Cochrane Db Syst Rev
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisAntioxidant supplements for preventing gastrointestinal cancers.
Oxidative stress may cause gastrointestinal cancers. The evidence on whether antioxidant supplements are effective in preventing gastrointestinal cancers is contradictory. ⋯ We could not find convincing evidence that antioxidant supplements prevent gastrointestinal cancers. On the contrary, antioxidant supplements seem to increase overall mortality. The potential cancer preventive effect of selenium should be tested in adequately conducted randomised trials.
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisIntracervical prostaglandins for induction of labour.
Prostaglandins have been used for cervical ripening and induction of labour since the 1970s. The goal of the administration of prostaglandins in the process of induction of labour is to achieve cervical ripening before the onset of contractions. One of the routes of administration that was proposed is intracervical. Using this route, prostaglandins are less easy to administer and the need for exposing the cervix may cause discomfort to the woman. ⋯ Intracervical prostaglandins are effective compared to placebo, but appear inferior when compared to intravaginal prostaglandins.
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisStem cell treatment for acute myocardial infarction.
Stem cell therapy offers a promising approach to the regeneration of damaged vascular and cardiac tissue after myocardial infarction (MI). This has resulted in multiple randomised controlled trials (RCTs) worldwide. ⋯ The results of this systematic review suggest that there is little evidence to assess the clinical effects of this treatment. Larger trials using optimal dosing and more reliable, patient-centred outcomes are required. Several trials are ongoing but is unclear whether these will overcome the limitations of the current evidence base.
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisOpen surgical procedures for incisional hernias.
Incisional hernias occur frequently after abdominal surgery and can cause serious complications. The choice of a type of open operative repair is controversial. Determining the type of open operative repair is controversial, as the recurrence rate may be as high as 54%. ⋯ There is good evidence from three trials that open mesh repair is superior to suture repair in terms of recurrences, but inferior when considering wound infection. Six trials yielded insufficient evidence as to which type of mesh or which mesh position (on- or sublay) should be used. There was also insufficient evidence to advocate the use of the components separation technique.
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisPain relief for the removal of femoral sheath in interventional cardiology adult patients.
There is considerable variation in use of pain relief for managing pain or discomfort of femoral sheath removal. Efficacy of pain relief to promote comfort during this procedure or to reduce the incidence of vascular and procedural complications has not been established. ⋯ Intravenous pain regimens and levobupivacaine may have greater efficacy when compared to control for the management of pain related to femoral sheath removal. However, a definitive study is still required because the clinical difference is small. There is no evidence to support the use of subcutaneous lignocaine for the relief of femoral sheath removal related pain. There is insufficient evidence to determine if pain relief influences the rate of complications.