BACKGROUND:Facet joint osteoarthritis is acknowledged as a significant contributor to lower back pain in the geriatric population.The advent of an innovative spinal facet joint fusion device presents a therapeutic option for intervening during the initial stages of facet joint osteoarthritis,and significantly reduces the incidence of a series of complications caused by poor early conservative treatment and late surgical treatment.However,its effect on the biomechanics of the lumbar spine is unknown.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical disparities between the novel lumbar zygapophyseal joint fusion device and traditional fusion devices.METHODS:A comprehensive three-dimensional finite element model of the L3-S1 lumbar spine was established and validated.Based on this intact model,three groups of surgical models were constructed:a bilateral pedicle screw fixation model,a bilateral novel facet joint fusion fixation model,and a bilateral facet screw fixation model,with the surgical segment designated as L4-5.Under a load of 500 N,a torque of 7.5 Nm was applied to all lumbar models to calculate the range of motion,displacement values,and intervertebral disc stress values at the L4-5 segment;stress values at the L3-4 and L5-S1 segments were also measured.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the intact model,the range of motion at the L4-5 segment was reduced in all surgical models.(2)The novel device exhibited the smallest range of motion at the L4-5 segment under left and right rotational conditions;the greatest range of motion at the L4-5 segment under extension conditions;and a greater range of motion under other conditions than the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(3)The novel device demonstrated the smallest displacement values at the L4-5 segment under left and right rotational conditions;under other conditions,the displacement values at the L4-5 segment were greater than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(4)In terms of stress distribution at the L4-5 segment,the novel device consistently exhibited the smallest values across all conditions.(5)For the L3-4 segment,the novel device showed the greatest stress values under extension and left and right rotational conditions,while under other conditions,the values were lower than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(6)Compared with pedicle screw fixation,the novel device produced smaller stress values at the L5-S1 segment.(7)This study indicates that,compared with pedicle screw fixation,the novel device impacts the biomechanics of the lumbar spine by fusing the facet joints.It provides stability while preserving the range of motion at the surgical segment and reduces stress on the intervertebral discs of the surgical and adjacent segments,thereby potentially delaying disc degeneration.This suggests that the novel device can achieve biomechanical effects similar to those of pedicle screw fixation in theory.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with molecular targeted therapy (MTT) and camrelizumab in patients with unresectable recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (urHCC).Methods:Clinical data of 83 patients with urHCC treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China between October 2018 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 75 males and 8 females, aged (55.2±10.7) years. Among them, 43 patients received TACE combined with MTT and camrelizumab (observation group), while 40 received TACE combined with MTT alone (control group). Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to compare overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between the groups. Treatment response was assessed according to the mRECIST criteria, and objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were compared. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored in both groups.Results:The observation group demonstrated longer median OS (31.8 vs 19.9 months, χ2=11.26, P=0.001) and median PFS (14.5 vs 7.4, months, χ2=4.08, P=0.043) compared to the control group. The ORR and DCR in the observation group were 51.2% (22/43) and 90.1% (39/43), respectively, both higher than those in the control group [25.0% (10/40) and 70.0% (28/40), respectively]. The differences were statistically significant ( χ2=5.99, 5.71; P=0.023, 0.025; respectively). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that different treatment regimens were influencing factors for post-treatment survival in patients with urHCC (control group vs treatment group: HR=2.633, 95% CI: 1.483- 4.677, P<0.001), as well as for PFS (control group vs treatment group: HR=1.781, 95% CI: 1.116-2.842, P=0.015). No treatment-related deaths or unexpected AEs occurred in either group. The most common systemic therapy-related AE was hand-foot syndrome, observed in 15 patients (34.9%, 15/43) in the observation group and 9 (22.5%, 9/40) in the control group ( χ2=1.55, P=0.236). Conclusions:Compared to TACE combined with MTT alone, TACE combined with MTT and camrelizumab demonstrates superior efficacy and acceptable safety in treating unresectable recurrent HCC.

BACKGROUND:Facet joint osteoarthritis is acknowledged as a significant contributor to lower back pain in the geriatric population.The advent of an innovative spinal facet joint fusion device presents a therapeutic option for intervening during the initial stages of facet joint osteoarthritis,and significantly reduces the incidence of a series of complications caused by poor early conservative treatment and late surgical treatment.However,its effect on the biomechanics of the lumbar spine is unknown.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical disparities between the novel lumbar zygapophyseal joint fusion device and traditional fusion devices.METHODS:A comprehensive three-dimensional finite element model of the L3-S1 lumbar spine was established and validated.Based on this intact model,three groups of surgical models were constructed:a bilateral pedicle screw fixation model,a bilateral novel facet joint fusion fixation model,and a bilateral facet screw fixation model,with the surgical segment designated as L4-5.Under a load of 500 N,a torque of 7.5 Nm was applied to all lumbar models to calculate the range of motion,displacement values,and intervertebral disc stress values at the L4-5 segment;stress values at the L3-4 and L5-S1 segments were also measured.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the intact model,the range of motion at the L4-5 segment was reduced in all surgical models.(2)The novel device exhibited the smallest range of motion at the L4-5 segment under left and right rotational conditions;the greatest range of motion at the L4-5 segment under extension conditions;and a greater range of motion under other conditions than the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(3)The novel device demonstrated the smallest displacement values at the L4-5 segment under left and right rotational conditions;under other conditions,the displacement values at the L4-5 segment were greater than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(4)In terms of stress distribution at the L4-5 segment,the novel device consistently exhibited the smallest values across all conditions.(5)For the L3-4 segment,the novel device showed the greatest stress values under extension and left and right rotational conditions,while under other conditions,the values were lower than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation model.(6)Compared with pedicle screw fixation,the novel device produced smaller stress values at the L5-S1 segment.(7)This study indicates that,compared with pedicle screw fixation,the novel device impacts the biomechanics of the lumbar spine by fusing the facet joints.It provides stability while preserving the range of motion at the surgical segment and reduces stress on the intervertebral discs of the surgical and adjacent segments,thereby potentially delaying disc degeneration.This suggests that the novel device can achieve biomechanical effects similar to those of pedicle screw fixation in theory.

Objective To explore the effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)in treating patients with hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome(HSOS)caused by gynura segetum,and to analyze the mid-to-long-term survival.Methods The clinical data of 44 patients with HSOS caused by gynura segetum,who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from April 2016 to September 2022 to receive TIPS treatment,were retrospectively analyzed.The preoperative and postoperative liver and kidney functions,ascites,and portal vein pressure were compared.Ultrasonography examination was performed to check the patency of stent and the thickness of ascites,the postoperative complications were recorded.Kaplan-Meier curve was used to calculate the cumulative survival so as to evaluate the survival of patients.Results Based on the severity of the illness,the 44 patients were divided into mild group(n=5),moderate group(n=13),severe group(n=19)and very severe group(n=7).Successful TIPS operation was achieved in all the patients,with a surgical success rate of 100％.No serious complications occurred.After TIPS,the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy(HE)was 20.5％(9/44).The portal pressure decreased from preoperative(42.00±0.91)cm H2 O to postoperative(18.27±0.67)cm H2O,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.001).The postoperative blood creatinine,aminotransferase,total bilirubin and Child-Pugh score were decreased when compared with their preoperative values,while the albumin level was increased when compared with its preoperative value,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The postoperative one-year and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 90.9％and 88.6％respectively.The 1-,3-,6-and 12-month survival rates in mild group were all 100％,in moderate group were 100.0％,100.0％,92.3％and 92.3％respectively,in severe group were 94.7％,94.7％,94.7％and 89.5％respectively,and in very severe group were 85.7％,71.4％,71.4％and 71.4％respectively.Conclusion For the treatment of HSOS caused by gynura segetum,TIPS can significantly improve the patient's ascites with low overall complication rate and high mid-to-long-term survival rate.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with molecular targeted therapy (MTT) and camrelizumab in patients with unresectable recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (urHCC).Methods:Clinical data of 83 patients with urHCC treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China between October 2018 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 75 males and 8 females, aged (55.2±10.7) years. Among them, 43 patients received TACE combined with MTT and camrelizumab (observation group), while 40 received TACE combined with MTT alone (control group). Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to compare overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between the groups. Treatment response was assessed according to the mRECIST criteria, and objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were compared. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored in both groups.Results:The observation group demonstrated longer median OS (31.8 vs 19.9 months, χ2=11.26, P=0.001) and median PFS (14.5 vs 7.4, months, χ2=4.08, P=0.043) compared to the control group. The ORR and DCR in the observation group were 51.2% (22/43) and 90.1% (39/43), respectively, both higher than those in the control group [25.0% (10/40) and 70.0% (28/40), respectively]. The differences were statistically significant ( χ2=5.99, 5.71; P=0.023, 0.025; respectively). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that different treatment regimens were influencing factors for post-treatment survival in patients with urHCC (control group vs treatment group: HR=2.633, 95% CI: 1.483- 4.677, P<0.001), as well as for PFS (control group vs treatment group: HR=1.781, 95% CI: 1.116-2.842, P=0.015). No treatment-related deaths or unexpected AEs occurred in either group. The most common systemic therapy-related AE was hand-foot syndrome, observed in 15 patients (34.9%, 15/43) in the observation group and 9 (22.5%, 9/40) in the control group ( χ2=1.55, P=0.236). Conclusions:Compared to TACE combined with MTT alone, TACE combined with MTT and camrelizumab demonstrates superior efficacy and acceptable safety in treating unresectable recurrent HCC.

Objective:To investigate the application value of self-pulling and latter transection (SPLT) technique in double anti-reflux double-tract reconstruction of totally laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopatholo-gical data of 103 patients with Siewert type Ⅱ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction in clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ who were admitted to Shanxi Cancer Hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were collected. There were 65 males and 38 females, aged from 45 to 79 years, with a median age of 59 years. Of 103 patients, 49 cases undergoing totally laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction of SPLT were assigned into the SPLT group, 54 cases undergoing totally laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with conventional double-tract reconstruction were assigned into the traditional group. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted by outpatient examination and telephone inter-view to detect postoperative reflux esophagitis of patients up to December 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and the t test was used for comparison between groups. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3), and the Wilcoxon test was used for comparison between groups. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was performed using the chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the non-parameter rank sum test. Results:(1) Intraoperative situations: the operation time, digestive tract reconstruction time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, the number of inferior mediastinal lymph nodes dissected, cases with auxiliary incisions for the SPLT group were (261±48)minutes, (26±4)minutes, (114±42)mL, 8.0(6.5,9.5), 1, respectively. The above indicators were (244±42)minutes, (30±6)minutes, (118±46)mL, 5.5(4.0,8.0), 9 for the traditional group, respectively. There were significant differences in the digestive tract reconstruction time, the number of inferior mediastinal lymph nodes dissected and cases with auxiliary incisions between the two groups ( t=-3.34, Z=-4.05, χ2=4.72, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the operation time or volume of intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( t=1.87, -0.47, P>0.05). (2) Postoperative situations: duration of postopera-tive hospital stay and cases with postoperative complications were (11.5±2.7)days and 4 for the SPLT group, versus (12.5±4.3)days and 9 for the traditional group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( t=-1.47, χ2=1.68, P>0.05). There were 13 of 103 patients with postopera-tive complications, including 5 cases of left pleural effusion, 4 cases of anastomotic leakage, 2 cases of mild pneumonia, 1 case of incision infection, 1 case of chylous leakage. Four patients had anasto-motic leakage at the esophagojejunostomy, the abdominal esophagus of whom was invaded by more than 1 cm. During the operation, mediastinal drainage tubes were placed through the abdominal wall. The 4 patients were cured after enteral and parenteral nutrition support and adequate drainage, and the remaining patients with complications were cured after symptomatic treatment. (3) Follow-up: of 49 patients in the SPLT group, 43 cases were followed up for (18±4)months. During the follow-up, 1 case showed reflux esophagitis by gastroscopy, with the incidence of 2.33%(1/43). Of 54 patients in the traditional group, 53 cases were followed up for (17±4)months. During the follow-up, 4 cases showed reflux esophagitis by gastroscopy, with the incidence of 7.55%(4/53). There was no significant difference in the incidence of reflux esophagitis between the two groups ( χ2=0.47, P>0.05). Conclusions:SPLT technology is feasible for double anti-reflux double-tract reconstruction of proximal gastrectomy. Compared with traditional double-tract reconstruction of totally laparos-copic proximal gastrectomy, SPLT technology can reduce the auxiliary incisions, increase the number of lower mediastinal lymph nodes dissected, and shorten the digestive tract reconstruction time.

There are still many controversies in the surgical treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors in terms of surgical approach, cleaning range, and resection scope. The reason is the confusion about the scope of the esophagogastric junction. The previous domestic and foreign anatomy descriptions of this part are not enough to solve the current problems. Based on a large number of basic anatomy and clinical operations, this article proposes that the esophagogastric junction may be wrapped by a complete and separate esophagogastric junction membrane with independent anatomy other than infracardiac bursa. The structure of the transitional tissue, mainly from the distribution of submucosal veins, explained the relationship and significance of tissue transitional changes and clinical operations, and made a reasonable analysis of the current controversy based on the anatomical characteristics, which is worthy of further investigation.

There are still many controversies in the surgical treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors in terms of surgical approach, cleaning range, and resection scope. The reason is the confusion about the scope of the esophagogastric junction. The previous domestic and foreign anatomy descriptions of this part are not enough to solve the current problems. Based on a large number of basic anatomy and clinical operations, this article proposes that the esophagogastric junction may be wrapped by a complete and separate esophagogastric junction membrane with independent anatomy other than infracardiac bursa. The structure of the transitional tissue, mainly from the distribution of submucosal veins, explained the relationship and significance of tissue transitional changes and clinical operations, and made a reasonable analysis of the current controversy based on the anatomical characteristics, which is worthy of further investigation.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) combined with interventional therapy for primary hepatic carcinoma complicated with portal hypertension.Methods:From October 2013 to December 2017, medical records of 141 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma complicated with portal hypertension hospitalized and treated in Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital were collected. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 32 cases were in the TIPS combined with interventional treatment group and 29 cases were included in the intervention-only group after age, gender, mean tumor diameter and Child-Pugh classification matched with TIPS combined with intervention treatment group. The efficacy of TIPS was obsented, and the related complications and prognosis of the two groups at six, 12 and 24 months after treatment were compared. Independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis, and Kaplan-Merier method was used for survival analysis. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between TIPS combined with intervention group and intervention-only group in age, gender, mean tumor diameter, Child-Pugh classification, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, Barcelona staging, interventional treatment, causes of liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension related symptoms , portal vein tumor thrombus, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin (TBil) (all P>0.05). The success rate of TIPS of patients in TIPS combined with intervention group was 100% (32/32). All the portal hypertension related symptoms after TIPS were relieved, and the remission rate was 100% (32/32). Compared with that before TIPS, after TIPS, the portal vein pressure decreased ((36.5±6.9) cmH 2O vs. (25.5±5.6) cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa)), the diameter of portal vein decreased ((15.9±3.5) mm vs. (13.7±2.7) mm), and ascites volume decreased (abdominal circumference ((105.6±13.9) cm vs. (88.0±9.8) cm), red blood cell count ((2.6±0.8)×10 12/L vs. (3.3±1.3)×10 12 /L) and hemoglobin level ((78.9±15.5) g/L vs. (108.4±14.6) g/L) both increased, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.866, 3.105, 10.769, -3.548 and -3.869, all P<0.01). The stent patency rate six months after TIPS was 100% (32/32), the 12-month patency rate was 94% (30/32), and the 24-month patency rate was 84% (27/32). Six months, 12 months and 24 months after treatment, the incidence of ascites of patients in the TIPS combined with interventional treatment group was 0, 3.1% (1/32) and 9.4% (3/32), respectively, and the incidence of bleeding was 3.1% (1/32), 9.4% (3/32) and 15. 6% (5/32), respectively, which were all lower than those of the intervention-only group (13.8%, 4/29; 27.6%, 8/29; 65.5%, 19/29; 20.7%, 6/29; 34.5%, 10/29 and 62.1%, 18/29), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.72, 7.24, 20.80; and 4.62, 5.72, 13.97; all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence rates of hepatic encephalopathy 6 and 12 months after treatment between the two groups (both P>0.05). The incidence of hepatic encephalopathy of intervention-only group (48.3%, 14/29) 24 months after treatment was higher than that of TIPS combined with intervention group (21.9%, 7/32), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.70, P=0.030). The results of Kaplan-Merier analysis indicated that 12 and 24 months after treatment the cumulative survival rates of TIPS combined with intervention group (84.4%, 27/32 and 53.1%, 17/32) were both higher than those of the intervention-only group (41.4%, 12/29 and 13.8%, 4/29), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=12.20 and 5.06, both P<0.05). The median survival time of TIPS combined with intervention group was 25 months, which was longer than that of the intervention-only group (12 months), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=3.341, P=0.001). Conclusions:TIPS combined with interventional therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma complicated with portal hypertension, which can improve the quality of life and increase the survival rate.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)in the treatment of patients with hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS).Methods From April 2015 to August 2018,at The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China,21 patients with gynura segetum caused HSOS were selected.All the patients received TIPS treatment because of unresponsiveness to anticoagulant therapy for at least two weeks.After operation patients were followed up with liver and portal vein Doppler ultrasonography examination,liver and kidney function tests,and survival observation.T test,logistic univariate regression analysis and Cox regression analysis were performed for statistical analysis.Results Among the 21 patients with gynura segetum-related HSOS,18 patients were in the subacute phase and three patients in the chronic phase.All of them were moderate or severe patients and all successfully underwent TIPS.The postoperative portal vein pressure was (16.71 ± 4.68) cmH2O (1 cmH2O =0.098 kPa),which was lower than that before operation ((41.52 ±6.27) cmH2O),and the difference was statistically significant (t =16.936,P ＜ 0.01).The postoperation portal vein blood flow velocity was (41.52 ±7.70) cm/s,which was higher than before operation ((11.19 ± 3.29) cm/s),and the difference was statistically significant (t =-15.191,P ＜0.01).At one month after operation,15 of 21 patients were clinically cured;among the remaining six patients,four patients were improved and two patients were ineffective (including one patient died).At four months after operation,two patients died,and the remaining 19 patients were clinically cured.At one month after operation,the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),total bilirubin (TBil) and serum creatinine were (23.7 ± 16.8) U/L,(33.9 ±7.4) U/L,(52.7 ± 38.2) μmol/L and (62.7 ± 12.6) μmol/L,respectively,which were lower than those before operation ((60.5 ± 42.4) U/L,(78.4 ± 42.4) U/L,(74.9 ± 38.2) μmol/L and (82.4 ± 19.6) μmol/L,respectively),and the differences were statistically significant (t =3.193,3.493,2.378 and 4.519;all P ＜ 0.05).The level of albumin was (39.0 ±3.1) g/L,which was higher than that before operation ((30.9 ± 3.8) g/L),and the difference was statistically significant (t =-10.283,P ＜ 0.01).Portal vein thrombosis and preoperative TBil level had predictive value for therapeutic efficacy (both P ＜0.05).The one-year cumulative survival rate of patients was 90.5％.Preoperative TBil level and hepatic encephalopathy had effects on the prognosis of patients (both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion TIPS is a safe,reliable and effective treatment for patients with subacute and chronic gynura segetum-related HSOS who are not responding to ineffective anticoagulant therapy,which can improve the prognosis and survival rate of the patients.