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Acta Informatica Medica : AIM : Journal... Oct 2018Telemedicine describes a healthcare service where physicians communicate with patients remotely using telecommunication technologies. Telemedicine is being used to... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Telemedicine describes a healthcare service where physicians communicate with patients remotely using telecommunication technologies. Telemedicine is being used to provide pre-/postoperative surgical consultation and monitoring as well as surgical education.
AIM
Our purpose was to investigate the broad range of telemedicine technologies used in surgical care.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Science Direct were searched for available literature from inception to March 30, 2018 with no language restrictions. The search terms included: cell phones, telemedicine, telecommunications, video, online, videoconferencing, remote consultation, surgery, preoperative, perioperative, postoperative, and surgical procedures. Studies were included if they used telemedicine in surgery for pre-, peri-, or post-surgery periods, and if they compared traditional surgical care with surgical telemedicine. We excluded case series, case reports, and conference abstracts from our review.
RESULTS
A total of 24 studies were included in our review. The study found that the use of telemedicine in preoperative assessment and diagnosis, evaluation after surgery and follow-up visits to be beneficial. Patients reported benefits to using telemedicine such as avoiding unnecessary trips to hospitals, saving time and reducing the number of working days missed.
CONCLUSION
Telemedicine in surgical care can provide benefits to both patients and.
PubMed: 30515013
DOI: 10.5455/aim.2018.26.201-206 -
Impact of preoperative uni- or multimodal prehabilitation on postoperative morbidity: meta-analysis.BJS Open Nov 2023Postoperative complications occur in up to 43% of patients after surgery, resulting in increased morbidity and economic burden. Prehabilitation has the potential to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Postoperative complications occur in up to 43% of patients after surgery, resulting in increased morbidity and economic burden. Prehabilitation has the potential to increase patients' preoperative health status and thereby improve postoperative outcomes. However, reported results of prehabilitation are contradictory. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes (postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, pain at postoperative day 1) in patients undergoing elective surgery.
METHODS
The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs published between January 2006 and June 2023 comparing prehabilitation programmes lasting ≥14 days to 'standard of care' (SOC) and reporting postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Database searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO. The primary outcome examined was the effect of uni- or multimodal prehabilitation on 30-day complications. Secondary outcomes were length of ICU and hospital stay (LOS) and reported pain scores.
RESULTS
Twenty-five studies (including 2090 patients randomized in a 1:1 ratio) met the inclusion criteria. Average methodological study quality was moderate. There was no difference between prehabilitation and SOC groups in regard to occurrence of postoperative complications (OR = 1.02, 95% c.i. 0.93 to 1.13; P = 0.10; I2 = 34%), total hospital LOS (-0.13 days; 95% c.i. -0.56 to 0.28; P = 0.53; I2 = 21%) or reported postoperative pain. The ICU LOS was significantly shorter in the prehabilitation group (-0.57 days; 95% c.i. -1.10 to -0.04; P = 0.03; I2 = 46%). Separate comparison of uni- and multimodal prehabilitation showed no difference for either intervention.
CONCLUSION
Prehabilitation reduces ICU LOS compared with SOC in elective surgery patients but has no effect on overall complication rates or total LOS, regardless of modality. Prehabilitation programs need standardization and specific targeting of those patients most likely to benefit.
Topics: Humans; Preoperative Exercise; Databases, Factual; Morbidity; Pain, Postoperative; Postoperative Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38108466
DOI: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrad129 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Oct 2023The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is almost inevitable in cardiac surgery. However, it can cause complications, including hemolysis. Until now, there have not been... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is almost inevitable in cardiac surgery. However, it can cause complications, including hemolysis. Until now, there have not been any standards for reducing hemolysis from CPB. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to determine the factors that increase or reduce hemolysis in the use of CPB.
METHODS
Keywords Earches (cardiac surgery AND cardiopulmonary bypass AND hemolysis) were done on PubMed databases and Cochrane CENTRAL from 1990-2021 for published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that studied interventions on CPB, in cardiac surgery patients, and measured hemolysis as one of the outcomes. Studies involving patients with preoperative hematological disorders, prosthetic valves, preoperative use of intra-aortic balloon pumps and extracorporeal circulation, emergency and minimally invasive surgery are excluded RESULTS: The search yielded 64 studies that met the inclusion criteria, which involved a total of 3,434 patients. The most common surgery was coronary revascularization (75%). Out of 64 studies, 33 divided into 7 analyses. Remaining 31 studies were synthesized qualitatively. Significant decreases were found in centrifugal vs roller pumps for PFHb (p = 0.0006) and Hp (p < 0.0001) outcomes, separated vs combined suctioned blood (p = 0.003), CPB alternatives vs conventional CPB (p < 0.0001), and mini extracorporeal circulation (MiniECC) vs conventional CPB for LDH (p = 0.0008). Significant increases were found in pulsatility (p = 0.03) and vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) vs gravity-assisted venous drainage (GAVD) (p = 0.002).
CONCLUSION
The review shows that hemolysis could be caused by several factors and efforts have been made to reduce it, combining significant efforts could be beneficial. However, this review has limitations, such as heterogeneity due to no standards available for conducting CPB. Therefore, further research with standardized guidelines for CPB is needed to yield more comparable studies. Meta-analyses with more specific parameters should be done to minimize heterogeneity.
Topics: Humans; Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Hemolysis; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Extracorporeal Circulation; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 37833747
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-023-02406-y -
Nutrients Jun 2017Crohn's disease is an incurable and frequently progressive entity with major impact on affected patients. Up to half of patients require surgery in the first 10 years... (Review)
Review
Crohn's disease is an incurable and frequently progressive entity with major impact on affected patients. Up to half of patients require surgery in the first 10 years after diagnosis and over 75% of operated patients require at least one further surgery within lifetime. In order to minimize surgical risk, modifiable risk factors such as nutritional status need to be optimized. This systematic review on preoperative nutritional support in adult Crohn's patients between 1997 and 2017 aimed to provide an overview on target populations, screening modalities, routes of administration, and expected benefits. Pertinent study characteristics (prospective vs. retrospective, sample size, control group, limitations) were defined a priori. Twenty-nine studies were retained, of which 14 original studies (9 retrospective, 4 prospective, and 1 randomized controlled trial) and 15 reviews. Study heterogeneity was high regarding nutritional regimens and outcome, and meta-analysis could not be performed. Most studies were conducted without matched control group and thus provide modest level of evidence. Consistently, malnutrition was found to be a major risk factor for postoperative complications, and both enteral and parenteral routes were efficient in decreasing postoperative morbidity. Current guidelines for nutrition in general surgery apply also to Crohn's patients. The route of administration should be chosen according to disease presentation and patients' condition. Further studies are needed to strengthen the evidence.
Topics: Crohn Disease; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Morbidity; Nutrition Assessment; Nutrition Policy; Nutritional Support; Perioperative Care; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Care; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28587182
DOI: 10.3390/nu9060562 -
The American Journal of Managed Care Nov 2015The aim of this review was to examine published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies that evaluate the association between preoperative... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review was to examine published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies that evaluate the association between preoperative smoking cessation programs and long-term smoking cessation at a minimum of 6 months, postoperatively.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed utilizing MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PSYCHinfo, and COCHRANE databases. All eligible studies of smoking-cessation interventions initiated preoperatively, with cessation measured at a minimum of 6 months postoperatively, were identified. The effect of cessation interventions at 12 months postoperatively in RCTs was evaluated through meta-analyses using Mantel-Haenszel risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs. A fixed effects model was conducted initially; however, due to heterogeneity in study characteristics and patient cohorts, a more conservative random effects model was also performed.
RESULTS
Four RCTs and 4 quasi-experimental studies were included. Two RCTs demonstrated an association between interventions and cessation at 12 months, and the quasi-experimental studies showed cessation rates of 48% to 56% at 12 months, postoperatively. In a fixed effects model, interventions were associated with a greater likelihood of cessation at 12 months (RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.05-2.15; P = .02), although this effect was not statistically significant after applying a random effects model (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.88-2.96; P = .12).
CONCLUSIONS
The literature suggests that preoperative smoking cessation programs will likely precipitate long-term (≥12 months) cessation. Additional studies should identify approaches that optimize preoperative cessation programs in the promotion of short-term, and long-term cessation.
Topics: Humans; Postoperative Period; Preoperative Period; Program Evaluation; Smoking Cessation
PubMed: 26735296
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of the American Medical... Apr 2022To summarize the evidence for preoperative deprescribing and its effect on postoperative outcomes in older adults undergoing surgery. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the evidence for preoperative deprescribing and its effect on postoperative outcomes in older adults undergoing surgery.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
All available studies.
METHODS
We searched EMBASE, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), and PubMed from inception to January 12, 2021. Settings included outpatient settings during the waiting period for surgery (ie, preoperative clinic) through to the preoperative period in the hospital. Participants who were older adults, aged ≥65 years, undergoing planned or emergency surgery with deprescribing or medication-related interventions were included for review.
RESULTS
We identified 3 different methods of deprescribing intervention delivery during the preoperative period: geriatrician-led (n = 2), interdisciplinary team-led (n = 8), and pharmacist-led (n = 6). Outcomes were related to health care utilization, patient outcomes, and medication changes; however, results were difficult to compare because of heterogeneous outcomes within the topics. Overall, results were either positive or neutral.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
The evidence for deprescribing during the preoperative period for older adults undergoing surgery is weak because of the heterogeneity of intervention delivery and outcomes, inclusion of nonoperative cases in some studies, and low power. This review highlights the need for future research, which may consider the following: (1) interdisciplinary approach, (2) coordination of deprescribing efforts with primary care provider from the waiting period for surgery up to after hospital discharge, and (3) validated deprescribing criteria such as STOPP/START that is easy to implement. It is important to note that results yielded positive and neutral results, not negative ones, which should reassure clinicians to implement deprescribing for older adults during the surgical period. Additionally, policy initiatives such as integrated electronic medical records or increased reimbursement of deprescribing efforts for primary care providers and/or hospitals should be pursued to prevent adverse postoperative events for this population.
Topics: Aged; Deprescriptions; Frailty; Humans; Pharmacists; Polypharmacy; Potentially Inappropriate Medication List
PubMed: 34861224
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.11.005 -
Surgical Endoscopy May 2017Recent evidence indicates that a preoperative warm-up is a potentially useful tool in facilitating performance. But what factors drive such improvements and how should a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Recent evidence indicates that a preoperative warm-up is a potentially useful tool in facilitating performance. But what factors drive such improvements and how should a warm-up be implemented?
METHODS
In order to address these issues, we adopted a two-pronged approach: (1) we conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify existing studies utilising preoperative simulation techniques; (2) we performed task analysis to identify the constituent parts of effective warm-ups. We identified five randomised control trials, four randomised cross-over trials and four case series. The majority of these studies reviewed surgical performance following preoperative simulation relative to performance without simulation.
RESULTS
Four studies reported outcome measures in real patients and the remainder reported simulated outcome measures. All but one of the studies found that preoperative simulation improves operative outcomes-but this improvement was not found across all measured parameters. While the reviewed studies had a number of methodological issues, the global data indicate that preoperative simulation has substantial potential to improve surgical performance. Analysis of the task characteristics of successful interventions indicated that the majority of these studies employed warm-ups that focused on the visual motor elements of surgery. However, there was no theoretical or empirical basis to inform the design of the intervention in any of these studies.
CONCLUSIONS
There is an urgent need for a more rigorous approach to the development of "warm-up" routines if the potential value of preoperative simulation is to be understood and realised. We propose that such interventions need to be grounded in theory and empirical evidence on human motor performance.
Topics: Clinical Competence; Endoscopy; Humans; Medical Errors; Preoperative Care; Quality Assurance, Health Care
PubMed: 27633438
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-016-5218-x -
International Journal of Cardiology Apr 2015In cardiac surgery, postoperative low cardiac output has been shown to correlate with increased rates of organ failure and mortality. Catecholamines have been the... (Review)
Review
In cardiac surgery, postoperative low cardiac output has been shown to correlate with increased rates of organ failure and mortality. Catecholamines have been the standard therapy for many years, although they carry substantial risk for adverse cardiac and systemic effects, and have been reported to be associated with increased mortality. On the other hand, the calcium sensitiser and potassium channel opener levosimendan has been shown to improve cardiac function with no imbalance in oxygen consumption, and to have protective effects in other organs. Numerous clinical trials have indicated favourable cardiac and non-cardiac effects of preoperative and perioperative administration of levosimendan. A panel of 27 experts from 18 countries has now reviewed the literature on the use of levosimendan in on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and in heart valve surgery. This panel discussed the published evidence in these various settings, and agreed to vote on a set of questions related to the cardioprotective effects of levosimendan when administered preoperatively, with the purpose of reaching a consensus on which patients could benefit from the preoperative use of levosimendan and in which kind of procedures, and at which doses and timing should levosimendan be administered. Here, we present a systematic review of the literature to report on the completed and ongoing studies on levosimendan, including the newly commenced LEVO-CTS phase III study (NCT02025621), and on the consensus reached on the recommendations proposed for the use of preoperative levosimendan.
Topics: Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Cardiotonic Agents; Cardiovascular Diseases; Clinical Trials as Topic; Europe; Humans; Hydrazones; Perioperative Care; Preoperative Care; Pyridazines; Simendan
PubMed: 25734940
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.02.022 -
World Journal of Surgery Aug 2022Access to timely and quality surgical care is limited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Telemedicine, defined as the remote provision of health care using... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Access to timely and quality surgical care is limited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Telemedicine, defined as the remote provision of health care using information, communication and telecommunication platforms have the potential to address some of the barriers to surgical care. However, synthesis of evidence on telemedicine use in surgical care in LMICs is lacking.
AIM
To describe the current state of evidence on the use and distribution of telemedicine for surgical care in LMICs.
METHODS
This was a scoping review of published and relevant grey literature on telemedicine use for surgical care in LMICs, following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews guideline. PubMed-Medline, Web of Science, Scopus and African Journals Online databases were searched using a comprehensive search strategy from 1 January 2010 to 28 February 2021.
RESULTS
A total of 178 articles from 53 (38.7%) LMICs across 11 surgical specialties were included. The number of published articles increased from 2 in 2010 to 44 in 2020. The highest number of studies was from the World Health Organization Western Pacific region (n = 73; 41.0%) and of these, most were from China (n = 69; 94.5%). The most common telemedicine platforms used were telephone call (n = 71, 39.9%), video chat (n = 42, 23.6%) and WhatsApp/WeChat (n = 31, 17.4%). Telemedicine was mostly used for post-operative follow-up (n = 71, 39.9%), patient education (n = 32, 18.0%), provider training (n = 28, 15.7%) and provider-provider consultation (n = 16, 9.0%). Less than a third (n = 51, 29.1%) of the studies used a randomised controlled trial design, and only 23 (12.9%) reported effects on clinical outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Telemedicine use for surgical care is emerging in LMICs, especially for post-operative visits. Basic platforms such as telephone calls and 2-way texting were successfully used for post-operative follow-up and education. In addition, file sharing and video chatting options were added when a physical assessment was required. Telephone calls and 2-way texting platforms should be leveraged to reduce loss to follow-up of surgical patients in LMICs and their use for pre-operative visits should be further explored. Despite these telemedicine potentials, there remains an uneven adoption across several LMICs. Also, up to two-thirds of the studies were of low-to-moderate quality with only a few focusing on clinical effectiveness. There is a need to further adopt, develop, and validate telemedicine use for surgical care in LMICs, particularly its impact on clinical outcomes.
Topics: Communication; Developing Countries; Humans; Income; Poverty; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Telemedicine
PubMed: 35428920
DOI: 10.1007/s00268-022-06549-2 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Apr 2013Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) formation for dialysis access is a common procedure. Fistula maturation is unpredictable. Preoperative duplex mapping may increase procedural... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) formation for dialysis access is a common procedure. Fistula maturation is unpredictable. Preoperative duplex mapping may increase procedural success. We undertook a systematic review to assess the effect of preoperative duplex mapping on subsequent AVF patency.
METHODS
The published literature was searched on PubMed and the Cochrane Library using the following keywords: 'arteriovenous fistula,' 'venous mapping,' 'ultrasound,' 'hemodialysis,' 'vascular access,' and 'perioperative vessel mapping.' Conference proceedings were hand searched for otherwise unpublished trials. Only randomized controlled trials in which preoperative duplex mapping was compared with clinical evaluation were eligible.
RESULTS
Three trials (402 patients) were identified. More patients who underwent ultrasound successfully started using their fistula for dialysis access, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (174/214 vs 130/188; pooled odds ratio, 1.96; P = .11).
CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative duplex mapping may improve fistula maturation rates. However, the results do not reach statistical significance and there are no cost-effectiveness data. Further work is required.
Topics: Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Humans; Odds Ratio; Predictive Value of Tests; Preoperative Care; Renal Dialysis; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Vascular Patency
PubMed: 23535043
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2012.11.094