In-hospital survival after pancreatoduodenectomy is greater in high-volume hospitals versus lower-volume hospitals: a meta-analysis.

Background: Variation in cut-off values for what is considered a high volume (HV) hospital has made assessments of volume-outcome relationships for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) challenging. Accordingly, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing in-hospital mortality after PD in hospitals above and below HV thresholds of various cut-off values.

Method: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched to 4 January 2021 for studies comparing in-hospital mortality after PD in hospitals above and below defined HV thresholds.

Safety and effectiveness of aspirin and enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

Background: Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Australian orthopaedic guidelines recommend aspirin and low-molecular-weight heparin (e.g.

Morbidity and mortality meetings: gold, silver or bronze?

Background: Morbidity and mortality (M&M) meetings contribute to surgical education and improvements in patient care through the review of surgical outcomes; however, they often lack defined structure, objectives and resource support. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that impact the effective conduct of M&M meetings.

Methods: We conducted a rapid systematic literature review.

Public health advocacy in action: the case of unproven breast cancer screening in Australia.

In recent years, nonmammographic breast imaging devices, such as thermography, electrical impedance scanning and elastography, have been promoted directly to consumers, which has captured the attention of governments, researchers and health organisations. These devices are not supported by evidence and risk undermining existing mammographic breast cancer screening services. During a 5-year period, Cancer Council Western Australia (CCWA) used strategic research combined with legal, policy and media advocacy to contest claims that these devices were proven alternatives to mammography for breast cancer screening.

Comparative diagnostic accuracy of hepatocyte-specific gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced MR imaging and contrast enhanced CT for the detection of liver metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This systematic review evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and impact on patient management of hepatocyte-specific gadoxetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (GA-MRI) compared to contrast enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) in patients with liver metastases.

Method: Four biomedical databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, York CRD) were searched from January 1991 to February 2016. Studies investigating the accuracy or management impact of GA-MRI compared to CE-CT in patients with known or suspected liver metastases were included.

Practical applications of rapid review methods in the development of Australian health policy.

Rapid reviews (RRs) are a method of evidence synthesis that can provide robust evidence to support policy decisions in a timely manner. Herein we describe the methods used to conduct RRs and present an illustrative case study to describe how RRs can be used to inform contemporary Australian health policy. The aim of the present study was to explore several important aspects of how RRs can inform decision makers.

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for the characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To establish the relative diagnostic accuracy of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (GA-MRI) compared with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT), dynamic MRI (D-MRI), gadopentetic acid-enhanced MRI (GP-MRI), or gadobenic acid-enhanced MRI (GB-MRI) in the characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the University of York CRD databases were searched to February 29 2016 for any studies that compared the diagnostic accuracy of GA-MRI to CE-CT, D-MRI, GP-MRI, or GB-MRI in patients with known or suspected HCC. Diagnostic accuracy outcomes (true positive, true negative, false positive, false negative) were extracted and analyzed using the bivariate model of Reitsma et al (2005).

Stereotactic anatomical localization in complex sinus surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: It is recognized that stereotactic anatomical localization (SAL) is a useful tool in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), but it may be most beneficial for complex rather than routine sinus procedures. This review sought to determine the safety and efficacy of SAL in complex indications for ESS.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception up to April 4, 2014.

Content analysis of Australian direct-to-consumer websites for emerging breast cancer imaging devices.

Objective: To describe the nature and frequency of information presented on direct-to-consumer websites for emerging breast cancer imaging devices.

Design: Content analysis of Australian website advertisements from 2 March 2011 to 30 March 2012, for three emerging breast cancer imaging devices: digital infrared thermal imaging, electrical impedance scanning and electronic palpation imaging.

Main Outcome Measures: Type of imaging offered, device safety, device performance, application of device, target population, supporting evidence and comparator tests.

A systematic review of elastography, electrical impedance scanning, and digital infrared thermography for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

The objective of this study aimed to systematically identify and evaluate all the available evidence of safety, effectiveness and diagnostic accuracy for three emerging classes of technology promoted for breast cancer screening and diagnosis: Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI), electrical impedance scanning (EIS) and elastography. A systematic search of seven biomedical databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, CRD, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Current Contents Connect) was conducted through March 2011, along with a manual search of reference lists from relevant studies. The principal outcome measures were safety, effectiveness, and diagnostic accuracy.