Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common neurosurgical condition that can cause severe morbidity and mortality. cSDH recurs after surgical evacuation in 5–30% of patients, but drains may help reduce this risk. We aimed to investigate the effect of drainage versus no drainage on the rates of recurrence and mortality, as well as the clinical outcomes of cSDH. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, we searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science) to identify eligible studies reported up to June 2022. Using Review Manager software, we reported four primary outcomes as odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-analysis included a total of 10 studies with 1961 patients. The use of drainage was found to be significantly more effective than non-drainage in reducing the “mortality rate” (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.97; P = 0.04), the “recurrence rate” (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.55; P < 0.00001), and occurrence of “gross focal neurological deficit” (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.89; P = 0.01). No significant difference was found in the occurrence of a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.76; P = 0.30). The use of drains after burr-hole irrigation reduces the recurrence, mortality, and gross focal neurological deficit rates of chronic subdural hematomas.

Background: Unintended perioperative hypothermia is a significant complication for patients undergoing anesthesia. Different measures are routinely undertaken to prevent hypothermia and its consequences. The evidence comparing the impact of self-warming blankets and forced-air warming is scarce. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of self-warming blankets compared to forced-air devices regarding the incidence of perioperative hypothermia. Methods: We searched the Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Scopus for relevant studies from inception until December 2022. We included comparative studies with patients allocated to undergo warming using a self-warming blanket or forced air warming. All concerned outcomes were pooled as odds ratios or mean differences (MDs) in the meta-analysis models using Review Manager (RevMan version 5.4). Results: Our results from 8 studies (597 patients) favored self-warming blankets over forced-air devices in terms of core temperature at 120 and 180 minutes after induction of general anesthesia (MD = 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.14–0.51], P = .0006), (MD = 0.62, 95% CI [0.09–1.14], P = .02), respectively. However, the overall effect did not favor either of the 2 groups for the incidence of hypothermia (odds ratio = 0.69, 95% CI [0.18–2.62]). Conclusion: Ultimately, self-warming blankets have a more significant effect than forced-air warming systems in terms of maintaining normothermia of core temperature after induction anesthesia. However, the present evidence is not enough to verify the efficacy of the 2 warming techniques in the incidence of hypothermia. Further studies with large sample sizes are recommended.

Pituitary adenomas (PAs) represent a prevalent category of intracranial tumors, frequently resulting in endocrine dysfunction and neurological impairments. Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) serves as the primary treatment modality, with the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (ETSA) and microscopic transsphenoidal approach (MTSA) representing the two principal techniques. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess and compare the outcomes of ETSA and MTSA in treating PAs. A literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. A total of 31 studies comprising 38,301 patients were included. The primary outcomes assessed were gross total resection (GTR) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak rates. Secondary outcomes encompass endocrine and surgical complications and mortality rates. Statistical analyses utilized R software, employing random-effects models. The analysis indicated insignificant differences in GTR rates between ETSA and MTSA (RR: 1.05, 95% CI [0.97, 1.15]) or in CSF leak rates (RR: 1.03, 95% CI [0.82, 1.31]). Meta-regression analysis revealed that nonfunctional tumors correlated with increased GTR rates, regardless of the surgical technique employed. No notable differences were detected in endocrine or surgical complications between the two methods. Notably, meta-regression analysis indicated that nonfunctional tumors and higher Knosp grade tumors are more likely to be completely resected. Moreover, larger preoperative tumor volume was significantly correlated with an increased risk of postoperative hypopituitarism. Nevertheless, a narrative review of total mortality demonstrated a higher rate in the MTSA group compared to the ETSA group (198 vs. 149 deaths), even with a larger patient cohort in the ETSA group. No publication bias was observed for GTR or CSF leak outcomes. ETSA and MTSA exhibit similar efficacy and safety profiles in treating PAs, with no significant differences in resection rates or complications. The findings highlight the necessity of personalized surgical planning, considering tumor characteristics and institutional expertise. Future research should prioritize long-term outcomes, patient-reported metrics, and the incorporation of emerging technologies to enhance surgical strategies for PAs.

Introduction: This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) versus its dissection for patients who underwent breast surgery. Methods: The authors searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Scopus from inception until March 2023. Records were screened for eligible studies, and all relevant outcomes were pooled as an odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% CI in the meta-analysis models using RevMan version 5.4. Results: These results from 11 studies (1021 patients) favored preservation of the ICBN over its dissection in terms of anaesthesia and hypaesthesia [OR 0.50, (95% CI, 0.31–0.82); P = 0.006] and [OR 0.33, (95% CI, 0.16–0.68); P = 0.003], respectively. Whereas the overall effect favored ICBN dissection over preservation in the case of hyperaesthesia [OR 4.34, (95% CI, 1.43–13.15); P = 0.01]. Conversely, no significant variance was detected between the two groups in terms of pain [OR 0.68, (95% CI, 0.28–1.61) P = 0.38], paraesthesia [OR 0.88, (95% CI, 0.49–1.60); P = 0.68], and analgesia [OR 1.46, (95% CI, 0.05–45.69); P = 0.83]. Conclusion: This meta-analysis revealed that the preservation of the ICBN has a significant effect on the disturbance of sensory parameters of hypaesthesia and anaesthesia when compared to its dissection. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to precisely compare both techniques on a wider range of parameters.

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Thalidomide is a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor that demonstrates antiangiogenic activity, and may provide additive or synergistic anti-tumor effects when co-administered with other antiangiogenic medications. This study is a comprehensive review that highlights the potential benefits of using thalidomide, in combination with other medications, to treat glioblastoma and its associated inflammatory conditions. Additionally, the review examines the mechanism of action of thalidomide in different types of tumors, which may be beneficial in treating glioblastoma. To our knowledge, a similar study has not been conducted. We found that thalidomide, when used in combination with other medications, has been shown to produce better outcomes in several conditions or symptoms, such as myelodysplastic syndromes, multiple myeloma, Crohn’s disease, colorectal cancer, renal failure carcinoma, breast cancer, glioblastoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, challenges may persist for newly diagnosed or previously treated patients, with moderate side effects being reported, particularly with the various mechanisms of action observed for thalidomide. Therefore, thalidomide, used alone, may not receive significant attention for use in treating glioblastoma in the future. Conducting further research by replicating current studies that show improved outcomes when thalidomide is combined with other medications, using larger sample sizes, different demographic groups and ethnicities, and implementing enhanced therapeutic protocol management, may benefit these patients. A meta-analysis of the combinations of thalidomide with other medications in treating glioblastoma is also needed to investigate its potential benefits further.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a critical medical condition associated with a high mortality rate. Surgical evacuation of extensive hemorrhage can improve survival and functional outcomes, but deep brain location poses a challenge. Our study seeks to provide robust evidence highlighting the efficacy, safety, and contribution of Robotic Stereotactic Assistance (ROSA) in advancing neurosurgical practices in the evacuation of ICH compared to conventional treatment methods. We searched for relevant papers comparing ROSA with conventional treatments until October 2024, using four electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The analysis was done using R Software. Continuous data was pooled as mean difference (MD), and dichotomous data was pooled as odds ratio (OR) in a random effect model with a relative 95% CI. A sub-group analysis was conducted according to the type of conventional therapy and the site of the hemorrhage. Eleven studies, comprising 968 patients (478 in the ROSA group and 490 in the control group "non-ROSA"), were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The analysis of primary outcomes revealed significantly higher postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, MD of 1.80 (95% CI: 0.68 to 2.92; p < 0.01), and lower rebleeding rates, OR of 0.26 (95% CI: 0.10 to 0.66; p < 0.01). However, no significant difference in mortality was found between the two groups, with an OR of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.11 to 1.38; p = 0.14). Regarding secondary outcomes, the ROSA group significantly reduced surgery duration and decreased intracranial infections and pneumonia. No significant difference was observed between the groups concerning central hypothermia. Using the ROSA robotic system for ICH evacuation is associated with improved neurological outcomes. These findings highlight the potential benefits of ROSA in advancing neurological practices for the management of ICH.