The synergistic integration of natural and synthetic materials, capitalizing on their respective advantages and mitigating their weaknesses, represents a rational strategy for the development of an ideal injectable smart stimuli-responsive hydrogel.

Background: Thoracolumbar burst fractures are a common traumatic vertebral fracture in the spine, and pedicle screw fixation has been widely performed as a safe and effective procedure. However, after the stabilization of the thoracolumbar burst fractures, whether or not to remove the pedicle screw implant remains controversial. This review aimed to assess the benefits and risks of pedicle screw instrument removal after fixation of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methods: Data sources, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Clinical trials.gov, were comprehensively searched. All types of human studies that reported the benefits and risks of implant removal after thoracolumbar burst fractures, were selected for inclusion. Clinical outcomes after implant removal were collected for further evaluation. Results: A total of 4051 papers were retrieved, of which 35 studies were eligible for inclusion in the review, including four case reports, four case series, and 27 observational studies. The possible risks of pedicle screw removal after fixation of thoracolumbar burst fractures include the progression of the kyphotic deformity and surgical complications (e.g., surgical site infection, neurovascular injury, worsening pain, revision surgery), while the potential benefits of pedicle screw removal mainly include improved segmental range of motion and alleviated pain and disability. Therefore, the potential benefits and possible risks should be weighed to support patient-specific clinical decision-making about the removal of pedicle screws after the successful fusion of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Conclusions: There was conflicting evidence regarding the benefits and harms of implant removal after successful fixation of thoracolumbar burst fractures, and the current literature does not support the general recommendation for removal of the pedicle screw instruments, which may expose the patients to unnecessary complications and costs. Both surgeons and patients should be aware of the indications and have appropriate expectations of the benefits and risks of implant removal. The decision to remove the implant or not should be made individually and cautiously by the surgeon in consultation with the patient. Further studies are warranted to clarify this issue. Level of evidence: level 1.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of posttraumatic antifibrinolytic therapy with repeated doses of intravenous tranexamic acid (IV-TXA) in reducing perioperative hidden blood loss (HBL) in elderly intertrochanteric femur fracture (IFF) patients. Method: 112 elderly IFF patients who were admitted to our department from March 2020 to May 2021 were randomized to receive 100 ml of normal saline (Control group) or 1.5 g of TXA (TXA group) intravenously q12 h from postadmission day 1 (PAD1) to PAD3. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), fibrinogen degradation product (FDP), D-dimer (D-D), and coagulation parameters were recorded from PAD1 to postoperative day 3 (POD3). HBL was calculated using the gross formula and recorded as the primary outcome. Result: The patients in TXA group had lower preoperative hidden blood loss(HBL), decline of hemoglobin(zHb), FDP (on PAD3), and D-D (on PAD3) compared with control group, while no difference was found in postoperative HBL, postoperative z Hb and allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) rate. In subgroup analyses, it was observed that patients who received the intervention within 24 h of injury and between 24 and 72 h of injury exhibited significantly lower preoperative HBL and z Hb in the TXA group compared with the control group. Furthermore, the reduction in HBL and z Hb was more pronounced in the former group. While for patients who received the intervention beyond 72 h after injury, no significant differences were observed in preoperative HBL and z Hb between the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were noted in postoperative HBL and z Hb between the TXA and control groups across all subgroups. Additionally, no significant differences were identified in the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and mortality within one year between the two groups. Conclusion: Post-traumatic antifibrinolytic therapy with repeated doses of intravenous TXA is effective and safe in reducing perioperative HBL for elderly IFF patients, especially for patients injured within 24 h.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for retrograde type A intramural hematoma (IMH) with intimal disruption in the descending aorta and report our endovascular therapeutic experience. Materials and Methods: From January 2014 to October 2020, a total of 24 consecutive patients with retrograde type A IMH with intimal disruption (intimal tear or ulcer-like projection) in the descending aorta underwent TEVAR. The demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment details, imaging information, and follow-up results were reviewed. Results: Among all patients with retrograde type A IMH, 13 (54.2%) patients presented with ulcer-like projection and 11 (45.8%) with intimal tear (aortic dissection) in the descending aorta. Successful TEVAR was achieved in all patients. There was no 30-day mortality. During a mean follow-up of 37.5 months, 1 patient (4.2%) developed permanent paralysis, 1 patient (4.2%) underwent reintervention due to the expansion of the aorta distal to the stent resulting from the enlargement of distal intimal tear at the 2 month follow up, and no other adverse events were observed. The latest computed tomographic angiography images showed that the maximum diameter of the ascending aorta and descending aorta significantly decreased after TEVAR (both p<0.001), and the IMH/false lumen in the ascending aorta and the descending thoracic aorta were completely absorbed. Conclusion: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for selected patients with retrograde type A intramural hematoma that presented with intimal disruption in the descending aorta is feasible and efficient, but close surveillance is needed to manage aortic-related adverse events.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of anti-factor Xa activity (aFXa) in predicting ecchymosis after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One hundred and two unilateral primary TKA patients were recruited consecutively in this prospective observational study. Participants received rivaroxaban (10 mg p.o. qd) from postoperative day 1 (POD1) to POD35 and were divided into a non-ecchymosis group (group A) and an ecchymosis group (group B). AFXa was assessed as the primary outcome on POD1 and POD3. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thromboelastography (TEG) were recorded both preoperatively and postoperatively (on POD1 and POD3). Other outcomes, including venous thromboembolism (VTE), blood loss and wound complications were also collected and compared. As a result, 27.5% of the participants (n = 28) were allocated into group B. Demographic data were comparable between the two groups. The aFXa levels in group B were significantly higher than those in group A on POD1 and POD3, and the aFXa level was assessed as an independent risk factor for ecchymosis. The cut-off value of aFXa was determined to be 121.38 ng/mL at maximal Youden index, associated with area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.67. Group B experienced significantly more blood loss and wound complications than group A. No statistical difference was detected regarding PT, APTT and TEG parameters. AFXa is a promising parameter to predict ecchymosis after TKA. Patients with aFXa > 121.38 ng/mL should be considered as high-risk population for postoperative ecchymosis and may require intense monitoring or dosage modification of anticoagulants.