Role of Parameter Setting in Electroacupuncture: Current Scenario and Future Prospects.

Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic method based on the theory of Chinese medicine (CM). Traditional acupuncture has many limitations; it is subjective and relies more on the experience of an acupuncturist, and the efficacy is sometimes irreproducible. In contrast, electroacupuncture (EA) has special characteristics in terms of objectivity and stability, thereby gaining considerable attention. Parameter setting plays a crucial role in EA practice. The current paper summarizes the current situation and limitations of parameter setting in EA practice. Objectification is the tendency and future of CM as well as EA. With the development of computerized technologies, such as wearable sensors, vast data, and artificial intelligence, CM syndromes can be successfully objectified. We propose the development of a novel self-feedback-adjust EA system, which may improve the parameter setting in EA and be beneficial to both the patients and clinicians.

Development of video-assisted breast cancer surgery: Initial experience with a novel method for creating working space without prior liposuction.

Endoscopic techniques are promising in breast surgery. In order to create working space, liposuction is widely used in video-assisted breast surgery (VABS). However, the use of liposuction is likely associated with side effects that may partly limit the application of VABS. Therefore, a new technique of endoscopic axillary lymphadenectomy without prior liposuction was developed by our group. A total of 106 female patients underwent VABS, with special adaptation of the video-assisted surgical procedures previously described. Differing from other endoscopic surgery techniques, our adaptations of VABS included the selection of the working instruments, trocar placement, creation of working space, order of axillary lymph node dissection and method of mastectomy. The operative time was 50-180 min (mean, 85.5 min). The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 20 to 100 ml (mean, 48 ml). The mean lymph node number harvested was 11.5 (range, 6-31). No serious intra- or postoperative complications were recorded. There was no axillary tumor relapse, trocar site tumor implantation or upper limb edema. Without prior liposuction, our new technique of VABS reduced the blood loss volume, endoscopic surgery time, total volume of drainage fluid and, most importantly, the risk of port-site metastases. This new technique appears to have great clinical potential and good prospects for future endoscopic breast surgery development.

[Advances on study of treatment of lumbar disk herniation by Chinese medicinal herbs].

Lumbar disk herniation (LDH) is a common orthopaedic disorder. Many clinical and basic science researches have been conducted recently on using Chinese medicinal herbs to treat LDH. Literature review reveals that the common basic formulas include Duhuo Jisheng decoction (DHJST), Buyang Huanwu decoction (HYBWT), Shentong Zhuyu decoction (STZYT), Taohong Siwu decoction (THSWT), Yanghe decoction (YHT) and Tongdu Huoxue decoction (TDHXT). A basic formula can be modified by adding more herbs or removing some herbs from the formula according to clinical symptoms and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation. Literatures show that herbal treatment have better clinical effects, the medicinal herbs make low-back pain, sciatica and low limb numbness disappeared or alleviated; and restore normal low limb sensation, muscle strength and daily activity. These formulas have also been used to treat LDH postoperative remaining pain, postoperative discitis, postoperative recurrent LDH, and to prevent epidural scar formation and dura mata adhesion. Herbs in these formulas include 5 categories of drugs classified by TCM. They are blood circulation promoting herbs for relieving pain; liver and kidney nourishing and tendons and bones strengthening herbs; blood circulation promoting herbs for unblocking collaterals; pathogenic wind and dampness expelling herbs; and qi invigorating herbs. These herbs have actions of analgesia, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, phagocytosis of macrophages enhancement, blood circulation improvement, nerve protection, collagen synthesis enhancement. Future research needs to focus on the effects of herbs on four aspects: to enhance collagen synthesis in the disks and inhibit disk degeneration; to promote the resorption of herniated nucleus pulposus and epidural hemorrhage; to prevent nerve cell apoptosis and promote nerve cell regeneration, and to inhibit nociception in the nerve system.