Comparison of low versus high (standard) intraabdominal pressure during laparoscopic colorectal surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate outcomes of low with high intraabdominal pressure during laparoscopic colorectal resection surgery. METHODS: A systematic search of multiple electronic data sources was conducted, and all studies comparing low with high (standard) intraabdominal pressures were included. Our primary outcomes were post-operative ileus occurrence and return of bowel movement/flatus. The evaluated secondary outcomes included: total operative time, post-operative haemorrhage, anastomotic leak, pneumonia, surgical site infection, overall post-operative complications (categorised by Clavien-Dindo grading), and length of hospital stay. Revman 5.4 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and one observational study with a total of 771 patients (370 surgery at low intraabdominal pressure and 401 at high pressures) were included. There was no statistically significant difference in all the measured outcomes; post-operative ileus [OR 0.80; CI (0.42, 1.52), P = 0.50], time-to-pass flatus [OR -4.31; CI (-12.12, 3.50), P = 0.28], total operative time [OR 0.40; CI (-10.19, 11.00), P = 0.94], post-operative haemorrhage [OR 1.51; CI (0.41, 5.58, P = 0.53], anastomotic leak [OR 1.14; CI (0.26, 4.91), P = 0.86], pneumonia [OR 1.15; CI (0.22, 6.09), P = 0.87], SSI [OR 0.69; CI (0.19, 2.47), P = 0.57], overall post-operative complications [OR 0.82; CI (0.52, 1.30), P = 0.40], Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 [OR 1.27; CI (0.59, 2.77), P = 0.54], and length of hospital stay [OR -0.68; CI (-1.61, 0.24), P = 0.15]. CONCLUSION: Low intraabdominal pressure is safe and feasible approach to laparoscopic colorectal resection surgery with non-inferior outcomes to standard or high pressures. More robust and well-powered RCTs are needed to consolidate the potential benefits of low over high pressure intra-abdominal surgery.

Do Hypoalbuminaemia Increase the Risk of Surgical Site Infection in Neck of Femur Fracture Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Serum albumin plays an important role in physiological and inflammatory haemostasis, and low serum levels are linked with an increased incidence of surgical site infections (SSI). Although this has been demonstrated in the spine and elective arthroplasty settings, there is a paucity of evidence with regard to the effect of low serum albumin on rates of SSI following surgery for adult patients suffering from traumatic and acute hip fractures. A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Four databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case-controlled studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Score (NOS). Data was collected and pooled using RevMan Web software. Results were reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and statistical significance of p <0.05. An inverse variance model was used in the meta-analysis. Six retrospective studies (five cohorts and one case-control) with a total of 43,059 patients were included. 45.3% (n=19 496) had low serum albumin (<3.5 g/dL). Hypoalbuminemia was associated with a significantly higher risk of any form of SSI (OR 1.25, p=0.008) and deep SSI (OR 1.76, p=0.05). There was no statistical significance between hypoalbuminemia and the incidence of superficial SSI (OR 1.06, p=0.77). Organ-space SSI was associated with hypoalbuminemia, although one study reported this with poor statistical significance (OR 8.74, p<0.054). Hypoalbuminemia increases the risk of most forms of surgical site infections, both superficial and deep. There is a weak conclusion to draw between the incidence of deep-space organ infections and low serum albumin.