OBJECTIVE: To investigate the technical key points and effectiveness of ultrasonic bone scalpel-assisted anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) for treating cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). METHODS: Between June 2022 and December 2024, 11 OPLL patients underwent ultrasonic bone scalpel-assisted ACAF. The cohort included 8 males and 3 females, aged 49-74 years (mean, 56.7 years). The OPLL classification included 5 cases of mixed-type, 4 cases of segmental-type, and 2 cases of continuous-type cases. Ossification involved 2-5 spinal segments (mean, 3.2). Disease duration ranged from 2 to 18 months (mean, 6.2 months). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded. Pain improvement was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and neurological function was evaluated using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Postoperative cervical CT and MRI were performed to measure spinal canal encroachment rate, spinal canal area, and spinal cord sagittal diameter. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed. The operation time ranged from 174 to 360 minutes (mean, 255.9 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 170 to 530 mL (mean, 345.9 mL). The C ₅ nerve root palsy occurred in 1 patient. No cerebrospinal fluid leakage, aggravated spinal cord injury, or recurrent/superior laryngeal nerve injuries occurred. All patients were followed 3-12 months (mean, 7.2 months). At last follow-up, VAS scores significantly decreased and JOA scores significantly increased compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). According to the JOA improvement rate, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 2 cases, good in 8, and fair in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 90.9%. Radiological re-examination revealed no implant loosening, screw breakage, or aggravated spinal stenosis. Postoperative spinal canal encroachment rate significantly decreased, while spinal canal area and spinal cord sagittal diameter significantly increased compared to preoperative measurements ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION For the treatment of cervical OPLL via ACAF, the intraoperative application of ultrasonic bone scalpel-assisted osteotomy enables precise vertebral groove creation and mobilization of the vertebra-ossification complex, thereby enhancing surgical safety and achieving satisfactory short-term effectiveness.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Spinal Fusion/instrumentation* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures/instrumentation* ; Operative Time

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of V-shaped stealth decompression technique using ultrasonic bone scalpel in anterior surgery for adjacent two-level cervical spondylosis. METHODS: A clinical data of 41 patients with adjacent two-level cervical spondylosis, who admitted between January 2020 and December 2023 and met the selection criteria, was analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 22 cases were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) assisted by V-shaped stealth decompression technique using ultrasonic bone scalpel (group A) and 19 cases with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) (group B). There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, disease duration, surgical segment, preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, neck dysfunction index (NDI), pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal in the responsibility space of axial CT ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospital stay, complications during follow-up, JOA score, NDI, and VAS score at last follow-up, and the incidences of intervertebral fusion at 3 months after operation, and cage subsidence at last follow-up were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The operations in the two groups were successfully completed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and hospital stay in group A were significantly less than those in group B ( P<0.05). Two cases (9.1%) in group A and 4 cases (21.1%) in group B developed complications, with no significant difference in the incidence between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 9.3 months). There was no significant difference in follow-up time between the two groups ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the JOA score and VAS score in both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The change values of VAS score and the improvement rate of JOA score in group A were significantly superior to group B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the change values of NDI and JOA score between the two group ( P>0.05). Imaging reexamination showed that the rate of intervertebral fusion at 3 months after operation was significantly higher in group A (81.8%) than in group B (52.6%) ( P<0.05), and all patients obtained bony intervertebral fusion at last follow-up. At last follow-up, 2 cases (9.1%) in group A and 11 cases (57.9%) in group B had cage sinking, and the difference in the incidence was significant ( P<0.05). No loosening or fracture of internal fixators occurred in all patients. CONCLUSION Using ultrasonic bone scalpel can transform single vertebral ACCF into two-segment ACDF in anterior cervical spondylosis surgery. The V-shaped stealth decompression technique is safe and efficient, with the advantages of minimal trauma, fewer postoperative complications, and rapid recovery of patients.
Humans ; Spondylosis/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Decompression, Surgical/instrumentation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion/instrumentation* ; Diskectomy/instrumentation* ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Operative Time

Objective: Toric intraocular lens implantation has been used to correct corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery. The study aimed to compare the visual outcomes between manual vs markerless toric intraocular lens implantation in astigmatic correction. Methods: The medical records of patients at American Eye Center who underwent phacoemulsification by multiple surgeons with insertion of monofocal or multifocal toric lenses via manual marking and markerless method from 2010-2019 were reviewed. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in the study. Results showed no significant difference in the following characteristics between manual and markerless method at one month and two months post-cataract surgery: uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected near vision acuity (UNVA), corrected near vision acuity (CNVA), refraction spherical equivalent. The UDVA, CDVA, UNVA, CNVA and astigmatism had significantly lower median/mean-rank at one and two months postoperatively compared to preoperative values. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings indicated that both manual-based and markerless systems effectively facilitated accurate placement of the toric IOL on the desired axis. Notably, there was no significant difference observed between the two methods. Both systems are straightforward to execute. In low-resource settings like the Philippines, the manual marking method can be employed when markerless guidance equipment is unavailable.
Phacoemulsification ; Astigmatism ; Philippines

Introduction: There is a limited data on the incidence of pediatric urolithiasis in the Philippines as well as studies on how it is managed. With the advent of endourology, there is already an evident shift from open stone surgery to minimally invasive surgery as first line in the treatment of pediatric urolithiasis. A tertiary referral center in the country caters to most pediatric urolithiasis cases in the country and offers the different minimally invasive modalities outlined in the latest guidelines. This study aimed to review the different minimally invasive therapeutic modalities for pediatric urolithiasis and its outcomes in the past ten years in a tertiary referral center in the Philippines. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted through charts review of all pediatric patients (0-18 years) who underwent stone surgery from January 2012 to December 2022. Demographic and clinical data, stone characteristics, types of stone surgery, and outcomes were obtained. Results: A total of 87 pediatric patients (54 boys, 33 girls) with 105 urolithiases were analyzed. The patients had a mean age of 13 years, with an interquartile range (IQR) spanning from 6 to 18 years. Among them, 62.07% were male, while 37.93% were female. The most prevalent symptom reported was flank pain, affecting 41.38% of the patients, followed by urinary tract infections (UTI) (11.49%) and gross hematuria (8.05%). For the management, 82.86% of the patients underwent minimally invasive stone procedures with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) as the most common procedure (44.76%) and ureterolithiases as the most common stone (43.81%). On the other hand, 17.14% of the subjects underwent open stone surgery done mostly on cystolithiases and large ureterolithiases (38.89% each). All patients recovered and were discharged post operatively. Conclusion The institution practices minimally invasive approaches in the majority of pediatric patients with urolithiasis. Open stone surgery is reserved for patient with large complex stones and those with anatomic abnormalities.
Child ; Lithotripsy ; Ureteroscopy

Objective: To report a case of a suture-related corneal abscess caused by Enterococcus casseliflavus on a phacoemulsification corneal incision. Method: This is a case report. Results: An elderly female underwent complicated phacoemulsification surgery on the left eye requiring sutures to seal the corneal incisions. Suture removal was incomplete at the side port, and a suture abscess developed after 9 weeks. Cultures revealed heavy growth of Enterococcus casseliflavus which was initially treated with an empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic (levofloxacin 1.5%) administered via intrastromal and subconjunctival injections, followed by culture-guided topical and oral medications. The corneal infection resolved but significant corneal thinning led to perforation, requiring a modified Gunderson flap procedure to repair the defect. Conclusion Intrastromal and subconjuctival injection of levofloxacin 1.5% may be a viable empiric treatment option for Enterococcus casseliflavus suture-related corneal abscess.
Phacoemulsification

OBJECTIVE

Toric intraocular lens implantation has been used to correct corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery. The study aimed to compare the visual outcomes between manual vs markerless toric intraocular lens implantation in astigmatic correction.

The medical records of patients at American Eye Center who underwent phacoemulsification by multiple surgeons with insertion of monofocal or multifocal toric lenses via manual marking and markerless method from 2010-2019 were reviewed.

A total of 70 patients were included in the study. Results showed no significant difference in the following characteristics between manual and markerless method at one month and two months post-cataract surgery: uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected near vision acuity (UNVA), corrected near vision acuity (CNVA), refraction spherical equivalent. The UDVA, CDVA, UNVA, CNVA and astigmatism had significantly lower median/mean-rank at one and two months postoperatively compared to preoperative values.

In conclusion, our findings indicated that both manual-based and markerless systems effectively facilitated accurate placement of the toric IOL on the desired axis. Notably, there was no significant difference observed between the two methods. Both systems are straightforward to execute. In low-resource settings like the Philippines, the manual marking method can be employed when markerless guidance equipment is unavailable.

Periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) is an adjunctive technique in orthodontic treatment, based on the principle of the regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP). It aims to shorten orthodontic treatment duration by enhancing osteoclast activity. In recent years, the surgical approach of PAOO has been gradually optimized with the development of techniques such as piezosurgical corticotomy and alveolar micro-osteoperforations. The materials used have also improved, including novel grafting materials such as bioactive glass and new barrier membranes like platelet-rich fibrin. Thanks to these clinical innovations, PAOO is evolving toward a trend of minimal pain, low invasiveness, and high efficacy. However, clinical research on PAOO remains limited, large-sample, multicenter randomized controlled trials are still needed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of different surgical techniques and grafting materials in PAOO.
Humans ; Osteogenesis/physiology* ; Orthodontics/methods* ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Piezosurgery/methods*

Objective: To analyze the therapeutic effect and safety of pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(P-ESWL) for patients with chronic pancreatitis complicated by stones of the pancreatic duct and to investigate the influencing factors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from 81 patients with chronic pancreatitis complicated by pancreatic duct calculus treated with P-ESWL in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University from July 2019 to May 2022. There were 55 males(67.9%) and 26 females(32.1%). The age was (47±15)years (range: 17 to 77 years). The maximum diameter(M(IQR)) of the stone was 11.64(7.60) mm, and the CT value of the stone was 869 (571) HU. There were 32 patients (39.5%) with a single pancreatic duct stone and 49 patients(60.5%) with multiple pancreatic duct stones. The effectiveness, remission rate of abdominal pain, and complications of P-ESWL were evaluated. Student's t test, Mann Whitney U test, χ² test, or Fisher's exact test was used to compare the characteristics between the effective and ineffective groups of lithotripsy. The factors influencing the effect of lithotripsy were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Eighty-one patients with chronic pancreatitis were treated with P-ESWL 144 times, with an average of 1.78 (95%CI:1.60 to 1.96) times per person. Among them, 38 patients(46.9%) were treated with endoscopy. There were 64 cases(79.0%) with effective removal of pancreatic duct calculi and 17 cases(21.0%) with ineffective removal. Of the 61 patients with chronic pancreatitis accompanied by abdominal pain, 52 cases(85.2%) had pain relief after lithotripsy. After lithotripsy treatment, 45 patients(55.6%) developed skin ecchymosis, 23 patients(28.4%) had sinus bradycardia, 3 patients(3.7%) had acute pancreatitis, 1 patient(1.2%) had a stone lesion, and 1 patient(1.2%) had a hepatic hematoma. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the factors affecting the efficacy of lithotripsy included the age of patient(OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.86 to 0.97), the maximum diameter of the stone(OR=1.12,95%CI:1.02 to 1.24) and the CT value of the stone(OR=1.44, 95%CI: 1.17 to 1.86). Conclusions: P-ESWL is effective in the treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis complicated by calculi of the main pancreatic duct.Factors affecting the efficacy of lithotripsy include patient's age, maximum stone diameter, and CT value of calculi.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Acute Disease ; Treatment Outcome ; Calculi/pathology* ; Lithotripsy ; Pancreatitis, Chronic/pathology* ; Pancreatic Diseases/complications* ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Abdominal Pain/therapy*

OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion combined with western medication on ureteral stent-related symptoms after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL). METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients with upper urinary tract calculus implanted with ureteral stents after URL were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (50 cases, 1 case dropped out), a placebo moxibustion group (50 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a blank control group (50 cases). No intervention was performed in the blank control group. On the basis of oral administration with tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule (starting from the first day after surgery, once a day, 0.2 mg each time, continuously for 4 weeks), in the moxibustion group, moxibustion was operated at Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Shenshu (BL 23); the sham-moxibustion was delivered at the same acupoints in the placebo moxibustion group, once daily, 6 times a week, for 15 min in each treatment. The duration of treatment was 4 weeks. Before treatment, and after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain, general health, work performance and satisfaction of sexual matters were compared among the 3 groups. The tract calculus clearance rate, urinary infection and the oral administration of painkillers were compared after 4 weeks of treatment in the 3 groups. RESULTS: The scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain and general health after 1 week of treatment, and the scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain, general health and work performance after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those before treatment in the 3 groups (P<0.01). The scores of lower urinary tract symptoms and body pain in the moxibustion group after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those in the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group (P<0.01, P<0.05) respectively. The score of general health in the moxibustion group was lower than that in the blank control group after 1 week of treatment (P<0.01), and lower than those of the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). Regarding the score of work performance, it was lower in the moxibustion group after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment compared with those in the blank control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lower than those of the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The tract calculus clearance rate in the moxibustion group was 95.9% (47/49), higher than that in the blank control group (80.0%, 40/50, P<0.05). The proportion of oral administration of painkillers in the moxibustion group (28.6%, 14/49) and the placebo moxibustion group (40.4%, 19/47) was lower than that in the blank control group (76.0%, 38/50, P<0.01) respectively. CONCLUSIONS Moxibustion combined with western medication relieves lower urinary tract symptoms and body pain, and accelerate the recovery of general health and work performance in the patients after URL.
Humans ; Ureteroscopy/adverse effects* ; Moxibustion ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects* ; Pain ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Calculi ; Stents/adverse effects* ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of active migration technique and in situ lithotripsy technique in the treatment of 1-2 cm upper ureteral calculi by retrograde flexible ureteroscopy. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with 1-2 cm upper ureteral calculi treated in the urology department of Beijing Friendship Hospital from August 2018 to August 2020 were selected as the subjects. The patients were divided into two groups using random number table: 45 patients in group A were treated with in situ lithotripsy and 45 patients in group B were treated with active migration technique. The active migration technique was to reposition the stones in the renal calyces convenient for lithotripsy with the help of body position change, water flow scouring, laser impact or basket displacement, and then conduct laser lithotripsy and stone extraction. The data of the patients before and after operation were collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The age of the patients in group A was (51.6±14.1) years, including 34 males and 11 females. The stone diameter was (1.48±0.24) cm, and the stone density was (897.8±175.9) Hu. The stones were located on the left in 26 cases and on the right in 19 cases. There were 8 cases with no hydronephrosis, 20 cases with grade Ⅰ hydronephrosis, 11 cases with grade Ⅱ hydronephrosis, and 6 cases with grade Ⅲ hydronephrosis. The age of the patients in group B was (51.8±13.7) years, including 30 males and 15 females. The stone diameter was (1.52±0.22) cm, and the stone density was (964.6±214.2) Hu. The stones were located on the left in 22 cases and on the right in 23 cases. There were 10 cases with no hydronephrosis, 23 cases with grade Ⅰ hydronephrosis, 8 cases with grade Ⅱ hydronephrosis, and 4 cases with grade Ⅲ hydronephrosis. There was no significant diffe-rence in general parameters and stone indexes between the two groups. The operation time of group A was (67.1±16.9) min and the lithotripsy time was (38.0±13.2) min. The operation time of group B was (72.2±14.8) min and the lithotripsy time was (40.6±12.6) min. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Four weeks after operation, the stone-free rate in group A was 86.7%, and in group B was 97.8%. There was no significant difference between the two groups. In terms of complications, 25 cases of hematuria, 16 cases of pain, 10 cases of bladder spasm and 4 cases of mild fever occurred in group A. There were 22 cases of hematuria, 13 cases of pain, 12 cases of bladder spasm and 2 cases of mild fever in group B. There was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION Active migration technique is safe and effective in the treatment of 1-2 cm upper ureteral calculi.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Ureteral Calculi/surgery* ; Hematuria/therapy* ; Ureteroscopy/methods* ; Lithotripsy/methods* ; Lithotripsy, Laser/methods* ; Hydronephrosis/complications* ; Pain ; Treatment Outcome ; Retrospective Studies