As a tool for building consensus among groups, Delphi technique has been widely used in healthcare research which is appropriate for clinical questions where quantitative methods are unlikely to yield results that can be successfully implemented in practice. Researchers in palliative care developed standards for conducting and reporting Delphi studies (CREDES). This paper introduces and interprets the specific content of CREDES standards, with a view to providing reference for the evaluation of Delphi research design quality and report transparency.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of transvertebral space and under the pedicle osteotomy for thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old OVCF treated by transvertebral space and under the pedicle osteotomy between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 2 males and 9 females, with an average age of 61.3 years (range, 50-77 years) and with a median disease duration of 8 years (range, 6 months to 50 years). Fracture reasons: 9 cases had a clear history of trauma, and 2 cases had no obvious incentive. A total of 11 vertebrae was involved in fracture, including T12 in 3, L1 in 7, L2 in 1. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and complications were recorded. Full-length X-ray films of spine and local X-ray films of the operation area were examined before operation, at 7 days after operation, and at last follow-up. The Cobb angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis was measured, and the correction rate was calculated. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded to assess patients’ pain and functional improvement before operation, at 1 month after operation, and at last follow-up. Results All operations were successfully completed. The average operation time was 188.6 minutes (range, 140-215 minutes); the average intraoperative blood loss was 268.2 mL (range, 100-500 mL); the average postoperative drainage volume was 615.5 mL (range, 160-1 500 mL). One patient developed bilateral thigh rebound pain after operation, which relieved after symptomatic treatment of nutritional nerve and acesodyne. All patients were followed up 14.7 months on average (range, 6-56 months). At last follow-up, osseous fusion was observed in all patients, and no fracture, loose, or displacement of internal fixator was observed on imaging. At 7 days after operation and at last follow-up, the Cobb angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis significantly improved when compared with preoperative one (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between at 7 days after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05); the correction rates of Cobb angle at 7 days after operation and at last follow-up were 68.0%±9.8% and 60.3%±11.9%, respectively. At 1 month after operation and at last follow-up, the VAS score and ODI significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones, and further improved at last follow-up when compared with those at 1 month after operation, all showing significant differences (P<0.05). ConclusionTransvertebral space and under the pedicle osteotomy is an effective way to treat thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by old OVCF with less trauma, shorter operation time, and less intraoperative blood loss. Patients can obtain good orthopedic results and quality of life.
ObjectiveTo compare postoperative efficacy of thoracoscopic partial pneumonectomy with or without thoracic drainage tube postoperatively.MethodsThe PubMed, Wanfang database, CNKI and Web of Science from January 2000 to August 2020 were searched by computer to collect randomized controlled studies (RCT), cohort studies and case-control studies on the efficacy of chest drainage tube placement versus no placement after thoracoscopic partial pneumonectomy. Two reviewers independently screened articles and extracted data to evaluate the risk of literature bias. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan software.ResultsA total of 15 articles were included, including 1 RCT and 14 cohort studies. A total of 1 524 patients were enrolled, including 819 patients in the test group (no postoperative chest drainage tube group) and 705 patients in the control group (postoperative chest drainage tube group). Compared with the control group, the length of hospital stay in the test group was shorter (MD=–1.3, 95%CI –1.23 to –0.17, P<0.000 01) and the incidence of postoperative pneumothorax was higher (RD=0.06, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.10, P=0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time (MD=–2.37, 95%CI –7.04 to 2.30, P=0.32), the incidence of postoperative complications (RR=2.43, 95%CI 0.79 to 1.80, P=0.39), the reintervention rate of postoperative complications (RD=0.02, 95%CI=–0.00 to 0.04, P=0.05), postoperative subcutaneous emphysema (RD=0.02, 95%CI –0.01 to 0.06, P=0.20) and the incidence of postoperative pleural effusion (RD=0.04, 95%CI –0.00 to 0.09, P=0.10) .ConclusionCompared with the patients with chest drainage tube placement after thoracoscopic partial pneumonectomy (the control group), the test group can shorten the hospital stay. Although the incidence of postoperative pneumothorax is higher than that of the control group, the operation time, incidence of postoperative subcutaneous emphysema and in-hospital complications, and reintervention rate of in-hospital complications are not statistically significant between the two groups. Therefore no chest drainage tube may be placed after partial pneumonectomy.