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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (soft tissue, self-reported; 100% success in all studies) · 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 | 'Other comparisons with 100% success': IANB - Sampaio 2012 35/35 vs 35/35; Fernandez 2005 39/39 vs 39/39. Both formulations 100% successful; no meta-analysis (no difference). | 2 studies · 74 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain on injection (solution deposition), Heft-Parker VAS 0-170 mm · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… · 0-1 minute following needle insertion Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 4.74 [-1.98, 11.46] | 3 studies · 157 participants | Moderate |
0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 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 |
4% articaine plain vs 4% articaine, 1:200,000 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 0.03 [-0.66, 0.71] | 2 studies · 102 participants | Very low |
3% prilocaine, 0.03 IU felypressin 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 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 1.14 [0.91, 1.43] | 2 studies · 48 participants | Low |
3% prilocaine, 0.03 IU felypressin 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… · Not reported (estimated < 2 hours) Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.86 [0.79, 0.95] | 2 studies · 907 participants | Moderate |
3% prilocaine, 0.03 IU felypressin vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain 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, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain following injection, Heft-Parker VAS 0-170 mm · Participants of any age and gender undergoing dental procedures, and volunteers who took part in simulated scenario… · Measured at the time anaesthesia wore off Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | MD 6.41 [1.01, 11.8] | 3 studies · 156 participants | Moderate |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 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 minutes post-injection to end of clinical procedure Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia (2018) · Cochrane | RR 0.85 [0.71, 1.02] | 3 studies · 930 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 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: See comment, not estimable; 63 participants, 187 interventions (1 study); 1 case of urticaria occurred (unclear which anaesthetic). Not pooled/graded. | 1 study · 63 participants | Ungraded |
2% mepivacaine, 1:20,000 levonordefrin vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Success of local anaesthesia (clinical; orphan data) · 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 | No data available for meta-analysis; orphan clinical success data summarized in Table 6 (e.g. clinical anaesthesia success 2% lidocaine 1:100,000 64/110 vs 2% mepivacaine 1:20,000 levonordefrin 99/113). Not… | NR | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Adverse effects: pain 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: See comment (orphan study; exact time of follow-up not reported); 86 participants, 172 interventions (1 study). Not pooled/graded. | 1 study · 86 participants | Ungraded |
4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine vs 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine Duration 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 56.88 [44.08, 69.69] | 2 studies · 422 participants | Low |
2% mepivacaine, 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 |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine Duration 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 -172.61 [-239.69, -105.53] | 2 studies · 39 participants | Very low |
4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% articaine, 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 0.15 [-0.42, 0.73] | 5 studies · 162 participants | Very low |
4% prilocaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine vs 4% prilocaine plain Success of local anaesthesia (clinical/EPT; orphan data) · 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 | No data available for meta-analysis; data summarized in Table 5 (orphan). Not pooled/graded. | NR | Ungraded |
Buffered vs non‐buffered crystalloid intravenous fluid Mortality (in‐hospital death and 30‐day mortality) · adults receiving intravenous fluids whilst undergoing any form of surgery Perioperative administration of buffered versus non‐buffered crystalloid intravenous fluid to improve… (2017) · Cochrane | OR 1.85 [0.37, 9.33] | 3 studies · 267 participants | Low |
Buffered vs non‐buffered crystalloid intravenous fluid Organ system failure ‐ renal insufficiency requiring support · adults receiving intravenous fluids whilst undergoing any form of surgery Perioperative administration of buffered versus non‐buffered crystalloid intravenous fluid to improve… (2017) · Cochrane | OR 0.82 [0.34, 1.98] | 4 studies · 267 participants | Low |
Buffered vs non‐buffered crystalloid intravenous fluid Plasma pH ‐ postoperative pH · adults receiving intravenous fluids whilst undergoing any form of surgery Perioperative administration of buffered versus non‐buffered crystalloid intravenous fluid to improve… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 12 studies · 720 participants | Moderate |
Buffered vs non‐buffered crystalloid intravenous fluid Serum chloride (mmol/L) ‐ postoperative chloride · adults receiving intravenous fluids whilst undergoing any form of surgery Perioperative administration of buffered versus non‐buffered crystalloid intravenous fluid to improve… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 530 participants | Moderate |
Primary outcome: topical local anaesthetics vs infiltrated local anaesthetics or other topical agents Pain intensity measures Cocaine‐containing topical anaesthetics vs infiltrated local anaesthetics · adults and paediatric patients with dermal laceration Topical anaesthetics for pain control during repair of dermal laceration (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 6 studies · 1006 participants | Low |
Primary outcome: topical local anaesthetics vs infiltrated local anaesthetics or other topical agents Pain intensity measures Comparisons between different cocaine‐containing topical anaesthetics · adults and paediatric patients with dermal laceration Topical anaesthetics for pain control during repair of dermal laceration (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 530 participants | Low |
Primary outcome: topical local anaesthetics vs infiltrated local anaesthetics or other topical agents Pain intensity measures Cocaine‐free topical anaesthetics compared with infiltrated local anaesthetics · adults and paediatric patients with dermal laceration Topical anaesthetics for pain control during repair of dermal laceration (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 6 studies · 543 participants | Low |
Primary outcome: topical local anaesthetics vs infiltrated local anaesthetics or other topical agents Pain intensity measures Cocaine‐fee topical anaesthetics compared with cocaine‐containing topical anaesthetics · adults and paediatric patients with dermal laceration Topical anaesthetics for pain control during repair of dermal laceration (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 11 studies · 1231 participants | Low |
Primary outcome: topical local anaesthetics vs infiltrated local anaesthetics or other topical agents Pain intensity measures Comparisons between different cocaine‐free topical anaesthetics · adults and paediatric patients with dermal laceration Topical anaesthetics for pain control during repair of dermal laceration (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 656 participants | Low |
Primary outcome: topical local anaesthetics vs infiltrated local anaesthetics or other topical agents Anaesthetic‐related adverse effects · adults and paediatric patients with dermal laceration Topical anaesthetics for pain control during repair of dermal laceration (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0 [0, 0] | 11 studies · 1686 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Participant self‐reported VAS (0‐100 mm) pain scores · treatment repair of dermal laceration Topical anaesthetics for pain control during repair of dermal laceration (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 240 participants | Low |
ProSeal vs Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Inadequate oxygenation (SaO₂ < 90% on peripheral oxygen saturation) · adult patients (18 years of age and older) for positive pressure ventilation undergoing elective surgery ProSeal versus Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for positive pressure ventilation in adults undergoing… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.17, 3.31] | 4 studies · 617 participants | Very low |
ProSeal vs Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Inadequate ventilation ( ETCO₂ > 45 mm Hg) · adult patients (18 years of age and older) for positive pressure ventilation undergoing elective surgery ProSeal versus Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for positive pressure ventilation in adults undergoing… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
ProSeal vs Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Time required for effective airway (seconds) · adult patients (18 years of age and older) for positive pressure ventilation undergoing elective surgery ProSeal versus Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for positive pressure ventilation in adults undergoing… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 434 participants | Low |
ProSeal vs Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Peak airway pressure during positive pressure ventilation (cm H₂O) · adult patients (18 years of age and older) for positive pressure ventilation undergoing elective surgery ProSeal versus Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for positive pressure ventilation in adults undergoing… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 259 participants | Low |
ProSeal vs Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Oropharyngeal leak pressure (seal pressure) (cm H₂O) · adult patients (18 years of age and older) for positive pressure ventilation undergoing elective surgery ProSeal versus Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for positive pressure ventilation in adults undergoing… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 6 studies · 709 participants | Low |
ProSeal vs Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Sore throat · adult patients (18 years of age and older) for positive pressure ventilation undergoing elective surgery ProSeal versus Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for positive pressure ventilation in adults undergoing… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.77 [0.55, 1.08] | 5 studies · 653 participants | Low |
ProSeal vs Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Regurgitation · adult patients (18 years of age and older) for positive pressure ventilation undergoing elective surgery ProSeal versus Classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for positive pressure ventilation in adults undergoing… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 0.8 [0.24, 2.69] | 4 studies · 597 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Primary outcomes · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Difficult tracheal intubation: low risk of bias trials · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 13.27 [8.19, 21.49] | 4 studies · 508 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Difficult tracheal intubation: all trials · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 5 [3.49, 7.15] | 34 studies · 3565 participants | Low |
Intervention NR One or more events of upper airway discomfort or injury: low risk of bias trials · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 2.74 [1.21, 6.21] | 1 study · 73 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR One or more events of upper airway discomfort or injury: all trials · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 1.37 [1.09, 1.74] | 7 studies · 846 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Mortality · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Secondary outcomes · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Difficult laryngoscopy: low risk of bias trials · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 4 [0.47, 34.2] | 1 study · 78 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Difficult laryngoscopy: all trials · improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or… (2017) · Cochrane | RR 2.54 [1.53, 4.21] | 13 studies · 1308 participants | Low |
Traumatic needles vs atraumatic needles Onset of PDPH · patients undergoing lumbar punctures Needle gauge and tip designs for preventing post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH) (2017) · Cochrane | RR 2.14 [1.72, 2.67] | 36 studies · 9378 participants | Moderate |
Larger traumatic needles vs smaller traumatic needles Any headache · patients undergoing lumbar punctures with traumatic needles (Quincke, Greene, Hingson Ferguson, Lutz, Brace,… Needle gauge and tip designs for preventing post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH) (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 771 participants | Moderate |
Larger atraumatic needles vs smaller atraumatic needles Onset of PDPH · patients undergoing lumbar punctures with atraumatic needles (Whitacre, Atraucan, Sprotte, Cappe‐Deutsh, Pajunk,… Needle gauge and tip designs for preventing post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH) (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 13 studies · 3134 participants | Low |
Larger atraumatic needles vs smaller atraumatic needles Adverse events: paraesthesia · patients undergoing lumbar punctures with atraumatic needles (Whitacre, Atraucan, Sprotte, Cappe‐Deutsh, Pajunk,… Needle gauge and tip designs for preventing post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH) (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 439 participants | Moderate |
Larger atraumatic needles vs smaller atraumatic needles Adverse events: backache · patients undergoing lumbar punctures with atraumatic needles (Whitacre, Atraucan, Sprotte, Cappe‐Deutsh, Pajunk,… Needle gauge and tip designs for preventing post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH) (2017) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 526 participants | Moderate |