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Arab Journal of Urology 2021: To review the available literature and identify factors associated with successful outcomes after varicocele repair (VR) in the setting of non-obstructive azoospermia... (Review)
Review
: To review the available literature and identify factors associated with successful outcomes after varicocele repair (VR) in the setting of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). : The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant articles. Primary outcomes were return of spontaneous spermatogenesis, sperm retrieval rates (SRRs), and unassisted and assisted pregnancy rates. Histopathological subtypes, when available, were used for subgroup analysis. : A total of 16 articles were finally included. The average sample size was 43 and average duration of follow-up was 10.5 months. The average rate of primary spermatogenesis after VR was 27.3%. The average SRR, across five studies in men with NOA undergoing microscopic testicular sperm extraction status after varicocelectomy, was 48.9% vs 32.1% for the untreated cohort groups, and the average spontaneous pregnancy rate was 5.24%. Histopathology subtype was a significant contributing factor when analysed. : Varicocele repair should be considered in men with NOA, as it may allow some patients to avoid assisted reproductive technologies and improves success rates when utilised.
PubMed: 34552773
DOI: 10.1080/2090598X.2021.1956838 -
International Journal of Surgery... Sep 2023Despite retrospective studies comparing anatomical liver resection (AR) and non-anatomical liver resection (NAR), the efficacy and benefits of AR for hepatocellular... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Despite retrospective studies comparing anatomical liver resection (AR) and non-anatomical liver resection (NAR), the efficacy and benefits of AR for hepatocellular carcinoma remain unclear.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The authors systemically reviewed MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library for propensity score matched cohort studies that compared AR and NAR for hepatocellular carcinoma. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary outcomes were recurrence patterns and perioperative outcomes.
RESULTS
Overall, 22 propensity score matched studies (AR, n =2,496; NAR, n =2590) were included. AR including systemic segmentectomy was superior to NAR regarding the 3-year and 5-year OS. AR showed significantly better 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year RFS than NAR, with low local and multiple intrahepatic recurrence rates. In the subgroup analyses of tumour diameter less than or equal to 5 cm and tumours with microscopic spread, the RFS in the AR group was significantly better than that in the NAR group. Patients with cirrhotic liver in the AR group showed comparable 3-year and 5-year RFS with the NAR group. Postoperative overall complications were comparable between AR and NAR.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis demonstrated that AR showed better OS and RFS with a low local and multiple intra-hepatic recurrence rate than NAR, especially in patients with tumour diameter less than or equal to 5 cm and non-cirrhotic liver.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Hepatectomy; Propensity Score; Postoperative Complications; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
PubMed: 37247010
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000503 -
Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and... Feb 2021To perform a systematic review to identify macroscopic and microscopic patterns and differences in hip capsule innervation between normal hips and hips with... (Review)
Review
Healthy Hip Joints Have Different Macroscopic and Microscopic Capsular Nerve Architecture Compared With Hips With Osteoarthritis, Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome, and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Systematic Review.
PURPOSE
To perform a systematic review to identify macroscopic and microscopic patterns and differences in hip capsule innervation between normal hips and hips with osteoarthritis (OA), femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome, and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
METHODS
A systematic review was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Multiple databases were searched for both clinical and basic science laboratory studies on hip capsule innervation. Non-innervation capsule and non-human animal studies were excluded. Macroscopic and microscopic differences in capsular innervation between normal hips, and hips with OA, FAI, and DDH were analyzed. Methodological quality assessment of all studies included in this review was completed using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies.
RESULTS
Ten articles were analyzed (263 specimens; 211 patients, 52 cadavers; mean Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies 10/16). The hip capsule is innervated by the sciatic and superior gluteal nerves posterosuperiorly, nerve to quadratus femoris and inferior gluteal nerve posteroinferiorly, and femoral and obturator nerves anteriorly. The anterior-superior capsule between 1:00 and 2:30 o'clock on a right hip is a safe internervous zone. The superolateral capsule has the greatest density of mechanoreceptors and sensory fibers. OA is associated with a greater expression of nerve fibers compared with normal hips but does not correlate with pain or disability. No significant differences were found in nerve fiber expression among patients with DDH, FAI, or normal hips. A negative correlation is seen with aging and pain fiber expression.
CONCLUSIONS
The hip capsule has a complex macroscopic and microscopic innervation pattern with varying nerve fiber expression from at least 6 separate peripheral nerves. OA is associated with a greater expression of nerve fibers, although nerve fiber expression does not correlate with painful pathology.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
IV, Systematic review of level I-IV studies.
PubMed: 33615274
DOI: 10.1016/j.asmr.2020.08.015 -
International Archives of... Jul 2023Tympanoplasty is a reparative surgery that has multiple indications. The aid of a microscope or an endoscope is necessary to carry out the procedure. The classic... (Review)
Review
Tympanoplasty is a reparative surgery that has multiple indications. The aid of a microscope or an endoscope is necessary to carry out the procedure. The classic method utilizes the microscope; however, in the recent decades, the endoscope has been popular. Although many articles try to compare these two techniques, there is still no robust evidence that confirms the superiority of either technique. In the present work, we seek to perform a systematic review contribute with this. The present systematic review attempted to compare endoscopic and microscopic surgery techniques and to discover whether there would be superiority in the results of any of them, based on data currently available in the literature. The objectives of the present review were organized according to the PICO planning and strategy adapted for systematic reviews. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were established aiming to select only select primary data. The main medical databases were searched using an optimized search string with appropriate descriptors. The searched databases were MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, and EMBASE. A total of 99 studies were selected and 38 were fully assessed after the inclusion criteria were applied. All included articles were reviewed by all authors and their results were discussed and summarized. The endoscopic technique was shown to be a safer technique comparable in effectiveness to the use of microscopy. In addition, it provides possible advantages such as shortening the surgical time and better postoperative pain outcomes.
PubMed: 37564466
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1748808 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2022Noninvasive imaging techniques have recently outlined precise microscopic features of acne elementary lesions and accurate quantifications for disease severity staging... (Review)
Review
Noninvasive imaging techniques have recently outlined precise microscopic features of acne elementary lesions and accurate quantifications for disease severity staging and therapeutical efficacy follow-up. The aim of this review is to systematically describe current applications of dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in acne vulgaris assessment and management. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included studies conducted on human subjects with elementary lesions of acne vulgaris, reporting assessment of the lesions with dermoscopy, RCM, and/or OCT. At present there are few large studies regarding acne and noninvasive imaging techniques, representing the main limitation of this review. Clinical examination represents the first line in acne diagnosis and treatment. However, dermoscopy, RCM, and OCT are further tools that can improve acne classification, monitoring of treatment, and pathophysiologic characterization. In the near future, dermoscopy, RCM, and OCT could become routinely used for the evaluation of acne vulgaris to provide a deeper knowledge of the disease and to guide the clinician in the prescription of tailored treatment protocols based on each patient's characteristics.
PubMed: 35407391
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11071783 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Apr 2021This study aimed to perform a comprehensive systematic review, which reports the role of the Bonar score in the histopathological assessment of tendinopathy and its... (Review)
Review
This study aimed to perform a comprehensive systematic review, which reports the role of the Bonar score in the histopathological assessment of tendinopathy and its clinical relevance. To identify all of the studies that reported relevant information on the Bonar scoring system and tendinopathy, an extensive search of the major and the most significant electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central, ScienceDirect, SciELO, Web of Science) was performed. A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The extracted data included-year of study, geographical location, type of the study, radiological modifications, gender, number of patients, region of tendinopathy, mean age, control group, characteristics of the Bonar score and alterations in the scale, mean Bonar score, number of investigators, area of tendon investigation, clinical and radiological implications. An extensive search of the databases and other sources yielded a total of 807 articles. Eighteen papers were finally included in this systematic review, and of these, 13 original papers included the clinical and radiological implications of tendinopathy. Radiological evaluation was present in eight studies (both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US)). The clinical implications were more frequent and present in 10 studies. Using the Bonar score, it is easy to quantify the pathological changes in tendinous tissue. However, its connection with clinical and radiological evaluation is much more complicated. Based on the current state of knowledge, we concluded that the neovascularization variable in the Bonar system should be reconsidered. Ideally, the microscopic assessment score should follow the established classification scale with the radiological and clinical agreement and should have a prognostic value.
Topics: Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tendinopathy; Tendons; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 33918645
DOI: 10.3390/medicina57040367 -
Acta Ophthalmologica May 2022Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has grown in popularity over the past decade. This systematic review explores the peri-operative and intraoperative... (Review)
Review
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has grown in popularity over the past decade. This systematic review explores the peri-operative and intraoperative application of anterior segment imaging to maximize the efficacy and safety of MIGS. A review of the PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL databases was conducted, with inclusion criteria restricted to MIGS that had received United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket approval, FDA 510(K) premarket notification, or were listed as a class 1 device exempt from FDA approval or notification. 21 manuscripts from 21 unique studies were identified pertaining to MIGS devices including the XEN Gel Stent, Trabectome, iStent Inject, 1st-generation iStent and the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB). Anterior segment imaging modalities included anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), aqueous angiography, OCT volumetric scans and in vivo confocal microscopy. Identification and evaluation of aqueous outflow pathways before and after MIGS have potential for improving patient preoperative patient selection and postoperative outcomes. Intraoperative imaging potentially provides the resolution needed for good visualization of angle anatomy and accurate evaluation of surgical endpoints in angle-based MIGS. Anterior segment imaging has been used to identify procedural complications, provide objective information on implant location in relation to surrounding anatomy, assess the post-implantation structural impact of MIGS devices and manage bleb failure and scarring. Technical difficulties in incorporating imaging modalities into the surgical microscope, variable quality of images and optical interference from ocular structures or surgical instruments are remaining barriers, which discourage the widespread clinical use of this technology.
Topics: Glaucoma; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Stents; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 34250742
DOI: 10.1111/aos.14962 -
Cureus Nov 2023Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is the most serious vascular complication after liver transplantation (LT). Moreover, in comparison to deceased donor liver... (Review)
Review
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Do We Still Need Microscope Surgery in Hepatic Artery Anastomosis to Decrease the Incidence of Complications in Living Donor Liver Transplantation?
Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is the most serious vascular complication after liver transplantation (LT). Moreover, in comparison to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT), hepatic artery (HA) anastomosis is more challenging in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with a lot of controversial topics about the use of microscopic surgery. We aimed to compare the use of microscopic and loupe surgery in HA anastomosis in adult and pediatric LDLT to decrease the incidence of vascular complications. We searched PubMed, Scopes, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for eligible studies from inception to April 2023 and a systematic review and a meta-analysis were done. According to our eligibility criteria, 10 studies with a total of 1939 patients were included. In comparison to microscopic surgery, loupe anastomosis has a similar incidence of HAT (thrombosis, risk ratio (RR) = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.26-3.48, P = 0.95). In addition to that, no significant difference was detected between the two types in terms of stenosis, decreased blood flow and hospital stay (decreased blood flow, RR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.01-86.65, P = 0.88), (stenosis, RR = 1.81, 95% CI = 0.19-17.21, P = 0.60), (hospital stay, mean deviation (MD) = 1.16, 95% CI = -3.79-6.11, P = 0.65). However, the anastomotic time was longer in the case of microscopic surgery (anastomotic time, MD = 24.09, 95% CI = 7.79-40.39, P = 0.004). With an equal incidence of complications and longer anastomotic time, there is no added benefit of the routine use of microscopic surgery in HA anastomosis in LDLT.
PubMed: 37920422
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48112 -
Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology Dec 2022Rectal cancer is a common tumor within a difficult anatomic constraint. Total mesorectal excision with longitudinal and circumferential free margins is considered... (Review)
Review
Rectal cancer is a common tumor within a difficult anatomic constraint. Total mesorectal excision with longitudinal and circumferential free margins is considered imperative for good prognosis. In this article, the authors systematically reviewed all published literature with specific Mesh terms until the end of year 2019. Thereafter, retrieved articles were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and meta-analysis was conducted comparing local recurrence among 1-cm, 5-mm, and narrow (< 1-mm)/infiltrated margins. Thirty-nine articles were included in the study. Macroscopic distal margin < 1 cm carried a higher incidence of recurrence for those who did not receive neoadjuvant radiation, without affecting neither estimated overall nor disease-free survival. Less than 5-mm margin after radiation therapy is accepted oncologically. Infiltrated margins and narrow margins (< 1 mm) microscopically are associated with higher incidence of local recurrence and shorter overall and disease-free survival. Surgeons should aim at 1-cm safety margin in radiotherapy-naïve patients and microscopic free margin > 1 mm for those who received neoadjuvant therapy. The cost/benefit of reoperation for patients with infiltrated margins is still inadequately studied.
PubMed: 36687255
DOI: 10.1007/s13193-022-01565-z -
Cureus Jan 2024Demodex blepharitis is marked by an excessive presence of Demodex mites on the eyelids, particularly in the lash follicles. While these microscopic mites are a natural... (Review)
Review
Demodex blepharitis is marked by an excessive presence of Demodex mites on the eyelids, particularly in the lash follicles. While these microscopic mites are a natural component of the skin microbiota, their overabundance can lead to ocular complications. Symptoms associated with Demodex blepharitis include eyelid itching, inflammation, and ocular irritation. Our objective is to investigate Lotilaner as a potential treatment for Demodex blepharitis, assessing both the safety and efficacy of the ophthalmic formula in managing this disease. We conducted research in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus up to November 2023. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and it was employed to evaluate the quality of evidence. Our meta-analysis was executed using Review Manager 5.4. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of Lotilaner ophthalmic solution with a concentration of 0.25%. The following outcomes were assessed: clinically meaningful reduction in collarette, collarette cure, composite cure, drop comfort, erythema cure, mite density, and mite eradication. In the case of dichotomous data, we used the risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). In our analysis, all included studies, comprising a total of 891 participants, consistently reported clinically meaningful reductions in collarettes. The findings were statistically significant, with Lotilaner demonstrating a substantially higher reduction compared to the vehicle group (RR = 3.09, 95% CI [2.65-3.60]; -value < 0.0001). Notably, results for Drop Comfort outcomes were nonsignificant, indicating no discernible differences compared to the group that used the vehicle (RR = 1.03, 95% CI [0.98-1.07]; -value = 0.26). However, both mite density and mite eradication outcomes exhibited significant improvements with Lotilaner in comparison to the vehicle (RR = 2.58, 95% CI [2.25-2.95]; -value < 0.0001) and (RR = 3.80, 95% CI [2.88-5.01]; -value < 0.0001). The Lotilaner ophthalmic solution at 0.25% showed superior efficacy over the vehicle in reducing collarettes, achieving complete mite eradication within six weeks, and significantly decreasing erythema in Demodex blepharitis. It demonstrated safety with no reported side effects compared to the vehicle. Direct comparative studies with alternative treatments are recommended for a comprehensive assessment of efficacy and safety.
PubMed: 38380217
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52664