ASA grades Ⅲ+Ⅳ are factors related to postoperative 1-year mortality in patients with hip fracture plus COPD. Advanced age, AECOPD and ASA grades Ⅲ+Ⅳ and delayed surgery (>48 h) are risk factors for postoperative 5-year mortality in patients with hip fracture plus COPD. ADL score before injury is negatively correlated with postoperative 1-year and 5-year mortalities.

Objective:To evaluate clinical outcomes and complications of minimal invasive surgery for the treatment of elderly patients with fragility fracture of pelvis.Methods:Elderly patients with fragile pelvic fractures undergoing minimally invasive surgery and being followed up were retrospectively analyzed from January 2015 to December 2019.Based on the classification of pelvic fragile fractures(FFP), open reduction and internal fixation with pelvic anterior ring instability internal fixator(INFIX)plus posterior ring sacroiliac screw, or open reduction and internal fixation with iliac fossa approach, were performed for elderly patients with fragile pelvic fractures.The general data of all patients(age, sex, mechanism of injury)were recorded.Time from injury to operation, VAS(visual analogue scale)before and after operation, blood loss during operation, complications during hospitalization, time to ambulation, mortality, and Koval walking index at 2 year follow-up were recorded to evaluate clinical outcomes and complications of minimal invasive surgery for the treatment of fragility fracture of pelvis.Results:Thirty-two patients were followed up, including 11 males and 21 females, aged 65-88 years(76.9±5.5)years.The mechanism of injury was fall on the ground as a percentage of 59.4%(19/32), fall in the sitting position as a percentage of 25.0%(8/32), and 15.63%(5/32)had unknown history of trauma.The time from injury to operation was 3-36 days(9.6±3.3)days.There were 50.0%(16/32)type Ⅱ, 31.3%(10/32)type Ⅲ and 18.8%(6/32)type Ⅳ cases according to FFP classification.The mean blood loss during operation was(65.9±35.2)ml(range, 20-200 ml). The preoperative VAS score was 5-9 scores, with an average of(6.41±1.07)scores.The postoperative VAS score was 1-4(1.71±0.63). Average time from injury to operation was(9.6±3.3)days(range, 3~36). The incidence of complications during operation was 9.4%(3/32), including 1 case of gastrointestinal bleeding, 1 case of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, and 1 case of superficial wound infection.Ambulation was at 4 weeks post-operation in 56.3%(18/32)cases, at 6 weeks post-operation in 31.3%(10/32)cases and at 8 weeks post-operation in 12.5%(4/32)cases.6.25%(2/32)patients died within 2 year follow-up.Koval walking index of the rest 30 patients included grade 1 in 46.9%(15/32)cases, grade 2 in 18.8%(6/32)cases, grade 3 in 6.3%(2/32)cases, grade 4 in 18.8%(6/32)cases and grade 6 in 3.1%(1/32)case(1 year after surgery, hemiplegia after cerebral infarction).Conclusions:Minimal invasive surgery achieves significant pain relief and early mobilization in patients with fragility fracture of pelvis.

Objective:To characterize the geriatric osteoporotic pelvic fractures using 3-D computed tomography (CT) fracture mapping.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed were the 79 elderly patients with pelvic fracture who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedics, The 7th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. There were 24 men and 55 women, aged from 60 to 98 years (average, 74.3 years). The CT scan data of the pelvis from all patients were imported into the software (Mimics Medical 18.0, Geomagic Studio 2014, Rhinoceros 6.0, and Matlab) to create a 3-D pelvic fracture model. The fracture pieces were imported into a standard pelvic template to obtain the morphology of the fracture lines after fitting. A map of fracture line distribution frequency and a fracture heat map were created by fitting the fracture lines of all patients into a common pelvic template.Results:Of the 79 elderly patients with pelvic fracture, 69 (87.3%) had fractures of both the anterior and the posterior rings. The fracture map and heat map of geriatric pelvic fractures showed the following: the fracture lines of the anterior ring were concentrated in the junction of the cancellous bone and cortical bone of the superior and inferior pubic rami; the fracture lines of the posterior ring were concentrated in the middle and posterior 1/3 of the ilium and in the sacral wing; the fracture frequencies incurred by the pubic bone, sacrum, and ilium were from the highest to the lowest.Conclusions:Fracture mapping can visually characterize the distribution of fracture lines of the geriatric pelvic fractures. Simultaneous fractures of the anterior and posterior rings of the pelvis are the most typical kind of pelvic fractures in the elderly. The junction of the cancellous and cortical bones of the superior and inferior pubic rami and the area surrounding the sacroiliac joint are the most frequent locations for the fractures.

Objective:To investigate the prognosis of severe hyperbilirubinemia in full-term infants who met the exchange transfusion criteria and were treated by blood exchange transfusion and phototherapy.Methods:A total of 168 full-term infants with severe hyperbilirubinemia who met the criteria for exchange transfusion and were hospitalized in the Neonatology Department of seven tertiary hospitals in Hebei Province from June 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively included. According to the treatment protocol, they were divided into two groups: exchange transfusion group (38 cases) and phototherapy group (130 cases). Two independent sample t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare the clinical manifestations and follow-up results between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for poor prognosis. Results:Neonatal severe hyperbilirubinemia in the exchange transfusion and phototherapy group were both mainly caused by hemolytic disease [42.1%(16/38) and 29.2%(38/130)], sepsis [28.9%(11/38) and 11.5%(15/130)] and early-onset breastfeeding jaundice [15.8%(6/38) and 11.5%(15/130)]. Total serum bilirubin level on admission in the exchange transfusion group was significantly higher than that in the phototherapy group [(531.7±141.3) vs (440.0±67.4) μmol/L, t=3.870, P<0.001]. Moreover, the percentage of patients with mild, moderate and severe acute bilirubin encephalopathy in the exchange transfusion group were higher than those in the phototherapy group [15.8%(6/38) vs 3.8%(5/130), 7.9%(3/38) vs 0.8%(1/130), 13.2%(5/38) vs 0.0%(0/130); χ2=29.119, P<0.001]. Among the 168 patients, 135 were followed up to 18-36 months of age and 12 showed poor prognosis (developmental retardation or hearing impairment) with four in the exchange transfusion group (12.9%, 4/31) and eight in the phototherapy group (7.7%, 8/104). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that for full-term infants with severe hyperbilirubinemia who met the exchange transfusion criteria, phototherapy alone without blood exchange transfusion as well as severe ABE were risk factors for poor prognosis ( OR=14.407, 95% CI: 1.101-88.528, P=0.042; OR=16.561, 95% CI: 4.042-67.850, P<0.001). Conclusions:Full-term infants who have severe hyperbilirubinemia and meet the exchange transfusion criteria should be actively treated with blood exchange transfusion, especially for those with severe ABE, so as to improve the prognosis.