Abstract

PURPOSE Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) results in satisfactory wound healing. This analysis focuses on assessing the effectiveness of PRF in the treatment of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations. MATERIALS AND METHODS The literature was searched using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases from inception to February 28th, 2021. The following healing and hearing outcomes were measured: closure rate, pre-and postoperative auditory results, and incidence of postoperative infections. Data were pooled and expressed as the odds ratio (OR). RESULTS Ten studies were eligible for qualitative review, and seven of them were included for the final quantitative comparison. The OR for the closure rate of acute perforations was 4.30 (95% CI 1.35-13.70, I(2) = 0%), and the OR in the chronic subgroup was 5.42 (95% CI 2.57-11.43, I(2) = 0%). The total OR value for the completed closure rate was 5.10 (95% CI 2.72-9.54, I(2) = 0%), indicating that the utilization of PRF can enhance the closure of both acute and chronic perforations. The qualitative review did not find improved hearing results with the use of PRF. In addition to promoting closure, PRF can reduce the incidence of infections (OR = 0.14). The sensitivity analysis did not change the final results, and there was no publication bias in this analysis. CONCLUSION PRF can increase the closure rate of acute perforations, enhance the survival rate of autografts in TM surgeries and reduce the incidence of infections. However, the literature indicates that PRF does not influence the hearing outcomes. This study shows that PRF is an effective agent for TM regeneration.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To compare and rank currently available pharmacological interventions for the prevention of recurrent miscarriage (RM) in women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). METHODS A search was performed using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, CNKI, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the UK National Research Register on December 15, 2019. Studies comparing any types of active interventions with placebo/inactive control or another active intervention for the prevention of RM in patients with APS were considered for inclusion. The primary outcomes were efficacy (measured by live birth rate) and acceptability (measured by all-cause discontinuation); secondary outcomes were birthweight, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth retardation. The protocol of this study was registered with Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/B9T4E). RESULTS In total, 54 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 4,957 participants were included. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) alone, aspirin plus LMWH or unfractionated heparin (UFH), aspirin plus LMWH plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), aspirin plus LMWH plus IVIG plus prednisone were found to be effective pharmacological interventions for increasing live birth rate (ORs ranging between 2.88 to 11.24). In terms of acceptability, no significant difference was found between treatments. In terms of adverse perinatal outcomes, aspirin alone was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth than aspirin plus LMWH (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.16 to 16.44) and with lower birthweight than LMWH (SMD -808.76, 95% CI -1596.54 to -5.07). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the use of low-dose aspirin plus heparin as the first-line treatment for prevention of RM in women with APS, and support the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine, IVIG, and prednisone when added to current treatment regimens. More large-scale, high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm these findings, and new pharmacological options should be further evaluated.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To explore the effect of two different priming strategies (artificial colloid only vs. artificial colloid combined with human serum albumin) on the prognosis of children weighing less than 5 kg undergoing on-pump congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery. METHODS A total of 65 children weighing less than 5 kg who underwent on-pump CHD surgery in our hospital from September 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled in this study. The children were randomly divided into two groups: artificial colloid priming group (AC group, n=33) and artificial colloid combined albumin priming group (ACA group, n=32). The primary clinical endpoint was the peri-CPB colloid osmotic pressure (COP). Secondary clinical endpoints included perioperative blood product & hemostatic drug consumption, postoperative renal function, coagulation function, postoperative renal function and postoperative recovery parameters. RESULTS COP values were not significant in the priming system as well as peri-CPB time points between the two groups (P>0.05). Platelet consumption in the AC group was significantly lower than that in the ACA group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the use of other blood products and hemostatic drugs as well as perioperative coagulation parameters between the two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative length of stay in the AC group was significantly lower than that in the ACA group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in mortality, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, ICU time and perioperative adverse event (including postoperative AKI) occurrences between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS In the on-pump cardiac surgeries of patients weighting less than 5kg, total colloidal priming would not affect peri-CPB COP values, postoperative coagulation function and blood products consumption. Total artificial colloidal priming strategy is feasible in low-weight patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Tourniquet is widely used by orthopedic surgeons in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there are still controversies on the optimal timing of tourniquet application. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effect and safety of tourniquet application only during cementation with long-duration tourniquet application in TKA. METHODS An electronic literature search of PubMed, the Cochrane library, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted in July 2017. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing tourniquet application only during cementation with long-duration tourniquet application in TKA were included. RevMan 5.3 software was selected to perform the meta-analysis. RESULTS Seven studies involving 440 TKAs were included for meta-analysis. The results suggested that although significant less intraoperative and total blood loss were observed with long-duration tourniquet application, tourniquet application only during cementation would not increase the number of transfusion and operation time. Tourniquet application only during cementation results in less knee pain on post-operative day 1 (POD 1), less time needed to achieve straight-leg raise, and less minor complications following TKA. CONCLUSIONS Tourniquet application only during cementation might reduce the rate of minor complications and have faster functional recovery during the early rehabilitation period following TKA, but it could not limit intraoperative and total blood loss. No definitive conclusions can be drawn based on the current evidences. Further, large well-designed RCTs with extensive follow-up are still needed to validate this research.