1.
Outcomes of combined use of topical and intravenous tranexamic acid on surgical field quality during functional endoscopic sinus surgery: A randomized controlled trial
El-Ozairy HSE, Mady OM, Tawfik GM, Elhennawy AM, Teaima AA, Ebied A, Huy NT
Head & neck. 2021
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraoperative bleeding during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) poses a challenge to both surgeon and anesthetist. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of local, intravenous and combined use of tranexamic acid (TA) in improving the surgical field quality during FESS. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled double-blinded prospective trial on 120 patients scheduled for elective FESS. After induction of general anesthesia, patients were randomly and evenly assigned to one of four groups; IV TA, local TA, both IV and local TA, and placebo. Surgical field was assessed using five-point Boezaart scale. Total fentanyl and esmolol consumption, operative time, recovery time, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS Surgical field quality score was the best in IV and local TA group compared to others (p < 0.001). Mean operative time was found significantly shorter in IV and local TA group than placebo one. Total fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in IV and local TA group comparing to others (p = 0.025). Mean recovery time was significantly shorter for IV and local TA group compared to others. Total fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in IV and local TA group comparing to others. No significant differences were found of mean arterial pressure and heart rate decline in four groups. None of the patients in four groups required esmolol administration. No statistically significant differences were found in change of hemoglobin, hematocrit, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time over time in all groups. CONCLUSION The combined use of topical and intravenous TA provided the best surgical field in FESS, less fentanyl consumption, and less recovery time without causing significant side effects.
2.
Amlodipine as adjuvant therapy to current chelating agents for reducing iron overload in thalassaemia major: a systematic review, meta-analysis and simulation of future studies
Elfaituri MK, Ghozy S, Ebied A, Morra ME, Hassan OG, Alhusseiny A, Abbas AS, Sherif NA, Fernandes JL, Huy NT
Vox sanguinis. 2021
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Iron overload in thalassaemia is a crucial prognostic factor and a major cause of death due to heart failure or arrhythmia. Therefore, previous research has recommended amlodipine as an auxiliary treatment to current chelating agents for reducing iron overload in thalassaemia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of the results of three randomized clinical trials evaluating the use of amlodipine in thalassaemia patients through 12 databases were carried out. RESULTS Our final cohort included 130 patients. Insignificant difference in decreasing liver iron concentrations was found between amlodipine and control groups {weighted mean difference = -0·2, [95% confidence interval = (-0·55-0·15), P = 0·26]}. As regards serum ferritin, our analysis also showed no significant difference in serum ferritin between amlodipine and control groups {weighted mean difference [95% confidence interval = -0·16 (-0·51-0·19), P = 0·36]}. Similarly, there was insignificant difference in cardiac T2* between amlodipine and control groups {weighted mean difference [95% confidence interval = 0·34 (-0·01-0·69), P = 0·06]}. CONCLUSIONS Despite the growing evidence supporting the role of amlodipine in reducing iron overload in thalassaemia patients, our meta-analysis did not find that evidence collectively significant. The results of our simulation suggest that when more data are available, a meta-analysis with more randomized clinical trials could provide more conclusive insights.