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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.
1,463 questions in 125 reviews · Anaesthesia
current versionsNo studies 197 · 13.5%Ungraded 203 · 13.9%Very low 307 · 21%Low 441 · 30.1%Moderate 245 · 16.7%High 70 · 4.8%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Dexamethasone vs control Postoperative wound or systemic infection · surgical patients undergoing various types of surgery (e.g. abdominal, brain, cardiac, and orthopaedic surgery) Adverse side effects of dexamethasone in surgical patients (2018) · Cochrane | OR 1.01 [0.8, 1.27] | 26 studies · 4603 participants | Moderate |
Dexamethasone vs control Delayed wound healing · surgical patients undergoing various types of surgery (e.g. abdominal, brain, cardiac, and orthopaedic surgery) Adverse side effects of dexamethasone in surgical patients (2018) · Cochrane | OR 0.99 [0.28, 3.43] | 8 studies · 642 participants | Low |
Dexamethasone vs control Glycaemic response ‐ change from baseline to 2 to 12 hours postoperatively in patients without diabetes · surgical patients undergoing various types of surgery (e.g. abdominal, brain, cardiac, and orthopaedic surgery) Adverse side effects of dexamethasone in surgical patients (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 595 participants | Low |
Dexamethasone vs control Glycaemic response ‐ change from baseline to 10 to 24 hours after surgery in patients with diabetes · surgical patients undergoing various types of surgery (e.g. abdominal, brain, cardiac, and orthopaedic surgery) Adverse side effects of dexamethasone in surgical patients (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 74 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings TIVA vs inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia Postoperative delirium (One study used DRS, three studies used CAM and in one study diagnostic tool was not reported) Time points were up to 4 days postoperatively Intravenous versus inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia for postoperative cognitive outcomes in elderly… (2018) · Cochrane | OR 0.59 [0.15, 2.26] | 5 studies · 321 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings TIVA vs inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (9 studies used MMSE, and 2 of these studies used additional diagnostic tools; 1 study used Trail Making Test and additional diagnostic tools; 3 studies did not report diagnostic tools) Time points were up to 30... Intravenous versus inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia for postoperative cognitive outcomes in elderly… (2018) · Cochrane | OR 0.52 [0.31, 0.87] | 7 studies · 869 participants | Low |
Summary of findings TIVA vs inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia Mortality At 30 days Intravenous versus inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia for postoperative cognitive outcomes in elderly… (2018) · Cochrane | OR 1.21 [0.33, 4.45] | 3 studies · 271 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings TIVA vs inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia Intraoperative hypotension (defined by study authors as change in MAP from baseline) Intravenous versus inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia for postoperative cognitive outcomes in elderly… (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 12 studies · 1145 participants | Low |
Summary of findings TIVA vs inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia Length of stay in PACU (measured in minutes) Intravenous versus inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia for postoperative cognitive outcomes in elderly… (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 8 studies · 567 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings TIVA vs inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia Length of hospital stay (measured in days) Intravenous versus inhalational maintenance of anaesthesia for postoperative cognitive outcomes in elderly… (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 175 participants | Very low |
Continuation vs discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy All‐cause mortality (at longest · adults undergoing non‐cardiac surgery (including abdominal, urological, orthopaedic, and gynaecological surgery) Continuation versus discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy for bleeding and ischaemic events in adults… (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.21 [0.34, 4.27] | 5 studies · 659 participants | Low |
Continuation vs discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy All‐cause mortality (up to 30 days) · adults undergoing non‐cardiac surgery (including abdominal, urological, orthopaedic, and gynaecological surgery) Continuation versus discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy for bleeding and ischaemic events in adults… (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.21 [0.34, 4.27] | 4 studies · 616 participants | Low |
Continuation vs discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy Blood loss requiring transfusion of blood products (intraoperatively and postoperatively) · adults undergoing non‐cardiac surgery (including abdominal, urological, orthopaedic, and gynaecological surgery) Continuation versus discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy for bleeding and ischaemic events in adults… (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.37 [0.83, 2.26] | 4 studies · 368 participants | Moderate |
Continuation vs discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy Blood loss requiring further surgery (intraoperatively and postoperatively) · adults undergoing non‐cardiac surgery (including abdominal, urological, orthopaedic, and gynaecological surgery) Continuation versus discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy for bleeding and ischaemic events in adults… (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.54 [0.31, 7.58] | 4 studies · 368 participants | Low |
Continuation vs discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy Ischaemic events: peripheral thrombosis, cerebral myocardial infarction (within 30 days of surgery) · adults undergoing non‐cardiac surgery (including abdominal, urological, orthopaedic, and gynaecological surgery) Continuation versus discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy for bleeding and ischaemic events in adults… (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.67 [0.25, 1.77] | 4 studies · 616 participants | Low |
Pre‐emptive opioids vs postincision opioids Early acute postoperative pain ( · adults undergoing dental surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 40 participants | Low |
Preventive opioids vs postincision opioids 24‐hour morphine consumption (mg) (if alternative opioids were used, we converted these to morphine equivalents using standard conversion factors) · adults undergoing all types of surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 11 studies · 526 participants | Very low |
Preventive opioids vs postincision opioids Intraoperative bradycardia (yes/no) · adults undergoing all types of surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.88] | 2 studies · 112 participants | Low |
Preventive opioids vs postincision opioids Intraoperative hypotension (yes/no) · adults undergoing all types of surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.08 [0.25, 4.73] | 2 studies · 88 participants | Low |
Pre‐emptive opioids vs postincision opioids Respiratory depression (defined as SaO2 < 92%; yes/no during the postoperative period) · adults undergoing dental surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Pre‐emptive opioids vs postincision opioids Late acute postoperative pain (measured at 24 to 48 hours postoperatively using a validated pain scale, 0 no pain to 10 maximum pain) · adults undergoing dental surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 40 participants | Low |
Pre‐emptive opioids vs postincision opioids 24‐hour morphine consumption (mg) (if alternative opioids were used, we converted these to morphine equivalents using standard conversion factors) · adults undergoing dental surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Pre‐emptive opioids vs postincision opioids Intraoperative bradycardia (yes/no) · adults undergoing dental surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Pre‐emptive opioids vs postincision opioids Intraoperative hypotension (yes/no) · adults undergoing dental surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Preventive opioids vs postincision opioids Early acute postoperative pain ( · adults undergoing all types of surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 706 participants | Moderate |
Preventive opioids vs postincision opioids Respiratory depression (defined as SaO2 < 92%; yes/no during the postoperative period) · adults undergoing all types of surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 433 participants | Ungraded |
Preventive opioids vs postincision opioids Late acute postoperative pain (measured at 24 to 48 hours postoperatively using a validated pain scale, 0 no pain to 10 maximum pain) · adults undergoing all types of surgery Pre‐emptive and preventive opioids for postoperative pain in adults undergoing all types of surgery (2018) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 9 studies · 668 participants | Moderate |
4% prilocaine plain vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia, absence of pain (clinical testing of healthy pulps, hard and soft tissues) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… · 5-30 minutes Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.86 [0.75, 0.99] | 2 studies · 228 participants | Low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia, absence of pain (clinical testing of healthy pulps, hard and soft tissues) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… · 10 minutes post-injection to end of clinical procedure Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | OR 0.87 [0.27, 2.83] | 2 studies · 37 participants | Low |
3% prilocaine, 0.03 IU felypressin vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: paraesthesia following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine plain vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD -37.08 [-60.95, -13.21] | 2 studies · 100 participants | Very low |
2% lidocaine, 1:50,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.44 [-1.66, 0.79] | 4 studies · 92 participants | Very low |
2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: paraesthesia following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain on injection (solution deposition) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: See comment (orphan study; unclear whether data relate to just solution deposition); 48 participants, 48 interventions (1 study). Not pooled/graded. | 1 study · 48 participants | Ungraded |
3% prilocaine, 0.03 IU felypressin vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 3.32 [0.27, 6.37] | 2 studies · 63 participants | Low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% prilocaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 1.74 [1.16, 2.60] | 2 studies · 78 participants | Low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.97 [0.87, 1.08] | 5 studies · 248 participants | Low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (soft tissue, simulated) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.85 [-1.26, -0.44] | 2 studies · 69 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 0.19 [-2.06, 2.45] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain on injection (solution deposition) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: See comment; 147 participants, 147 interventions (2 studies); unclear whether data relate to just solution deposition. Not pooled/graded. | 2 studies · 147 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: allergy to local anaesthetic · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration of anaesthesia · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: paraesthesia following injection · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | SoF: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.80 [0.62, 1.05] | 3 studies · 90 participants | Low |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Speed of onset of anaesthesia (pulpal, electric pulp tester; healthy pulps) · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD -0.63 [-1.69, 0.42] | 6 studies · 202 participants | Very low |