Effects of fatigue on surgeon performance and surgical outcomes: a systematic review.

Background: Sleep deprivation and disturbances in circadian rhythms generally lead to poor performance, but is there a link in surgery? This review aimed to determine whether fatigue has an impact on surgeon performance or surgical outcomes.

Methods: Studies were identified by searching EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Current Contents and clinical trials databases. Inclusion of relevant studies was by application of a predetermined protocol and independent assessment by two reviewers.

A systematic review of dermal fillers for age-related lines and wrinkles.

Background: Dermal fillers are gaining popularity for rapid aesthetic improvement. Long-term efficacy and safety have not been well documented. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the safety and efficacy of injectable dermal fillers compared with other facial augmentation techniques for the management of age-related lines and wrinkles.

Centralization and the relationship between volume and outcome in knee arthroplasty procedures.

Background: Centralization aims to reduce adverse patient outcomes by concentrating complex surgical procedures in specified hospitals.

Objectives: This review assessed the efficacy of centralization for knee arthroplasty by examining the relationship between hospital and surgeon volume and patient outcomes.

Data Sources And Review Methods: The systematic review identified studies using multiple databases, including Medline and Embase.

Radical prostatectomy: a systematic review of the impact of hospital and surgeon volume on patient outcome.

Background: To assess the impact of hospital and surgeon volume on mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay and costs of radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods: This systematic review identified relevant studies published between 1997 and June 2007. Inclusion of papers was established through application of a predetermined protocol, independent assessment by two reviewers, and a final consensus decision.

Systematic review of the impact of volume of oesophagectomy on patient outcome.

Purpose: This systematic review aims to assess whether overall survival, mortality, morbidity, length of stay and cost of performing oesophagectomy are related to surgical volume.

Methods: A systematic search strategy from 1997 until December 2006 was used to retrieve relevant studies. Inclusion of articles was established through application of a predetermined protocol, independent assessment by two reviewers and a final consensus decision.

A systematic review of permanent and semipermanent dermal fillers for HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy.

The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of injectable semipermanent and permanent dermal fillers, compared to other facial augmentation techniques, for the management of facial lipoatrophy as a result of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV infection through a systematic review of the literature. A systematic search strategy was used to retrieve relevant studies. Inclusion of articles was by the application of a predetermined protocol, independent assessment by two reviewers, and a final consensus decision.

Damage control surgery and angiography in cases of acute mesenteric ischaemia.

Background: Acute mesenteric arterial occlusion typically presents late and has an estimated mortality of 60-80%. This report examines the evolution of a novel management approach to this difficult surgical problem at a teaching hospital in rural Australia.

Methods: A retrospective review of 20 consecutive cases that presented to Lismore Base Hospital, Lismore, New South Wales, between 1995 and 2003 was performed.