Objective To compare the therapeutic effects between endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach and modified Miccoli thyroidectomy. Methods Sixty patients with thyroid goiter were performed endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach (endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach group, n=30) and modified Miccoli thyroidectomy (modified Miccoli group, n=30) respectively. The operative time, the drainage volume, cosmetic benefit, the postoperative hospitalization time, the expenses of hospitalization and postoperative complications of two groups were compared. Results The operative time and the drainage volume after operation of endoscopic thyoidectomy by anterior chest approach group were significantly more than modified Miccoli group 〔(99.9±23.4) min vs. (74.0±29.6) min; (68.6±8.7) ml vs. (40.9±6.1) ml, respectively〕, Plt;0.05. The cosmetic benefit score of endoscopic thyoidectomy by anterior chest approach group was higher than that of modified Miccoli group 〔(4.7±0.2) points vs. (3.7±0.1) points〕, Plt;0.05. The postoperative hospitalization time and expenses of hospitalization were no significant differences between the two groups 〔(6.5±1.7) d vs. (5.5±0.9) d; (9 328.3±1 107.1) yuan vs. (8 568.2±1 032.3) yuan, respectively〕, Pgt;0.05. One case had transient hoarseness in 2 groups respectively, no other complications happened. Conclusions Modified Miccoli operation is both minimally invasive and cosmetic, but endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach has better cosmetic benefit, which can release patients’ psychological trauma. The patients with specific cosmetic demand may choose endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach.
Objective To investigate the effect of implanting uncovered self-expandable metal stent for treatment of distal malignant biliary obstruction through endoscope. Methods The effect of therapy about implanting uncovered self-expandable metal stents to 16 patients who had unsectable malignant tumors companing with obstructive jaundice through endoscope was reviewed. Results Fifteen of the studied patients were implanted uncovered self-expandable metal stents successfully (94%), for their internal drainage were patent. At the seventh and fourteenth day after implantation, liver function and B-ultrasound were rechecked. Compared to the data before operation, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and transaminase declined respectively (P＜0.01). And the diameter of the total biliary duct became shorter (P＜0.01). Six of them returned to the normal level in three weeks. Early adverse events (in seven days) included mild acute pancreatitis (one case) and acute cholangitis (one case). Mean survival and patency of drainage were 186.93 days (54 to 426 days) and 156 days (51 to 426 days) respectively. All of them, 3 cases occured obstruction of stents (20%). Conclusion Implantation of uncovered selfexpandable metal stent through endoscope is an ideal therapy for distal malignant biliary obstruction.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic techniques for diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases. MethodsRelated literatures of recent years were reviewed. ResultsA minimally invasive endoscopic technique can be performed through small incisions. This can contribute greatly to reducing postoperative pain, shortening recovery time, and achieving a good cosmetic outcome. Under endoscopy, meticulous dissection and hemostasis can be achieved. Endoscopeassisted subcutaneous mastectomy, immediate mammary reconstruction, sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection, for breast cancer can be performed safely. Endoscopic surgery can also be applied for the diagnosis and treatment of benign breast tumor and transaxillary removal of glandular tissue in gynecomastia. In addition, fiberoptic ductoscopy can be used to diagnose patients with nipple discharge. Endoscopic surgery for patients with breast diseases can offer an excellent cosmetic outcome and maintain normal physiologic functions without a noticeable scar. It helps to give the patients confidence and improve the quality of life. ConclusionBreast surgery is a good candidate for endoscopic techniques.
Objective To invest igate the ef fect iveness and signi f icance of percutaneous endoscopic discectomy followed by interbody fusion using B-Twin expandable spinal spacer for degenerative lumbosacral disc disease. Methods Between January 2007 and August 2008, 21 patients with degenerative lumbosacral disc disease were treated with endoscopic discectomy followed by interbody fusion using B-Twin expandable spinal spacer. Among them, there were 13 males and 8 females with an average age of 52 years (range, 28-79 years). And the disease duration ranged from 3 months to 40 years (median, 9 months). The affected segments included T11, 12, T12-L1, L1, 2, and L2, 3 in 1 case respectively, L4, 5 in 4 cases, and L5, S1 in 13 cases. All patients had intractable low back pain or lower extremity radicular symptoms. The placement methods of B-Twin expandable spinal spacer were double sides in 15 cases and single side in 6 cases. Oswestry Disabil ity Index (ODI) and Macnab grading were used to determine the function recovery after operation. And Suk’s standard was used to determine the fusion effects by X-ray. Results All 21 patients were followed up 18 months to 3 years (mean, 23.8 months). Sciatica symptoms disappeared after operation in 19 cases, no significant improvement occurred in 2 cases of thoracic disease. The ODI scores were 79% ± 16% at preoperation, 30% ± 9% at 1 month, 26% ± 10% at 3 months, 21% ± 12% at 6 months, and 20% ± 10% at 18 months after operation, showing significant differences between pre- and postoperation (P lt; 0.05). According to Macnab grading at 6 months postoperatively, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 90.5%. According to Suk et al. standard, the results were excellent in 1 case, good in 19 cases, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 95.2%. The muscle strength of the lower extremities had no improvement in 1 case of T11, 12 disc protrusion; pedicle screws fixation and decompression laminectomy were given after 6 months, but no improvement was achieved during follow-up. Protrusion recurred after 4 months in 1 case of L4, 5 disc protrusion, then was cured by laminectomy discectomy. The remaining patients achieved postoperative rel ief. Conclusion Endoscope combined with interbody fusion is a good combination to solve lumbar instabil ity. B-Twin expandable spinal spacer is a minimally invasive fusion choice of L4, 5 and L5, S1.
Objective To evaluate the surgical method and the results of endoscopic decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Methods Between May 2008 and August 2009, 13 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with endoscopic decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. There were 4 males and 9 females with an average age of 47.5 years (range, 32-60 years). The injury was caused by fractures of the humeral medial condyle in 1 case, by long working in elbow flexion position with no obvious injury in 10 cases, and subluxafion of ulnar nerve in 2 cases. The locations were the left side in 6 cases and the right side in 7 cases. The disease duration was 4-30 months. The time from onset to operation was 3-20 months (mean, 8.5 months). Ten patients compl icated by intrinsic muscle atrophy. Results The operation was successfully performed in 13 cases, and the operation time was 45-60 minutes. All the wounds gained primary heal ing. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14 months). The numbness of ring finger, l ittle finger, and the ulnar side of hand were decreased obviously on the first day after operation. The examination of electromyogram showed that the ulnar nerve conduction increased at 2 weeks, the ampl itude was improved, and recruitment of the intrinsic muscles of hand enhanced. In 10 cases compl icated by intrinsic muscle atrophy, myodynamia was recovered to the normal in 7 cases and was mostly recovered in 3 cases at 3 months after operation. The symptom of cubital tunnel syndrome disappeared and gained a normal function at 12 months after operation. According to the assessment of Chinese Medical Association and Lascar et al. grading criteria, the cl inical results were excellent in 10 cases and good in 3; the excellent and good rate was 100%. Patients recovered to work 12-16 days (mean, 14 days) after operation. No recurrence occurred during followup. Conclusion The surgical method of endoscope and microscope assisted three small incisions for treatment cubital tunnel syndrome has less invasion with small incision and complete decompression. Patients can recover to work early. It is a convenient and efficient procedure for treating cubital tunnel syndrome.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS). Methods The following databases and periodicals such as PubMed (Jan. 1980 to Jan. 2009), MEDLINE (1980 to 2009), EBSCOhost (Jan. 1975 to Jan. 2009), CALIS (1984 to 2009), CNKI (1979 to 2007), VIP (1989 to 2009), CBM (1978 to 2009); Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (1990 to 2008), Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (1988 to 2008), Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (1990 to 2008), and Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine (1996 to 2008) were searched by computer and handwork for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about TCM to treat CRS after ESS. The trial screening, quality assessment, and the data extraction of the included trials were conducted before performing statistical analyses by using RevMan 4.2.10 software. Results A total of 32 RCTs in three sub-groups in Chinese literatures were identified with meta-analyses in comparisons of the cure rate (OR=1.99, 95%CI 1.78 to 2.23), total effective rate (OR=2.66, 95%CI 2.20 to 3.22), degree I postoperative improvement rate (OR=2.22, 95%CI 1.60 to 3.06), total postoperative improvement rate (OR=8.77, 95%CI 1.09 to 70.64), postoperative clean time (OR=2.54, 95%CI 1.70 to 3.79), postoperative epithelization time (OR= –29.46, 95%CI –37.73 to –21.18), and mucociliary transport rate (OR=1.14, 95%CI 0.22 to 2.06). A total of 4 RCTs were meta-analyzed to evaluate the safety in comparisons of gastrointestinal reaction (OR=0.25, 95%CI 0.00 to 33.78) and local reaction (OR=0.03, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.12). Conclusion The current evidence shows TCM in treating CRS after ESS tends to improve the clinical efficacy and reduce the cure time without obvious adverse reaction. Due to the low methodological quality of included trials, more RCTs with high quality and large scale are required.
Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of spinal pedicle screw internal fixation through endoscope-assisted posterior approach for the treatment of traumatic atlantoaxial instability. Methods Between September 2008 and September 2010, 44 patients with traumatic atlantoaxial instability received spinal pedicle screw internal fixation through endoscope-assisted posterior operation (micro-invasive surgical therapy group, n=22) or traditional surgical therapy (control group, n=22). There was no significant difference in gender, age, type of injury, disease duration, and preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The blood loss, operation time, length of the incision, improvement rate of JOA, and graft fusion rates were compared between 2 groups to assess the clinical outcomes. Results The blood loss, operation time, and length of the incision in the micro-invasive surgical therapy group were better than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). All incisions were primary healing. Of 88 pedicle screws, 7 pedicle screws penetrated into the interior walls of cervical transverse foramen in the micro-invasive surgical therapy group and 8 in the control group, but there was no syndrome of vertebral artery injury. All patients of the 2 groups were followed up 12 to 37 months (mean, 26 months). Bony fusion was achieved in all cases within 3 to 12 months (mean, 5.3 months). No loosening or breakage of screw occurred. At 6 months to 1 year after operation, the internal fixator was removed in 6 cases and the function of head and neck rotary movement were almost renewed. The JOA score was significantly improved at last follow-up when compared with preoperative score (P lt; 0.05), and no significant difference in JOA score and improvement rate between the 2 groups at last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The micro-invasive surgical therapy can acquire the same effectiveness to the traditional surgical therapy in immediate recovery of stability, high graft fusion rate, and less complication. Moreover, it can significantly reduce the operation time, blood loss, and soft tissue injury, so this approach may be an ideal way of internal fixation to treat traumatic atlantoaxial instability.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) in treatment of varicose of the lower limb. METHODS: From 1999. 11 to 2000. 12, 108 patients with varicose of the lower limb underwent venous surgery and 34 of them were treated by SEPS. There were 16 males and 18 females aged 20-79(averaged 51.4 years). Thirty limbs (26 cases) had open ulcers and the diameter of ulcer was 1.5-12.0 cm. Eleven limbs (8 cases) had severe pigmentation and the skin changes had been presented for 1 month to 15 years. According to the severity of illness, flush saphenofemoral ligation, great saphenous vein stripping, percutaneous continuous venous circum suture, external femoral vein valve repair and SEPS were performed separately or simultaneously. RESULTS: Active ulcers healed in 19 limbs after 1 month, in 7 limbs after 3 months, and in the other 4 ulcers after skin transplantation. There was no ulcer recurrence during follow-up (ranged 9-22 months). CONCLUSION: SEPS can accelerate the healing of venous ulcers, and it is one of important methods in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.
Objective To study the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and early endoscopic management for acute biliary pancreatitis. Methods Ninety-one patients with acute biliary pancreatitis were divided into ERCP group (46 cases) and control group (45 cases) according to the therapy methods. All patients were given positive conventional treatment, the patients of the ERCP group accepted endoscopic therapy within 48 h after hospitalization. The curative effects of two groups were observed, and the related indexes, such as time of abdominal pain relief, temperature to normal, leukocytes to normal, liver function to normal, average time in hospital, and mortality were compared between two groups. Results Among 46 patients by ERCP diagnosis, there were 27 cases of common duct stone (CDS), 6 cases of cholecystolithiasis, 3 cases of great diverticulum at duodenal papilla side, 4 cases of suppurative cholangitis, 3 cases of stenosis in bile common duct inferior segment and 3 cases of no abnormality. Among 27 cases of CDS, 20 patients had endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), 4 had duodenal papilla artifistulation, 20 had calculus removed by once basket and aerocyst, and 7 patients with suppurative cholangitis and great stone saccepted EST or macadam after stabilization. The cases of great diverticulum at duodenal papilla side and cases of stenosis in bile common duct inferior segment accepted EST, the cases of suppurative cholangitis accepted endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), and all accepted ENBD. The time of abdominal pain relief, temperature to normal, leukocytes to normal, liver function to normal, and the average time in hospital in the ERCP group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (Plt;0.05). The blood amylase to normal time and mortality had no significant differences between two groups (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion The early endoscopic management for patients with acute biliary pancreatitis can clear etiology, reduce the time in hospital and be minimally invasive, safe, and effective.
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of simultaneous endoscopic bilateral placement of selfexpandable metal biliary stents in malignant hilar biliary obstruction． MethodFrom May 2007 to December 2010, a total of 24 patients with hilar malignancy of Bismuth type Ⅱ to Ⅳ underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and bilateral metal stent placement. Technical success rate, functional success rate, ERCP related complications, stents’ patency time, and patient’ survival time were recorded and reviewed． Results Twentyone of 24 patients were followedup for average 39 months. Technical success rate was 100%, the average operation time was （36.2±13.9） min, the functional success rate was 95.45%. Mild cholangitis occurred in 2 cases and there was no ERCP related pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, and death. Stents dysfunction occurred in 7 within followup period. Amonge them, plastic stents were inserted through the metallic stents in 4 cases, PTCD was required in 1 case, and conservative therapy was given in the other 2 cases. The median stent’ patency time and median patient’ survival time were 253 d (95% CI: 199.79-306.21) and 229 (95% CI : 154.53-303.47）, respectively, with no significant differences between Bismuth classification types. ConclusionEndoscopic simultaneous bilateral biliary metal stent placement is technically feasible, safe, and effective to malignant hilar obstruction.