Debates in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea treatment.

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is among the most common sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) diseases in children. Its high prevalence and multiple systemic complications lead to increasing numbers of children and families affected by OSA. Timely diagnosis and effective intervention in children with this condition is extremely important in improving their prognosis. The major approaches in the treatment of OSA in children are to eliminate the causes of upper airway obstruction and prevent and treat complications. Considering the specific individual differences in children's growth and development, as well as the diversity of etiologies in children's OSA, pediatric treatment strategies need to be precise, multidisciplinary, and individualized. First-line clinical treatment consists of surgical (adenotonsillectomy) and non-surgical therapies [including anti-inflammatory medications and non-invasive ventilation (NIV)]. However, a considerable controversy exists concerning the indications, treatment standards, and the evaluation of the efficacy of the aforementioned treatment methods. In this review, reviews and assessment of literature studies and multidisciplinary clinical experience were performed to analyze the application of each treatment and discuss controversial issues and future research directions. We suggest that the above interventions should be tailored to each child's needs, comorbidities, and the availability and expertise of the practitioner. The ideal case is when a multidisciplinary team of doctors together with the patients and their parents, or guardians, have a thorough discussion regarding the benefits and risks of all available treatment options and all agree on an effective treatment plan.

Sleep Duration and Factors Related to Sleep Loss in 3-14-Year-Old Children in Beijing: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: It is known that short sleep duration adversely affects children's behavior and physical development. This study aimed to investigate the status of sleep duration in 3-14-year-old children in Beijing and explore the related factors of sleep loss with them. METHODS: In this study, a cross-sectional study of random stratified cluster sampling was conducted on 3-14-year-old children and adolescents in Beijing. According to the proportion of children in each district and school, the final cohort included a total of 11 kindergartens, 7 primary schools, and 8 junior high schools from 7 districts of Beijing. Children of sampled classes were included, and their parents were invited to fill a series of questionnaires including the simplified Chinese version of Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, Sleep Questionnaire Scale, and Hong Kong-Children Sleep Questionnaire about the performance of the last 6 months. RESULTS: Out of the total 11,420 questionnaires, 9198 questionnaires were valid and effective with the response rate of 80.54%. The age of the investigated children was 8.8 ± 3.8 years, including 4736 males and 4462 females. The daily sleep duration of children in Beijing was 9.7 ± 0.7 h. The prevalence of sleep loss (<9 h/day) of children in Beijing was 11.8%. The daily sleep duration of children aged <6, 6 ≤ age <11, and ≥11 years was 9.7 ± 0.6 h, 9.6 ± 0.6 h, and 9.5 ± 0.8 h, respectively. The sleep duration reduced significantly in children aged ≥11 years as compared to younger children in Beijing which was mainly contributed by the variation tendency of sleep duration on weekdays. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with sleep loss (P < 0.05): male (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.51), age ≥11 years (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.92-2.93), overweight (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54), family history of snoring (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.13-1.61) and activities before bedtime with watching TV (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.08-1.43), sports (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.48), playing cellphone (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.31-2.73) and surfing the Internet (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06-1.52) and among them age ≥11 years and playing cellphone before bedtime had greater impact on children's short sleep duration than that of other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep loss was common among 3-14-year-old children in Beijing. Sleep duration decreased with age, especially among children over 11 years old. Factors associated with sleep loss covered sociodemographic characteristics, family sleep habits and routine activities before bedtime, and among those variables, age ≥11 years and playing with cellphones before bedtime had a greater impact on sleep duration, indicating that existing sleep loss in 3-14-year-old children could be, at least partly, improved by paying more attention to children aged of 11 years or entering Grade 5 and Grade 6 and to children with a family history of snoring; by reducing the use of electronic products before bedtime, especially cellphones; by managing weight and keeping fit; and by improving the bedtime routine.

Stabilization of multiple rib fractures in a canine model.

BACKGROUND: Operative stabilization is frequently used in the clinical treatment of multiple rib fractures (MRF); however, no ideal material exists for use in this fixation. This study investigates a newly developed biodegradable plate system for the stabilization of MRF. METHODS: Silk fiber-reinforced polycaprolactone (SF/PCL) plates were developed for rib fracture stabilization and studied using a canine flail chest model. Adult mongrel dogs were divided into three groups: one group received the SF/PCL plates, one group received standard clinical steel plates, and the final group did not undergo operative fracture stabilization (n = 6 for each group). Radiographic, mechanical, and histologic examination was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the biodegradable material for the stabilization of the rib fractures. RESULTS: No nonunion and no infections were found when using SF-PCL plates. The fracture sites collapsed in the untreated control group, leading to obvious chest wall deformity not encountered in the two groups that underwent operative stabilization. CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental study shows that the SF/PCL plate has the biocompatibility and mechanical strength suitable for fixation of MRF and is potentially ideal for the treatment of these injuries.

[Clinical analysis of 81 cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the clinical feature, diagnosis and therapy of the pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC). METHODS: A retrospective study of cases with PC who were diagnosed by pathological examinations between January 1996 and December 2010 was conducted. Eighty-one cases were enrolled in the study (58 male and 23 female patients; mean age of (51±11) years). Forty-one cases were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. There were single pulmonary lesions in 50 cases, and multiple lesions in 31 cases. Fourteen lesions (17.3%) were located in left upper lobe, 27 (33.3%) in left lower lobe, 21 (25.9%) in right upper lobe, 3 (3.7%) in right middle lobe, 28 (34.6%) in right lower lobe, and 3 (3.7%) diffusely involved bilateral lungs. The tumors ranged from 0.8 to 10.0 cm in diameter with a mean of (2.9±1.8) cm. All the cases were misdiagnosis prior to the surgical resection, and histologically confirmed by postoperative pathological specimens. RESULTS: All the cases received surgical treatment including complete resection in 69 cases, and palliative resection in 12 cases. Resections were performed by means of video-assisted thoracoscopy in 31 cases and thoracotomy in 50 cases. Surgical resections included pulmonary wedge excisions in 42 cases, and lobectomies in 39 cases. After histological confirmation, 63 cases (77.8%) were treated with antifungal agents, which consisted of fluconazole in 38 cases, itraconazole in 18 cases, amphotericin B in 6 cases, and flucytosine in 4 cases. There were no intraoperative death, but two cases died for cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in the postoperative period. Operative morbidity occurred in 7 (8.6%) cases. The median follow-up was 42.5 months (6 to 84 months). There were 2 local relapses of PC, and 9 cases with complications of anti-fungal agents. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of PC are mild and non-specific, with no characteristic radiographic manifestations. Surgical resection is usually indicated for definite diagnosis and treatment. Antifungal drug therapy is indispensable even after complete resection.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery versus thoracotomy for non-small-cell lung cancer.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been recommended as more optimal surgical technique than traditional thoracotomy for lobectomy in lung cancer, but it is not well defined. Here, we compared VATS and traditional thoracotomy based on clinical data. From November 2008 to November 2010, 180 patients underwent lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCL) identified by computerized tomography. Of them, 83 cases were performed with VATS and 97 by thoracotomy. Clinical parameters, consisting of blood loss, operating time, number of lymph node dissection, days of pleural cavity drainage, and length of stay were recorded and evaluated with t test. No significant difference was observed between the VATS and thoracotomy groups in the average intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node dissections, and days of pleural cavity drainage. While the average operating time in the VATS group was significantly longer than that in thoracotomy group, recurrence was only present in one case, as opposed to 7 cases in the thoracotomy group In conclusion, similar therapeutic effects were demonstrated in VATS and thoracotomy for NSCL. However, VATS lobectomy was associated with fewer complications, recurrence and shorter length of stay.

[Surgery treatment for pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features and surgical treatment of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma (PSH). METHODS: Clinic data of PSH patients admitted by surgical resection from January 1985 to December 2010 was analyzed retrospectively. One hundred and sixty-five patients were enrolled in the study. There were 27 male and 138 female patients with a mean age of (48 ± 13) years. Seventy-nine patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Eighty-nine tumors arose in the right lung (27 in right upper lobe, 24 in right middle lobe, 34 in right lower lobe, 2 in right upper lobe with invasion of right middle lobe, 1 in right middle lobe with invasion of right lower lobe, and 1 case with multiple lobe lesions), 75 in the left (33 in left upper lobe, 42 in left lower lobe), and 1 in the bilateral. There were huge mass lesions in 2 cases, endobronchial lesions in 2 cases, and multiple lesions in 6 cases. The mean size of the lesion was (2.6 ± 0.9) cm (ranging from 0.9 to 10.0 cm). Forty-eight cases (29.1%) were misdiagnosed as malignancies preoperatively, and 41 cases (24.8%) were misdiagnosed intraoperatively. RESULTS: Resections were performed by means of video-assisted thoracoscopy (n = 53) and thoracotomy (n = 112). Surgical resection included pulmonary wedge excision in 61 patients, lobectomy in 89 patients, right bilobectomy in 5 patients, anatomic segmentectomy in 2 patient, enucleation in 6 patients, and synchronous bilateral pulmonary wedge resection in 1 patient. Operative mortality and morbidity occurred in 0 and 2 (4.3%) patients, respectively. Mean follow-up was 34.7 months (ranging from 6 to 62 months). There was no local recurrence or death from PSH. CONCLUSIONS: PSH is a rare benign lung tumor. It is difficult to make accurate diagnosis preoperatively, and sometimes even intraoperative frozen sections can't differentiate it from malignant tumors. Surgical resection is usually indicated for definite diagnosis and treatment. Partial resection is a sufficient treatment in view of uncommon tumor recurrence. Thoracoscopic surgery is recommended for PSH.

Effect of surgery on delayed inhaled foreign body: a case report.

The occurrence of foreign body is uncommon in youths and adults. We report here a case of 16-year-old boy who inhaled a foreign body which was overlooked for 6 months. The patient suffered productive cough and received antibiotic treatment for 10 days. But the symptoms did not improve. Chest radiography and CT scan revealed a 1-cm-long needle-like foreign object in the right inferior lobar bronchus. Wedge resection of lung was finally performed because of severe hemorrhage caused by prior bronchoscopy.

Meta-analysis of on-pump and off-pump coronary arterial revascularization.

BACKGROUND: There is no agreement whether off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) can reduce mortality, rates of stroke, myocardial infarction, or revascularization when compared with conventional coronary artery bypass (CCAB). We performed a meta-analysis comparing off-pump coronary artery bypass with conventional coronary artery bypass in randomized controlled trials. METHODS: We comprehensively retrieved randomized controlled studies according to predetermined criteria. We performed meta-analyses for each outcome and empirically determined whether potential biases that might result from differences in study design or patient characteristics actually biased the results of a study. We also conducted sensitivity analyses and tested for publication bias. RESULTS: We undertook a meta-analysis of ten randomized trials (2,018 patients) of OPCAB surgery versus CCAB surgery. No significant differences were found for 1-year mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 1.77), [corrected] myocardial infarction (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.72 to 2.67), [corrected] stroke (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.21 to 1.47), or revascularization (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.92). Therefore, this meta-analysis demonstrates that mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, and revascularization were not reduced in OPCAB. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, OPCAB did not significantly reduce 1-year mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, and revascularization compared with CCAB.

[Inhibitory effect of adenovirus-mediated endostatin gene transfer on transplanted lung carcinoma in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of adenovirus-mediated endostatin gene transfer on transplanted lung cancer in mice and its mechanism of action. METHODS: Transplant tumor model was induced by subcutaneous inoculation of 2 x 10(6) Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells into the back of C57BL/6 mice. The mice were treated by intratumoral injection of 2 x 10(9) pfu Ad-mEndostatin. The expression of endostatin in situ and its maintaining time were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot, respectively. The endostatin level in serum was determined by ELISA . The inhibition of tumor growth and changes of survival were recorded and the microvessel density (MVD) was determined by histochemical stainingwith CD31 and CD105 antibodies. The tumor apoptosis was observed by electron microscopy. RESULTS: In comparison with controls, intratumoral injection of Ad-mEndostatin significantly inhibited the tumor growth and metastasis, and prolonged the survival rate of mice (P < 0.05). Strong positive expression of mEndostatin was seen in the tumor tissue after injection of Ad-mEndostatin, immunhistochemically ostained by mouse endostatin monoclonal antibody, while the control groups showed only very low expression or absence. Serum endostatin concentration was 1540 +/- 560 ng/ml at the second week of administration, the expression of endostatin diminished a month later. The microvessel density (MVD)) decreased from 42.4 +/- 4.8 to 10.5 +/- 3.2 per x 200 magnificetion microscopic field by CD10 staining and from 68.5 +/- 4.5 to 37.5 +/- 4.6 by CD31 staining, respectively (P < 0.05). More apoptotic tumor cells were seen under the transmission electron microscope. CONCLUSION: Endostatin gene therapy mediated by adenoviral vector efficiently induces expression of endostatin in vivo, and inhibits the growth and metastasis of tumor. It is concluded that its action is targeted to tumor neovasculature and the mechanism is inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

[Experimental study of degradable chitin long fiber reinforced polycaprolactone for reconstruction of chest wall defects].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of a novel degradable biomaterial as a chest wall prosthesis and provide valuable scientific basis for clinical application. METHODS: Preparation of chitin long fiber reinforced polycaprolactone (PCL) by means of melt blending and modeling. Full-thickness chest wall defects of 10 cm x 8 cm was created in 10 dogs and then repaired with long chitin fiber reinforced PCL artificial rib in 8 dogs (tested group) and Marlex mesh in 2 dogs (control group). It was dynamically observed that the situation of the implanted chest wall prosthesis and the progress of the regeneration of the chest wall tissue postoperatively. RESULTS: No operative and perioperative deaths were observed in all experimental dogs. In tested group, slight paradoxical respiration occurred in 2 dogs and could not be seen in 2 weeks. No chest wall subsidence and infection occurred. New bone tissue obviously regenerated around both resection ends of the ribs and integrated tightly with artificial ribs. In control group, there were evidently paradoxical respiration and chest wall subsidence. Marlex mesh folded and was enveloped by fibrous tissue. CONCLUSION: Degradable chitin long fiber reinforced PCL can provide effective support to chest walls and is a practicable material for chest wall reconstruction.

Efficacy of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in Asian childhood obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome: a case control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T & A) in Asian childhood obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: The medical data of the OSAHS patients in the Sleep Center of the Duchess Kent Children's Habilitation Institute from May 1999 to May 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. OSAHS was diagnosed according to the abnormal sleep monitoring results. The clinical outcomes were followed up and compared between the Operation and Non-operation groups (Control) in OSAHS children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH). Sleep endoscopy was performed for those who had residual OSAHS for the purpose of detecting the underlying causes. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were diagnosed with OSAHS. Among the OSAHS patients, 39 were associated with ATH, and 25 of the 39 patients underwent T & A. The desaturation dip rate and minimum saturation in the Operation group were significantly improved after T & A. Six out of 25 (24%) patients in the Operation group had residual OSAHS whereas 11 out of the 13 (85%) patients in the Control group had unchanged or worsening clinical symptoms (OR=15.4, 95%CI 2.7- 87.5). Residual OSAHS after surgery were attributable to obesity, achondroplasia, upper airway structure anomaly and airway dynamic problems. CONCLUSIONS: T & A was effective in the majority of Asian childhood OSAHS associated with ATH. Upper airway structure or dynamic abnormalities can result in residual OSAHS in parts of children. Further investigation is required to detect the underlying problems.

[Experimental study on the reconstruction of circumferential tracheal defects with novel prosthesis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of using new tracheal prosthesis made of biomaterials to replace extensive circumferential tracheal defects in mongrel dogs. METHODS: Three types of tracheal prostheses were developed, whose basic skeleton of tubular mesh was knitted with polypropylene monofilament and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) fiber. The inner side of type-I tubular mesh was first coated with polyurethane solution and then with collagen. The exterior of type-I was then immobilized with collagen-hydroxyapatite composites. In contrast, the internal and external walls of type-II were coated with polyurethane solution, which produced a prosthesis similar to a nonporous one, while type-III was coated only with collagen solution. Surgical resection and replacement of a segment of the cervical trachea was performed in 16 adult mongrel dogs. The efficacy of the implanted prosthesis periodically evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: In group A, only one died from prosthetic dehiscence, another from anastomotic leakage, and the others had uneventful postoperative courses. The implanted prosthesis was completely incorporated with the recipient trachea, where different length of reepithelialization occurred on the luminal surface of the reconstructed trachea. Macroscopic examination showed scattered and different sizes of neo-ossification surrounding the implanted prosthesis. The prosthesis was roentgenopaque when exposed to routine X rays. In contrast, a relatively high number of complications occurred postoperatively in group B and C. CONCLUSION: Type-I tracheal prosthesis may be used effectively for long-segment circumferential tracheal replacement, and appears very promising for clinical application, with further improvements in promoting the epithelialization.

[Reconstruction of a cervical esophagus segment with an artificial prosthesis by use of a polyurethane stent covered with collagen-chitosan sponge in dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To repair esophageal defects with an artificial prosthesis composed of biodegradable materials and nonbiodegradable materials, which is gradually replaced by host tissue. METHODS: The artificial esophagus was a two-layer tube consisting of a chitosan-collagen sponge and an inner polyurethane stent with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 50 mm. We used the artificial esophagus to replace 5 cm esophageal defects in group I (five dogs) and in group II (ten dogs), and nutritional support was given after operation. The inner polyurethane stent was removed after 2 weeks in group I and after 4 weeks in group II endoscopically and epithelization of the regenerated esophagus was observed by histologic examination and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: In group I, the polyurethane stent was removed after 2 weeks, and partial regeneration of esophageal epithelial was observed; and constriction of the regenerated esophagus progressed and the dogs became unable to swallow after 4 weeks. In group II, the polyurethane stent was removed after 4 weeks, highly regenerated esophageal tissue successfully replaced the defect and complete epithelization of the regenerated esophagus was observed. After 12 weeks, complete regeneration of esophageal mucosa structures, including mucosal smooth muscle and mucosal glands and partial regeneration of esophageal muscle tissue were observed. CONCLUSION: Esophageal high-order structures can be regenerated and provided a temporary stent and support by polyurethane stent and an adequate three-dimensional structure for 4 weeks by collagen-chitosan sponge.

[Experimental study on a novel esophageal prosthesis made of composite biomaterials].

OBJECTIVE: To design and develop a novel esophageal prosthesis by selecting appropriate biomaterials, developing special manufacturing techniques, and investigating the feasibility of replacement of cervical esophagus in mongrel dogs. METHODS: In accordance with the requirements of ideal esophageal substitutes, we designed a new type of esophageal prostheses. The inner stent were made with polyurethane of medical grade, and the outer surface of the prosthesis was coated with collagen-chitosan sponge. The silicone tube was used as a control. Thirteen adult mongrel dogs that were divided into two groups were used to establish the experimental models. RESULTS: In the experimental group (n = 8), the esophageal prostheses were completely incorporated with the native esophagus and adherent to the surrounding host connective tissues. Epithelial linings of varying degrees were formed on the luminal surface, and complete epithelization was seen in 1 month postoperatively. The granulation at the sites of the anastomosis in this group was less significant than that of the control group. One dog has been surviving for 12 months up to now without any complications. In the control group (n = 5), esophageal epithelial was not observed on the luminal surface, constriction of the regenerated esophagus progressed and all the dogs died within 2 months after operation. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that this esophageal prosthesis made of composite biomaterials has high biocompatibility and potential for long-segment esophageal reconstruction, which is promising for the clinical repair of esophageal defects.