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Findings from the present systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that sialendoscopy is efficacious, safe, and gland preserving for the treatment of obstructive major salivary gland disease.

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Pediatric post-tonsillectomy analgesia continues to be highly debated and an area of active research. Tonsillectomy pain can lead to significant patient morbidity, and incur potentially avoidable healthcare costs. Moreover, the various analgesic classes, each present their own risk profiles and unique side effects when used in children post-tonsillectomy. This review delineates the clinical and pathophysiological basis for post-tonsillectomy pain, types of analgesics and their risk profiles, as well as special considerations in this clinical population and a review of alternative analgesic treatment options. This article presents a summary of recent literature and discusses evidence-based management options to aid medical and allied health professionals who may encounter these patients.

Summary. Background: The risk of bleeding on anticoagulation varies between patients. It is uncertain whether sex influences this risk. Objectives: To determine if the risk of major bleeding differs between men and women receiving anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, and relevant conference proceedings, until February 2013. We included randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies of patients on therapeutic anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation or VTE. Two reviewers independently extracted data. The relative risk of bleeding in men compared to women was pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Forty-two studies including 94 293 patients were eligible; 78 044 patients (83%) had atrial fibrillation; 16 156 patients (17%) had VTE; 37 250 patients were women (40%); and there were 4147 major bleeds. The relative risk of major bleeding for men vs. women was 1.02 (95% CI 0.95-1.10; P = 0.27 for heterogeniety). The relative risk was 1.02 (95% CI 0.95-1.09) in patients with atrial fibrillation and 0.80 (95% CI 0.65-0.98) in patients with VTE (P = 0.03 for subgroup effect). Type of anticoagulant, intensity of anticoagulation, and whether patients began or were already established on anticoagulants at enrollment did not influence the relative risk of major bleeding in men compared to women. Conclusions: The risk of major bleeding on anticoagulation appears to be the same in men and women, particularly if patients have atrial fibrillation. This finding is less certain for patients with VTE, in whom the risk of bleeding may be marginally lower in men compared to in women.