Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic versus conventional open left hepatectomy. Methods Databases including CENTRAL (Issue 1, 2012), MEDLINE/PubMed (1978 to 2012), EMbase (1966 to 2012), CBM (1978 to 2012), CNKI (1979 to 2012) and the Chinese Medical Association Figures Journal Systems (1990 to 2012) were searched to collect clinical trials on laparoscopic versus conventional open left hepatectomy. Relevant proceedings and references of the included studies were also retrieved manually. According to the inclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed quality. Then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan5.0 software. Results No randomized controlled trials were collected, and a total of 5 clinical concurrent controlled trials involving 319 patients were included finally. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the conventional open group, the laparoscopic group was longer in the operation time (WMD=40.89, 95%CI 29.39 to 55.38, Plt;0.000 01), and was lower in the intraoperative blood loss (WMD=−107.84, 95%CI −208.96 to −6.73, Plt;0.04); but there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of hospital stays (WMD=−3.78, 95%CI −9.60 to 2.04, P=0.20) or postoperative complications (WMD=0.69, 95%CI 0.37 to 1.29, P=0.25). Conclusion As a minimally invasive technique, laparoscopic left hepatectomy has advantages of small abdominal incision and less intraoperative blood loss, and it is helpful to improve the quality of life for patients. Due to the limitation of quantity and quality of the included studies, it is hard to estimate the impact of bias on the reliability of this conclusion. We advise to perform more high quality, large scale and multicenter studies with adequate follow-up in the future.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with argon-helium cryotherapy system (AHCS) for primary hepatic carcinomas (PHC), and to provide references for clinical practice and research. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched, and other sources like the relavant references were also retrieved to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about TACE combiend with AHCS for PHC published by May 1st, 2012. After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation performed by two reviewers independently according to the inclusion criteria, the meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 16 RCTs involving 1 467 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed: a) The TACE+AHCS group was superior to the TACE alone group in total effective rate, complete necrosis rate, 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2- and 2.5-year survival rates, AFP, CD4 and Th/Ts cells, and there were significant differences (Plt;0.05); and b) The TACE+AHCS group was superior to the AHCS alone group in 0.5-, 1.5-, 2- and 2.5-year survival rates, AFP and Th/Ts cells, and there were significant differences (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Compared with the TACE or AHCS alone, TACE combined with AHCS can improve long-term survival rate and short-term curative effect, and improve PHC patients’ immunity. However, its long-term curative effect and safety still needs to be further verified by more large sample and high quality RCTs.
Objective To evaluate the value of MRI and MDCT in detecting both inferior vena cava tumor thrombus and vena cava wall invasion in renal cell carcinoma. Methods Databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (Ovid), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched from January 2000 to February 2012. Relevant studies were screened on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then quality assessment and data extraction were conducted. Then heterogeneity test and meta-analysis were conducted using RevMan 5 and Meta-disc 1.4. Results A total of 6 trials involving 244 patients and 246 cases of renal cell carcinoma were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, for the MRI group and the MDCT group, the sensitivity was 0.963 and 0.952, the specificity was 0.969 and 0.979, the value of +LR was 9.759 and 15.57, the value of −LR was 0.091 and 0.108, and the dOR was 198.71 and 251.54, respectively. There were no significant differences in pooled effect-size among groups (Pgt;0.05). The area under curve (AUC) of summary ROC curve analysis as well as Q index of the MDCT group were 0.981 8 and 0.940 7, respectively. Conclusion There is no significant difference in the value of MRI and MDCT in detecting inferior vena cava tumor thrombus induced by renal cell carcinoma. More original studies on vena cava wall invasion by tumor thrombus should be conducted in the future due to the limitation of current materials.
Objective To describe and analyze both the direct impact of emergency service (ES) cost sharing and the indirect impact of drug cost sharing on emergency service utilization (ESU) in health insurance plans. Methods The author searched18 electronic databases which were in the evidence-based, public health, economic and social categories, respectively, 2 grey literature review resources and Google search engine, and the retrieval time was from June 21st, 2011 to September 19th, 2011. According to the inclusion criteria, data screening and extraction were conducted by two reviewers independently, and the differences were discussed by a third person or a review group. The theme analysis was adopted to systematically analyze both the direct and indirect impacts of cost sharing on ESU. Additionally, the side effects were analyzed too. Results Among total 22 studies included, 13 described the direct impact of ESU cost sharing, while the other 9 referred to the indirect impact of drug cost sharing. There were mainly 5 categories of health plans involved in. The results showed that, ESU could respond to the cost sharing: ESU decreased when the proportion of copayment increased, and vice versa. The increase of drug copayment impaired the use of essential drugs and finally increased ESU. However, a modest ES copayment decreased the irrational ESU rather than the rational ESU. Conclusion To the insured, the increase of ES cost sharing would not decrease the rational ESU and has no adverse events, while the increase of drug cost sharing would lead to some adverse events such as the increase of ESU. To the uninsured, the impact of cost sharing needs to be further disccussed. So this review suggests, the proper ES self-payment should be introduced into the health insurance plans according to local economic status, resident income, etc.; in addition, the drug self-payment ratio should be determined cautiously.
Objective To systematically review the impact of vitamin D supplement on blood pressure, so as to provide a basis for clinical treatment. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2011), MEDLINE (1996 to August 2011), EMbase (1974 to August 2011), CBM (1989 to 2011), CNKI (1997 to August 2011) and VIP (1989 to 2011) were searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the impact of vitamin D supplement on blood pressure. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion criteria, extracted the data and assessed the quality. Then the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 8 studies involving 907 participants were included. The methodological quality based on the improved Jadad scales displayed that, 7 studies scored 4 to 7 and only 1 study scored less than 4. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the placebo groups, vitamin D supplement had no significant difference in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion Based on current research evidences, compared with placebo, vitamin D supplement has no marked impact on either systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Due to the lack of studies, this conclusion still needs to be proved by conducting more well designed, large sample, and multicenter RCTs.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dexmedetomidine for postoperative sedation in cardiac patients. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EBSCO, Springer, Ovid, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched electronically from the date of their establishment to May 2012, and other relevant journals and references of the included literature were also searched manually. Two reviewers independently screened the studies in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed methodology quality. Then the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1software. Results A total of 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1 157 patients were included. The Jadad scores of 7 RCTs were more than 3, and only 1 RCT scored 2. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, dexmedetomidine significantly raised peripheral oxygen saturation (RR=0.90, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.49, P=0.003), decreased the incidence of average heart rate (RR=–5.86, 95%CI –7.31 to −4.40, Plt;0.000 01), ventricular tachycardia (RR=0.27, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.88, P=0.03), delirium (RR=0.28, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.48, Plt;0.000 01) and postoperative hyperglycemia (RR=0.57, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.85, P=0.006), and reduced the number of patients who needed vasoactive agents such as epinephrine (RR=0.53, 95%CI 0.29 to 0.96, P=0.04) and β-blocker (RR=0.60, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.94, P=0.03). However, it failed to shorten the time of both ICU stay (RR=−1.24, 95%CI −4.35 to 1.87, P=0.43) and mechanical ventilation (RR=−2.28, 95%CI −5.13 to 0.57, P=0.12), increase mean artery pressure (RR=−2.78, 95%CI −6.89 to 1.34, P=0.19), and well control postoperative nausea, vomiting and atrial-fibrillation. There were no significant differences between the two groups in myocardial infarction, acute cardiac failure, acute kidney failure, and mortality rate. Conclusion For postoperative sedation in cardiac patients, dexmedetomidine can effectively stabilize hemodynamic indexes, and reduce tachycardia, delirium, postoperative hyperglycemia and vasoactive agents. However, it has no marked influence on the prognosis. For the quantity and quality limitation of included studies, this conclusion needs to be proved by performing more high quality and large sample RCTs.
Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treating insomnia in patients with breast cancer. Methods Such databases as CENTRAL (April 2011), The Cochrane Library (2005 to November 2011), MEDLINE (1948 to April 2011), EMbase (Junuary 1966 to April 2011), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, 1982 to April 2011), CBM (1978 to 2011) and CNKI (1979 to 2011) were searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about CBT treating insomnia in patients with breast cancer. Literature screening, data extraction and methodological quality assessment of the included studies were conducted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then RevMan 5.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 5 RCTs were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, the CBT group was higher in the score of subjective sleep efficiency; however, it was lower in the subjective sleep onset latency. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep onset latency and wake time after sleep onset measured by hypnocinematograph. Conclusion Cognitive behavioral therapy may improve the subjective sleep efficiency and sleep quality, and shorten the sleep onset latency in patients with breast cancer. However, its effect of improving objective sleep quality is still unverifiable at present. It suggests the following measures should be taken for providing better evidences: increasing sample size, adopting blind methods, confirming allocation concealment, and using unified hypnocinematograph.
Objective To systematically review the clinical effectiveness and safety of programmable valves (PV) vs. standard valves (SV) for hydrocephalus. Methods Literature search was conducted in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data to collect both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized concurrent controlled trials on hydrocephalus treated by PV and SV published from January 1992 to January 2012. According to the inclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data, and evaluated and cross-checked the quality of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 11 non-randomized concurrent controlled trials involving 1,485 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with SV, PV was superior in overall effective rate (RR=1.14, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.27, P=0.01), 2-year survival rate (RR=1.25, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.51, P=0.02), secondary surgery rate (RR=0.53, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.73, Plt;0.001), overall complications rate (RR=0.62, 95%CI 0.51 to 0.76, Plt;0.001), and over-drainage/ under-drainage rates (RR=0.42, 95%CI 0.21 to 0.83, P=0.01). But there were no significant differences in 1-year survival rate (RR=1.04, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.19, P=0.55), postoperative infection rate (RR=1.08, 95%CI 0.73 to 1.60, P=0.71) and valve related complication rate (RR=0.80, 95%CI 0.56 to 1.21, P=0.20) between the two groups. Conclusion Current evidence suggests that PV is superior to SV in increasing the effective rate, decreasing complications, and prolonging the long-term survival rate. Because of the limitation of quantity and quality of the included studies, more high quality, multicenter and double-blind RCTs are needed to prove whether PV can be clinically recommended as a preferred drainage surgery or not.
Objective To systematically review the effectiveness and safety of different laparoscopic surgeries for ovarian endometrioma (OE). Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2011), MEDLINE (1966 to November 2011), EMbase (1980 to November 2011), CNKI (1980 to November 2011), CBM (1980 to November 2011) and WanFang Data (1978 to November 2011) were searched on computer, and the relevant references of the included literature were also retrieved manually to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about laparoscopic cystectomy vs. laparoscopic coagulation for OE. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed quality. Then RevMan 5.1 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 5 RCTs were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, laparoscopic cystectomy for OE could reduce the reocurrence rates of dysmenorrhoea (RR=0.29, 95%CI 0.15 to 0.55, P=0.000 2), dyspareunia (RR=0.27, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.77, P=0.01) and non-menstrual pelvic pain (RR=0.19, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.76, P=0.02), decrease 1-year (RR=0.33, 95%CI 0.15 to 0.74, P=0.007) and 2-year (RR=0.49, 95%CI 0.26 to 0.95, P=0.03) postoperative reoccurence of OE, and lower the risk of short-term secondary operation (RR=0.25, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.85, P=0.03). However, it didn’t increase the 12-month (RR=2.82, 95%CI 1.44 to 5.50, P=0.002) and 24-month (RR=2.62, 95%CI 1.47 to 4.68, P=0.001) postoperative spontaneous pregnancy rates (SPR). In addition, although laparoscopic coagulation was superior to laparoscopic cystectomy in the 6-month postoperative ovarian reserve function (ORF), there was no significant difference in the 5-year postoperative ORF between the two groups (WMD=0.27, 95%CI −0.18 to 0.73, P=0.24). Conclusion Laparoscopic cystectomy for OE can reduce the reoccurence of dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, non-menstrual pelvic pain and endometriosis, decrease the risk of short-term secondary operation, and increase the postoperative SPR in women who had been diagnosed as infertility. Because of the quantity limitation of present clinical trials, this conclusion requires to be further proved by performing more high quality RCTs.
Objective To assess the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) for women with benign gynecological diseases. Methods Such databases as CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library, Issue 5, 2012), MEDLINE, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM were searched from the date of their establishment to May 2012, meanwhile the relevant gray literature was also retrieved to identify the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about LH versus abdominal hysterectomy (AH) for benign gynecological diseases. The literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria by two reviewers independently, and the methodology quality was evaluated after extracting the data, then RevMan 5.1 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 22 RCTs involving 3 304 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with AH, LH was shorter in the time of both hospital stay (MD=–2.31, 95%CI –3.03 to –1.60, Plt;0.000 01) and postoperative recovery (MD=−13.86, 95%CI −17.70 to −10.03, Plt;0.000 01), and lower in the incidences of both postoperative fever and other nonspecific infections (OR=0.72, 95%CI 0.54 to 0.95, P=0.02), but it was higher in the incidence rate of intraoperative urinary systematic injuries (OR=2.41, 95%CI 1.21 to 4.82, P=0.012), and longer in the operation time (MD=20.27, 95%CI 3.95 to 36.59, P=0.03). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of complications such as intraoperative intestinal injuries, vessel injuries, postoperative fistulizaion, postoperative urethral dysfunction, postoperative vaginal infection, etc. (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion This systematic review shows when treating benign gynecological diseases, LH is superior to AH in shortening the time of hospital stay and postoperative recovery, and in decreasing the incidence of operative fever and other nonspecific infections, but it results in a higher incidence of intraoperative urinary systematic injuries and longer operative time. Because there is no result regarding to the postoperative long-term life quality, so it expects to be further proved by more high quality RCTs.