This work is funded by grants from Peking University Third Hospital Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Scholars (Grant No: 77434-01, Long Zhang) and Beijing Higher Education Young Elite Teacher Project (Grant No: YETP0072, Wen-Hui Wang).

The protocol has been approved by the local medical and ethics committees. The procedure lasts approximately 15 min per side.
1. Indications
<ol>
	<li>Ensure the patient has the following indications for CLS: thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger&#39;s disease), ischemic diabetic foot, Raynaud&#39;s disease, parmoplantar hyperhidrosis, erythromelalgia, phantom limb pain, or livedo reticularis of the lower extremities.</li>
</ol>
2. Contraindications
<ol>
	<li>Exclude the patient if any of the following contraindications are fulfilled: spinal deformity, bleeding tendency, any infection in the procedure-involved areas, unstable vital signs, pregnancy, or any conditions that render the ability for compliance with the procedure.</li>
</ol>
3. Preoperative Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Confirm the presence of indications and lack of contraindications based on clinical and laboratory results.</li>
	<li>Obtain written, informed consent from the patient/relative.</li>
</ol>
4. Treatment Procedure
<ol>
	<li>Patient position: ensure that the patient is in lateral decubitus position with the side to be treated facing upwards and the lower limbs flexed to make the back as stretched as possible.</li>
	<li>Disinfection: disinfect the skin at the planned needle puncture site (approximately 30 cm diameter) with 2% entoiodine, twice. Then, cover the patient&#39;s back with surgical towels.</li>
	<li>Anesthetization of the needle tract under lateral fluoroscopy guidance: anesthetize the skin and entire needle tract with 5&#8211;8 mL of 0.5% lidocaine (2% lidocaine diluted in 0.9% saline solution) without vasoconstrictors. Advance the needle under local anesthesia to the vertebral body surface gradually. Position the needle tip in the optimal injection area. 
	NOTE: The puncture point on the skin is approximately 7&#8211;8 cm from the dorsomedial line, depending on body shape. Figure 1A shows the needle tract. Figure 1B shows the optimal injection area, which is at approximately one-third the dividing line of the vertebral body in the lateral view of a lumbar X-ray.</li>
	<li>Confirmation of the accuracy of the needle position with contrast agent: after ensuring that the needle tip is in the optimal area in the lateral view of a lumbar X-ray, inject 0.5 mL of the contrast agent to further evaluate the correct position of the needle tip. 
	NOTE: The goal is to keep the contrast agent mainly confined to the optimal area then spreading along the psoas major muscle. Distribution of the contrast along the psoas muscle fibers is the marker of successful injection behind the anterior fascia (Figure 2).</li>
	<li>Injection of inactivating agent, 5% phenol: after aspiration, to ensure no puncture accidents, inject 2 mL of 5% aqueous solution of phenol into the optimal area (adjust the needle tip direction to ensure 1 mL of phenol spreads to the direction of the head then 1 mL of phenol to the direction of the foot). Then, withdraw the needle from the skin and compress and cover the puncture site with gauze to achieve hemostasis. 
	NOTE: Steps 4.3 to 4.5 were performed at L3 and L4, respectively.</li>
	<li>Evaluation of the efficacy of sympathetic interruption: define satisfactory sympathetic interruption as a rise of at least 2 &#176;C in skin temperature 5 min after the completion of step 4.5. If satisfactory interruption is not achieved, perform supplemental injection to another optimal area or L5, with a total phenol volume no larger than 10 mL for both sides. Perform the other side in the same manner if needed. Measure the skin temperature using an infrared thermometer, and calculate the average among temperature increases in the shin, plantar, and dorsal foot.</li>
</ol>
5. Postoperative Care
<ol>
	<li>Encourage the patient to drink water and ambulate after completion of the procedure. Check the patient on the following day for any discomfort, especially in the loin, groin, and thigh, and for improvement of symptoms and any signs of primary disease. Measure the skin temperature as described in step 4.6. Follow-up with the patient accordingly.</li>
</ol>

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X., Zhao, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chemical+sympathectomy+for+ischemia+of+lower+extremity.">Chemical sympathectomy for ischemia of lower extremity.</a> Journal of Beijing Medical University. 1, 59-60 (1998).</li><li>Yoshida, W. B., Cataneo, D. C., Bomfim, G. A., Hasimoto, E., Cataneo, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chemical+lumbar+sympathectomy+in+plantar+hyperhidrosis.">Chemical lumbar sympathectomy in plantar hyperhidrosis.</a> Clinical Autonomic Research. 20 (2), 113-115 (2010).</li><li>Zhang, L., Wang, W. H., Li, L. 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T., Lee, J., Downing, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ureteric+injury+as+a+complication+of+chemical+sympathectomy.">Ureteric injury as a complication of chemical sympathectomy.</a> European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. 19 (2), 212-213 (2000).</li><li>Ernst, S., Heindel, W., Fischbach, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complications+of+CT+guided+lumbar+sympathectomy:+our+own+experiences+and+literature+review.">Complications of CT guided lumbar sympathectomy: our own experiences and literature review.</a> Rofo. 168 (1), 77-83 (1998).</li><li>Daschner, H., Allgayer, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ureteral+obstruction+following+CT-guided+lumbar+sympathetic+exclusion.">Ureteral obstruction following CT-guided lumbar sympathetic exclusion.</a> Rofo. 161, 85-87 (1994).</li><li>Ryttov, N., Boe, S., Nielsen, H., Jacobsen, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Necrosis+of+ureter+as+a+complication+to+chemical+lumbar+sympathectomy.+Report+of+a+case.">Necrosis of ureter as a complication to chemical lumbar sympathectomy. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Here we classify CLS as either conventional or selective CLS, with the major difference being the targeting of sympathetic trunk vs. gray rami communicantes (injection of phenol in front of vs. behind the anterior fascia of the psoas major muscle). We have implemented selective CLS in young, female patients with livedo reticularis10, children with erythromelalgia7,9, and senile patients with end-stage arteriosclerosis obliterans a...

Chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS) has been shown to be an effective treatment for ischemic diseases1,2,3,4,5 including thromboangiitis obliterans (sometimes called Buerger&#39;s disease), ischemic diabetic foot, Raynaud&#39;s disease, parmoplantar hyperhidrosis6, erythromelalgia7,8,9, and livedo reticularis10. It has replaced open surgery due to a number of advantages. It is minimally invasive and economically attractive, it does not require general anesthesia and hospitalization, and it can be performed repeatedly. However, exquisite precision is critical. For example, paraplegia has been reported in CLS using blind technique11. The precision of the procedure is greatly improved with radiographical guidance to control the exact position of the puncture needle tip and puncture path and depth, through the use of contrast media to visualize treatment areas. However, even with radiographical guidance, damages to adjacent organs, particularly ureteropelvic organs12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19, have still been reported.
It is commonly practiced to position the needle tip beyond the anterior fascia of the psoas major muscle and inject the drug around the sympathetic trunk8,12,13,14,15, which we define as conventional CLS. However, because the location of the sympathetic trunk and ureter are both in front of the anterior fascia, inactivating agents may spread to the ureter and cause damage. In reports of ureteropelvic damage that presented radiographic images12,13,14,15, the drug was injected in front of the anterior fascia, according to contrast spreading.
Based on our prior experience performing CLS procedures, we have found that targeting gray rami communicantes comparably effective and safer compared to targeting the sympathetic trunk. Gray rami communicantes are postganglionic sympathetic fibers located behind the sympathetic trunk and in front of the lumber nerve root, running along the lateral edge of the vertebral body, mostly within the psoas major muscle. Thus, the anterior fascia provides a good barrier for the ureteropelvic area, and the psoas major muscle provides a good barrier for the lumbar nerve root. We define this procedure as selective CLS, and the technical details of selective CLS are described in this protocol.

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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">0.9% Saline solution</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Chinese Dazhong Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">8F84D7</td>
			<td style="width:559px;">10 mL &#8569;2</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:235px;">10-cm 9# puncture needle</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Peking University Third Hospital</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">Not Applicable</td>
			<td>7# for children</td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">2% Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection solution</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Hubei Tiansheng Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">20180434</td>
			<td>5 mL &#8569;2</td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">5% Phenol diluted in aqueous solution</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Peking University Third Hospital</td>
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			<td>10 mL</td>
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			<td style="width:559px;">have X-ray fluoroscopy function</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:235px;">Aseptic puncture kit</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Peking University Third Hospital</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">Not Applicable</td>
			<td>6 pieces of surgical towel, gauze, cotton balls, blood vessel forceps, etc.</td>
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		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">Contrast media&#65288;iodixanol injection; 320&#65289;</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">GE Healthcare</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">14160155</td>
			<td>320 mg I/mL</td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">Infrared frontal thermometer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">OMRON health care (China) Co.,Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">MC-720</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">Iodophors skin disinfectants&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Shanghai Likang Disinfectant Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">20180404</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">Sterile surgical gloves</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Beijing Ruijing Latex products Co., Ltd.&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">2018070352</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">Syringes and needles 10 mL</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Shandong Weigao Group Medical Plolymer Co.,Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">20180711</td>
			<td>10 mL &#8569;2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:235px;">Syringes and needles 5 mL</td>
			<td style="width:247px;">Shandong Weigao Group Medical Plolymer Co.,Ltd.</td>
			<td style="width:127px;">20180721</td>
			<td>5 mL &#8569;1</td>
		</tr>
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targeting gray rami communicantes in selective chemical lumbar sympathectomy

Chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS) is a commonly used, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of conditions including ischemic diseases of the lower extremities, hyperhidrosis, etc. It is commonly practiced to position the puncture needle tip in front of the anterior fascia of the psoas major muscle and inject the inactivating agent around the sympathetic trunk, which is defined as conventional CLS. Although relatively rare, ureteropelvic damage is the most frequently reported complication of conventional CLS and can cause serious harm to patients. We found that injecting the inactivating agent behind the anterior fascia, which only targets gray rami communicantes, helped achieve therapeutic efficacy in&#160;vasodilation, sweat reduction, and pain relief comparable to conventional CLS, and serious complications were largely reduced. We define this procedure as selective CLS. Here, we present a protocol of selective CLS. The precise needle tract and accurate evaluation of the spreading of the contrast agent are critical to ensure that the drug is injected behind the anterior fascia of the psoas major muscle. The needle tip is at approximately one-third the dividing line of the vertebral body in the lateral view of a lumbar X-ray. The contrast is mainly confined around the needle tip and spreads outward and downward along the psoas muscle fibers. In this way, the anterior fascia provides a natural barrier for the ureteropelvic area, and the psoas major muscle provides a natural barrier for the lumbar nerve root. There are several highlights of this article, including 1) a detailed description of the selective CLS procedures, 2) an explanation of the anatomical basis for the implementation of selective CLS, and 3) an explanation of the differences between selective and conventional CLS.

The needle tip should be in the optimal area as shown in Figure 1. In selective CLS, the contrast is injected behind the anterior fascia of the psoas major muscle, targeting gray rami communicantes. A comparison of contrast spreading in selective CLS (A) and conventional CLS (B) is shown in Figure 2.
The expected clinical effects are vasodilation (for treatment of Rayna...

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Targeting Gray Rami Communicantes in Selective Chemical Lumbar Sympathectomy

We present a protocol for selective chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS), which inactivates only gray rami communicantes and not the sympathetic trunk. Selective CLS can help achieve therapeutic efficacy in vasodilation, sweat reduction, and pain relief that are comparable to conventional CLS, and serious complications, particularly ureteropelvic damages, can be reduced.

Chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS) is a commonly used, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of conditions including ischemic diseases of the ...

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7.0K Views.  Peking University Third Hospital. We present a protocol for selective chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS), which inactivates only gray rami communicantes and not the sympathetic trunk. Selective CLS can help achieve therapeutic efficacy in vasodilation, sweat reduction, and pain relief that are comparable to conventional CLS, and serious complications, particularly ureteropelvic damages, can be reduced.

Video: Targeting Gray Rami Communicantes in Selective Chemical Lumbar Sympathectomy

Teratoma Generation in the Testis Capsule

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have the unique characteristic that they can differentiate into cells from all three germ layers. This makes them a potentially valuable tool for the treatment of many different diseases. With the advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and continuing research with human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) there is a need for assays that can demonstrate that a particular cell line is pluripotent. Germline transmission has been the gold standard for demonstrating the pluripotence of mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) lines1,2,3. Using this assay, researchers can show that a mESC line can make all cell types in the embryo including germ cells4. With the generation of human ESC lines5,6, the appropriate assay to prove pluripotence of these cells was unclear since human ESCs cannot be tested for germline transmission. As a surrogate, the teratoma assay is currently used to demonstrate the pluripotency of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)7,8,9. Though this assay has recently come under scrutiny and new technologies are being actively explored, the teratoma assay is the current gold standard7. In this assay, the cells in question are injected into an immune compromised mouse. If the cells are pluripotent, a teratoma will eventually develop and sections of the tumor will show tissues from all 3 germ layers10. In the teratoma assay, hPSCs can be injected into different areas of the mouse. The most common injection sites include the testis capsule, the kidney capsule, the liver; or into the leg either subcutaneously or intramuscularly11. Here we describe a robust protocol for the generation of teratomas from hPSCs using the testis capsule as the site for tumor growth.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have the potential to treat a myriad of different diseases. The utility of these cells lies in the fact that they can differentiate into any cell type in the body. Here we describe the teratoma assay, which is used to demonstrate the pluripotence of hPSCs.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have the unique characteristic that they can differentiate into cells from all three germ layers.  This makes them a ...

An Anesthesia, Surgery, and Harvest Method for the Evaluation of Transpedicular Screws Using an In Vivo Porcine Lumbar Spine Model

Pedicle screw fixation is the gold standard for the treatment of spinal diseases. However, many studies have reported the issue of loosening pedicle screws after spinal surgery, which is a serious concern. To address this problem, diverse types of pedicle screws have been examined to identify those with good fixation strength and osseointegration in spine bone. The porcine spine is a good alternative for the human spine in the evaluation of pedicle screws due to the anatomical size, mechanical characteristics, and cost. Although several studies have reported that pedicle screws are efficient in the porcine model, no study has described detailed protocols for the evaluation of a pedicle screw using the porcine model. Here, we describe a detailed method for evaluating transpedicular screws using an in vivo porcine lumbar spine model. The technical details for anesthesia, spine surgery, and harvest provided here will facilitate with the evaluation of the transpedicular screw fixation model.

An Anesthesia, Surgery, and Harvest Method for the Evaluation of Transpedicular Screws Using an In Vivo Porcine Lumbar Spine Model

Here, we introduce a method to evaluate transpedicular screws by using an in vivo porcine lumbar spine model.

Pedicle screw fixation is the gold standard for the treatment of spinal diseases. However, many studies have reported the issue of loosening pedicle ...

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling

Primary aldosteronism (PA) and subclinical Cushing&#39;s syndrome (SCS) are conditions in which the adrenal glands autonomously produce excessive amounts of aldosterone and cortisol, respectively. The conventional adrenal venous sampling (cAVS) method collects blood samples from both adrenal central veins and is useful for identifying the laterality of excess hormone production in a unilateral lesion(s), as documented in PA cases. In cAVS, plasma cortisol concentrations (PCCs) are used to normalize plasma aldosterone concentrations (PACs). A novel &#34;super-selective&#34; adrenal venous sampling (ssAVS) method was developed using a micro-catheter, which collects blood samples from adrenal tributary veins (TVs). PACs in ssAVS samples do not require PCC normalization because samples contain a limited amount of systemic venous blood, if any. The ssAVS method enabled segmental lesion(s) to be detected in both adrenal glands, which may be treated by bilateral adrenalectomy, thereby sparing lesion-free segment(s). Right and left adrenals typically have three TVs each, i.e., the superior, lateral, and inferior TVs in the right adrenal as well as the superior-median, superior-lateral, and lateral TVs in the left adrenal. In the ssAVS method, specific parent catheters and a technique to handle them are required, and have been described herein. Furthermore, ssAVS results from three cases of PA are presented: bilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) (Case #1), left APA and right possible cortisol-producing adenoma causing SCS (Case #2), and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism in which bilateral adrenal segments produced excessive amounts of aldosterone (Case #3). The ssAVS method is not difficult for expert angiographers, and, thus, is recommended worldwide to treat PA cases for which cAVS does not represent a viable surgical treatment option.

&#39;Super-selective&#39; adrenal venous sampling (ssAVS, also called segmental adrenal venous sampling: sAVS)&#160;was performed using a micro-catheter to identify adrenal segment(s) that produce excessive amounts of hormones. The ssAVS technique was described, cases in which adrenal segmental lesion(s) were identified by ssAVS were presented, and the usefulness of ssAVS in future adrenal research was discussed.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) and subclinical Cushing&#39;s syndrome (SCS) are conditions in which the adrenal glands autonomously produce excessive amounts ...

Ovine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Utilizing a Lateral Retroperitoneal Drill Bit Injury

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a significant contributor to the development of back pain and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Numerous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration have been developed. The ideal animal model should closely mimic the human intervertebral disc with regard to morphology, biomechanical properties and the absence of notochordal cells. The sheep lumbar intervertebral disc model fulfils these criteria. We present an ovine model of intervertebral disc degeneration utilizing a drill bit injury through a lateral retroperitoneal approach. The lateral approach significantly reduces the incision and potential morbidity associated with the traditional anterior approach to the ovine spine. Utilization of a drill-bit method of injury affords the ability to produce a consistent and reproducible injury, of precise dimensions, that initiates a consistent degree of intervertebral disc degeneration. The focal nature of the annular and nucleus pulposus defect more closely mimics the clinical condition of focal intervertebral disc herniation. Sheep recover rapidly following this procedure and are typically mobile and eating within the hour. Intervertebral disc degeneration ensues and sheep undergo necropsy and subsequent analysis at periods from eight weeks. We believe that the drill bit injury model of intervertebral disc degeneration offers advantages over more conventional annular injury models.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a significant contributor to back pain and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Numerous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration exist. We demonstrate an ovine model of intervertebral disc degeneration, utilizing a drill bit, which achieves a consistent disc injury and reproducible level of disc degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a significant contributor to the development of back pain and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Numerous ...

Emergency Undocking in Robotic Surgery: A Simulation Curriculum

The following is a training platform to allow robotic surgeons to develop the skills necessary to lead an interprofessional team in emergency undocking of a robotic system. In traditional robotic training for surgeons, a brief web based overview of performing an emergency undocking is provided during initial introductory training to the robotics system. During such a process, there is no training in delineation of interdisciplinary roles for operating room (OR) personnel. The training presented here uses formative simulation and debriefing followed by a lecture. For the simulation, a modified gynecologic simulator is draped in a steep trendelenburg position consistent with most gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. The training torso is modified using tubing hooked to pressure bags of red food colored IV fluid used to simulate a catastrophic vessel injury on demand. Positioned throughout the operating room setting is an interprofessional team consisting of embedded standardized persons (ESPs) to fulfill the roles of a circulating nurse, scrub nurse, anesthesiologist, and bedside assist surgeon. Robotic surgeons are presented a case scenario necessitating emergency undocking, and given control of the robotic instruments. The scenario is terminated following either successful completion of an emergency undock, or at five minutes due to the emergent nature of the case. A debriefing session with hands on training of the steps to emergency undocking, necessary equipment, troubleshooting techniques, and operating room personnel roles follows the simulation. The learners are presented with a short lecture reemphasizing the material presented in the debriefing for their own self-study. This training results in improved time accessing the patient, improved knowledge, confidence, and completion of critical actions, and can be replicated in most institutions. All robotic surgeons should be able to demonstrate competence in this crucial intervention. A limitation of the curriculum is ability to access the in-situ environment for training purposes.

This training platform is designed to allow robotic surgeons to develop the skills necessary to lead an interprofessional team in emergency undocking of the robotic system. Training includes the utilization of the technology and equipment to perform an emergency undocking, as well as delineation of roles for such a scenario.

The following is a training platform to allow robotic surgeons to develop the skills necessary to lead an interprofessional team in emergency undocking of ...

Mechanical Ventilation Boot Camp Curriculum

Medical management of mechanically ventilated patients is challenging to novice providers. Incorrect management of this population may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. A three-day simulation-based boot camp serves to provide one-on-one instruction with a critical care provider. These intensivists may dispense personalized immediate feedback as learners engage in hands-on practice with a real mechanical ventilator. Multiple different pathologies can be reviewed that may not be encountered in the clinical setting. Learners can visualize immediate consequences of their actions and may troubleshoot and ask questions, all while in a safe learning environment. We describe the use of human-patient simulators connected to breathing simulators and mechanical ventilators. Potential curriculum executors should be aware of the cost of the equipment and the time needed to dedicate to boot camp execution; however, this intensive interactive training has been shown to increase provider competency, knowledge, and confidence in ventilator management. This curriculum outline provides guidance on how to execute a simulation-based boot camp to train providers on the management of mechanically ventilated patients.

This curriculum outlines how to execute a simulation-based boot camp to teach providers how to manage mechanically ventilated patients.

Medical management of mechanically ventilated patients is challenging to novice providers. Incorrect management of this population may lead to increased ...

A Mobile Outside-in Technique of Transforaminal Lumbar Endoscopy for Lumbar Disc Herniations

Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar discectomy (PETLD) has now become a standard of care for the management of lumbar disc disease. There are two techniques for the introduction of a working cannula with respect to disc&#8212;outside-in and inside-out. The aim of this prospective study is to describe the technical aspects of a novel mobile outside-in method in dealing with different types of disc prolapse. A total of 184 consecutive patients with unilateral lower limb radiculopathy due to lumbar disc prolapse were operated on with the mobile outside-in technique of PETLD. Their clinical outcomes were evaluated based on the type of disc prolapse they had, a visual analog scale (VAS) leg pain score, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the Macnab criteria. The completeness of the decompression was documented with a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The mean age of the patients was 50 &#177; 16 years and the male/female ratio was 2:1. The mean follow-up was 19 &#177; 6 months. A total of 190 lumbar levels were operated on (L1&#8211;L2: n = 4, L2&#8211;L3: n = 17, L3&#8211;L4: n = 27, L4&#8211;5: n = 123, and L5&#8211;S1: n = 19). Divided into types, the patient distribution was central: n = 14, paracentral: n = 74, foraminal: n = 28, far lateral: n = 13, superior-migrated: n = 8, inferior migrated: n = 38, and high canal compromise: n = 9. The mean operative time was 35 &#177; 12 (25 - 56) min and the mean hospital stay was 1.2 &#177; 0.5 (1&#8211;3) days. The VAS score for leg pain improved from 7.5 &#177; 1 to 1.7 &#177; 0.9. The ODI improved from 70 &#177; 8.3 to 23 &#177; 5. According to the Macnab criteria, 75 patients (40.8%) had excellent results, 104 patients (56.5%) had good results, and 5 patients (2.7%) had fair results. Recurrence (including early and late) was seen in 15 out of the 190 levels that were operated on (7.89%). This article presents a novel outside-in approach that relies on a precise landing within the foramen in a mobile manner and does not solely depend upon the enlargement of the foramen. It is more versatile in application and useful in the management of all types of disc prolapse, even in severe canal compromise and high migration.

Here we present a protocol of a novel outside-in technique of transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for lumbar disc herniations. The technical aspects of the technique, the wide indications of use, and the results of the treatment in 184 patients are described in detail.

Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar discectomy (PETLD) has now become a standard of care for the management of lumbar disc disease. There are ...

Setup and Execution Of the Blindfolded Code Training Exercise

Miscommunication is the most common cause of preventable patient harm in medicine. Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to improve resident physician communication and leadership strategies in high-acuity situations. The blindfolded code training exercise removes visual stimuli from the team leader, forcing the team leader to effectively utilize closed-loop communication. The simple act of blindfolding the team leader creates a learning environment where the leader must utilize a conceptual framework and critical thinking strategies to organize the team and manage the resuscitation. An advantage to this teaching technique is that it does not require any special simulation equipment, making it a low-cost approach. The blindfolded code training exercise can be applied to the management of any critically ill patient where the primary objective is to focus on developing communication skills in acute resuscitations. The purpose of the description of the blindfolded code training exercise is to provide guidance on how to perform this innovative teaching technique to force effective closed-loop communication.

The blindfolded code training exercise, which blindfolds the team leader in a code resuscitation simulation, is an advanced teaching technique to improve closed-loop communication, organizational skills, and critical thinking.&#160;

Miscommunication is the most common cause of preventable patient harm in medicine. Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to ...

Structured Motor Rehabilitation After Selective Nerve Transfers

After severe nerve injuries, selective nerve transfers provide an opportunity to restore motor and sensory function. Functional recovery depends both on the successful re-innervation of the targets in the periphery and on the motor re-learning process entailing cortical plasticity. While there is an increasing number of methods to improve rehabilitation, their routine implementation in a clinical setting remains a challenge due to their complexity and long duration. Therefore, recommendations for rehabilitation strategies are presented with the aim of guiding medical doctors and therapists through the long-lasting rehabilitation process and providing step-by-step instructions for supporting motor re-learning.
Directly after nerve transfer surgery, no motor function is present, and therapy should focus on promoting activity in the sensory-motor cortex areas of the paralyzed body part. After about two to six months (depending on the severity and modality of injury, the distance of nerve regeneration and many other factors), the first motor activity can be detected via electromyography (EMG). Within this phase of rehabilitation, multimodal feedback is used to re-learn the motor function. This is especially critical after nerve transfers, as muscle activation patterns change due to the altered neural connection. Finally, muscle strength should be sufficient to overcome gravity/resistance of antagonistic muscles and joint stiffness, and more functional tasks can be implemented in rehabilitation.

Here, we present a protocol for the motor rehabilitation of patients with severe nerve injuries and selective nerve transfer surgery. It aims at restoring the motor function proposing several stages in patient education, early-stage therapy after surgery and interventions for rehabilitation after successful re-innervation of the nerve&#8217;s target.

After severe nerve injuries, selective nerve transfers provide an opportunity to restore motor and sensory function. Functional recovery depends both on ...

Using a Chemical Biopsy for Graft Quality Assessment

Kidney transplantation is a life-saving treatment for a large number of people with end-stage renal dysfunction worldwide. The procedure is associated with an increased survival rate and greater quality of patient&#8217;s life when compared to conventional dialysis. Regrettably, transplantology suffers from a lack of reliable methods for organ quality assessment. Standard diagnostic techniques are limited to macroscopic appearance inspection or invasive tissue biopsy, which do not provide comprehensive information about the graft. The proposed protocol aims to introduce solid phase microextraction (SPME) as an ideal analytical method for comprehensive metabolomics and lipidomic analysis of all low molecular compounds present in kidneys allocated for transplantation. The small size of the SPME probe enables performance of a chemical biopsy, which enables extraction of metabolites directly from the organ without any tissue collection. The minimum invasiveness of the method permits execution of multiple analyses over time: directly after organ harvesting, during its preservation, and immediately after revascularization at the recipient&#8217;s body. It is hypothesized that the combination of this novel sampling method with a high-resolution mass spectrometer will allow for discrimination of a set of characteristic compounds that could serve as biological markers of graft quality and indicators of possible development of organ dysfunction.

The protocol presents utilization of the chemical biopsy approach followed by comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic analysis for quality assessment of kidney grafts allocated for transplantation.

Kidney transplantation is a life-saving treatment for a large number of people with end-stage renal dysfunction worldwide. The procedure is associated ...