To study the effects of human growth hormone on protein catabolic state of gastric and colonic cancer patients after surgical intervention and whether it can improve the postoperative host immune function and reduce the postoperative fatigue syndrome (POF) by using rhGH. Thirtyeight gastric and colonic cancer patients (21 cases of gastric cancer; 17 cases of colonic cancer) were diveided into control group (n＝18) and rhGHtreated group (n＝20). All the patients were performed resection and treated by early postoperative intraperitoneal thermochemotherapy (EPIC) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Subcutaneous injections of 8 U rhGH at 9∶30 am was administered to the rhGHtreated group (six days) at the same time. Results: In the control group, a significant decrease in serum levels of albumin, prealbumin, transferri, IgG, IgA, IgM and CD＋３, CD＋4, CD＋8 were observed after operation (Ｐ＜0.01). In the rhGHtreated group, CD＋３, CD＋4 and CD＋8 raised significantly and the other did not change significantly. The postoperative vigour state of the patient was better than that in the control group. In the control group, pronouced weight loss of 3-5 kg, was detected on the 10th pastoperative day, while the weight loss was 1-2 kg in the rhGHtreated group (Ｐ＜0.01). Conclusion: The treatment with rhGH together with TPN and EPIC not only overcomes the protein catabolism of the cancer patient after operation by increasing protein synthesis, but also improves postoperative host immune function, reduces POF, and can raise the killing effect of chemotherapy on cancer cells, enhances the tolerance to chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of transposition of the gastracnemius muscle in the limb-salvage operation of the proximal tibial tumor. METHODS From 1995, transposition of the gastrocnemius muscle was applied to cover the devitalized bone, bone cement or autologous bone graft in 15 cases with tumors of the proximal tibia (transposition of medial heads of gastrocnemius muscle in 12 cases, and lateral heads of gastrocnemius muscle in 3 cases respectively). Among them, there were 7 osteosarcomas, 5 giant cell tumors, 1 malignant fibrous histocytoma, 1 chondrosarcoma and 1 osteoblastoma. The operations included segmental devitalization with 95% alcohol in 7 cases, knee reconstruction of the unilateral tibial plateau with iliac graft in 5 cases, segmental devitalization with microwave in 2 cases, local resection and bone graft in 1 cases. RESULTS Apart from 2 cases whose wounds needed suturing again due to the liquefaction of the subcutaneous fat around the incision, no wound complications were occured in other 13 patients. No significant loss in the function of the leg and ankle was observed after transposition of the gastrocnemius muscle. There was no local recurrence, but 3 patients died due to lung metastases. CONCLUSION Transposition of the gastrocnemius muscle after resection of promixal tibial tumors can improve the local blood supply, cover the deep structures and prevent from the failure of limb-salvage operation due to wound complications.
The ulcer resulting from snake-bite injury was characterized by deep and wide tissue necrosis and secondary infection. The patient was at high risk of loss of function of his extremity. From 1989 to 1996, 16 cases with deep ulcer of the upper extremity resulting from snake-bite injury were treated with different types of axial thoraco-abdominal skin flaps, depending on the location of the ulcer. Thoraco-umbilical skin flap was used in 2 cases, lateral thoracoabdominal skin flap in 1 case, iliolumbar skin flaps in 5 cases, lower abdominal skin flaps in 6 cases, lower abdominal divided foliated skin flap in 1 case and Y-shaped hypogastric skin flap in 1 case. Reparative operation was carried out within 3 weeks after injury and primary repair were undertaken in 6 of them. The pedicles were divided in 17 to 24 days after operation. Twelve flaps survived. Three of the 6 flaps had mild signs of inflammation which disappeared after administration of antibiotics. One had necrosis of the distal part of the flap, and was healed with split skin graft. This type of skin flap was an ideal method for the treatment of snake-bite injury of the upper extremity.