Endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis: a bibliometric analysis of primary studies.

INTRODUCTION: Bibliometrics, a statistical method assessing the influence of scholarly works, was employed to analyze the evolution of endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis. METHODS: This comprehensive review followed PRISMA guidelines, sourcing data from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, focusing on clinical and surgical outcomes up to December 2023. We identified 1409 records, with 83 papers meeting inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The majority of studies originated from the Americas (79%), predominantly from the United States (75.9%). The typical study design was retrospective cohort studies (62%), involving a total of 8,175 patients with median research duration of 8 years. Citation metrics indicated an average count of 38.9 per paper, with notable contributions from several key authors. A distinct increase in research was observed in recent years, particularly from 2011 onwards, peaking in 2022 and 2023. The top 10 most cited papers, largely emanating from the U.S., had a higher median patient number (103) compared to the overall median (53), suggesting their significant impact. These papers were primarily published in journals with higher impact factors and citation indicators. The most cited research was notably published in the Journal of Neurosurgery-Pediatrics. CONCLUSION: This analysis provides a comprehensive view of the field, highlighting the growing trend and clinical importance of endoscopic approaches in craniosynostosis, offering a valuable resource for future research and clinical practice.

Active Versus Passive Drainage Systems for Subdural Hematomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) management involves various surgical techniques, with drainage systems playing a pivotal role. While passive drainage (PD) and active drainage (AD) are both used, their efficacy remains contentious. Some studies favor PD for lower recurrence rates, while others suggest AD superiority. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to address this controversy, aiming to provide clarity on optimal drainage modalities post-CSDH evacuation. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews guidelines, searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until February 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on studies comparing active vs PD for subdural hematomas. Data extraction involved independent researchers, and statistical analysis was conducted using R software. The assessment of risk of bias was performed using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions framework and the Risk Of Bias 2 tool. RESULTS: In this meta-analysis, involving 1949 patients with AD and 1346 with PD, no significant differences were observed in recurrence rates between the active (13.6%) and passive (16.4%) drainage groups (risk ratio [RR] = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.58-1.31). Similarly, for complications, infection, hemorrhage, and mortality, no significant disparities were found between the 2 drainage modalities. Complication rates were 7.5% for active and 12.6% for PD (RR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.36-1.52). Infection rates were available for 635 patients of the active group, counting for 2% and 2.6%, respectively (RR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.24-4.01). Hemorrhage rates were also available for 635 patients of the active group, counting for 1.1% and 2.2%, respectively (RR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.11-1.81). Mortality rates were 2.7% and 2.5%, respectively (RR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.61-1.46). CONCLUSION: Our study found no significant difference between passive and AD for managing complications, recurrence, infection, hemorrhage, or mortality in CSDH cases. Further large-scale randomized trials are needed for clarity.

Brain tissue oxygen plus intracranial pressure monitoring versus isolated intracranial pressure monitoring in patients with traumatic brain injury: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring plays a key role in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), however, cerebral hypoxia can occur without intracranial hypertension. Aiming to improve neuroprotection in these patients, a possible alternative is the association of Brain Tissue Oxygen Pressure (PbtO2) monitoring, used to detect PbtO2 tension. METHOD: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central for RCTs comparing combined PbtO2 + ICP monitoring with ICP monitoring alone in patients with severe or moderate TBI. The outcomes analyzed were mortality at 6 months, favorable outcome (GOS ≥ 4 or GOSE ≥ 5) at 6 months, pulmonary events, cardiovascular events and sepsis rate. RESULTS: We included 4 RCTs in the analysis, totaling 505 patients. Combined PbtO2 + ICP monitoring was used in 241 (47.72%) patients. There was no significant difference between the groups in relation to favorable outcome at 6 months (RR 1.17; 95% CI 0.95-1.43; p = 0.134; I2 = 0%), mortality at 6 months (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.57-1.18; p = 0.281; I2 = 34%), cardiovascular events (RR 1.75; 95% CI 0.86-3.52; p = 0.120; I2 = 0%) or sepsis (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.25-2.22; p = 0.604; I2 = 0%). The risk of pulmonary events was significantly higher in the group with combined PbtO2 + ICP monitoring (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.11-1.87; p = 0.006; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that combined PbtO2 + ICP monitoring does not change outcomes such as mortality, functional recovery, cardiovascular events or sepsis. Furthermore, we found a higher risk of pulmonary events in patients undergoing combined monitoring.

Neurosurgical intervention for the Meckel-Gruber Syndrome: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Meckel-Gruber Syndrome (MKS) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, notable for its triad of occipital encephalocele, polycystic renal dysplasia, and postaxial polydactyly. Identified by Johann Friederich Meckel in 1822, MKS is categorized as a ciliopathy due to gene mutations. Diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of at least two key features. The condition is incompatible with life, leading to death in the womb or shortly after birth. Recent studies have largely focused on the genetic aspects of MKS, with limited information regarding the impact of neurosurgical approaches, particularly in treating encephaloceles. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA statement. The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were consulted for data screening and extraction, which was conducted by two independent reviewers. The search strategy aimed to encompass studies documenting cases of MKS with published reports of encephalocele excisions, and the search strings for all databases were: Meckel-Gruber syndrome OR Meckel Gruber syndrome OR Meckel-gruber OR Meckel Gruber. RESULTS: The study included 10 newborns with MKS associated with occipital encephalocele or meningocele, all of whom underwent surgical repair of the occipital sac. The mean gestational age at birth was 36 (± 2) weeks. The mean of birth weight was 3.14 (± 0.85) kilograms. The average head circumference at birth was 33.82 cm (± 2.17). The mean diameter of the encephalocele/meningocele was 5.91 (± 1.02) cm. Other common central nervous system abnormalities included hydrocephalus, Dandy-Walker malformation, and agenesis of the corpus callosum. 40% required shunting for hydrocephalus. Surgery to remove the occipital sac occurred at a median age of 2.5 days (1.5-6.5). The most common post-surgical complication was the need for mechanical ventilation. The most common cause of death was pneumonia and the median age at death was 6.66 (0.03-18) months. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that neurosurgical intervention, especially for managing encephaloceles, may offer some improvement in survival, albeit within a context of generally poor prognosis. However, these results should be interpreted with caution.

Severe viral lower respiratory tract infections in Brazilian children: Clinical features of a national cohort.

BACKGROUND: The accurate etiological diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) is essential for their effective clinical management. The extensive use of molecular methods during the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled massive data acquisition on viral lower respiratory tract infections. The current study aims to identify clinical features associated with eight viral agents among children presenting severe LRTI. METHODS: retrospective cohort study of data from the Brazilian Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System. Patients under 20 years-old who had severe LRTI with etiological confirmation through RT-PCR between 2020 and 2022 were included. Binary logistic regressions were used to examine associations between pathogens and symptoms. RESULTS: 60,657 cases were assessed. The main viral agents detected were Sars-CoV-2 (COV2) (41.2%), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (29.1%), Human Rhinovirus (HRV) (12.1%), and Influenza (FLU) (5.5%). A general mortality rate of 4.3% was observed. The multivariate analysis evidenced that COV2 less likely presented with cough (OR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.32-0.36), respiratory discomfort (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 0.61; 95%Confidence Interval (CI): 0.59-0.64), and desaturation (aOR: 0.71; 95%CI: 0.69-0.75). RSV strongly associated with cough (aOR: 2.59; 95%CI: 2.45-2.75) and respiratory discomfort (aOR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.46-1.62), whereas FLU was linked to fever (aOR: 2.27; 95%CI: 2.06-2.50) and sore throat (aOR: 1.48; 95%CI: 1.34-1.64). CONCLUSIONS: The viral agents responsible for severe LRTI have distinct associations with clinical features in children.

Assessment of the risk of burnout and its associated factors in healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in tremendous physical and psychological pressure on healthcare professionals, especially on those working in intensive care units (ICUs) and Emergency Departments (EDs). The present study intended to characterize the profile of these professionals which is associated with burnout and determine the potential predictors of such condition. Methods: A Prospective cohort study was carried out in a tertiary hospital between March 2020 and March 2021, in Salvador, Brazil. A standardized and validated version of the Oldenburg Burnout inventory (OLBI) was applied to assess risk of burnout together with data forms designed to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics and religious beliefs. ICU and ED healthcare professionals were evaluated during off-hours at two distinct periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 and in 2021. Differences in the results obtained from each study participant between the timepoints were compared. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of burnout development independent of other confounding factors. Results: Seventy-seven healthcare professionals with a median age of 33 (interquartile range [IQR]: 31-37.5) years and predominantly female (72.7%; n = 56) were enrolled. There were 62 professionals at risk of developing burnout through the OLBI. Those had a median age of 33 (IQR: 31-37) and female predominance (71%, n = 44). Disengagement and burnout were the only features which frequencies significantly changed over time, with increasing detection at the latest timepoint. Alcohol consumption was found to be an important risk factor for burnout development [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 10.8 (95% CI: 1.8-64.2)]. Importantly, working in the ICU [aOR: 0.04 (95%CI: 0.01-0.32)] and the habit of praying daily [aOR: 0.07 (95%CI: 0.01-0.41)] were characteristics linked to reduced odds of burnout. Discussion: Disengagement substantially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare professionals. Alcohol consumption favors the onset of burnout whereas habit of praying daily and working in the ICU are protective against such outcome. Institutional policies aimed at minimizing etilism may positively impact mental health of these professionals.