Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS) mental inpatient care relies on government funding, especially in structurally unequal regions. Despite funding concerns, general hospitals manage serious mental disorders strategically. Determine if federal transfers cover the true cost of psychiatric hospitalizations in a Northern Brazilian general hospital. This cross-sectional cost analysis examined all 2023 psychiatric admissions in the Dr. Emílio Vasques Psychiatric Unit, General Hospital of Palmas, Tocantins. While the institution has 22 inpatient beds, only 11 are registered and eligible for federal funding by the Ministry of Health. Direct and indirect costs were evaluated using microcosting and absorption costing. Official national databases provided federal transfer statistics. 421 hospitalizations. Annual costs was BRL 13.984.390,24 (USD 3,107,642.28). Spending was 44.6% direct and 55.4% indirect. The average hospitalization cost BRL 33.217,08 (USD 7,381.57). Federal transfers covered 12% of direct hospitalization expenditures, half the unit's operational capacity. Federal funding for mental inpatient care is insufficient, transferring the financial burden to state governments and compromising service viability.
Skeletal dysplasias are rare genetic disorders affecting bone and cartilage, often causing disproportionate short stature and multisystem involvement. In Brazil, limited data challenge diagnosis and management. To describe the clinical and sociodemographic profile of individuals with suspected skeletal dysplasia, without confirmed etiological diagnosis, evaluated at a university hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and referred for genomic sequencing through the Rare Genomes Project. Observational, cross-sectional study including 90 individuals evaluated at Hospital Professor Edgard Santos, that is part of Federal University of Bahia, between December 2020 and May 2023. All patients were evaluated by a medical geneticist, and clinical data were extracted from medical records and standardized using Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) terms. Most participants (71%) were from countryside of Bahia, 68% were mixed-race, with balanced sex distribution. The mean age was 11.4 years. Consanguinity was reported in 28% and family recurrence in 34% of cases. Among the 15 subgroups listed, the most frequent was "Skeletal dysplasia with decreased bone density" (43.3%). A total of 299 distinct HPO terms reflected high phenotypic variability. This study highlights the clinical heterogeneity of skeletal dysplasia and the importance of a specialized evaluation by a clinical geneticist enabling standardized phenotyping combined with genomic tools to improve diagnosis and public health care.
Genetic testing, including pharmacogenetic testing, is transforming personalized healthcare by improving risk assessment and treatment decisions. However, these advancements raise ethical, practical, and legal concerns for data privacy and security, as test results are often stored in EHRs. Additional concerns include the use of genetic data in underwriting for policies not covered under the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, including life, disability, and long-term care insurance.These issues affect patients, consumers, and the broader healthcare system by increasing costs when patients delay testing or treatment out of fear of discrimination. They also strain public health programs when individuals are denied coverage because of genetic risks, leading to a "genetic underclass," in which people with certain genetic predispositions are marginalized from the insurance market. Applying a bioethics framework of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice allows these issues to be examined, and current protections to be evaluated for the purpose of instituting change.
Button battery injuries are emergencies associated with airway and esophageal injury. Despite increased public awareness and recent federal safety legislation, the population-level impact on injury trends remains unclear. This study evaluates national trends in pediatric button battery exposures in the postpandemic era. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was queried for button battery-related ingestions and aspirations presenting to a US emergency department (ED) between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024. Cases were identified using product codes and narrative review. Demographics, diagnosis, and disposition were analyzed. Trends and categorical differences were assessed using ANOVA and chi-squared testing, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 24,891 pediatric button battery exposures were identified between 2020 and 2024. Annual cases increased from 3785 in 2020 to 6424 in 2024, representing a 70% rise (p < 0.001). When adjusted for the US pediatric population, the rate increased from 5.1 to 8.8 per 100,000 children. Children aged 13-24 months represented the largest proportion of cases (50.5%), and males comprised 59.8%. Hospitalizations increased from 807 to 1148, although the proportion of cases requiring admission declined after peaking in 2021. Hospitalization rates differed by age and race, with older children and Black children more likely to be admitted (p < 0.001). Despite a declining pediatric population, button battery-related ED visits rose sharply from 2020 to 2024. Although hospitalization rates declined proportionally after 2021, the overall injury burden and healthcare utilization increased. Persistent demographic disparities require continued surveillance, prevention strategies, and equitable access to care.
BackgroundEmergency department (ED)-based teletrauma service may improve access to trauma expertise, especially in rural areas. However, its impact on patient outcomes remains unclear due to limited understanding of how and what type of care is delivered. The objective of this study was to characterize how EDs in the United States (US) use teletrauma services in clinical practice.MethodsNon-federal/non-specialty EDs, that previously reported using teletrauma, were surveyed in the 2023 National Emergency Department Inventory Teletrauma Survey. The survey was developed and mailed/emailed to ED directors up to two times; nonresponders were contacted via telephone. Survey assessed structural and process measures including staffing, workflows, clinical care, and resource availability. Descriptive statistics were used.ResultsAmong 378 EDs that reported using teletrauma in 2022, 310 responded (82%). Only 68% (211/310) reported using teletrauma in 2023. Most teletrauma-using EDs (TT-EDs) used the service once a month or less (58%), were staffed by non-emergency medicine (EM)-trained providers for in-person care (69%) and EM-trained physicians for remote care (72%). Consults were usually initiated at the discretion of the in-person provider (80%) and often after the patient's arrival to the ED (46%). Clinical applications included decision-support for interfacility transfers (78%), resuscitation-support (71%), documentation (69%) and remote procedural-support (64%) for patients of all ages. Some TT-EDs received trauma education from teletrauma-providing sites (30%), but few reported receiving resources, such as blood products (4%).ConclusionTeletrauma is not widely used in US EDs. Even when capabilities exist, teletrauma use remains limited and insufficiently adapted to rural trauma care.
Sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of death globally. Recent guidelines recommend considering extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for refractory cardiac arrest, but evidence regarding favourable outcomes remains scarce. This nationwide retrospective observational study analyses ECPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Germany. The Federal Statistical Office of Germany provided data for all refractory OHCA patients in German hospitals between 2018 and 2023, including identification of those who received ECPR. All patients aged 18 years and older were included. The primary endpoint was hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were centre caseload and location. Between 2018 and 2023 27,056 patients were admitted with OHCA refractory to conventional CPR and 785 (2.9%) received ECPR. Survival without ECPR was 11.3% and 11.8% with ECPR, with no significant difference between the groups. ECPR utilization increased from 1.8% (n = 62) in 2018 to 4.1% (n = 168) in 2023, but survival rates remained unchanged. Among hospitals treating patients with OHCA, 11.6% (n = 102) provided ECPR. The median number of annual cases per ECPR centre was three. Urban centres had higher prior VA ECMO experience and ECPR caseload. Survival was higher for urban centres, though not statistically significant. Between 2018 and 2023, ECPR was used for 2.9% of refractory OHCA cases admitted to hospitals in Germany. ECPR utilization increased while survival remained unchanged at approximately 12%. The widespread provision of ECPR by institutions with low case volume, within the specific regulatory and organisational context of the German health care system, underscores the need for national quality standards and registries to improve consistency of ECPR care.
Our health care system is under considerable pressure to change. With the planned introduction of a primary care system, the German government is exerting an influence on the central domains of outpatient care. The aims of the primary health care system are improved timely and needs-oriented coordinated care from a single provider, via which patients are systematically supported and accompanied in an increasingly complex health care system. Digital instruments will be important for rationally supporting health care and rendering processes more efficient. Suggestions are required from the fields of politics, self-government, and science regarding how high-quality nationwide care can be sustainably ensured against the background of limited personnel and financial recourses. A national public health strategy with clear structures for collaboration at the federal, state, and municipality levels as well as with other relevant stakeholders in the sense of "health in all policies" is needed. Unser Gesundheitswesen steht unter erheblichem Veränderungsdruck. Mit der geplanten Einführung eines Primärversorgungssystems greift die Bundesregierung in zentrale Bereich der ambulanten Versorgung ein. Ziele der Primärversorgung sind eine verbesserte, zeit- und bedarfsgerechte sowie koordinierte Versorgung „aus einer Hand“, bei der Patientinnen und Patienten in einem zunehmend komplexen Gesundheitssystem gezielt unterstützt und begleitet werden. Digitale Instrumente werden wichtig sein, um die Versorgung sinnvoll zu unterstützen und Prozesse effizienter zu gestalten. Erforderlich sind Vorschläge aus Politik, Selbstverwaltung und Wissenschaft, wie bei begrenzten personellen und finanziellen Ressourcen eine qualitativ hochwertige Versorgung dauerhaft und flächendeckend sichergestellt werden kann. Es wird eine nationale Public-Health-Strategie mit klaren Strukturen zur Zusammenarbeit von Bund, Ländern, Kommunen und weiteren relevanten Akteuren im Sinne von „health in all policies“ benötigt.
Despite growing research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adolescent development, less is known about whether ACE exposure is associated with participation in organized sports and whether these associations vary across demographic groups. Using data from the 2020-2021 National Survey of Children's Health, this study examined associations between ACE exposure and organized sports participation among 33,705 U.S. adolescents ages 12-17 years (Mage = 14.7 ± 1.7 years; 49.7% female); 65.9% were non-Hispanic White, and 40.9% were at or above 400% of the federal poverty line. Logistic regression and predictive probability analyses showed that greater ACE exposure was generally associated with lower odds of sports participation, though associations varied by race/ethnicity. SES differences were modest and inconsistent, and gender differences were not significant. Findings contribute to developmental understandings of adolescence by showing that adversity may shape youth participation in organized sports, an important setting associated with positive adolescent development.
Glucocorticoids are major regulators of human neural development and stress adaptation, yet their transcriptional effects across experimental paradigms remain poorly integrated. This review synthesizes evidence from 13 studies employing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neural models exposed to cortisol or dexamethasone, including neural progenitors, neurons, astrocytes, and brain organoids. When available, transcriptomic datasets from these studies were reanalyzed under standardized criteria to directly compare acute and chronic GC exposure. This comparative approach revealed that GCs modulate shared pathways related to neurogenesis, cytoskeletal organization, immune signaling, and stress response, while the duration of exposure critically shapes the underlying transcriptional architecture. Acute stimulation predominantly upregulated canonical GR targets such as FKBP5, ZBTB16, and TSC22D3 involved in early stress response and feedback control, whereas chronic exposure induced sustained remodeling of genes including MT2A, RASFAF4, and DPYSL5 linked to oxidative stress regulation and neuronal structure. A conserved downregulated core comprising NFIA, NFIB, and CCL2 was shared across paradigms, reflecting persistent suppression of glial differentiation and inflammatory signaling. Together, these findings delineate distinct yet convergent transcriptional programs governed by GC exposure, providing mechanistic insight into how temporal dynamics of glucocorticoid signaling may contribute to altered neurodevelopmental trajectories and increased vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Rutin is a natural flavonoid with several validated benefits for cosmetic use and has been increasingly incorporated into cosmetic and dermocosmetic formulas, especially for its antioxidant potential. A search for patents on the use of rutin in cosmetics was conducted at the European Patent Office (EPO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI-Brazil). The search strategy used (i) "rutin" AND (ii) "Cosmetics" OR "Skin Cream" OR "Cosmeceuticals" AND "A61K8" OR "C07H17". A total of 38 patents were selected, 27 of which emphasized the anti-wrinkle and/or antiaging, sunscreen, and antioxidant effects of their formulations. Fifteen patents reported the botanical origin of the rutin used, highlighting the growing interest in developing new cosmetics from different plant sources. It has been observed that cosmetic compositions containing rutin can combine natural and synthetic active ingredients to achieve synergistic effects. The use of pharmaceutical technologies and structural modifications to the rutin molecule has been reported, including polyglycosylated rutin, troxerutin, and rutin hydroxycinnamate, to improve the molecule's physicochemical properties. Structural modifications to rutin can optimize its effects, and the main technologies described in the patents, such as microencapsulation and nanoliposomes, aim to improve the efficacy of the active ingredients, facilitating their application in cosmetic formulations in both cases. Considering this, we emphasize the potential of local flora as promising sources for cosmetic development and research.
The association between a high annual hospital-specific case volume and improved postoperative outcomes after oesophageal cancer resection (OCR) is well described. The Swiss government started centralisation of OCR in 2013. This study investigates this centralisation in terms of the annual hospital-specific case volume of OCR (hospital volume) and its effect on short-term postoperative outcomes. National inpatient registry data of all hospitals providing OCR (ICD codes C15 and at least one of the CHOP codes starting with 424, 425, or 426) between 2013 and 2022 in Switzerland were analysed. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were postoperative complications and length of hospital stay (LOS). 1'535 cases were identified. The annual number of hospitals providing OCR ranged between 30 in 2013 and 14 in 2021. Hospital volume varied between one and 40 patients per year. Overall mortality was 5.3% (n = 81) declining from 9.3% in 2013 to 3.8% in 2022 (t=-0.511, p = 0.040). Increasing hospital volume was associated with lower risk for mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 0.723, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53 to 0.98, p = 0.037) and postoperative complications (OR = 0.705, 95%CI: 0.62 to 0.83, p < 0.001). There was no association of hospital volume with LOS (β = 0.007, 95%CI -0.093 to 0.108, p = 0.889). However, there were significant differences across quantiles (joint p < 0.001). Higher hospital volume is associated with lower mortality and fewer postoperative complications following OCR, whereas no association was observed with LOS. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07022652, https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?id=NCT07022652.
Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, more than a thousand antibiotics have been introduced into medical practice. Initially, the introduction of antibiotics revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. However, as antibiotics have been used repeatedly, scientists and clinicians have observed serious adverse consequences, most notably the emergence of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents. Of particular concern are multidrug-resistant pathogens, which are resistant to multiple antibiotic classes. As of 2024, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are directly responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths worldwide. Thus, in response, possible new antibacterial agents are under investigation, including bacteriophages and the associated bacteriolytic enzymes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), phage-based drugs are leading nonclassical antibiotics currently in clinical trials. Meanwhile, endolysins, as bacteriolytic phage enzymes, have emerged as promising antibacterial agents. This study reviews the key achievements and mechanisms of action of bacteriophage endolysins against bacterial infections, including biofilms, and discusses the therapeutic potential of endolysins in combating antibiotic resistance. Finally, the combined use of endolysins with other biomolecules and the application of artificial intelligence to address antimicrobial-resistant infections are also discussed.
Trachelyopterus is a cryptic genus within the Neotropical catfish family Auchenipteridae with a complex history of taxonomic revisions. Despite the notable morphological and genetic similarities among its species, some studies suggest that the genus harbours greater diversity than is currently recognized, including additional species yet to be formally described. One of the most widely used and effective approaches for investigating species delimitation and assessing biodiversity is DNA barcoding. The application of DNA barcoding has expanded considerably over the past decade, contributing significantly to the understanding of diversity across numerous groups of Neotropical fishes. Thus, in this study, we employed the DNA barcoding approach in both phenetic and phylogenetic contexts to investigate species diversity within the genus Trachelyopterus. Our sampling included four valid species previously identified based on morphology, collected from six hydrographic basins across the Neotropical region: Trachelyopterus galeatus, Trachelyopterus striatulus, Trachelyopterus porosus and Trachelyopterus coriaceus. Our results corroborate the validity of these four species and reveal two distinct lineages: one from the Araguaia River basin and another from the Pantanal in the Paraguay River basin, both of which may represent previously unrecognized species.
This study examined the differences in passing network between two- and three-center-back (2-CB and 3-CB) formations and their predictive relevance for match outcomes using machine learning models. The dataset comprised 256 matches (7328 player observations) from FIFA Soccer World Cups from 2010-2022. A novel subgroup entropy metric was introduced to quantify the distribution of ball circulation within positional units (defenders, midfielders and forwards). Results showed that conventional network metrics failed to distinguish formation-specific features, whereas the subgroup entropy metric revealed significant differences: 2-CB formations exhibited higher forward- and defender-entropy but lower midfielder-entropy compared with 3-CB formations (p < 0.001). Among the tested models, XGBoost achieved the best performance (accuracy = 0.599 ± 0.040, F1 = 0.737 ± 0.033). SHAP-based explainability analysis indicated that the key network metrics associated with match success varied by formation: midfielder-entropy and forward-entropy were most influential in 2-CB formations, while average weighted degree, average path length, and Density dominated in 3-CB formations. These findings suggest that different formations shape distinctive patterns of passing flow and team coordination. The proposed subgroup entropy provides a novel framework for linking network structure, tactical organization, and match outcomes in football analytics.
Climate change is shifting when animals breed [C. Parmesan, G. Yohe, Nature 421, 37-42 (2003) and S. J. Thackeray et al., Nature 535, 241-245 (2016)], but it is not clear why some populations keep pace with warming while others fall behind [L. D. Bailey et al., Nat. Commun. 13, 2112 (2022) and J. M. Samplonius et al., Glob. Change Biol. 24, 3780-3790 (2018)]. Differences could arise from variation in sensitivity to temperature [L. D. Bailey et al., Nat. Commun. 13, 2112 (2022)] or constraints on the ability to respond to temperature. Without knowing whether populations differ in sensitivity-or in their ability to act on that sensitivity-we cannot identify which are most at risk. Using 1,555 population-years from 123 populations of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), we show that populations have similar sensitivity to local temperature, advancing breeding by about one day per degree of warming. However, northern populations face tighter time constraints and greater exposure to recent warming. Northern populations have advanced laying dates the most, but still experience stronger selection for earlier breeding, especially in warm years; they have also declined most in breeding abundance. These findings suggest that vulnerability to climate change can arise not just from different sensitivity to warming, but from when and where populations can respond effectively. By disentangling sensitivity from timing constraints, our results are consistent with a general mechanism by which even uniformly responsive species can show uneven impacts of climate change across their ranges.
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects a high proportion of threatened southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) and is an important cause of mortality in this host species. Recently, a point-of-care rapid antibody test (POCT) for T. gondii infection was developed for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies in human sera. We aimed to validate the POCT using southern sea otter sera against a gold standard state of infection, based on histopathology, immunohistochemistry, parasite isolation, and PCR. In this study, we hypothesized that the POCT rapid screening tool would offer both high sensitivity and specificity (> 90%) for screening T. gondii infection in archived serum samples from southern sea otters with known T. gondii infection status. We applied the POCT assay to sera from 109 sea otters (49 negative, 60 positive), and this assay demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 93.9%. These results indicate that the POCT may be a useful screening tool for T. gondii exposure in sea otters. Utilization of this test in wildlife rehabilitation centers would allow for rapid, on-site, and cost-efficient screening of T. gondii exposure that could aid in the diagnosis and clinical management of sea otters with suspected toxoplasmosis. Future efforts could target POCT validation in species such as Hawaiian monk seals and Hector's dolphins, for which T. gondii is listed as a threat to species survival.
Maternal undernutrition remains a major public health concern globally, particularly in Somalia, where conflict, poverty, and food insecurity exacerbate nutritional deficiencies. Undernutrition during pregnancy poses serious risks to both maternal and fetal health, including increased maternal mortality, low birth weight, and adverse developmental outcomes. Despite its critical implications, there is limited evidence on the burden and associated factors of maternal undernutrition in Somalia. This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services in public hospitals in Mogadishu. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 734 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services in public hospitals in Mogadishu. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Undernutrition was assessed using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC < 23 cm), a measure commonly applied in clinical and humanitarian settings. Household food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with undernutrition at a significance level of p < 0.05. The prevalence of maternal undernutrition was 75.7% (95% CI: 72.6%-78.9%). Factors independently associated with undernutrition included maternal age 25-31 years (AOR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.28-5.30) and 32-38 years (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.04-4.55), tertiary education (AOR = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.89-6.21), employee occupation (AOR = 6.38, 95% CI: 2.90-14.04), private business occupation (AOR = 9.79, 95% CI: 4.27-22.43), large household size (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.34-2.88), urban residence (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.39-4.15), household monthly income < USD 500 (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.33-2.94), lack of latrine facility (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.23-3.26), second (AOR = 8.59, 95% CI: 5.29-13.97) and third trimester (AOR = 6.91, 95% CI: 2.97-16.08), primigravidity (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.52-3.45), contraceptive use (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.34-2.90), substance use (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.93-4.04), and severe household food insecurity (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.01-3.08). However, some associations with large effect sizes should be interpreted with caution, as they may reflect residual confounding, small subgroup sizes, or model instability. This study revealed a high prevalence of maternal undernutrition among pregnant women attending ANC services in Mogadishu, with multiple factors found to be associated with undernutrition. These findings highlight the need for targeted, multi-sectoral interventions to improve maternal nutrition through enhanced food security, health education, and access to nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific services. Targeted strategies such as supplementation programs, nutrition counseling, and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services are critical to mitigating maternal undernutrition and achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to maternal and child health.
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit altered body composition that could be assessed through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). This study aims to compare the BIA measures and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) between individuals with and without DS. We evaluated 46 individuals with and 46 without DS through BIA and BIVA. We employed generalized linear models (GLM) to assess the effects of group and sex on BIA, adjusting by age and height. Individuals with DS had lower whole-body resistance/height (DS: 332.1 ± 51.1; non-DS: 349.0 ± 57.5 Ω/m), reactance/height (DS: 36.4 ± 5.0; non-DS: 41.9 ± 4.9 Ω/m) and impedance/height (DS: 334.1 ± 51.2; non-DS: 351.4 ± 57.6 Ω/m), while men with DS showed lower phase angle (DS: 6.4 ± 0.7; non-DS: 7.0° ± 0.5°) and lower bioimpedance index (DS: 50.8 ± 6.1; non-DS: 55.2 ± 6.5 Ω/m2); men and women with DS had higher total body water (males p = 0.030; females p = 0.006) and intracellular water (males p = 0.020; females p = 0.010) compared with individuals without DS; women had lower extracellular water (males p = 0.090; females p = 0.004) compared with individuals without DS; the bioelectrical vectors for individuals with DS were different from the population ellipses (p < 0.050), and showed overhydration compared with non-DS. Adults with DS showed a distinct hydration pattern in comparison with non-DS adults, as shown in BIA and BIVA analysis.
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Occult inguinal hernias (OIH) are frequently detected during laparoscopic repair of unilateral inguinal hernias due to direct visualization of the contralateral groin. However, the optimal management of these asymptomatic defects remains debated. This systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and postoperative outcomes of contralateral OIH repaired during transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched from inception to February 2026 for studies including adult patients undergoing TAPP repair with intraoperative identification of contralateral OIH. Due to heterogeneous reporting and inconsistent measures of dispersion, comparative meta-analysis was not feasible. A single-arm meta-analysis was therefore performed only on patients undergoing contralateral OIH repair. Data were synthesized with random-effects models for dichotomous outcomes. Continuous variables were pooled using inverse-variance methods. Weighted pooled estimates were calculated for baseline characteristics. Five retrospective cohort studies published between 2018 and 2025 were included, comprising 4,485 total patients, of whom 873 (19.5%) had occult inguinal hernias identified intraoperatively and subsequently repaired. The majority of repairs were performed using laparoscopy, with robotic approach reported in two studies. Mean patient age was 52.6 ± 14.0 years, mean BMI was 23.4 ± 3.9 kg/m², and > 90% of patients were male. Operative time ranged from 90.3 ± 30.9 to 132 ± 44.1 min, with a pooled mean of 116.9 min (95% CI 59.6-174.2) under a random-effects model (I² = 97.2%). Overall postoperative complications were reported in four studies, totaling 39 events among 819 patients (4.7%), with a pooled complication rate of 13% (95% CI 6-26%; I² = 31%). Surgical site infections (SSI) were rare, with 4 events among 873 patients (0.4%), corresponding to a pooled SSI rate of 1% (95% CI 1-2%; I² = 0%). Surgical site occurrences (SSO) were reported in 32 of 819 patients (3.6%), with a pooled rate of 12% (95% CI 4-29%; I² = 46.7%). Recurrence was reported in one study, with 9 cases (2.2%) during a mean follow-up of 30 months, and no reoperations or mortality were reported. Occult inguinal hernias are identified in approximately one in five patients undergoing minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair. Repair of these defects during TAPP appears safe, with low surgical site infection rates, low complication rates, and no reported mortality or reoperation across available studies. Although contralateral repair may modestly increase operative time and short-term postoperative burden, it may reduce the likelihood of future symptomatic hernia development and the need for a second operation. Substantial heterogeneity and limited long-term recurrence data highlight the need for prospective studies to better define the role of routine contralateral exploration and repair.