Experiences and benefits of positron emitted tomography-computed tomography （PET-CT） combined with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery （VATS） in the diagnosis of Stage 1 sarcoidosis

Background： The purpose of this study was to describe our experiences and analyze the benefits of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery （VATS） combined with positron emitted tomography （PET）-computed tomography （CT） in the diagnosis of patients with early （Stage 1） sarcoidosis. Methods： From 1995 to 2006, seven patients （two males, five females）, with ages ranging from 26 to 58 years, were impressed with Stage 1 sarcoidosis （mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes involvements without lung involvement） by histological examination of intrathoracic lymph nodes （LNs） and/or lung parenchyma taken＇from VATS biopsy. Three of them received PET or PET-CT evaluation. VATS was approached from the right and left side in one and six patients, respectively, according to the locations of their lesions. Results： All the VATS biopsied LNs or lung specimens were adequate for establishing diagnosis. Mediastinal LNs were taken from Groups 3, 4 in four, Group 7 in two, and Groups 5, 6 in one of them. Hilar LNs biopsies were performed in four cases. Lung biopsy was performed in all but two cases. All of them were expressed pathologically or radiologically as Stage 1 sarcoidosis. PET-CT revealed high emission signals over these affected LNs. These patients received oral steroid treatment or follow up only. All of them were followed up from 5 months to 11 years with satisfactory results. Conclusion： VATS biopsy is a minimally invasive, safe and effective procedure. It can be used as a diagnostic altermative of transbronchial lung biopsy （TBLB）, and can harvest larger and more areas of specimens than mediastinoscopy for staging patients with sarcoidosis. PET-CT can provide us more accurate information about the characteristics and localization of these lesions before biopsy. VATS combined with PET-CT can provide more accurate and earlier diagnosis of patients with unknown intrathoracic lesions, including the sarcoidosis.     

Pulmonary actinomycosis: a case undergoing resection through video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)

Actinomycosis is an uncommon disease, which is usually manifested as cervicofacial infection and related to poor oral hygiene or compromised immune function. Pulmonary actinomycosis is rare, but its diagnosis is changing due to its variable presentation and the similarity in appearance to other intrapulmonary diseases. Here we report an 80-year-old man with a solitary pulmonary nodule over the left upper lobe. Pulmonary neoplasm was highly suspected in this patient and thus resection of the mass was undertaken through video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Histopathological examination demonstrated this patient had an Actinomyeces infection. While the application of VATS in patients with pulmonary actinomycosis has rarely been reported in literature, we conclude that VATS is valuable for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with undetermined pulmonary nodule(s).      

改良B-Lynch缝合术在剖宫产产后出血中的应用

目的探讨改良B-Lynch缝合术在治疗剖宫产产后出血中的应用价值。方法研究组87例剖宫产术中宫缩乏力性出血病例采用改良B-Lynch缝合术治疗。随机选择45例剖宫产术中宫缩乏力性出血病例作为对照组采用传统方法治疗,在手术时间、产后出血量、住院天数、治疗效果方面对比两组术式的临床治疗效果。结果研究组病例治疗后临床效果显著,其在手术时间、产后出血、住院天数及有效率与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,无一例子宫切除,无并发症发生,子宫复旧,月经复潮时间无差异。结论改良B-Lynch缝合术具有操作简单,止血迅速和安全有效等优点,值得在临床上进一步推广普及。     

Many women and providers are unprepared for an evidence-based, educated conversation about birth

Findings from recent Canadian studies on the knowledge and beliefs about birth practices among first-time pregnant women and among obstetricians and other birth providers indicate that many women are inadequately informed and many providers deliver non-evidence-based maternity care. Consequently, informed decision making is problematic for pregnant women and their providers. New strategies are needed to inform pregnant women about key procedures and approaches that might be used in birth so they can have an educated, shared discussion with their provider and successfully advocate for their preferred birth experience. In addition, providers can be encouraged to supplement their knowledge with current, evidence-based maternity care practices. To avoid a lack of informed decision making and to ensure that natural, safe, and healthy birth practices are based on current evidence, pregnant women and providers must work together to inform themselves and to add childbirth to the women's health agenda.     

虚拟现实技术在口腔颌面外科学实验教学中的应用

虚拟现实技术在医学领域的深入应用,对医学临床教学模式、实验教学模式和临床医疗工作模式起着重要作用。简要介绍了虚拟现实技术的特点,重点探讨了虚拟现实技术在口腔颌面外科学实验教学领域中的应用与发展前景。     

外科理论课教学反思体会

外科理论教学极为重要,为临床实习和工作打下了基础,是培养合格医疗工作者的关键环节,如何改进教学方法和进行教学反思是值得思考的问题,而教学反思对解决这一问题及促进教师的成长极为重要。     

Listening to Mothers II: Report of the Second National U.S. Survey of Women's Childbearing Experiences: Conducted January–February 2006 for Childbirth Connection by Harris Interactive? in partnership with Lamaze International*

With permission from Childbirth Connection, the “Executive Summary” for the Listening to Mothers II survey is reprinted, here. The landmark Listening to Mothers I report, published in 2002, described the first national U.S. survey of women''s maternity experiences. It offered an unprecedented opportunity to understand attitudes, feelings, knowledge, use of obstetric practices, outcomes, and other dimensions of the maternity experience. Listening to Mothers II, a national survey of U.S. women who gave birth in 2005 that was published in 2006, continues to break new ground. Although continuing to document many core items measured in the first survey, the second survey includes much new content, exploring earlier topics in greater depth, as well as some new and timely topics.     

Making the Case for a Physiologic Approach to Childbirth

In this column, Optimal Care in Childbirth: The Case for a Physiologic Approach by Henci Goer and Amy Romano is reviewed. The book presents compelling evidence for the value and importance of a physiological approach to childbirth and provides a clear, exhaustive guide for making sense of the research in the context of the current maternity care system. The book is an invaluable resource for navigating the maze of contemporary obstetrics for both health-care professionals and childbearing families.     

青年食管癌与中老年食管癌外科诊治的比较研究

分析青年与中老年食管癌患者的临床特征及外科治疗效果。回顾性分析49例青年和98例中老年食管癌患者的临床资料。结果:青年食管癌占同期食管癌的6.55%,两组患者在性别比例、肿瘤病变部位、病理类型、分化程度等差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);在术后病理分期、根治性切除率、术后并发症发生率上差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);青年组与中老年组的手术死亡率分别为0.0%和2.0%,两组生存率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结果表明,青年人食管癌肿瘤病期偏晚,手术切除率更低,术后并发症发生率及手术死亡率优于中老年组,两者在生存预后差别无统计学意义。