Effect of intraoperative methadone vs other opioids on postoperative outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

Recent randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy between intraoperative methadone and other opioids on postoperative outcomes have been limited by their small sample sizes and conflicting results. We performed a meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials which investigated outcomes between methadone and an opioid control group. Primary outcome data included postoperative opioid consumption, number of patients who received postoperative opioids, time to first analgesic, and pain scores.

Efficacy of intraoperative cell salvage in spine surgery: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Intraoperative cell salvage systems, or cell savers, are widely used for the management of blood loss in patients undergoing spine surgery. However, recent studies report conflicting evidence of their efficacy. The purpose of the meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of cell savers in reducing blood transfusion requirements in patients undergoing spine surgery.

Management of penetrating intraperitoneal colon injuries: A meta-analysis and practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

Background: The management of penetrating colon injuries in civilians has evolved over the last four decades. The objectives of this meta-analysis are to evaluate the current treatment regimens available for penetrating colon injuries and assess the role of anastomosis in damage control surgery to develop a practice management guideline for surgeons.

Methods: Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, a subcommittee of the Practice Management Guidelines section of EAST conducted a systematic review using MEDLINE and EMBASE articles from 1980 through 2017.

Predictive value of hyperthermia and intracranial hypertension on neurological outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: Intracranial hypertension (ICH) and hyperthermia are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated with worse neurological outcomes. This study sets out to determine the combined power of temperature and intracranial pressure (ICP) for predicting neurologic outcomes and prolonged length of stay (LOS) following severe TBI.

Methods: High resolution (every 6 seconds) temperature and ICP data were collected in adults with severe TBI from 2008-2010.

Association between compensation status and outcomes in spine surgery: a meta-analysis of 31 studies.

Background Context: Numerous studies have demonstrated poorer outcomes in patients with Workers' compensation (WC) when compared with those without WC following treatment of various of health conditions, including spine disorders. It is thus important to consider compensation status when assessing treatment outcomes in spine surgery. However, reported strengths of association have varied significantly (1.

Head and neck melanoma.

Wide local excision is the mainstay in the treatment of the primary lesion with consideration given to specific anatomic constraints in head and neck melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is considered in all lesions with ulceration, mitoses greater than or equal to 1/mm(2), stage1B or higher, and in all high-risk nonmetastatic melanoma. Reconstructive strategy must be considered in multidisciplinary teams with reconstructive surgeons for large head and neck defects.

How does the right gastroepiploic artery compare with the saphenous vein for revascularization of the right coronary artery?

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'is the saphenous vein graft or right gastroepiploic artery a better conduit for revascularization of the right coronary artery?' One hundred and five articles were found using a designated search, of which 10 articles were found to represent the best available evidence to answer the clinical question. Of these 10 articles, two were reports of a randomized controlled trial and represented the highest level of evidence, whereas eight articles were retrospective observational studies.

Does the right internal thoracic artery or saphenous vein graft offer superior revascularization of the right coronary artery?

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) provides a superior outcome for revascularization of the right coronary artery (RCA) compared with the saphenous vein graft (SVG). Using a designated search strategy, 226 articles were found, of which five represented the best available evidence.

Trigeminal neuralgia: assessment and management by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United Kingdom.

We aimed to find out how oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United Kingdom currently assess and manage patients with suspected trigeminal neuralgia, and compared this with best practice. We undertook a postal survey of 297 consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the UK (of whom 178 (60%) replied) asking questions about examinations and routine investigations of new patients with symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, and their subsequent management. Clinical examination including cranial nerve function was made by almost all respondents (92%).