1.
Comparing and combining evidence of treatment effects in randomized and nonrandomized studies on the use of misoprostol to prevent postpartum hemorrhage
Morfaw F, Miregwa B, Bi A, Mbuagbaw L, Anderson LN, Thabane L
Journal of evidence-based medicine. 2021
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a preventable condition and the main cause of maternal death worldwide. Evidence on the effectiveness of misoprostol in the prevention of PPH has been generated from both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies (NRS). This study aimed to compare the results of RCTs and NRS, and to compare Classical and Bayesian approaches of combining the results of RCTs and NRS on the use of misoprostol versus placebo in the prevention of PPH. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for appropriate studies. We pooled estimates of effects from RCTs and NRS seperately, using random-effects models, then merged them using classical and Bayesian random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 34 studies (20 RCTs and 14 NRS) involving 74 204 participants were identified. The summary odds ratio (OR) from RCTs for the use of misoprostol in the prevention of PPH was 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 to 0.80). The summary OR from NRS was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.63). Classical and Bayesian approaches of combining the two study designs both showed benefit of misoprostol in preventing PPH, with similar effects. CONCLUSIONS Both RCTs and NRS show comparable significant benefit for the use of misoprostol in the prevention of PPH.
2.
Carpal Tunnel Release without a Tourniquet: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Olaiya OR, Alagabi AM, Mbuagbaw L, McRae MH
Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 2020;145(3):737-744
Abstract
BACKGROUND Open carpal tunnel release is commonly performed with the use of a tourniquet. The combination of local anesthetic and epinephrine with a pneumatic tourniquet helps provide clear visualization during decompression of the median nerve. There has been a rapid expansion of literature challenging the use of tourniquets in open carpal tunnel release. Consequently, the local anesthesia/no tourniquet approach has become increasingly popular. The authors evaluated the outcomes of awake open carpal tunnel release with and without a tourniquet. METHODS The authors attempted to identify all relevant studies, regardless of language or publication status. A systematic database search for relevant studies was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO, and CENTRAL. Included studies compared patients undergoing awake open carpal tunnel release with and without an arm or forearm tourniquet. RESULTS Eight studies evaluating 765 patients and 866 hands were included. Open carpal tunnel release with the wide awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet approach resulted in a 2.14 point reduction on the visual analog scale (95% CI, 1.30 to 2.98; p < 0.001). The procedure was 1.82 minutes faster with the use of a tourniquet (95% CI, -3.26 to -0.39; p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between groups in intraoperative blood loss, surgeon perceived difficulty, and complications. CONCLUSION This systematic review found that tourniquet use causes significantly more pain with no significant clinical benefit as compared with using a wide awake, no tourniquet approach in carpal tunnel decompression.