BACKGROUND Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) have been used to improve hemostasis and wound healing after surgery; however, randomized controlled trials proving their efficacy are lacking. METHODS Hemithyroidectomy was performed on 52 patients. Autologous PRP and PPP were applied during wound closure in the treatment group, while saline was applied in the controls. Out...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the etiopathogenic role of sinus inflammatory disease in primary acquired dacryocystitis and other chronic obstructive diseases of the lachrymal drainage system. STUDY DESIGN Noninterventional controlled study. SETTING Tertiary care center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sixty consecutive patients with primary acquired dacryocystitis and other chronic obstructive diseases ...

OBJECTIVE Programmable shunt valve systems have improved the management of patients with hydrocephalus. However, associated problems such as over-drainage and slit-like ventricles, even in patients with anti-siphon devices installed, still remain unresolved. METHODS We conceived a novel tandem shunt valve system to overcome the problems with existing shunt valve systems. Experiments were perf...

In males with posterior urethral valves diagnosed antenatally, can intrauterine drainage procedures provide benefit? A review on posterior urethral valves (PUV) (Dinneen, 1996) states: “PUV may be one of the conditions suitable for intrauterine intervention, but the timing and type of intervention has yet to be determined”. It is possible that renal dysplasia may be irreversible by the time it ...

The operative treatment combined with preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) has been established as a safe Klatskin tumor (KT) treatment strategy. However, there has always been a dispute for the preferred technique for PBD technique. This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the biliary drainage-related cholangitis, pancreatitis, hemorrhage, and the success rates of palliative relief of choles...

BACKGROUND Total joint arthroplasty is associated with significant blood loss and often requires blood transfusion. However, allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) may lead to severe problems, such as immunoreaction and infection. Postoperative autotransfusion, an alternative to ABT, is controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the ability of postoperative autotransfusion to reduce th...

OBJECTIVES The ideal invasive management as initial approach for pneumothorax (PTX) is still under debate. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of intercostal tube drainage and other various invasive methods as the initial approach to all subtypes of PTX in adults. METHODS Three databases were searched from inception to May ...