Articles: patients.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Sep 2015
Review Meta AnalysisVirtual reality training for improving the skills needed for performing surgery of the ear, nose or throat.
Virtual reality simulation uses computer-generated imagery to present a simulated training environment for learners. This review seeks to examine whether there is evidence to support the introduction of virtual reality surgical simulation into ear, nose and throat surgical training programmes. ⋯ There is limited evidence to support the inclusion of virtual reality surgical simulation into surgical training programmes, on the basis that it can allow trainees to develop technical skills that are at least as good as those achieved through conventional training. Further investigations are required to determine whether virtual reality training is associated with better real world outcomes for patients and the development of non-technical skills. Virtual reality simulation may be considered as an additional learning tool for medical students.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Sep 2015
Review Meta AnalysisSystemic antibiotics for treating diabetic foot infections.
Foot infection is the most common cause of non-traumatic amputation in people with diabetes. Most diabetic foot infections (DFIs) require systemic antibiotic therapy and the initial choice is usually empirical. Although there are many antibiotics available, uncertainty exists about which is the best for treating DFIs. ⋯ The evidence for the relative effects of different systemic antibiotics for the treatment of foot infections in diabetes is very heterogeneous and generally at unclear or high risk of bias. Consequently it is not clear if any one systemic antibiotic treatment is better than others in resolving infection or in terms of safety. One non-inferiority trial suggested that ertapenem with or without vancomycin is more effective in achieving clinical resolution of infection than tigecycline. Otherwise the relative effects of different antibiotics are unclear. The quality of the evidence is low due to limitations in the design of the included trials and important differences between them in terms of the diversity of antibiotics assessed, duration of treatments, and time points at which outcomes were assessed. Any further studies in this area should have a blinded assessment of outcomes, use standardised criteria to classify severity of infection, define clear outcome measures, and establish the duration of treatment.
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Review Meta Analysis
Systematic review with meta-analysis of the impact of surgical fellowship training on patient outcomes.
The number of surgeons entering fellowship training before independent practice is increasing. This may have a negative impact on surgeons in training. The impact of fellowship training on patient outcomes is not yet known. This review aimed to investigate the impact of fellowship training in surgery on patient outcomes. ⋯ Fellowship training appears to have a positive impact on patient outcomes.
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2015
Review Meta AnalysisThe Impact of Timing of Antibiotics on Outcomes in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
We sought to systematically review and meta-analyze the available data on the association between timing of antibiotic administration and mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ Using the available pooled data, we found no significant mortality benefit of administering antibiotics within 3 hours of emergency department triage or within 1 hour of shock recognition in severe sepsis and septic shock. These results suggest that currently recommended timing metrics as measures of quality of care are not supported by the available evidence.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 2015
Review Meta AnalysisThe Effects of Perioperative Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia on Cancer Recurrence and Survival After Oncology Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Potentially, perioperative regional anesthesia and analgesia (RA) could influence the outcomes of patients with cancer. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of perioperative RA on survival and cancer recurrence after oncologic surgery. ⋯ Our meta-analysis suggests that RA may improve overall survival but not reduce cancer recurrence after oncologic surgery.