Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
ReviewExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe respiratory failure in newborn infants.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a complex procedure of life support in severe but potentially reversible respiratory failure, used particularly in mature newborn infants. Although the number of babies requiring ECMO is small, and the ECMO policy invasive and potentially expensive, its benefits may be high. ⋯ A policy of using ECMO in mature infants with severe but potentially reversible respiratory failure would result in significantly improved survival without increased risk of severe disability amongst survivors. For babies with diaphragmatic hernia ECMO offers short term benefits but the overall effect of employing ECMO in this group is not clear. Further studies are needed to refine ECMO techniques; to consider the optimal timing for introducing ECMO; to identify which infants are most likely to benefit; and to address the longer term implications of neonatal ECMO during later childhood and adult life.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
ReviewBlood transfusion for preventing stroke in people with sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease is a common inherited haemoglobin disorder. The abnormal haemoglobin causes distortion of red blood cells, anaemia, vaso-occlusion and dysfunction in virtually any organ system in the body. Stroke occurs in around 10% of children with sickle cell anaemia, and recurrences after a first stroke are likely. Chronic blood transfusion regimes are often used in an attempt to dilute the sickled red blood cells, thus reducing the risk of vaso-occlusion and stroke. However, the side-effects of such regimens can be severe. ⋯ While the included study demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of stroke in patients receiving regular blood transfusions, the degree of risk must be balanced against the burden of a chronic transfusion regime. Further research is required to establish the use of transfusion in preventing secondary stroke, the age, or length of time after an event, at which transfusion can safely be stopped, and to further define risk factors for stroke in order to reduce the chance of unnecessarily putting children onto a chronic transfusion regime.
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Trials on the effect of systemic chemotherapy on survival and recurrence in adults with high-grade glioma have had inconclusive results. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of such treatment on survival and recurrence. ⋯ This small but clear improvement in survival from chemotherapy encourages further study of drug treatment of these tumours
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
ReviewWritten individualised management plans for asthma in children and adults.
Non-adherence to treatment advice is a common phenomenon in asthma and may account for a significant proportion of the morbidity. Comprehensive care that includes asthma education, written self-management plan and regular review has been shown to improve asthma outcomes, but the contribution of these components has not been established. ⋯ The available trials are too small and the results too inconsistent to form any firm conclusions as to the contribution of written self management plans in the known beneficial effects of a comprehensive asthma care programmes.
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Fracture of the distal radius is a common clinical problem, particularly in older white women with osteoporosis. Anaesthesia is usually provided during manipulation of displaced fractures or during surgical treatment. ⋯ There was insufficient robust evidence from randomised trials to establish the relative effectiveness of different methods of anaesthesia, different associated physical techniques or the use of drug adjuncts in the treatment of distal radial fractures. There is, however, some indication that haematoma block provides poorer analgesia than IVRA, and can compromise reduction. Given the many unresolved questions over the management of these fractures, we suggest an integrated programme of research, which includes consideration of anaesthesia options, is the way forward.