ObjectiveTo evaluate the application of stereotactic electrode implantation on precise epileptogenic zone localization. MethodRetrospectively studied 140 patients with drug-resist epilepsy from March 2012 to June 2015, who undergone a procedure of intracranial stereotactic electrode for localized epileptogenic zone. ResultsIn 140 patients who underwent the ROSA navigated implantation of intracranial electrode, 109 are unilateral implantation, 31 are bilateral; 3 patients experienced an intracranial hematoma caused by the implantation. Preserved time of electrodes, on average, 8.4days (range 2~35 days); Obseved clinical seizures, on average, 10.8 times per pt (range 0~98 times); There were no cerebrospinal fluid leak, intracranial hematoma, electrodes fracture or patient death, except 2 pt's scalp infection (1.43%, scalp infection rate); 131 pts' seizure onset area was precisely localized; 71 pts underwent SEEG-guide resections and were followed up for more than 6 months. In the group of 71 resection pts, 56 pts were reached Engel I class, 2 were Engel Ⅱ, 3 was Engel Ⅲ and 10 were Engel IV class. ConclusionTo intractable epilepsy, when non-invasive assessments can't find the epileptogenic foci, intracranial electrode implantation combined with long-term VEEG is an effective method to localize the epileptogenic foci, especially the ROSA navigated stereotactic electrode implantation, which is a micro-invasive, short-time, less-complication, safe-guaranteed, and precise technique.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value and utility of flexible bronchoscopy in the preoperative assessment in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). Methods A total of 111 patients with SPNs of unknown origin treated between January and June 2016 were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical characteristics, bronchoscopy findings and surgical strategies were collected. Results In the total 111 cases, malignant and benign SPNs were 79 and 32 cases, respectively. The mean diameter of malignant SPNs was larger than that of benign SPNs [(2.04±0.58) vs. (1.70±0.75) cm, P<0.05]. Bronchoscopy identified 9 cases (8.1%) unsuspected findings. Surgeries were modified or cancelled in 3 patients (2.7%) because of bronchoscopy findings. Transbronchoscopy biopsies were performed in 26 patients, 9 of whom were diagnosed lung cancer preoperatively, with a sensitivity of 45% (9/20) and a specificity of 100% (6/6). Conclusions Flexible bronchoscopy can be contributed to diagnosis of SPN before surgery and determination of surgical strategies. It is suggested that flexible bronchoscopy could be included in the routine preoperative work-up of SPN.
ObjectiveTo analyze the outcomes of complicated congenital heart diseases (CCHD) patients accepting multiple (>2) re-sternotomy operations.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 146 patients undergoing multiple cardiac re-sternotomy operations between 2015 and 2019 in our center. There were 95 males and 51 females with an age of 4.3 (3.1-6.8) years and a weight of 15.3 (13.4-19.0) kg at last operation.ResultsThe top three cardiac malformations were pulmonary atresia (n=51, 34.9%), double outflow of right ventricle (n=36, 24.7%) and functional single ventricle (n=36, 24.7%). A total of 457 sternotomy procedures were performed, with 129 (88.3%) patients undergoing three times of operations and 17 (11.7%) patients undergoing more than three times. Fifty-two (35.6%) patients received bi-ventricular repair, 63 (43.1%) patients received Fontan-type procedures, and 31 (21.2%) patients underwent palliative procedures. Ten (6.8%) patients experienced major accidents during sternotomy, including 7 (4.8%) patients of urgent femoral artery and venous bypass. Eleven (7.5%) patients died with 10 (6.8%) deaths before discharge. The follow-up time was 20.0 (5.8-40.1) months, and 1 patient died during the follow-up. The number of operations was an independent risk factor for the death after operation.ConclusionSeries operations of Fontan in functional single ventricle, repeated stenosis of pulmonary artery or conduit of right ventricular outflow tract post bi-ventricular repair are the major causes for the reoperation. Multiple operations are a huge challenge for CCHD treatment, which should be avoided.