Open tibial fractures in the paediatric population: a systematic review of the literature

Introduction: Open tibial fractures are complex injuries with variable outcomes that significantly impact patients’ lives. Surgical debridement is paramount in preventing detrimental complications such as infection and non-union; however, the exact timing of debridement remains a topic of great controversy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between timing of surgical debridement and outcomes such as infection and non-union in open tibial fractures. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to capture studies evaluating the association between timing of initial surgical debridement and infection or non-union, or other reported outcomes. We searched the MEDLINE, PubMed Central, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central and Web of Science electronic databases. Our methodology was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Results: The systematic review included 20 studies with 10,032 open tibial fractures. The overall infection rate was 14.3% (314 out of 2193) and the overall non-union rate 14.2% (116 out of 817). We did not find any statistically significant association between delayed debridement and infection rate (OR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.68 to 1.11; p = 0.23) or non-union rate (OR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.42 to 1.15; p = 0.13). These findings did not change when we accounted for the effect of different time thresholds used for defining early and late debridement, nor with the Gustilo–Anderson classification or varying study characteristics. Conclusion: The findings of this meta-analysis support that delayed surgical debridement does not increase the infection or non-union rates in open tibial fracture injuries. Consequently, we propose that a reasonable delay in the initial debridement is acceptable to ensure that optimal management conditions are in place, such that the availability of surgical expertise, skilled staff and equipment are prioritised over getting to surgery rapidly. We recommend changing the standard guidance around timing for performing surgical debridement to ‘as soon as reasonably possible, once appropriate personnel and equipment are available; ideally within 24-h’.

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Management of Gustilo–Anderson IIIB open tibial fractures in adults—a systematic review

British Medical Bulletin ◽

10.1093/bmb/ldab013 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

A Myatt ◽

H Saleeb ◽

G A J Robertson ◽

Jana Keren Bourhill ◽

P R J Page ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Soft Tissue ◽

Pragmatic Trial ◽

Deep Infection ◽

Tibial Fractures ◽

High Rate ◽

Long Bone ◽

Soft Tissue Coverage ◽

Muscle Flaps ◽

Open Tibial Fractures

Abstract Introduction Open tibial fractures are the most common open long bone fracture, despite this, the management of these complex injuries still remains a topic of discussion amongst orthopaedic surgeons. Sources of data We searched the EMBASE, MEDLINE and Google Scholar and a systematic review of 7500 articles, leaving 23 after exclusion criteria were applied, in order to analyse the management of open tibial fractures. Areas of agreement and controversy Infection was noted to be the most significant concern amongst authors, with definitive external fixation having a high rate of superficial pin-site infection and internal fixation having a high deep infection rate. Growing points It is essential to have a combined ortho-plastic approach to the management of these fractures as muscle flaps were the most common form of soft tissue coverage. Areas timely for developing research A national pragmatic trial into the management of open tibial fractures is required looking at fixation methods and soft tissue coverage, with at least a 2-year follow-up in order to ascertain the most appropriate management of these fractures and patient-related outcomes.

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Telepractice for Adult Speech-Language Pathology Services: A Systematic Review

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_persp-19-00146 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 326-338 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kristen Weidner ◽

Joneen Lowman

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽

Future Research ◽

Service Delivery Model ◽

Speech Language Pathology ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Research Designs ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

Language Pathology ◽

Screening Assessment

Purpose We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding adult telepractice services (screening, assessment, and treatment) from approximately 2014 to 2019. Method Thirty-one relevant studies were identified from a literature search, assessed for quality, and reported. Results Included studies illustrated feasibility, efficacy, diagnostic accuracy, and noninferiority of various speech-language pathology services across adult populations, including chronic aphasia, Parkinson's disease, dysphagia, and primary progressive aphasia. Technical aspects of the equipment and software used to deliver services were discussed. Some general themes were noted as areas for future research. Conclusion Overall, results of the review continue to support the use of telepractice as an appropriate service delivery model in speech-language pathology for adults. Strong research designs, including experimental control, across multiple well-described settings are still needed to definitively determine effectiveness of telepractice services.

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Acute limb ischemia in a patient with pre-fibrotic myelofibrosis complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis – case report and systematic review of dabigatran use

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000876 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marina Di Pilla ◽

Stefano Barco ◽

Clara Sacco ◽

Giovanni Barosi ◽

Corrado Lodigiani

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Case Report ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Limb Ischemia ◽

Acute Limb Ischemia ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia ◽

Lower Limb Ischemia ◽

Vein Thrombosis ◽

Left Lower Limb

Summary: A 49-year-old man was diagnosed with pre-fibrotic myelofibrosis after acute left lower-limb ischemia requiring amputation and portal vein thrombosis. After surgery he developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) with venous thromboembolism, successfully treated with argatroban followed by dabigatran. Our systematic review of the literature supports the use of dabigatran for suspected HIT.

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Psychological and Cognitive Aspects of Borderline Intellectual Functioning

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000293 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 159-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bastianina Contena ◽

Stefano Taddei

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Intellectual Functioning ◽

Clinical Impact ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Borderline Intellectual Functioning ◽

General Quality ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Over Time

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.

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