Articles: cations.
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of lower perioperative blood glucose target levels for reduction of surgical-site infection.
There is a clear association between hyperglycaemia and surgical-site infection (SSI). Intensive glucose control may involve a risk of hypoglycaemia, which in turn results in potentially severe complications. A systematic review was undertaken of studies comparing intensive versus conventional glucose control protocols in relation to reduction of SSI and other outcomes, including hypoglycaemia, mortality and stroke. ⋯ Stricter and lower blood glucose target levels of less than 150 mg/dl (8·3 mmol/l), using an intensive protocol in the perioperative period, reduce SSI with an inherent risk of hypoglycaemic events but without a significant increase in serious adverse events.
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Observational Study
Three-year Results of a Pilot Program in Early Liver Transplantation for Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis.
To examine our pilot to transplant selected patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis, initiated in October 2012. ⋯ In this pilot with carefully selected patients, early liver transplant provided excellent short-term survival, and similar rates of alcohol relapse compared with patients with 6 months of abstinence. Harmful patterns of relapse remain challenging in this population, highlighting the need for validated models to predict alcohol relapse, and need for extreme caution in selecting patients for this exceptional indication. Larger prospective studies and longer follow up are necessary.
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Multicenter Study
Perceptions of Community-Dwelling Patients and Their Physicians on OxyContin® Discontinuation and the Impact on Chronic Pain Management.
OxyContin, formerly one of the most commonly prescribed medications for chronic pain in Canada, was discontinued, delisted from the Ontario Drug Formulary, and replaced by a tamper-resistant formulation in 2012. The impact of discontinuing OxyContin on patients formerly prescribed it to treat chronic pain was unreported. Patients with chronic pain aged 45 years and over (n = 13) were recruited from two primary care and one specialty practice sites and interviewed using a semistructured guide to capture their experiences with discontinuing OxyContin, the efficacy of alternate medications, and relationships with physicians. ⋯ Aspects of patients' pain and medical care through the discontinuation process revealed emergent themes that both converge and diverge from that of treating physicians. Areas of divergence include the motive for discontinuation, which was condemned by most patients but supported by all physicians, and the perceived impact of discontinuance on pain control, with the majority of patients experiencing a negative impact and most physicians describing it as insignificant. Perceptions of patients and physicians coincided on the need to optimize pain management practices.
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Chyle leak is a well known but poorly characterized complication after pancreatic surgery. Available data on incidence, risk factors and clinical significance of chyle leak are highly heterogeneous. ⋯ Chyle leak is a relevant complication, with an incidence of more than 10 per cent after pancreatic surgery, and has a major impact on hospital stay. Drainage volume is associated with hospital stay and success of therapy.
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of triclosan-coated sutures for the prevention of surgical-site infection.
Triclosan-coated sutures (TCS) were developed to reduce the risk of surgical-site infection (SSI). Level 1A evidence of effectiveness has been presented in various recent meta-analyses, yet well designed RCTs have not been able to reproduce these favourable results. The aim of this study was to evaluate all available evidence critically with comprehensive analysis to seek a more reliable answer regarding the effectiveness of TCS in the prevention of SSI. ⋯ GRADE assessment shows moderate-quality evidence that TCS are effective in reducing SSI. Trial sequential analysis indicates that the effect was robust, and additional data are unlikely to alter the summary effect.