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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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

1,463 questions in 125 reviews · Anaesthesia

current versions
No 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Intervention NR
Awareness Postoperative interview1 · patients with decreasing recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.13 [0.04, 0.43]2 studies · 858 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Adverse effects of intraoperative wakefulness and/or postoperative awareness (i.e. post‐traumatic stress syndrome, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, etc.) · patients with decreasing recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Anaesthesia depth monitors (BIS and M‐entropy) vs standard clinical and electronic monitoring
Adverse effects of intraoperative wakefulness and/or postoperative awareness (i.e. post‐traumatic stress syndrome, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, etc.) · patients with prevention of recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Anaesthesia depth monitors (BIS) vs standard clinical and electronic monitoring
Awareness: definite and possible Postoperative interview · patients with prevention of recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
OR 0.96 [0.35, 2.65]5 studies · 34181 participantsLow
Anaesthesia depth monitors (BIS) vs standard clinical and electronic monitoring
Awareness: definite Postoperative interview · patients with prevention of recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
OR 0.6 [0.13, 2.75]5 studies · 34181 participantsLow
Anaesthesia depth monitors (BIS) vs standard clinical and electronic monitoring
Adverse effects of intraoperative wakefulness and/or postoperative awareness (i.e. post‐traumatic stress syndrome, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, etc.) · patients with prevention of recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Intraoperative Wakefulness Postoperative Interview · patients with prevention of recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.18 [0.09, 0.41]3 studies · 141 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Adverse effects of intraoperative wakefulness and/or postoperative awareness (i.e. post‐traumatic stress syndrome, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, etc.) · patients with prevention of recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Thiopentone and ketamine vs benzodiazepines (diazepam, midazolam, lorazepam)
Awareness Postoperative interview · patients with prevention of recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.17 [0.02, 0.25]4 studies · 291 participantsVery low
Thiopentone and ketamine vs benzodiazepines (diazepam, midazolam, lorazepam)
Adverse effects of intraoperative wakefulness and/or postoperative awareness (i.e. post‐traumatic stress syndrome, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, etc.) · patients with prevention of recall of events during surgery
Anaesthetic interventions for prevention of awareness during surgery (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
High‐intensity pain with lidocaine admixture Pain scales · Adult participants receiving propofol for induction of anaesthesia
Lidocaine for reducing propofol‐induced pain on induction of anaesthesia in adults (2016) · Cochrane
OR 0.19 [0.15, 0.25]31 studies · 4927 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
High‐intensity pain with lidocaine pretreatment Pain scales · Adult participants receiving propofol for induction of anaesthesia
Lidocaine for reducing propofol‐induced pain on induction of anaesthesia in adults (2016) · Cochrane
OR 0.13 [0.1, 0.18]41 studies · 3918 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Incidence of pain with lidocaine admixture Pain scales · Adult participants receiving propofol for induction of anaesthesia
Lidocaine for reducing propofol‐induced pain on induction of anaesthesia in adults (2016) · Cochrane
OR 0.19 [0.15, 0.24]36 studies · 5628 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Incidence of pain with lidocaine pretreatment Pain scales · Adult participants receiving propofol for induction of anaesthesia
Lidocaine for reducing propofol‐induced pain on induction of anaesthesia in adults (2016) · Cochrane
OR 0.14 [0.11, 0.18]50 studies · 4722 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Adverse effects Events · Adult participants receiving propofol for induction of anaesthesia
Lidocaine for reducing propofol‐induced pain on induction of anaesthesia in adults (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted32 studies · 4007 participantsLow
Any intervention vs control
Postoperative pain ‐ · adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia
Psychological preparation and postoperative outcomes for adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted38 studies · 2713 participantsLow
Any intervention vs control
Behavioural recovery ‐ · adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia
Psychological preparation and postoperative outcomes for adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted14 studies · 1441 participantsVery low
Any intervention vs control
Length of stay in hospital (days) · adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia
Psychological preparation and postoperative outcomes for adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted36 studies · 3313 participantsLow
Any intervention vs control
Negative affect ‐ · adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia
Psychological preparation and postoperative outcomes for adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted31 studies · 2496 participantsLow
Active body surface warming systems vs control
Infection and complications of the surgical wound · adults undergoing surgery
Active body surface warming systems for preventing complications caused by inadvertent perioperative… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.36 [0.2, 0.66]3 studies · 589 participantsLow
Active body surface warming systems vs control
Major cardiovascular complications (cardiovascular death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, non‐fatal stroke, and non‐fatal cardiac arrest) · adults undergoing surgery
Active body surface warming systems for preventing complications caused by inadvertent perioperative… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.22 [0.05, 1]1 study · 300 participantsLow
Active body surface warming systems vs control
All‐cause mortality · adults undergoing surgery
Active body surface warming systems for preventing complications caused by inadvertent perioperative… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.01 [0.26, 4]2 studies · 500 participantsLow
Active body surface warming systems vs control
Participants transfused · adults undergoing surgery
Active body surface warming systems for preventing complications caused by inadvertent perioperative… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.79 [0.5, 1.23]8 studies · 621 participantsModerate
Active body surface warming systems vs control
Chills/shivering · adults undergoing surgery
Active body surface warming systems for preventing complications caused by inadvertent perioperative… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 029 studies · 1922 participantsHigh
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
30‐day mortality · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.28 [0.39, 4.24]2 studies · 125 participantsLow
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
VAS scores at 48 hours (on coughing/after physiotherapy) Score from 0 ‐ 10 · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 126 participantsModerate
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
Failure of technique (Number of participants) · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.27 [0.09, 0.86]4 studies · 199 participantsModerate
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
Cardiovascular complications · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.3 [0.01, 6.62]2 studies · 114 participantsLow
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
Respiratory complications · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.62 [0.26, 1.52]5 studies · 280 participantsLow
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
Neurological complication (Delirium) · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.3 [0.09, 0.99]2 studies · 125 participantsModerate
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
VAS score at 2 ‐ 6 hours (at rest) Score from 0 ‐ 10 · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 239 participantsModerate
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
VAS score at 2 ‐ 6 hours (on coughing/after physiotherapy) Score from 0 ‐ 10 · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 126 participantsModerate
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
VAS score at 24 hours (at rest) Score from 0 ‐ 10 · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 239 participantsModerate
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
VAS score at 24 hours (on coughing/after physiotherapy) Score from 0 ‐ 10 · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 126 participantsModerate
Paravertebral blockade vs thoracic epidural blockade
VAS scores at 48 hours (at rest) Score from 0 ‐ 10 · Patients undergoing thoracotomy
Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 220 participantsModerate
ACEIs or ARBs vs placebo
All‐cause mortality · Patients undergoing any type of surgery under general anaesthesia receiving ACEIs or ARBs perioperatively
Perioperative angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers for… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.61 [0.44, 5.85]3 studies · 419 participantsVery low
ACEIs or ARBs vs placebo
Risk of acute myocardial ischaemia · Patients undergoing any type of surgery under general anaesthesia receiving ACEIs or ARBs perioperatively
Perioperative angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers for… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.55 [0.14, 2.26]2 studies · 345 participantsVery low
ACEIs or ARBs vs placebo
Congestive heart failure · Patients undergoing any type of surgery under general anaesthesia receiving ACEIs or ARBs perioperatively
Perioperative angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers for… (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 34 participantsVery low
ACEIs or ARBs vs placebo
Hypotension · Patients undergoing any type of surgery under general anaesthesia receiving ACEIs or ARBs perioperatively
Perioperative angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers for… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.95 [0.86, 4.41]1 study · 298 participantsVery low
ACEIs or ARBs vs placebo
Rate of perioperative cerebrovascular complications · Patients undergoing any type of surgery under general anaesthesia receiving ACEIs or ARBs perioperatively
Perioperative angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers for… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.48 [0.18, 1.28]3 studies · 459 participantsVery low
ACEIs or ARBs vs placebo
Length of hospital stay · Patients undergoing any type of surgery under general anaesthesia receiving ACEIs or ARBs perioperatively
Perioperative angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers for… (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 372 participantsVery low
ACEIs or ARBs vs placebo
Treatment related adverse events · Patients undergoing any type of surgery under general anaesthesia receiving ACEIs or ARBs perioperatively
Perioperative angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers for… (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 385 participantsVery low
Lidocaine vs placebo
Pain ‐ lidocaine · adults and children undergoing general anaesthesia including the muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide
Pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions for reducing rocuronium bromide induced pain on… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.23 [0.17, 0.31]29 studies · 2256 participantsLow
Fentanyl vs placebo
Pain ‐ fentanyl · adults and children undergoing general anaesthesia including the muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide
Pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions for reducing rocuronium bromide induced pain on… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.42 [0.26, 0.7]7 studies · 514 participantsLow
Remifentanil vs placebo
Pain ‐ remifentanil · adults and children undergoing general anaesthesia including the muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide
Pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions for reducing rocuronium bromide induced pain on… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.1 [0.04, 0.26]7 studies · 494 participantsLow
Adverse effects of pharmacological intervention vs control
Breath holding · adults and children undergoing general anaesthesia including the muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide
Pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions for reducing rocuronium bromide induced pain on… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.19 [0.12, 11.65]2 studies · 279 participantsVery low
Adverse effects of pharmacological intervention vs control
Chest tightness · adults and children undergoing general anaesthesia including the muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide
Pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions for reducing rocuronium bromide induced pain on… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 2.61 [0.12, 56.03]1 study · 90 participantsVery low
Adverse effects of pharmacological intervention vs control
Cough · adults and children undergoing general anaesthesia including the muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide
Pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions for reducing rocuronium bromide induced pain on… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 9 [2.77, 29.29]5 studies · 529 participantsLow
Adverse effects of pharmacological intervention vs control
Pain on injection · adults and children undergoing general anaesthesia including the muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide
Pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions for reducing rocuronium bromide induced pain on… (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.47 [0.09, 2.46]1 study · 118 participantsLow
Vapocoolant vs placebo/no treatment
Pain during cannulation · pain treatment during intravenous cannulation
Vapocoolants (cold spray) for pain treatment during intravenous cannulation (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted8 studies · 848 participantsModerate