Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2011
Review Meta AnalysisLaparoscopic versus open surgical techniques for ventral or incisional hernia repair.
There are many different techniques currently in use for ventral and incisional hernia repair. Laparoscopic techniques have become more common in recent years, although the evidence is sparse. ⋯ The short-term results of laparoscopic repair in ventral hernia are promising. In spite of the risks of adhesiolysis, the technique is safe. Nevertheless, long-term follow-up is needed in order to elucidate whether laparoscopic repair of ventral/incisional hernia is efficacious.
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Piggy-back method of transplantation, which involves preservation of the recipient retrohepatic inferior vena cava, has been suggested as an alternative to the conventional method of liver transplantation, where the recipient retrohepatic inferior vena cava is resected. ⋯ There is currently no evidence to recommend or refute the use of piggy-back method of liver transplantation.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2011
Review Meta AnalysisTight control of mild-moderate pre-existing or non-proteinuric gestational hypertension.
The question of the target blood pressure in pregnant women with mild-moderate hypertension continues to be an area of debate. ⋯ For pregnant women with non-severe pre-existing or non-proteinuric gestational hypertension, there is insufficient evidence to determine how tight control of hypertension should be achieved to improve maternal and fetal-neonatal outcomes.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2011
Review Meta AnalysisElectromagnetic therapy for treating venous leg ulcers.
Leg ulceration is a common, chronic, recurring condition. The estimated prevalence of leg ulcers in the UK population is 1.5 to 3 per 1000. Venous ulcers (also called stasis or varicose ulcers) comprise 80% to 85% of all leg ulcers. Electromagnetic therapy (EMT) is sometimes used as a treatment to assist the healing of chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcers. ⋯ There is no high quality evidence that electromagnetic therapy increases the rate of healing of venous leg ulcers, and further research is needed.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2011
Review Meta AnalysisMechanical bowel preparation for elective colorectal surgery.
The presence of bowel contents during colorectal surgery has been related to anastomotic leakage, but the belief that mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) is an efficient agent against leakage and infectious complications is based on observational data and expert opinions only.An enema before the rectal surgery to clean the rectum and facilitate the manipulation for the mechanical anastomosis is used for many surgeons. This is analysed separately ⋯ Despite the inclusion of more studies with a total of 5805 participants, there is no statistically significant evidence that patients benefit from mechanical bowel preparation, nor the use of rectal enemas. In colonic surgery the bowel cleansing can be safely omitted and induces no lower complication rate. The few studies focused in rectal surgery suggested that mechanical bowel preparation could be used selectively, even though no significant effect was found. Further research on patients submitted for elective rectal surgery, below the peritoneal verge, in whom bowel continuity is restored, and studies with patients submitted to laparoscopic surgeries are still warranted.