Search

A cornerstone of evidence-based healthcare are evidence syntheses based on systematic literature searches. Conducting literature searches of high methodological quality requires the informed use of specific search techniques. Beyond text based searching in electronic databases, citation searching can be utilised either as standalone or supplementary technique to identify relevant publications. Despite being used for decades, the terminology, methodology and reporting of citation searching have not been standardised yet. We conducted an evidence guided, four round Delphi consensus study with 27 international methodological experts to develop guidance for citation searching in the context of systematic literature searches. The resulting Terminology, Application, and Reporting of Citation Searching (TARCiS) statement comprises ten recommendations on when and how to conduct and report citation searching, each with a rationale and explanation. In addition, four research priorities are presented. We recommend anyone doing systematic reviews or appraising their reporting to incorporate TARCiS into their standardised workflows.

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) has set up a CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) in collaboration with the University Library of Medicine in Basel (Switzerland). This is aimed primarily at people in academic libraries, universities and research institutions who support the creation of systematic reviews in their day-to-day work or are planning to set up a corresponding service. The CAS is designed to enable participants to offer targeted research and publication support on the subject of systematic reviews.

Citation tracking (CT) collects references with citation relationships to pertinent references that are already known. This scoping review maps the benefit of and the tools and terminology used for CT in health-related systematic literature searching. We included methodological studies on evidence retrieval by CT in health-related literature searching without restrictions on study design, language, or publication date. We searched MEDLINE/Ovid, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL/EBSCOhost, LLISFT/EBSCOhost, LISTA/EBSCOhost, conducted web searching via Google Scholar, backward/forward CT of included studies and pertinent reviews, and contacting of experts. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility. Data extraction and analysis were performed by one reviewer and checked by another. We screened 11,861 references and included 47 studies published between 1985 and 2021. Most studies (96%) assessed the benefit of CT either as supplementary or primary/stand-alone search method. Added value of CT for evidence retrieval was found by 96% of them. Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index were the most common citation indexes used. Application of multiple citation indexes in parallel, co-citing or co-cited references, CT iterations, or software tools was rare. CT terminology was heterogeneous and frequently ambiguous. The use of CT showed an added value in most of the identified studies; however, the benefit of CT in health-related systematic literature searching likely depends on multiple factors that could not be assessed with certainty. Application, terminology, and reporting are heterogeneous. Based on our results, we plan a Delphi study to develop recommendations for the use and reporting of CT.

Introduction: Isolated patellar tendon (PT) or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are common injuries, yet the co-occurrence of both presents a rare challenge for clinicians. The objectives of the study are to document diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, outcomes, and complications of combined PT and ACL injuries and to develop an algorithm to guide clinicians in decision-making. Methods: The systematic review und metanalysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting on simultaneous PT and ACL ruptures were included. Meta-analysis was performed to compare different diagnostic modalities and treatment strategies. Results: Thirty-six studies reporting on 56 Patients were included. 88% of patients had a concomitant injury (apart from PT and ACL) to the ipsilateral knee. Part of the diagnosis was missed in 23% of the cases. Performance of MRI significantly reduced the risk of missing a part of the injury (5% with MRI vs 69% without MRI, p < 0.001). Surgical treatment was used only for the PT in 21% of the cases and for the PT and ACL in 77% of the cases (48% one-stage, 52% two-stage surgical treatment). Conclusion: Combined ACL and PT rupture is rare, and recognizing its full extent is crucial for successful management. Performing an MRI in PT rupture from high-energy trauma and diagnostic arthroscopy/arthrotomy when MRI is not done is essential. PT ruptures should be treated surgically. For ACL rupture, conservative and operative treatment, one- or two-stage surgery are possible based on the patient's profile and concomitant injuries. Based on the limited available literature, this systematic review provides a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm to assist in clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have gained increased importance in assessing outcomes after reconstructive surgery. This also applies to the reconstruction of vulvoperineal defects after resection of gynecological or colorectal cancers in women. The objective of this study is to analyze the current state of PROM tool use within this patient population. Methods: By systematic literature searches in Embase, Medline, and Web of Science, English-language studies published after 1980, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series reporting on vulvoperineal defect reconstruction, which were included if they also analyzed quality of life (QoL) and/or PROMs. The PROM tools used by each study were extracted, analyzed, and compared. Results: The primary search yielded 2576 abstracts, of which 395 articles were retrieved in full text. Of these, 50 reported on vulvoperineal defect reconstruction, among which 27 studies analyzing QoL were found. Of those, 17 met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. After full-text screening, 14 different PROM tools and 5 individual, non-standardized questionnaires were identified. Only 22% of studies used a validated PROM tool. Conclusion: Far too few studies currently use PROM tools to assess outcomes in oncological vulvoperineal defect reconstruction. Less than half of the used PROMs are validated. No PROM was designed to specifically measure QoL in this patient population. The standardized implementation of a validated PROM tool in the clinical treatment of this patient population is an essential step to improve outcomes, enable the comparison of research, and support evidence-based treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Vulvoperineal defect reconstruction after oncological resection often leads to complications, which affect approximately 30% of patients. In recent decades, flap design has evolved towards perforator-based approaches to reduce this complication rate and reduce functional deficits. The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess and compare the complication rate between perforator- and non-perforator-based reconstructions. Among 2576 screened studies, 49 met our inclusion criteria, encompassing 1840 patients. We found that the overall short-term surgical complication rate was comparable in patients receiving a perforator or a non-perforator flap, with a tendency towards fewer complications when using a perforator flap. Perforator flap-based reconstruction allows the surgeon to spare relevant anatomical structures and is therefore associated with fewer functional deficits, with a comparable complication rate. Background: Patients with advanced vulvoperineal cancer require a multidisciplinary treatment approach to ensure oncological safety, timely recovery, and the highest possible quality of life (QoL). Reconstructions in this region often lead to complications, affecting approximately 30% of patients. Flap design has evolved towards perforator-based approaches to reduce functional deficits and (donor site) complications, since they allow for the preservation of relevant anatomical structures. Next to their greater surgical challenge in elevation, their superiority over non-perforator-based approaches is still debated. Methods: To compare outcomes between perforator and non-perforator flaps in female vulvoperineal reconstruction, we conducted a systematic review of English-language studies published after 1980, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series. Data on demographics and surgical outcomes were extracted and classified using the Clavien–Dindo classification. We used a random-effects meta-analysis to derive a pooled estimate of complication frequency (%) in patients who received at least one perforator flap and in patients who received non-perforator flaps. Results: Among 2576 screened studies, 49 met our inclusion criteria, encompassing 1840 patients. The overall short-term surgical complication rate was comparable in patients receiving a perforator (n = 276) or a non-perforator flap (n = 1564) reconstruction (p* > 0.05). There was a tendency towards fewer complications when using perforator flaps. The assessment of patients' QoL was scarce. Conclusions: Vulvoperineal reconstruction using perforator flaps shows promising results compared with non-perforator flaps. There is a need for the assessment of its long-term outcomes and for a systematic evaluation of patient QoL to further demonstrate its benefit for affected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Successful immunosuppression withdrawal (ISW) is possible for a subfraction of liver transplant (LT) recipients but the factors that define the risk of ISW failure are largely unknown. One candidate prognostic factor for ISW success or operational tolerance (OT) is longer time between LT and ISW which we term "pre‐withdrawal time". To clarify the impact of pre‐withdrawal time span on subsequent ISW success or failure, we conducted a systematic review with meta‐analysis. Methods: We systematically interrogated the literature for LT recipient ISW studies reporting pre‐withdrawal time. Eligible articles from Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were used for backward and forward citation searching. Pre‐withdrawal time individual patient data (IPD) was requested from authors. Pooled mean differences and time‐response curves were calculated using random‐effects meta‐analyses. Results: We included 17 studies with 691 patients, 15 of which (620 patients) with IPD. Study‐level risk of bias was heterogeneous. Mean pre‐withdrawal time was greater by 427 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 67–788] in OT compared to non‐OT patients. This increase was potentiated to 799 days (95% CI 369–1229) or 1074 days (95% CI 685–1463) when restricting analysis to adult or European study participants. In time‐response meta‐analysis for adult or European ISW candidates, likelihood of OT increased by 7% (95% CI 4–10%) per year after LT (GRADE low‐ and moderate‐certainty of evidence, respectively). Conclusions: Our data support the impact of pre‐withdrawal time in ISW decision‐making for adult and European LT recipients. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42021272995. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]