Endoscopic and Robotic Parotidectomy for the Treatment of Parotid Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundThe goal of this review was to introduce endoscopic/robotic parotidectomy (EP/RP) and compare EP/RP against conventional parotidectomy (CP) regarding the intraoperative and postoperative parameters in the treatment of parotid tumors.MethodsA systematic literature search of medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was performed from inception to November 2020 to generate relevant studies.ResultsA total of 13 eligible studies (572 patients) were included for systematic review, and 7 out of 13 comparable studies for the quantitative synthesis of outcomes. Patients who underwent EP were characterized by less intraoperative bleeding volume, shorter incision length, and higher satisfaction postoperatively (WMD, 95% CI, -42.80; - 58.23 to -27.37; p < 0.01; WMD, 95% CI, -5.64; -7.88 to -3.39; p < 0.01; SMD, 95% CI, 1.88; 1.46 to 2.31; p < 0.01, respectively). However, operative time and risk of facial palsy exhibited no significant differences (WMD, 95% CI, -11.17; -26.71 to 4.34; p = 0.16; OR, 95% CI,0.71; 0.39 to 1.32; p = 0.28, respectively).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the current evidence does not adequately support EP is equally safe and effective as CP. In certain selected cases, endoscopic technology has its unique advantages. For patients with strong cosmetic needs, endoscopic or robotic techniques may be an alternative through adequate preoperative evaluations.Systematic Review RegistrationInternational Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, identifier CRD42020210299.

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Safety and efficacy of different antibiotic regimens in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic Reviews ◽

10.1186/s13643-021-01758-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

John E. Feliciano-Alfonso ◽

Juliana Muñoz-Ortiz ◽

María Alejandra Marín-Noriega ◽

Andrés Vargas-Villanueva ◽

Laura Triviño-Blanco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Posterior Uveitis ◽

Ocular Toxoplasmosis ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Treatment Regimens ◽

Central Register ◽

Quantitative Synthesis ◽

Clinical Trials Registry

Abstract Background Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most common cause of posterior uveitis, which leads to visual impairment in a large proportion of patients. Antibiotics and corticosteroids lower the risk of permanent visual loss by controlling infection and inflammation. However, there remains disagreement regarding optimal antibiotic therapy for OT. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the effects and safety of existing antibiotic treatment regimens for OT. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Gray Literature in Europe (“OpenGrey”) were searched for relevant studies; manual searches of reference lists were performed for studies identified by other methods. All published and unpublished randomized controlled trials that compared antibiotic schemes known to be effective in OT at any dosage, duration, and administration route were included. Studies comparing antibiotics with placebo were excluded. This review followed standard methodological procedures recommended by the Cochrane group. Results Ten studies were included in the narrative summary, of which four were included for quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis). Interventions were organized into three groups: intravitreal clindamycin versus pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine, trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole versus other antibiotics, and other interventions. The first comparison favored intravitreal clindamycin (Mean difference (MD) = 0.10 logMAR; 95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.22). However, this finding lacks clinical relevance. Other outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups. In general, the risk of performance bias was high in evaluated studies, and the quality of the evidence found was low to very low. Conclusions No antibiotic scheme was superior to others, and the selection of a treatment regimen depends on multiple factors; therefore, treatment should be chosen based on safety, sulfa allergies, and availability.

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Use of opioids in patients with cancer with hepatic impairment—a systematic review

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care ◽

10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003065 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bmjspcare-2021-003065

Author(s):

Lewis Thomas Hughes ◽

David Raftery ◽

Paul Coulter ◽

Barry Laird ◽

Marie Fallon

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cancer Pain ◽

Hepatic Impairment ◽

Evaluation System ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Hepatic Function ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Assessment Development ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Central Register

PurposeOpioids are recommended for moderate-to-severe cancer pain; however, in patients with cancer, impaired hepatic function can affect opioid metabolism. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence for the use of opioids in patients with cancer with hepatic impairment.MethodsA systematic review was conducted and the following databases searched: AMED (−2021), MEDLINE (−2021), EMBASECLASSIC + EMBASE (−2021) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (−2021). Eligible studies met the following criteria: patients with cancer-related pain, taking an opioid (as defined by the WHO Guidelines for the pharmacological and radiotherapeutic management of cancer pain in adults and adolescents); >18 years of age; patients with hepatic impairment defined using recognised or study-defined definitions; clinical outcome hepatic impairment related; and primary studies. All eligible studies were appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system.ResultsThree studies (n=95) were eligible but heterogeneity meant meta-analysis was not possible. Each individual study focused on only one each of oxycodone±hydrocotarnine, oxycodone/naloxone and morphine. No recommendations could be formulated on the preferred opioid in patients with hepatic impairment.ConclusionsMorphine is the preferred opioid in hepatic impairment owing to clinical experience and pharmacokinetics. This review, however, found little clinical evidence to support this. Dose adjustments of morphine and the oxycodone formulations reviewed remain necessary in the absence of quality evidence. Overall, the quality of existing evidence on opioid treatments in cancer pain and hepatic impairment is low and there remains a need for high-quality clinical studies examining this.

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Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Eculizumab, Inebilizumab, Tocilizumab, and Satralizumab for Neuromyelitis Optica

10.1101/2021.07.22.21261005 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rajan Chamlagain ◽

Sangam shah ◽

Suman Gaire ◽

Anuj Krishna Paudel ◽

Krishna Dahal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

Neuromyelitis Optica ◽

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Central Register ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Quantitative Synthesis ◽

The Central Nervous System

Neuromyelitis optica is rare, autoimmune-mediated inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system with a prevalence of 1-2 persons per 100,000 populations. We aim to generate a head-to-head comparison of these drugs with appropriate evidence to guide future trials and treatment guidelines in a patient with recurrent attacks of NMO. We searched the databases like PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Embase for studies published prior to April 2021 using the keywords. Over all 929 patients from 11 different publications were included in the study. Five studies were included for quantitative synthesis. Pooling of studies showed significant mean reduction of ARR in the monoclonal antibody group (-0.26 [-0.35, -0.17], P <0.00001, I2=0%) and the mean difference in EDSS score from baseline in monoclonal antibodies was -0.23(95% CI [-0.43, -0.03], P=0.02, I2=0%). There was no significant difference in frequency of total reported adverse events between monoclonal antibody and the comparator arm (RR: 1.01 [0.95, 1.07], P=0.74, I2=14%). Our findings, particularly seen from the context of a few RCTs, support the pursuit of larger, multi-center RCTs that evaluate the effectiveness of each of the currently available monoclonal antibodies and better describe their adverse risk profile.

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Safety of Cochlear Implantation in Children 12 Months or Younger: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/01945998211067741 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 019459982110677

Author(s):

Firas Sbeih ◽

Malek H. Bouzaher ◽

Swathi Appachi ◽

Seth Schwartz ◽

Michael S. Cohen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cochlear Implants ◽

Cochlear Implantation ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Ovid Medline ◽

Central Register ◽

Data Source ◽

Anesthetic Complications ◽

Full Text Screening

Objective To systematically review the literature to determine safety of cochlear implantation in pediatric patients 12 months and younger. Data Source Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched from inception to March 20, 2021. Review Methods Studies that involved patients 12 months and younger with report of intraoperative or postoperative complication outcomes were included. Studies selected were reviewed for complications, explants, readmissions, and prolonged hospitalizations. Two independent reviewers screened all studies that were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. All studies included were assessed for quality and risk of bias. Results The literature search yielded 269 studies, of which 53 studies underwent full-text screening, and 18 studies were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 449 patients and 625 cochlear implants were assessed. Across all included studies, major complications were noted in 3.1% of patients (95% CI, 0.8-7.1) and 2.3% of cochlear implantations (95% CI, 0.6-5.2), whereas minor complications were noted in 2.4% of patients (95% CI, 0.4-6.0) and 1.8% of cochlear implantations (95% CI, 0.4-4.3). There were no anesthetic complications reported across all included studies. Conclusion The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that cochlear implantation in patients 12 months and younger is safe with similar rates of complications to older cohorts.

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PIK3CA Mutations and Their Impact on Survival Outcomes of Patients with Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review

Acta Cytologica ◽

10.1159/000509095 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (6) ◽

pp. 547-555

Author(s):

Vasilios Pergialiotis ◽

Christina Nikolaou ◽

Dimitrios Haidopoulos ◽

Maximos Frountzas ◽

Nikolaos Thomakos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Survival Outcomes ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Wild Type ◽

Pik3ca Mutations ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Several studies have implicated the PIK3/AKT pathway in the pathophysiology of cancer progression as its activation seems to be aberrant in several forms of cancer. The purpose of the present systematic review is to evaluate the impact of PIK3CA mutations on survival outcomes of patients with cervical cancer. Methods: We used the Medline (1966–2020), Scopus (2004–2020), ClinicalTrials.gov (2008–2020), EMBASE (1980–2020), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (1999–2020), and Google Scholar (2004–2020) databases in our primary search along with the reference lists of electronically retrieved full-text papers. Statistical meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Overall, 12 articles were included in the present study that comprised 2,196 women with cervical cancer. Of those, 3 studies did not report significant differences in survival outcomes among patients with mutated versus wild-type PIK3CA tumors, 5 studies reported decreased survival outcomes, and 3 studies revealed increased survival rates. The meta-analysis revealed that patients with the mutated PIK3CA genotypes had worse overall survival compared to patients with wild-type PIK3CA (HR 2.31; 95% CI: 1.51, 3.55; 95% PI: 0.54, 9.96; data from 3 studies) and the same was observed in the case of DFS rates (HR 1.82; 95% CI: 1.47, 2.25; 95% PI: 1.29, 2.56; data from 4 studies). Conclusion: Current evidence concerning the impact of PIK3CA mutations on survival outcomes of patients with cervical cancer is inconclusive, although the majority of included studies support a potential negative effect, primarily among those with squamous cell carcinoma tumors.

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Mirror therapy simultaneously combined with electrical stimulation for upper limb motor function recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215520951935 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 026921552095193

Author(s):

Alberto Saavedra-García ◽

Jose A Moral-Munoz ◽

David Lucena-Anton

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Motor Function ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Mirror Therapy

Objective: To evaluate the current evidence on the effectiveness of simultaneous combination of mirror therapy and electrical stimulation in the recovery of upper limb motor function after stroke, compared with conventional therapy, mirror therapy or electrical stimulation isolated. Data sources: Articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Central register of controlled trials and ScienceDirect up to July 2020. Review methods: The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro tool. The RevMan 5.4 statistical software was used to obtain the meta-analysis, through the standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI), and to evaluate the risk of bias. The GRADE approach was employed to assess the certainty of evidence. Results: Eight articles were included in this systematic review, seven were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 314 participants were analyzed. The overall quality of the articles included in this review was good. There was no overall significant mean difference on upper limb motor function after stroke using the Upper-Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment by 1.56 (95% CI = –2.08, 5.20; P = 0.40; moderate-certainty evidence) and the Box and Block Test results by 1.39 (95% CI = –2.14, 4.92; P = 0.44; high-certainty evidence). There was overall significant difference in the Action Research Arm Test by 3.54 (95% CI = 0.18, 6.90; P = 0.04; high-certainty evidence). Conclusion: Direct scientific evidence about the effectiveness of the combined therapy of mirror therapy and electrical stimulation simultaneously for the improvement of the upper limb motor function after stroke is lacking. Further high-quality and well-designed research is needed.

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Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neuros/nyw162 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 80 (5) ◽

pp. 701-715 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Daniel Yavin ◽

Steven Casha ◽

Samuel Wiebe ◽

Thomas E Feasby ◽

Callie Clark ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cohort Studies ◽

Spinal Stenosis ◽

Lumbar Fusion ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Relative Safety

Abstract BACKGROUND: Due to uncertain evidence, lumbar fusion for degenerative indications is associated with the greatest measured practice variation of any surgical procedure. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current evidence on the comparative safety and efficacy of lumbar fusion, decompression-alone, or nonoperative care for degenerative indications. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (up to June 30, 2016). Comparative studies reporting validated measures of safety or efficacy were included. Treatment effects were calculated through DerSimonian and Laird random effects models. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 65 studies (19 randomized controlled trials, 16 prospective cohort studies, 15 retrospective cohort studies, and 15 registries) enrolling a total of 302 620 patients. Disability, pain, and patient satisfaction following fusion, decompression-alone, or nonoperative care were dependent on surgical indications and study methodology. Relative to decompression-alone, the risk of reoperation following fusion was increased for spinal stenosis (relative risk [RR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.28) and decreased for spondylolisthesis (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.83). Among patients with spinal stenosis, complications were more frequent following fusion (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.18-2.96). Mortality was not significantly associated with any treatment modality. CONCLUSION: Positive clinical change was greatest in patients undergoing fusion for spondylolisthesis while complications and the risk of reoperation limited the benefit of fusion for spinal stenosis. The relative safety and efficacy of fusion for chronic low back pain suggests careful patient selection is required (PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews number, CRD42015020153).

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Mesothelin as a biomarker for ovarian carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/0001-3765201620150107 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 923-932 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

KRISTIAN MADEIRA ◽

EDUARDO R. DONDOSSOLA ◽

BRUNA F. DE FARIAS ◽

CARLA S. SIMON ◽

MARIA C.M. ALEXANDRE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Ovarian Tissue ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Central Register ◽

Quantitative Systematic Review ◽

Comprehensive Search ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

The objective of this work was to estimate the accuracy of mesothelin as a biomarker for ovarian cancer. A quantitative systematic review was performed. A comprehensive search of the Medline, LILACS, SCOPUS, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Biomed Central, and ISI Web of Science databases was conducted from January 1990 to June 2015. For inclusion in this systematic review, the papers must have measured mesothelin levels in at least two histological diagnoses; ovarian cancer (borderline or ovarian tumor) vs. benign or normal ovarian tissue. For each study, 2 x 2 contingency tables were constructed. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio. The verification bias was performed according to QUADAS-2. Statistical analysis was performed with the software Stata 11, Meta-DiSc(r) and RevMan 5.2. Twelve studies were analyzed, which included 1,561 women. The pooled sensitivity was 0.62 (CI 95% 0.58 - 0.66) and specificity was 0.94 (CI 95% 0.92 - 0.95). The DOR was 38.92 (CI 95% 17.82 - 84.99). Our systematic review shows that mesothelin cannot serve alone as a biomarker for the detection of ovarian cancer.

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Local anaesthetics combined with vasoconstrictors in patients with cardiovascular disease undergoing dental procedures: systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014611 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. e014611 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Caio Chaves Guimaraes ◽

Rogério Heládio Lopes Motta ◽

Cristiane de Cássia Bergamaschi ◽

Jimmy de Oliveira Araújo ◽

Natalia Karol de Andrade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Local Anaesthetics ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Assessment Development ◽

Dental Procedures ◽

Central Register ◽

Registration Number

IntroductionThe use of vasoconstrictors combined with local anaesthetics (LAs) in dentistry for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still controversial in the scientific literature. It raises concerns regarding the possibility of transient episodes, triggering negative cardiovascular outcomes.Method/designTrials eligible for our systematic review will enrol patients with CVD who have undergone dental treatments carried out with the use of LAs by comparing two arms: LAs with vasoconstrictors and LAs without vasoconstrictors. The research will be conducted in the electronic databases, namely Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Healthstar (via Ovid), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Web of Science, from their inception to December 2017, without any restrictions in terms of language and status of publication. A team of reviewers will independently assess titles, abstracts and complete text to determine eligibility. For eligible studies, the same reviewers will perform data extraction and evaluate the risk of bias in the selected articles. The selected outcomes comprise death, mortality by a specific cause, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, hospitalisation, pain, bleeding, arrhythmias, ischaemic episodes, anxiety, adverse effects, changes in blood pressure, changes in heart rate, anxiety and results obtained via oximetry. Whenever possible, we will conduct a meta-analysis to establish the effects of LAs with and without vasoconstrictors in the patients with CVD, and the overall quality of evidence for each outcome will be determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation classification system.Ethics and disseminationEthics committee approval was not necessary because this is a protocol of systematic review. This systematic review will be submitted for presentation at conferences and for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Our review will assess the risks of cardiovascular events when using LAs with and without vasoconstrictors in patients with CVD, focusing on important clinical outcomes.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016045421.

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Acupuncture in oncological pain relief: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Fisioterapia em Movimento ◽

10.1590/fm.2021.34203 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

Author(s):

Michel Marcos Dalmedico ◽

Caroline Machado de Toledo ◽

Paula Karina Hembecker ◽

Juliana Londero Silva Ávila ◽

Chayane Karla Lucena de Carvalho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Cancer Pain ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Central Register ◽

Considerable Impact ◽

Analgesic Use

Abstract Introduction: Cancer pain has a considerable impact on patients’ health and quality of life, and its treatment is essentially based on opioid use. Objective: To report the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving cancer pain (secondary to the disease or to the corresponding therapy) or in decreasing opioid use compared to other interventions. Methods: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials was conducted following the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The trials were selected from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. Results: The search strategy resulted in the inclusion of eight trials, of which five compared acupuncture and drug therapy and three compared acupuncture and placebo. Seven trials reported decreased pain and analgesic use. The trials showed clinical heterogeneity, making a meta-analysis unfeasible. Conclusion: The findings herein provided no robust evidence to support the routine use of acupuncture as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cancer pain. However, its use is promising since the results showed a trend toward decreased pain and analgesic use, thus justifying further studies in the future.

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