Reporting and Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews Underpinning Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Clinical practice guideline recommendations are often informed by systematic reviews. This review aimed to appraise the reporting and methodological quality of systematic reviews informing clinical practice recommendations relevant to vascular surgery.

Data Sources: MEDLINE and Embase.

Systematic Review of Outcome Reporting for Interventions to Treat Patients with Acute Lower Limb Ischaemia.

Objective: Inconsistencies in outcome data of therapeutic strategies for acute lower limb ischaemia (ALI) have hindered the synthesis of findings. A core outcome set (COS) may offer a solution to this problem by defining a minimum set of outcomes that are considered essential to all stakeholders involved. The first step in developing a COS is to review the previously reported outcomes on various treatment strategies for ALI.

Editor's Choice - Prevalence of Smoking and Impact on Peri-Operative Outcomes After Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Objective: The contemporary burden of smoking in patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in the UK is unknown. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of smoking in patients undergoing AAA repair in the UK and determine the association between smoking and peri-operative outcomes.

Methods: This was an observational cohort study.

PACE: randomized, controlled, multicentre, multinational, phase III study of PLX-PAD for critical limb ischaemia in patients unsuitable for revascularization: randomized clinical trial.

Background: Revascularization is the primary treatment modality for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI), but is not feasible in all patients. PLX-PAD is an off-the-shelf, placental-derived, mesenchymal stromal cell-like cell therapy. This study aimed to evaluate whether PLX-PAD would increase amputation-free survival in people with CLTI who were not candidates for revascularization.

A systematic review of reported outcomes in people with lower limb chronic venous insufficiency of the deep veins.

Objective: The prevalence of lower limb chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the deep veins is increasing and presents a significant burden to patients and health care services. To improve the evaluation of interventions it is necessary to standardise their reporting. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the outcomes of interventions delivered to people with CVI of the deep veins as part of the development of a novel core outcome set (COS).

Exploring the Reporting Standards of Randomised Controlled Trials Involving Endovascular Interventions for Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Endovascular technology innovation requires rigorous evaluation in high quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs). However, due to numerous methodological challenges, RCTs evaluating endovascular interventions are complex and potentially difficult to design, conduct, and report. This systematic review aimed to assess the quality of reporting of RCTs for endovascular interventions for lower limb peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Editor's Choice - Quality Assessment of European Society for Vascular Surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Objective: An increasing number of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have emerged over recent years. To have clinical utility, they need to be rigorously developed and scientifically robust. Instruments have been developed to assess the quality of clinical guideline development and reporting.

Definitions and criteria for diabetes-related foot disease (IWGDF 2023 update).

Multiple disciplines are involved in the management of diabetes-related foot disease and a common vocabulary is essential for clear communication. Based on the systematic reviews of the literature that form the basis of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) Guidelines, the IWGDF has developed a set of definitions and criteria for diabetes-related foot disease. This document describes the 2023 update of these definitions and criteria.

A Delphi consensus statement for digital surgery.

The use of digital technology is increasing rapidly across surgical specialities, yet there is no consensus for the term 'digital surgery'. This is critical as digital health technologies present technical, governance, and legal challenges which are unique to the surgeon and surgical patient. We aim to define the term digital surgery and the ethical issues surrounding its clinical application, and to identify barriers and research goals for future practice.

Editor's Choice - Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Randomised Controlled Trials Supporting Implantable Devices for Vascular and Endovascular Procedures.

Objective: To identify implantable devices currently used for vascular and endovascular procedures, to ascertain how many have randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence available, and to assess the quality of that evidence.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, DARE, PROSPERO, clinical trial registries, and Cochrane databases.

Review Methods: A list of current devices used in both vascular and endovascular procedures was generated by searching conference proceedings, manufacturer catalogues, and websites.

Mapping the Landscape of Surgical Registries in the United Kingdom: A Review According to the SWiM Methodology.

Background: Well-designed surgical registries are essential for high-quality patient centred evaluation of implantable devices and surgical procedures. The importance of registries was highlighted in the recent Cumberlege report that detailed important innovation failures such as the use of vaginal mesh. Many surgical registries exist, but it is currently unclear how different registries are funded, governed, designed, and how their databases are hosted and utilised.