Effects from Size Parameters of Minimally Invasive Vascular Clamp on Vascular Mechanical Properties / 医用生物力学

Objective To analyze the influence from size parameters of minimally invasive vascular clamp on mechanical properties of small arteries. Methods The finite element simulation analysis on the process of minimally invasive vascular clamp clamping small arteries was performed. The influence patterns of 5 different sawtooth spacing, sawtooth heights and sawtooth lengths on mechanical properties of small arteries were studied. Results Larger sawtooth spacing led to smaller maximum equivalent stress of the clamped artery. The maximum equivalent stress of the small artery was not linear with the sawtooth height of the vascular clamp. The maximum equivalent stress of the small artery was the smallest and the vascular injury was the minimal when the swatooth height was 75 μm. The sawtooth length of the vascular clamp had an important influence on mechanical properties of clamped small arteries. The maximum equivalent stress of the artery was proportional to the sawtooth length of the vascular clamp. Conclusions The size parameters of minimally invasive vascular clamp had an important influence on mechanical properties in the process of clamping small arteries. The research findings can provide guidance for the design of the minimally invasive vascular clamp.

Complications Following and Supplementary Procedures for a Pancreas-preserving Total Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: A pancreas-preserving total gastrectomy (PPTG) was introduced to decrease the postoperative complications due to pancreatic resection. However, some complications, such as leakage of pancreatic juice, are still reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to propose a supplementary procedure based on the results of treatment for gastric cancer at our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jan. 1997 to Dec. 2004, the cases of 141 patients who underwent a PPTG for gastric cancer were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into Group A (38 cases), patients who were treated using a conventional PPTG, and Group B (103 cases), patients who were treated using a new and improved PPTG. Their postoperative complications were compared. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in clinicopathologic data were noted between the two groups. The comparison of complications showed for groups A and B, respectively, 4 and 0 cases of pancreatic fistula, 1 and 0 cases of intraabdominal abscess, 2 and 0 cases of intraoperative pancreatic necrosis, and 2 and 2 cases of minor leakage. The difference in the prevalence of complications between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: In order to reduce the risk of PPTG-related complications, we used vascular clamps to observe the necrosis of the pancreatic tail before dividing the splenic artery, and this method resulted in a significant decrease in postoperative complications. Thus, we conclude that our use of vascular clamps in a PPTG is a simple and useful method for preventing postoperative complications.