Abstract

BACKGROUND Pilonidal disease (PD) is a debilitating condition characterised by the infection of subcutaneous tissue in the sacrococcygeal area. It is associated with a high risk of recurrence, pain, infection, and purulent discharge. The two main surgical methods of pilonidal sinus disease include excision with primary closure/flap repair or excision of the sinus with healing by secondary intent. Wounds left open to heal by secondary intent remain extremely common due to their association with reduced risk of recurrence, however, it is associated with prolonged healing times. This study aims to determine whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) reduces healing time in patients post pilonidal sinus surgery with healing by secondary intent compared to simple wound dressings. METHOD Six databases were searched from their date of origin to May 30, 2022 for randomised control trials using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only four papers were selected for review as per the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study design (PICOS) criteria. Critical appraisal was carried out according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Methodology Checklist for Randomised Control Trials and was assessed for risk of bias according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions. The pooled effect size was calculated using the fixed-effect model. A homogeneity of pooled effect size for the studies was also found (Cochrane Q test, p-value = 0.97 I-square = 0.0%). RESULT Four studies (n = 336) were included in this review. Three of the four studies reported a statistically significant reduction in time taken in healing the wound. The mean difference between the intervention (PRP group) and the control group was 13.01 days, (95% CI 12.15-13.86 days, p < 0.00001). All of the included studies also reported a statistically significant reduction in time taken to return to work/activities of daily living in the treatment group compared to the control group (MD 9.68 days, 95% CI 9.16-10.21 days, p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION This study shows that PRP is effective in reducing healing time and is associated with a significantly shorter period taken to return to work/activities of daily living in patients post pilonidal sinus surgery, which was the primary and secondary outcome investigated in this systematic review, respectively. PRP should routinely be offered to patients undergoing excisional pilonidal sinus surgery for the aforementioned benefits.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Peptic ulcer bleeding is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) enhances tissue repair, and is therefore used in various medical treatments. A combination of mechanical or electrothermal hemostasis has been recommended for upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding treatment. This study evaluated the additive efficacy of PRP in bleeding peptic ulcer hemostasis and recovery. METHODS Eighty patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were initially treated by hemoclipping, and were randomly chosen for either additional PRP (n=40) or additional epinephrine (n=40) injections. Both groups were compared with regard to achieving hemostasis and the frequency of complications. RESULTS Hemostasis was immediately achieved in both groups. Two patients (5%) in the PRP group and 8 (20%) patients in the epinephrine group experienced rebleeding after 15.9±2.8 and 12.3±3.7 days, respectively. They were managed by PRP injection in addition to proton pump inhibitor infusion. Hemoglobin was substantially increased in the PRP-treated group with full recovery occurring in 60.5% compared to 31.3% of patients in the epinephrine group (p=0.001). There was no recurrent bleeding in the PRP group, but 4/32 (12.5%) patients in the epinephrine group exhibited rebleeding. CONCLUSIONS PRP showed additional benefit in reducing peptic ulcer bleeding with no reported significant complications. Clinical trial (NCT03733171).

Abstract

BACKGROUND Surgical treatment of recurrent anal fistulas can lead to numerous complications, including fecal incontinence. Therefore, sphincter preserving techniques are gaining more popularity. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to assess effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in the patients with recurrent cryptoglandular anal fistulas. METHODS A cohort of 18 patients with anal fistulas was enrolled into a preliminary and prospective trial. They were divided into two groups consisting of eight and ten patients respectively. PRP was injected locally in all patients, however in the group II it was applied after 7 days drainage of fistulas with polyurethane foam or negative pressure wound therapy. On average, three doses of PRP were administered, but with the opportunity to double the number of applications if it was clinically justified. The patients were evaluated in an out-patient department after fortnight and then in 1, 6, and 12 months following the last PRP application. RESULTS Anal fistulas were closed in 4 (50%) patients from the group I and in 7 (70%) patients form the group II. Although, the difference between both groups was not statistically significant, PRP therapy should be preceded with fistulous tract drainage in all patients. Summarizing, that successful result was achieved in 11 (60%) patients from the entire group of 18 participants. CONCLUSION The rate of recurrent cryptoglandular anal fistulas closure reaching 60%, after topical treatment with PRP, exceeds the results of other sphincter-saving methods of treatment. Therefore, it might become a novel method of anal fistulas therapy.

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. This is an update of a Cochrane Review last published in 2016. 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 trial registers and the following biomedical databases: the Cochrane Library (2018, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1946 to 12 April 2018), Embase (1980 to 12 April 2018), Science Citation Index Expanded (1900 to 12 April 2018), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) (1978 to 12 April 2018). SELECTION CRITERIA We included all randomized controlled trials that compared fibrin sealant (fibrin glue or fibrin sealant patch) versus control (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 (OR) for very rare outcomes), and the mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). MAIN RESULTS We included 11 studies involving 1462 participants in the review.Application of fibrin sealants to pancreatic stump closure reinforcement after distal pancreatectomyWe included seven studies involving 860 participants: 428 were randomized to the fibrin sealant group and 432 to the control group after distal pancreatectomy. Fibrin sealants may lead to little or no difference in postoperative pancreatic fistula (fibrin sealant 19.3%; control 20.1%; RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.35; 755 participants; four studies; low-quality evidence). Fibrin sealants may also lead to little or no difference in postoperative mortality (0.3% versus 0.5%; Peto OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.03; 804 participants; six studies; low-quality evidence), or overall postoperative morbidity (28.5% versus 23.2%; RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.58; 646 participants; three studies; low-quality evidence). We are uncertain whether fibrin sealants reduce reoperation rate (2.0% versus 3.8%; RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.71; 376 participants; two studies; very low-quality evidence). There is probably little or no difference in length of hospital stay between the groups (12.1 days versus 11.4 days; MD 0.32 days, 95% CI -1.06 to 1.70; 755 participants; four studies; moderate-quality evidence). The studies did not report serious adverse events, quality of life, or cost effectiveness.Application of fibrin sealants to pancreatic anastomosis reinforcement after pancreaticoduodenectomyWe included three studies involving 251 participants: 115 were randomized to the fibrin sealant group and 136 to the control group after pancreaticoduodenectomy. We are uncertain whether fibrin sealants reduce postoperative pancreatic fistula (1.6% versus 6.2%; RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.01 to 5.06; 57 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence). Fibrin sealants may lead to little or no difference in postoperative mortality (0.1% versus 0.7%; Peto OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.00 to 7.76; 251 participants; three studies; low-quality evidence) or length of hospital stay (12.8 days versus 14.8 days; MD -1.58 days, 95% CI -3.96 to 0.81; 181 participants; two studies; low-quality evidence). We are uncertain whether fibrin sealants reduce overall postoperative morbidity (33.7% versus 34.7%; RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.45; 181 participants; two studies; very low-quality evidence), or reoperation rate (7.6% versus 9.2%; RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.33 to 2.11; 181 participants; two studies, very low-quality evidence). The studies did not report serious adverse events, quality of life, or cost effectiveness.Application of f

Abstract

BACKGROUND The potential for a fibrin sealant patch to reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a fibrin sealant patch is able to reduce POPF in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatojejunostomy. METHODS In this multicentre trial, patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy were randomized to receive either a fibrin patch (patch group) or no patch (control group), and stratified by gland texture, pancreatic duct size and neoadjuvant treatment. The primary endpoint was POPF. Secondary endpoints included complications, drain-related factors and duration of hospital stay. Risk factors for POPF were identified by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 142 patients were enrolled. Forty-five of 71 patients (63 per cent) in the patch group and 40 of 71 (56 per cent) in the control group developed biochemical leakage or POPF (P = 0.392). Fistulas were classified as grade B or C in 16 (23 per cent) and ten (14 per cent) patients respectively (P = 0.277). There were no differences in postoperative complications (54 patients in patch group and 50 in control group; P = 0.839), drain amylase concentration (P = 0.494), time until drain removal (mean(s.d.) 11.6(1.0) versus 13.3(1.3) days; P = 0.613), fistula closure (17.6(2.2) versus 16.5(2.1) days; P = 0.740) and duration of hospital stay (22.1(2.2) versus 18.2(0.9) days; P = 0.810) between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed that obesity (odds ratio (OR) 5.28, 95 per cent c.i. 1.20 to 23.18; P = 0.027), soft gland texture (OR 9.86, 3.41 to 28.54; P < 0.001) and a small duct (OR 5.50, 1.84 to 16.44; P = 0.002) were significant risk factors for POPF. A patch did not reduce the incidence of POPF in patients at higher risk. CONCLUSION The use of a fibrin sealant patch did not reduce the occurrence of POPF and complications after pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatojejunostomy. Registration number: 2013-000639-29 (EudraCT register).

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Chylothorax is by definition a collection of lymphatic fluids in the pleural cavity because of leakage from main thoracic duct or its tributaries. It is an uncommon but serious postoperative complication in esophageal cancer patients. There is no standard therapeutic algorithm for chylothorax because no prospective or randomized trials have yet been performed to evaluate the available treatment options. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pleurodesis with a combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and fibrin glue to the treatment of chylothorax after trans-hiatal esophagectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We randomly allocated 52 consecutive esophageal cancer patients with postoperative chylothorax who did not respond to conservative management to either PRP fibrin glue pleurodesis or surgical thoracic duct ligation. 26 patients in each group were treated with PRP fibrin glue pleurodesis or surgical thoracic duct ligation in order to control chylothorax. Perioperative data, including success rate and complications of both interventions, were analyzed. RESULTS Two groups were similar in terms of patients' demographics and tumor characteristics. All 26 patients in pleurodesis group (100%) and 20 patients in surgery group (76.9%) were successfully treated (p = 0.009). Seven patients (26.92%) in pleurodesis group required a second application of PRP fibrin glue after a week. The mean length of hospital stay was 53.50 +/- 16.662 days in surgery group and 36.04 +/- 8.224 days in pleurodesis group (p < 0.001). Although mortality rate in surgery group was higher than pleurodesis group, it was not statistically significant (p = 0.1621). There was no significant difference in complications between two groups either. No serious side effect occurred with PRP fibrin glue application. CONCLUSION In conclusion, pleurodesis using PRP and fibrin glue for chylothorax after trans-hiatal esophagectomy was associated with significantly increased success rate, decreased ICU stay, decreased overall hospital stay, and decreased mortality compared with surgical thoracic duct ligation. No patient after PRFG required additional intervention including surgery. Thus, given the improved outcomes with PRFG pleurodesis, this technique may be considered in all patients with postoperative chylothorax after or during conservative management and before proceeding to more invasive interventions.