Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2006
Review Meta AnalysisChemotherapy as an adjunct to radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
A previous meta-analysis investigated the role of chemotherapy in head and neck locally advanced carcinoma. This work had not been performed on nasopharyngeal carcinoma. ⋯ Chemotherapy led to a small but significant benefit for overall survival and event-free survival. This benefit was essentially observed when chemotherapy was administered concomitantly with radiotherapy.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2006
Review Meta AnalysisPit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in children and adolescents.
The majority of the detected increment in dental caries is confined to pit and fissure surfaces of first molars. Application of pit and fissure sealants and topical fluorides are widely used procedures in the prevention of decay, and their effectiveness in caries prevention has been proved by systematic reviews. ⋯ There was some evidence of the superiority of pit and fissure sealants over fluoride varnish application in the prevention of occlusal decays. However, it remained unclear to what extent there is difference between the effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnishes. Therefore, more high quality research is needed. No recommendations for the clinical practice could be given and the benefit of pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnishes should be considered locally and individually.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2006
Review Meta AnalysisLaparoscopic versus small-incision cholecystectomy for patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis.
Cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently performed operations. Open cholecystectomy has been the gold standard for over 100 years. Small-incision cholecystectomy is a less frequently used alternative. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced in the 1980s. ⋯ Laparoscopic and small-incision cholecystectomy seem to be equivalent. No differences could be observed in mortality, complications, and postoperative recovery. Small-incision cholecystectomy has a significantly shorter operative time. Complications in elective cholecystectomy are prevalent.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2006
Review Meta AnalysisNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for heavy bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use.
Heavy bleeding and pain are the most common reasons why women discontinue IUDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, have been shown to be effective in reducing menstrual bleeding and pain in women without IUDs. ⋯ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce bleeding and pain associated with IUD use. NSAIDs should be considered first-line therapy; if NSAIDs are ineffective, tranexamic acid may be considered as second-line therapy. Prophylactic ibuprofen administration with the first six menses after insertion appears unwarranted.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2006
Review Meta AnalysisBehavioural and cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents.
While behavioural or cognitive-behavioural therapy (BT/CBT) is recommended as the psychotherapeutic treatment of choice for children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the application of BT/CBT to paediatric OCD may not be straightforward. ⋯ Although only based on a small number of studies, behavioural or cognitive-behaviour therapy appears to be a promising treatment for OCD in children and adolescents. It can lead to better outcomes when combined with medication compared to medication alone. Additional trials are needed to confirm these findings. In the interim, consideration should be given to the ways in which BT/CBT might be made more widely available as a treatment for OCD in children and adolescents.