ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of in vitro fenestration on reconstruction of left subclavian artery in endovascular treatment of aortic dissection.MethodsA total of 89 patients with aortic dissection involving left subclavian artery were treated by endovascular treatment in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from February 2017 to January 2020. There were 44 patients in the test group, including 36 males and 8 females, with an average age of 58.02±13.58 years. There were 45 patients in the control group, including 35 males and 10 females, with an average age of 54.10±12.32 years. The left subclavian artery was reconstructed by in vitro fenestration in the test group and by chimney technique in the control group. The clinical data were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe operation time of the test group was longer than that of the control group (126.16±7.53 min vs. 96.49±6.52 min, P<0.01). The median follow-up time was 31 (13-48) months. The incidence of endoleak in the test group (4.7%) was lower than that in the control group (18.6%, P=0.04) during the follow-up. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction, false lumen thrombosis, retrograde aortic dissection or left subclavian artery occlusion between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion In vitro fenestration for reconstructing left subclavian artery in thoracic endovascular aortic repair of aortic dissection is safe and feasible, which is worthy of further clinical promotion.
Objective To explore effectiveness of minimally invasive internal fixation with locking plates for mid-shaft clavicle fractures. Methods Between October 2022 and August 2023, 28 patients with mid-shaft clavicle fractures were treated by minimally invasive internal fixation with locking plates. There were 10 males and 18 females with a mean age of 46.2 years (range, 18-74 years). The fractures were caused by traffic accident in 16 patients, sports-related injury in 7 patients, and other injuries in 5 patients. According to Robinson classification, the fractures were classified as type 2A1 in 1 case, type 2A2 in 6 cases, type 2B1 in 15 cases, and type 2B2 in 6 cases. The interval between fracture and operation ranged from 5 hours to 21 days (median, 1.0 days). The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 8.1±1.6. The VAS score at 3 days after operation and the occurrence of complications after operation were recorded. During follow-up, X-ray films were re-examined to observe the healing of the fracture; the shoulder joint function was evaluated according to the Constant-Murley score at 6 months, and the length of the incision scar (total length of the distal and proximal incisions) was measured. ResultsAll operations were successfully completed without any subclavian vascular or nerve damage. All incisions healed by first intention. The VAS score was 1.2±0.7 at 3 days after operation, and there was a significant difference in VAS score between pre- and post-operation (t=8.704, P<0.001). At 1 week after operation, the patient’s shoulder was basically painless, and they resumed normal life. All patients were followed up 12-20 months (mean, 13.3 months). X-ray films showed that the bone callus began to form at 2-4 months after operation (mean, 2.7 months). There was no delayed healing or non healing of the fracture, and no loosening or fracture of the internal fixators during follow-up. At 6 months after operation, the mean total incision length was 1.5 cm (range, 1.1-1.8 cm); no patient complained of numbness or paresthesia on subclavicular region or anterior chest wall. The Constant-Murley score of shoulder joint function was 93-100 (mean, 97.6). Conclusion Minimally invasive internal fixation with locking plates is a good surgical method for treating mid-shaft clavicle fractures, with simple operation, minimal trauma, good postoperative results, and high satisfaction.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of clavicular hook plate fixation in the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation and distal clavicle fractures. Methods A clinical data of 90 patients, who underwent clavicular hook plate fixation between January 2014 and June 2023, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 40 patients with distal clavicle fractures (fracture group) and 50 with acromioclavicular joint dislocations (dislocation group). There was no significant difference in the baseline data of gender, age, cause of injury, side of injury, time from injury to operation, and constituent ratio of osteoporosis patients between the two groups (P>0.05). The time to remove the internal fixators and the occurrence of complications were recorded. Before removing the internal fixator and at 3 months after removing, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the degree of pain, and the mobility of the shoulder joint in forward flexion, elevation, and abduction was measured. Before removing the internal fixators, the Constant-Murley score and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score were used to evaluate the function of the shoulder joint. X-ray films of the shoulder joint were taken during follow-up to observe the occurrence of subacromial osteolysis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and distal clavicle bone atrophy. Subgroup comparison was conducted between patients with and without subacromial osteolysis in the two groups. Results All incisions healed by first intention in both groups. All patients were followed up 1-9 years, with a median of 5 years; the difference in follow-up time between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). During follow-up, subacromial osteolysis occurred in 74 cases, including 41 cases of typeⅠand 33 cases of type Ⅱ, distal clavicle bone atrophy in 15 cases, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis in 8 cases. There were significant differences in the removal time of internal fixators, the incidence of bone atrophy, and the incidence of osteoarthritis between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of subacromial osteolysis (P>0.05). Before removing the internal fixators, there was no significant difference in VAS score, UCLA score, and Constant-Murley score between the two groups (P>0.05), while there were significant differences in shoulder joint range of motion in all directions (P<0.05). After removing the internal fixators, only the difference in elevation was significant (P<0.05). Within the group comparison, the VAS score and mobility of shoulder joint in abduction and elevation after removing the internal fixators were significantly superior to those before removing (P<0.05). In the fracture and dislocation groups, there was only a significant difference in plate length between the subgroup with and without subacromial osteolysis (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the above other indicators (P>0.05). Conclusion Clavicular hook plate is a good choice for treating acromioclavicular dislocation or distal clavicle fractures, but the incidence of subacromial osteolysis is higher, and the degree of bone resorption is more severe in fracture patients. After removal of the internal fixator, the shoulder functions significantly improve. It is recommended to remove the internal fixator as soon as possible within the allowable range of the condition.
Abstract： Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of bilateral supraclavicular lymph node dissection after esophagectomy for patients with intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma. Methods A total of 197 patients with esophageal carcinoma but no obvious supraclavicular lymph node metastasis who underwent esophagectomy in Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University from March 1997 to September 2004 were included in this study. All the patients were divided into 2 groups， the control group and the study group. In the control group (non-supraclavicular lymphadenectomy group)， there were 96 patients including 62 males and 34 females with their age of 40-69 （55.2±3.1） years， who received 2-field lymphadenectomy (intrathoracic lymphatic drainage area and left paracardial lymph nodes) without supraclavicular lymph node dissection. In the study group (supraclavicular lymphadenectomy group)， there were 101 patients including 68 males and 33 females with their age of 41-68 （53.8±4.5） years， who received 3-field lymphadenectomy including intrathoracic lymphatic drainage area， left paracardial lymph nodes and bilateral supraclavicular lymph node dissection. Postoperative survival rate， lymph node metastasis rate， anastomotic site recurrence rate， and long-term supraclavicular lymph node metastasis rate were compared between the 2 groups. Results The overall 5-year survival rate of all the patients was 39.59% （78/197）. There was no statistical difference in 5-year survival rate between the 2 groups ［37.50％ （36/96） vs. 41.58％（42/101）， P＞0.05］. However， the 5-year survival rate of the patients with esophageal carcinoma in the upper third of the esophagus in the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group ［38.10％（8/21） vs. 29.17％ （7/24）， P＜0.05］. The intrathoracic lymph node metastasis rate （14.58% vs. 12.87%）， abdominal lymph node metastasis rate （6.25% vs. 7.92%）and anastomotic site recurrence rate （5.20% vs. 5.94%）of the control group and study group were not statistically different （P＞0.05）. However， long-term supraclavicular lymph node metastasis rate of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group （2.97％ vs. 8.33％， P＜0.05） Conclusion Bilateral supraclavicular node dissection can significantly increase postoperative survival rate and decrease long-term supraclavicular lymph node metastasis rate of patients with esophageal carcinoma in the upper third of the esophagus.