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.

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.

Rapid versus full systematic reviews: validity in clinical practice?

Introduction: Rapid reviews are being produced with greater frequency by health technology assessment (HTA) agencies in response to increased pressure from end-user clinicians and policy-makers for rapid, evidence-based advice on health-care technologies. This comparative study examines the differences in methodologies and essential conclusions between rapid and full reviews on the same topic, with the aim of determining the validity of rapid reviews in the clinical context and making recommendations for their future application.

Methods: Rapid reviews were located by Internet searching of international HTA agency websites, with any ambiguities resolved by further communication with the agencies.

A systematic review of skills transfer after surgical simulation training.

Objective: To determine whether skills acquired by simulation-based training transfer to the operative setting.

Summary Background Data: The fundamental assumption of simulation-based training is that skills acquired in simulated settings are directly transferable to the operating room, yet little evidence has focused on correlating simulated performance with actual surgical performance.

Methods: A systematic search strategy was used to retrieve relevant studies.

Rapid reviews versus full systematic reviews: an inventory of current methods and practice in health technology assessment.

Objectives: This review assessed current practice in the preparation of rapid reviews by health technology assessment (HTA) organizations, both internationally and in the Australian context, and evaluated the available peer-reviewed literature pertaining to the methodology used in the preparation of these reviews.

Methods: A survey tool was developed and distributed to a total of fifty International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) members and other selected HTA organizations. Data on a broad range of themes related to the conduct of rapid reviews were collated, discussed narratively, and subjected to simple statistical analysis where appropriate.