ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impacts on the muscle strength in the patients of stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with Xunjingcuiqi needling technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred patients were randomized into a Xunjingcuiqi group and a routine acupuncture group, 50 cases in each group. In the routine acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture technique was adopted at the main acupoints, such as Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Dicang (ST 4), Quchi (LI 11), Huantiao (GB 30) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In Xunjingcuiqi group, on the basis of the routine acupuncture technique, Xunjingcuiqi needling technique (pricking technique was quickly applied with the filiform needle along the running course of meridian to promote the conduction of meridian qi) was added. For the patients being hard to feel the needling sensation and with the muscle strength of 0 to 1 degree, Dongzhencuiqi technique was supplemented at shu-stream points of yang meridians (after qi arrival, the needling manipulation with limb movement was given to promote the conduction of meridian qi). The treatment was given once every day in the two groups. Ten treatments made one session. Three sessions of treatment were required. At the end of each session treatment, the muscle strength and clinical efficacy were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment, 20, 24 and 36 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and 6, 10 and 15 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in the routine acupuncture group. The differences were significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The markably effective rates were 60.0% (30/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 70.0% (35/50) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and those were 38.0% (19/50), 44.0% (22/50) and 46.0% (23/50) in the routine acupuncture group, respectively. The differences were significant in the 1st and 3rd sessions of treatment between the two groups (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Xunjingcuiqi needling technique combined with routine acupuncture achieves the apparent superior efficacy on acroparalysis induced by ischemic stroke as compared with the simple routine acupuncture. Xunjingcuiqi needling technique obviously improves muscle strength and shortens the duration of sickness.</p>
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Methods , Paralysis , Therapeutics , Qi , Stroke , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical significance and application value of the real-time intraoperative monitoring (RTIM) technique in preventing recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) from injury during operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The RTIM of RLNs by nerve integrity monitor were used in 40 cases who underwent thyroid surgery under general anesthesia from Nov. 2002 to May 2005. The endotracheal intubation with laryngeal electrode sited on the tube nerve integrity monitor were adopted for general anesthesia. The RLNs in 7 cases who underwent thyroid gland lobectomy were exposed and explored and not exposed in other operations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The function of RLNs in 39 cases remained well after-operation. Only 1 patient's left RLN was damaged during operation. The spontaneous non-in-phase CMAP (compound muscle action potential) of larynx muscle in both vocal cords were recorded in all 40 cases who underwent thyroid surgery under general anesthesia. The evoked in-phase CMAP of larynx muscle could be recorded while stimulating the exposed and explored RLNs by monopolar electrode. The minimal stimulus current intensity threshold ranged from 0.08 mA to 0.35 mA (average: 0.25 mA). The range of suitable stimulating current intensity was from 0. 2 mA to 1.0 mA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This technology had been proved to be more sensitive, voracious and stable. It can provide fore part precaution so that remarkably reduce the damage rate of RLN in surgery and avoid the dispensable medical dissection. It is not necessary to anatomies RLN in surgery in advance.</p>