Kurinchi Selvan Gurusamy

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of virtual reality training for laparoscopic surgery

Surgical training has traditionally been one of apprenticeship. The aim of this review was to determine whether virtual reality (VR) training can supplement and/or replace conventional laparoscopic training in surgical trainees with limited or no laparoscopic experience.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the safety and effectiveness of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

In many countries laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is mainly performed after the acute episode has settled because of the anticipated increased risk of morbidity and higher conversion rate from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.

Clinical outcomes of radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous alcohol and acetic acid injection for hepatocelullar carcinoma: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is often the preferred local ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is less frequently used, and percutaneous acetic acid injection (PAI) has been mostly abandoned. Robust evidence showing benefit of one therapy versus another is lacking. Our aim was to evaluate the evidence comparing RFA, PEI and PAI using meta-analytical techniques. METHODS Literature search was undertaken until December 2008 to identify comparative studies evaluating survival, recurrence, complete necrosis of tumour and complications. Only randomized clinical trials and quasi-randomized studies were included. Adjusted indirect comparisons were made when direct comparative studies were insufficient. RESULTS Eight studies were identified: RFA vs. PEI (n=5), PAI vs. PEI (n=2) and RFA vs. PAI vs. PEI (n=1) including 1035 patients with nine comparisons. RFA was superior to PEI for survival (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.35-0.78; p=0.001), complete necrosis of tumour and local recurrence. For tumours 2 cm RFA was not significantly better than PEI. PAI did not differ significantly from PEI for survival (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.23-1.33; p=0.18), and local recurrence but required less sessions. PAI had similar outcomes, except local recurrence, to RFA in the direct and indirect comparison. CONCLUSIONS RFA seems to be a superior ablative therapy than PEI for HCC, particularly for tumours >2 cm. PAI did not differ significantly from PEI for all the outcomes evaluated. RFA and PAI have similar survival rates. For tumours 2 cm outcome benefits comparing RFA and PEI are similar. PAI needs re-evaluation versus both PEI and RFA for tumours 2 cm.

Delay to surgery prolongs hospital stay in patients with fractures of the proximal femur

Previous studies on the timing of surgery for fracture of the hip provide conflicting evidence as to the effect of prolonged delay before operation. We have prospectively reviewed 3628 such fractures in patients older than 60 years of age. Those for whom the delay was for medical reasons were excluded. Patients were followed up for one year or until death. Operation was undertaken within 48 hours in 95.2% and after this in 4.8%. A significant increase in length of stay was found in patients operated on after 48 hours when compared with those in the earlier group (21.6 vs 32.5 days). No increase in hospital stay was found for lesser delays.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the safety and effectiveness of day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Although day‐case laparoscopic cholecystectomy can save bed costs, its safety has to be established. The aim of this meta‐analysis is to assess the advantages and disadvantages of day‐case surgery compared with overnight stay in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Assessment of risk of bias in randomized clinical trials in surgery.

Meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with low risk of bias is considered the highest level of evidence available for evaluating an intervention. Bias in RCTs may overestimate or underestimate the true effectiveness of an intervention.

Incidence of fracture-healing complications after femoral neck fractures.

What is the relationship between the age or gender of the patient and the incidence of fracture-healing complications after internal fixation of intracapsular fractures? We aimed to determine the association between the age of the patient and fracture nonunion and also to establish if the gender of the patient had any influence on the occurrence of fracture nonunion. We prospectively studied 1133 patients with intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck treated by internal fixation. The overall incidence of nonunion was 19.3%. Fracture nonunion was less common for undisplaced fractures than for displaced fractures (48 of 565 [8.5%] versus 171 of 568 [30.1%]) and in men than in women (35 of 271 [12.9%] versus 184 of 862 [21.3%]). The incidence of nonunion progressively increased with age from one of 17 (5.9%) in patients younger than 40 years to 84 of 337 (24.9%) in patients in their 70s. For patients in their 80s, the incidence of nonunion began to decrease, but if patients who died within 1 year after injury were excluded, the incidence continued to increase. Our study showed an increased risk for intracapsular hip fractures developing nonunion with older age and in females.Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prevention of Parastomal Herniation with Biologic/Composite Prosthetic Mesh: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND Parastomal herniation is a frequent complication of stoma formation and can be difficult to repair satisfactorily, making it a recognized cause of significant morbidity. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was performed to determine the benefits and risks of mesh reinforcement versus conventional stoma formation in preventing parastomal herniation. STUDY DESIGN Trials were identified from The Cochrane Library trials register, Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, and reference lists. The primary outcome was the incidence of parastomal herniation. The secondary outcomes were the incidence of parastomal herniation requiring surgical repair, postoperative morbidity, and mortality. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The risk ratio (RR) was estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS Three trials with 129 patients were included. Composite or biologic mesh was used in either the preperitoneal or sublay position. Mesh reinforcement was associated with a reduction in parastomal herniation versus conventional stoma formation (RR 0.23, 95%CI 0.06 to 0.81; p = 0.02), and a reduction in the percentage of parastomal hernias requiring surgical treatment (RR 0.13, 95%CI 0.02 to 1.02; p = 0.05). There was no difference between groups in stoma-related morbidity (2 of 58, 3.4% in the mesh group versus 2 of 57, 3.5% in the conventional group; p = 0.97), nor was there any mortality related to the placement of mesh. CONCLUSIONS Composite or biologic mesh reinforcement of stomas in the preperitoneal/sublay position is associated with a reduced incidence of parastomal herniation with no excess morbidity. Mesh reinforcement also demonstrates a trend toward a decreased incidence of parastomal herniation requiring surgical repair.

Cemented versus uncemented hemiarthroplasty for intracapsular hip fractures: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL IN 400 PATIENTS

We undertook a prospective randomised controlled trial involving 400 patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip to determine whether there was any difference in outcome between treatment with a cemented Thompson hemiarthroplasty and an uncemented Austin-Moore prosthesis. The surviving patients were followed up for between two and five years by a nurse blinded to the type of prosthesis used. The mean age of the patients was 83 years (61 to 104) and 308 (77%) were women. The degree of residual pain was less in those treated with a cemented prosthesis (p < 0.0001) three months after surgery. Regaining mobility was better in those treated with a cemented implant (p = 0.005) at six months after operation. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to mortality, implant-related complications, re-operations or post-operative medical complications. The use of a cemented Thompson hemiarthroplasty resulted in less pain and less deterioration in mobility than an uncemented Austin-Moore prosthesis with no increase in complications.

Cost–utility and value‐of‐information analysis of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

A recent systematic review found early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) to be safe and to shorten total hospital stay compared with delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) for acute cholecystitis. The cost‐effectiveness of ELC versus DLC for acute cholecystitis is unknown.