A systematic review of cellular therapies for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency affecting one or both eyes.

PURPOSE: This systematic review (SR) assessed the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of cell-based therapy to manage limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), a sight-threatening orphan condition most frequently associated with severe chemical or thermal burns. LSCD has historically been treated by transplanting limbal tissue. In 1997, a new treatment, cultured limbal epithelial autografts, was described for unilateral LSCD. In cases of bilateral disease cultured autologous oral mucosa stem cells have been used. The relative efficacy of different cultured tissue procedures is unknown. METHODS: A protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017081117). Searches were conducted in 14 databases and 6 conference websites. Two reviewers independently selected studies, conducted data extraction and assessed risk of bias. One reviewer extracted individual patient data (IPD); a second checked extracted data. Data were assessed to determine the feasibility of statistical analysis, with Bayesian synthesis used to estimate improvement achieved by different treatments. RESULTS: Fifty-two studies were eligible for inclusion (1113 eyes); 41 studies (716 eyes) reported IPD. No evidence was identified on cost-effectiveness. This SR was unable to confirm that any of the types of ex vivo cultured stem cell transplants identified for LSCD treatment were statistically superior when assessed against the outcomes of interest. CONCLUSIONS: We believe this SR is the first to include IPD analysis of LSCD data. There is no evidence for the superiority of any method of limbal stem cell transplant. Confirmation of the safety and efficacy of this treatment modality is challenging due to heterogeneity within and between the studies identified. Therefore, recommendations for future research are proposed.

Management of mesh complications following surgery for stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mesh surgery for stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse can result in complications such as mesh exposure, mesh extrusion, voiding dysfunction, dyspareunia, and pain. There is limited knowledge or guidance on the effective management for mesh-related complications. OBJECTIVE: To determine the best management of mesh complications; a systematic review was conducted as part of the national clinical guideline 'Urinary incontinence (update) and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management'. SEARCH STRATEGY: Search strategies were developed for each indication for referral. SELECTION CRITERIA: Relevant interventions included complete or partial mesh removal, mesh division, and non-surgical treatments such as vaginal estrogen. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Characteristics and outcome data were extracted, and as a result of the heterogeneous nature of the data a narrative synthesis was conducted. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included; five provided comparative data and four studies stated the indication for referral. Reported outcomes (including pain, dyspareunia, satisfaction, quality of life, incontinence, mesh exposure, and recurrence) and the reported incidences of these varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence base is limited in quantity and quality and does not permit firm recommendations to be made on the most effective management for mesh-related complications. Robust data are needed so that mesh complications can be managed effectively in the future. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Systematic review demonstrates that the outcomes following mesh revision surgery are highly variable.