ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of balloon vertebroplasty combined with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. MethodsBetween June 2011 and December 2013, 22 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were included. There were 14 males and 8 females, aged 20-60 years (mean, 42.5 years). The fracture segments included T11 in 1 case, T12 in 4 cases, L1 in 10 cases, L2 in 6 cases, and L3 in 1 case. According to AO classification system, there were 13 cases of type A and 9 cases of type B. Spinal cord injury was classified as grade C in 2 cases, grade D in 3 cases, and grade E in 17 cases according to Frankel scale. The time from injury to operation was 3-10 days (mean, 5.5 days). All patients underwent posterior reduction and fixation via the injured vertebra, transpedicular balloon reduction of the endplate and calcium sulfate cement (CSC) injection. The ratio of anterior vertebral height, the ratio of central vertebral height, the sagittal Cobb angle, the restoration of nervous function, and internal fixation failure were analyzed. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in the others except 2 cases of poor healing, which was cured after dressing change or debridement. All the patients were followed up 9-40 months (mean, 15 months). CSC leakage occurred in 2 cases. Absorption of CSC was observed at 8 weeks after operation with complete absorption time of 12-16 weeks (mean, 13.2 weeks). The mean fracture healing time was 18.5 weeks (range, 16-20 weeks). The ratio of anterior vertebral height, ratio of central vertebral height, and sagittal Cobb angle were significantly improved at 1 week and 3 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative values (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found among 3 time points after operation (P>0.01). There was no internal fixation failure or Cobb angle loss more than 10°. Frankel scale was improved with no deterioration of neurologic function injury. ConclusionBalloon vertebroplasty combined with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation is simple and safe for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures, and it can improve the quality of reduction, restore vertebral mechanical performance effectively, and prevent the loss of correction and internal fixation failure.
Objective To evaluate the application value of spiral CT virtual endoscopy and three dimensional imaging in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Methods Thirty-three cases of benign tracheobronchial stenosis from June 2004 to November 2008 were checked by spiral CT with airway tracheobronchial reconstruction. For the patients with indications, balloon dilatation was performed under fiberoptic bronchoscope. The three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared with the findings under bronchoscopy. And the preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared for airway diameter. Results Three cases were found stenosis of middle lobe by CT virtual endoscopy and did not undergo balloon dilatation. The remaining 30 cases were confirmed by bronchoscopy findings similar to the images by tracheobronchial reconstruction with CT, with consistent rate of 100% . Immediate postoperative three-dimensional CTreconstruction of tracheal bronchus revealed that diameter of stenotic bronchus increased from ( 2. 7 ±1. 3) mm to ( 6. 9 ±1. 6) mmafter operation. Conclusion Multislice spiral CT virtual endoscopy is helpful in fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon dilation in patients with benign tracheobronchial stenosis and postoperative follow-up.
ObjectiveTo explore the value of the long time lower abdominal aorta balloon block technology in the pelvis or sacrum tumor surgery. MethodsFrom January 2005 to June 2013, the sacrum or pelvic tumor patients underwent the long time lower abdominal aorta balloon block technology in the Orthopedics Department of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled. According to the balloon blocking time, patients were divided into A (<90 mins), B (90 to 180 mins), and C (>180 mins) groups. The intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion amount, average lengths of hospital stay, postoperative volume of drainage, and postoperative complications were compared among the three groups. ResultsA total of 78 patients were included, of which 21 were in group A, 38 were in group B and 19 were in group C. All patients received en bloc resection, and did not experience intraoperative balloon shift and abdominal aorta flow leakage. Comparing the three groups, there were significant differences in intraoperative blood loss (P=0.026) and average lengths of hospital stay (P=0.021). Further pairwise comparison showed the intraoperative blood loss and average lengths of hospital stay in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B. In addition, there were no statistical differences among the three groups in blood transfusion amount, postoperative volume of drainage and postoperative complications. ConclusionIn the pelvis and sacrum tumor surgery, extending the time of abdominal aorta balloon block can reduce bleeding, save blood, increase the safety of surgery without increasing in postoperative complications.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the immediate effects and the near and midterm followup results of transthoracic balloon valvuloplasty for newborns and infants with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis to find out an effective plan for onestop balloon valvuloplasty. Methods From March 2006 to March 2010, 32 patients including 23 males and 9 females with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis were treated in Fu Wai Hospital. Their age ranged from 5 days to 11 months (4.59±3.21 months). Weight of the patients ranged from 2.3 to 10.5 kg (6.48±2.05 kg). Dilatation was performed under general anesthesia with intubation and the guidance of echocardiography. During the follow-up period, all survivors had serial echocardiographic assessment to measure the transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG) and the degree of pulmonary regurgitation. Results All operations were successful with no severe postoperative complications. Hemodynamic indexes were stable after operation with TPG lowered from from 82±27 mm Hg preoperatively to 23±12 mm Hg postoperatively (t=15.28, Plt;0.05). Only 4 patients had a TPG of more than 40 mm Hg on echocardiography before leaving the hospital. Tricuspid regurgitation was decreased significantly with 17 cases of nonregurgitation, 13 cases of light regurgitation and 2 cases of moderate regurgitation. Saturation of peripheral oxygen in all the patients increased to higher than 95%. Followup time ranged from 1 month to 4 years (16±11 months). The results of the follow-up were satisfying for all the patients. The average TPG was 17±10 mm Hg with only one above 40 mm Hg. Pulmonary valve regurgitation was found in 24 patients including 23 with light pulmonary regurgitation and 1 with moderate regurgitation. Conclusion Transthoracic balloon valvuloplasty for newborns and infants with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis is safe and effective.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and the value of balloon kyphoplasty in treating aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture. Methods Between January 2003 and January 2008, 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture patients were treated. There were 15 males and 21 females with an average age of 65.4 years (range, 59-72 years). Fourteen cases had no obvious history of trauma, 19 had a history of sl ight trauma, and 3 had a history of severe trauma. Forty vertebral bodies were involved, including 1 T7, 3 T9, 8 T10, 10 T12, 9 L1, 7 L2, and 2 L4. All patients displayed local pain and osteoporosis by bone density measurement with no neurological symptom of both lower limbs. Balloon kyphoplasty through unilateral (31 cases) or bilateral (5 cases) vertebral pedicles with polymethylmethacrylate was performed at the injection volume of (3.46 ± 0.86) mL per vertebral body. Before and after operation, the anterior height and posterior height of fractured vertebral body and the sagittal displacement were measured. Results Two cases had intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage; 1 case had no remission of waist-back pain and pain was released after symptomatic treatment. All 36 patients were followed up 2.3 years on average (range, 1.5-4.0 years). No cement leakage was found with good diffusion of cement on X-ray film. The restoration of the height of vertebral bodies was satisfactory without nerve compression symptoms and other compl ications. The Visual Analogue Score at last follow-up (2.34 ± 1.03) was significantly lower than that of preoperation (6.78 ± 1.21), (P lt; 0.05). The compressive percentage of anterior height (19.80% ± 1.03%) of fractured vertebral body after operation was significantly lower than that before operation(25.30% ± 2.50%), (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in posterior compressive percentage and sagittal displacement between pre- and post- operation (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Based on roentgenographic scores, balloon kyphoplasty is selectively used to treat aged osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture, and the radiographic and cl inical results were satisfactory.
The interventional therapy of vascular stent implantation is a popular treatment method for cardiovascular stenosis and blockage. However, traditional stent manufacturing methods such as laser cutting are complex and cannot easily manufacture complex structures such as bifurcated stents, while three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a new method for manufacturing stents with complex structure and personalized designs. In this paper, a cardiovascular stent was designed, and printed using selective laser melting technology and 316L stainless steel powder of 0−10 µm size. Electrolytic polishing was performed to improve the surface quality of the printed vascular stent, and the expansion behavior of the polished stent was assessed by balloon inflation. The results showed that the newly designed cardiovascular stent could be manufactured by 3D printing technology. Electrolytic polishing removed the attached powder and reduced the surface roughness Ra from 1.36 µm to 0.82 µm. The axial shortening rate of the polished bracket was 4.23% when the outside diameter was expanded from 2.42 mm to 3.63 mm under the pressure of the balloon, and the radial rebound rate was 2.48% after unloading. The radial force of polished stent was 8.32 N. The 3D printed vascular stent can remove the surface powder through electrolytic polishing to improve the surface quality, and show good dilatation performance and radial support performance, which provides a reference for the practical application of 3D printed vascular stent.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and effect of balloon sinuplasty for the treatment of chronic sphenoid sinusitis. MethodsFrom November 2011 to March 2013, 17 patients received balloon catheter dilation of sinus ostia. All the patients were followed up for 12 months postoperatively and the therapeutic effect was evaluated. ResultsAt the end of the following-up, the clinical symptoms of all the patients got relieved. Through nasal endoscopic examination, we found that apertura sphenoidalis developed well in 15 cases, sinus mucosa edema in one case, sinus stenosis in one case, and no postoperative complications occurred. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were 5.21±1.51 preoperatively and 3.23±1.34, 3.35±1.41, 3.58±1.46 at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The mean sino-nasal outcome test-20 scores were 12.50±1.96 preoperatively and 7.30±1.79, 7.64±1.93, 7.77±2.02 at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. The mean Lund-Kennedy endoscopic mucosal morphology scores were 3.51±1.47 preoperatively and 1.77±1.11, 1.88±1.01, 2.00±0.97 at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. The mean CT scores were 1.57±1.06 preoperatively and 0.85±0.62 at 12 months postoperatively. Compared with the preoperative scores, the postoperative scores were significantly different. ConclusionBalloon sinuplasty is worthy of clinical application for its advantages of good clinical effect and safety.
Objective To investigate the clinical effect and safety of balloon angioplasty (BAP) for patients with venous hypertension associated with autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Methods Thirty-three patients with venous hypertension associated with AVF were hospitalized between August 2012 and August 2014 in the Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University. All of the patients received BAP therapy. The clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects were comparatively summarized before and after operation. Results Venous hypertension in all the 33 patients was caused by central venous stenosis or occlusion. Among them, there were 13 cases of stenosis on the site where the left innominate vein crossed the aorta, 10 cases of stenosis at the junction of the left innominate vein and superior vena cava, 4 cases of stenosis at the junction of the left subclavian vein and the innominate vein, 3 cases of right innominate vein stenosis, and 3 cases of innominate vein occlusion. The lesions were most common in the innominate vein. Innominate vein stenosis or occlusion occurred in 19 cases (57.6%), and stenosis at the junction of innominate vein and the superior vena cava or subclavian vein occurred in 14 cases (42.4%). Of the 33 patients, one patient with complete occlusion of the innominate vein did not receive BAP treatment because guide wire could not pass through the occlusion site. The other 32 patients underwent BAP treatment, among whom 30 (93.8%) were successful, and 2 (6.2%) failed. No obvious complications occurred. One day after BAP treatment, patients’ symptoms were significantly relieved. One to seven days later, swelling of the hands, pain, and other symptoms were relieved. In the 30 patients who underwent the treatment successfully, 29 were followed up for 3 to 24 months. Among them, 21 (72.4%) maintained clinical remission and the AVFs were functional, 6 patients (20.7%) got a restenosis later, and 2 patients died. Conclusions BAP is effective and safe for venous hypertension associated with AVF. However, the follow-up of patients has displayed the possible risk of restenosis in long-term outcomes.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficiency of balloon occlusion of the lower abdominal aorta in blood loss control during resections of pelvic or sacral tumor. MethodsFrom April 2006 to April 2010, 24 patients diagnosed as pelvic or sacral tumor in this hospital were collected. Balloon occlusion of the lower abdominal aorta to control blood loss was used in these cases. Balloon catheters were placed via femoral artery to occlude the abdominal aorta before operation. Resections of pelvic or sacral tumors were performed after occlusion of abdominal aorta, duration no longer than 60 min per occlusion, if repeated occlusions needed, 10－15 min release in between. Results Average operative time was 153 min (range 40－245 min) and average blood loss was 310 ml (range 200－650 ml) in this series, and the procedure helped in clearly identifying the surgical margin, neurovascular structures, and adjacent organs. The blood pressure were stable in all the cases. No postoperative renal function impairment was found in all the cases, no side injuries to adjacent organs was identified. One case complicated with thrombosis in iliac artery at same puncture side was successfully treated with catheter thrombectomy. ConclusionIntraoperative abdominal aorta balloon occluding in pelvic and sacral tumor surgical operation could reduce blood loss, and improve the safety of operation.
Objective To explore the effect of endovascular treatment guided by ultrasonography combined with portosystemic shunts on the patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome （BCS）.Methods The clinical data of 136 patients with BCS treated by balloon angioplasty and stent implantation guided by Doppler ultrasonography in our hospital from January 1995 to January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.After balloon angioplasty,53 patients were treated by inferior vena cava （IVC） stent implantation and 31 patients with hepatic venous occlusion underwent portosystemic shunts （PSSs） at one week after endovascular treatment.The long-and short-term effects after treatment were studied.Results After endovascular procedures,the IVC pressure of patients significantly decreased （P＜0.01）,while IVC diameter, flow velocity in the lesion,and right atrial pressure of patients showed significant increase（P＜0.01）.Slight heart dysfunction appeared in 13 cases of patients.After shunting,acute pancreatitis occurred in 3 cases, and 1 patient died of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage on the 10 d after PSSs.Doppler ultrasonography for IVC and shunt vessels showed：the swollen liver and spleen lessened on 3d after endovascular procedures.The swollen liver lessened 2-7cm （mean 5.5cm）,swollen spleen lessened 3-8cm （mean 5.8cm）, and the time of ascites disappearance was 3-60d （mean 14d）.All the patients were followed up for 1 month to 15 years with an average of 3 years.Restenosis of the distal part of stent was found in 1 patient in 2 years after operation, hepatic vein occlusion occurred in 1 case in 1 year after treatment,hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in 1 patient in 3 years after stent implantation,and 1 patient died of C type hepatitis after 1 year,and 5 out of 6 cases of patients with infertility had babies after 1 year.All patients had no stent migration or occlusion of shunts and the symptoms of portal hypertension were obviously relieved.Conclusions Endovascular treatment guided by Doppler ultrasonography is a convenient,safe,and effective method for BCS.Portosystemic shunts are commended to patients with hepatic venous occlusions.The above mentioned methods provide a feasible and effective means for IVC stenosis and short segment occlusion with hepatic vein occlusion of BCS.