Acupuncture Enhances Chances of Pregnancy in Unexplained Infertile Patients Who Undergo A Blastocyst Transfer in A Fresh-Cycle / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the effects of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization patients with unexplained infertility.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the charts of a total of 302 cycles performed in 273 patients attending Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Centre from August 2013 to August 2016. During the study period, embryo transfer with acupuncture (Acupuncture group, 46 cases) and without acupuncture (Control group, 42 cases) were applied. Prior to embryo transfer, the following points were used in the acupuncture group: Neiguan (CX 6), Diji (SP 8), Taichong (Liv 3), Baihui (Gv 20), and Guilai (S 29). These sessions were carried out two times before and after embryo transfer in a single day. In addition, auricular acupuncture was also performed at ear points, including ear point 55 (Shenmen), ear point 58 (Zhigong), ear point 22 (Neifenmi) and ear point 34 (Naodian). The biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate after transplantation were compared between two groups.@*RESULTS@#The clinical pregnancy rate in the acupuncture group was higher than that in the control group [60.9% (28/46) vs. 33.3% (14/42), respectively, P<0.05]. Likewise, the live birth rate in the acupuncture group was also higher than that in the control group [71.7% (33/46) vs. 31.0% (12/42), P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Administration of acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer dramatically improved fertility results in women who underwent in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasm sperm injection for reproduction.

Tibial Base Plate for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Symmetric or Asymmetric?

BACKGROUND: Ideal positioning and best coverage of the tibial base plate are essential in total knee arthroplasty. There are 2 types of tibial base plates: symmetric and asymmetric. The superiority of one to the other is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare symmetric and asymmetric tibial base plates for total knee arthroplasty in terms of rotational alignment and coverage. METHODS: The study was conducted on a total of 80 cadaveric tibial bones. Two surgeons were asked to place 20 symmetric (group 1) and 20 asymmetric (group 2) tibial base plates taking care to ensure the best coverage that they were able to determine. Afterwards, the rotational errors and coverage were assessed with reference to the posterior tibial margin and posterior condylar axis on the three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scan. In the second part of the study, the surgeons were asked to place 20 symmetric (group 3) and 20 asymmetric (group 4) base plates taking care to ensure the best rotational alignment. The rotational errors and the areas uncovered or overstuffed after the application were measured on the 3D CT scan. RESULTS: On the comparison of rotational errors, while there was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of coverage (p = 0.624), the mean external rotation error was significantly greater in group 2 (p = 0.034). On the comparison of coverage, while there was no significant difference between group 3 and group 4 in terms of rotation (p = 0.36), the mean ratios of the uncovered tibial surface to the total tibial surface (p = 0.041) and also the overstuffed area to the total base plate surface (p = 0.029) were significantly greater in group 4. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of correct size and rotation of the tibial component is essential for favorable outcomes of total knee arthroplasty. In this study, the symmetric tibial base plate design was more effective than the asymmetric design in providing the ideal tibial rotation and coverage.

Giant vulvar schwannoma: a case report

Schwannoma is a solitary, slow growing, benign tumour of the peripheral nerve sheath, and it is most common locations are the head, neck, the flexor surfaces of the extremities, retroperitoneal and posterior mediastinium. External female genital organs are the least common location site of the schwannoma. Only a few cases of vulvar schwannoma have been reported. We report 65 year- old woman presented with a left vulvar swelling, which had been present for several years. The tumor size is 15x12 cm and slowly increased but it prevent patient activities such as walking and sitting. The tumor was resected for treatment and the histological examination confirmed to be a vulvar schwannoma. In our best knowledge, vulvar schwannoma in this case is the largest size in the literature

Primary ovarian and pararectal hydatid cysts mimicking pelvic endometriosis

We report a case of 48-year-old woman with multiple hydatid cysts in pararectal region and right paraovarian localization with an unusual sonographic and computed tomographic presentation mimicking a pelvic endometriosis. During laparotomy, multiple pararectal and right ovarian cysts resembling endometriosis were resected. Pathologic examination gives the diagnosis of hydatid cysts. Retrospectively, we investigate the primary infection but the patient had no history of hepatic and liver involvement, it is a case of primary infection

Spiral and oblique fractures of distal one-third of tibia-fibula: treatment results with circular external fixator

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Spiral and oblique fractures of distal 1/3 of tibia-fibula are relatively common fractures of long bones. Due to their types, aetiology, limited coverage and blood supply, these fractures often lead to union and soft tissue problems.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Twenty-seven patients with spiral and oblique fractures of distal 1/3 of tibia-fibula were treated with circular external fixator (CEF) between January 1997 and August 2000. All the fractures were closed. The type of fractures based on AO classification were A1 (n = 8), A2 (n = 6), B1 (n = 11) and C1 (n = 2).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean framing time was 14.1 +/- 1.8 weeks (range, 12 to 19 weeks), and the mean treatment time was 18.8 +/- 2.2 weeks (range, 15 to 24 weeks). The patients were followed up for 36 to 78 months (mean follow-up time: 51.9 +/- 10.4 months). The results were evaluated for shortness, angulation, rotation, ankle stiffness, pain and infection. After removal of the frames, 11 patients had ankle pain and stiffness, and 3 patients had loss of range of motion in the ankle even after rehabilitation. None of the patients suffered any complications such as shortness, angulation, rotational deformity and infection, and none had loss of motion in the knee.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CEF might be a preferable alternative treatment for distal tibia-fibula fractures due to its easy application, fewer major complications such as shortness and angulation, early mobilisation and shorter treatment time.</p>