Endoscopic incisional therapy for benign anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy or gastrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies have evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic incisional therapy (EIT) for benign anastomotic strictures. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate stricture recurrence after EIT following esophagectomy or gastrectomy. METHODS: A systematic search of databases was performed up to April 2nd, 2023, after selection of key search terms with the research team. Inclusion criteria included human participants undergoing EIT for a benign anastomotic stricture after esophagectomy or gastrectomy, age ≥ 18, and n ≥ 5. Our primary outcome was the incidence of stricture recurrence among patients treated with EIT compared to dilation. Our secondary outcome was the stricture-free duration after EIT and rate of adverse events. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.4.1 using a Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model. Publication bias was evaluated with funnel plots and the Egger test. RESULTS: A total of 2550 unique preliminary studies underwent screening of abstracts and titles. This led to 33 studies which underwent full-text review and five studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed reduced odds of overall stricture recurrence (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.92, p = 0.03; I2 = 71%) and reduced odds of stricture recurrence among naïve strictures (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.17-0.59, p = 0.0003; I2 = 0%) for patients undergoing EIT compared to dilation. There was no significant difference in the odds of stricture recurrence among recurrent strictures (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.12-3.28, p = 0.58; I2 = 81%). Meta-analysis revealed a significant increase in the recurrence-free duration (MD 42.76, 95% CI 12.41-73.11, p = 0.006) among patients undergoing EIT compared to dilation. CONCLUSION: Current data suggest EIT is associated with reduced odds of stricture recurrence among naïve anastomotic strictures. Large, prospective studies are needed to characterize the safety profile of EIT, address publication bias, and to explore multimodal therapies for refractory strictures.

Smoking status predicts anastomotic leak after esophagectomy: a systematic review & meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leak after esophagectomy is a major contributor to surgery-related morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate if positive-smoking status is associated with the incidence of this complication. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library was performed on April 4th, 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised human participants undergoing esophagectomy, age ≥ 18, n ≥ 5, and identification of smoking status. The primary outcome was incidence of anastomotic leak. Sub-group analysis by ex- or current smoking status was performed. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.4.1 using a Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model. Publication bias was evaluated visually with funnel plots and through the Egger test. RESULTS: A total of 220 abstracts were screened, of which 69 full-text studies were assessed for eligibility, with 13 studies selected for final inclusion. This included 16,103 patients, of which 4433 were ex- or current smokers, and 9141 were never smokers. Meta-analysis revealed an increased odds of anastomotic leak in patients with a positive-smoking status (current or ex-smokers) compared to never smokers (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.18-1.76, I2 = 44%, p < 0.001. Meta-analysis of six studies comparing active smokers alone to never smokers identified a significant increased odds of anastomotic leak (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.25-2.59, p = 0.002, I2 = 0%). Meta-analysis of five studies comparing ex-smokers to never smokers identified a significant increased odds of anastomotic leak (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.02-1.82, p = 0.04, I2 = 0%). The odds of anastomotic leak decreased among ex-smokers compared to active smokers. CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis support the association between positive-smoking status and the risk of anastomotic leak after esophagectomy. Results further emphasize the importance of preoperative smoking cessation to reduce post-operative morbidity.

A Systematic Bibliometric Analysis of High-Impact Articles in Critical Care Nephrology.

INTRODUCTION: Critical care nephrology is a subspecialty that merges critical care and nephrology in response to shared pathobiology, clinical care, and technological innovations. To date, there has been no description of the highest impact articles. Accordingly, we systematically identified high impact articles in critical care nephrology. METHODS: This was a bibliometric analysis. The search was developed by a research librarian. Web of Science was searched for articles published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2020. Articles required a minimum of 30 citations, publication in English language, and reporting of primary (or secondary) original data. Articles were screened by two reviewers for eligibility and further adjudicated by three experts. The "Top 100" articles were hierarchically ranked by adjudication, citations in the 2 years following publication and journal impact factor (IF). For each article, we extracted detailed bibliometric data. Risk of bias was assessed for randomized trials by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Analyses were descriptive. RESULTS: The search yielded 2,805 articles. Following initial screening, 307 articles were selected for full review and adjudication. The Top 100 articles were published across 20 journals (median [IQR] IF 10.6 [8.9-56.3]), 38% were published in the 5 years ending in 2020 and 62% were open access. The agreement between adjudicators was excellent (intraclass correlation, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.84-0.99). Of the Top 100, 44% were randomized trials, 35% were observational, 14% were systematic reviews, 6% were nonrandomized interventional studies and one article was a consensus document. The risk of bias among randomized trials was low. Common subgroup themes were RRT (42%), AKI (30%), fluids/resuscitation (14%), pediatrics (10%), interventions (8%), and perioperative care (6%). The citations for the Top 100 articles were 175 (95-393) and 9 were cited >1,000 times. CONCLUSION: Critical care nephrology has matured as an important subspecialty of critical care and nephrology. These high impact papers have focused largely on original studies, mostly clinical trials, within a few core themes. This list can be leveraged for curricula development, to stimulate research, and for quality assurance.

Mobile Apps to Support Mental Health Response in Natural Disasters: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Disasters are becoming more frequent due to the impact of extreme weather events attributed to climate change, causing loss of lives, property, and psychological trauma. Mental health response to disasters emphasizes prevention and mitigation, and mobile health (mHealth) apps have been used for mental health promotion and treatment. However, little is known about their use in the mental health components of disaster management. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review was conducted to explore the use of mobile phone apps for mental health responses to natural disasters and to identify gaps in the literature. METHODS: We identified relevant keywords and subject headings and conducted comprehensive searches in 6 electronic databases. Studies in which participants were exposed to a man-made disaster were included if the sample also included some participants exposed to a natural hazard. Only full-text studies published in English were included. The initial titles and abstracts of the unique papers were screened by 2 independent review authors. Full texts of the selected papers that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed by the 2 independent reviewers. Data were extracted from each selected full-text paper and synthesized using a narrative approach based on the outcome measures, duration, frequency of use of the mobile phone apps, and the outcomes. This scoping review was reported according to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). RESULTS: Of the 1398 papers retrieved, 5 were included in this review. A total of 3 studies were conducted on participants exposed to psychological stress following a disaster while 2 were for disaster relief workers. The mobile phone apps for the interventions included Training for Life Skills, Sonoma Rises, Headspace, Psychological First Aid, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioural Health Disaster Response Apps. The different studies assessed the effectiveness or efficacy of the mobile app, feasibility, acceptability, and characteristics of app use or predictors of use. Different measures were used to assess the effectiveness of the apps' use as either the primary or secondary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: A limited number of studies are exploring the use of mobile phone apps for mental health responses to disasters. The 5 studies included in this review showed promising results. Mobile apps have the potential to provide effective mental health support before, during, and after disasters. However, further research is needed to explore the potential of mobile phone apps in mental health responses to all hazards.

Role of prolonged packing in postoperative anorectal abscess management: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged packing of anorectal abscess cavities with internal dressings after incision and drainage is frequently used, but the efficacy of this practice remains controversial. Some studies highlight its use in hemostasis and preventing fistula and abscess recurrence, whereas others describe its economic burden and increase in pain. In this systematic review, we examine current evidence on the impact of packing after incision and drainage for anorectal abscesses. METHODS: The medical librarian conducted a comprehensive literature search on January 5, 2023. We conducted the meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4.1 software with a Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model. RESULTS: We identified 3 randomized controlled trials, comprising 490 patients. Of those, 241 patients (49%) received postoperative packing; most patients were male (n = 158, 65.6%), with a median age of 40.5 years and a follow-up of 6 months. Meta-analysis showed that prolonged wound packing was associated with delayed wound healing and increased pain, but no difference in abscess recurrence or fistula formation. CONCLUSION: In this systematic review of current evidence highlighting the impact of packing after incision and drainage for anorectal abscesses, we found that the practice is not associated with significant differences in abscess recurrence and fistula formation, but is associated with increased postoperative pain and delayed wound healing.

Text mining applications to support health library practice: A case study on marijuana legalization Twitter analytics.

BACKGROUND: Twitter is rich in data for text and data analytics research, with the ability to capture trends. OBJECTIVES: This study examines Canadian tweets on marijuana legalization and terminology used. Presented as a case study, Twitter analytics will demonstrate the varied applications of how this kind of research method may be used to inform library practice. METHODS: Twitter API was used to extract a subset of tweets using seven relevant hashtags. Using open-source programming tools, the sampled tweets were analysed between September to November 2018, identifying themes, frequently used terms, sentiment, and co-occurring hashtags. RESULTS: More than 1,176,000 tweets were collected. The most popular hashtag co-occurrence, two hashtags appearing together, was #cannabis and #CdnPoli. There was a high variance in the sentiment analysis of all collected tweets but most scores had neutral sentiment. DISCUSSION: The case study presents text-mining applications relevant to help make informed decisions in library practice through service analysis, quality analysis, and collection analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from sentiment analysis may determine usage patterns from users. There are several ways in which libraries may use text mining to make evidence-informed decisions such as examining all possible terminologies used by the public to help inform comprehensive evidence synthesis projects and build taxonomies for digital libraries and repositories.

Addressing the unmet mental health needs of people living with HIV: a scoping review of interventions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Some mental health interventions have addressed mental health among people living with HIV (PLWH) using a variety of approaches, but little is known about the details of such interventions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a region that bears the largest burden of HIV in the world. The present study describes mental health interventions for PLWH in SSA regardless of the date and language of publication. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting guidelines, we identified 54 peer-reviewed articles on interventions addressing adverse mental health conditions among PLWH in SSA. The studies were conducted in 11 different countries, with the highest number of studies in South Africa (33.3%), Uganda (18.5%), Kenya (9.26%), and Nigeria (7.41%). While only one study was conducted before the year 2000, there was a gradual increase in the number of studies in the subsequent years. The studies were mostly conducted in hospital settings (55.5%), were non-pharmacologic (88.9%), and interventions were mostly cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling. Task shifting was the primary implementation strategy used in four studies. Interventions addressing the mental health needs of PLWH that incorporates the unique challenges and opportunities in SSA is highly recommended.

Opioid prescribing practices following bariatric surgery: a systematic review and pooled proportion meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: A paucity of literature exists regarding current opioid prescribing and use following bariatric surgery. We aimed to characterize opioid prescribing practices and use following bariatric surgery to inform future studies and optimized prescribing practices. METHODS AND PROCEDURE: We performed a systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library (via WILEY) on August 20, 2021. Two reviewers reviewed and extracted data independently. Studies evaluating adult patients undergoing bariatric surgery that reported opioid prescriptions at discharge were included. Abstracts, non-English studies, and those with n < 5 were excluded. Primary outcomes assessed the amount of morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed at discharge. Secondary outcomes evaluated opioids used following discharge, proportion of patients with unused opioid, and if unused opioids were properly discarded. RESULTS: We evaluated 2113 studies, with 18 undergoing full-text review, and 5 meeting inclusion criteria. Overall, 847 patients were included, with 450 (53%) undergoing sleeve gastrectomy and 393 (46%) receiving Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Most patients were female (n = 484/589, 82.2%), and the average age and BMI were 44.6 (± 11.8) years and 48.1 kg/m2 (± 8.4 kg/m2), respectively. On average, 348.4 MMEs were prescribed to patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients used only 84.7 MMEs, with 87.0% (95% CI 66.0-99.0%) having unused opioid, and 41/120 (34.2%) retaining these excess opioids. CONCLUSION: Nearly 90% of all bariatric patients evaluated in our systematic review are prescribed excessive opioids at discharge. Further work characterizing current opioid prescribing practices and use may help guide development of standardized post-bariatric surgery prescription guidelines.

New persistent opioid use after bariatric surgery: a systematic review and pooled proportion meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing evidence suggests surgical patients are at risk for developing new, persistent opioid use (NPOU) following surgery. This risk may be heightened for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Few studies have evaluated this important long-term outcome and little is known about the rate of NPOU, or factors associated with NPOU for bariatric surgery patients. METHODS AND PROCEDURE: We conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases in August 2021. Studies were reviewed and data extracted independently by two reviewers following MOOSE guidelines. Studies evaluating bariatric surgery patients reporting NPOU, defined as new opioid use > 90 days after surgery, were included. Abstracts, non-English, animal, n < 5, and pediatric studies were excluded. Primary outcome was NPOU prevalence, and secondary outcomes were patient and surgical factors associated with NPOU. Factors associated with NPOU are reported from findings of individual studies; meta-analysis could not be completed due to heterogeneity of reporting. RESULTS: We retrieved a total of 2113 studies with 8 meeting inclusion criteria. In studies reporting NPOU rates (n = 4 studies), pooled prevalence was 6.0% (95% CI 4.0-7.0%). Patient characteristics reported by studies to be associated with NPOU included prior substance use (tobacco, alcohol, other prescription analgesics), preoperative mental health disorder (anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders), and public health insurance. Surgical factors associated with NPOU included severe post-operative complications and in-hospital opioid use (peri- or post operatively). CONCLUSIONS: NPOU is an uncommon but important complication following bariatric surgery, with patient factors including prior substance abuse, mental health disorders, and use of public health insurance placing patients at increased risk, and surgical factors being complications and peri-operative opioid use. Studies evaluating techniques to reduce NPOU in these high-risk populations are needed.

Oral care reduces incidence of pneumonia after esophagectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Post-operative pneumonia after esophagectomy is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Prior studies have demonstrated a link between the presence of pathologic oral flora and the development of aspiration pneumonia. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of pre-operative oral care on the incidence of post-operative pneumonia after esophagectomy. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was performed on September 2, 2022. Screening of titles and abstracts, full-text articles, and evaluation of methodological quality was performed by two authors. Case reports, conference proceedings, and animal studies were excluded. A meta-analysis of peri-operative oral care on the odds of post-operative pneumonia after esophagectomy was performed using Revman 5.4.1 with a Mantel-Haenszel, random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 736 records underwent title and abstract screening, leading to 28 full-text studies evaluated for eligibility. A total of nine studies met the inclusion criteria and underwent meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in post-operative pneumonia among patients undergoing pre-operative oral care intervention compared to those without an oral care intervention (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.43-0.74, p < 0.0001; I2 = 49%). CONCLUSION: Pre-operative oral care interventions have significant potential in the reduction of post-operative pneumonia after esophagectomy. North American prospective studies, as well as studies on the cost-benefit analysis, are required.

A scoping review of risk factors for urinary incontinence in older men.

BACKGROUND: Most epidemiological studies have not systematically identified or categorized risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI) in older men, despite a higher prevalence than in younger men. Considering the burden of UI, an understanding of risk factors can inform cost-effective prevention/treatment programs. This scoping review aimed to identify and categorise risk factors for UI in older men, identify gaps in the evidence, and opportunities for future research. METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method for scoping reviews guided the conduct and reporting of this review alongside the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews checklist. JBI's Population, Concept, and Context approach framed the inclusion criteria (all evidence sources on UI risk factors that included older men [65 +]). We employed JBI's three-step search strategy, which included a limited initial search in Ovid MEDLINE, a detailed comprehensive database search, and a search of reference lists of included studies, Google Scholar and grey literature. There were no restrictions on language, study type, or publication date. Two independent reviewers screened, selected, and extracted eligible studies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Forty-seven articles that met the inclusion criteria identified 98 risk factors across six categories. Behavioural risk factors, reported by only two studies, were the least investigated of all the categories, whereas medical factors/diseases were the most investigated. No genetic factors were documented. The top five risk factors were increasing age/advanced age (n = 12), Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (n = 11), Diabetes Mellitus (n = 11), Detrusor overactivity (n = 10), limitation in physical function/ADL disability (n = 10), increased Body Mass Index (BMI)/overweight/obesity (n = 8), Dementia (n = 8), and Parkinson's disease (n = 7). CONCLUSION: There is a dearth of evidence to describe the role behavioural risk factors have in UI in older men. These factors may play a role in health promotion and disease prevention in this area. REGISTRATION: A protocol detailing the methods was developed and published, and is registered in the Open Science Framework [Feb 07 2023; https://osf.io/xsrge/ ].

Mapping the implementation of pharmacogenomic testing in community pharmacies 2003-2021 using the Theoretical Domains Framework: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing is an evidence-based approach to finding effective medication therapies. While community pharmacists are ideally situated to provide PGx testing, the extent of its implementation is limited within community pharmacies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore trends in the international peer-reviewed primary literature on community pharmacists' implementation of PGx and map the main findings on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). METHODS: A literature search and 2-step screening were conducted per PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Inclusion criteria were English language, community pharmacy setting, full papers, and empirical research. Data were collated in a data extraction form. The main findings were deductively mapped on the TDF with a content analysis approach. RESULTS: Of 1176 identified documents screened, 39 were included in this scoping review. Four groups of research were identified: pre-implementation surveys (interviews, and focus groups [56%, n = 22]); PGx implementation (single cohort to assess feasibility [38%, n = 15]); PGx implementation (controlled study to assess feasibility [n = 1, 2.5%]); and efficacy of PGx (2.5%, n = 1). Most studies throughout the 4 groups sought pharmacists' perceptions (46%, n = 18) and used the quantitative paradigm (77%, n = 30). TDF mapping documented positive beliefs about the benefits of PGx testing as a part of the pharmacists' role. Barriers to PGx use included pharmacists' awareness of knowledge gaps, low confidence in interpreting and communicating PGx results, concerns about cost, privacy, and integration into pharmacy workflow. CONCLUSION: Research addressing PGx implementation within the community pharmacy evolved from assessing individuals' perceptions of PGx to determining the feasibility of PGx testing in pharmacies and evaluating the impact of PGx testing on patient outcomes in depression. Mapping the main findings on the TDF facilitates the development of multidimensional interventions, potentially targeting patients, pharmacists, and health policy.

Trends in types of graduate degrees and research output for academic general surgeons in Canada.

SummaryThe proportion of general surgeons with graduate degrees in Canada is increasing. We sought to evaluate the types of graduate degree held by surgeons in Canada, and whether differences in publication capacity exist. We evaluated all general surgeons working at English-speaking Canadian academic hospitals to determine the types of degrees achieved, changes over time and research output associated with each degree. We identified 357 surgeons, of whom 163 (45.7 %) had master's degrees and 49 (13.7 %) had PhDs. Achievement of graduate degrees increased over time, with more surgeons earning master's degrees in public health (MPH), clinical epidemiology and education (MEd), and fewer master's degrees in science (MSc) or PhDs. Most publication metrics were similar by degree type, but surgeons with PhDs published more basic science research than those with clinical epidemiology, MEd or MPH degrees (2.0 v. 0.0, p < 0.05); surgeons with clinical epidemiology degrees published more first-author articles than surgeons with MSc degrees (2.0 v. 0.0, p = 0.007). An increasing number of general surgeons hold graduate degrees, with fewer pursuing MSc and PhD degrees, and more holding MPH or clinical epidemiology degrees. Research productivity is similar for all groups. Support to pursue diverse graduate degrees could enable a greater breadth of research.

Management of choledocholithiasis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a systematic review and pooled proportion meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several therapeutic modalities have been proposed for the management of choledocholithiasis (CDL) following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), yet debate exists regarding the optimal management. The purpose of our study was to review the current literature to compare the efficacy of various techniques in the management of CDL post-RYGB. METHODS: A comprehensive search of multiple databases was conducted. Studies reporting on the management of CDL in patients post-RYGB and including at least 5 patients were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was successful stone clearance. Secondary outcomes included procedure duration, length of hospital stay, and adverse events. RESULTS: Of 3259 identified studies, 53 studies involving 857 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 54.4 years (SD 7.05), 78.8% were female (SD 13.6%), and the average BMI was 30.8 kg/m2 (SD 6.85). Procedures described included laparoscopy-assisted ERCP (LAERCP), balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE), ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE), laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE), EUS-guided intra-hepatic puncture with antegrade clearance (EGHAC), percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage (PTHBD), and rendezvous guidewire-associated (RGA) ERCP. High rates of successful stone clearance were observed with LAERCP (1.00; 95% CI 0.99-1.00; p = 0.47), EDGE (0.97; 95% CI 0.9-1.00; p = 0.54), IGS ERCP (1.00; 95% CI 0.87-1.00), PTHBD (1.0; 95% CI 0.96-1.00), and LCBDE (0.99; 95% CI 0.93-1.00, p < 0.001). Lower rates of stone clearance were observed with BAE (61.5%; 95%CI 44.3-76.3, p = 0.188) and EGHAC (74.0%; 95% CI 42.9-91.5, p = 0.124). Relative to EDGE, LAERCP had a longer procedure duration (133.1 vs. 67.4 min) but lower complication rates (12.8% vs. 24.3%). CONCLUSION: LAERCP and EDGE had high rates of success in the management of CDL post-RYGB. LAERCP had fewer complications but was associated with longer procedure times. BAE had lower success rates than both LAERCP and EDGE.

Gastric ischemic conditioning prior to esophagectomy reduces anastomotic leaks and strictures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric ischemic conditioning (GIC) is a strategy to promote neovascularization of the gastric conduit to reduce the risk of anastomotic complications following esophagectomy. Despite a number of studies and reviews published on the concept of ischemic conditioning, there remains no clear consensus regarding its utility. We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the impact of GIC, particularly on anastomotic leaks, conduit ischemia, and strictures. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was performed on February 5th, 2020 by a university librarian after selection of key search terms with the research team. Inclusion criteria included human participants undergoing esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction, age ≥ 18, N ≥ 5, and GIC performed prior to esophagectomy. Our primary outcome of interest was anastomotic leaks. Our secondary outcome was gastric conduit ischemia, anastomotic strictures, and overall survival. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.4.1 using a Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 1712 preliminary studies were identified and 23 studies included for final review. GIC was performed in 1178 (53.5%) patients. Meta-analysis revealed reduced odds of anastomotic leaks (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.46-0.97; I2 = 5%; p = 0.03) and anastomotic strictures (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.29-0.80; I2 = 65%; p = 0.005). Meta-analysis revealed no difference in odds of conduit ischemia (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.13-1.23; I2 = 0%; p = 0.11) and no difference in odds of overall survival (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.29-1.02; I2 = 22%; p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: GIC is associated with reduced odds of anastomotic leaks and anastomotic strictures and may decrease morbidity in patients undergoing esophagectomy. Further prospective randomized trials are needed to better identify the optimal patient population, timing, and techniques used to best achieve GIC.

Surgical outcomes and quality of life following exercise-based prehabilitation for hepato-pancreatico-biliary surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) patients experience significant risk of preoperative frailty. Studies assessing preventative prehabilitation in HPB populations are limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates outcomes for HPB patients treated with exercise prehabilitation. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (via Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Library (Wiley), ProQuest Dissertations, Theses Global, and Google Scholar was conducted with review and extraction following PRISMA guidelines. Included studies evaluated more than 5 adult HPB patients undergoing ≥ 7-day exercise prehabilitation. The primary outcome was postoperative length of stay (LOS); secondary outcomes included complications, mortality, physical performance, and quality of life. RESULTS: We evaluated 1778 titles and abstracts and selected 6 (randomized controlled trial, n = 3; prospective cohort, n = 1; retrospective cohort, n = 2) that included 957 patients. Of those, 536 patients (56.0%) underwent exercise prehabilitation and 421 (44.0%) received standard care. Patients in both groups were similar with regards to important demographic factors. Prehabilitation was associated with a 5.20-day LOS reduction (P = 0.03); when outliers were removed, LOS reduction decreased to 1.85 days and was non-statistically significant (P = 0.34). Postoperative complications (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.26; P = 0.23), major complications (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.60 to 1.14; P = 0.24), and mortality (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.17 to 2.70; P = 0.57) were similar. Prehabilitation was associated with improved strength, cardiopulmonary function, quality of life, and alleviated sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise prehabilitation may reduce LOS and morbidity following HPB surgery. Studies with well-defined exercise regimens are needed to optimize exercise prehabilitation outcomes.

Association between academic degrees and research productivity: an assessment of Canadian academic general surgeons.

BACKGROUND: For academic hiring committees and surgical trainees, the benefits of a graduate degree are unclear. We sought to identify if graduate degrees or professorship status were associated with increased research productivity among Canadian academic surgeons. METHODS: We included general surgeons from the largest hospitals associated with accredited residency programs. We classified staff surgeons active between 2013 and 2018 by degree (MD only, master's degree, PhD) and professorship (assistant, associate, professor) status. We identified their publications from January 2013 to December 2018. Variables of interest included publications per year, citations per article, journal of publication, CiteScore, author's Hirsch (h) index and the revised h-index (r-index). We used Kruskal-Wallis tests and the Dunn multiple comparison test to assess statistical significance. RESULTS: We identified 3262 publications from 187 surgeons, including 78 (41.7%) with no graduate degree, 84 (44.9%) with master's degrees and 25 (13.4%) with PhDs. Surgeons with graduate degrees had more publications per year, higher CiteScores, more citations per article, and higher h- and r-indices than those without graduate degrees. Surgeons with doctorates had the highest median values in all domains, but differences were not significant compared with surgeons with master's degrees. Seventy-seven (41.8%) surgeons were assistant professors, 63 (34.2%) were associate professors and 44 (23.9%) were full professors. Statistically, full professors had a greater number of publications per year and higher h- and r-indices than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Surgeons with graduate degrees or more advanced professorships had the greatest research productivity. Surgeons with doctorates trended toward greater research productivity than those holding master's degrees.

Surgical management of hiatal hernia vs medical therapy to treat bleeding Cameron lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cameron lesions (CL) are an under-recognized cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis is often impaired by technical difficulty, and once diagnosed, management remains unclear. Typically, patients are medically managed with proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Small studies have demonstrated improved therapeutic success with surgical management, hypothesizing that reversing mechanical gastric trauma and ischemia allows CL healing. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to compare therapeutic success of surgical versus medical management of Cameron lesions (CL). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A comprehensive search and systematic review selected manuscripts using the following inclusion criteria: (1) Endoscopically diagnosed CL (2) Treated surgically (3) Follow-up for resolution of anemia or CL (4) n ≥ 5 (5) Excluding non-English, animal, and studies with patients < 18 years old Meta-analysis was performed to compare resolution of CLs with medical and surgical therapy. RESULTS: Systematic search retrieved 1664 studies, of these, 14 were included (randomized controlled trial = 1; prospective = 2; retrospective = 11). Patients had a mean age of 61.2 years (range 24-91) and were more often female (59.3%). Follow-up was between 3 and 120 months, and 82.9% of patients had hernias > 5 cm. Surgical management was associated with therapeutic success (OR 5.20, 1.83-14.77, I2 = 42%, p < 0.001) with 92% having resolution, compared to 67.2% for those treated with PPI. Surgical complications occurred in 42/109 (38.5%) of patients (48.1% for Open Hill Repair, 15.4% for laparoscopic fundoplication). 40.0% of patients underwent a laparoscopic Nissen or Collis fundoplication, 21.7% underwent open modified Hill repair, and 38.3% had unspecified operations. Hemoglobin improved from 8.85 g/dL pre-operatively to 13.60 g/dL post-operatively. In six studies, surgical patients previously failed medical management. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic review comparing surgical and medical treatment of CL. Surgical management significantly improved therapeutic success. Our study supports therapeutic benefit of surgery in these patients.

Trauma Training Courses and Programs in Low- and Lower Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and lower middle-income countries (LMICs). Trauma training is a cost-effective way to improve injury outcomes. Several trauma programs have been implemented in LMICs; however, their scope and effectiveness remain unclear. In this review, we sought to describe and assess the current state of trauma training in LMICs. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global for trauma training courses in LMICs. An additional gray literature search was conducted on university, governmental, and non- governmental organizations' websites to identify trauma-related postgraduate medical education (PGME) opportunities. RESULTS: Most studies occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and participants were primarily physicians/surgeons, medical students/residents, and nurses. General and surgical trauma management courses were most common, followed by orthopedic trauma or plastic surgery trauma/burn care courses. 32/45 studies reported on participant knowledge and skills, 27 of which had minimal follow-up. Of the four studies commenting on cost of courses, only one demonstrated cost-effectiveness. Three articles evaluated post-course effects on patient outcomes, two of which failed to demonstrate significant improvements. Overall, 43.0% of LMICs have PGME programs with defined trauma competency requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Current studies on trauma training in LMICs do not clearly demonstrate sustainability, cost-effectiveness, nor improved outcomes. Trauma training programs should be in response to a need, championed locally, and work within a cohesive system to demonstrate concrete benefits. We recommend standardized and contextualized trauma training with recertifications in LMICs for lasting and improved trauma care.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Induced Cough in Chinese Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the risk of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)-induced cough compared to non-ACEI cough among Chinese patients. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted including randomized controlled trials, case-control studies and observational studies that compared ACEI treatment with control treatment in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. The studies which contained: Chinese population, ACEI, non-ACEI, and indications for the treatment of ACEI were included. The pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare the relative risk of cough between ACEIs and non-ACEI drugs based on the events of reported cough in each study. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials were included with a total of 1815 patients. The total number of cough events in ACEI treatment was 101 in 930 patients (11%) and 20 in 885 patients (2%) in the Non-ACEI treatment. The pooled RR was 5.16 (95% CI: 3.39-7.85) under fixed model. The discontinuation number of single ACEI treatment due to coughing side effect was 21 and the withdrawal rate was 4.13%. Only two patients discontinued non-ACEIs treatment due to the intolerable cough and the withdrawal rate was 0.34%. The overall RR of withdrawal related to cough was 7.06 (95% CI: 2.49-20.04). CONCLUSIONS: The pooled risk of the incidence of ACEI-induced cough was about five times higher than that of non-ACEI-induced cough in Chinese population. The risk of withdrawal events related to cough in the single ACEI treatment was seven times of that in the non-ACEI treatment.