The internal thoracic artery is the most effective conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery; however, most patients have multivessel disease and require additional saphenous vein or radial artery grafts. In this systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis, we aim to compare reported patency rates for these conduits and explore if differences are homogeneous across follow-up intervals. A literature search was performed using Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and randomised controlled trial databases to identify studies published between 1965 and October 2009. All studies reporting angiographic comparison of saphenous vein and radial artery conduit patency were included, irrespective of language. The end point was angiographic graft patency stratified over different follow-up intervals. Meta-analysis was performed according to recommendations from the Cochrane Collaboration and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. We used a random-effect model and the odds ratio as the summary statistic. A total of 35 studies were identified. They reported early patency (≤ 1 year, 6795 grafts), medium-term patency (1-5 years, 3232 grafts) and long-term patency (>5 years, 1157 grafts). Significant variation of comparative patency existed across different follow-up intervals. Early saphenous vein patency was similar to radial artery patency with odds ratio of 1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.68-1.61). Medium-term saphenous vein patency, however, deteriorated significantly (odds ratio 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.29-3.29). Similarly, long-term patency was better for radial artery conduits (odds ratio 2.28, 95% confidence interval 1.32-3.94). Heterogeneity was due to angiographic patency characteristics and related to risk of bias. In conclusion, the findings of this systematic review of the published literature and meta-analysis support the use of radial artery in preference to saphenous vein conduits for coronary artery bypass surgery.

Systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve (MV) can be a life-threatening condition. The SAM can result in severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and/or mitral regurgitation and is associated with an up to 20% risk of sudden death (which is substantially lower in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)). The mechanisms of SAM are complex and depend on the functional status of the ventricle. The SAM can occur in the normal population, but is typically observed in patients with HCM or following MV repair. Echocardiography (2D, 3D and stress) has a central diagnostic role as the application of echocardiographic SAM predictors allows the incorporation of prevention techniques during surgery and post-operative SAM assessment. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has a special role in understanding the dynamic nature of SAM, especially in anatomically atypical hearts (including HCM). This article describes what the clinician needs to know about SAM ranging from pathophysiological mechanisms and imaging modalities to conservative (medical) and surgical approaches and their respective outcomes. A stepwise approach is advocated consisting of medical therapy, followed by aggressive volume loading and beta-adrenoceptor blockade. Surgery is the final option. The correct choice of surgical technique requires an understanding of the anatomical substrate of SAM.

Background: Energy-based hemostatic devices are increasingly being used in thyroid surgery. However, there are several limitations with regard to the existing evidence and a paucity of guidelines on the subject. The goal of this review is to employ the novel evidence synthesis technique of a network meta-analysis to assess the comparative effectiveness of surgical technologies in thyroid surgery and contribute to enhanced governance in the field of thyroid surgery. Methods: Articles published between January 2000 and June 2012 were identified from Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and PubMed databases. Randomized controlled trials of any size comparing the use of ultrasonic coagulation (harmonic scalpel) or Ligasure either head-to-head or against the “clamp-and-tie” technique were included. Two reviewers independently critically appraised and extracted the data from each study. The number of patients who experienced postoperative events was extracted in dichotomous format or continuous outcomes. Odds ratios were calculated by a Bayesian network meta-analysis, and metaregression was used for pair-wise comparisons. Indirect and direct comparisons were performed and inconsistency was assessed. Results: Thirty-five randomized controlled trials with 2856 patients were included. Ultrasonic coagulation ranked first (followed by Ligasure and then clamp-and-tie) with the lowest risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism (odds ratio 1.43 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77–2.67] and 0.70 [CI 0.43–1.13], ultrasonic coagulation vs. Ligasure and ultrasonic coagulation vs. clamp-and-tie, respectively), least blood loss (−0.25 [CI −0.84 to −0.35] and −1.22 [CI −1.85 to −0.59]), and drain output (0.28 [CI −0.35 to −0.91] and −0.36 [CI −0.70 to −0.03]). From a health technology viewpoint, ultrasonic coagulation was associated with the shortest operative time (−0.66 [CI −1.17 to −0.14] and −1.29 [CI −1.59 to −1.00]) and hospital stay (−0.28 [CI −0.78 to 0.22] and −0.56 [CI −1.28 to 0.15]). The only exception occurs with the clinically important complication of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, where the reverse trend applies (1.36 [CI 0.25–7.46] and 1.74 [CI 0.94–3.26]). Conclusions: The comparative effectiveness of ultrasonic coagulation in thyroid surgery outcomes seems superior to other techniques with the exception of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. This network meta-analysis, one of a handful in a surgical field, offers preliminary and robust evidence to guide clinical decisions and policy makers to adopt safer thyroid operations.

Objectives: Healthcare research performance is increasingly assessed through research indicators. We performed a systematic review to identify the indicators that have been used to measure healthcare research performance. We evaluated their feasibility, validity, reliability and acceptability; and finally assessed the utility of these indicators in terms of measuring performance in individuals, specialties, institutions and countries. Design: A systematic review was performed by searching EMBASE, PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases between 1950 and September 2010. Setting: Studies of healthcare research were appraised. Healthcare was defined as the prevention, treatment and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical wellbeing through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions. Participants: All original studies that evaluated research performance indicators in healthcare were included. Main outcome measures: Healthcare research indicators, data sources, study characteristics, results and limitations for each study were studied. Results: The most common research performance indicators identified in 50 studies were: number of publications ( n = 38), number of citations ( n = 27), Impact Factor ( n = 15), research funding ( n = 10), degree of co-authorship ( n = 9), and h index ( n = 5). There was limited investigation of feasibility, validity, reliability and acceptability, although the utility of these indicators was adequately described. Conclusion: Currently, there is only limited evidence to assess the value of healthcare research performance indicators. Further studies are required to define the application of these indicators through a balanced approach for quality and innovation. The ultimate aim of utilizing healthcare research indicators is to create a culture of measuring research performance to support the translation of research into greater societal and economic impact.

Objective. Postoperative pain is associated with delayed discharged and recovery, reduced patient satisfaction, and increased costs. The aim of this

Bariatric surgery, also known as metabolic surgery, is an effective treatment for morbid obesity which also offers pronounced metabolic effects including the resolution of type 2 diabetes and a decrease in cardiovascular disease and long-term cancer risk. However, the mechanisms of surgical weight loss and the long term consequences of bariatric surgery remain unclear. Bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to alter the composition of both the microbiome and the metabolic phenotype. We observed a marked shift towards Gammaproteobacteria, particularly Enterobacter hormaechei, following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery in a rat model compared with sham operated controls. Fecal water from RYGB surgery rats was highly cytotoxic to rodent cells (mouse lymphoma cell line), although In contrast, fecal water from sham operated animals showed no/very low cytotoxicity. This shift in the gross structure of the microbiome correlated with greatly increased cytotoxicity in a regulatory acceptable mouse lymphoma assay. Urinary phenylacetylglycine and indoxyl sulfate and fecal GABA, putrescine, tyramine and uracil were found to be inversely correlated with cell survival rate. This profound co-dependent response of mammalian and microbial metabolism to RYGB surgery and the impact on the cytotoxicity of the gut luminal environment suggests that RYGB exerts local and global metabolic effects which may have an influence on long term cancer risk and cytotoxic load.