Abstract

Ascites is the most common presentation of decompensated liver cirrhosis. It is treated with therapeutic paracentesis which is associated with several complications. The role of human albumin in patients with cirrhotic ascites remains elusive and has been extensively studied with conflicting results. Thus, in order to fully appraise the available data we sought to perform this systematic review and meta-analysis. Herein we included studies comparing the efficacy and safety of human albumin comparing with other volume expanders and vasoactive agents in patients undergoing paracentesis in cirrhotic ascites. Odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) were used to estimate the outcome with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Albumin use reduced the odds of paracentesis induced circulatory dysfunction (PICD) by 60% (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.27-0.58). While performing subgroup analysis, albumin use lowered the odds of PICD significantly (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.22-0.52) in comparison to other colloid volume expanders, but did not lower the odds of PICD in comparison to vasoconstrictor therapy (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.35-2.45). Albumin was associated with a statistically significant lower incidence of hyponatremia (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.88). Albumin did not reduce the overall mortality, readmission rate, recurrence of ascites, mean arterial pressure, incidence of renal impairment, hepatic encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Thus, treatment with albumin in cirrhotic ascites reduced PICD and hyponatremia although there was no benefit in terms of mortality, readmission rate, recurrence of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and GI bleeding.

Abstract

Introduction: Postoperative anastomotic leaks remain a common and serious complication of colorectal surgeries and are a major cause of mortality and morbidity of these procedures. Anastomotic leaks (AL) have been extensively studied; however, there has been no significant reduction in their prevalence over time. In addition, there is a significant economic burden from AL attributed to the need for repeat surgery, radiologic intervention and lengthened hospital stay. We conducted a comparative cost analysis of patients undergoing colorectal surgery with anastomosis, with the application of fibrin sealant (FS) to the sutured anastomosis versus not treating the sutured anastomosis with FS. Methods: The deterministic decision-tree model was populated with clinical data including operating room time, hospitalization days, occurrence of AL, need for revision surgery, blood products and radiologic interventions to treat the AL in lower colorectal surgery. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify appropriate studies with these variables. Results: The average cost per case treated lower colorectal surgery with fibrin sealant glue 10 mL Tisseel((R)) and those not treated with a fibrin sealant after suturing the anastomoses was euro3233 and euro4130, respectively, for resource expenses paid by the healthcare system. This would suggest potential savings of euro897 per surgery, achieved through the application of FS to the sutured anastomosis for preventing AL following colorectal surgery. Conclusion: Application of FS to the sutured anastomosis in lower colorectal surgery resulted in a decrease in post-operative AL, and cost savings based on a reduction in hospitalization days, a reduction needing: revision surgery, radiologic intervention and blood products to treat AL.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Evidence has demonstrated that biosynthetic glue for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair results in decreased pain. However, the two glue sub-types (biologic-fibrin based; synthetic-cyanoacrylate based) have never been compared. This study aims to assess the outcomes of those subtypes. METHOD AND PROCEDURES A systematic review of the MEDLINE database was undertaken. Randomized trials assessing the outcomes of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with penetrating and glue fixation methods were considered for inclusion and data analysis. Thirteen trials involving 1947 laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs were identified with eight trials utilizing fibrin and five trials utilizing cyanoacrylate. RESULTS There were no differences in recurrence or wound infection between the glue subtypes when compared individually to penetrating fixation alone or indirectly to each other. There were non-significant trends in reduction of hematoma and seroma for both glue subtypes when compared to penetrating fixation (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.39-1.40). There was a significant reduction in urinary retention with glue fixation (pooled results of both sub-types) when compared to penetrating fixation (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.83). CONCLUSIONS Glue fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair reduces the incidence of urinary retention and may reduce the rate of hematoma or seroma formation. As there are no differences in outcomes when comparing fibrin or cyanoacrylate glue, surgeons should choose the glue that is available at the lowest cost at their respective institutions.

Abstract

PURPOSE Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a frequent and clinically relevant problem after distal pancreatectomy. A variety of methods have been tested in the attempt to prevent POPF, most of them without convincing results. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify clinical studies comparing pancreatic stump closure with the addition of Tachosil(R) to conventional stump closure. The identified studies were critically appraised, and meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model. Dichotomous data were pooled using odds ratios, and weighted mean differences were calculated for continuous outcomes, together with the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals. RESULTS Four studies (two randomised controlled trials and two retrospective clinical studies) reporting data from 738 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall POPF, clinically-relevant POPF, mortality, reoperations, intraoperative blood loss and length of hospital stay did not differ significantly between conventional closure and additional covering of the pancreatic stump with Tachosil(R). A sensitivity analysis of only randomised controlled trials confirmed the results. CONCLUSIONS The application of Tachosil(R) to the pancreatic stump after distal pancreatectomy is a safe procedure but provides no relevant benefit in terms of POPF, mortality, reoperation rate, blood loss or length of hospital stay. Future research should concentrate on novel methods of pancreatic stump closure to prevent POPF after distal pancreatectomy.

Abstract

Mortality and morbidity in hepatic surgery are affected by blood loss and transfusion. Topical haemostatic agents (THA) are composed by a matrix and/or fibrin sealants, and their association known as "carrier-bound fibrin sealant" (CBFS): despite widely used for secondary haemostasis, the level of evidence remains low. To realize a meta-analysis on the results of CBFS on haemostasis and postoperative complications. Searches in PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane and Google Scholar using keywords: "topical_haemostasis" OR "haemostatic_agents" OR "sealant_patch" OR "fibrin_sealant" OR "collagen_sealant" AND "liver_surgery" OR "hepatic_surgery" OR "liver_transplantation". Randomized clinical trials, large retrospective cohort studies, case control studies evaluating THA on open/laparoscopic liver surgery and transplantation. From 1993 to 2016 were found 22 studies for qualitative synthesis and 13 for quantitative meta-analysis. The time to haemostasis was lower in the CBFS group (mean difference -2.33 min; P = 0.00001). The risk of receiving blood transfusion, developing collections and bile leak was not influenced by the use of CBFS (OR 0.75; P = 0.25), (OR 0.72; P = 0.52), (OR 0.74; P = 0.30) respectively. The use of CBFS in liver surgery significantly reduce the time to haemostasis, but does not decrease transfusion, postoperative collection and bile leak.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Postoperative pancreatic fistula is one of the most frequent and potentially life-threatening complications following pancreatic resections. Fibrin sealants are introduced to reduce postoperative pancreatic fistula by some surgeons. However, the use of fibrin sealants during pancreatic surgery is controversial. OBJECTIVES To assess the safety, effectiveness, and potential adverse effects of fibrin sealants for the prevention of postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreatic surgery. SEARCH METHODS We searched The Cochrane Library (2015, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1946 to 26 August 2015), EMBASE (1980 to 26 August 2015), Science Citation Index Expanded (1900 to 26 August 2015), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) (1978 to 26 August 2015). SELECTION CRITERIA We included all randomized controlled trials that compared fibrin sealant group (fibrin glue or fibrin sealant patch) versus control group (no fibrin sealant or placebo) in people undergoing pancreatic surgery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently identified the trials for inclusion, collected the data, and assessed the risk of bias. We performed the meta-analyses using Review Manager 5. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes (or a Peto odds ratio for very rare outcomes), and the mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS We included nine trials involving 1095 participants who were randomized to the fibrin sealant group (N = 550) and the control group (N = 545) after pancreatic surgery. All of the trials were at high risk of bias. There was no evidence of differences in overall postoperative pancreatic fistula (fibrin sealant 29.6%; control 31.0%; RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.21; P = 0.58; nine studies; low-quality evidence), postoperative mortality (3.1% versus 2.1%; Peto OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.59 to 2.82; P = 0.53; eight studies; very low-quality evidence), overall postoperative morbidity (29.6% versus 28.9%; RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.32; P = 0.77; five studies), reoperation rate (8.7% versus 10.7%; RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.21; P = 0.29; five studies), or length of hospital stay (12.9 days versus 13.1 days; MD -0.73 days, 95% CI -2.20 to 0.74; P = 0.331; six studies) between the groups. The proportion of postoperative pancreatic fistula that was clinically significant was not mentioned in most trials. On inclusion of trials that clearly distinguished clinically significant fistulas, there was inadequate evidence to establish the effect of fibrin sealants on clinically significant postoperative pancreatic fistula (9.4% versus 13.4%; RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.21; P = 0.21; three studies). Quality of life and cost effectiveness were not reported in any of the trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Based on the current available evidence, fibrin sealants do not seem to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula in people undergoing pancreatic surgery.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of mesh fixation using fibrin glue versus staple in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair of inguinal hernia. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Database searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Cochrane databases until February 2016 using specific search terms. Studies which compared fibrin glue and staple for mesh fixation in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia were enrolled. Outcomes, including inguinal hernia recurrence, chronic inguinal pain, seroma or hematoma formation and operating time, were measured. RESULTS Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs, 430 patients) and six non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs, 8637 patients) were analyzed. Meta-analysis of the four RCTs showed no significant difference in hernia recurrence (OR 2.10, 95 % CI 0.61, 7.22), seroma or hematoma formation (OR 0.55, 95 % CI 0.27, 1.14) and operating time (SMD 0.80, 95 % CI -0.34, 1.94). Similarly, there was no significant difference in most of the outcomes of the six non-RCTs. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis and systematic review shows that the use of fibrin glue fixation may provide an alternative approach to staple fixation in TAPP inguinal hernia repair without increasing the postoperative morbidity. Large-scale RCTs with long-term follow-up are still needed to further assess postoperative outcomes such as chronic pain and disease recurrence.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Anastomotic leakage remains a frequent and serious complication in gastrointestinal surgery. In order to reduce its incidence, several clinical and experimental studies on anastomotic sealing have been performed. In a number of these studies, the sealing material has been fibrin glue (FG), and the results in individual studies have been varying. The positive effect of anastomotic sealing with FG might be due to the mechanical/physical properties, the increased healing of the anastomoses or both. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the existing evidence on the healing effects of FG on gastrointestinal anastomoses. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane databases were searched for studies evaluating the healing process of gastrointestinal anastomoses after any kind of FG application. The search period was from 1953 to December 2013. RESULTS Twenty-eight studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. These studies were all experimental studies, since no human studies used histological or biochemical evaluation of healing. In 7 of the 28 studies, a positive effect of FG on healing was found, while 8 studies reported a negative effect and 11 studies found no effect. Furthermore, 2 studies reported unclear results. The difference in the study outcome was independent of the study design and the type of FG used. CONCLUSION In the available studies, FG did not consistently have a positive influence on the healing of gastrointestinal anastomoses. It is consequently plausible that the positive effect of FG sealing of gastrointestinal anastomoses, if there is any, may be due to a mechanical sealing effect rather than due to improved healing per se. 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to systematically review and assess the safety and efficacy of hemostatic agents in tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Original studies on the use of hemostatic agents in tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) from January 2001 to March 2014 were searched in Ovid, Science Direct, Pubmed, and Embase by two independent reviewers. A drop in hemoglobin (Hb), analgesic requirements, length of hospital stay, and necessity for blood transfusions were compared using Review Manager 5.2. The methods were done according to the Cochrane Handbook for interventional systematic reviews and written based on the PRISMA Statement. Seven studies involving 351 patients met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The baseline characteristics were comparable in all of the studies. The results showed that the length of hospital stay was less in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant statistical differences in terms of a drop in Hb, analgesic requirements, and the necessity for a blood transfusion between the two groups (P > 0.05). The meta-analysis indicated that the hemostatic agents in tubeless PCNL were not expected to be unsafe or mandatory, but that they were expected to be expensive. We concluded that hemostatic agents might not be necessary in tubeless PCNL.

Abstract

To evaluate the role of hemostatic agents used for nephrostomy tract closure after tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). A systematic review of Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane was performed. All studies that compared hemostatic agents with common methods (silk stitch or pressure dressing) were included. The analyzed outcomes were hospital stay, operative time, blood loss, transfusion rate, fever rate, and complication rate. A total of eight articles including six RCTs met our criteria. Hemostatic agents showed short hospital stay (MD -4.54, 95 % CI -6.78 to -2.36, p < 0.0001). There was no difference between hemostatic agents and common methods on operative time (MD 2.00, 95 % CI -17.32 to 21.33, p = 0.84), blood loss (MD -0.19, 95 % CI -0.41 to 0.03, p = 0.08), transfusion rate (OR 1.42, 95 % CI 0.34-5.96, p = 0.63), fever rate (OR 1.02, 95 % CI 0.33-3.12, p = 0.97) and complication rate (OR 1.02, 95 % CI 0.33-3.12, p = 0.97). Eight studies including six RCTs showed that use of hemostatic agents was safe. Hemostatic agents showed short hospital stay. There were no difference between hemostatic agents and common methods on blood loss, transfusion rate, fever rate, and complication rate.