Objective To evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of randomized controlled trials involving traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of cholelithiasis. Methods We searched CNKI (1994 to 2007), CMCC (1994 to 2007), VIP (1989 to 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to April 2007) and The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2006). Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs were extracted by two reviewers independently. The methodological quality of included trials was assessed by using the quality assessment criteria recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration, and the reporting quality was assessed by using the CONSORT for TCM checklist. Results Seventeen studies including 16 RCTs and one quasi-RCT were included. The methodological and reporting qualities of included studies were generally low. All studies were graded C. The highest score evaluated by the CONSORT for TCM checklist was 18. Conclusion The quality of RCTs and quasi-RCTs involving traditional Chinese medicine for cholelithiasis is generally low, with a high risk of biases. The reporting of these trials is also incomplete, which would affect a reader’s understanding and evaluation of the validity, importance and applicability of the study results. Therefore, new randomized controlled trials of high quality are required to provide reliable evidence.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of indocyanine green fluorescence method versus modified inflation-deflation method for thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy. Methods CNKI, Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMbase, PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, were searched from 1 January 2000 to 1 May 2023, and controlled studies between indocyanine green fluorescence and modified inflation deflation method in thoracoscopic segmentectomy were collected. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata14MP and RevMan5.4. Results A total of 10 articles, including 1 156 patients, were identified. In thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy, indocyanine green fluorescence method had an advantage over modified inflation deflation method. The total incidence of postoperative complications decreased (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.36 to 0.71, P<0.0001). The incidence of air leaks decreased (OR=0.50, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.80, P=0.004), the operation time shortened (MD=−25.81, 95%CI −29.78 to −21.84, P<0.00001), the length of postoperative hospital stays shortened (MD=−0.98, 95%CI −1.57 to −0.39, P=0.001), the rate of clear displaying for intersegmental boundary line increased (OR=5.79, 95%CI 2.76 to 12.15, P<0.00001). The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion Compared with modified inflation deflation method, indocyanine green fluorescence method can quickly and clearly display the intersegmental boundary line, reduce the difficulty of surgery, shorten the operation time, reduce the length of postoperative hospital stay, and provide reliably technical support for thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy. It is an effective and safe method, which is worthy of extensive application.
Objective To systematically evaluate the risk factors for secondary respiratory failure (RF) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so as to provide evidence for formulating prevention and control strategies. Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP databases and SinoMed were searched for articles published from the dates of establishment of databases to August 2021. To collect the relevant case-control studies or cohort studies on the risk factors of secondary RF in patients with COPD. The patients were divided into two groups, RF group and non RF group. Meta-analysis was carried out with RevMan 5.3 software after selecting literature, extracting data and evaluating quality according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results A total of 16 case-control studies involving 2 417 patients were included. There were 856 cases in RF group and 1 561 cases in non RF group. The results of meta-analysis showed that age [mean difference (MD)=0.58 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.18, 0.97) years, P=0.004], number of acute attacks per year [MD=2.68 times, 95%CI (2.58, 2.78) times, P<0.001], number of acute attacks per year over 3 [odds ratio (OR)=3.37, 95%CI (2.40, 4.73), P<0.001], serum albumin level [MD=−2.93 g/L, 95%CI (−3.92, −1.94), P<0.001], serum uric acid [MD= −59.91 mmol/L, 95%CI (−66.57, −53.25) mmol/L, P<0.001], nosocomial infection [OR=4.53, 95%CI (3.44, 5.98), P<0.001], no-inhaled glucocorticoid [OR=3.63, 95%CI (2.95, 4.48), P<0.001], acid-base imbalance [OR=13.22, 95%CI (10.14, 17.23), P<0.001], COPD very serious [OR=1.82, 95%CI (1.50, 2.21), P<0.001], cardiovascular disease [OR=2.73, 95%CI (1.99, 3.74), P<0.001], kidney disease [OR=3.62, 95%CI (2.67, 4.90), P<0.001] were risk factors for RF in COPD. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results of meta-analysis were stable. Conclusion According to the results of meta-analysis, the risk factors of secondary RF in COPD can be identified in time and preventive measures can be taken to effectively reduce the incidence of aspiration failure and improve the prognosis and outcome of patients.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese medicine treatment of cholelithiasis. Methods We searched electronic databases including MEDLINE (1966 to Feb. 2009), EMbase (1974 to Feb. 2009), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2008), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM, 1978 to Feb. 2009), CJFD (CNKI, 1994 to Feb. 2009), the Chinese Scientific and Technical Journals database (VIP, 1989 to Feb. 2009), and a database of Chinese biomedical journals (CMCC, 1994 to Feb. 2009). At the same time, we searched references of the included studies. Metaanalysis was performed using RevMan 5 if there was no significant heterogeneity. We described the date which could not be combined. Results A total of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 2 276 patients were included. According to measurement indicators and interventions, subgroup analysis was performed. Efficacy was reported in 10 studies, which showed that part of proprietary Chinese medicines had a higher efficiency for cholelithiasis. Gallbladder emptying index and the trend of bile into the stone were compared in 5 studies, suggesting that the bile of proprietary Chinese medicines reduced the stone index, which eased the bile tendency to rock. Three studies reported the rate of cholecystokinin. Metaanalysis results suggested that the difference was significant. Two studies reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as epigastric discomfort and diarrhea. Most ADRs were slight, and could be self relieved. Conclusion Results suggest that Chinese medicines produce effects on clinical symptoms of cholelithiasis, gallbladder function and reduce the trend of bile into stones. However, the therapeutic effects for long-term are rarely reported. The conclusion needs further verification due to low methodological quality and apparent heterogeneity.
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of closing the small bowel in an ex vivo porcine model with high-frequency welding device. A total of 100 porcine small bowels were divided into two groups, and then were closed with two different methods. The fifty small bowels in experimental group were closed by the high-frequency welding device, and the other fifty small bowels in comparison group were hand-sutured. All the small bowels were subjected to leak pressure testing later on. The speed of closure and bursting pressure were compared. The 50 porcine small bowels closed by the high-frequency welding device showed a success rate of 100%. Compared with the hand-sutured group, the bursting pressures of the former were significantly lower (P<0.01) and the closing process was significantly shorter (P<0.01). The pathological changes of the closed ends mainly presented as acute thermal and pressure induced injury. Experimental results show that the high-frequency welding device has higher feasibility in closing the small bowel.