The Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Breast Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) following breast surgery has emerged as a promising intervention theorized to reduce complication rates, improve patient-important outcomes, and enhance cost-effectiveness. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine outcomes of NPWT following breast surgery. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and CENTRAL were searched to include all English-language, peer-reviewed observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating NPWT on the breast or donor site among patients undergoing breast surgery.

Reducing Sugammadex Expenditure through Educational Initiatives in an Urban Tertiary Care Hospital System: A Cost-Reduction Study.

Background: Sugammadex, a selective relaxant binding agent, works by encapsulating rocuronium or vecuronium to reverse neuromuscular blockade. It is an asset in emergencies requiring expedient reversal of neuromuscular blockade, such as situations involving difficult airways. A prevalent concern relating to sugammadex use is its higher cost compared with traditional reversal agents, contributing to more than 20% of operating room drug expenditures at Hamilton Health Sciences (Hamilton, Ontario) in 2019/20.

Progression of Pilot Trials to Completed Randomized Controlled Trials in Plastic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Well-designed pilot trials are essential in determining feasibility prior to initiating definitive randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and their implementation into clinical practice. The primary outcome of this study was to identify the number of pilot or feasibility studies in Plastic Surgery that progressed to a definitive RCT. Secondary outcomes included a) number of pilot studies expressing feasibility statements and outcomes and b) reporting quality.

Use of Minimal Important Difference for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Plastic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: The minimal important difference (MID) is vital to consider when interpreting the clinical importance of observed changes from surgical interventions assessed by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). There is no accepted standard for how to calculate MIDs, and uptake in the plastic surgery literature is unknown, leading to methodologic and interpretation issues.

Methods: Medline and Embase were searched to identify all plastic surgery randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using PROMs as outcomes and MID estimation studies for PROMs used by RCTs.

The Effectiveness of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Surgical Pain Management: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Satisfactory management of postoperative pain remains challenging. Nonpharmacological modalities such as virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) offer potential benefits and are becoming increasingly popular. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness and safety of VR/AR interventions on postoperative pain and recovery.

Trigger Finger Release Using Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet Versus Local Anesthesia With a Tourniquet: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Trigger finger release (TFR) is a common hand surgery, historically performed using a tourniquet. Recently, wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) has gained popularity due to ostensible advantages such as improved patient pain, satisfaction, lower rate of complications, and decreased cost. This systematic review compares outcomes of WALANT for TFR with local anesthesia with a tourniquet (LAWT).

Role of patient selection and trial stimulation for spinal cord stimulation therapy for chronic non-cancer pain: a comprehensive narrative review.

Background/importance: Patient selection for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy is crucial and is traditionally performed with clinical selection followed by a screening trial. The factors influencing patient selection and the importance of trialing have not been systematically evaluated.

Objective: We report a narrative review conducted to synthesize evidence regarding patient selection and the role of SCS trials.