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Surgery Apr 2023Evaluation of morbidity and mortality after hepatic resection often lacks stratification by extent of resection or diagnosis. Although a liver resection for different... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Evaluation of morbidity and mortality after hepatic resection often lacks stratification by extent of resection or diagnosis. Although a liver resection for different indications may have technical similarities, postoperative outcomes differ. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the risk of major complications and mortality after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
METHODS
Meta-analysis was performed to assess postoperative mortality (in-hospital, 30-, and 90-day) and major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III).
RESULTS
A total of 32 studies that reported on 19,503 patients were included. Pooled in-hospital, 30-day, and 90-day mortality were 5.9% (95% confidence interval 4.1-8.4); 4.6% (95% confidence interval 4.0-5.2); and 6.1% (95% confidence interval 5.0-7.3), respectively. Pooled proportion of major complications was 22.2% (95% confidence interval 17.7-27.5) for all resections. The pooled 90-day mortality was 3.1% (95% confidence interval 1.8-5.2) for a minor resection, 7.4% (95% confidence interval 5.9-9.3) for all major resections, and 11.4% (95% confidence interval 6.9-18.7) for extended resections (P = .001). Major complications were 38.8% (95% confidence interval 29.5-49) after a major hepatectomy compared to 11.3% (95% confidence interval 5.0-24.0) after a minor hepatectomy (P = .001). Asian studies had a pooled 90-day mortality of 4.4% (95% confidence interval 3.3-5.9) compared to 6.8% (95% confidence interval 5.6-8.2) for Western studies (P = .02). Cohorts with patients included before 2000 had a pooled 90-day mortality of 5.9% (95% confidence interval 4.8-7.3) compared to 6.8% (95% confidence interval 5.1-9.1) after 2000 (P = .44).
CONCLUSION
When informing patients or comparing outcomes across hospitals, postoperative mortality rates after liver resection should be reported for 90-days with consideration of the diagnosis and the extent of liver resection.
Topics: Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Postoperative Complications; Cholangiocarcinoma; Hepatectomy; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
PubMed: 36577599
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.11.027 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Mar 2023Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most frequent hepatobiliary cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. This study...
BACKGROUND
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most frequent hepatobiliary cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. This study aimed to review existing knowledge on the genetic basis of CCA, molecular targets/signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis, disease progression and prognosis, including potential targets for targeted therapies of CCA.
METHODS
The systematic review was performed in compliance with PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search in PubMed and Science Direct databases was performed using the following keywords: "cholangiocarcinoma", AND "molecular target" AND/OR "signaling pathway", AND/OR "targeted therapy", AND/OR "cancer chemotherapy." The eligibility criteria included: i) full-text articles published in English, ii) articles with in vitro and/or in vivo and/or clinical studies of molecular targets/signaling pathwanys related to CCA pathogenesis/disease progression/prognosis and/or targeted therapy. Seventy-three studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were finally included in the final data synthesis.
RESULTS
A total of 833 relevant articles published up to April 2022 were identified and 73 sttudies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were finally included in the analysis. The molecular biomarkers and drugs targeting signalling pathways were reported. Recent research has been focused on targeting the apoptotic and cell proliferation pathways, and in addition, the angiogenesis and metastasis pathway. More effort focused on testing the efficacy of combination therapies against the cancer cell and specifically CCA. The PI3K (Phosphoinositide 3-kinases)/ERK/Akt (AKT serine/threonine kinase 1)/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway and HER2 (Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) and EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) pathways are the most potential targets for CCA therapy.
CONCLUSION
The information obtained could be exploited for further development of diagnostic tools for early diagnosis of CCA, as well as effective CCA-targeted therapies.
Topics: Humans; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction; Cholangiocarcinoma; Cell Proliferation; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Disease Progression; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 36974526
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.3.741 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2021The use of surgical drains is a very common practice after pancreatic surgery. The role of prophylactic abdominal drainage to reduce postoperative complications after... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The use of surgical drains is a very common practice after pancreatic surgery. The role of prophylactic abdominal drainage to reduce postoperative complications after pancreatic surgery is controversial. This is the third update of a previously published Cochrane Review to address the uncertain benifits of prophylactic abdominal drainage in pancreatic surgery.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of routine abdominal drainage after pancreatic surgery, compare the effects of different types of surgical drains, and evaluate the optimal time for drain removal.
SEARCH METHODS
In this updated review, we re-searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) on 08 February 2021.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared abdominal drainage versus no drainage in people undergoing pancreatic surgery. We also included RCTs that compared different types of drains and different schedules for drain removal in people undergoing pancreatic surgery.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently identified the studies for inclusion, collected the data, and assessed the risk of bias. We conducted the meta-analyses using Review Manager 5. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and the mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). For all analyses, we used the random-effects model. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for important outcomes.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified a total of nine RCTs with 1892 participants. Drain use versus no drain use We included four RCTs with 1110 participants, randomised to the drainage group (N = 560) and the no drainage group (N = 550) after pancreatic surgery. Low-certainty evidence suggests that drain use may reduce 90-day mortality (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.90; two studies, 478 participants). Compared with no drain use, low-certainty evidence suggests that drain use may result in little to no difference in 30-day mortality (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.99; four studies, 1055 participants), wound infection rate (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.41; four studies, 1055 participants), length of hospital stay (MD -0.14 days, 95% CI -0.79 to 0.51; three studies, 876 participants), the need for additional open procedures for postoperative complications (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.23; four studies, 1055 participants), and quality of life (105 points versus 104 points; measured with the pancreas-specific quality of life questionnaire (scale 0 to 144, higher values indicating a better quality of life); one study, 399 participants). There was one drain-related complication in the drainage group (0.2%). Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that drain use probably resulted in little to no difference in morbidity (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.13; four studies, 1055 participants). The evidence was very uncertain about the effect of drain use on intra-abdominal infection rate (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.80; four studies, 1055 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and the need for additional radiological interventions for postoperative complications (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.87; three studies, 660 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Active versus passive drain We included two RCTs involving 383 participants, randomised to the active drain group (N = 194) and the passive drain group (N = 189) after pancreatic surgery. Compared with a passive drain, the evidence was very uncertain about the effect of an active drain on 30-day mortality (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.30 to 5.06; two studies, 382 participants; very low-certainty evidence), intra-abdominal infection rate (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.21 to 3.66; two studies, 321 participants; very low-certainty evidence), wound infection rate (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.90; two studies, 321 participants; very low-certainty evidence), morbidity (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.77; two studies, 382 participants; very low-certainty evidence), length of hospital stay (MD -0.79 days, 95% CI -2.63 to 1.04; two studies, 321 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and the need for additional open procedures for postoperative complications (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.83; two studies, 321 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There was no drain-related complication in either group. Early versus late drain removal We included three RCTs involving 399 participants with a low risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula, randomised to the early drain removal group (N = 200) and the late drain removal group (N = 199) after pancreatic surgery. Compared to late drain removal, the evidence was very uncertain about the effect of early drain removal on 30-day mortality (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.06 to 15.45; three studies, 399 participants; very low-certainty evidence), wound infection rate (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.45 to 3.85; two studies, 285 participants; very low-certainty evidence), hospital costs (SMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.14; two studies, 258 participants; very low-certainty evidence), the need for additional open procedures for postoperative complications (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.28 to 2.10; three studies, 399 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and the need for additional radiological procedures for postoperative complications (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.21 to 4.79; one study, 144 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We found that early drain removal may reduce intra-abdominal infection rate (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.89; two studies, 285 participants; very low-certainty evidence), morbidity (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.81; two studies, 258 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and length of hospital stay (MD -2.20 days, 95% CI -3.52 to -0.87; three studies, 399 participants; very low-certainty evidence), but the evidence was very uncertain. None of the studies reported on drain-related complications.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Compared with no drain use, it is unclear whether routine drain use has any effect on mortality at 30 days or postoperative complications after pancreatic surgery. Compared with no drain use, low-certainty evidence suggests that routine drain use may reduce mortality at 90 days. Compared with a passive drain, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of an active drain on mortality at 30 days or postoperative complications. Compared with late drain removal, early drain removal may reduce intra-abdominal infection rate, morbidity, and length of hospital stay for people with low risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula, but the evidence is very uncertain.
Topics: Abdomen; Drainage; Humans; Length of Stay; Pancreas; Pancreatic Fistula
PubMed: 34921395
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010583.pub5 -
Epidemiology and Health 2021Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare but highly fatal. Although the etiology of BTC is poorly understood, gallstones are proposed to be a major risk factor. We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare but highly fatal. Although the etiology of BTC is poorly understood, gallstones are proposed to be a major risk factor. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the associations between gallstone characteristics and BTC risk.
METHODS
We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases and systematically reviewed cohort and case-control studies published before April 9, 2018. All the included studies reported appropriate risk estimates and confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between the presence, size, number, or duration of gallstones and the risk of BTC, including gallbladder cancer (GBC), extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EBDC), and ampulla of Vater cancer (AOVC). Summary odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model in the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted to inspect sources of potential heterogeneity, and the Egger test was performed to assess publication bias.
RESULTS
Seven cohort studies and 23 case-control studies in Asian, European, and American populations were included. The presence of gallstones was associated with an increased risk of BTC (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 3.23 to 5.93; I2=91.2%), GBC (OR, 7.26; 95% CI, 4.33 to 12.18), EBDC (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 2.24 to 4.50), and AOVC (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.33 to 8.11). Gallstone size (>1 vs. <1 cm; OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.22) was significantly associated with the risk of GBC.
CONCLUSIONS
Gallstone characteristics, such as presence, size, and number, are associated with an increased risk of BTC. However, significantly high heterogeneity in the meta-analyses is a limitation of this study.
Topics: Biliary Tract Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Gallstones; Humans; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 33541011
DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2021011 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), in surgically altered anatomy (SAA), can be challenging and the optimal technique selection remains debatable.... (Review)
Review
Comparison between Enteroscopy-, Laparoscopy- and Endoscopic Ultrasound-Assisted Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography in Patients with Surgically Altered Anatomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), in surgically altered anatomy (SAA), can be challenging and the optimal technique selection remains debatable. Most common foregut interventions resulting to this burden consist of Billroth II gastrectomy, Whipple surgery and Roux-en-Y anastomoses, including gastric by-pass. This systematic review, with meta-analysis, aimed to compare the rates of successful enteroscope-assisted (EA)-, endosonography-directed transgastric- (EDGE), and laparoscopy-assisted (LA)-ERCP.
METHODS
A systematic research (Medline) was performed for relative studies, through January 2022. The primary outcome was technical success, defined as approaching the ampulla site. Secondary outcomes included the desired duct cannulation, successful therapeutic manipulations, and complication rates. We performed meta-analyses of pooled data, and subgroup analysis considering the EA-ERCP subtypes (spiral-, double and single balloon-enteroscope). Pooled rates are reported as percentages with 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CIs).
RESULTS
Seventy-six studies were included (3569 procedures). Regarding primary outcome, EA-ERCP was the least effective [87.3% (95%CI: 85.3-89.4); I: 91.0%], whereas EDGE and LA-ERCP succeeded in 97.9% (95%CI: 96.4-99.4; I: 0%) and 99.1% (95%CI: 98.6-99.7; I: 0%), respectively. Similarly, duct cannulation and therapeutic success rates were 74.7% (95%CI: 71.3-78.0; I: 86.9%) and 69.1% (95%CI: 65.3-72.9; I: 91.8%) after EA-ERCP, 98% (95%CI: 96.5-99.6; I: 0%) and 97.9% (95%CI: 96.3-99.4) after EDGE, and 98.6% (95%CI: 97.9-99.2; I: 0%) and 98.5% (95%CI: 97.8-99.2; I: 0%) after LA-ERCP, respectively. The noticed high heterogeneity in EA-ERCP results probably reflects the larger number of included studies, the different enteroscopy modalities and the variety of surgical interventions. Comparisons revealed the superiority of LA-ERCP and EDGE over EA-ERCP ( ≤ 0.001) for all success-related outcomes, though LA-ERCP and EDGE were comparable ( ≥ 0.43). ERCP with spiral-enteroscope was inferior to balloon-enteroscope, while the type of the balloon-enteroscope did not affect the results. Most adverse events were recorded after LA-ERCP [15.1% (95%CI: 9.40-20.8); I: 87.1%], and EDGE [13.1% (95%CI: 7.50-18.8); I: 48.2%], significantly differing from EA-ERCP [5.7% (95%CI: 4.50-6.80); ≤ 0.04; I: 64.2%].
CONCLUSIONS
LA-ERCP and EDGE were associated with higher technical, cannulation, and therapeutic success compared to EA-ERCP, though accompanied with more adverse events.
PubMed: 36295081
DOI: 10.3390/life12101646 -
Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia 2021Lacrimal probing is the treatment of choice for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction that does not have a spontaneous resolution; however, there is no consensus...
PURPOSE
Lacrimal probing is the treatment of choice for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction that does not have a spontaneous resolution; however, there is no consensus about the best time for probing and if it is superior to other therapies. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of lacrimal probing compared with other treatments/no intervention to treat congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
METHODS
A systematic review of literature in PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, clinicaltrials.gov, and LILACS databases up to December 2019 was performed. Randomized clinical trials that enrolled children diagnosed with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and undergoing lacrimal probing were considered. Data extraction and a risk of bias assessment were conducted independently and in duplicate. The overall quality of evidence for each outcome was conducted using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation classification system.
RESULTS
Four randomized clinical trials involving 423 participants were eligible. No statistically significant differences were observed in resolution rates between early probing and observation/late probing (two studies; risk ratio 1.00 [95% confidence interval 0.76-1.33]; p=0.99; low certainty evidence). One study reported better resolution rates with bicanalicular silicone stent intubation compared with late probing in the complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction cases subgroup (risk ratio 0.56 [95% confidence interval 0.34-0.92]; p=0.02; moderate certainty evidence).
CONCLUSIONS
Low certainty evidence suggests that early probing has the same success rate as late probing. Evidence of moderate certainty suggests that late probing has a lower success rate than bicanalicular silastic intubation in patients with complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructione.
Topics: Child; Dacryocystorhinostomy; Humans; Infant; Intubation; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction; Nasolacrimal Duct; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33470349
DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.20210005 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Jan 2021Both systemic-pulmonary shunt and arterial duct stent could be the palliation of duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Both systemic-pulmonary shunt and arterial duct stent could be the palliation of duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of the two approaches.
METHODS
The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched through December 2019 for studies comparing stent implantation and surgical shunt in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. The baseline characteristics included ventricle physiology and cardiac anomaly. The main outcomes were hospital stay and total mortality. Additional outcomes included procedural complications, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, pulmonary artery growth at follow-up, and other indexes. A random- or fixed-effects model was used to summarize the estimates of the mean difference (MD)/risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
In total, 757 patients with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation from six studies were included. Pooled estimates of hospital stay (MD, - 4.83; 95% CI - 7.92 to - 1.74; p < 0.05), total mortality (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.28-0.70; p < 0.05), complications (RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.30-0.81; p < 0.05) and ICU stay (MD, - 4.00; 95% CI - 5.96 to - 2.04; p < 0.05) favored the stent group. Significant differences were found in the proportions of patients with a single ventricle (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.68-0.98; p < 0.05) or a double ventricle (RR 1.23; 95% CI 1.07-1.41; p < 0.05) between the stent and shunt groups. Additionally, pulmonary artery growth showed no significant differences between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Arterial duct stent appears to have not inferior outcomes of procedural complications, mortality, hospital and ICU stay, and pulmonary artery growth in selected patients compared with a surgical shunt.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
CRD42019147672.
Topics: Blalock-Taussig Procedure; Cardiac Catheterization; Child; Child, Preschool; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; Female; Heart Defects, Congenital; Hemodynamics; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Length of Stay; Male; Palliative Care; Pulmonary Artery; Pulmonary Circulation; Recovery of Function; Stents; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33407150
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-020-01817-2 -
Journal of Minimal Access Surgery 2022Currently, there is no consensus on patient selection for ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study is a systematic review of previously published patient... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Currently, there is no consensus on patient selection for ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study is a systematic review of previously published patient selection for ambulatory LC.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was done in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar Database up to March 2020 to summarise previously reported medical or surgical selection criteria used for inclusion and exclusion of patients, as well as successful same-day discharge rates and readmission rate after discharge.
RESULTS
Fifty-nine studies with a total of 13,219 patients were included in this systematic review. In total, the median same-day discharge rate was 90% (range: 63%-99.4%), and median readmission rate was 2.22% (range: 0%-16.9%). The most considered medical criteria were American Society of Anesthesiologists classification I and II, age <70, and body mass index <35. Surgical criteria varied greatly. The top three accessible exclusion variables were (1) common bile duct stones, cholangitis, or jaundice (27 publications, 45.8%); (2) history of abdominal surgery (12 publications, 20.3%) and (3) history of pancreatitis (9 publications, 15.3%).
CONCLUSION
The results of the current study showed the variable patient selection in different centres, the medical aspect criteria may be expanded under adequate pre-anaesthetic assessment and preparation and the surgical aspect criteria should include more laboratory or imaging parameters to ensure the surgical safety.
PubMed: 35313430
DOI: 10.4103/jmas.jmas_255_21 -
HPB : the Official Journal of the... Aug 2020Pancreatic duct occlusion (PDO) without anastomosis is a technique proposed to mitigate the clinical consequences of postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) after... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic duct occlusion (PDO) without anastomosis is a technique proposed to mitigate the clinical consequences of postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The aim of this study was to appraise the morbidity following PDO through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web Of Science identified studies reporting outcomes of PDO following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pooled prevalence rates of postoperative complications and mortality were computed using random-effect modeling. Meta-regression analyses were performed to examine the impact of moderators on the overall estimates.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies involving 1000 patients were included. Pooled postoperative mortality was 2.7%. A POPF was reported in 29.7% of the patients. Clinically relevant POPFs occurred in 13.5% of the patients, while intra-abdominal abscess and haemorrhages occurred in 6.7% and 5.5% of the patients, respectively. Re-operation was necessary in 7.6% of the patients. Postoperatively new onset diabetes occurred in 15.8% of patients, more frequently after the use of chemical substances for PDO (p = 0.003).
CONCLUSIONS
PDO is associated with significant morbidity including new onset of post-operative diabetes. The risk of new onset post-operative diabetes is associated with the use of chemical substance for PDO. Further evidence is needed to evaluate the potential benefits of PDO in patients at high risk of POPF.
Topics: Anastomosis, Surgical; Humans; Morbidity; Pancreatic Ducts; Pancreatic Fistula; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Pancreaticojejunostomy; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 32471694
DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2020.04.014 -
BMC Gastroenterology Mar 2023The prevalence, management, and clinical outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma in Africa are unknown. The aim is to conduct a comprehensive systematic review on the...
BACKGROUND
The prevalence, management, and clinical outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma in Africa are unknown. The aim is to conduct a comprehensive systematic review on the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma in Africa.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINHAL from inception up to November 2019 for studies on cholangiocarcinoma in Africa. The results reported follow PRISMA guidelines. Quality of studies and risk of bias were adapted from a standard quality assessment tool. Descriptive data were expressed as numbers with proportions and Chi-squared test was used to compare proportions. P values < 0.05 were considered significant.
RESULTS
A total of 201 citations were identified from the four databases. After excluding duplicates, 133 full texts were reviewed for eligibility, and 11 studies were included. The 11 studies are reported from 4 countries only: 8 are from North Africa (Egypt 6 and Tunisia 2), and 3 in Sub-Saharan Africa (2 in South Africa, 1 in Nigeria). Ten studies reported management and outcomes, while one study reported epidemiology and risk factors. Median age for cholangiocarcinoma ranged between 52 and 61 years. Despite the proportion with cholangiocarcinoma being higher among males than females in Egypt, this gender disparity could not be demonstrated in other African countries. Chemotherapy is mainly used for palliative care. Surgical interventions are curative and prevent cancer progression. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata 15.1.
CONCLUSION
The known global major risk factors such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini infestation are rare. Chemotherapy treatment was mainly used for palliative treatment and was reported in three studies. Surgical intervention was described in at least 6 studies as a curative modality of treatment. Diagnostic capabilities such as radiographic imaging and endoscopic are lacking across the continent which most likely plays a role in accurate diagnosis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Cholangiocarcinoma; Risk Factors; South Africa
PubMed: 36906562
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02687-6