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Search review questions
Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.
806 questions in 76 reviews · ENT
current versionsNo studies 293 · 36.4%Ungraded 6 · 0.7%Very low 244 · 30.3%Low 170 · 21.1%Moderate 85 · 10.5%High 8 · 1%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Aural toileting vs no aural toileting Ear pain (otalgia) or discomfort or local irritation · children with chronic suppurative otitis media Aural toilet (ear cleaning) for chronic suppurative otitis media (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Aural toileting vs no aural toileting Hearing · children with chronic suppurative otitis media Aural toilet (ear cleaning) for chronic suppurative otitis media (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Aural toileting vs no aural toileting Serious complications · children with chronic suppurative otitis media Aural toilet (ear cleaning) for chronic suppurative otitis media (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 48 participants | Very low |
Aural toileting vs no aural toileting Adverse events: dizziness/vertigo/balance problems · children with chronic suppurative otitis media Aural toilet (ear cleaning) for chronic suppurative otitis media (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Daily aural toileting vs single aural toileting episode Resolution of ear discharge ‐ 1 to 2 weeks Assessed by: unknown ‐ unclear if otoscopically confirmed · people (of any age) with otorrhoea for a duration of at least 6 weeks Aural toilet (ear cleaning) for chronic suppurative otitis media (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.09 [0.91, 1.3] | 1 study · 80 participants | Very low |
Daily aural toileting vs single aural toileting episode Resolution of ear discharge ‐ 4 weeks or more Assessed by: unknown ‐ unclear if otoscopically confirmed · people (of any age) with otorrhoea for a duration of at least 6 weeks Aural toilet (ear cleaning) for chronic suppurative otitis media (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1998 participants | Ungraded |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water Change in COVID-19 viral load in patients · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water RECOVERY trial outcomes (mortality; hospitalisation status; use of ventilation; use of renal dialysis or haemofiltration) · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection · Minimum 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to healthcare workers, with or without the same intervention given to the patients with COVID-19 vs No treatment or saline or water Other adverse events: allergy, irritation/burning of nasal, oral or oropharyngeal mucosa, long-term staining of mucous membranes or teeth, accidental ingestion · Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water Changes in microbiome in oral cavity, nasal cavity, oro- or nasopharynx · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to the patient or HCW before and/or after an AGP vs No treatment or saline or water COVID-19 viral content of aerosol · Patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and the… Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers when undertaking… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Complete resolution of symptoms (proportion of patients with 'immediate and persistent resolution of symptoms' from the point of surgery/randomisation up to end of study · children with PFAPA Tonsillectomy for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) (2019) · Cochrane | RR 4.38 [0.64, 30.11] | 2 studies · 65 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Complications of surgery (haemorrhage and days with pain) · children with PFAPA Tonsillectomy for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) (2019) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Number of episodes of fever and associated symptoms (episodes per person per month) · children with PFAPA Tonsillectomy for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) (2019) · Cochrane | Rate ratio 0.08 [0.05, 0.13] | 2 studies · 65 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Severity of episodes (number of days with fever and the associated symptoms (per episode)) · children with PFAPA Tonsillectomy for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) (2019) · Cochrane | Mean difference 1.8 | 1 study · 39 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Use of corticosteroids (proportion of patients using corticosteroids) · children with PFAPA Tonsillectomy for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.58 [0.37, 0.92] | 1 study · 39 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Absence or time off school · children with PFAPA Tonsillectomy for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) (2019) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Quality of life · children with PFAPA Tonsillectomy for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) (2019) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intranasal corticosteroids vs placebo Disease severity as measured by patient‐reported symptom score (total nasal symptom score) · adults and children > 12 with non‐allergic rhinitis Intranasal corticosteroids for non‐allergic rhinitis (2019) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 131 participants | Low |
Intranasal corticosteroids vs placebo Significant adverse event: epistaxis · adults and children > 12 with non‐allergic rhinitis Intranasal corticosteroids for non‐allergic rhinitis (2019) · Cochrane | RR 2.1 [1.24, 3.57] | 4 studies · 1174 participants | Moderate |
Intranasal corticosteroids vs placebo Disease‐specific health‐related quality of life Short Form 12 (SF‐12v2) (range 0 to 800) · adults and children > 12 with non‐allergic rhinitis Intranasal corticosteroids for non‐allergic rhinitis (2019) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 49 participants | Low |
Intranasal corticosteroids vs placebo Objective measurement of airflow: peak flow rate (expiratory) · adults and children > 12 with non‐allergic rhinitis Intranasal corticosteroids for non‐allergic rhinitis (2019) · Cochrane | SMD 1980 | 2 studies · 55 participants | Very low |
Intranasal corticosteroids vs placebo Other adverse events · adults and children > 12 with non‐allergic rhinitis Intranasal corticosteroids for non‐allergic rhinitis (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.99 [0.87, 1.12] | 3 studies · 1130 participants | Moderate |
Sternocleidomastoid muscle flap vs no flap Incidence rate of Frey's syndrome assessed clinically · patients undergoing parotidectomy Graft interposition for preventing Frey's syndrome in patients undergoing parotidectomy (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.08 | 2 studies · 60 participants | Very low |
Sternocleidomastoid muscle flap vs no flap Other complications As measured by: clinical methods and subjective perception · patients undergoing parotidectomy Graft interposition for preventing Frey's syndrome in patients undergoing parotidectomy (2019) · Cochrane | RR 2.18 [0.09, 50.16] | 1 study · 36 participants | Low |
Sternocleidomastoid muscle flap vs no flap Incidence rate of Frey's syndrome assessed by participants · patients undergoing parotidectomy Graft interposition for preventing Frey's syndrome in patients undergoing parotidectomy (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.32, 1.26] | 1 study · 36 participants | Low |
Acellular dermal matrix vs control Incidence rate of Frey's syndrome assessed clinically · patients undergoing parotidectomy Graft interposition for preventing Frey's syndrome in patients undergoing parotidectomy (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.08 [0, 1.25] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Acellular dermal matrix vs control Other complications As measured by clinical methods · patients undergoing parotidectomy Graft interposition for preventing Frey's syndrome in patients undergoing parotidectomy (2019) · Cochrane | RR 17 [1.02, 282.67] | 1 study · 64 participants | Low |
Acellular dermal matrix vs control Incidence rate of Frey's syndrome assessed by participants · patients undergoing parotidectomy Graft interposition for preventing Frey's syndrome in patients undergoing parotidectomy (2019) · Cochrane | RR 0.33 [0.04, 3.04] | 1 study · 64 participants | Low |
Tranexamic acid vs placebo plus usual care or usual care alone Control of epistaxis: episodes of re‐bleeding over 10 days All treatments (topical and oral) · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.71 [0.56, 0.9] | 3 studies · 225 participants | Moderate |
Tranexamic acid vs other haemostatic agent Severity of re‐bleeding: proportion of patients requiring blood transfusion within 10 days · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Tranexamic acid vs other haemostatic agent Length of hospital stay · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 participants | Ungraded |
Tranexamic acid vs other haemostatic agent Adverse effects: serious or other · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Tranexamic acid vs placebo plus usual care or usual care alone Control of epistaxis: episodes of re‐bleeding over 10 days Oral treatment only · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.73 [0.55, 0.96] | 2 studies · 157 participants | Moderate |
Tranexamic acid vs placebo plus usual care or usual care alone Control of epistaxis: episodes of re‐bleeding over 10 days Topical application (10% gel) only · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.66 [0.41, 1.05] | 1 study · 68 participants | Low |
Tranexamic acid vs placebo plus usual care or usual care alone Control of epistaxis: time to stop initial bleeding (proportion of patients whose bleeding is controlled in ≤ 30 minutes) · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.79 [0.56, 1.11] | 1 study · 68 participants | Low |
Tranexamic acid vs placebo plus usual care or usual care alone Severity of re‐bleeding: proportion of patients requiring blood transfusion within 10 days · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.81 [0.27, 2.48] | 1 study · 89 participants | Low |
Tranexamic acid vs placebo plus usual care or usual care alone Length of hospital stay · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 157 participants | Ungraded |
Tranexamic acid vs placebo plus usual care or usual care alone Adverse effects: serious or other · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Tranexamic acid vs other haemostatic agent Control of epistaxis: episodes of re‐bleeding over 10 days · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 participants | Ungraded |
Tranexamic acid vs other haemostatic agent Control of epistaxis: time to stop initial bleeding (proportion with bleeding controlled within 10 minutes) · adults with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) Tranexamic acid for patients with nasal haemorrhage (epistaxis) (2018) · Cochrane | RR 2.35 [1.9, 2.92] | 3 studies · 460 participants | Moderate |
Immunonutrition vs standard care Postoperative length of hospital stay (days) · patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer Immunonutrition for patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer (2018) · Cochrane | MD 2.5 | 10 studies · 757 participants | Low |
Immunonutrition vs standard care Wound infection · patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer Immunonutrition for patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.94 [0.7, 1.26] | 12 studies · 812 participants | Very low |
Immunonutrition vs standard care Fistula formation · patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer Immunonutrition for patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.48 [0.27, 0.85] | 10 studies · 747 participants | Low |
Immunonutrition vs standard care Adverse events/tolerance of feeds · patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer Immunonutrition for patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.33 [0.86, 2.06] | 9 studies · 719 participants | Very low |
Immunonutrition vs standard care All‐cause mortality · patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer Immunonutrition for patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.33 [0.48, 3.66] | 14 studies · 776 participants | Low |
Sinonasal debridement vs no debridement Health‐related quality of life (SNOT‐22) (range 0 to 110) · adult patients who underwent primary endoscopic sinus surgery, with a diagnosis of recurrent acute or chronic… Sinonasal debridement versus no debridement for the postoperative care of patients undergoing endoscopic… (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 58 participants | Low |
Sinonasal debridement vs no debridement Disease severity, measured by patient‐reported symptom score (VAS) (range 0 to 100) · adult patients who underwent primary endoscopic sinus surgery, with a diagnosis of recurrent acute or chronic… Sinonasal debridement versus no debridement for the postoperative care of patients undergoing endoscopic… (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 60 participants | Low |
Sinonasal debridement vs no debridement Significant adverse effects: significant bleeding requiring intervention, severe pain, iatrogenic injury · adult patients who underwent primary endoscopic sinus surgery, with a diagnosis of recurrent acute or chronic… Sinonasal debridement versus no debridement for the postoperative care of patients undergoing endoscopic… (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Sinonasal debridement vs no debridement Postoperative endoscopic appearance of the sinonasal surgical cavities: Lund‐Kennedy endoscopic score (range 1 to 10) · adult patients who underwent primary endoscopic sinus surgery, with a diagnosis of recurrent acute or chronic… Sinonasal debridement versus no debridement for the postoperative care of patients undergoing endoscopic… (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 118 participants | Low |