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The Bone & Joint Journal Jul 2016Our aim was to perform a systematic review of the literature to assess the incidence of post-operative epidural haematomas and wound infections after one-, or two-level,... (Review)
Review
AIMS
Our aim was to perform a systematic review of the literature to assess the incidence of post-operative epidural haematomas and wound infections after one-, or two-level, non-complex, lumbar surgery for degenerative disease in patients with, or without post-operative wound drainage.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Studies were identified from PubMed and EMBASE, up to and including 27 August 2015, for papers describing one- or two-level lumbar discectomy and/or laminectomy for degenerative disease in adults which reported any form of subcutaneous or subfascial drainage.
RESULTS
Eight papers describing 1333 patients were included. Clinically relevant post-operative epidural haematomas occurred in two (0.15%), and wound infections in ten (0.75%) patients. Epidural haematomas occurred in two (0.47%) patients who had wound drainage (n = 423) and in none of those without wound drainage (n = 910). Wound infections occurred in two (0.47%) patients with wound drainage and in eight (0.88%) patients without wound drainage.
CONCLUSION
These data suggest that the routine use of a wound drain in non-complex lumbar surgery does not prevent post-operative epidural haematomas and that the absence of a drain does not lead to a significant change in the incidence of wound infection. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:984-9.
Topics: Diskectomy; Drainage; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal; Humans; Laminectomy; Lumbar Vertebrae; Postoperative Care; Postoperative Complications; Surgical Wound Infection
PubMed: 27365478
DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.98B7.37190 -
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related... Jun 2010Concerns have been raised regarding minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and its possible effect on postoperative functional recovery, complications, and survival rate after... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Concerns have been raised regarding minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and its possible effect on postoperative functional recovery, complications, and survival rate after TKA.
QUESTIONS/PURPOSES
We specifically asked whether MIS TKA would be associated with (1) increased operative time, (2) reduced blood loss, (3) shortened hospital stay, (4) faster recovery of ROM, (5) higher knee scores, (6) inferior component positioning, and (7) increased complications.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials between minimally invasive and standard approaches in TKA that compared operative time, blood loss, ROM, knee scores, component positioning, and complications. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 trials published from 2007 to 2009 of MIS versus standard TKA.
RESULTS
Patients in the MIS group had longer operating times (10-19 minutes). Mean Knee Society scores were better after MIS than after the standard procedure at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, but not after 6 months. Improvement in ROM occurred more rapidly in the MIS group 6 days after TKA but later improvements are not clearly documented. We identified no differences between minimally invasive and standard approaches regarding the short-term overall complications and alignment of femoral and tibial components. However, wound healing problems and infections occurred more frequently in the MIS group.
CONCLUSIONS
MIS leads to faster recovery than conventional surgery with similar rates of component malalignment but is associated with more frequent delayed wound healing and infections. Potential benefits in long-term survival rate and functional improvement require additional investigation. Level of Evidence Level II, therapeutic study (systematic review). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Topics: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Blood Loss, Surgical; Humans; Knee Joint; Longevity; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Range of Motion, Articular; Recovery of Function; Risk Assessment; Surgical Wound Infection; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 20229136
DOI: 10.1007/s11999-010-1285-9 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2012Regional anaesthesia may reduce the rate of persistent (chronic) pain after surgery, a frequent and debilitating condition. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Regional anaesthesia may reduce the rate of persistent (chronic) pain after surgery, a frequent and debilitating condition.
OBJECTIVES
To compare local anaesthetics and regional anaesthesia versus conventional analgesia for the prevention of persistent pain six or 12 months after surgery.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 4), PubMed (1966 to April 2012), EMBASE (1966 to May 2012) and CINAHL (1966 to May 2012) without any language restriction. We used a combination of free text search and controlled vocabulary search. The results were limited to randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). We conducted a handsearch in reference lists of included trials, review articles and conference abstracts.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included RCTs comparing local anaesthetics or regional anaesthesia versus conventional analgesia with a pain outcome at six or 12 months after surgery.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data, including information on adverse events. We contacted study authors for additional information. Results are presented as pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), based on random-effects models (inverse variance method). We grouped studies according to surgical interventions. We employed the Chi(2) test and calculated the I(2) statistic to investigate study heterogeneity.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 23 RCTs studying local anaesthetics or regional anaesthesia for the prevention of persistent (chronic) pain after surgery. Data from a total of 1090 patients with outcomes at six months and of 441 patients with outcomes at 12 months were presented. No study included children. We pooled data from 250 participants after thoracotomy, with outcomes at six months. Data favoured regional anaesthesia for the prevention of chronic pain at six months after thoracotomy with an OR of 0.33 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.56). We pooled two studies on paravertebral block for breast cancer surgery; the pooled data of 89 participants with outcomes at five to six months favoured paravertebral block with an OR of 0.37 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.94).The methodological quality of the included studies was intermediate. Adverse effects were not studied systematically and were reported sparsely. Clinical heterogeneity, attrition and sparse outcome data hampered the assessment of effects, especially at 12 months.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Epidural anaesthesia may reduce the risk of developing chronic pain after thoracotomy in about one patient out of every four patients treated. Paravertebral block may reduce the risk of chronic pain after breast cancer surgery in about one out of every five women treated. Our conclusions are significantly weakened by performance bias, shortcomings in allocation concealment, considerable attrition and incomplete outcome data. We caution that our evidence synthesis is based on only a few, small studies. More studies with high methodological quality, addressing various types of surgery and different age groups, including children, are needed.
Topics: Amputation, Surgical; Analgesia; Anesthesia, Conduction; Anesthetics, Local; Breast Neoplasms; Cesarean Section; Chronic Pain; Female; Humans; Laparotomy; Male; Nerve Block; Pain, Postoperative; Pregnancy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Thoracotomy
PubMed: 23076930
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007105.pub2 -
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons... Jul 2016Introduction Prophylactic appendicectomy is performed prior to military, polar and space expeditions to prevent acute appendicitis in the field. However, the... (Review)
Review
Introduction Prophylactic appendicectomy is performed prior to military, polar and space expeditions to prevent acute appendicitis in the field. However, the risk-benefit ratio of prophylactic surgery is controversial. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence for prophylactic appendicectomy. It is supplemented by a clinical example of prophylactic surgery resulting in life-threatening complications. Methods A systematic review was performed using MEDLINE(®) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Keyword variants of 'prophylaxis' and 'appendicectomy' were combined to identify potential papers for inclusion. Papers related to prophylactic appendicectomy risks and benefits were reviewed. Results Overall, 511 papers were identified, with 37 papers satisfying the inclusion criteria. Nine reported outcomes after incidental appendicectomy during concurrent surgical procedures. No papers focused explicitly on prophylactic appendicectomy in asymptomatic patients. The clinical example outlined acute obstruction secondary to adhesions from a prophylactic appendicectomy. Complications after elective appendicectomy versus the natural history of acute appendicitis in scenarios such as polar expeditions or covert operations suggest prophylactic appendicectomy may be appropriate prior to extreme situations. Nevertheless, the long-term risk of adhesion related complications render prophylactic appendicectomy feasible only when the short-term risk of acute appendicitis outweighs the long-term risks of surgery. Conclusions Prophylactic appendicectomy is rarely performed and not without risk. This is the first documented evidence of long-term complications following prophylactic appendicectomy. Surgery should be considered on an individual basis by balancing the risks of acute appendicitis in the field with the potential consequences of an otherwise unnecessary surgical procedure in a healthy patient.
Topics: Aerospace Medicine; Appendectomy; Appendicitis; Expeditions; Humans; Military Medicine; Prophylactic Surgical Procedures; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 27023639
DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2016.0089 -
The British Journal of Surgery Aug 2023Anastomotic leak is one of the most feared complications of colorectal surgery, and probably linked to poor blood supply to the anastomotic site. Several technologies... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Anastomotic leak is one of the most feared complications of colorectal surgery, and probably linked to poor blood supply to the anastomotic site. Several technologies have been described for intraoperative assessment of bowel perfusion. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the most frequently used bowel perfusion assessment modalities in elective colorectal procedures, and to assess their associated risk of anastomotic leak. Technologies included indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, laser speckle contrast imaging, and hyperspectral imaging.
METHODS
The review was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42021297299). A comprehensive literature search was performed using Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. The final search was undertaken on 29 July 2022. Data were extracted by two reviewers and the MINORS criteria were applied to assess the risk of bias.
RESULTS
Some 66 eligible studies involving 11 560 participants were included. Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography was most used with 10 789 participants, followed by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy with 321, hyperspectral imaging with 265, and laser speckle contrast imaging with 185. In the meta-analysis, the total pooled effect of an intervention on anastomotic leak was 0.05 (95 per cent c.i. 0.04 to 0.07) in comparison with 0.10 (0.08 to 0.12) without. Use of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, hyperspectral imaging, or laser speckle contrast imaging was associated with a significant reduction in anastomotic leak.
CONCLUSION
Bowel perfusion assessment reduced the incidence of anastomotic leak, with intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, hyperspectral imaging, and laser speckle contrast imaging all demonstrating comparable results.
Topics: Humans; Anastomotic Leak; Indocyanine Green; Anastomosis, Surgical; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Perfusion
PubMed: 37253021
DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znad154 -
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 -
Anesthesiology Feb 2017Glucocorticoids are increasingly used perioperatively, principally to prevent nausea and vomiting. Safety concerns focus on the potential for hyperglycemia and increased... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Glucocorticoids are increasingly used perioperatively, principally to prevent nausea and vomiting. Safety concerns focus on the potential for hyperglycemia and increased infection. The authors hypothesized that glucocorticoids predispose to such adverse outcomes in a dose-dependent fashion after elective noncardiac surgery.
METHODS
The authors conducted a systematic literature search of the major medical databases from their inception to April 2016. Randomized glucocorticoid trials in adults specifically reporting on a safety outcome were included and meta-analyzed with Peto odds ratio method or the quality effects model. Subanalyses were performed according to a dexamethasone dose equivalent of low (less than 8 mg), medium (8 to 16 mg), and high (more than 16 mg). The primary endpoints of any wound infection and peak perioperative glucose concentrations were subject to meta-regression.
RESULTS
Fifty-six trials from 18 countries were identified, predominantly assessing dexamethasone. Glucocorticoids did not impact on any wound infection (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.6 to 1.2) but did result in a clinically unimportant increase in peak perioperative glucose concentration (weighted mean difference, 20.0 mg/dl; CI, 11.4 to 28.6; P < 0.001 or 1.1 mM; CI, 0.6 to 1.6). Glucocorticoids reduced peak postoperative C-reactive protein concentrations (weighted mean difference, -22.1 mg/l; CI, -31.7 to -12.5; P < 0.001), but other adverse outcomes and length of stay were unchanged. No dose-effect relationships were apparent.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence at present does not highlight any safety concerns with respect to the use of perioperative glucocorticoids and subsequent infection, hyperglycemia, or other adverse outcomes. Nevertheless, collated trials lacked sufficient surveillance and power to detect clinically important differences in complications such as wound infection.
Topics: Dexamethasone; Elective Surgical Procedures; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Nausea; Perioperative Care; Vomiting
PubMed: 27922839
DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000001466 -
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Dec 2011Laparoscopic hysterectomies increase recently due to several advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Controversy exists for laparoscopic hysterectomies for large uteri... (Review)
Review
Laparoscopic hysterectomies increase recently due to several advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Controversy exists for laparoscopic hysterectomies for large uteri weighing >500g because some reports show increased complications and morbidities and high laparoconversion rate in the past. With familiarity of laparoscopic procedures and progress in surgical techniques, the issue should be discussed and reviewed by evidence again. Hence, we conducted a systematic review of laparoscopic hysterectomies for large uteri.
Topics: Blood Loss, Surgical; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy, Vaginal; Laparoscopy; Organ Size; Postoperative Complications; Uterus
PubMed: 22212310
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2011.10.003 -
Medicine Sep 2016Systematically review and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) studies on prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (pNPWT) to... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
A systematic review and meta-analysis including GRADE qualification of the risk of surgical site infections after prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy compared with conventional dressings in clean and contaminated surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Systematically review and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) studies on prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (pNPWT) to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs).
INTRODUCTION
pNPWT has been suggested as a new method to prevent wound complications, specifically SSIs, by its application on closed incisional wounds.
METHODS
This review was conducted as part of the development of the Global Guidelines for prevention of SSIs commissioned by World Health Organization in Geneva. PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and the World Health Organization database between January 1, 1990 and October 7, 2015 were searched. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing pNPWT with conventional wound dressings and reporting on the incidence of SSI. Meta-analyses were performed with a random effect model. GRADE Pro software was used to qualify the evidence.
RESULTS
Nineteen articles describing 21 studies (6 randomized controlled trials and 15 observational) were included in the review. Summary estimate showed a significant benefit of pNPWT over conventional wound dressings in reducing SSIs in both randomized controlled trials and observational studies, odds ratio of 0.56 (95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.96; P = 0.04) and odds ratio of 0.30 (95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.42; P < 0.00001), respectively. This translates into lowering the SSI rate from 140 to 83 (49-135) per 1000 patients and from 106 to 34 (25-47) per 1000 patients, respectively. In stratified analyses, these results were consistent in both clean and clean-contaminated procedures and in different types of surgery, however results were no longer significant for orthopaedic/trauma surgery. The level of evidence as qualified with GRADE was however low.
CONCLUSIONS
Low-quality evidence indicates that prophylactic NPWT significantly reduces the risk of SSIs.
Topics: Humans; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; Risk Assessment; Surgical Wound Infection
PubMed: 27603360
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004673 -
Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia... 2014Allogeneic blood is an exhaustible therapeutic resource. New evidence indicates that blood consumption is excessive and that donations have decreased, resulting in... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Allogeneic blood is an exhaustible therapeutic resource. New evidence indicates that blood consumption is excessive and that donations have decreased, resulting in reduced blood supplies worldwide. Blood transfusions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as higher hospital costs. This makes it necessary to seek out new treatment options. Such options exist but are still virtually unknown and are rarely utilized.
OBJECTIVE
To gather and describe in a systematic, objective, and practical way all clinical and surgical strategies as effective therapeutic options to minimize or avoid allogeneic blood transfusions and their adverse effects in surgical cardiac patients.
METHODS
A bibliographic search was conducted using the MeSH term "Blood Transfusion" and the terms "Cardiac Surgery" and "Blood Management." Studies with titles not directly related to this research or that did not contain information related to it in their abstracts as well as older studies reporting on the same strategies were not included.
RESULTS
Treating anemia and thrombocytopenia, suspending anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, reducing routine phlebotomies, utilizing less traumatic surgical techniques with moderate hypothermia and hypotension, meticulous hemostasis, use of topical and systemic hemostatic agents, acute normovolemic hemodilution, cell salvage, anemia tolerance (supplementary oxygen and normothermia), as well as various other therapeutic options have proved to be effective strategies for reducing allogeneic blood transfusions.
CONCLUSION
There are a number of clinical and surgical strategies that can be used to optimize erythrocyte mass and coagulation status, minimize blood loss, and improve anemia tolerance. In order to decrease the consumption of blood components, diminish morbidity and mortality, and reduce hospital costs, these treatment strategies should be incorporated into medical practice worldwide.
Topics: Blood Loss, Surgical; Blood Preservation; Blood Transfusion; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Hemostatics; Humans; Medical Illustration; Operative Blood Salvage; Transfusion Reaction
PubMed: 25714216
DOI: 10.5935/1678-9741.20140114