Latest Articles
-
Hepato Gastroenterol · Apr 1995
Meta AnalysisSomatostatin and octreotide in the management of acute variceal hemorrhage.
In recent years, somatostatin and its long-acting analogue octreotide have been used as the initial treatment in acute variceal hemorrhage, with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to meta-analyse all the randomised controlled trials published in English, in which somotostatin or octreotide was compared with other vasoactive drugs, balloon tamponade and endoscopic sclerotherapy in variceal hemorrhage. Concerning the control of bleeding, somatostatin or octreotide therapy was shown to be significantly better than the other vasoactive drugs (p < 0.0012, x2 = 10.55). ⋯ Regarding the complication rate, it appears that treatment with somatostatin or octreotide is followed by a significantly lower complication rate as compared with the other vasoactive drugs (p < 0.0001, x2 = 16.47) as well as than endoscopic sclerotherapy (p, 0.0002, x2 = 14.16). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that in acute variceal hemorrhage, somatostatin or octreotide is better than any other combination of vasoactive drugs. As regards comparison with sclerotherapy or balloon tamponade, further evidence of benefit is needed before a recommendation can be made for the use of instead of these two kind of treatments of the former procedures.
-
The use of antibiotics for patients undergoing tube thoracostomy was determined to be highly variable based on a study conducted at a national meeting of surgeons. A meta-analysis of six randomized studies previously reported was performed. The analysis was carried out using the Confidence Profile Method software FAST*PRO. ⋯ The results of this meta-analysis suggest that antibiotics should be used in patients undergoing tube thoracostomy. Antibiotic selection should maximize therapy for Staph. aureus. The implementation of this practice guideline will require the co-operation of multiple specialty oriented physicians and surgeons.
-
To determine if inadequate approaches to randomized controlled trial design and execution are associated with evidence of bias in estimating treatment effects. ⋯ This study provides empirical evidence that inadequate methodological approaches in controlled trials, particularly those representing poor allocation concealment, are associated with bias. Readers of trial reports should be wary of these pitfalls, and investigators must improve their design, execution, and reporting of trials.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1995
Meta AnalysisNeurolytic celiac plexus block for treatment of cancer pain: a meta-analysis.
We performed a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) for cancer pain. A literature search yielded 59 papers, but data on NCPB in two or more patients was available in only 24 papers. Twenty-one studies were retrospective, one was prospective, and two were randomized and controlled. ⋯ Patients with pancreatic cancer responded similarly to those with other intraabdominal malignancies. Common adverse effects were transient, including local pain (96%), diarrhea (44%), and hypotension (38%); complications occurred in 2%. This analysis suggests that: 1) NCPB has long-lasting benefit for 70%-90% of patients with pancreatic and other intraabdominal cancers, regardless of the technique used; 2) adverse effects are common but transient and mild; and 3) severe adverse effects are uncommon.