The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy and cryotherapy on patients with basal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is known as the most common type of nonmelanoma skin cancer worldwide. The aim of this study is to show the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy and cryotherapy in patients with BCCs with the use of meta-analyses in order to see if there is a possible superiority of one treatment over the other. We searched the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, OVID, Embase, Science Direct, JAMA Dermatology, and Research Gate in April 2020. The search combined related terms for cryotherapy, BCC, cryosurgery, cryoablation, laser and photodynamic therapy. The comparison of photodynamic therapy (PDT) vs cryotherapy on recurrence rate yielded no statistically significant results (Figure 2; N = 3 randomized control trials [RCTs]; Summary Random Effects OR = 4.99; P = .212). We observed large heterogeneity (I2 = 87.3%), but no indication for small study effects (Egger's test, P = .02). Regarding the comparison of PDT vs cryotherapy on complete response, again no statistically significant results were observed (Figure 3; N = 2 RCTs; Summary Fixed Effects OR = 0.83; P = .538) and no indication of heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Our meta-analyses indicated that the comparison of PDT vs cryotherapy has no statistically significant results. Therefore, these therapies seem to have similar therapeutic effects.

The Role of Vacuum Assisted Closure in Patients with Pressure Ulcer and Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) tend to develop pressure ulcers (PrUs) because of prolonged immobility. This study assessed the efficacy of vacuum assisted closure for healing of PrUs in individuals with SCI. METHODS: In a systematic review, CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Clinical Trials, DARE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, PsycInfo and Spinal Cord Journal were searched in March 2019. The search combined related terms for pressure ulcer, spinal cord injury, and vacuum assisted closure. Each database was searched from its inception with no restrictions on year of publication. RESULTS: The search yielded 7 studies for inclusion in a qualitative analysis. The studies included a variety of methodologies, specifically 2 randomized controlled trials, 2 assessor-blinded crossover and retrospective cohort study, 1 prospective non-randomized trial, 1 randomized case study and 1 case report. The meta-analysis was unsuccessful. Only descriptive results mean±SD were reported as well as time to heal and time to discharge after admission. CONCLUSION: The studies that we included in our qualitative synthesis showed that vacuum assisted closure promoted the healing of PrUs in individuals with SCI.