This study aimed to assess the available evidence on the survival of distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) patients following resection with curative intent and analyze the prognostic factors. Relevant studies published between January 2000 and January 2015 were identified by searching PubMed and Embase and reviewed systematically. Summary relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using random-effects models. A total of 39 observational studies involving 3258 patients were included in the review. R0 resection was achieved in 84% (range, 46-100%) of patients. The median 5-year overall survival rate after resection was 37% (range, 13-54%), with corresponding rate of 44% (range, 27-63%) in R0 resection. The meta-analysis for 25 studies showed that R1 resection (RR 2.36, 95% CI 1.89-2.93), lymph node metastasis (RR 2.35, 95% CI 1.89-2.93), perineural invasion (RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.64-2.34), lymphatic invasion (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.47-2.31), vascular invasion (RR 1.99, 95% CI 1.40-2.82), pancreatic invasion (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.39-3.27), and pathological tumor stage ≥ T3 (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.25-1.93) were associated with shorter survival. In general, prognosis of DCC after resection is poor. R0 resection results in a substantially improved survival and represents one of the most important prognostic variables.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the risk factors associated with neck hematoma requiring surgical re-intervention after thyroidectomy. We systematically searched all articles available in the literature published in PubMed and CNKI databases through May 30, 2017. The quality of these articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, and data were extracted for classification and analysis by focusing on articles related with neck hematoma requiring surgical re-intervention after thyroidectomy. Our meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Of the 1028 screened articles, 26 met the inclusion criteria and were finally analyzed. The factors associated with a high risk of neck hematoma requiring surgical re-intervention after thyroidectomy included male gender (odds ratio [OR]: 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.60–2.17, P < 0.00001), age (MD: 4.92, 95% CI: 4.28–5.56, P < 0.00001), Graves disease (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.60–2.05, P < 0.00001), hypertension (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.43–3.60, P = 0.0005), antithrombotic drug use (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.51–2.44, P < 0.00001), thyroid procedure in low-volume hospitals (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.12–1.57, P = 0.001), prior thyroid surgery (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.11–3.37, P = 0.02), bilateral thyroidectomy (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.09–1.30, P < 0.0001), and neck dissection (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.23–1.94, P = 0.0002). Smoking status (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.99–1.42, P = 0.06), malignant tumors (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.83–1.20, P = 0.97), and drainage used (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 0.69–5.89, P = 0.20) were not significantly associated with postoperative neck hematoma. Conclusion: We identified certain risk factors for neck hematoma requiring surgical re-intervention after thyroidectomy, including male gender, age, Graves disease, hypertension, antithrombotic agent use, history of thyroid procedures in low-volume hospitals, previous thyroid surgery, bilateral thyroidectomy, and neck dissection. Appropriate intervention measures based on these risk factors may reduce the incidence of postoperative hematoma and yield greater benefits for the patients.

It is speculated that blood transfusion may induce adverse consequences after cancer surgery due to immunosuppression. This study was intended to assess the impact of perioperative blood transfusion on the prognosis of patients who underwent lung cancer resection.

The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) remain to be established. A meta-analysis was undertaken to compare LLR and open liver resection (OLR) for CLM with respect to surgical and oncologic outcomes.