[Progress on treatment of transverse patella fractures with tension band fixation].

Transverse fracture is the most common in patella fracture and tension band fixation is one of the most effective methods. Surgical wire tension band technique is simple, the use of materials is also simple, but it is not strong and difficult to promote. Kirschner tension band technique can get satisfactory reduction with reliable fixation, but it is easy to complicate with steel wire breakage and Kirschner loosening. Screw tension band technique inherits the traditional advantages of simple manipulation and reliable fixation, also overcomes the disadvantages of early activity limitations caused soft tissue irritation of tension band around knee, the slippage and breakage of internal fixation, and the technique can be popularized generally.

Endoscope-assisted versus conventional second branchial cleft cyst resection.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the feasibility of endoscope-assisted second branchial cleft cyst resection via retroauricular approach by comparing it with conventional cervical incision for removal of second branchial cleft cyst. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2010, 25 patients were randomly assigned to the endoscope-assisted surgery group (13 patients) or the conventional surgery group (12 patients). The clinical characteristics of patients, operation time, operative bleeding volume, postoperative complications, and subjective satisfaction with incision scar checked by visual analog scale were compared between the groups, retrospectively. RESULTS: All 13 second branchial cleft cyst resections were successfully performed endoscopically, and the wounds healed uneventfully. Endoscope-assisted surgery lasted 54.6 ± 6.3 min, and conventional surgery lasted 49.6 ± 6.9 min (P = 0.069). Degree of bleeding volume did not differ between the groups (P = 0.624). Mean patient satisfaction score was 9.2 ± 0.6 in the endoscope-assisted surgery group and 6.2 ± 0.8 in the controls (P < 0.001). All 13 patients in the endoscope-assisted surgery group were satisfied with their cosmetic results. One case showed temporary numbness around the earlobe that recovered within 1 month after surgery. No marginal nerve palsy occurred. No complications such as bleeding, salivary fistula, or paresis of the marginal mandibular branch occurred. All 25 patients were disease free with follow-up of 6-24 months (median 16 months). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscope-assisted second branchial cleft cyst resection via retroauricular approach is a feasible technique. This procedure may serve as an alternative approach that allows an invisible incision and better cosmetic results.

[A comparison between endoscopic-assisted submandibular gland resection via retroauricular hairline incision and conventional submandibular gland resection].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility, the risks and the advantages of endoscope-assisted submandibular gland resection using a retroauricular hairline incision (RAHI) by comparing it with the conventional submandibular gland resection. METHODS: Twenty eight patients with benign lesions of the submandibular gland were included in the prospective clinically controlled study. Thirteen patients had endoscope-assisted resection using the RAHI approach and 15 cases had conventional transcervical approach resection. The size, location and adjacency of all lesions were evaluated by CT or MRI before surgery. The pathologic diagnoses of all cases were identified as benign diseases using fine needle aspiration biopsy. The two groups were compared for incision length, operation time, bleeding, incision cosmetic result, and complications. RESULTS: All 28 operations were successfully performed. Incision length in the endoscopic group was significantly longer than that in the transcervical group (Z = -4.516, P < 0.01), and the surgical time was longer in the endoscopic group (Z = -3.263, P < 0.01). After three months the mean subjective satisfaction score for the incision scar in the endoscopic group was significantly higher than that in the transcervical group (Z = -4.472, P < 0.01). In the endoscopic group, 2 cases (15.4%) with temporary numbness of the earlobe and 1 case (7.7%) with a temporary marginal mandibular nerve paralysis were found postoperatively. However, they recovered within 1 month. All 28 patients were disease free with a follow-up of 10 to 24 months (median of 18 months). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscope-assisted submandibular gland resection via RAHI is feasible and safe for the treatment of benign submandibular gland lesions. In comparison with the transcervical approach, this method can provide better cosmetic results without significant complications.

[Preliminary experience with endoscope-assisted transoral excision of the submandibular gland].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the indications, risks and benefits of endoscope-assisted transoral approach to excise the submandibular gland. METHODS: A retrospective review of a series of 12 patients treated by endoscope-assisted transoral submandibular gland excision was carried out. Of the 12 patients, 8 were chronic sialoadenitis (2 cases with sialolith), 3 were pleomorphic adenoma, and 1 was cyst of submandibular gland. Preoperatively, all patients were diagnosed as benign diseases by Ultrasonography, CT or MRI. Pathologic diagnosis of 8 cases were identified by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). RESULTS: Temporary lingual sensory paresis and temporary limitation of tongue movement were found in two patients. However, these signs soon resolved spontaneously within 1 - 3 months. There were no other complications. Postoperatively, mean satisfaction score with cosmetic results was 10. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results. No recurrences were found in patients with pleomorphic adenoma with a follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 48 months (median follow-up period: 36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscope-assisted transoral excision of the submandibular gland is a feasible and safe approach for the benign diseases of the submandibular gland. The major advantages of this approach are no external scar and no injury to the marginal mandibular nerve.

[Diagnosis and treatment of congenital fourth branchial anomaly].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the anatomic features, clinical presentations, diagnosis, differentiations and treatments of congenital fourth branchial anomaly(CFBA). METHODS: The clinical data of 8 patients with CFBA were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 8 patients aging from 27 to 300 months (median age: 114 months), 4 male and 4 female; 3 untreated previously and 5 recurrent. All lesions, including 1 cyst, 3 sinus (with internal opening) and 4 fistula, located in the left necks. Three patients presented acute suppurative thyroiditis, 4 deep neck abscesses, and 1 neck lump. Preoperative examinations included barium esophagogram, direct laryngoscopy, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and so on. The principles of managements were adequate drainage, infection control during acute period and radical surgery during quiescent period. Classic surgical approach consisted of complete excision of branchial lesions, dissection of recurrent laryngeal nerve and partial thyroidectomy. Selective neck dissection was applied in recurrent cases to extirpate branchial lesions, scarrings and inflammatory granuloma. Postoperatively, 1 case was with local incision infection which healed by wound care; 1 case was with temporary vocal cord paralysis which completely recovered 1 month after operation. No recurrence was found in all of 8 cases with follow-up of 13 to 42 months (median: 21 months). CONCLUSIONS: CFBA relates closely anatomically with recurrent laryngeal nerve and thyroid grand. The barium esophagogram and direct laryngoscopy are the most useful diagnostic tools. CT and MRI are all beneficial to the diagnosis of CFBA. The treatment key to CFBA is the complete excision of lesion during a quiescent period after inflammatory control, together with the dissection of recurrent laryngeal nerve, partial thyroidectomy and partial resection of lamina of thyroid cartilage (if necessary), which all can decrease the risk of complications and recurrence. For recurrent cases, selective neck dissection is a safe and effective surgical procedure.

[Influence of blood supply of the esophageal and gastric stumps on anastomotic healing after esophagogastrostomy in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study how blood supply of the esophageal and gastric stumps influences the anastomotic healing after esophagogastrostomy in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-seven New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups to receive esophagogastrostomy, followed by different procedures. Except for those in group I, all the rabbits were subjected to procedures of reducing the blood supply either of the esophageal or the gastric stump (group II and group III, respectively), followed by single-layer esophagogastric anastomoses using interrupted 5-0 polypropylene sutures. Ten days after operation, all the rats were killed and the anastomotic sites excised for measurement of the inner diameter, tensile strength, and hydroxyproline concentration. RESULTS: Healing of the esophagograstric anastomosis was obtained in all the rabbits but one with anastomotic leakage in group I and one with perforation of the gastric fundus in group III. The anastomotic inner diameters were similar in all the three groups, whereas the tensile strength and hydroxyproline concentration at the anastomoses decreased in group III in comparison with the other two groups (P<0.05) that had similar measurements (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Extended length of the free esophageal stump does not significantly affect anastomotic healing as decrease of blood supply in the gastric stump.