Zhao, W.T., Hu, F.L., Li, Y.Y., Li, H.J., Luo, W.M., & Sun, F. (2013). Use of a transanal drainage tube for prevention of anastomotic leakage and bleeding after anterior resection for rectal cancer. World Journal of Surgery, 37, 227–232.
To determine if postoperative use of a transanal drainage tube after anterior resection surgery for rectal cancer would prevent anastomotic leakage and bleeding
In this study, patients were divided into either a transanal drainage tube (TDT) or the non-transanal drainage tube (NTDT) group. A 26 Fr tube was placed during surgery proximal to the anastomosis site. Then, an air leakage test and anastomotic bleeding test were performed. If either test were positive, then corrective surgical measures were employed prior to completion of the surgery. The tube was secured to the patient with a skin suture and connected to draining. The tube was removed approximately five to six days postoperatively. The study accepted patients from January 2007 through May 2011.
The study design was a nonrandomized, prospective trial.
A functional definition of anastomotic leakage and anastomotic bleeding were used. The anastomotic leakage definition addressed the drainage of stool, exudate, and gas from the abdominal and rectal drains or a rectovaginal fistula. Leakage was also considered present if peritonitis was present. Leaks were confirmed by CT scan, sigmoidoscopy, rectal examination, or laparotomy. Anastomotic bleeding was defined as continuous rectal bleeding from the rectal drain with a hemoglobin drop that no other cause could explain. Bleeding was confirmed by sigmoidoscopy, rectal examination, or laparotomy.
The use of a transanal tube to reduce bleeding in patients undergoing an anterior resection was not clinically significant. The study findings did not reach statistical significance, possibly due to the small population. However, the TDT group had 0% bleeding occur while the NTDT group experienced a 2.6% bleeding rate (p = 0.236). Of note, when anastomotic leakage was also considered, the TDT complication rate was 2.5% and the NTDT rate was 11.7%, which was clinically significant (p = 0.029).
Anastomotic bleeding is considered a complication of anterior resections. Physiological changes that occur postoperatively include a tight contraction of the anal sphincter, inflammation, pain, and trauma from the surgery. Placement of a transanal tube may be considered a mechanism for addressing some of these changes occurring postoperatively, therefore reducing bleeding.
Educational opportunities exist for nurses to instruct patients preoperatively regarding the possible placement of a transanal tube postoperatively, with the rationale for its use to ease the postoperative recovery. Standardization of instruction for nursing staff regarding \"normal\" versus abnormal amounts and types of bleeding/drainage from tubes is necessary.
Zhang, R.X., Wu, X.J., Lu, S.X., Pan, Z.Z., Wan, D.S., & Chen, G. (2011). The effect of COX-2 inhibitor on capecitabine-induced hand-foot syndrome in patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer: A phase II randomized prospective study. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 137, 953–957.
Capecitabine is hypothesized to cause overexpression of COX-2 in tumor and healthy tissue, inducing hand-foot syndrome (HFS). This prospective clinical trial will address whether the addition of a COX-2 inhibitor plus capecitabine can decrease or ease HFS.
Patients were randomly assigned to adjuvant treatment with capecitabine plus oxaliplatin or capecitabine alone, with or without celecoxib. The COX-2 inhibitor dose was 200 mg/m2 BID in combination with capecitabine for 14 days. Adverse events were monitored continuously during treatment and for 30 days after the last dose of study drug. The intensity of adverse events was graded according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.0.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
This was a randomized, prospective phase 2 clinical trial.
HFS was evaluated according to the NCI CTCAE, version 4.0.
Celecoxib was safe and convenient for patients receiving chemotherapy and reduced the incidence of lower grade HFS.
In the correct population of patients, COX-2 inhibitors can be suggested. Additional research in this area is warranted.
Zhang, L., Fan, A., Yan, J., He, Y., Zhang, H., Zhang, H., . . . Xin, M. (2016). Combining manual lymph drainage with physical exercise after modified radical mastectomy effectively prevents upper limb lymphedema. Lymphatic Research and Biology, 14, 104–108.
To evaluate the efficacy of self-manual lymph drainage (MLD) added to physical exercise for the prevention of lymphedema and scar formation
Self MLD for a total 30 minutes, three sessions a day, after incision closure and suture removal was divided into three steps: Surgical incision scar (10 minutes a session), activate lymph nodes (10 minutes a session), ,stimulate lymph drainage (10 minutes a session). All patients were to continue active remedial exercises for six months following surgery. Women with breast cancer scheduled for surgery were randomly assigned to physical exercise (control) or self MLD plus exercise, with measurements for limb circumference and shoulder abduction recorded 24 hours before and after surgery at week 1, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; evaluation of scar formation was conducted after suture removal at week 1, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
Fewer patients in the MLD group had scar contracture (p < 0.05, MLD versus PE). Prevalence of upper limb lymphedema was lower in the MLD group at various time points (p < 0.05, MLD versus PE). Maximum shoulder abduction was better in the MLD group (p < 0.05, MLD versus PE).
The findings suggest that self-administered MLD with exercise was more effective in preventing lymphedema than exercise alone.
Patient education regarding the lymphatic system, self MLD, combined with physical exercise and adherence to the therapeutic routine may help in preventing scar formation, shoulder dysfunction, and upper extremity lymphedema.
Zhang, L., Huang, Z., Wu, H., Chen, W., & Huang, Z. (2014). Effect of swallowing training on dysphagia and depression in postoperative tongue cancer patients. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18, 626–629.
To evaluate the effect of swallowing training on dysphagia and depression in postoperative patients with tongue cancer
The WST and SDS scores were significantly lower in the less than 50% tongue resection and rehabilitation group, and also in the early tumor stage group as opposed to the advanced stage group. There was no significant differences in WST and SDS based on age, flap defect rehabilitation, neck dissection, or range of mandibulectomy. WST levels and SDS scores before swallowing training were significantly greater than after training (WST: p = 0.027, SDS: p = 0.034). In all cases, lower WST scores were associated with lower SDS scores.
Improved swallowing may reduce severity of depression. Improving functional outcomes, such as eating, is a significant quality-of-life issue.
This is an important issue for nurses in developing and implementing interventions to improve quality of life and survivorship. Swallowing retraining can potentially be effective for both swallowing and depression associated with the disease process.
Zhang, R.X., Wu, X.J., Wan, D.S., Lu, Z.H., Kong, L.H., Pan, Z.Z., & Chen, G. (2012). Celecoxib can prevent capecitabine-related hand-foot syndrome in stage II and III colorectal cancer patients: Result of a single-center, prospective randomized phase III trial. Annals of Oncology, 23, 1348–1353.
To compare the incidence and severity of hand-foot syndrome (HFS) in patients who received capecitabine with and without celecoxib.
Patients were randomized to receive oral celecoxib 200 mg BID or no intervention. Sampling was stratified based on the specific chemotherapy regimen used. Patients were educated on how to prevent side effects of therapy and monitored weekly with telephone calls and monthly clinic visits.
Patients were undergoing the active antitumor treatment phase of care.
This was a randomized, prospective trial.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) common toxicity criteria (CTC), version 4
Celecoxib as used in this trial may delay the onset and severity of HFS in patients receiving capecitabine-based chemotherapy. In addition, celecoxib was not associated with adverse events.
Use of anti-inflammatory medications such as celecoxib may help delay the onset and severity of HFS in patients receiving capecitabine-based chemotherapy. In addition, no adverse events were reported with use as long as six months.
Zhang, Y., Zhang, S., & Shao, X. (2013). Topical agent therapy for prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis: A meta-analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 21(4), 1025–1031.
To review the evidence regarding efficacy of topical treatments to prevent and manage radiodermatitis through meta-analysis and systematic review
Databases searched were Cochrane, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science. Keywords used were radiodermatitis, skin reaction, prevention, treatment, erythema, and desquamation, among others. Studies were included in the review if they
Seventy-three references were retrieved. Study quality was rated using the Jadad Scale.
Effect of topical agents for prevention showed no significant differences across all trials between intervention and control groups (relative risk [RR] = 0.90) There was no significant difference across control and intervention groups for topical agent use in wound healing (RR = 1.01). There was high heterogeneity in both analyses. All topical agents were considered together, with no analysis of different types of agents.
Findings suggest that overall, the use of topical agents is not effective for either prevention or treatment of radiodermatitis. The findings are similar to those of other systematic reviews in the topic that have shown there is insufficient evidence in this area to recommend any particular topical agent.
There is a continued need for well-designed research in the area of prevention and management of radiodermatitis.
Zhang, L.L., Wang, S.Z., Chen, H.L., & Yuan, A.Z. (2016). Tai chi exercise for cancer-related fatigue in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 51, 504–511.
To assess the effectiveness of Tai Chi in managing cancer-related fatigue
Patients were randomized to the Tai Chi or low-impact exercise groups. Tai Chi was taught by instructors in the community and via DVD. Patients were enrolled during hospitalization for chemotherapy. Sessions were conducted for 12 days during each course of chemotherapy every other day across four courses of treatment. Study assessments were conducted prior to the first and third courses of chemotherapy and at the end of the fourth course.
Fatigue scores increased in all patients. At six weeks, general and physical fatigue subscale scores were lower in the Tai Chi group (p < 0.05). Vigor scale scores were higher in the Tai Chi group (p < 0.05). These scores were also better in the Tai Chi group at 12 weeks (p < 0.05). No other differences existed between groups.
Tai Chi was beneficial for patients with lung cancer to reduce treatment-related fatigue while undergoing chemotherapy.
The findings suggest that Tai Chi can be an effective intervention to combat fatigue during cancer treatment with chemotherapy. Exercise has been shown to be an effective intervention, and patients who did Tai Chi experienced less fatigue than those doing low-impact exercise. This study had multiple limitations, so the strength of this finding is limited. Additional research is warranted to provide strong support for this intervention.
Zhang, M., Liu, X., Li, J., He, L., Tripathy, D. (2007) Chinese medicinal herbs to treat the side-effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD004921.
To review the evidence regarding the effects of Chinese herbal medicine on side effects of chemotherapy in women with breast cancer.
Databases searched were Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, SIGLE, and Chinese Biomedical Disk. Handsearching of key medical journals and references lists of retrieved articles was also performed.
Search keywords were Chinese medicine, plants, drugs, botanical, herbal medicine, and additional search terms related to herbal medicine as well as breast cancer treatments. A full listing of search terms was provided.
Studies were included if they included
Patients were excluded if they had other cancers as well as breast cancer (except for skin cancer).
In total, 88 references were retrieved. The authors allocated trials to quality categories described in the Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook and assessed quality according to criteria from Schultz (1995); studies were categorized as having a low, moderate, or high risk of bias.
Patients were undergoing multiple phases of care.
Trial duration ranged from 14 to 84 days. Treatments were varied with different herbal concoctions; most included radix ginseng along with other substances. The authors did not provide the findings for all outcomes of interest. A few studies measured quality of life, and several attempted to evaluate the effect on thrombocytopenia and white blood cell volumes and types. Some studies used inappropriate statistical methods. The quality of the included trials was poor.
The nature of the evidence in use of Chinese herbal medicine was not sufficient to draw any conclusions.
The study included a small number of studies with relatively small samples and poor quality.
The evidence reviewed did not provide clear implications for the incorporation of findings into practice. Further well-designed research is needed.
Zhang, Y., Yang, Y., Zhang, Z., Fang, W., Kang, S., Luo, Y., . . . Zhang, L. (2016). Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist-based triple regimens in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A network meta-analysis. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 109, djw217.
STUDY PURPOSE: To compare the effects of different regimens of NK1-based antiemetic treatment for patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC)
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: 1,796
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Regimens using various NK1s showed equivalent antiemetic effect in the overall, acute, and delayed phases. In patients receiving HEC, almost all triple-drug regimens showed significantly higher complete response rates when compared to duplex antiemetic regimens. In patients with MEC, the only NK1 that showed better antiemetic effect than duplex regimens was aprepitant. Palonosetron-based regimens did not show any difference from first generation 5-HT3s for CINV complete response rate. No differences in outcomes were observed with differing doses of dexamethasone as part of a triple-drug regimen.
This analysis provides some key information regarding the specific selection of agents and regimens used for CINV control among patients receiving MEC and HEC. Consistent with other evidence, CINV was best controlled with a triple-drug regimen rather than a duplex regimen. The findings suggest that varied doses of dexamethasone do not reduce efficacy.
No quality evaluation
The findings suggest that a standard triple drug regimen is more effective for CINV control with HEC regimens compared to duplex regimens. The findings also suggest that differences in dexamethasone dosing does not appear to alter antiemetic effectiveness. Regimens with reduced use of corticosteroid may be needed for patients with diabetes or low tolerance for side effects of steroids.
Zhang, X., Jin, H.F., Fan, Y.H., Lu, B., Meng, L.N., & Chen, J.D. (2014). Effects and mechanisms of transcutaneous electroacupuncture on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, 860631.
To evaluate transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) as well as serotonin and dopamine levels among patients with cancer
Randomized, controlled trial
Vomiting was significantly improved in the treatment group compared to the control group at 48 hours only (p = 0.046). No difference was noted at 24 hours (p = 0.9) or 72 hours (p = 0.68). Nausea was significantly better for the treatment group than the control group at 48 hours (p = 0.001) and 72 hours (p = 0.025) but not at 24 hours. Serotonin and dopamine were not different at baseline but were significantly reduced in the treatment group when compared to the control group at 48 hours (p = 0.03) and 72 hours (p = 0.02). No safety issues were noted in any patients. Laboratory results and EKG tests were normal.
Transcutaneous electroacupuncture was effective at improving delayed nausea and vomiting and had no significant safety issues.
The needleless system of transcutaneous electroacupuncture made administration easy and compliance rates high.