Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2004
Review Meta AnalysisProphylactic versus selective antibiotics for term newborn infants of mothers with risk factors for neonatal infection.
Early onset bacterial infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in newborn infants. Various factors that increase the risk of neonatal infection have been identified. It is unclear whether asymptomatic newborn infants born to mothers with one or more of these risk factors should receive antibiotics prophylactically rather than selectively if only clinical or microbiological evidence of sepsis emerges. ⋯ There are insufficient data from randomized controlled trials to guide clinical practice. A large randomized controlled trial is needed in asymptomatic term infants born to mothers with risk factors for infection in their babies, which compares the effect of prophylactic versus selective antibiotics on morbidity, mortality and costs.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2004
Review Meta AnalysisCatechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors versus active comparators for levodopa-induced complications in Parkinson's disease.
As Parkinson's disease progresses the control of the symptoms often requires the addition of other drugs to levodopa. The principle aim of COMT inhibitor therapy is to increase the duration of effect of the levodopa dose and thus reduce the time patients spend in the relatively immobile 'off' phase. ⋯ The two trials comparing tolcapone with the dopamine agonists bromocriptine and pergolide were underpowered to detect clinically relevant differences between them. This is based on medium-term evidence. No evidence was found comparing entacapone with active comparators. Further larger and longer-term trials are required to compare tolcapone with entacapone and COMT inhibitor therapy with alternative adjuvant classes of drug in later Parkinson's disease such as dopamine agonists and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2004
Review Meta AnalysisEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in gallstone-associated acute pancreatitis.
Early endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy (ERCP+/-ES) has been advocated to reduce complications in patients presenting with a severe attack of gallstone-associated acute pancreatitis (GAP). However, a recent trial has reported contradictory results. Importantly, patients with acute cholangitis were excluded suggesting it may be a major confounding factor affecting previous studies. ⋯ Odds of having complications are reduced in predicted severe disease by early ERCP +/- ES. This effect was however, non-significant in predicted mild disease and for reduction of mortality in either predicted mild or severe disease. These results are controlled for confounding due to associated acute cholangitis and are robust for clinical and statistical heterogeneity.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2004
Review Meta AnalysisTechniques and materials for closure of the abdominal wall in caesarean section.
There is a variety of techniques for closing the abdominal wall during caesarean section. Some methods may be better in terms of postoperative recovery and other important outcomes. ⋯ Further trials are justified to investigate whether the apparent increased risk of haematoma or seroma with non-closure of the subcutaneous fat is real. These should use a broader range of short- and long-term outcomes, and ensure that they are adequately powered to detect clinically important differences. Further research comparing blunt and sharp needles is justified, as are trials evaluating suturing materials and suturing techniques for the rectus sheath.
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People suffering from acute psychotic illnesses, especially those associated with agitated or violent behaviour, may require urgent pharmacological tranquillisation or sedation. Droperidol, a butyrophenone neuroleptic, has been used for this purpose in several countries. ⋯ This is an important, and surprisingly under-researched, area. To date, use of droperidol for emergency situations has been justified by experience rather than evidence from well conducted and reported randomised trials, but, as world reserves diminish, droperidol will no longer be a treatment option.