Background Diabetes mellitus has been commonly associated with poor surgical outcomes. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the impact of diabetes on postoperative complications following colorectal surgery. Methods Medline, Embase and China National Knowledge Infrastructure electronic databases were reviewed from inception until May 9th 2020. Meta-analysis of proportions and comparative meta-analysis were conducted. Studies that involved patients with diabetes mellitus having colorectal surgery, with the inclusion of patients without a history of diabetes as a control, were selected. The outcomes measured were postoperative complications. Results Fifty-five studies with a total of 666,886 patients comprising 93,173 patients with diabetes and 573,713 patients without diabetes were included. Anastomotic leak (OR 2.407; 95% CI 1.837-3.155; p < 0.001), surgical site infections (OR 1.979; 95% CI 1.636-2.394; p < 0.001), urinary complications (OR 1.687; 95% CI 1.210-2.353; p = 0.002), and hospital readmissions (OR 1.406; 95% CI 1.349-1.466; p < 0.001) were found to be significantly higher amongst patients with diabetes following colorectal surgery. The incidence of septicemia, intra-abdominal infections, mechanical failure of wound healing comprising wound dehiscence and disruption, pulmonary complications, reoperation, and 30-day mortality were not significantly increased. Conclusions This meta-analysis and systematic review found a higher incidence of postoperative complications including anastomotic leaks and a higher re-admission rate. Risk profiling for diabetes prior to surgery and perioperative optimization for patients with diabetes is critical to improve surgical outcomes.

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ObjectiveTo synthesise evidence from qualitative studies on the experiences of healthcare personnel (HCP) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) caring for dying neonates.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021250015), of four databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL) from date of inception of the databases to 31 December 2021 using MeSH terms and related keywords. Data were analysed using three-step inductive thematic synthesis. Quality assessment of included studies was performed.ResultsThirty-two articles were included. There were 775 participants, majority (92.6%) of whom were nurses and doctors. Quality of studies was variable. The narratives of HCP coalesced into three themes: sources of distress, coping methods and the way forward. Sources of distress encompassed HCP’s discomfort with neonatal deaths; poor communication among HCP and with patient’s family; lack of support (from organisations, peers and HCP’s family) and emotional responses (guilt, helplessness and compassion fatigue). Methods of coping included setting emotional boundaries, support from colleagues, clear communication and compassionate care and well-designed end-of-life workflows. Steps taken by HCP to move forward and overcome the emotionally turbulent effects of NICU deaths included finding meaning in death, building deeper relationship with patients’ families and the NICU team and embracing purpose and pride in work.ConclusionHCP face several challenges when a death occurs in the NICU. HCP can provide better end-of-life care if their undesirable experiences with death are mitigated by better understanding and overcoming factors causing distress.