Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2001
ReviewStapled versus handsewn methods for colorectal anastomosis surgery.
Randomized controlled trials comparing stapled with handsewn colorectal anastomosis have not shown either technique to be superior, perhaps because individual studies lacked statistical power. A systematic review, with pooled analysis of results, might provide a more definitive answer. ⋯ The evidence found was insufficient to demonstrate any superiority of stapled over handsewn techniques in colorectal anastomosis, regardless of the level of anastomosis.
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious health problem world-wide. Medicinal herbs are increasingly being used for hepatitis C. ⋯ There is no firm evidence of efficacy of any medicinal herbs for HCV infection. Medicinal herbs for HCV infection should not be used outside randomised clinical trials.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2001
ReviewInternal fixation implants for intracapsular proximal femoral fractures in adults.
Numerous different implants with screws, pins and side plates have been used for the internal fixation of intracapsular hip fractures. ⋯ No clear conclusions can be made on the choice of implant for internal fixation of intracapsular fractures from the available evidence within randomised trials.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2001
ReviewSingle versus combination intravenous antibiotic therapy for people with cystic fibrosis.
Choice of antibiotic, and the use of single or combined therapy are controversial areas in the treatment of respiratory infection in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Advantages of combination therapy include wider range of modes of action, possible synergy and reduction of resistant organisms; advantages of monotherapy include lower cost, ease of administration and reduction of drug related toxicity. Current evidence does not provide a clear answer and therefore the use of intravenous antibiotic therapy in CF requires further evaluation. ⋯ The results of this systematic review of monotherapy versus combination therapy for pulmonary exacerbations in CF are inconclusive. The review raises important methodological issues. There is a need for a randomised controlled trial which needs to be well designed in terms of adequate randomisation allocation, blinding, power and long-term follow up. Results need to be standardised to a consistent method of reporting, in order to validate the pooling of results from multiple studies.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2001
ReviewCorticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy is an autoimmune peripheral neuropathy and would be expected to benefit from corticosteroids. Non-randomised studies suggest that corticosteroids are often beneficial. ⋯ A single randomised controlled trial with 35 participants provided weak evidence to support the common opinion derived from non-randomised studies that oral corticosteroids reduce impairment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Corticosteroids are known to have serious long term side effects. The long term risks and benefits have not been adequately studied.