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BMJ Open Jan 2022Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) has long been considered as routine by most head and neck surgeons after microvascular free-flap transfer. This study aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) has long been considered as routine by most head and neck surgeons after microvascular free-flap transfer. This study aimed to answer the question 'Is there a difference in the flap survival and postoperative complications rates between admission to intensive care unit (ICU) versus Non-ICU following microvascular head and neck reconstructive surgery?'.
DESIGN
Systematic review, and meta-analysis.
METHODS
The PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library electronic databases were systematically searched (till April 2021) to identify the relevant studies. Studies that compared postoperative nursing of patients who underwent microvascular head and neck reconstructive surgery in ICU and non-ICU were included. The outcome variables were flap failure and length of hospital stay (LOS) and other complications. Weighted OR or mean differences with 95% CIs were calculated.
RESULTS
Eight studies involving a total of 2349 patients were included. No statistically significant differences were observed between ICU and non-ICU admitted patients regarding flap survival reported (fixed, risk ratio, 1.46; 95% CI 0.80 to 2.69, p=0.231, I=0%), reoperation, readmission, respiratory failure, delirium and mortality (p>0.05). A significant increase in the postoperative pneumonia (p=0.018) and sepsis (p=0.033) was observed in patients admitted to ICU compared with non-ICU setting.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis showed that an immediate postoperative nursing in the ICU after head and neck microvascular reconstructive surgery did not reduce the incidence of flap failure or complications rate. Limiting the routine ICU admission to the carefully selected patients may result in a reduction in the incidence of postoperative pneumonia, sepsis, LOS and total hospital charge.
Topics: Free Tissue Flaps; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Postoperative Care; Plastic Surgery Procedures
PubMed: 34992114
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053667 -
American Journal of Otolaryngology 2021The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and compile key clinically relevant applications of telemedicine for use in otolaryngology relevant to the...
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and compile key clinically relevant applications of telemedicine for use in otolaryngology relevant to the post-COVID-19 era.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic Literature Review.
DATA SOURCES
Pubmed and Google Scholar.
REVIEW METHODS
Pubmed and Google Scholar were queried using combined key words such as "telemedicine," "covid" and "otolaryngology." The searches were completed in March-August 2020. Additional queries were made with particular subspecialty phrases such as "rhinology" or "otology" to maximize yield of relevant titles. Relevant articles were selected for abstract review. Applicable abstracts were then selected for review of the full text.
RESULTS
Initial search identified 279 results. These were screened for relevance and 100 abstracts were selected for review. Abstracts were excluded if they were not in English, not related to otolaryngology, or if the full text was unavailable for access. Of these, 37 articles were selected for complete review of the full text.
CONCLUSION
The sudden healthcare closures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp increase in the use of telemedicine, particularly in subspecialty fields. Otolaryngologists are at a unique risk of infection resulting from the examination of the head and neck and aerosol-generating procedures due to the predilection of viral particles for the nasal cavities and pharynx. The COVID-19 pandemic may have served as a catalyst to implement telemedicine into clinical practice, however identifying ways to integrate telemedicine long term is key for a sustainable and viable practice in the post-COVID-19 era. Although many states are now finding themselves on the down-sloping side of their infection rate curve, many others remain at the apex. Additionally, the risk of future waves of this pandemic, or the onset of another pandemic, should not be overlooked. Practice modification guidelines that mitigate infection risk by utilizing telemedicine would be useful in these instances. Telemedicine can help to reduce infection spread by limiting unnecessary in-person interactions and help conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) by facilitating remote care with the added benefits of expanding care to broad geographic areas, limiting cost, time, and travel burden on patients and families, and enabling consistent follow up.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Otolaryngology; Pandemics; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; SARS-CoV-2; Telemedicine
PubMed: 33545447
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.102928 -
Cureus Nov 2023Fat grafting has been described as a potential treatment for post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) following oncological breast surgery. The study's aim was to compare... (Review)
Review
Fat grafting has been described as a potential treatment for post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) following oncological breast surgery. The study's aim was to compare and contrast the current literature using a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the evidence. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Databases, including MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), were searched. Data synthesis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK), with 95% confidence intervals. All randomised controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies comparing lipofilling for PMPS were included. A total of six studies met the inclusion criteria with five articles being used in data analysis for the mean percentage reduction in visual analogue scale (VAS) score. The primary outcome measure was the mean percentage reduction in the VAS pain score. Secondary outcomes included the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) and the quality of life assessments post treatment. Overall, a total of 266 patients received fat transfer for PMPS, and 164 were in the control group. The mean percentage reduction in VAS score was 19.8 (10.82, 28.82; p < 0.0001). Secondary outcomes, including health-related quality of life, showed good outcomes post fat transfer. This involved breast softness, cosmesis, and psychosocial well-being. The results from this meta-analysis suggest that autologous fat grafting is an efficacious treatment for reducing pain caused by PMPS. The authors suggest more high-quality trials are needed to enhance the current evidence base.
PubMed: 38024082
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49017 -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.... Mar 2021Worldwide, the numbers of cosmetic procedures continue to climb. However, cosmetic surgery (CS) continues to be plagued by negative stigmatization. This study reviews...
UNLABELLED
Worldwide, the numbers of cosmetic procedures continue to climb. However, cosmetic surgery (CS) continues to be plagued by negative stigmatization. This study reviews the literature to identify how attitudes toward CS vary by sex, age, race, culture, and nationality, and aims to determine how other factors like media exposure interact with demographics to influence how well CS is accepted.
METHODS
A PRISMA-guided systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify all English-language papers reporting on CS or plastic surgery acceptance, attitudes, or stigmatization, specifically examining for data on age, sex, race/ethnicity, culture, and media influence.
RESULTS
In total, 1515 abstracts were reviewed, of which 94 were deemed pertinent enough to warrant a full-text review. Among the potential demographic predictors of CS acceptance, the one with the most supportive data is sex, with women comprising roughly 90% of all CS patients in virtually all populations studied and consistently exhibiting greater CS knowledge and acceptance. Culturally, the pursuit of beauty through CS is a universal phenomenon, although different countries, races, and cultures differ in how willingly CS is embraced, and in the aesthetic goals of those choosing to have it. In countries with culturally diverse societies like the United States, non-Hispanic Whites continue to predominate among CS patients, but the number of CS patients of other races is rising disproportionately. In this trend, social media is playing a major role.
CONCLUSION
Healthcare practitioners performing cosmetic procedures need to consider demographic and cultural differences of the patients in order to enhance their understanding of their patients' aesthetic goals and expectations.
PubMed: 33777604
DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003501 -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.... May 2020Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an underrecognized but highly fatal cause of septic shock in postoperative patients. Although it may present with no overt source of...
UNLABELLED
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an underrecognized but highly fatal cause of septic shock in postoperative patients. Although it may present with no overt source of infection, its course is devastating and rapidly progressive. Surgeon awareness is needed to recognize and treat this condition appropriately. In this paper, we aim to describe a case of postoperative TSS, present a systematic review of the literature, and provide an overview of the disease for the surgeon.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature between 1978 and 2018 was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the keywords "toxic shock syndrome" and "surgery." Variables of interest were collected in each report.
RESULTS
A total of 298 reports were screened, and 67 reports describing 96 individual patients met inclusion criteria. Six reports described a streptococcal cause, although the vast majority attributed TSS to (SA). The mortality in our review was 9.4%, although 24% of patients suffered some manner of permanent complication. TSS presented at a median of 4 days postoperatively, with most cases occurring within 10 days.
CONCLUSIONS
Surgeons must maintain a high index of suspicion for postoperative TSS. Our review demonstrates that TSS should not be excluded despite young patient age, patient health, or relative simplicity of a procedure. Symptoms such as fever, rash, pain out of proportion to examination, and diarrhea or emesis should raise concern for TSS and prompt exploration and cultures even of benign-appearing postoperative wounds.
PubMed: 33133879
DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002499 -
Oral Oncology Dec 2023Low skeletal muscle mass is emerging as an adverse predictive and prognostic factor in cancer patients. The use of this parameter as a risk factor for complications... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Impact of low skeletal muscle mass on postoperative complications in head and neck cancer patients undergoing free flap reconstructive surgery - A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Low skeletal muscle mass is emerging as an adverse predictive and prognostic factor in cancer patients. The use of this parameter as a risk factor for complications after surgery is not currently used in clinical practice. This meta-analysis aims to assess the association of low skeletal muscle mass defined by radiological criteria and complications after reconstructive microsurgery in head and neck cancer patients. A systematic review for articles was performed using the PubMed, EMBASE database and by manual search. Articles that assessed low skeletal muscle mass and its impact on postoperative complications in head and neck cancer patients undergoing free flap surgery were selected. Pooled estimates of postoperative outcome data were calculated by extracting the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The search strategy returned with 6 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. A total of 1082 patients were analyzed. The prevalence of low skeletal muscle mass between studies ranged from 24.6% to 61.5%. The meta-analysis showed an OR for complications after surgery of 2.42 (95% CI 1.53-3.32, p = 0.00). The study therefore concludes that skeletal muscle mass is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications in head and neck cancer reconstructive surgery patients. This argues for implementing screening for low skeletal muscle in preoperative management to optimize surgical decision making.
Topics: Humans; Free Tissue Flaps; Surgery, Plastic; Postoperative Complications; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Muscle, Skeletal; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37863016
DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2023.106598 -
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive &... Nov 2020Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) are fast-developing technologies that allow the three-dimensional visualization of digital information.
BACKGROUND
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) are fast-developing technologies that allow the three-dimensional visualization of digital information.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aimed to compare the application of VR and AR to conventional methods in preoperative planning of plastic surgical procedures.
METHOD
A systematic literature search was conducted in Embase, Medline (Ovid), Web-of-Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases on October 11, 2019. All literature comparing AR and/or VR with conventional methods for preoperative planning was collected. Only articles that studied at least one of the following outcomes were included: technical accuracy of the procedure, operative time, complications, and costs of total intervention.
RESULTS
No articles on VR were found. Six articles were found on interventions performed with AR assistance. AR showed to be significantly better for the accuracy of osteotomies in mandibular angle osteotomies and intraoral mandible distraction compared to conventional methods. For synostotic plagiocephaly and orbital hypertelorism correction, the use of AR demonstrated a precise osteotomy. Intraoperative perforator identification in DIEP flap procedures was more accurate with AR compared to Doppler ultrasound. Harvesting time (p < 0.012) and operative time (p < 0.01) in DIEP-flap procedures and mandibular angle osteotomies, respectively, were significantly reduced if AR was used. No articles were found regarding the costs of using AR for preoperative planning.
CONCLUSION
AR technology has the potential to assist the plastic surgeon in operating more accurately, safely, and fast. Studies on VR technology for preoperative planning in plastic surgery are lacking. More comparative studies are necessary, including data on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Topics: Augmented Reality; Humans; Preoperative Care; Quality Improvement; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Surgery, Plastic; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 32622713
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2020.05.081 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Mar 2022For biomechanical investigations on bone or bone implants, bone quality represents an important potential bias. Several techniques for assessing bone quality have been... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
For biomechanical investigations on bone or bone implants, bone quality represents an important potential bias. Several techniques for assessing bone quality have been described in the literature. This study aims to systematically summarize the methods currently available for assessing bone quality in human bone tissue, and to discuss the advantages and limitations of these techniques.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was carried out by searching the PubMed and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to April 2021. References will be screened and evaluated for eligibility by two independent reviewers as per PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies must apply to bone quality assessment with imaging techniques, mechanical testing modalities, and compositional characterization. The terms used for the systematic search were: "(bone quality". Ti,ab.) AND "(human bone specimens)".
RESULTS
The systematic review identified 502 relevant articles in total. Sixty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria. Among them, forty-seven articles investigated several imaging modalities, including radiography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), CT-based techniques, and MRI-based methods. Nineteen articles dealt with mechanical testing approaches, including traditional testing modalities and novel indentation techniques. Nine articles reported the correlation between bone quality and compositional characterization, such as degree of bone mineralization (DBM) and organic composition. A total of 2898 human cadaveric bone specimens were included.
CONCLUSIONS
Advanced techniques are playing an increasingly important role due to their multiple advantages, focusing on the assessment of bone morphology and microarchitecture. Non-invasive imaging modalities and mechanical testing techniques, as well as the assessment of bone composition, need to complement each other to provide comprehensive and ideal information on the bone quality of human bone specimens.
Topics: Absorptiometry, Photon; Bone and Bones; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Research Design; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 35313901
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-022-03041-4 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Jun 2021Keratinocyte or nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the commonest malignancy worldwide. The usual treatment is surgical excision. Current guidelines underestimate... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Keratinocyte or nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the commonest malignancy worldwide. The usual treatment is surgical excision. Current guidelines underestimate incomplete excision rates.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to determine the risk of incomplete excision of NMSCs through a systematic review and meta-analysis of primary clinical studies.
METHODS
A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using methodology proposed by Cochrane (PROSPERO CRD42019157936). A comprehensive search strategy was applied to MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, EMCare, Cochrane Library and the grey literature (January 2000-27 November 2019). All studies were included except those on Mohs micrographic surgery, frozen section or biopsies. Abstract screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Risk of bias was assessed using a tool for prevalence/incidence studies. The primary outcome was the proportion of incomplete surgical excisions. A random-effects model for pooling of binomial data was used. Differences between proportions were assessed by subgroup meta-analysis and meta-regression, which were presented as risk ratios (RRs).
RESULTS
Searching identified 3477 records, with 110 studies included, comprising 53 796 patients with 106 832 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and 21 569 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The proportion of incomplete excisions for BCC was 11·0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9·7-12·4] and for SCC 9·4% (95% CI 7·6-11·4). Proportions of incomplete excisions by specialty were: dermatology, BCCs 6·2% and SCCs 4·7%; plastic surgery, BCCs 9·4% and SCCs 8·2%; general practitioners, BCCs 20·4% and SCCs 18·9%. The risk of incomplete excision for general practitioners was four times that of dermatologists for both BCCs (RR 3·9, 95% CI 2·0-7·3) and SCCs (RR 4·8, 95% CI 1·0-22·8). Studies were heterogeneous (I = 98%) and at high risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of incomplete excisions is higher than previously reported. Excisions performed by specialists may lower the risk of incomplete excision.
Topics: Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Humans; Keratinocytes; Mohs Surgery; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 33131067
DOI: 10.1111/bjd.19660 -
BMC Gastroenterology Jul 2023This study was performed to compare a metal stent (MS) and plastic stent (PS) in terms of efficacy and complications during neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Comparison of metal versus plastic stent for preoperative biliary drainage in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
BACKGROUND
This study was performed to compare a metal stent (MS) and plastic stent (PS) in terms of efficacy and complications during neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and the perioperative period.
METHODS
We performed an electronic search of the following databases until 1 June 2022: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Studies comparing an MS versus PS for PBD in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing NAT were included.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis showed that use of an MS was associated with lower rates of reintervention (p < 0.00001), delay of NAT (p = 0.007), recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) (p = 0.003), and cholangitis (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of stent migration (p = 0.31), postoperative complications (p = 0.20), leakage (p = 0.90), and R0 resection (p = 0.50).
CONCLUSIONS
Use of an MS for PBD in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing NAT followed by surgery was associated with lower rates of reintervention, delay of NAT, RBO, and cholangitis compared with use of a PS. However, the postoperative outcomes were comparable between the MS and PS. Further studies on this topic are recommended.
Topics: Humans; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Drainage; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Metals; Stents; Cholangitis; Cholestasis; Plastics
PubMed: 37438761
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02874-5