压力治疗联合点阵CO2激光治疗增生性瘢痕的疗效观察

目的观察压力治疗联合点阵CO₂激光治疗增生性瘢痕的临床疗效。方法回顾分析2018年1月至2020年6月收治的烧伤后增生性瘢痕患者74例。其中,对照组采用压力治疗(42例);观察组采用压力联合点阵CO₂激光治疗(32例)。治疗结束6个月后采用温哥华瘢痕量表(VSS)进行瘢痕评分,以视觉模拟评分法(VAS)进行瘢痕瘙痒及疼痛评分,并记录不良反应发生情况。结果观察组VSS评分显著高于对照组(P<0.05),且瘢痕的瘙痒及疼痛较对照组明显减轻,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论压力治疗联合点阵CO₂激光是一种安全有效的治疗增生性瘢痕的方法。     

Pressure therapy in the treatment of post-burn hypertrophic scar—A critical look into its usefulness and fallacies by pressure monitoring

Pressure therapy is generally accepted as the best non-invasive means of preventing and controlling hypertrophic scarring after burn injury. Most studies in the past have failed to correlate clinical response with magnitude of the garment-scar interface pressure.This study looked critically at our usual techniques of pressure therapy using pressure ‘sensors’ manufactured locally and based on electro-pneumatic principles. Many pitfalls, such as large variations of pressure at different geometric sites on the body, elastic deterioration in garments, problems of garment manufacture, and the unfavourable properties of the Lycra garments, were observed. Recommendations on pressure treatment were made based on our experiences, to improve the present technique of pressure therapy. These included the standardization of measurement techniques and garment tailoring, the regular checking of pressure at the garment-scar interface using pressure transducers, the appropriate garment adjustments, a strict regimen for garment wearing, and the intelligent use of pressure-padding and reinforcement. Areas of further research are also discussed.     

Outcome studies for burn patients in Hong Kong: patient''s satisfaction

With the recent advances in burns treatment, many more survive the burn to experience pain, scarring, physical deformity, loss of function and psychological trauma. Pressure therapy prescribed by occupational therapists for more than 20 years in Hong Kong has proved its effectiveness in treating the visible scars. However, the inconvenience and impaired appearance that is brought about by these garments during the long phase of therapy bears some weight in worsening patients' social acceptance and happiness in life, also their families especially in children. The objects of the studies were to measure the subjective rating of the effectiveness of pressure therapy through patients' satisfaction towards treatment effectiveness and its effect on daily life. Seventy cases with burn injuries over 1 year previously were selected randomly among the centres for the survey. The scale used was ordinal from 1 to 6. Eleven items concerning treatment effectiveness, life at home, work and leisure aspects were questioned. Results were analysed into two streams — satisfaction towards pressure therapy and change of life satisfaction pre- and post-injury. Non-parametric tests were used for data analysis. Through the Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test and Cluster analysis, major determinants were identified. These factors also showed significant correlation with this demographic data. The conclusions helped to evaluate and improve the existing service in both the garment properties and our scope of therapy for these patients, especially in work rehabilitation and finally (sexual) counselling which should be addressed by a team with interdepartmental support.     

Ultrasound assessment of scald scars in Asian children receiving pressure garment therapy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Scar formation after scald injury in children is managed commonly by application of pressure garment. The duration of the treatment depends on clinical assessment. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the pressure garment therapy and to correlate the clinical assessment scar thickness with ultrasound measurement. METHODS: Prospective study of children with hypertrophic scars receiving pressure garment therapy was carried out between 1993 and 1998. The scars were mapped with paper cutting. Representative scar sites were scored clinically according to Vancouver General Hospital Burn Assessment Scale (pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, height, pain, itchiness). Blind to the clinical results, 2 radiologists measured the scar thickness of the same sites with ultrasonography (5 to 10 MHz transducer, General Electric LOGIQ 500). The correlation between the clinical scores and ultrasound measurement of scar thickness were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: The median age of 58 children with scald injury (M:F = 36:22) was 2.8 years (0.5 to 15.8 years). The mean percentage of scald was 8.8% (24% had scald area >10%). In addition, there were 5 children with burn from naked flame and 9 children with keloid secondary to surgical incisions. With pressure garment therapy, the scar thickness reached a plateau 1 (1/2) years after the injury and began to decline gradually thereafter. The clinical estimation of scar thickness correlated well with the ultrasound measurement (ANOVA, P =.003, Adjusted R square = 0.99). The accuracy rate of clinical thickness estimation was 67%. Overestimation and underestimation accounted for 15% and 18%, respectively. There also was good correlation between total clinical score and the ultrasound measurement (ANOVA, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In children with scald injury, the pressure garment needs to be continued for a minimum of 1 year. Ultrasound measurement correlates well with overall score of the Vancouver General Hospital Burn Assessment Scale but not individual components of the scoring system except wound height.     

Use of sensory modulation approaches to improve compression garment adherence in adults after burn: An e-Delphi study

BackgroundSensory over-responsiveness, identified through self-report and quantitative sensory testing, has been associated with compression garment non-adherence in a burn-injured cohort. This study sought expert consensus on the usefulness of, and recommendations for, sensory modulation strategies to improve compression garment adherence in sensory over-responsive adults after burn.MethodExperts in the field of sensory modulation were invited to participate in a mixed-methods, three-round electronic Delphi study.ResultsExperts (N = 18) agreed that sensory modulation therapy may be a useful clinical tool to improve compression garment adherence. Twenty-two items reached consensus as essential to assessment, treatment, or therapist training.ConclusionWith adequate therapist training and individualized assessment and treatment, sensory modulation strategies may be a useful clinical approach to improving compression garment adherence in those who are sensory over-responsive after burn. Further research is needed to gather perceptions from burns therapists, and to implement and evaluate the effectiveness in clinical practice.     

Can Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy be an alternative method to manage keloid scarring? A preliminary report of a clinical and ultrasound/colour‐power‐doppler study

Keloid scarring represents a pathological healing where primary healing phenomenon is deviated from normal. Pico is a single use negative pressure wound therapy system originally introduced to manage open or just closed wounds. Pico dressing is made of silicone, and distributes an 80 mmHg negative pressure across wound bed. Combination of silicon layer and continuous compression could be a valid method to manage keloid scarring. Since November 2011, three patients were enrolled and evaluated before negative pressure treatment, at end of treatment (1 month) and 2 months later, through Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and a scoring system for itching. Ultrasound (US) and colour‐power‐doppler (CPD) examination was performed to evaluate thickness and vascularisation of the scar. One patient was discharged from study after 1 week. In last two patients, VSS, VAS and itching significantly improved after 1 month therapy and the results were stable after 2 months without any therapy. At end of therapy, the ‘appearance of palisade vessels' disappeared in both cases at CPD exam; US showed a thickness reduction (average 43·8%). We propose a well‐tolerated, non invasive treatment to manage keloid scarring. Prospective studies are necessary to investigate whether these preliminary observations are confirmed.     

The efficacy of magnetic disks for the treatment of earlobe hypertrophic scar

Ear piercing has been widely performed for various reasons, but it may cause hypertrophic scarring and its attendant cosmetic problems and/or subjective symptoms, such as pruritus or pain. Many treatment methods have been applied alone or in combination, including surgical excision, steroid injection, compression, radiation, topical silicone application, and so on. Although each modality or combined therapy has its advantages and disadvantages, in the authors' opinion, compressive therapy combined with surgical excision is the most effective method in many respects. However, the peculiar shape of the earlobe does not allow for easy compression. Thus, many compressive devices have been developed that are not wholly satisfactory in terms of effectiveness, appearance, size, or convenience. The authors describe a newly developed method for the treatment of hypertrophic scarring of the earlobe that uses magnetic disks. They treated 47 patients (91 auricles) with a hypertrophic scar on the earlobe that underwent compressive therapy using magnetic disks after surgical excision from April to December 2002. The use of magnetic disks proved effective, and they believe that it offers many advantages as a compressive device.     

Avotermin: a novel antiscarring agent

Published literature shows that both physicians and their patients are highly concerned about scarring, even relatively minor scars and those that can be concealed by clothing. Furthermore, both patients and their physicians value any opportunities to improve or minimize scarring. While a range of treatment paradigms have been evaluated, no single therapy has been adopted as a universally accepted standard of care and, currently, there are no marketed pharmaceuticals for the prophylactic reduction of scarring. Many of the available treatments are used empirically and most have not been evaluated in robust prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials. To address this unmet medical need, translational research into the molecular mechanisms of scarring has led to the discovery and commercial development of a new class of prophylactic medicines that promote the regeneration of normal skin and improve scar appearance. Avotermin, the first agent identified in this class, is the clinical application of human recombinant transforming growth factor beta3 (TGFbeta3), a key protein involved in scar-free healing observed in embryos. Controlled, double-blind, randomized phase I/II clinical studies have shown that avotermin, administered as an intradermal injection at the time of surgery, leads to both short-term and longer-term (at >or=12 months) improvements in the appearance of scars compared with placebo and standard wound care.     

Microdermabrasion: A Clinical and Histopathologic Study

BACKGROUND: Microdermabrasion is a widely performed skin rejuvenation procedure. Few studies have examined its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic effects of microdermabrasion. METHODS: Fourteen patients underwent microdermabrasion treatments over 12-14 weeks. Self-rated questionnaires were given before and after the treatment series and were evaluated by a paired t-test. Three of the 14 patients were treated for moderate to severe acne scarring. Acute histologic effects were assessed ex vivo on human abdominal skin. Chronic histopathologic effects were examined in three volunteers who underwent skin biopsies before and after a treatment series on the dorsal forearms. RESULTS: By patient assessment, there was statistically significant improvement in roughness, mottled pigmentation, and overall improvement of skin appearance, but not in rhytides. Acne scarring sometimes improved, but required deeper ablation. Acutely the stratum corneum was homogenized and focally compacted. Chronically there was epidermal hyperplasia, decreased melanization, and some increase in elastin. CONCLUSION: Microdermabrasion improves some aspects of photoaging and select cases of acne scarring.     

A simple device to encourage the unwilling child to wear a pressure garment

This brief report describes how, with commendable psychological insight, the father of a child recently treated in our burns unit adopted a very simple device to encourage his youngster to wear a pressure garment to deal with hypertrophic scarring.     

烧伤后增生性瘢痕压力治疗及相关研究

目的 初步研究压力治疗的作用机制,探讨有效的压力治疗措施.方法 设计多组试验,分别探讨压力治疗的疗效与作用机制、智能压力衣的研制及应用效果.(1)压力治疗的疗效研究.将45例四肢烧伤患者按照随机数字表法分为压力治疗组36例和对照组9例,压力治疗组每日超过23 h穿着量身定做的压力衣(压力为10%缩率+局部9 mm厚压力垫),对照组不进行针对瘢痕的任何治疗.采用温哥华瘢痕量表(VSS)、颜色光学测试仪和软组织触诊超声系统评定瘢痕情况,对数据进行独立样本t检验或配对t检验.(2)了解Fb在压力作用下生长速率的变化.从手术切取的瘢痕组织中提取Fb,分别施加1.1、2.8、5.6 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)压力及不施加压力,观察Fb的生长速率(数据进行Fisher LSD post-hoc分析).(3)压力作用下瘢痕厚度的研究.应用高频超声成像系统,评估不同时期(早期:1～6个月,中期:7～12个月,后期:大于12个月)增生性瘢痕组织在0、5、15、25、35 mm Hg压力作用下的厚度变化(数据进行相关性及回归分析).(4)智能压力衣的应用研究.嘱曾经接受过传统压力衣治疗的36例患者穿着智能压力衣1个月,应用Pliance X系统进行压力测定并发放问卷调查患者使用情况,数据行Wilcoxon Sign-Ranks检验.结果 (1)治疗2个月压力治疗组瘢痕厚度、颜色及VSS评分均较治疗前明显改善;与对照组相比,治疗2个月压力治疗组VSS评分明显降低.(2)加压2 d,施加压力为5.6 mm Hg的Fb生长速率明显低于未施加压力者(均差=0.086、P=0.001);加压3 d,施加压力为2.8、5.6 mm Hg的Fb生长速率明显低于未施加压力者(均差分别为0.060、0.118,P值分别为0.003、小于0.001).(3)增生性瘢痕组织的厚度在压力作用下明显变薄,且厚度与压力大小呈负相关(r=-0.96,P＜0.01).(4)使用智能压力衣1个月后,静态压力减少19.5%、动态压力减少11.9%,明显低于传统压力衣压力减少量(约为50.0%).问卷调查结果显示,智能压力衣在舒适性、透气性、疗效等方面均明显优于传统压力衣(P值均小于或等于0.001).结论 初步证明压力治疗能有效抑制增生性瘢痕生长,但其确切机制仍需进一步研究证实.智能压力衣具有使用方便、省时、疗效好等特点,可在临床推广使用.     

Acne and PDT: new techniques with lasers and light sources

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatologic disorders encountered in everyday practice. Treatment options for this often psychologically scarring disease are numerous and, for many individuals, provide relief from the disorder. However, factors such as antibiotic resistance and slow onset of action from many topical therapies have led researchers to seek out alternative therapies, especially for those suffering from moderate to severe inflammatory acne vulgaris. Lasers and light sources are finding increased usage in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Light sources including blue lights and intense pulsed lights are becoming regular additions to routine medical management to enhance the therapeutic response. Finally, photodynamic therapy may change many of the acne vulgaris paradigms, as its place is being defined in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne vulgaris. More and more clinical trials are showing the effectiveness of 5-aminolevulinic acid and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne vulgaris.     

Use of 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser for wrinkle reduction and the treatment of atrophic acne scarring in Asians

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The role of 1,320 Nd:YAG in non-ablative skin rejuvenation in Asians is has not been established. Furthermore, no study has investigated the effectiveness of 1,320 Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of atrophic scarring in Asians. The objective of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of 1,320 Nd:YAG laser in wrinkle reduction and the treatment of atrophic acne scarring in Asians. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven female patients were included in the study: seven were treated for acne scarring and the others for wrinkle reduction. A 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser (Cooltouch II, Roseville, CA) was used to treat both the cheeks and forehead for the patients with wrinkles, and both cheeks only for patients with atrophic acne scarring. All patients received treatment in the post-auricular areas. A spot size of 10 mm was used, and three passes were performed (two pre-cooling and one post-cooling). Patients were treated monthly for 6 months. All patients were subjectively assessed before and after their last treatment sessions using a structured questionnaire, and objectively assessed by the use of clinical photographs for by independent observers. A cutometer was used to assess viscoelasticity, and biopsies were taken at the post-auricular site for assessment by a pathologist. RESULTS: The overall degree of patients' satisfaction was rated as 4.9 (range 0-9.8) for wrinkle reduction and 4 (range 0-10) for acne scarring. In terms of objective assessment by independent observers, the degree of improvement was considered to be mild or no change in most cases. The independent pathologist who assessed the degree of improvement in terms of increased collagen production detected no change in 8 patients, mild improvement in 9, and moderate improvement in 10.There was also improvement in term of epidermal thickness in 13 cases. Assessment by viscoelasticity indicated a significant degree of improvement in most parameters in both groups of patients. Blistering occurred in five cases, all in the central facial areas, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurred in three cases. All cases of PIH resolved after the use of 4% hydroquinoine. There was no scarring or hypopigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser is effective for wrinkle reduction and atrophic acne scar improvement, but to further enhance the clinical outcome a combination approach with another device such as IPL and a surgical technique such as subcision is necessary.     

Comparison of elastic versus nonelastic compression in bilateral venous ulcers: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding the effectiveness of elastic vs nonelastic compression in the healing of venous leg ulcers. To gain insight into this controversy, we randomly compared a four-layer elastic bandage with a nonelastic garment (CircAid) in patients with venous leg ulcers. METHODS: Twenty-four extremities of 12 patients with bilateral leg ulcers were randomized to have a four-layer elastic bandage in 1 extremity and a nonelastic compression garment CircAid in the contralateral limb. The CEAP classification in 22 extremities was C(6 S); ES; A(D6,14,15,P18); PR; 1 extremity in 2 patients was C(6 S); E(S); A(D 6,14,15,P18); PRO. There were seven men and five women. Age ranged from 45 to 82 years, with a mean of 61 years. All patients had postthrombotic leg ulcers diagnosed clinically by duplex ultrasonography (n = 8) or by phlebography (n = 4). Every 4 weeks, patients had the ulcer area measured in square centimeters by a computerized scanning method and had the limb girth measured in centimeters at the foot, ankle, and calf. The ankle-brachial index was determined in all cases. Color photographs of the ulcer areas were taken monthly to assess healing progress. All patients were compliant. Results were assessed at 12 weeks. A patient satisfaction sheet was filled out by the patient, who circled one of the following scores: 3, very satisfied; 2, moderately satisfied; and 1, not satisfied. Cox proportional hazards models or paired t tests were used for comparison. RESULTS: The 24 limbs were randomized and divided into 2 groups of 12 each. Group A received CircAid, and group B, a four-layer elastic bandage. Duplex scanning showed a pattern of reflux in 11 limbs of each group. One limb in each group had a pattern of obstruction documented by air plethysmography (n = 2). Phlebography demonstrated the anatomic site in both limbs. The initial ulcer area in group A was 48.98 +/- 14.13 cm2 and was 50.08 +/- 18.30 cm2 in group B (P = .9285). The ulcer healing rate was significantly faster in group A compared with group B (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.96; P = .0173). Ulcers with hemodynamic obstruction had a protracted course when compared with the contralateral limbs with reflux. There was no significant difference in girth reduction between groups A and B (hazard ratio, 2.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-18.52; P = .3580). The ankle-brachial index was normal (> or = 1.0) in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In compliant patients, venous leg ulcers randomized to nonelastic compression had a significantly faster healing rate per week than ulcers treated by the conventional four-layer compression system.     

中重度痤疮1064nm波长可调脉宽Nd∶YAG激光治疗后相关症状和审美评价的影响因素分析

目的:分析中重度痤疮1064nm波长可调脉宽Nd∶YAG激光治疗后患者出现相关症状(瘢痕遗留、色素沉着、局部红斑)的影响因素,了解人群中对中重度痤疮1064nm波长可调脉宽Nd∶YAG激光治疗后影响审美评价的相关因素。方法:回顾性分析在笔者医院皮肤科应用1064nm波长可调脉宽Nd∶YAG激光治疗的89例中重度痤疮患者的临床资料。选取100名外貌正常,具备完整审美能力的普通人作为评价者,根据李克特量表对患者形象进行评分。采用单因素分析和多元Logistic回归模型分析中重度痤疮激光治疗后相关症状和审美评价的影响因素。结果:单因素分析显示,年龄、性别、BMI、吸烟、皮肤类型、初发年龄、病程、发病部位、家族史、伴发病、蠕形螨、尘螨SPT、瘢痕体质均是中重度痤疮激光治疗后相关临床症状的影响因素(P<0.05)。评价者年龄、学历,患者年龄、BMI、皮肤类型、发病部位、瘢痕厚度和瘢痕柔软度是审美评价的影响因素(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic分析显示,性别、家族史、伴发病、蠕形螨及尘螨SPT是中重度痤疮激光治疗后相关症状的独立影响因素(P<0.05)。评价者年龄、患者BMI、皮肤类型和发病部位均是审美评价的独立影响因素(P<0.05)。结论:中重度痤疮1064nm波长可调脉宽Nd∶YAG激光治疗后相关症状与性别、家族史、伴发病、蠕形螨及尘螨SPT有关。中重度痤疮1064nm波长可调脉宽Nd∶YAG激光治疗后的审美评价与评价者年龄,患者BMI、皮肤类型和发病部位有关。     

A multicenter,randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the use of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allografts and multilayer compression therapy vs. multilayer compression therapy alone in the treatment of venous leg ulcers

Venous leg ulcers produce significant clinical and economic burdens on society and often require advanced wound therapy. The purpose of this multicenter, randomized, controlled study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of one or two applications of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allograft and multilayer compression therapy vs. multilayer compression therapy alone in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. The primary study outcome was the proportion of patients achieving 40% wound closure at 4 weeks. Of the 84 participants enrolled, 53 were randomized to receive allograft and 31 were randomized to the control group of multilayer compression therapy alone. At 4 weeks, 62% in the allograft group and 32% in the control group showed a greater than 40% wound closure (p = 0.005), thus showing a significant difference between the allograft‐treated groups and the multilayer compression therapy alone group at the 4‐week surrogate endpoint. After 4 weeks, wounds treated with allograft had reduced in size a mean of 48.1% compared with 19.0% for controls. Venous leg ulcers treated with allograft had a significant improvement in healing at 4 weeks compared with multilayer compression therapy alone.     

The value of somatosensory- and motor-evoked potentials in predicting and monitoring the effect of therapy in spondylotic cervical myelopathy. Prospective randomized study.

STUDY DESIGN: A 2-year follow-up prospective randomized electrophysiologic and clinical study of patients with spondylotic cervical myelopathy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of somatosensory- and motor-evoked potentials in the evaluation and prediction of the effect of therapy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous studies have yielded conflicting data concerning the correlation between the changes in evoked potential parameters and the clinical postsurgical outcome in spondylotic cervical myelopathy. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with magnetic resonance images suggesting spondylotic cervical cord compression and clinical signs of cervical myelopathy were divided into two groups according to the degree of clinical cervical cord involvement. The 49 patients with mild and moderate spondylotic cervical myelopathy were randomized into groups that underwent either surgical or conservative therapy. Patients were evaluated clinically and by the means of somatosensory- and motor-evoked potentials. RESULTS: The clinical and evoked potential changes showed good correlation on the group level, but poor correlation intraindividually. There were no significant evoked potential and clinical group changes after 6 months and 2 years in the mild myelopathy group treated either surgically and conservatively, whereas patients with severe myelopathy displayed significant improvement in clinical and evoked potential parameters after surgery. In a subgroup of patients, the isolated segmental medullar N13 abnormality could potentially predict favorable postsurgical clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal evoked potentials showed limited use for evaluating the results of therapy in an individual patient. They could be useful in the group assessment of therapy results and in labeling a subgroup of patients with potentially favorable postsurgical outcome.     

Cost effectiveness of treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: an economic model for comparison of medical, minimally invasive, and surgical therapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of minimally invasive therapy relative to medical (alpha-blocker) therapy and transurethral resection (TURP) for patients with moderate to severe symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: We constructed a decision-analytic Markov model for a hypothetical cohort of 65-year-old men with moderate to severe BPH symptoms. Microwave thermotherapy was selected to represent minimally invasive treatment. Cost-effectiveness analysis was performed with 25 health states using the 3 treatments, 5 short-term clinical events, and 17 possible long-term outcomes. Each health state had an associated cost and utility. Quality of life (QoL) and utility estimates were obtained by interviewing 13 men with BPH symptoms using the standard gamble reference methods. Patients were classified as risk averse (RA) or non-risk averse (NRA) on the basis of their attitudes to risk. We calculated the incremental cost effectiveness of microwave thermotherapy relative to medical therapy and TURP over 5 years after treatment initiation. Event probabilities were obtained from the literature, a consensus panel, and published randomized clinical trials. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The utility values generated were internally consistent and externally valid for a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 RA patients. Microwave thermotherapy was preferred by the NRA group, while medical therapy was preferred by the RA group. Surgery was least preferred by both groups. Microwave thermotherapy had a small incremental cost but improved QoL in comparison with medical therapy. Microwave thermotherapy had a higher utility and lower cost than TURP and thus was dominant over TURP. This analytical method can be applied to evaluate the cost effectiveness of any BPH therapy.     

In vitro mechanical compression induces apoptosis and regulates cytokines release in hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scars resulting from severe burns are usually treated by continuous elastic compression. Although pressure therapy reaches success rates of 60-85% its mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. In this study, apoptosis induction and release of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were evaluated in normal (n = 3) and hypertrophic (=7) scars from burns after in vitro mechanical compression. In the absence of compression (basal condition) apoptotic cells, scored using terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase assay, were present after 24 hours in the derma of both normal scar (23 +/- 0.4% of total cell) and hypertrophic scar (11.3 +/- 1.4%). Mechanical compression (constant pressure of 35 mmHg for 24 hours) increased apoptotic cell percentage both in normal scar (29.5 +/- 0.4%) and hypertrophic scar (29 +/- 1.7%). IL-1beta released in the medium was undetectable in normal scar under basal conditions while in hypertrophic scar the IL-1beta concentration was 3.48 +/- 0.2 ng/g. Compression in hypertrophic scar-induced secretion of IL-1beta twofold higher compared to basal condition. (7.72 +/- 0.2 ng/g). TNF-alpha basal concentration measured in normal scar medium was 8.52 +/- 4.01 ng/g and compression did not altered TNF-alpha release (12.86 +/- 7.84 ng/g). TNF-alpha basal release was significantly higher in hypertrophic scar (14.74 +/- 1.42 ng/g) compared to normal scar samples and TNF-alpha secretion was diminished (3.52 +/- 0.97 ng/g) after compression. In conclusion, in our in vitro model, mechanical compression resembling the clinical use of elastocompression was able to strongly increase apoptosis in the hypertrophic scar derma as observed during granulation tissue regression in normal wound healing. Moreover, the observed modulation of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha release by mechanical loading could play a key role in hypertrophy regression induced by elastocompression.     

痔上黏膜环切术治疗直肠前突所致出口梗阻型便秘的疗效观察

目的探讨痔上黏膜环切术(PPH)治疗中重度直肠前突所引起的梗阻型便秘的临床疗效。方法 对48例中重度直肠前突患者采用痔上黏膜环切术治疗,随访4~6个月,对比分析手术前后肛管直肠测压参数。结果患者术后每天1~2次软便,自觉排便梗阻感明显缓解,手术前后患者直肠静息压、肛管静息压、各项感觉阈值变化差异均无统计学意义(P0.05),直肠力排压与肛管舒张压力值降低差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 PPH术是一种治疗直肠前突所致出口梗阻型便秘的有效方法 。