1.Research progress and prospects of thrombolytic therapy for minor stroke
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2026;43(3):199-203
Minor stroke is a common subtype of acute ischemic stroke, primarily defined by a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤3 or ≤5. Despite mild clinical symptoms, it carries a risk of early deterioration, and its intravenous thrombolysis strategy has long been controversial. This article systematically summarizes the results of key randomized controlled trials in recent years, which found that although non-inferiority has been confirmed among thrombolytic agents such as alteplase, tenecteplase, and prourokinase, none of these have shown superior functional improvement in the treatment of minor stroke compared with dual antiplatelet therapy or aspirin monotherapy, and they carry safety risks such as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Subgroup analyses suggested potential benefits for patients with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score>3, disabling symptoms, or the large artery atherosclerosis subtype, but the evidence is inconsistent. The limited net benefit of thrombolysis is primarily attributed to heterogeneous definitions, a generally favorable natural prognosis, and the offsetting effect of bleeding risks. Future studies should focus on unifying definitions, leveraging multimodal imaging for precise patient selection, optimizing drug regimens, and ultimately achieving precise stratification and individualized thrombolytic interventions for minor stroke.
2.Molecular characterization analyses of a human metapneumovirus outbreak in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City
Jianyi LIU ; Chenye ZHANG ; Lei ZHAO ; Huiqun SHUAI ; Huanhuan YU ; Qingyu SUN ; Fei LU ; Shengjun XI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(3):216-220
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of a cluster of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in a kindergarten in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City in May 2024, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of similar outbreaks. MethodsAn on-site investigation was conducted using an epidemiological case investigation form. Throat swab specimens collected from cases were screened for 13 respiratory pathogens using real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For HMPV nucleic acid positive specimens, the F gene of HMPV was used as the target gene for amplification and sequencing. The sequencing results were then compared with sequences in GenBank database to determine the virus subtypes and perform phylogenetic analyses. ResultsThe outbreak occurred in a kindergarter junior class with a total of 28 preschoolers and 3 teachers and childcare workers. A total of 11 cases (10 preschoolers and 1 teacher) were identified, including 8 male cases and 3 female cases. Clinical manifestations included fever in all 11 cases (100.00%), cough in 8 cases (72.72%), catarrhal symptoms in 4 cases (36.36%), and headache in 3 cases (27.27%). All symptoms were mild, and no severe cases were observed. A total of 11 throat swab samples were collected. Real-time fluorescent PCR test results showed that 3 samples were positive for HMPV nucleic acid, 2 samples were positive for both HMPV and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 1 sample was positive for both HMPV and rhinovirus. The sequences of the 6 HMPV nucleic acid positive specimens were amplified and analyzed using specific primers, and all were determined to be HMPV subtype A2b. The F gene fragment sequence showed the highest similarity to PV081665.1/Brazil/2024 (99.65%), and also exhibited high similarity to PP683455.1/Indonesia/2021 (99.48%), PV016275.1/Beijing/2024 (99.31%), and PV052230.1/USA/2024 (99.13%). ConclusionThis cluster of acute respiratory tract infection was caused by HMPV subtype A2b, with co-infection of rhinovirus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The F gene fragment sequences of the HMPV in this outbreak were highly homologous to those of the A2b strains isolated from Brazil, Beijing, Indonesia, and the the United States.
3.A multicenter clinical study on intramedullary vancomycin injection for preventing periprosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty
Te LIU ; Jun FU ; Shiguang LAI ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Chi XU ; Lei GENG ; Yang LUO ; Peng REN ; Xin ZHI ; Quanbo JI ; Heng ZHANG ; Runkai ZHAO ; Haichao REN ; Ye TAO ; Qingyuan ZHENG ; Zeyu FENG ; Jianfeng YANG ; Yiming WANG ; Pengcheng LI ; Shuai LIU ; Wei CHAI ; Xiang LI ; Huiwu LI ; Xiaogang ZHANG ; Baochao JI ; Xianzhe LIU ; Xinzhan MAO ; Jianbing MA ; Xiangxiang SUN ; Jiying CHEN ; Yonggang ZHOU ; Jinliang WANG ; Weijun WANG ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Ming NI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(12):803-811
Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin for preventing infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA between February 2024 and May 2024 at nine hospitals were enrolled. Preoperative infection prophylaxis involved either IORA (0.5 g vancomycin administered via intraosseous regional infusion before incision) or intravenous infusion (1 g vancomycin via peripheral vein). The IORA group included 15 males and 47 females with a median age of 66.5 years (range, 60.0-70.0 years), while the intravenous group included 14 males and 48 females with a median age of 66.0 years (range, 61.8-70.3 years) years. Intraoperative samples were collected including fat and synovium tissues after incision, before prosthesis placement, and after tourniquet release; distal femoral cancellous bone during femoral osteotomy; proximal tibial cancellous bone during tibial osteotomy; proximal intercondylar cancellous bone before prosthesis placement; and peripheral blood from non-infused arms at surgery initiation and after tourniquet release. Vancomycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vital sign changes were recorded from admission to 5~10 minutes post-IORA (IORA group) or post-incision (intravenous group). Follow-ups were conducted on postoperative day 1 and 3, and at 1 and 3 months, to document complications including IORA-related adverse events, periprosthetic joint infections, surgical site infections, red man syndrome, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis and so on.Results:Vancomycin concentrations in bone, fat, and synovial tissue samples were significantly higher in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05), while vancomycin concentrations in blood samples were significantly lower in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05). Only 7.3%(41/558) of tissue samples in the IORA group had vancomycin concentrations below 2.0 μg/g (the minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin against coagulase-negative staphylococcus), compared to 59.3%(331/558) in the intravenous group (χ 2=11.285, P<0.001). In the intravenous group, 16.9%(21/124) of blood samples had vancomycin concentrations exceeding 15.0 mg/L (the threshold associated with a significantly increased risk of nephrotoxicity), while all concentrations in the IORA group were below this threshold, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.943, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in vital signs changes before and after vancomycin administration between the two groups. Two patients in the intravenous group experienced incision exudate, while no other related complications occurred in either group. Conclusions:Compared to the traditional intravenous infusion of 1 g vancomycin, intraosseous injection of a low dose (0.5 g) of vancomycin achieves higher local tissue concentrations in the knee joint with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and is safe for infection prophylaxis. Despite guidelines not recommending the routine use of vancomycin for preventing infection after primary TKA, intraosseous injection of 0.5 g vancomycin may be considered intraoperatively for primary TKA in the following scenarios: patients in medical institutions with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, patients with potential preoperative MRSA colonization, or patients with cephalosporin allergy.
4.Construction and characterization of an infectious clone of an HIV-1 CRF01_AE isolate from China
Jingwan HAN ; Dijing JIA ; Shuai CHANG ; Hanping LI ; Yongjian LIU ; Lei JIA ; Xiaolin WANG ; Bohan ZHANG ; Jingyun LI ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(5):556-564
Objective:To construct an infectious clone of a Chinese HIV-1 CRF01_AE epidemic strain with strong replication capacity,and comprehensively identify its viral phenotype and replication capacity.Methods:Using the CRF01_AE clinical isolate GX2005002,which was previously isolated from whole blood of an HIV-1-infected individual in China by our laboratory,as the parental strain,the full-length genome of the virus(9.7 kb)was divided into 5' half fragment(5.1 kb)and 3' half fragment(4.6 kb)for amplification. The proviral DNA was used as a template to amplify the virus genome,which was then ligated into the eukaryotic expression vector pEASY-T1. The consistency of its sequence with the parental strain sequence was identified through full-length genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The replication capacity,syncytium inducibility,and cell tropism were experimentally identified to determine its phenotypic consistency with the parental strain.Results:An infectious clone of the CRF01_AE strain was successfully constructed,and its genome sequence exhibited high consistency with the sequence of the parental strain. By transfecting target cells,a derivative virus with infectious activity and replication capability was successfully rescued. The derived virus maintained phenotypic characteristics consistent with the parental strain,such as cell tropism and syncytium inducibility.Conclusion:This study successfully constructed an infectious clone of a Chinese HIV-1 CRF01_AE epidemic strain with clear background and distinct phenotype. The genomic sequence and viral phenotypic characteristics of the derived virus are basically consistent with the parental strain,providing strong representation of the original isolate and serving as a powerful tool for research on the correlation between the genetic characteristics,viral phenotype,and pathogenicity of HIV-1 CRF01_AE strains.
5.Study on oxygen depletion and oxygen effect of FLASH irradiation
Hui LUO ; Chengliang YANG ; Paola BALLESTEROS-ZEBADUA ; Javier FRANCO-PEREZ ; Qigang YUAN ; Leijie MA ; Ronghu MAO ; Hongchang LEI ; Yanan SUN ; Shuai SONG ; Hong GE
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(11):1115-1121
Objective:To conduct a comparative analysis of the oxygen depletion and oxygen effect of FLASH irradiation and conventional irradiation by direct measurement of oxygen content.Methods:The oxygen content in different tissues and organs of mice was measured using a phosphorescent probe. A subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in mice was established, to receive electron-beam irradiation at different doses and dose rates. The oxygen depletion of tumor and normal tissue was analyzed, and tumor control was evaluated. The oxygen depletion of conventional irradiation and FLASH irradiation was further analyzed using an in vitro model. The survival fraction (SF) of normal cells after conventional irradiation and FLASH irradiation was calculated using colony formation assay under different partial pressures of oxygen, and the data were fitted to the oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) curve. Results:The mean oxygen content of subcutaneous xenograft tumor in mice was 1.28%, suggesting hypoxia. The mean oxygen content of normal tissue ranged from 3.51% to 6.53%, suggesting physioxia. In animal experiments, oxygen depletion was not observed during conventional irradiation. High-dose-rate (20 Gy/s) and ultra-high-dose-rate (FLASH, 40 Gy/s) irradiation produced oxygen depletion. During FLASH irradiation, with the increase of oxygen content, the oxygen depletion was 0.1-0.2 mm Hg/Gy for tumor tissue and 0.19-0.21 mm Hg/Gy for skin tissue, which tended to stabilize. FLASH irradiation maintained equivalent tumor control compared to conventional irradiation. The tumoricidal effect was significantly enhanced with the increase of oxygen content in the tissue ( t=3.46, P<0.01). In in vitro experiments, the mean oxygen depletion rate was about 0.16 mm Hg/Gy for conventional irradiation and 0.16-0.18 mm Hg/Gy for FLASH irradiation, which did not change significantly with the increase of oxygen content. FLASH irradiation was associated with an oxygen effect. When the partial pressure of oxygen decreased from physioxia to hypoxia, the OER value significantly reduced. Conclusions:Normal tissues and organs are in physioxia, which exhibits a lower oxygen content than that in the air. FLASH irradiation can consume a proportion of oxygen, producing an oxygen effect. When oxygen content decreases, the oxygen depletion rate slows down after FLASH irradiation.
6.Analysis of clinical and imaging features in patients with recent small subcortical infarcts of different etiologies
Rumei LEI ; Jing ZHONG ; Yajun CHENG ; Yuying YAN ; Simiao WU ; Bo WU ; Shuai JIANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(11):1169-1178
Objective:To investigate the differences in clinical and imaging characteristics of patients with recent small subcortical infarct (RSSI) stratified by different etiological subtypes.Methods:A retrospective, consecutive analysis was conducted on 696 RSSI patients admitted to the West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 2019 to May 2024. Based on clinical and imaging data, patients were stratified into 3 etiological subgroups: presumed cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD)-related RSSI, coexisting carrier large artery stenosis, and coexisting proximal extracranial/intracranial large artery stenosis. The clinical characteristics, vascular risk factors, infarct imaging features, and CSVD markers were compared across the 3 groups. Additionally, the differences in clinical and imaging features based on the location of infarcts (anterior vs posterior circulation) and infarct size (<15 mm vs ≥15 mm) were examined. Results:Among the 696 patients, 557 (80.0%) had presumed CSVD-related RSSI, 68 (9.8%) had coexisting carrier large artery stenosis, and 71 (10.2%) had coexisting proximal extracranial/intracranial large artery stenosis. The patients with presumed CSVD-related RSSI were the youngest [60 (53, 69) years], followed by those with coexisting carrier large artery stenosis [64 (55, 69) years] and those with coexisting proximal extracranial/intracranial large artery stenosis [69 (55, 75) years; H=9.523, P=0.013]. Among RSSI patients with coexisting proximal extracranial/intracranial large artery stenosis, the proportion of those with diabetes (38/71, 53.5%) was the highest, whereas the proportion was 210/557 (37.7%) in the presumed CSVD-related group and 31/68 (45.6%) in the group with coexisting carrier large artery stenosis (χ 2=8.027, P=0.023). Patients with RSSI combined with proximal extracranial/intracranial large artery stenosis had more infarction sites in the pons and a higher proportion of proximal infarction. However, there were no significant differences among the 3 groups in terms of infarct size, or CSVD imaging markers. In the anterior versus posterior circulation comparison, patients with posterior circulation RSSI ( n=360) had a significantly higher age of onset [63(55, 72) years vs 60(52, 59) years, U=51 335.500, P<0.001], had higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and showed higher NIHSS scores [3(2, 6) vs 3(1, 5), U=57 840.500, P=0.028]. The anterior circulation group ( n=366) showed a higher proportion of lacunas [152/336 (45.2%) vs 118/360 (32.8%), χ2=11.364, P<0.001], while the posterior circulation group had a greater prevalence of severe perivascular spaces in the basal ganglia [254/360 (70.6%) vs 203/336 (60.4%), χ2=7.879, P=0.005] and deep white matter hyperintensities grading≥2 [124/360 (34.4%) vs 90/336 (26.8%), χ2=4.787, P=0.029]. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of infarcts between anterior and posterior circulations or in CSVD imaging markers between RSSI patients with infarction lesions ≥15 mm ( n=290) and <15 mm ( n=406). Conclusions:Approximately 20% of RSSI cases are related to large artery stenosis. These patients tend to be older at onset and have a higher prevalence of diabetes. Compared to presumed CSVD-related RSSI cases, RSSI cases related to large artery stenosis show no significant differences in infarct imaging features and CSVD imaging markers, suggesting that large artery stenosis in RSSI may be an epiphenomenon rather than a direct causative factor.
7.Effect of Shiquan Dabu Decoction on treatment of open fracture patients with postoperative chronic refractory wound infections
Shuai WANG ; Lei ZHAO ; Yuhua TANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(6):879-884
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of Shiquan Dabu Decoction combined with vacuum sealing drainage(VSD)on treatment of the Gustilo Ⅲ open fracture patients with postoperative chronic refractory wound(CRW)infection and observe the changes of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/Caspase-1/interleukin-1β(IL-1β)signaling pathways.METHODS A total of 82 Gustilo Ⅲ open fracture patients with postoperative CRW infection who were treated in Shandong Wendeng Orthopedic Hospital from Jan.2020 to Oct.2023 were randomly divided into the sodium chloride irrigation group(the conventional debridement,VSD plus 0.9%sodium chloride injection irrigation)and the Shiquan Dabu Decoction irrigation group(the conventional debridement,VSD plus Shiquan Dabu Decoction irrigation),with 41 cases in each group.Both groups were trea-ted for 14 days and were followed up for 1 month.The indexes were observed and compared between the two groups.RESULTS The total effective rate of clinical treatment of the Shiquan Dabu Decoction irrigation group was higher than that of the sodium chloride irrigation group after the treatment for 14 days(P<0.05).The average healing time of wound and length of hospital stay were shorter in the Shiquan Dabu Decoction irrigation group than in the sodium chloride irrigation group(P<0.05).The scores of wound pain,exudation,edema and granulation and the expression levels of NLRP3 mRNA,Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β mRNA were lower after the treatment for 14 days than before the treatment,and the above indexes of the Shiquan Dabu Decoction irrigation group were lower than those of the sodium chloride irrigation group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the levels of serum bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2),insulin growth factor-1(IGF-1),tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b(TRACP5b),bone gla protein(BGP),bone-specific alkaline phosphatase(BALP)and total procol-lagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide[PINP]between before the treatment and after the treatment for 14 days or be-tween the two groups.CONCLUSIONS The Gustilo Ⅲ open fracture patients with postoperative CRW infection show the down-regulated expression levels of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β signaling pathways after the treatment with Shiquan Dabu Decoction combined with VSD,which may relieve the wound pain,exudation and edema and promote the wound healing.It can achieve remarkable curative effect without affecting the bone metabolism indexes.
8.Robot-assisted laparoscopic inferior vena cava segmental resection for renal tumor with tumor thrombus invading the vascular wall
Shuai LIU ; Zhuo LIU ; Yunhe GUAN ; Guoliang WANG ; Xiaojun TIAN ; Hongxian ZHANG ; Lei LIU ; Lulin MA ; Shudong ZHANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(4):796-802
Objective:To evaluate the safety and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic inferior vena cava(IVC)segmental resection in renal tumor with IVC tumor thrombus(IVCTT).Methods:Clinical data from renal tumor patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic IVC segmental resection at Peking University Third Hospital from Jan.2021 to Feb.2025 were retrospectively analyzed.Data collection included baseline demographics,tumor characteristics,perioperative parameters,and follow-up outcomes.Surgical records and pathological reports were retrieved from the electronic medical record system.Continuous variables were presented as median(P25,P75),and categorical variables as frequency(percentage).Results:Forty-four patients were enrolled.The cohort comprised 31 malesand 13 females,with a median age of 62(55,68)years.Right-sided tumors were observed in 39 cases and left-sided in 5 cases.Median tumor diameter was 8.1(6.1,10.1)cm.Mayo classifications included grade Ⅱ(n=37),Ⅲ(n=6),and Ⅳ(n=1).Neoadjuvant therapy was administered to 23 patients.Seventeen patients were complicated by IVC bland thrombus.Median operative time was 224.0(167.3,303.8)min,with intraoperative blood loss of 500.0(300.0,850.0)mL.Transfusion was administered to 19 patients,with a median blood transfusion of 800.0(400.0,1 200.0)mL.Postoperative complica-tions occurred in 25 cases(56.8%),classified as Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅰ(n=8)and grade Ⅱ(n=17).Procedure-specific complications included deep vein thrombosis(n=6),transfusion-requiring ane-mia(n=5),lower extremity edema(n=2),and pulmonary embolism(n=2),with no procedure-related mortality.Median postoperative serum creatinine was 116.0(86.5,157.5)μmnol/L.Pathological examination identified clear cell renal cell carcinoma as the predominant subtype,observed in 34 cases(77.3%).Pathological staging revealed T3b(n=12),T3c(n=29),and T4(n=3)disease,with nodal involvement(N1)in 8 cases and distant metastasis(M1)in 17.At a median follow-up of 10 months(range:1-49 months),cancer-specific mortality occurred in 3 patients,while 1 succumbed to other causes.Disease progression included pulmonary metastasis(n=5),hepatic metastasis(n=4),and local recurrence(n=4).Adjuvant therapy regimens comprised targeted-immunotherapy combina-tions(n=9)and targeted monotherapy(n=18).Conclusion:Robot-assisted laparoscopic I VC seg-mental resection achieves precise thrombus removal with confirmed short-term efficacy in renal tumor with IVCTT,though vigilance against vascular complications remains critical.
9.Comparison of the efficacy of posterior "S" shape incision versus medial small incision with suture anchor for treating avulsion fractures of the tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament
Tiangang CHEN ; Heng ZHANG ; Shuai SONG ; Lei ZHANG ; Shifeng DAI ; Kunnan XIE
Clinical Medicine of China 2025;41(2):133-139
Objective:To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of using a posterior "S" shape incision versus a medial small incision with suture anchors in the treatment of avulsion fractures at the tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on clinical data from patients with PCL tibial avulsion fractures who met surgical criteria and were treated at Department of Joint 2, Tangshan Second Hospital from March 2021 to May 2023. Among those patients, there were 25 cases classified as Meyers-McKeever type Ⅱ and 41 cases as type Ⅲ. 32 patients who underwent surgery through the posterior "S" shape incision served as the control group; based on matched baseline characteristics, 34 patients who underwent surgery through the medial small incision were selected as the observation group. Both groups received fixation of the avulsion fracture with suture anchors. Surgical indicators, as well as Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, range of motion (ROM) of the injured knee, the difference in posterior tibial translation between both sides (calculated by measuring the posterior translation on both sides), and the incidence of postoperative complications were collected at 1, 3, and 6 months post-surgery. Comparative analyses were conducted to evaluate postoperative functional recovery. Chi-square tests were used for categorical data comparison, and t-tests were employed for normally distributed continuous data.Results:The observation group had shorter incision lengths ((5.71±1.85) cm), less intraoperative blood loss ((74.87±20.74) mL), and shorter operation times ((48.76±6.46) min) compared to the control group ((12.45±1.52) cm, (120.29±31.12) mL, (61.14±10.23) min), and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 16.21, 7.02, 5.92, respectively; all P<0.001). At 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the Lysholm ((79.67±3.08), (91.16±2.23) points) and IKDC scores ((84.67±5.08), (93.16±3.23) points) in the observation group were significantly higher than those ((65.29±3.84), (79.52±2.98), (79.29±4.84), (85.32±3.98) points) in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 16.72, 18.04, 4.40, 8.81, respectively; all P<0.001). At 3 and 6 months, the VAS scores ((2.83±0.38), (2.12±0.34) points) in the control group were significantly higher than those ((2.41±0.25), (1.73±0.49) points) in the observation group ( t values were 5.34 and 3.73 respectively, both P<0.001). At 6 months post-surgery, all fractures had healed, in the observation group and control group the ROM ((130.56±5.96)° and (121.45±7.32)°) of the injured knee had increased, and the difference in posterior tibial translation ((1.17±0.61) and (1.94±0.57) mm) had decreased. However, the ROM in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group, and the difference in posterior tibial translation was significantly lower in the observation group, with statistically significant differences ( t values were 5.56 and 5.29 respectively; both P<0.001). Conclusions:Compared to the posterior "S" shape incision approach, the medial small incision approach with suture anchors for treating PCL tibial avulsion fractures offers advantages such as reduced trauma, shorter operation time, and less intraoperative blood loss, which is more beneficial for knee joint functional recovery.
10.Robot system-assisted versus freehand screw revision for ankylosing spondylitis with lower cervical fractures: a multicenter retrospective study
Shuai LI ; Jiaojiao BAI ; Baorong HE ; Yanzheng GAO ; Wei MEI ; Xinyu LIU ; Yue ZHU ; Qingda LI ; Yukuan LEI ; Lei ZHU ; Zhigang ZHAO ; Yunfei HUANG ; Jinpeng DU ; Mingzhe FENG ; Ningbo CHEN ; Yansheng HUANG ; Xuefang ZHANG ; Zhen CHANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(5):440-448
Objective:To compare the efficacy of robot system-assisted versus freehand screw revision for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with lower cervical fractures.Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 57 patients with AS combined with lower cervical fractures admitted to Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital, and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, including 46 males and 11 females, aged 38-77 years [(65.4±9.5)years]. Injury segments involved C 3 in 7 patients, C 4 in 13, C 5 in 25, C 6 in 10, and C 7 in 2. All the patients underwent revision surgery, among whom, 22 patients were treated with robot system-assisted cervical pedicle screw placement (robot nailing group, with 190 screws), and 35 with freehand cervical pedicle screw placement (freehand nailing group, with 300 screws). The operative duration, intraoperative bleeding volume, frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy, incision length, and length of hospital stay of the two groups were compared; the time of single nscrew insertion, the number of single nail revisions, the distance between screws and the anterior cortex, the accuracy of screw placement of grade 0 and grade 0+1 were recorded in the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Society (JOA) score, neck dysfunction index (NDI), American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) classification before operation, at 3 days, 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up were compared between the two groups. The complication rate was also noted. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-16 months [(14.3±2.1)months]. The operative duration, intraoperative bleeding volume, and frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy were (186.4±12.9)minutes, (486.1±68.6)ml, and (3.4±1.3)times in the robot nailing group, which were shorter or less than (206.7±14.4)minutes, (660.3±45.2)ml, and (13.5±3.6)times in the freehand nailing group ( P<0.01). The incision length was (9.4±2.4)cm in the robot nailing group, longer than (5.6±1.2)cm in the freehand nailing group ( P<0.01), and the length of hospital stay was (3.7±0.4)days, shorter than (4.4±1.4)days in the freehand nailing group ( P<0.01). The length of single nail insertion, the number of single nail revision, and the distance between the screws and the front cortex were (6.5±0.4)minutes, (1.1±0.1)times, and (3.5±1.3)mm in the robot nailing group, which were shorter or less than (11.6±0.2)minutes, (1.5±0.2)times, and (12.4±4.7)mm in the freehand nailing group ( P<0.01). The accuracy of the screw placement in the robot nailing group was 90.0% (171/190) and 95.8% (182/190) with level 0 and 0+1 screws, better than 80.0% (240/300) and 89.0% (267/300) in the freehand nailing group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS, JOA score, NDI, or ASIA grading between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). The VAS, JOA, and NDI scores at 3 days after operation were (3.1±0.6)points, (12.1±1.2)points, and (15.6±2.9)points, respectively in the robot nailing group, which were better than (5.0±1.4)points, (11.3±1.1)points and (22.5±3.7)points, respectively in the freehand nailing group ( P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the ASIA grade between the two groups at 3 days after operation ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS, JOA, NDI scores, or ASIA grading between the two groups at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). Compared with those before operation, the VAS, JOA, NDI scores, and ASIA grading were significantly improved at 3 days, 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the two groups, which were further improved with the passage of time. Two patients in the robot nailing group had pneumonia, with a complication rate of 9% (2/22), while 2 patients in the freehand nailing group had dural sac rupture and cerebrospinal fluid leakage and 3 had lung infection after operation, with a complication rate of 14% (5/35) ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with freehand nailing, the robot system-assisted nailing revision for AS with lower cervical fracture has more advantages in terms of the operative duration, length of hospital stay, intraoperative bleeding volume, frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy nailing speed and accuracy, screw holding force, early pain relief, function restoration, and complication rate, despite longer surgical incision.

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