Replicate systematic review and meta-analyses on robotic surgery: a quality appraisal and overlap investigation

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 384-395
Author(s):  
Jin Ji ◽  
Han Zhang ◽  
Da Xu ◽  
Tianyi Zhang ◽  
Depei Kong ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e002528
Author(s):  
Ally McIllhatton ◽  
Sean Lanting ◽  
David Lambkin ◽  
Lucy Leigh ◽  
Sarah Casey ◽  
...  

The objective is to determine, by systematic review, the reliability of testing methods for diagnosis of diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy (DPN) as recommended by the most recent guidelines from the International Diabetes Foundation, International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot and American Diabetes Association. Electronic searches of Cochrane Library, EBSCO Megafile Ultimate and EMBASE were performed to May 2021. Articles were included if they reported on the reliability of recommended chairside tests in diabetes cohorts. Quality appraisal was performed using a Quality Appraisal of Reliability Studies checklist and where possible, meta-analyses, with reliability reported as estimated Cohen’s kappa (95% CI). Seventeen studies were eligible for inclusion. Pooled analysis found acceptable inter-rater reliability of vibration perception threshold (VPT) (κ=0.61 (0.50 to 0.73)) and ankle reflex testing (κ=0.60 (0.55 to 0.64)), but weak inter-rater reliability for pinprick (κ=0.45 (0.22 to 0.69)) and 128 Hz tuning fork (κ=0.42 (0.15 to 0.70)), though intra-rater reliability of the 128 Hz tuning fork was moderate (κ=0.54 (0.37 to 0.73)). Inter-rater reliability of the four-site monofilament was acceptable (κ=0.61 (0.45 to 0.77)). These results support the clinical use of VPT, ankle reflexes and four-site monofilament for screening and ongoing monitoring of DPN as recommended by the latest guidelines. The reliability of temperature perception, pinprick, proprioception, three-site monofilament and Ipswich touch test when performed in people with diabetes remains unclear.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Mansbart ◽  
Gerda Kienberger ◽  
Andreas Sönnichsen ◽  
Eva Mann

Abstract BackgroundAdrenergic alpha-1 receptor antagonists (alpha-1 antagonists) are frequently used medications in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in the management of therapy-resistant arterial hypertension, two conditions frequently found in older adults. This systematic review aims at presenting a complete overview of evidence over the benefits and risks of alpha-1 antagonist treatment in people ≥ 65 years, and at deriving recommendations for a safe application of alpha-1 antagonists in older adults from the evidence found.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was performed including multiple databases (Medline/Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library) and using the PICOS framework to define search terms. The selection of the studies was done by two independent reviewers in a two-step approach, followed by a systematic data extraction. Quality appraisal was performed for each study included using standardised appraisal tools. The studies retrieved and additional literature were used for the development of recommendations, which were rated for strength and quality according to the GRADE methodology. ResultsFourteen studies were included: 3 meta-analyses, 6 randomised controlled trials and 5 observational trials. Doxazosin in the management of arterial hypertension was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly heart failure, than chlorthalidone. Regarding treatment of LUTS suggestive of BPH, alpha-1 antagonists appeared to be effective in the relief of urinary symptoms and improvement of quality of life. They seemed to be less effective in preventing disease progression. Analyses of the risk profile indicated an increase in vasodilation related adverse events and sexual adverse events for some agents. One large observational study points at an increased risk of falls and fractures. The effects of long-term treatment remained unclear. All meta-analyses and 5 out of 6 interventional studies were downgraded in the quality appraisal. 4 out of 5 observational studies were of good quality.ConclusionsIt cannot be recommended to use doxazosin as first-line antihypertensive agent neither in older adults nor in younger patients. In the management of BPH alpha-1 antagonists promise to effectively relieve urinary symptoms with uncertainty regarding their efficacy in preventing long-term progression events.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianglei Ma ◽  
Xiaoyao Li ◽  
Shifu Zhao ◽  
Ruifu Zhang ◽  
Dejun Yang

Abstract Background To date, robotic surgery has been widely used worldwide. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate short-term and long-term outcomes of robotic gastrectomy (RG) in gastric cancer patients to determine whether RG can replace laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG). Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was applied to perform the study. Pubmed, Cochrane Library, WanFang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and VIP databases were comprehensively searched for studies published before May 2020 that compared RG with LG. Next, two independent reviewers conducted literature screening and data extraction. The quality of the literature was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and the data analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 software. Random effects or fixed effects models were applied according to heterogeneity. Results A total of 19 studies including 7275 patients were included in the meta-analyses, of which 4598 patients were in the LG group and 2677 in the RG group. Compared with LG, RG was associated with longer operative time (WMD = −32.96, 95% CI −42.08 ~ −23.84, P < 0.001), less blood loss (WMD = 28.66, 95% CI 18.59 ~ 38.73, P < 0.001), and shorter time to first flatus (WMD = 0.16 95% CI 0.06 ~ 0.27, P = 0.003). There was no significant difference between RG and LG in terms of the hospital stay (WMD = 0.23, 95% CI −0.53 ~ 0.98, P = 0.560), overall postoperative complication (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.91 ~ 1.25, P = 0.430), mortality (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.24 ~ 1.90, P = 0.450), the number of harvested lymph nodes (WMD = −0.96, 95% CI −2.12 ~ 0.20, P = 0.100), proximal resection margin (WMD = −0.10, 95% CI −0.29 ~ 0.09, P = 0.300), and distal resection margin (WMD = 0.15, 95% CI −0.21 ~ 0.52, P = 0.410). No significant differences were found between the two treatments in overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.76 ~ 1.18, P = 0.640), recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.69 ~ 1.21, P = 0.530), and recurrence rate (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.67 ~ 1.21, P = 0.500). Conclusions The results of this study suggested that RG is as acceptable as LG in terms of short-term and long-term outcomes. RG can be performed as effectively and safely as LG. Moreover, more randomized controlled trials comparing the two techniques with rigorous study designs are still essential to evaluate the value of the robotic surgery for gastric cancer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 030006052094044
Author(s):  
Ravjit Singh ◽  
William Karantanis ◽  
Matthew Fadhil ◽  
Shivani Angelique Kumar ◽  
Julia Crawford ◽  
...  

Objective A laryngocele is a space that develops as a result of pathological dilatation of the laryngeal saccule. However, the reported management of laryngoceles varies. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding the surgical management of laryngoceles and pyolaryngoceles, to understand the evolving nature of treatment for this rare condition. Methods We searched for publications in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, JBI Library of Systematic Reviews, and Ovid databases using the terms “laryngocele”, “pyolaryngocele”, and “laryngopyocele”, and reviewed the identified articles. Results After removal of repeated studies and filtering for relevance and studies written in English, a total of 227 studies were included in this review. No meta-analyses or randomized controlled trials have been published. The identified studies have been summarized in 14 reviews conducted since 1946. The meta-analysis determined that endoscopy was the preferred approach for internal laryngoceles, while combined laryngoceles benefited from both internal and external surgical approaches. Conclusions Laryngocele management has progressed since its initial description, from open surgery to an endoscopic approach, and more recently to a robotic-assisted surgical approach. The uptake of robotic surgery as a possible treatment modality over the last decade shows much promise for the treatment of these conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-350
Author(s):  
Akilesh Anand Prakash

Diagnosis and management of isolated syndesmotic injuries are controversial and highly debated. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore and gain the current understanding pertaining to detailed anatomy of syndesmotic ligaments through a systematic review of published cadaveric studies. A systematic review was conducted online for literature published in English using PubMed and Google Scholar, as per PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, up to April 30, 2019. Predefined eligibility criteria were applied, and the data thus compiled was analyzed. Study quality was assessed based on Quality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies (QUACS) scale. A total of 12 studies reporting 365 ankles were included in this review. Considerable inconsistency in the naming and description of syndesmotic ligaments was observed, with only 2 studies reporting the vasculature of the ligaments. Hence further investigation of the anatomy of the syndesmotic ligaments is recommended so as to better inform clinical practice, as awareness of anatomy is critical for assessment, healing, and successful surgical management. Levels of Evidence: Level III: Systematic review of anatomical dissections


2020 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
pp. 170-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Solaini ◽  
Andrea Avanzolini ◽  
Carlo Alberto Pacilio ◽  
Alessandro Cucchetti ◽  
Davide Cavaliere ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastianina Contena ◽  
Stefano Taddei

Abstract. Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) refers to a global IQ ranging from 71 to 84, and it represents a condition of clinical attention for its association with other disorders and its influence on the outcomes of treatments and, in general, quality of life and adaptation. Furthermore, its definition has changed over time causing a relevant clinical impact. For this reason, a systematic review of the literature on this topic can promote an understanding of what has been studied, and can differentiate what is currently attributable to BIF from that which cannot be associated with this kind of intellectual functioning. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we have conducted a review of the literature about BIF. The results suggest that this condition is still associated with mental retardation, and only a few studies have focused specifically on this condition.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document