Surgery
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There has been increasing interest in the prehabilitation of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery to improve perioperative outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate and compare the current literature on prehabilitation in major abdominal surgery and cardiothoracic surgery METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted for studies reporting prehabilitation in patients undergoing major abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery. Meta-analysis of postoperative outcomes (overall and major complications, pulmonary and cardiac complications, postoperative pneumonia, and length of hospital stay) was performed using random effects models. ⋯ Prehabilitation has the potential to improve surgical outcomes in patients undergoing major abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery. However, current evidence from randomized studies remains weak owing to variation in prehabilitation regimes, limiting the assessment of current postoperative outcomes.
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Meta Analysis
Lightweight mesh is recommended in open inguinal (Lichtenstein) hernia repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The use of lightweight mesh for inguinal hernia repair has been suggested to be preferable compared with heavyweight mesh. Nevertheless, surgeons do not use lightweight mesh routinely, possibly owing to the higher price and lack of confidence in evaluation of previous evidence. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to update the available randomized controlled trials and provide a recommendation on the use of lightweight mesh or heavyweight mesh in open inguinal hernia repair. ⋯ Lightweight mesh should be used in open (Lichtenstein) inguinal hernia repair.
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The association between mortality and off-hour presentation to a medical center has been studied in relation to various diseases and settings, but little is known of what the association indicates. This study explored the association in severe trauma patients among Japanese emergency and critical care centers and their association with the structural factors of the medical center. ⋯ In Japan, severe trauma patients who received off-hour care at the emergency and critical care centers had a decreased in-hospital mortality. The immediate availability of an operating room and management of off-hours work were contributing structural factors. Process factors in off-hour care need to be considered in future research on this topic. This finding may have important applicability to other countries as well.
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Gut damage after trauma/hemorrhagic shock contributes to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Electrical vagal nerve stimulation is known to prevent gut damage in animal models of trauma/hemorrhagic shock by altering the gut inflammatory response; however, the effect of vagal nerve stimulation on intestinal blood flow, which is an essential function of the vagus nerve, is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether vagal nerve stimulation influences the abdominal vagus nerve activity, intestinal blood flow, gut injury, and the levels of autonomic neuropeptides. ⋯ Cervical vagal nerve stimulation evoked abdominal vagal nerve activity and relieved the trauma/hemorrhagic shock-induced impairment in intestinal blood flow by modulating the vasoconstriction effect of noradrenaline, which provides new insight into the protective effect of vagal nerve stimulation.