One-staged brachial-basilic vein transposition versus arm straight arteriovenous graft for hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVES: After forearm and arm cephalic veins are no longer available as options, the choices of arm vascular access between one-staged brachial-basilic vein transposition (BBAVF) and arm straight arteriovenous graft (AS-AVG) for hemodialysis are controversial. This study aims to compare outcomes between groups. METHODS: All one-staged BBAVF and AS-AVG from August 2014 to December 2019 were reviewed. In cases of suitable basilic vein of 3 mm or more present from cubital crease to axilla, one-staged BBAVF was preferred. AS-AVG was performed for patients who need timely functioning access or have no suitable basilic vein. RESULTS: Twenty-eight one-staged BBAVF and 74 AS-AVG were included. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different, except AS-AVG had less previous ipsilateral access (9% vs 39%; p < .001). Postoperative complications were not different. With six loss follow-ups (3 in BBAVF and 3 in AS-AVG), 24 (96%) and 64 (90%) matured after one-staged BBAVF and AS-AVG, respectively (p = .676). BBAVF took about 30 days (95% CI: 10, 51) longer time to first successful cannulation. Primary patency was significantly better for one-staged BBAVF (hazard ratio (HR) of 3.0 (95%CI: 1.2, 7.7)), whereas secondary patency was not different. The total access failure (i.e. failure to mature combined with any thrombosis or intervention to maintain patency) significantly favored BBAVF (HR 2.7 (95%CI: 1.1, 6.6)). CONCLUSIONS: Provided a suitable arm basilic vein is available, one-staged BBAVF is preferred over AS-AVG when forearm AVF, forearm AVG, and arm cephalic veins are out. However, it requires a longer time to start cannulating than AS-AVG.

Successful Revascularization, Angiosome Concept, and Multivessel Revascularization: Effects on Wound Healing: An Asian Perspective.

Endovascular treatment for revascularization in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), which is commonly found in patients with diabetes mellitus demonstrates a variable result of vessel patency, wound healing rate, and limb salvage rate. The angiosome concept has been adopted to determine the best target arterial path (TAP) for revascularization for wound healing in CLTI patients. Recent publications demonstrated the benefit of angiosome-targeted revascularization to guide the endovascular treatment in patients CLTI. The best TAP under angiosome concept by direct revascularization with at least 2 of 3 below-the-knee arteries runoff to restore in-line pulsatile blood flow to the ischemic tissue shows the best patency and high rate of wound healing. However, the clinical evidence and application of the angiosome concept in daily practice are difficult and not well established. The vascular territories, collateral vessel, wound area, and locations which associated with angiosome are varied. This article review aims to summarize the concept of angiosome-targeted revascularization and multivessel revascularization for application to the real-world practice under the evidence-based data.

Delayed versus primary closure to minimize risk of surgical-site infection for complicated appendicitis: A secondary analysis of a randomized trial using counterfactual prediction modeling.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) following complicated appendectomy in individual patients receiving delayed primary closure (DPC) versus primary closure (PC) after adjustment for individual risk factors. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of randomized controlled trial (RCT) with prediction model. SETTING: Referral centers across Thailand. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients who underwent appendectomy via a lower-right-quadrant abdominal incision due to complicated appendicitis. METHODS: A secondary analysis of a published RCT was performed applying a counterfactual prediction model considering interventions (PC vs DPC) and other significant predictors. A multivariable logistic regression was applied, and a likelihood-ratio test was used to select significant predictors to retain in a final model. Factual versus counterfactual SSI risks for individual patients along with individual treatment effect (iTE) were estimated. RESULTS: In total, 546 patients (271 PC vs 275 DPC) were included in the analysis. The individualized prediction model consisted of allocated intervention, diabetes, type of complicated appendicitis, fecal contamination, and incision length. The iTE varied between 0.4% and 7% for PC compared to DPC; ∼38.1% of patients would have ≥2.1% lower SSI risk following PC compared to DPC. The greatest risk reduction was identified in diabetes with ruptured appendicitis, fecal contamination, and incision length of 10 cm, where SSI risks were 47.1% and 54.1% for PC and DPC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this secondary analysis, we found that most patients benefited from early PC versus DPC. Findings may be used to inform SSI prevention strategies for patients with complicated appendicitis.

The needs of patients with diabetes for the prevention and treatment of foot complications in Thailand: A qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Inadequate diabetes self-management leads to foot infections and lower extremity amputations. Effective self-care, supported by nurse-provided information, is crucial, particularly in foot care. However, the current approach in Thailand focuses more on what nurses want patients to know rather than addressing patients' actual needs. Consequently, nurses might misunderstand their patients' perspectives. Hence, nurses need to grasp patients' needs for successful foot care behavior. Objective: This study aimed to explore the needs of patients with diabetes regarding the prevention and treatment of foot complications. Methods: The study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Thirty participants classified as high risk for foot ulcers were purposively selected from Thailand's university hospitals. Focus group discussions were used for data collection between June and July 2021. Verbatim transcription and content analysis were carried out for data analysis. Results: Four emergent themes highlighted patients' needs: 1) information-giving, 2) proactive foot screening with foot-care affirmation, 3) foot care services, and 4) relieving foot burdens and limb loss. Conclusion: Nurses should change their mindset to care for and continually understand patients' needs. This involves adapting educational strategies like the teach-back method and coaching while providing skill training. Offering diverse service platforms, both online and onsite education programs and counseling, is essential. Additionally, ensuring accessibility and affordability, such as establishing after-hours clinics and supplying foot care toolkits, remains crucial.

Real-life effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine during the Omicron variant-dominant pandemic: how many booster doses do we need?

The surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the Omicron variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 necessitates researches to inform vaccine effectiveness (VE) and other preventive measures to halt the pandemic. A test-negative case-control study was conducted among adults (age ≥18 years) who were at-risk for COVID-19 and presented for nasopharyngeal real-time polymerase chain reaction testing during the Omicron variant-dominant period in Thailand (1 January 2022-15 June 2022). All participants were prospectively followed up for COVID-19 development for 14 days after the enrolment. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated and adjusted for characteristics associated with COVID-19. Of the 7971 included individuals, there were 3104 cases and 4867 controls. The adjusted VE among persons receiving 2-dose, 3-dose, and 4-dose vaccine regimens for preventing infection and preventing moderate-to-critical diseases were 33%, 48%, 62% and 60%, 74%, 76%, respectively. The VE were generally higher among those receiving the last dose of vaccine within 90 days compared to those receiving the last dose more than 90 days prior to the enrolment. The highest VE were observed in individuals receiving the 4-dose regimen, CoronaVac-CoronaVac-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19-BNT162b2 for both preventing infection (65%) and preventing moderate-to-critical diseases (82%). Our study demonstrated increased VE along with an increase in number of vaccine doses received. Current vaccination programmes should focus on reducing COVID-19 severity and mandate at least one booster dose. The heterologous boosters with viral vector and mRNA vaccines were highly effective and can be used in individuals who previously received the primary series of inactivated vaccine.

A COVID-19 Silver Lining-Decline in Antibiotic Resistance in Ischemic Leg Ulcers during the Pandemic: A 6-Year Retrospective Study from a Regional Tertiary Hospital (2017-2022).

Antibiotic resistance (AR) associated with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) poses additional challenges for the management of ischemic leg ulcers, increasing the likelihood of severe outcomes. This study assessed AR prevalence in bacteria isolated from CLTI-associated leg ulcers before (1 January 2017-10 March 2020; n = 69) and during (11 March 2020-31 December 2022; n = 59) the COVID-19 pandemic from patients admitted with positive wound cultures to a regional hospital in Chiang Mai (Thailand). There was a marked reduction in AR rates from 78% pre-pandemic to 42% during the pandemic (p < 0.0001), with rates of polymicrobial infections 22 percentage points lower (from 61% to 39%, respectively; p = 0.014). There were reduced AR rates to amoxicillin/clavulanate (from 42% to 4%; p < 0.0001) and ampicillin (from 16% to 2%; p = 0.017), as well as multidrug resistance (19% to 8%; p = 0.026). Factors associated with increased AR odds were polymicrobial infections (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.6 (95% CI 2.1, 15.0); p = 0.001), gram-negative bacteria (aOR 7.0 (95% CI 2.4, 20.5); p < 0.001), and prior use of antibiotics (aOR 11.9 (95% CI 1.1, 128.2); p = 0.041). Improvements in infection control measures and hygiene practices in the community during the pandemic were likely key factors contributing to lower AR rates. Thus, strategic public health interventions, including community education on hygiene and the informed use of antibiotics, may be crucial in mitigating the challenges posed by AR in CLTI. Further, advocating for more judicious use of empirical antibiotics in clinical settings can balance effective treatment against AR development, thereby improving patient outcomes.

Patch angioplasty versus primary closure for carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Carotid patch angioplasty may reduce the risk of acute occlusion or long-term restenosis of the carotid artery and subsequent ischaemic stroke in people undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This is an update of a Cochrane Review originally published in 1995 and updated in 2008. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of routine or selective carotid patch angioplasty with either a venous patch or a synthetic patch compared with primary closure in people undergoing CEA. We wished to test the primary hypothesis that carotid patch angioplasty results in a lower rate of severe arterial restenosis and therefore fewer recurrent strokes and stroke-related deaths, without a considerable increase in perioperative complications. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, two other databases, and two trial registries in September 2021. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials comparing carotid patch angioplasty with primary closure in people undergoing CEA. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed eligibility and risk of bias; extracted data; and determined the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Outcomes of interest included stroke, death, significant complications related to surgery, and artery restenosis or occlusion during the perioperative period (within 30 days of the operation) or during long-term follow-up. MAIN RESULTS: We included 11 trials involving 2100 participants undergoing 2304 CEA operations. The quality of trials was generally poor. Follow-up varied from hospital discharge to five years. Compared with primary closure, carotid patch angioplasty may make little or no difference to reduction in risk of any stroke during the perioperative period (odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31 to 1.03; P = 0.063; 8 studies, 1769 participants; very low-certainty evidence), but may lower the risk of any stroke during long-term follow-up (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.90; P = 0.022; 7 studies, 1332 participants; very low-certainty evidence). In the included studies, carotid patch angioplasty resulted in a lower risk of ipsilateral stroke during the perioperative period (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.63; P = 0.001; 7 studies, 1201 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and during long-term follow-up (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.63; P = 0.001; 6 studies, 1141 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The intervention was associated with a reduction in the risk of any stroke or death during long-term follow-up (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.84; P = 0.003; 6 studies, 1019 participants; very low-certainty evidence). In addition, the included studies suggest that carotid patch angioplasty may reduce the risk of perioperative arterial occlusion (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.41; P < 0.0001; 7 studies, 1435 participants; low-certainty evidence), and may reduce the risk of restenosis during long-term follow-up (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.34; P < 0.00001; 8 studies, 1719 participants; low-certainty evidence). The studies recorded very few arterial complications, including haemorrhage, infection, cranial nerve palsies and pseudo-aneurysm formation, with either patch or primary closure. We found no correlation between the use of patch angioplasty and the risk of either perioperative or long-term stroke-related death or all-cause death rates. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Compared with primary closure, carotid patch angioplasty may reduce the risk of perioperative arterial occlusion and long-term restenosis of the operated artery. It would appear to reduce the risk of ipsilateral stroke during the perioperative and long-term period and reduce the risk of any stroke in the long-term when compared with primary closure. However, the evidence is uncertain due to the limited quality of included trials.

Comparing real-life effectiveness of various COVID-19 vaccine regimens during the delta variant-dominant pandemic: a test-negative case-control study.

Data on real-life vaccine effectiveness (VE), against the delta variant (B.1.617.2) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among various coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine regimens are urgently needed to impede the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a test-negative case-control study to assess the VE of various vaccine regimens for preventing COVID-19 during the period when the delta variant was the dominant causative virus (≥ 95%) in Thailand (25 July 2021-23 Oct 2021). All individuals (age ≥18 years) at-risk for COVID-19, presented for nasopharyngeal real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, were prospectively enrolled and followed up for disease development. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated with adjustment for individual demographic and clinical characteristics. Of 3353 included individuals, there were 1118 cases and 2235 controls. The adjusted VE among persons receiving two-dose CoronaVac plus one BNT162b2 booster was highest (98%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 87-100), followed by those receiving two-dose CoronaVac plus one ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 booster (86%; 95% CI 74-93), two-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (83%; 95% CI 70-90), one CoronaVac dose and one ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 dose (74%; 95% CI 43-88) and two-dose CoronaVac (60%; 95% CI 49-69). One dose of CoronaVac or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 had a VE of less than 50%. Our study demonstrated the incremental VE with the increase in the number of vaccine doses received. The two-dose CoronaVac plus one BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 booster regimens was highly effective in preventing COVID-19 during the rise of delta variant.

Outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs: Endovascular vs open surgical repairs.

BACKGROUND: Operative mortality after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been reported as lower than open surgical repair (OSR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in randomized controlled trials. However, many cohort studies have demonstrated similar mortality rates for both procedures. We compared operative mortality between EVAR and OSR, at our institution. METHODS: All AAA operations from 2012 to 2017 were reviewed, and baseline characteristics were collected. Outcomes included 30-day mortality, operative data, complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), costs, re-intervention, and survival rates were compared. A multivariable analysis with unbalanced characteristics was performed. RESULTS: We had a total of 162 patients, 100 having OSR and 62 for EVAR. The EVAR group was older, with higher ASA classification. Thirty-day mortality rate did not significantly differ (0/100 for OSR and 2/62 (3%) for EVAR; p = 0.145), while the EVAR group had less blood loss, shorter operative times, and LOS, but higher re-intervention rates (adjusted hazard ratio 6.4 (95%CI: 1.4, 26.8)). Survival rates did not significantly differ between the groups. EVAR cost approximately 1-million yen more. CONCLUSIONS: OSR had low 30-day mortality rate in selected low-risk patients whereas EVAR had less blood loss, shorter operative times, LOS and could be done in high-risk patients with low 30-day mortality but with higher re-intervention rate.

Clinical Scoring for Prediction of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction after Emergency Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after a coronary intervention is common in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several scores have been developed to predict post-procedural AKI over the years. However, the AKI definitions have also evolved, which causes the definitions used in the past to be obsolete. We aimed to develop a prediction score for AKI in patients with STEMI requiring emergency primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). This study was based on a retrospective cohort of Thai patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI at the Central Chest Institute of Thailand from December 2014 to September 2019. AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of at least 0.3 mg/dL from baseline within 48 h after pPCI. Logistic regression was used for modeling. A total of 1617 patients were included. Of these, 195 patients had AKI (12.1%). Eight significant predictors were identified: age, baseline creatinine, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%, multi-vessel pPCI, treated with thrombus aspiration, inserted intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), pre- and intra-procedural cardiogenic shock, and congestive heart failure. The score showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.78 (95% CI 0.75, 0.82) and was well-calibrated. The pPCI-AKI score showed an acceptable predictive performance and was potentially useful to help interventionists stratify the patients and provide optimal preventive management.

Comparison of multiple statistical models for the development of clinical prediction scores to detect advanced colorectal neoplasms in asymptomatic Thai patients.

ABSTRACT: A good clinical prediction score can help in the risk stratification of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing colonoscopy screening. The aim of our study was to compare model performance of binary logistic regression (BLR), polytomous logistic regression (PLR), and classification and regression tree (CART) between the clinical prediction scores of advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) in asymptomatic Thai patients.We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1311 asymptomatic Thai patients to develop a clinical prediction model. The possible predictive variables included sex, age, body mass index, family history of CRC in first-degree relatives, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and the fecal immunochemical test in the univariate analysis. Variables with a P value of .1 were included in the multivariable analysis, using the BLR, CART, and PLR models. Model performance, including the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC), was compared between the model types.ACN was diagnosed in 53 patients (4.04%). The AUROCs were not significantly different between the BLR and CART models for ACN prediction with an AUROC of 0.774 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.706-0.842) and 0.765 (95% CI: 0.698-0.832), respectively (P = .712). A significant difference was observed between the PLR and CART models in predicting average to moderate ACN risk with an AUROC of 0.767 (95% CI: 0.695-0.839 vs AUROC 0.675 [95% CI: 0.599-0.751], respectively; P = .009).The BLR and CART models yielded similar accuracies for the prediction of ACN in Thai patients. The PLR model provided higher accuracy for ACN prediction than the CART model.

Individualized Prediction of Breast Cancer Survival Using Flexible Parametric Survival Modeling: Analysis of a Hospital-Based National Clinical Cancer Registry.

Prognostic models for breast cancer developed from Western countries performed less accurately in the Asian population. We aimed to develop a survival prediction model for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for Thai patients with breast cancer. We conducted a prognostic model research using a multicenter hospital-based cancer clinical registry from the Network of National Cancer Institutes of Thailand. All women diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent surgery between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011 were included in the analysis. A flexible parametric survival model was used for developing the prognostic model for OS and DFS prediction. During the study period, 2021 patients were included. Of these, 1386 patients with 590 events were available for a complete-case analysis. The newly derived individualized prediction of breast cancer survival or the IPBS model consists of twelve routinely available predictors. The C-statistics from the OS and the DFS model were 0.72 and 0.70, respectively. The model showed good calibration for the prediction of five-year OS and DFS. The IPBS model provides good performance for the prediction of OS and PFS for breast cancer patients. A further external validation study is required before clinical implementation.

Massive Blood Transfusion for Trauma Score to Predict Massive Blood Transfusion in Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Massive blood loss is the most common cause of immediate death in trauma. A massive blood transfusion (MBT) score is a prediction tool to activate blood banks to prepare blood products. The previously published scoring systems were mostly developed from settings that had mature prehospital systems which may lead to a failure to validate in settings with immature prehospital systems. This research aimed to develop a massive blood transfusion for trauma (MBTT) score that is able to predict MBT in settings that have immature prehospital care. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort that collected data from trauma patients who met the trauma team activation criteria. The predicting parameters included in the analysis were retrieved from the history, physical examination, and initial laboratory results. The significant parameters from a multivariable analysis were used to develop a clinical scoring system. The discrimination was evaluated by the area under a receiver operating characteristic (AuROC) curve. The calibration was demonstrated with Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit, and an internal validation was done. RESULTS: Among 867 patients, 102 (11.8%) patients received MBT. Four factors were associated with MBT: a score of 3 for age ≥60 years; 2.5 for base excess ≤-10 mEq/L; 2 for lactate >4 mmol/L; and 1 for heart rate ≥105 /min. The AuROC was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78-0.91). At the cut point of ≥4, the positive likelihood ratio of the score was 6.72 (95% CI: 4.7-9.6, p < 0.001), the sensitivity was 63.6%, and the specificity was 90.5%. Internal validation with bootstrap replications had an AuROC of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: The MBTT score has good discrimination to predict MBT with simple and rapidly obtainable parameters.

Patches of different types for carotid patch angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Extracranial carotid artery stenosis is the major cause of stroke, which can lead to disability and mortality. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with carotid patch angioplasty is the most popular technique for reducing the risk of stroke. Patch material may be made from an autologous vein, bovine pericardium, or synthetic material including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Dacron, polyurethane, and polyester. This is an update of a review that was first published in 1996 and was last updated in 2010. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of different types of patch materials used in carotid patch angioplasty. The primary hypothesis was that a synthetic material was associated with lower risk of patch rupture versus venous patches, but that venous patches were associated with lower risk of perioperative stroke and early or late infection, or both. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register (last searched 25 May 2020); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2020, Issue 4), in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE (1966 to 25 May 2020); Embase (1980 to 25 May 2020); the Index to Scientific and Technical Proceedings (1980 to 2019); the Web of Science Core Collection; ClinicalTrials.gov; and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) portal. We handsearched relevant journals and conference proceedings, checked reference lists, and contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials (RCTs) comparing one type of carotid patch with another for CEA. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed eligibility, risk of bias, and trial quality; extracted data; and determined the quality of evidence using the GRADE approach. Outcomes, for example, perioperative ipsilateral stroke and long-term ipsilateral stroke (at least one year), were collected and analysed. MAIN RESULTS: We included 14 trials involving a total of 2278 CEAs with patch closure operations: seven trials compared vein closure with PTFE closure, five compared Dacron grafts with other synthetic materials, and two compared bovine pericardium with other synthetic materials. In most trials, a patient could be randomised twice and could have each carotid artery randomised to different treatment groups. Synthetic patch compared with vein patch angioplasty Vein patch may have little to no difference in effect on perioperative ipsilateral stroke between synthetic versus vein materials, but the evidence is very uncertain (odds ratio (OR) 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66 to 6.38; 5 studies, 797 participants; very low-quality evidence). Vein patch may have little to no difference in effect on long-term ipsilateral stroke between synthetic versus vein materials, but the evidence is very uncertain (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.69 to 3.07; P = 0.33; 4 studies, 776 participants; very low-quality evidence). Vein patch may increase pseudoaneurysm formation when compared with synthetic patch, but the evidence is very uncertain (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.49; 4 studies, 776 participants; very low-quality evidence). However, the numbers involved were small. Dacron patch compared with other synthetic patch angioplasty Dacron versus PTFE patch materials  PTFE patch may reduce the risk of perioperative ipsilateral stroke (OR 3.35, 95% CI 0.19 to 59.06; 2 studies, 400 participants; very low-quality evidence). PTFE patch may reduce the risk of long-term ipsilateral stroke (OR 1.52, 95% CI 0.25 to 9.27; 1 study, 200 participants; very low-quality evidence). Dacron may result in an increase in perioperative combined stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) (OR 4.41 95% CI 1.20 to 16.14; 1 study, 200 participants; low-quality evidence) when compared with PTFE. Early arterial re-stenosis or occlusion (within 30 days) was also higher for Dacron patches. During follow-up for longer than one year, more 'any strokes' (OR 10.58, 95% CI 1.34 to 83.43; 2 studies, 304 participants; low-quality evidence) and stroke/death (OR 6.06, 95% CI 1.31 to 28.07; 1 study, 200 participants; low-quality evidence) were reported with Dacron patch closure, although numbers of outcome events were small. Dacron patch may increase the risk of re-stenosis when compared with other synthetic materials (especially with PTFE), but the evidence is very uncertain (OR 3.73, 95% CI 0.71 to 19.65; 3 studies, 490 participants; low-quality evidence). Bovine pericardium patch compared with other synthetic patch angioplasty Bovine pericardium versus PTFE patch materials  Evidence suggests that bovine pericardium patch results in a reduction in long-term ipsilateral stroke (OR 4.17, 95% CI 0.46 to 38.02; 1 study, 195 participants; low-quality evidence). Bovine pericardial patch may reduce the risk of perioperative fatal stroke, death, and infection compared to synthetic material (OR 5.16, 95% CI 0.24 to 108.83; 2 studies, 290 participants; low-quality evidence for PTFE, and low-quality evidence for Dacron; OR 4.39, 95% CI 0.48 to 39.95; 2 studies, 290 participants; low-quality evidence for PTFE, and low-quality evidence for Dacron; OR 7.30, 95% CI 0.37 to 143.16; 1 study, 195 participants; low-quality evidence, respectively), but the numbers of outcomes were small. The evidence is very uncertain about effects of the patch on infection outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The number of outcome events is too small to allow conclusions, and more trial data are required to establish whether any differences do exist. Nevertheless, there is little to no difference in effect on perioperative and long-term ipsilateral stroke between vein and any synthetic patch material. Some evidence indicates that other synthetic patches (e.g. PTFE) may be superior to Dacron grafts in terms of perioperative stroke and TIA rates, and both early and late arterial re-stenosis and occlusion. Pseudoaneurysm formation may be more common after use of a vein patch than after use of a synthetic patch. Bovine pericardial patch, which is an acellular xenograft material, may reduce the risk of perioperative fatal stroke, death, and infection compared to other synthetic patches. Further large RCTs are required before definitive conclusions can be reached.

Endovenous ablation and surgery in great saphenous vein reflux: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Endovenous ablations are the new standard procedures for treatment of great saphenous vein reflux including endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radio frequency ablation (RFA), endovenous steam ablation (EVSA), mechanochemical ablation (MOCA), cyanoacrylate injection and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). EVLA and RFA have demonstrated similar anatomical success for short-term outcome, but results are controversial for longer term (≥5 years). Additional evidences from randomised controlled trials have been published. This study is, therefore, conducted to, directly and indirectly, compare outcomes among all procedures stratifying by short-term and long-term follow-up. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Medline and Scopus will be searched from 2000 to September 2018 with predefined search strategy. Interventions of interest are open surgery (ie, saphenofemoral or high ligation (HL) with stripping) and endovenous ablations (ie, EVLA, RFA, EVSA, MOCA, cyanoacrylate injection and UGFS). The primary outcome is anatomical success. Two independent reviewers will select studies, extract data and assess risk of bias. Disagreement will be adjudicated by the third party. Outcomes will be directly pooled if there are at least three studies in that comparison. A fixed-effect model will be used unless heterogeneity is present, in which case a random-effect model will be applied. Sources of heterogeneity will be explored using meta-regression analysis, and sub-group analysis will be done accordingly. Publication bias will be assessed using Egger's test and funnel plot. A network meta-analysis will be applied to indirect compare all interventions including RFA, EVLA, EVLA with HL, UGFS, UGFS with HL and HL with stripping. Probability of being best intervention will be estimated and ranked. Inconsistency assumption will be checked using a design-by-treatment interaction model. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for systematic review and network meta-analysis. The study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018096794.

Comparison of postoperative pain at umbilical wound after conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy between transumbilical and infraumbilical incisions: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Transumbilical incision has been applied in single-incision laparoscopy. Evidence for the effect of transumbilical incision on postoperative pain compared with infraumbilical incision is still lacking. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in a university hospital. Patients who underwent conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to have transumbilical or infraumbilical incision. Postoperative pain was measured using visual analog score at 6, 24 h, and 7 days post operation. Secondary outcomes were analgesic usage, length of stay, superficial surgical site infection (SSI), wound numbness, and hypersensitivity. Risk ratio and mean difference (MD) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Adjusted analysis was done, if clinical unbalanced characteristics presented. The study was registered at http://ClinicalTrial.gov (ID NCT02738710). RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were enrolled in which 51 patients were randomized to each interventional group. Postoperative pain was not significantly different between the groups with the MD of - 0.07 (95% CI - 0.47, 0.35). Paracetamol usage was significantly 1 tab (95% CI - 1.9, - 0.1) less after transumbilical incision, but this was not significant after adjusting for unbalanced characteristics. Superficial SSI rate was much higher in the transumbilical than the infraumbilical group, i.e., 16 versus 4%, but this was not significant (p = 0.070). Satisfaction scores at 3 months were not different between the groups, with the corresponding means of 8.9 [standard deviation (SD) 1.3] and 9.0 (SD 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Transumbilical incision had non-significant different pain compared to infraumbilical incision. Most patients in both groups were satisfied with the operation at 3 months. A further large RCT is required for comparing SSI between the two incisions.

Clinical prediction score for superficial surgical site infection after appendectomy in adults with complicated appendicitis.

Background: Superficial surgical site infection (SSI) is common after appendectomy. This study aims to determine a clinical prediction score for SSI after appendectomy in complicated appendicitis. Methods: Data from randomized controlled trial of delayed versus primary wound closures in complicated appendicitis was used. Nineteen patient- and operative-related predictors were selected in the logit model. Clinical prediction score was then constructed using coefficients of significant predictors. Risk stratification was done by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Bootstrap technique was used to internal validate the score. Results: Among 607 patients, the SSI incidence was 8.7% (95% CI 6.4, 11.2). Four predictors were significantly associated with SSI, i.e., presence of diabetes, incisional length > 7 cm, fecal contamination, and operative time > 75 min with the odds ratio of 2.6 (95% CI 1.2, 5.9), 2.8 (1.5, 5.4), 3.6 (1.9, 6.8), and 3.4 (1.8, 6.5), respectively. Clinical prediction score ranged from 0 to 4.5 with its discrimination concordance (C) statistic of 0.74 (95% CI 0.66, 0.81). Risk stratification classified patients into very low, low, moderate, and high risk groups for SSI when none, one, two, and more than two risk factors were presented with positive likelihood ratio of 1.00, 1.45, 3.32, and 9.28, respectively. A bootstrap demonstrated well calibration and thus good internal validation. Conclusions: Diabetes, incisional length, fecal contamination, and operative time could be used to predict SSI with acceptable discrimination. This clinical risk prediction should be useful in prediction of SSI. However, external validation should be performed. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT01659983), registered August 8, 2012.

Comparison of Superficial Surgical Site Infection Between Delayed Primary Versus Primary Wound Closure in Complicated Appendicitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare superficial surgical site infection (SSI) rates between delayed primary wound closure (DPC) and primary wound closure (PC) for complicated appendicitis. BACKGROUND: SSI is common in appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. DPC is preferentially used over PC, but its efficacy is still controversial. METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted in 6 hospitals in Thailand, enrolling patients with gangrenous and ruptured appendicitis. Patients were randomized to PC (ie, immediately wound closure) or DPC (ie, wound closure at postoperative days 3-5). Superficial SSI was defined by the Center for Disease Control criteria. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain, length of stay, recovery time, quality of life, and cost of treatment. RESULTS: In all, 303 and 304 patients were randomized to PC and DPC groups, and 5 and 4 patients were lost to follow-up, respectively, leaving 300 and 298 patients in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. The superficial SSI rate was lower in the PC than DPC groups [ie, 7.3% (95% confidence interval 4.4, 10.3) vs 10% (95% CI 6.6, 13.3)] with a risk difference (RD) of -2.7% (-7.1%, 1.9%), but this RD was not significant. Postoperative pain, length of stay, recovery times, and quality of life were nonsignificantly different with corresponding RDs of 0.3 (-2.5, 3.0), -0.1 (-0.5, 0.3), -0.2 (-0.8, 0.4), and 0.02 (-0.01, 0.04), respectively. However, costs for PC were 2083 (1410, 2756) Baht cheaper than DPC (∼$60 USD). CONCLUSIONS: Superficial SSI rates for the PC group were slightly lower than DPC group, but this did not reach statistical significance. Costs were significantly lower for the PC group.

Developing and validating of Ramathibodi Appendicitis Score (RAMA-AS) for diagnosis of appendicitis in suspected appendicitis patients.

Background: Diagnosis of appendicitis is still clinically challenging where resources are limited. The purpose of this study was to develop and externally validate Ramathibodi Appendicitis Score (RAMA-AS) in aiding diagnosis of appendicitis. Methods: A two-phase cross-sectional study (i.e., derivation and validation) was conducted at Ramathibodi Hospital (for derivation) and at Thammasat University Hospital and Chaiyaphum Hospital (for validation). Patients with abdominal pain and suspected of having appendicitis were enrolled. Multiple logistic regression was applied to develop a parsimonious model. Calibration and discrimination performances were assessed. In addition, our RAMA-AS was compared with Alvarado's score performances using ROC curve analysis. Results: The RAMA-AS consisted of three domains with seven predictors including symptoms (i.e., progression of pain, aggravation of pain, and migration of pain), signs (i.e., fever and rebound tenderness), and laboratory tests (i.e., white blood cell count (WBC) and neutrophil). The model fitted well with data, and it performed better discrimination than the Alvarado score with C-statistics of 0.842 (95% CI 0.804, 0.881) versus 0.760 (0.710, 0.810). Internal validation by bootstrap yielded Sommer's D of 0.686 (0.608, 0.763) and C-statistics of 0.848 (0.846, 0.849). The C-statistics of two external validations were 0.853 (0.791, 0.915) and 0.813 (0.736, 0.892) with fair calibrations. Conclusion: RAMA-AS should be a useful tool for aiding diagnosis of appendicitis with good calibration and discrimination performances.

Clinical results of biologic prosthesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

BACKGROUND: Biologic prosthesis (BP) has been reported as a safe alternative to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in vascular reconstruction. However, efficacy of BP remains controversial. We, therefore, conducted a systematic review to summarize previous available evidences comparing the BP and PTFE in terms of clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search of the MEDLINE and Scopus was performed to identify comparative studies reporting outcomes of BP, PTFE, and/or autologous veins graft (VG) in vascular access for hemodialysis or femoropopliteal bypass. The outcome of interest was graft patency. Two reviewers independently extracted data. Meta-analysis with a random-effect model was applied to pool a risk ratio (RR) across studies. RESULTS: Among 584 articles identified, 11 studies (4 randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 7 cohorts) comprising 2627 patients were eligible for pooling. Seven studies compared BP with PTFE and 3 studies compared PTFE with VG. Among BP vs PTFE, pooling based on 3 RCTs yielded the pooled RR of 1.54 (95% CI: 1.10, 2.16), indicating 54% higher graft patency in VG than PTFE. Adding the 7 cohorts in this pooling yield similar results with the pooled RR of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.45). The pooled RR of graft patency for BP vs VG was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.55, 1.00), indicating 26% lower graft patency in BP than VG. CONCLUSIONS: Our first meta-analysis indicated that the biosynthetic prosthesis might be benefit over PTFE by increasing graft patency. An updated meta-analysis or a large scale randomized control trial is required to confirm this benefit.