How much of the superolateral femoral neck should be removed in intramedullary nail fixation for intertrochanteric fracture?

The objective of this study was to measure how much of the superolateral femoral neck should be removed to reduce the incidence of wedge effect. Simulating surgery: Computed Tomography images of 131 intertrochanteric fracture patients were included, three-dimensionally reconstructed, virtually reduced and implanted with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation blade-Ⅱ(PFNA-Ⅱ) nail. The antero-posterior length and media-lateral width of the intersection between superolateral femoral neck and PFNA-Ⅱ nail were measured. Retrospective study: The pre- and postoperative CT of 30 patients were collected. The average varus angle of the neck-shaft angle and the correlation between the angles and the difference in the actual and estimated width of the fragments removed were measured. Models of 108 patient were selected for analysis. The average antero-posterior length and media-lateral width were 14.46 mm (14.00-14.93 mm) and 9.33 mm (8.79-9.87 mm), respectively. The AO/OTA classification was not significantly associated with the outcome, but the gender was. In the retrospective study, the mean value of the varus angles was -4.58° (SE = 6.85°), and the difference of width was strongly positively correlated with the varus angle with a correlation coefficient of 0.698. Results obtained in this study can improve the understanding of this region and help surgeons to make appropriate preoperative planning to reduce the incidence of wedge effect. Retrospective study provided effective proof of the reliability of this study.

Advances in application of novel magnetic resonance imaging technologies in liver disease diagnosis.

Liver disease is a major health concern globally, with high morbidity and mor-tality rates. Precise diagnosis and assessment are vital for guiding treatment approaches, predicting outcomes, and improving patient prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that has been widely used for detecting liver disease. Recent advancements in MRI technology, such as diffusion weighted imaging, intravoxel incoherent motion, magnetic resonance elastography, chemical exchange saturation transfer, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, hyperpolarized MR, contrast-enhanced MRI, and ra-diomics, have significantly improved the accuracy and effectiveness of liver disease diagnosis. This review aims to discuss the progress in new MRI technologies for liver diagnosis. By summarizing current research findings, we aim to provide a comprehensive reference for researchers and clinicians to optimize the use of MRI in liver disease diagnosis and improve patient prognosis.

Risk factors for postoperative delirium in geriatric patients with hip fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify the potential risk factors for postoperative delirium in geriatric patients with hip fracture. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception until December 31st, 2021. A combined searching strategy of subject words and free words was adopted. Studies involving risk factors for postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgeries were reviewed. Qualities of included studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were pooled and a meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. Results: A total of 37 studies were included. The following risk factors were significant: advanced age (per year increase) (OR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.07), age>80 years (OR: 2.26, 95% CI 1.47-3.47), male (OR: 1.53, 95% CI 1.37-1.70), preoperative cognitive impairment (OR:3.20, 95% CI 2.12-4.83), preoperative dementia (OR: 2.74, 95% CI 2.18-3.45), preoperative delirium (OR: 9.23, 95% CI 8.26-10.32), diabetes (OR: 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.33), preoperative functional dependence (OR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.11-1.56), ASA level (per level increase) (OR: 1.63, 95% CI 1.04-2.57), ASA level≥3(OR: 1.76, 95% CI 1.39-2.24), low albumin (OR: 3.30, 95% CI 1.44-7.55), medical comorbidities (OR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.25), Parkinson's disease (OR: 4.17, 95% CI 1.68-10.31) and surgery delay>48 h (OR: 1.90, 95% CI 1.36-2.65). Conclusions: Clinicians should be alert to patients with those risk factors. To identify the risk factors more precisely, more research studies with larger sample size and better design should be conducted.

Oral versus intravenous tranexamic acid in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture undergoing proximal femur intramedullary nailing: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous and oral application of tranexamic acid (TXA) in geriatric patients undergoing intertrochanteric fracture surgeries. Methods: All patients with intertrochanteric fracture admitted to the trauma center of the Zhongda hospital were selected after January 1st, 2020. The final patients were divided into three groups. Oral group: 2 â€‹g oral TXA 2 â€‹h preoperatively; intravenous group: 15 â€‹mg/kg intravenous TXA before incision; control group: no intervention. The main outcome measures were blood transfusion rate and total blood loss. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, perioperative blood transfusion volumes, length of hospital stay, thromboembolism events and other adverse events. Results: From January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, 124 patients with intertrochanteric fracture were enrolled. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 105 patients were included, including 32 patients in the oral group, 36 patients in the intravenous group and 37 patients in the control group. The demographic characteristics of each group were similar. The blood transfusion rate in the control group was significantly more than that in the experimental group (64.9% vs 40.6% vs 36.1%, P â€‹= â€‹0.041). There was no significant difference between the oral group and the intravenous group (P â€‹= â€‹0.704). The total blood loss of the oral group and the intravenous group were less than the control group (990.29 â€‹± â€‹250.19 â€‹ml vs 997.47 â€‹± â€‹452.34 â€‹ml vs 1408.54 â€‹± â€‹461.74 â€‹ml), the difference was statistically significant (P â€‹= â€‹0.001), and there was no significant difference between the intravenous group and the oral group (P â€‹= â€‹0.459). The perioperative blood transfusion volumes of the oral group and the intravenous group were less than the control group (250.00 â€‹± â€‹198.62 â€‹ml vs 227.78 â€‹± â€‹179.27 â€‹ml vs 367.57 â€‹± â€‹323.90 â€‹ml), the difference was statistically significant (P â€‹= â€‹0.001), and there was no significant difference between the intravenous group and the oral group (P â€‹= â€‹0.832). During hospitalization and follow-up, there were no thromboembolism events such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: It is safe and effective to use TXA intravenously and orally in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture. The results of the two methods are similar in safety and effectiveness. Oral TXA is recommended because of its cost-benefit superiority and its ease of administration. The translational potential of this article: The result of this prospective cohort study shows that the utilization of oral TXA in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture undergoing proximal femur intramedullary nailing possesses great potential in reducing blood loss and cost-benefit superiority.

The efficacy and safety of intravenous tranexamic acid in hip fracture surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The present meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous application of tranexamic acid (TXA) with placebo in patients with hip fracture undergoing hip surgeries. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched from inception until March 2018. A combined searching strategy of subject words and random words was adopted. Only randomized clinical trials were included. The comparisons regarding transfusion rate, total blood loss, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, postoperative haemoglobin and postoperative thromboembolic complications were conducted. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3, and the bias evaluation was based on the Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0. RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials published from 2007 to 2018 were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that there were significant differences in the two groups concerning transfusion rate of allogeneic blood [risk ratio (RR) = 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56 to 0.78, P = 0.003], total blood loss [mean difference (MD) = -273.00, 95% CI: -353.15 to -192.84, P < 0.00001], intraoperative blood loss (MD = -76.63, 95% CI: -139.55 to -13.71, P = 0.02), postoperative blood loss (MD = -125.29, 95% CI: -221.96 to -28.62, P = 0.01) and postoperative haemoglobin (MD = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.38 to 1.22, P = 0.0002). Nonsignificant differences were found in the incidence of thromboembolic events (RR = 1.38, 95% CI: 0.74 to 2.55, P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of the available evidence implies that the intravenous route of TXA shows an ability to reduce transfusion requirements and total blood loss, not increasing the incidence of thromboembolic events in patients undergoing hip surgeries. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: The result of this meta-analysis shows that the utilization of intravenous TXA in patients with hip fracture undergoing hip surgeries possesses great potential in reducing blood loss and allogeneic blood transfusion safely.

Association between fetal fraction at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from women with singleton pregnancies who underwent noninvasive prenatal testing at 14 to 25 weeks of gestation. The eligible patients were classified into three groups according to pregnancy outcome: birth at ≥37 weeks of gestation (term group), delivery at <34 weeks of gestation (early spontaneous preterm), and delivery at 34+0 to 36+6  weeks of gestation (late spontaneous preterm). Stepwise linear regression was performed to determine the maternal characteristics associated with the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA and pregnancy outcomes by adjusting for history of preterm birth. RESULTS: A total of 8129 singleton pregnancies met the recruitment criteria. Among them, 7790 (95.83%) were in the term group, 284 (3.49%) were in the late spontaneous preterm group, and 55 (0.68%) were in the early spontaneous preterm group. The fetal fraction of cell-free DNA was negatively correlated with body mass index, maternal age, nulliparity, and history of spontaneous preterm birth; positively correlated with gestational age; and not correlated with assisted reproduction or surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) positivity. After adjusting for history of preterm birth, a logistic regression analysis demonstrated no statistically significant associations between the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA and spontaneous preterm birth in any of the preterm groups (<34 weeks, 34+0 to 36+6  weeks, and <37 weeks). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary study found no relationship between the fetal fraction on NIPT at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.

Noninvasive detection of fetal subchromosomal abnormalities by semiconductor sequencing of maternal plasma DNA.

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using sequencing of fetal cell-free DNA from maternal plasma has enabled accurate prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidy and become increasingly accepted in clinical practice. We investigated whether NIPT using semiconductor sequencing platform (SSP) could reliably detect subchromosomal deletions/duplications in women carrying high-risk fetuses. We first showed that increasing concentration of abnormal DNA and sequencing depth improved detection. Subsequently, we analyzed plasma from 1,456 pregnant women to develop a method for estimating fetal DNA concentration based on the size distribution of DNA fragments. Finally, we collected plasma from 1,476 pregnant women with fetal structural abnormalities detected on ultrasound who also underwent an invasive diagnostic procedure. We used SSP of maternal plasma DNA to detect subchromosomal abnormalities and validated our results with array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). With 3.5 million reads, SSP detected 56 of 78 (71.8%) subchromosomal abnormalities detected by aCGH. With increased sequencing depth up to 10 million reads and restriction of the size of abnormalities to more than 1 Mb, sensitivity improved to 69 of 73 (94.5%). Of 55 false-positive samples, 35 were caused by deletions/duplications present in maternal DNA, indicating the necessity of a validation test to exclude maternal karyotype abnormalities. This study shows that detection of fetal subchromosomal abnormalities is a viable extension of NIPT based on SSP. Although we focused on the application of cell-free DNA sequencing for NIPT, we believe that this method has broader applications for genetic diagnosis, such as analysis of circulating tumor DNA for detection of cancer.

[Surgical resection versus radiofrequency ablation for primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter: a meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of surgical hepatic resection (HR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter. METHODS: The databases PubMed, CBMdisc, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched for controlled clinical trials on evaluating the efficacy between RFA and HR in treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter published from January 1990 to February 2014. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of the studies included. Then the meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan5.0 software. RESULTS: Eleven controlled clinical trials were included, including one randomized controlled trial and 10 non-randomized controlled trials. A total of 811 patients were involved: 404 patients were treated with RFA as the initial treatment and 407 patients with surgical resection. Meta-analysis showed that for a single lesion with diameter of 3-5 cm of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 3-， 5-year disease-free survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than those in RFA group (all P<0.05). There were no significant difference in the 1-， 3-， 5-year overall survival rates and 1-year disease-free survival rate between RFA group and HR group (P>0.05). For 1-2 nodules with diameters of 3-5 cm of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 3-， 5-year disease-free survival rates and 5-year overall survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than those in RFA group (all P<0.05). No significant difference in 1-， 3-year overall survival rates and 1-year disease-free survival rate was found between RFA group and HR group (P>0.05). For maximum nodule of 3-5 cm of multiple primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the 5-year overall survival rates in HR group was significantly higher than that in RFA group (all P<0.05). No significant difference in 1-， 5-year overall survival rates was noted between RFA group and HR group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: For primary hepatocellular carcinoma of 3-5 cm in diameter, HR is better than RFA. For the limitation of quality and quantity of included studies, this conclusion needs to be confirmed by more high quality studies.