Objective:To investigate the efficacy of microscopic decompression in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) under single percutaneous tubular retractor system.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 117 DLSS patients with imaging manifestations as non-segmental lumbar instability, admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, 900 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Team from October 2018 to April 2023 were enrolled consecutively. These patients failed in strict conservative treatment and then changed to posterior lumbar spinal canal and nerve root decompression by microscopy and percutaneous tubular retractor system. These patients were followed up for 6-50 months. Pain visual analogue score (VAS) and lumbar Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) were recorded and results of X-rays, CT and MRI of lumbar spines were analyzed 1 d before and 1 week after decompression and at the last follow-up. Modified MacNab criteria were used to evaluate the efficacy at the last follow-up. Results:Among the 117 patients, unilateral laminectomy for unilateral decompression was performed in 56 patients (47.9%) and unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression in 61 (52.1%). Single segment decompression was performed in 109 patients (93.2%) and double segment decompression in 8 (6.8%). Dural sac rupture occurred in 4 patients (3.5%), and immediate occlusion was given; no cerebrospinal fluid leakage was noted after decompression. All patients did not experience obvious nerve damage during decompression or intervertebral infection/lumbar instability after decompression. After 18 (13, 24) months of follow-up, VAS scores of the patients at the last follow-up decreased from (5.96±0.85) 1 d before decompression and (1.75±0.61) 1 week after decompression to (1.01±0.59), and lumbar ODI decreased from (63.22±8.33)% 1 d before decompression and (17.66±5.20)% 1 week after decompression to (10.64±3.44)%, with significant differences ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, modified MacNab criteria indicated 46 patients (39.3%) as excellent, 66 (56.4%) as good, 3 (2.6%) as fair, and 2 (1.7%) as poor, with an excellent/good therapeutic rate of 95.7%. Conclusion:For surgical treatment of DLSS patients without evidenced preoperative spinal instability, personalized unilateral or bilateral spinal canal decompression under microscope by combiningsingle percutaneous tubular retractor system can effectively reduce surgical trauma and achieve satisfactory surgical results.

Objective:To compare the morphological differences of psoas major muscles between patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) of lower limb pain and lumbocrural pain based on CT imaging data.Methods:Sixty patients with LDH admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, 900 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Team from January 2012 to February 2023 were included. According to clinical symptoms, they were divided into lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group ( n=30). 3D CT images of the psoas major muscles in the 2 groups were reconstructed; the longest transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the psoas major muscle was chosen as the cross-sectional area, and the maximum psoas major muscle cross-sectional area was calculated; maximum psoas major muscle cross-sectional area index (PI max) was defined as ratio of maximum psoas major muscle cross-sectional area and L 5 vertebral cross-sectional area. PI max difference between lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group was compared; PI max difference among patients with different pain degrees (visual analog scale [VAS] scores) or pain courses was further compared in both lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlations of PI max with pain degree and pain course in the 2 groups. Results:PI max in lower limb pain group was significantly larger than that in lumbocrural pain group (0.62±0.05 vs. 0.54±0.04, t=7.320, P<0.001). PI max in patients with severe pain from both lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group was significantly smaller than that in patients with moderate pain (0.61±0.05 vs. 0.65±0.04, t=2.422, P=0.022; 0.53±0.03 vs. 0.58±0.04, t=3.502, P=0.002). PI max in patients with short pain course from both lower limb pain group and lumbocrural pain group was significantly larger than that in patients with long pain course (0.64±0.05 vs. 0.59±0.04, t=2.570, P=0.016; 0.57±0.04 vs. 0.53±0.03, t=2.941, P=0.007). Pearson correlation showed that PI max was negatively correlated with pain degree and pain course in LDH patients from both groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Atrophy of psoas major muscles in LDH patients is aggravated with increased pain degree and pain course.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of posterior cervical spinal nerve root decompression under microscope and percutaneous tubular retractor system in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).Methods:A total of 38 patients with CSR, admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, 900 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Team from September 2019 to October 2022 were enrolled consecutively. These patients failed in strict conservative treatment and then changed to posterior cervical spinal nerve root decompression under microscope and percutaneous tubular retractor system. The patients were followed up for (15.71±7.50) months, ranging from 3 to 36 months. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were recorded and the results of X-ray, CT and MRI of cervical spines were analyzed 1 d before decompression, before discharge and at the last follow-up. C 2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was measured and compared on CT reconstruction images before decompression and at the last follow-up. The clinical efficacy of these patients was determined according to the formula of improvement rate=([JOA at the last follow-up-preoperative JOA]/[17-preoperative JOA])×100%: 100% improvement rate was defined as cure, improvement rate>60% as significant effect, 25%

Objective:To investigate the role of NG2 cells in generating and maintaining neuropathic pain in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods:According to random number table method, 100 healthy adult male SD rats were divided into control group ( n=20, without any intervention), sham-operated group ( n=40, exposed T 10 segment without spinal cord impact) and SCI group ( n=40, exposed T 10 segment and constructed SCI model by improved Allen's method). One d before, and 14, 21 and 28 d after surgery, Von Frey fiber probe was used to detect the rat hindlimb mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT); immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells; Western blotting was used to detect chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) expression in spinal dorsal horn of rats. Results:Fourteen, 21 and 28 d after surgery, SCI group had significantly lower hindlimb MWT, and significantly higher proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells and CSPG expression in spinal dorsal horn than control group and sham-operated group ( P<0.05). One d before, and 14, 21 and 28 d after surgery, in SCI group, hindlimb MWT decreased firstly and increased secondly, proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells increased firstly and decreased secondly, and CSPG expression in spinal dorsal horn increased firstly and decreased secondly. Except for those 21 and 28 d after surgery, hindlimb MWT, proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells, and CSPG expression in spinal dorsal horn showed significant differences between each two time points ( P<0.05). In SCI group, hindlimb MWT was negatively correlated with proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells ( r=-0.876, P<0.001), and CSPG expression was positively correlated with proportion of NG2-positive cells in spinal dorsal horn cells ( r=0.927, P<0.001). Conclusion:NG2 cell proliferation and increased CSPG expression secreted by NG2 cells in spinal cord tissues after SCI generate and maintain neuropathic pain.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with a skin flap reserving the pretarsal fullness.Methods:From November 2017 to April 2022, a retrospective analysis was performed to assess the reserving of pretarsal fullness after the transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty with a skin flap in the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, PLA. A subciliary incision was made below the ciliary margin and a skin flap was elevated at the surface of pretarsal orbicularis. The muscle was partially split at the position of pretarsal crease, leaving the pretarsal orbicularis oculi muscle and the pretarsal crease intact. Preseptal dissection was proceeded down to the level of arcus marginalis, exposing the orbital fat pads. For patient with tear trough deformity or volume deficiency in the medial cheek, retaining ligament laxity and fat repositioning were routinely performed. The muscle wound was closed edge to edge and the excess skin was excised conservatively. Postoperative complications were recorded. Face-Q scale was used for surgical decision and postoperative satisfaction evaluation. The scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating less regret the operation or greater satisfaction. The preoperative and postoperative digital photographs were used to evaluate the change of pretarsal fullness.Results:256 patients were included, of whom 233 cases were women and 23 cases were men. The age was (43.0±10.2) years. 24 cases had concomitant lateral canthoplasty due to hypotonia of lower eyelid, 22 had concomitant upper blepharoplasty, and 21 cases had brow lift surgery to correct upper eyelid relaxation. All patients had follow-up for (3.7±4.1) months, most patients were satisfied with the operation results. A total of 211 patients maintained a natural pretarsal fullness postoperatively, with the rate of 82.4%. The Face-Q satisfaction score was (75.8±18.6) and the surgical decision score was (80.3±15.4), indicating that most patients did not regret the operation. Postoperative complications included 8 cases of eyelid bags undercorrection, of whom 4 patients underwent secondary resection. 7 patients experienced infraorbital bulge for the uneven placement of the fat pad, 2 of them required revision surgery. Hematoma occurred in 4 cases and was resolved by hematoma clearance. Other complications included 3 cases of ectropion and 2 cases of minimal tear trough correction. Lower eyelid ectropion was corrected in one case.Conclusion:Reserving the pretarsal fullness in transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with a skin flap provides excellent aesthetic results and high patient satisfaction. This technique is simple and effective.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with a skin flap reserving the pretarsal fullness.Methods:From November 2017 to April 2022, a retrospective analysis was performed to assess the reserving of pretarsal fullness after the transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty with a skin flap in the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, PLA. A subciliary incision was made below the ciliary margin and a skin flap was elevated at the surface of pretarsal orbicularis. The muscle was partially split at the position of pretarsal crease, leaving the pretarsal orbicularis oculi muscle and the pretarsal crease intact. Preseptal dissection was proceeded down to the level of arcus marginalis, exposing the orbital fat pads. For patient with tear trough deformity or volume deficiency in the medial cheek, retaining ligament laxity and fat repositioning were routinely performed. The muscle wound was closed edge to edge and the excess skin was excised conservatively. Postoperative complications were recorded. Face-Q scale was used for surgical decision and postoperative satisfaction evaluation. The scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating less regret the operation or greater satisfaction. The preoperative and postoperative digital photographs were used to evaluate the change of pretarsal fullness.Results:256 patients were included, of whom 233 cases were women and 23 cases were men. The age was (43.0±10.2) years. 24 cases had concomitant lateral canthoplasty due to hypotonia of lower eyelid, 22 had concomitant upper blepharoplasty, and 21 cases had brow lift surgery to correct upper eyelid relaxation. All patients had follow-up for (3.7±4.1) months, most patients were satisfied with the operation results. A total of 211 patients maintained a natural pretarsal fullness postoperatively, with the rate of 82.4%. The Face-Q satisfaction score was (75.8±18.6) and the surgical decision score was (80.3±15.4), indicating that most patients did not regret the operation. Postoperative complications included 8 cases of eyelid bags undercorrection, of whom 4 patients underwent secondary resection. 7 patients experienced infraorbital bulge for the uneven placement of the fat pad, 2 of them required revision surgery. Hematoma occurred in 4 cases and was resolved by hematoma clearance. Other complications included 3 cases of ectropion and 2 cases of minimal tear trough correction. Lower eyelid ectropion was corrected in one case.Conclusion:Reserving the pretarsal fullness in transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with a skin flap provides excellent aesthetic results and high patient satisfaction. This technique is simple and effective.

Objective:To investigate the clinical difference between primary suture and T tube drainage in laparoscopic choledocholithotomy.Methods:The clinical data of 124 patients treated by laparoscopic choledocholithotomy in Suzhou Municipal Hospital from December 2018 to February 2020 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into the primary suture group (71 cases) and the T tube drainage group (53 cases) according to the different surgical methods, and the differences in the relevant treatment indicators were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, preoperative aspartate aminotransferase, preoperative alanine aminotransferase, preoperative total bilirubin, preoperative common bile duct diameter, postoperative length of stay, total cost of hospitalization, postoperative exhaust time, or postoperative biliary leakage, et al. Compared with the T tube drainage group, the primary suture group had more single choledocholithiasis before operation (33 cases vs. 15 cases), shorter operation time: (100.14 ± 38.90) h vs. (140.45 ± 54.17) h, less intraoperative bleeding: (35.70 ± 30.17) ml vs. (49.53 ± 34.58) ml, and later extraction time of Winslow hole drainage tube after operation: (7.15 ± 2.61) d vs. (5.45 ± 3.35) d, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Under the condition of strictly controlling the indications of primary suture and being operated by general surgeons who can skillfully operate laparoscope and choledochoscope, laparoscopic choledocholithotomy for primary suture has better curative effect than T tube drainage, and has higher clinical application value.

Objective:To study the changes and imaging features of arachnoid granulation (AG) in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 35 patients with idiopathic CVST confirmed by MR imaging combined with CE-MRV or DSA in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2018, and 35 healthy controls collected at the physical examination center at the same time period were detected. The sizes and numbers of AG were compared between the two groups, and the MR imaging features of CVST and AG in patients with CVST at different courses were compared.Results:(1) In 35 patients with CVST, AG was found in 14 patients, and the average diameter was (5.19±2.40) mm, ranged from 1.83-11.77 mm; in the control group, AG was found in 23 patients, and the average diameter was (4.45±2.03) mm, ranged from 1.45-9.87 mm; no statistical difference was noted in diameter between the two groups ( t=2.121, P=0.221), and the number of AG showed statistical difference between the two groups (χ 2=4.644, P=0.031). (2) In 8 patients with CVST at acute phase, CVST showed hypointense on T2WI and FLAIR; in 20 patients with CVST at subacute phase, CVST showed hyperintense on T2WI and FLAIR; in 7 patients with CVST at chronic phase, CVST showed hyperintense on T2WI and FLAIR. At any stage of venous sinus thrombosis, AG showed high signal on T2WI and low signal on FLAIR. Conclusion:AG detection rate in CVST patients is lower than that in normal controls; MR imaging T2WI and FLAIR sequences could effectively distinguish CVST with AG.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic values of MRI T2WI and 3D contrast enhanced magnetic resonance venography (3D CE-MRV) in transverse sinus arachnoid granulations (AGs).Methods:Clinical data were obtained from 811 patients who were subjected to non-contrast MR imaging and 3D CE-MRV between January 2016 and April 2019 in our hospital. And the number of patients whose transverse sinus AGs could be shown by T2WI and MRV, the number, size, and shape of AGs, and the number of AGs-related veins were recorded.Results:MRI T2WI showed 242 AGs in 184 patients (22.7%), and 3D CE-MRV showed 138 AGs in 119 patients (14.7%); MRI T2WI had a significantly higher percentage in showing AGs patients as compared with 3D CE-MRV ( P<0.05). Two hundred and forty-two AGs showed by MRI T2WI were divided into 3D CE-MRV observation group ( n=138) and 3D CE-MRV non-observation group ( n=104); the diameter of AGs in the 3D CE-MRV non-observation group ([5.30±2.10] mm) was significantly smaller than that in the 3D CE-MRV observation group ([6.14±2.03] mm, P<0.05). MR T2WI showed that 231 AGs were like circles or ellipses and 11 AGs were like fractal; while 3D CE-MRV showed that 138 AGs were like circles or ellipses and 0 AG were like fractal. MRI T2WI showed that 289 veins were closely related to AGs, and 3D CE-MRV showed that 97 veins were closely related to AGs. MRI T2WI could demonstrate significantly higher proportion of non-labbe veins which were closely related to AGs than 3D CE-MRV ( P<0.05). Conclusion:As compared with 3D CE-MRV, T2WI can find larger number of AGs in the transverse sinus, and better display the shape of AGs and the vein adjacent to them.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of transconjunctival orbital fat repositioning into the premaxillary space for the treatment of eyelid bag and tear trough deformity.Methods:A retrospective review of patients undergoing orbital fat repositioning from April 2018 to June 2019 was performed at the Department of Laser and Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, PLA. 68 patients were included in this series with their age ranging from 19 to 53 (5 males and 63 females). Through a transconjunctival incision, blunt dissection of orbital septum and orbicularis oculi was performed along the preseptal plane to just above the arcus marginalis. Both the orbicularis oculi retaining ligament and the tear trough ligament were sharply released with cutting cautery at its bony origin. Premaxillary space was then entered and separated by blunt dissection between orbicularis oculi and sub-orbicularis oculi fat. Pedicled orbital fat was transposed into the space and secured with percutaneous sutures so as to blend the tear tough. Postoperative result were assessed by self-satisfactory scale and Hirmand classification of tear trough deformity. Scores of self-satisfactory scale were determined as 1 to 5 points according to very satisfied, satisfied, acceptable, not satisfied and very unsatisfied degree respectively.Results:The follow-up was (145.8±82.9) d. The self-satisfactory scale scored 4.47±0.82. Number of the class Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ patients reduced from 24, 37, 7 to 7, 0, 0 respectively after the surgery. 20 patients with cheek depression had also been greatly improved. 12 patients had undercorrection of the eyelid bags. 2 patients underwent dry eye that was treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops and healed within one month. One patient had eyelid numbness which resolved spontaneously. Hematoma developed in one patient who underwent hematoma evacuation surgery. No other complications were seen in any patients.Conclusions:Transconjunctival premaxillary space fat repositioning blepharoplasty is a safe and effective approach for treating eye bags, especially for patients with tear trough deformity and midface depression.