ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of paravertebral block (PVB) versus thoracic epidural block (TEB) for post-thoracotomy analgesia. MethodsWe electronically searched databases including The Cochrane Library (Issue 9, 2013), PubMed, EMbase, Springer, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data from 1980 to September 2013, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PVB versus TEB for post-thoracotomy pain management. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsThirteen RCTs involving 608 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:the PVB group got higher VAS score at 48 h than the TEB group (WMD=-0.36, 95%CI -0.54 to -0.71), but more patients of the PVB group chosen remedial method to release pain in epidural than in paravertebral. In addition, there were no differences in VAS scores at 6 h and 24 h between two groups. As for the analgesia related complication:compared with the TEB group, the PVB group has lower rate of hypotension (RR=0.18, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.41), urinary retention (RR=0.24, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.54), nausea and vomiting (RR=0.42, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.70). There were no significant differences between two groups in postoperative pulmonary complication (RR=0.52, 95%CI 0.10 to 2.76), postoperative FEV1 level (WMD=2.93, 95%CI -4.52 to 10.38) and duration of hospital stay (WMD=-0.19, 95%CI -0.89 to 0.50). The PVB group had lower risk of chronic pain than that of the TEB group (RD=-0.12, 95%CI -0.23 to -0.01). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows PVB has the similar efficacy as TEB in post-thoracotomy pain management, with lower risk of analgesia related complication and lower risk of post-thoracotomy chronic pain. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality and large-scale RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors for pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy. MethodThe clinical data of 150 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in this hospital from January 2011 to January 2014 were reviewed, and the potential factors for pancreatic fistular were evaluated by both univariate and multivariate analysis. ResultsThe incidence of pancreatic fistula was 12.7% (19/150). Univariate analysis results showed that the age, preoperative high bilirubin level, texture of the remnant pancreas, diameter of wirsung, operative time were associated with pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results revealed that the texture of the remnant pancreas, diameter of wirsung, and operative time were the inde-pendent risk factors (P < 0.05) for pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy. ConclusionsTexture of the remnant pancreas, diameter of wirsung, operative time are independent risk factors for pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Rich experience and skilled surgical procedures could effectively reduce the incidence of pancreatic fistula.