Creating Future Medicine by Merging TCM Philosophy and Modern Sci-Tech / 中国中医药信息杂志

TCM is one of the traditional medicine in the history of mankind, which has the longest time, the most beneficial people and perfect theoretical system. Western medicine is the crystallization of modern science and technology and medicine, and plays a very important role in the struggle of human and diseases. Neither modern medicine and its services system can completely meet the needs of growing human health and longevity, because of slow efficacy and unclear mechanism of TCM, and too detailed sub-divisions and the lack of overall concept of Western medicine. Therefore, it is suggested to seize the opportunity of biotechnology leading new science and technology revolution, and create future medicine by merging TCM philosophy and modern sci-tech.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: comparison between tumors ≤5 cm and larger tumors / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with small (≤5 cm) solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPN) and those with large (>5 cm) SPNs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, radiological features, treatment and prognosis of 148 patients with histologically confirmed SPN between August, 2006 and December, 2014 and compared the data between patients with small SPNs (≤5 cm) and those with large SPNs (>5 cm).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the large SPN group, the female-to-male ratio was significantly higher than that in small SPN group (61/8 vs 56/23, P=0.009) and the patients were significantly younger in large SPN group (28.3±12.3 vs 33.0±11.4 years, P=0.016). Small SPNs (≤5 cm) typically presented as inhomogeneous solid or cystic tumors, while large SPNs (>5 cm) often appeared as homogeneous solid and cystic tumors, but they did not show any significant difference in aggressive behaviors (P=0.288). The 5-year disease-free survival of patients with small SPNs was 100%, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival of patients with large SPNs was 98.6%, 94.9%, and 89.3%, respectively (P=0.030), showing no significant differences in the overall survival between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Small SPNs and large SPNs have different clinical characteristics. Even with complete resection, tumors larger than 5 cm are more likely to have tumor recurrence and metastasis, and close follow-up is recommended for these patients.</p>

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of intrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Surgical resection is generally considered the main curative treatment for intrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma (IBCA) or suspected IBCAs, but controversy exists regarding the prognosis for IBCAs. This study aimed to describe the clinicopathological characteristics of IBCA and identify prognostic factors that may influence the survival of patients treated with surgical procedures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-four patients with histologically confirmed IBCA treated between January 2000 and June 2014 were included. The clinical characteristics of patients with IBCA were compared with those of 41 patients with intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma (IBC); factors that significant difference were analyzed for prognosis analysis of IBCA using multivariate/univariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IBCAs had a strong female predominance, and the most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain or discomfort. Compared with IBCs, IBCAs occurred in older patients, in more male patients, and were associated statistically significant abnormal increase in alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.01) and total bilirubin (P = 0.04). Mural nodules were more frequently seen with IBCAs and may associate with malignancy. It was difficult to differentiate between IBC and IBCA based on laboratory examination and imaging findings. Although complete resection is recommended, enucleation with negative margins also achieved good outcomes. Median overall patient survival was 76.2 months; survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 88.0%, 68.7%, and 45.8%, respectively. Radical resection and noninvasive tumor type were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It remains difficult to distinguish between cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas based on laboratory examination and image findings. Complete resection is recommended for curative treatment, and patients should be closely followed postoperatively, particularly those with invasive tumors.</p>

Technical points of total laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Choledochal cyst excision and biliary enteric reconstruction constitute the best therapy for choledochal cyst. And laparoscopy is currently used to cure this disease now.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 34 cases of total laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision between January 2007 and August 2011. All patients underwent in vitro Roux-en-Y hepatoenterostomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 34 patients underwent successful total laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision. The operation time was 200 - 360 minutes. The duration of hospital stay was 3 - 7 days. Follow-up observations lasted 1 - 56 months. One patient developed an anastomotic stoma stricture, but no other cases had postoperative complications. No patients died.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Total laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision is safe and feasible.</p>