Objective To investigate preoperative blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio （NLR） in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor （GIST） and analyze the relationship of the NLR to prognosis. Methods The data of NLR of peripheral blood samples on 3d before surgery and the results of immunohistochemistry of 42 patients with GIST were analyzed respectively，the relation between the NLR and the prognosis of patients with GIST was understood by the survival analysis. Results The patients with high NLR （NLR≥2.5） was found in 22 cases， low NLR （NLR＜2.5） in 20 cases.The NLR was related to mitotic figures （χ2=9.45，P=0.002） and tumor size （P=0.041）. The 3-year survival rate of the patients with high NLR was shorter than that of the low NLR （χ2=5.44，P=0.022）. The 3-year survival rate was associated with NLR，mitotic figures，and tumor size （P＜0.05） in univariate analysis. The NLR and mitotic figures were independent prognostic indicators of 3-year survival （P=0.018，P=0.000） in Cox multivariate analysis. Conclusion Blood NLR and mitotic figures have some predictive value for the prognosis of patients with GIST.
To compare and evaluate the whole effect of anterior decompression approach to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy by using cervical retractor systems and the traditional surgical approach. Methods From April 2001 to August 2004, group A included 30 males and 23 females aging from 31 to 69 years, and the involved time was from 7 months to 15 years. Involved segments included 22 one-segments, 24 two-segments and 7 three-segments. In all 53 cases, anterior windowing decompression and fusion with autograft and titanium plate internal fixation by using traditionalcircular saw were performed. Group B included 48 males and 20 females aging from 33 to 74 years, and the involved time was from 5 months to 18 years. Involved segments included 23 one-segments, 34 two-segments and 11 three-segments. In all 68 cases, anterior undermined far-reaching decompression and fusion with autograft and titanium plate internal fixation by using removing disc merely in the single-level or separately in the multilevels employing self-retractor and Caspar cervical retractor systems via interspinal approach were performed. X-rays and MRI showed cervical disc degeneration, herniation and spinal cord compression. The surgery time, loss of blood, vertebral body fusion time, difference in height of involved segments preor postoperatively and compl ications were counted up and compared between the two groups. Improvement rate of spinal function pre- or postoperatively were valued by using JOA score. Results A total of 92 cases including 42 of group A and 50 of group B were followed up for 3 to 5 years, mean 3.5 years. In group A, surgery time, loss of blood, time of vertebral body fusion, difference in height of involved segments pre- or postoperatively, and improvement ratio of spinal function were(76.80 ± 28.41) min,(564.00 ± 181.96) mL,(12.10 ± 3.58) weeks, (1.30 ± 0.67) mm and 0.49% ± 0.14%, respectively. In group B, they were(57.90 ± 15.01) min,(317.50 ± 136.92) mL,(9.75 ± 1.36) weeks, (3.00 ± 0.56) mm and 0.71% ± 0.17% , respectively. The differences between the two groups were significant in all measured values(P lt; 0.05). Compl ications occurred in 7 cases ofgroup A including 1 spinal cord injury, 1 plate displacement, 1 bonegraft displacement and 4 disfunctions of il iac region. No compl ication happened in group B. Conclusion Anterior decompression approach using cervical retractor systems is significantly superior to the traditional approach as to the whole effect to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and furtherperfects the traditional anterior decompression approach. The modified approach is scientific, safe and easily spread.