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Background: Because it is traditionally difficult and time-consuming to identify the foramen ovale (FO) with fluoroscopy, we recently developed the H-figure method to acquire fluoroscopic view of FO with shorter procedure time and less radiation. However, the impact of such an H-figure approach on the clinical outcomes of trigeminal ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) in treating idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN) remains unclear., Methods: In a 12-month follow-up retrospective cohort study, patients with ITN had fluoroscopy-guided RFT of trigeminal ganglion via either classic approach (n = 100) or H-figure approach (n = 136) to identify FO. Data of continuous variables were analyzed with a Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and subsequently with a Mann-Whitney test, and the binary data were analyzed with a χ 2 test. The primary outcome was the facial pain measured by a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 1 year after the treatment. The secondary outcomes included the quality of the fluoroscopic FO views, the threshold voltage to provoke paresthesia, the procedure time, the number of fluoroscopic images, and the facial numbness VAS., Results: Compared with the classic approach group, the H-figure approach group was associated with better long-term pain relief after the procedure, with significantly fewer patients had pain 3 months (6.6% vs 17.0%, P = .012) and 12 months (21.3% vs 38.0%, P = .005) after the procedure, and among patients who had pain after the procedure, patients in the H-figure group had significantly less pain 6 months after the procedure (VAS median [interquartile range (IQR)]: 3 [2-6] vs 6 [4-7], P < .001). Moreover, compared to the classic approach, the H-figure approach provided better fluoroscopic view of FO, lower threshold voltage to elicit paresthesia (median [IQR]: 0.2 [0.2-0.3] vs 0.4 [0.4-0.5] V, P < .0001), with shorter procedure time (median [IQR]: 7.5 [6.0-9.0] vs 14.0 [10.0-18.0] min, P < .0001), and required fewer fluoroscopic images (median [IQR]: 4.0 [3.0-5.0] vs 8.0 [6.0-10.0], P < .0001)., Conclusions: RFT of the trigeminal ganglion using the H-figure approach is associated with superior longer term clinical pain relief than the classic approach in treating ITN., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 International Anesthesia Research Society.)

Objective: Little is known about the therapeutic relationship between coblation discoplasty and cervicogenic dizziness (CGD). CGD can be caused by abnormal proprioceptive inputs from compressed nerve roots, intradiscal mechanoreceptors and nociceptors to the vestibulospinal nucleus in the degenerative cervical disc. The aim was to analyze the efficacy of coblation discoplasty in CGD through intradiscal nerve ablation and disc decompression in a 12-month follow-up retrospective study., Methods: From 2015 to 2019, 42 CGD patients who received coblation discolplasty were recruited as the surgery group, and 22 CGD patients who rejected surgery were recruited as the conservative group. Using intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, we retrospectively analyzed the CGD visual analogue scale (VAS), neck pain VAS, CGD frequency score, and the CGD alleviation rating throughout a 12-month follow-up period., Results: Compared with conservative intervention, coblation discoplasty revealed a better recovery trend with effect sizes of 1.76, 2.15, 0.92, 0.78 and 0.81 in CGD VAS, and effect sizes of 1.32, 1.54, 0.93, 0.86 and 0.76in neck pain VAS at post-operative 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, 12 months, respectively. The lower CGD frequency score indicated fewer attacks of dizziness until postoperative 3 months ( p  < 0.01). At post-operative 12 months, the coblation procedure showed increased satisfactory outcomes of CGD alleviation rating ( p  < .001, -1.00 of effect size)., Conclusions: Coblation discoplasty significantly improves the severity and frequency of CGD, which is important inbridging unresponsive conservative intervention and open surgery.Key messagesThere is a correlation between the degenerative cervical disc and cervicogenic dizziness (CGD).CGD can be caused by abnormal proprioceptive inputs from a compressed nerve root and intradiscal mechanoreceptors and nociceptors to the vestibulospinal nucleus in the degenerative cervical disc.Cervical coblation discoplasty can alleviate CGD through ablating intradiscal nerve endings and decompressing the nerve root.

Objective: Our previous study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) of trigeminal gasserian ganglion for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the optimal radiofrequency temperature of computed tomography (CT)-guided RFT for treatment of ITN., Methods: A retrospective study of patients with ITN treated with a single CT-guided RFT procedure between January 2002 and December 2013. Patients were divided into ≤75 °C, 75 °C, and ≥80 °C groups according to the highest radiofrequency temperature used. Pain relief was graded from poor to excellent, and facial numbness/dysesthesia from I (absent) to IV (most severe)., Results: A total of 1161 RFT procedures were undertaken in the 1137 patients. The mean follow-up time was 46 ± 31 months. There were no significant differences in the rate of excellent pain relief according to the radiofrequency temperature used. However, more patients experienced with no facial numbness or facial numbness gradually resolved and those patients treated at 75 °C had a lower rate of grade IV facial numbness/dysesthesia than other groups., Conclusions: The optimal radiofrequency temperature to maximize pain relief and minimize facial numbness or dysesthesia may be 75 °C, but this requires confirmation.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid graft technique for complicated infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs)., Methods: The clinical data of 183 patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for AAA with challenging anatomy at Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Fudan University from 2010 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Endografts were divided into two groups: Hybrid Group (28 cases) used more than one type of stent graft, and Standard Group (110 cases) used only one stent graft type. Patients were recommended to undergo CT angiography at 1, 3, 6, 12 month after the procedure. Clinical data were analyzed with a focus on postoperative hospital stay, endoleak, limb occlusion, complications of approach, complications of system, converted to open operation and secondary intervention., Results: Technical success was achieved in all patients in both groups. Compared with hybrid group and standard group, there was no difference in postoperative hospital stay ((5.35±2.99) and (5.92±3.70) days, t=0.753, P>0.05). During the follow up, there was no difference in endoleak (10.7% and 18.2%), limb graft occlusion (3.6% and 10.9%), complications of approach (0 and 1.8%), complications of system (7.1% and 0.9%), converted to open operation (0 and 0.9%) between two groups (χ(2)=0.896, 1.408, 0.517, 4.078, 0.256, all P>0.05). However, there was statistically significant difference in secondary intervention between two groups (3.6% and 19.1%, 2=4.011, P<0.05)., Conclusion: The use of hybrid stent graft in patients with unfavorable neck and iliac artery anatomy AAA is feasible, and it could improve the postoperative outcomes such as secondary intervention rate.

To evaluate the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) guided single radiofrequency thermocoagualtion (RFT) in 1137 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia after a follow-up period of 11 years, specially focused on duration of pain relief in different branches of trigeminal nerve, side effect, and complications. Retrospective study of patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia treated with a single CT guided RFT procedure between January 2002 and December 2013. The mean follow-up time was 46.14 ± 30.91 months. Immediate postprocedure pain relief was 98.4%. V2 division obtained the best pain relief rate: 91%, 89%, 80%, 72%, 60%, and 54% at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 years, respectively. No statistical difference pairwise comparison was in other groups. The complications included masseter muscle weakness, corneitis, diplopia, ptosis, hearing loss, limited mouth opening, and low pressure headache. Masticatory weakness mostly occurred in patients with V3 branch involvement, while Corneitis and Diplopia all in patients with V1 branch involvement. No mortalities observed during or after RFT. All different branches division of trigeminal neuralgia achieved comparable satisfactory curative effect; V2 obtained the best excellent pain relief, after RFT procedure. Facial numbness is inevitable after RFT, which patients who have pain in all 3 trigeminal divisions and patients who desire no facial numbness should be cautious. Masticatory weakness is mainly related with V3 injured, while Corneitis and Diplopia in patients with V1 injured by RFT.

Background: Although Multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) has been considered a diagnostic imaging technique that observes more perspectives for diseases, few people have applied it surgically. In fact, MPR is also very useful to clinical operation, especially for patients with type B aortic dissection. It helps the surgeon to locate accurately with more information about aortic dissection, so that the safety and effectiveness of operation can be improved. This study examined the application of the MPR in intraoperative DSA imaging for precise positioning by accurately obtaining a cross-section, a spin angle of the coronal plane, and a tilt angle of the sagittal plane in treatment of type B aortic dissection., Methods: The conventional and the MPR approaches were compared on positioning the aortic arch for surgery. A group of 40 patients (group A) and another group of 42 patients (group B) was sampled. About the comparison of baseline characteristics, a fourfold table χ(2) test was conducted on gender, and two independent samples t-test was applied to age between group A and group B. Spin as well as tilt angles for group A were obtained from the patients using both approaches, and their effectiveness was compared with pair t-tests; The MPR data guided stent-grafting in this group. Stent graft placement of group B was based on the conventional approach. Percentages of proximal distributed markers as well as incidences of complications were collected from both groups after stent graft placement. They were also compared with a fourfold table χ(2) test., Results: Gender difference was not found between group A and group B (χ(2)0.80, P > 0.05), and age difference was not statistically significant (F = 2.55, homogeneity of variance, t = -1.46, P > 0.05). A significant difference was found between the conventional and the MPR approaches for spin angle (t = 9.17) as well as tilt angle (t = 2.07), P < 0.05. Percentage of proximal distributed markers (5.0%) of group A was significantly lower than that of group B (42.9%), χ(2) = 15.92, P < 0.05; and incidence of complications (5.0%) of group A was also significant lower than that of group B (21.4%), χ(2) = 4.76, P < 0.05., Conclusions: Application of the MPR facilitated intraoperative angle adaption and led to satisfactory DSA. It is feasible in endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection, and can effectively and safely guide surgical operations.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is considered as a common and significant complication following abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. This study aimed to assess the associated risk factors of AKI in the critically ill patients undergoing AAA repair and to evaluate the appropriate AKI management in the specific population., Methods: We retrospectively examined data from all critically ill patients undergoing AAA repairs at our institution from April 2007 to March 2012. Multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with postoperative AKI, which was defined by risk, injury, failure, loss and end-stage (RIFLE) kidney disease criteria. The goal-directed hemodynamic optimization (maintenance of optimal hemodynamics and neutral or negative fluid balance) and renal outcomes were also reviewed., Results: Of the 71 patients enrolled, 32 (45.1%) developed AKI, with 30 (93.8%) cases diagnosed on admission to surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Risk factors for AKI were ruptured AAA (odds ratio (OR) = 5.846, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.346 - 25.390), intraoperative hypotension (OR = 6.008, 95%CI: 1.176 to 30.683), and perioperative blood transfusion (OR = 4.611, 95%CI: 1.307 - 16.276). Goal-directed hemodynamic optimization resulted in 75.0% complete and 18.8% partial renal recovery. Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.8%. AKI was associated with significantly increased length of stay ((136.9 ± 24.5) hours vs. (70.4 ± 11.3) hours) in Surgical Intensive Care Unit., Conclusions: Critically ill patients undergoing AAA repair have a high incidence of AKI, which can be early recognized by RIFLE criteria. Rupture, hypotension, and blood transfusion are the significant associated risk factors. Application of goal-directed hemodynamic optimization in this cohort appeared to be effective in improving renal outcome.