[Vitamin D and childhood disability: diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Ugra].

Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent among children with musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (MSCTD), which plays a significant role in childhood disability, which ranks sixth in the structure of childhood disability in the Russian Federation. The aim of the research was to study of the relationship between the incidence of childhood disability associated with MSCTD and the state of vitamin D status of the population living in the territory of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Ugra. Material and methods. A correlation analysis was carried out between the level of childhood disability (that arose in connection with MSCTD in children aged 0-17 years in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Ugra in 2021) and the prevalence of severe vitamin D deficit [serum 25(OH)D <10 ng/ml] among the population (12 city and 5 district municipalities), using the INVITRO-Ural LLC database (31 595 anonymized measurements of vitamin D level in Ugra residents). In addition, a correlation analysis was conducted between the total incidence of certain types of MSCTD in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and the geographical latitude of the administrative center of the subjects of the Federation. Results. In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Ugra, the frequency of childhood disability resulting from MSCTD is associated with a statistically stable (p=0.01) directly proportional relationship with the prevalence of severe vitamin D deficit in the residents of the municipality territory. In the Russian Federation, the dependence of the general morbidity of MSCTD in children (arthropathy, juvenile arthritis, and damage to the tendon synovial membranes) is very stable (p<0.0001) directly proportional associated with the geographical latitude of the territory. This indicates the impact of reduced levels of ultraviolet radiation and, accordingly, the average blood level of vitamin D in the population high in latitudes, along with other reasons, on human health. Conclusion. Low levels of vitamin D have a negative impact on the activity of MSCTD in children and the associated disability. To justify the recommended daily dose and duration of vitamin D intake, which in some cases can reduce the activity of MSCTD, it is necessary to measure its initial level in the blood serum of patients at risk.

[Transgastric necrectomy for acute pancreatitis]. / Transgastral'naya nekrektomiya pri ostrom pankreatite.

The review is devoted to transgastric necrectomy in the treatment of infected forms of acute pancreatitis. The authors discuss the indications for transgastric necrectomy and technical features of these interventions (direct endoscopic necrectomy, laparoscopic and open transgastric necrectomy). Numerous studies devoted to results of transgastric necrectomy indicate advisability of this procedure in carefully selected patients and interdisciplinary interaction of various specialists before and after surgery. Regional specialized centers for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis are necessary for wider introduction of minimally invasive surgical technologies and their personalization.

[Role of Mitochondria in Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction in Inflammatory Bowel Disease].

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is widespread in industrial countries with every 20th citizen being affected. Dysregulation of the epithelial barrier function is considered to play a key role in IBD. Permeability of the intestinal epithelium depends mostly on its self-renewal potential and the condition of intercellular junctions. Mitochondria are involved in regulating various intracellular processes in addition to their energy function. Recent data implicate mitochondria in intestinal epithelial barrier regulation and IBD. Mitochondrial dysfunction is possibly one of the factors that underlie the structural abnormalities of tight junctions and the cytoskeleton in intestinal epithelial cells and decrease the self-renewal capacity of the epithelium. The barrier function of the intestinal epithelium is consequently distorted, and IBD develops. The mechanisms of these processes are still unclear and require further research.

[Enteral nutrition in the treatment of acute pancreatitis]. / Enteral'noe pitanie v lechenii ostrogo pankreatita.

The review presents literature data on enteral nutrition in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. The authors provide pathophysiological substantiations of the need for nutritional support in patients with various forms of acute pancreatitis and basic principles of enteral nutrition in this disease. The results of numerous studies evaluating the outcomes of enteral nutrition are presented. These data indicate advisability of early enteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis because this approach reduces systemic inflammatory response, risk of bacterial translocation and purulent-septic complications, improves treatment outcomes.

[History of congresses of surgeons in Russia (1900-2022)]. / Istoriya s"ezdov khirurgov Rossii (1900­2022).

The authors describe a history of surgical congresses in the Russian Empire, the USSR and the Russian Federation from the I Congress of Russian Surgeons held on December 28-30, 1900 in Moscow in the building of the Moscow Meeting of Doctors to the XLVIII (XIV) Congress of Surgeons of Russia held on November 25-27, 2022 in Moscow in the hotel «Cosmos¼. The time and place of congresses, as well as chairmen are named. The main issues are listed. Scientific issues of congresses between 1900 and 1986 are summarized in tables. The authors present a brief history of Russian surgical societies including the current Russian Society of Surgeons. Surgical forums of the 21st century are considered in detail (Congresses of Surgeons of Russia, National Surgical Congresses, All-Russian Surgical Forums). Finally, the authors came to conclusion that 55 surgical forums have been held in Russia for more than 120 years. Surgeons presented all aspects of surgery in Russia. Their issues are essentially the history of Russian surgery, and their works are sources for analysis of the past and present of Russian surgery.

[Laparoscopic versus laparoscopy-assisted suturing of perforated peptic ulcers (meta-analysis)]. / Laparoskopicheskoe i laparoskopicheski assistirovannoe ushivanie probodnoi yazvy (metaanaliz).

OBJECTIVE: To compare laparoscopic and laparoscopy-assisted repair of perforated peptic ulcer using evidence-based methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation and Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews.Data searching was carried out in Russian and English languages using the E-library, Cochrane Library and PubMed databases. We analyzed titles and references in specialized journals and thematic reviews, respectively. Clarifying information was obtained via personal contacts with the heads of surgical hospitals. The RevMan 5.4 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found no randomized trials devoted to comparison of laparoscopic and laparoscopy-assisted surgeries in patients with perforated peptic ulcer. Meta-analysis was based on non-randomized trials with satisfactory methodological quality according to the I-ROBINS formalized assessment. Overall clinical material included 478 observations: 229 (47.9%) laparoscopic surgeries and 249 (52.1%) laparoscopy-assisted procedures via minimally invasive access. There were no conversions. Incidence of postoperative complications was 4.36 and 8.83% (OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.08, 1.87), postoperative mortality 0.87 and 0.81%, respectively (OR=1.26, 95% CI 0.08, 8.24). Laparoscopic surgeries were shorter (MD= -8 min, 95% CI -9.7, -6.4). Length of hospital-stay was also shorter after laparoscopic surgery (MD= -4.6, 95% CI -9.7, -6.4). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic operations are shorter and accompanied by lower incidence of postoperative complications and less hospital-stay. Large statistical power is required to confirm these differences.

[Prospects for development of laparoscopic surgery in the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation]. / O perspektive razvitiya laparoskopicheskoi khirurgii v Tsentral'nom federal'nom okruge Rossiiskoi Federatsii.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the achievements of laparoscopic surgery in the Central Federal District of Russia and outline perspective trends for further application. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included adult patients with abdominal surgical diseases hospitalized in general surgical departments of the Central Federal District between 2014 and 2021. We analyzed the prevalence of elective and emergency laparoscopic surgeries. Incidence and results of laparoscopic interventions between 2018 and 2021 were estimated considering primary statistical data presented in the annual collections of the Chief Surgeon of the Ministry of Health of Russia «Surgical care in the Russian Federation¼. RESULTS: The absolute number of laparoscopic surgeries in the Central Federal District increased from 23.686 to 80.489 (by 3.4 times) between 2014 and 2021. The annual number of elective laparoscopic surgeries exceeded the number of emergency ones up to 2019. In 2020-2021, this situation changed in favor of emergency abdominal procedures. Laparoscopic surgeries are the most common for in acute cholecystitis (71.06-81.10% of all laparoscopic interventions annually) and acute appendicitis (46.85-55.60%). In 2020 and 2021, the absolute number of laparoscopic appendectomies exceeded the number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies. These values are lower for perforated ulcers (15.44-20.39%) and acute pancreatitis (32.40-36.71%). Laparoscopic operations are rare for acute intestinal obstruction, strangulated hernia and ulcerative gastroduodenal bleeding. In elective surgery, high availability of laparoscopic surgeries was noted in patients with cholelithiasis (89.40-93.78%), hiatal hernia (62.12-77.27%) and adrenal gland diseases (64.23-87.25%). The most intensive increment of availability (by 2.4 times) was noted for inguinal hernia from minimum level (10.98%) in 2018 to 26.00% in 2021. Mortality after some laparoscopic operations decreased in comparison with laparotomy by 12-45 times (2018-2021). However, this aspect and results of laparoscopic surgeries in case of delayed hospitalization require additional study. CONCLUSION: Analysis of laparoscopic surgery showed the timeliness of beginning and development of this direction In Russia. The prospect of further development of laparoscopic surgery for abdominal diseases is determined by modern trends. These are increase in the number of laparoscopic operations for acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis and perforated ulcers, as well as higher number of early (after admission) operations.

[Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome in acute pancreatitis]. / Sindrom raz"edinennogo glavnogo protoka podzheludochnoi zhelezy pri ostrom pankreatite.

The review is devoted to diagnosis and treatment of disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) in patients with acute pancreatitis. Data on terminology, indications and options for endoscopic transluminal interventions are presented in detail. The results of numerous studies evaluating clinical efficacy of various endoscopic and open surgical procedures are analyzed. Available data confirm advisability of staged treatment of DPDS with primary endoscopic drainage of pancreatic fluid accumulations in specialized centers.

[Surgical approach for small bowel obstruction in the Russian Federation. National survey of surgeons]. / Khirurgicheskaya praktika pri tonkokishechnoi neprokhodimosti v Rossiiskoi Federatsii. Rezul'taty natsional'nogo oprosa khirurgov.

OBJECTIVE: To study surgical approach for small bowel obstruction (SBO) regarding national and international guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Considering literature data, national and international guidelines and clinical practice, we have formulated 15 questions regarding surgical approach for non-neoplastic SBO. Questions were sent by e-mail to the members of the Russian Society of Surgeons. Survey lasted 60 days. We used the program that provides the respondent with the possibility of visual control of survey results. Survey results were compared with national and international clinical guidelines, Russian- and English-language scientific publications. Restriction of the number of votes >1 and identification of respondents were not provided by the program. There was no reward for survey. A summary is provided on the main issues. RESULTS: There were 557 respondents (3.0% of surgeons in the Russian Federation). We obtained 481-620 answers for each question. CONCLUSION: This study is a valuable tool for primary assessment of current surgical practice for SBO in the Russian Federation. Study design did not imply conclusions on the optimal strategy based on opinions of majority of respondents. According to our survey, a significant number of respondents use the treatment strategy that differ from clinical guidelines. Their approach is based on their own clinical experience and local guidelines for the treatment of SBO. Less than half of the answers matched to national clinical guidelines, less than 10% - to the WSES guidelines. Despite the formal coincidence of some statements in national clinical guidelines and English-language recommendations, significant nonconformities require scientific discussion.

[Endoscopic transluminal interventions in the treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis]. / Endoskopicheskie translyuminal'nye vmeshatel'stva v lechenii ostrogo nekrotiziruyushchego pankreatita.

The review is devoted to endoscopic transluminal interventions in the treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Terminology, indications and options for transluminal drainage procedures and endoscopic sequestrectomy are presented in detail. The authors analyzed the results of numerous studies devoted to effectiveness of endoscopic interventions and possible combination of treatment options. Modern international clinical guidelines indicating the feasibility of endoscopic treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in multi-field specialized centers are considered.

[Koblenz algorithm for open abdomen management]. / «Koblentsskii algoritm¼ lecheniya bol'nykh s laparostomoi.

The issue of laparostomy treatment is still controversial, since there are insufficient evidence-based data. German military surgeons have developed and implemented the «Koblenz algorithm¼ of laparostomy treatment into everyday practice. The algorithm was developed at the Bundeswehr Central Hospital in Koblenz (Germany). Today, approximately 50% of German civilian hospitals use the «Koblenz algorithm¼. The database for laparostomy treatment was created on the basis of international platform European Registry of Abdominal wall Hernias (EuraHS) in May 2015. These data will be valuable for further multipla-center studies. This manuscript is devoted to analysis of clinical effectiveness of the «Koblenz algorithm¼ in the treatment of patients with laparostomy. Searching of Russian, English and German studies devoted to «Koblenz algorithm¼ in the treatment of patients with laparostomy was carried out in the eLIBRARY, Elektronische Zeitschriftenbibliothek, the Cochrane Library and the PubMed databases. The authors comprehensively described «Koblenz algorithm¼. Mortality in the group of VAC - therapy was 57% (31/54), in case of «Koblenz algorithm¼ - 33% (33/100). Between-group differences were significant (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.18-0.72, p=0.003). However, an efficacy of «Koblenz algorithm¼ should be confirmed in further multiple-center studies including national evidence-based trials.

[Open and laparoscopic surgery via minimally invasive approach in the treatment of perforated ulcer: a systematic review and metaanalysis]. / Laparotomnye i laparoskopicheski assistirovannye operatsii iz minidostupa v lechenii probodnoi yazvy. Sistematicheskii obzor i metaanaliz.

OBJECTIVE: Systematic review and metaanalysis of the effectiveness of open and minimally invasive laparoscopic suturing of perforated peptic ulcer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searching for Russian and English language reports included Scientific Electronic Library, Cochrane Collaboration Library and PubMed databases. We have analyzed contents of specialized journals, reviews and their references. Unpublished data were obtained via communication with chiefs of national surgical hospitals. RevMan 5.3 software was used for metaanalysis. RESULTS: We found no international randomized trials in available literature. Metaanalysis was based on national non-randomized studies. Total sample was 1177 cases. Laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery was performed in 43% of cases (n=503), open suturing - in 57% (n=674) of patients. Choice of these procedures is not currently not standardized. Minimally invasive procedures are shorter in time (mean difference -8.02, 95% CI -11.26 - -4.77, p<0.00001) and ensure less hospital-stay (mean difference -1.93, 95% CI -2.97 - -0.88, p=0.0003). Complications were less common (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.07-0.27, p<0.00001) after minimally invasive operations (2.4%, 12/503) compared to laparotomy (11.4%, 77/674). Incidence of suture failure was similar (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1-1.6, p=0.2) (0.4% (2/503) vs. 0.7% (5/674)). Postoperative mortality was higher (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.37, p<0.0001) after laparotomy (8%, 54/674) compared to laparoscopy (0.8%, 4/503). CONCLUSION: A metaanalysis indicates the advantage of laparoscopy-assisted suturing of perforated ulcer via minimally invasive approach over laparotomy. The absence of a standardized approach in choosing of minimally invasive laparotomy and conventional approach is a limitation of these results.

[Surgical care during the new coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic]. / Khirurgicheskie operatsii v usloviyakh pandemii novoi koronavirusnoi infektsii (Covid-19).

Safe and reasonable surgical care in the context of COVID-19 pandemic is difficult task. The main current issues are selection of patients for surgical treatment, principles of surgical treatment in cancer patients, possibilities of endoscopic surgery, organization of surgical department and operating theatre, surgical strategy in infected patients. Own experience and rational implementation of the recommendations developed by international research and practical communities are extremely important for optimizing surgical treatment of patients in a pandemic, as well as for ensuring the safety of patients and medical staff.

[Distal subtotal gastrectomy and gastreectomy in surgical treatment of patients with gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis]. / Sravnitel'naya otsenka subtotal'noi distal'noi rezektsii i gastrektomii v khirurgicheskom lechenie bol'nykh rakom zheludka.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) devoted to distal subtotal gastrectomy and gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy in patients with distal gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RCTs were searched in the electronic library, the Cochrane Community database, and PubMed database. A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Cochrane Community experts (Higgins et al. 2019). Mathematical calculations of a meta-analysis were made using RevMan 5.3 software package. Statistical criteria were calculated for relative risk (RR), hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and significance level (p). RESULTS: Seven primary RCTs were selected. A total number of 1463 surgical interventions with D2 lymphadenectomy were observed (805 patients underwent distal subtotal gastrectomy, 658 - gastrectomy). Postoperative mortality is significantly higher (6.5% and 2.6%) after gastrectomy compared to subtotal distal gastrectomy (RR 2.2, 95% CI 1.34-3.64, I2 0%, fixed effect model). Postoperative complications are also significantly more common (28% and 14%) after gastrectomy (RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.16-2.55, I2 heterogeneity 49%, random effect model). Differences in overall five-year survival after gastrectomy and subtotal distal resection (51.6% and 60.8%) are insignificant (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.45-1.22, I2 90%, random effect model, general reverse inversion). CONCLUSION: The choice of distal subtotal gastrectomy and gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy in patients with distal gastric cancer is not regulated by evidence-based medicine. The boundaries of minimal surgical clearance from the tumor edge vary from 2.5 cm to 6 cm. An updated meta-analysis shows that postoperative mortality and morbidity are significantly higher after gastrectomy compared to distal subtotal gastrectomy while overall 5-year survival is similar.

[Diagnostic and treatment approaches for acute appendicitis in the Russian Federation. Results of the all-Russian survey]. / Diagnosticheskie i lechebnye podkhody pri ostrom appenditsite v praktike khirurgov Rossiiskoi Federatsii. Rezul'taty obshcherossiiskogo oprosa.

OBJECTIVE: To improve treatment outcomes in patients with acute appendicitis (AA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An internet survey was performed. Questionnaire consisted of 15 questions concerning diagnosis and treatment of AA: application of prognostic scales, incidence and technical aspects of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), antibiotic prophylaxis, postoperative management, compliance with international and national clinical guidelines. A total of 690 questionnaires were received and analyzed (3.67% of all surgeons in the Russian Federation). RESULTS: Eighteen percent of respondents use at least one prognostic scale. The vast majority of surgeons (92%) use antibiotic prophylaxis. Almost half of respondents place trocars in the triangulation position (44%), one third of surgeons ligate the mesentery of the appendix (35%), most respondents perform mesoappendectomy (60%) with monopolar and bipolar cautery. Forty-five percent of all respondents do not invert the appendix stump. Significant number of respondents use abdominal drainage routinely. Only 3.5% of surgeons use multimodal postoperative analgesia. Less than 22% of patients are operated under low-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Standardization of surgical technique and perioperative approaches including those specified in the guidelines is absent. We also found insufficient awareness of surgeons about international and national clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION: This study may be useful for standardizing treatment approaches, choosing the best practice, popularizing and improving of current clinical guidelines.

Patterns and mechanisms of early Pliocene warmth.

About five to four million years ago, in the early Pliocene epoch, Earth had a warm, temperate climate. The gradual cooling that followed led to the establishment of modern temperature patterns, possibly in response to a decrease in atmospheric CO2 concentration, of the order of 100 parts per million, towards preindustrial values. Here we synthesize the available geochemical proxy records of sea surface temperature and show that, compared with that of today, the early Pliocene climate had substantially lower meridional and zonal temperature gradients but similar maximum ocean temperatures. Using an Earth system model, we show that none of the mechanisms currently proposed to explain Pliocene warmth can simultaneously reproduce all three crucial features. We suggest that a combination of several dynamical feedbacks underestimated in the models at present, such as those related to ocean mixing and cloud albedo, may have been responsible for these climate conditions.

[Emergency surgery in Russian Federation (in Russian only)]. / Sostoianie ékstrennoi khirurgicheskoi pomoshchi v Rossiiskoi Federatsii.

In the following article, we present the key trends in emergency surgical care in the Russian Federation between 2000 and 2017. The study used data from federal statistical observations and a survey of state medical institutions in 80 regions encompassing 99.3% of the country's population. We discovered a change in the correlation between acute abdominal diseases, particularly a significant reduction in the occurrence of acute appendicitis and perforated peptic ulcer. Reduction in the number of emergency surgeries by 27.8% annually was also observed. Mortality rate decreased in cases of strangulated hernia, acute cholecystitis and acute pancreatitis, while it is stable for bowel obstruction and acute appendicitis and increasing in perforated peptic ulcer cases. The total annual number of lethal outcomes due to acute abdominal diseases was decreased by 1900 cases. Significant changes were observed in mortality rate and minimally invasive surgeries proportions between federal districts and individual regions of the country. The range of administrative measures was proposed.

[Surgical treatment of ulcerative pyloroduodenal stenosis]. / Khirurgicheskoe lechenie iazvennogo piloroduodenal'nogo stenoza.

AIM: To obtain the most reliable information about surgical treatment of ulcerative pyloroduodenal stenosis based on the methodology of evidence-based medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searching platforms were elibrary, Cochrane Library and PubMed database. The probability of major systematic errors in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was evaluated. RESULTS: Systematic review included 20 RCTs for the period 1968-2009 with overall sample of 1794 patients. Evaluation of external validity allows to generalize the results of these studies to the entire population of patients with ulcerative pyloroduodenal stenosis. Assessment of internal validity based on the number of systematic errors showed that 7 (35%) of 20 of RCTs corresponded to the highest level of evidence (level 1), 13 (65%) of 20 had systematic errors and were downgraded in the rating (level 1-). Significant heterogeneity of RCTs impedes metaanalysis. Conclusions and practical recommendations for the treatment of ulcerative pyloroduodenal stenosis are formed according to the results of individual RCTs. CONCLUSION: Selective vagotomy may be performed for functional stenosis. In case of organic stenosis, truncal vagotomy should be combined with drainage surgery (pyloroplasty, gastroenterostomy) or Roux/Billroth-1 antrectomy. Treatment of decompensated stenosis within evidence-based medicine is unclear. We have not identified target researches with evidence level 1 for this form of stenosis.

[Large outpatient surgery. Are there prospects?] / Bol'shaia ambulatornaia khirurgiia. Est' li perspektivy?

AIM: To study frequency of 'hospital registry' operations in the polyclinics of the Central Federal district, to analyze previous experience of outpatient surgical care and to assess perspective directions of its development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over 48 million people who referred to polyclinics for medical care in 17 regions of Central Federal district for 6 years (2011-2016) were studied. RESULTS: Mean surgical activity in the polyclinics of Central Federal district is 4.5%. The annual number of 'hospital registry' operations does not exceed 150-200 (0.01%) for the entire district. Large outpatient surgery in Russia has evolved from active development to complete apathy and was almost always associated with health care reforming and attempts to reduce the volume of 24-hour in-patient surgical care. CONCLUSION: Advanced outpatient surgery is able to compensate routine in-hospital operations and to focus resources of these hospitals on the development of high-tech surgical care. It is necessary to change the insurance share of financing of patients operated in day surgical hospitals for successful development of 'large outpatient surgery'.

[General methodology of meta-analysis and data interpretation in surgery]. / Obshchaia metodologiia provedeniia i interpretatsii rezul'tatov meta-analiza v khirurgii.

Meta-analysis is a leading methodology used in systematic secondary researches. Review Manager software is the main tool used by leading world expert groups for meta-analysis. The authors analyzed the features of meta-analyzes evaluating the results of surgeries. It is shown that the majority of baseline clinical parameters correspond to normal distribution (in accordance with central limit theorem) considering the fact that surgical outcomes depend on various and often unpredictable factors. Moreover, multiple heterogeneous variables are compared in the meta-analysis due to the differences in diagnostic scales and methods of evaluating the results in primary researches. Therefore, both absolute and standardized measurements are required for these purposes. The authors describe the features of meta-analysis for dichotomous, continuous and skewed data, as well as for ordinal outcomes, time-to-event, counts and ratios. These data are useful to interpret numerical values, objectively evaluate the majority of surgical outcomes and predict the effectiveness of interventions.