Gap finder

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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

759 questions in 57 reviews · Colorectal

current versions
No studies 91 · 12%Ungraded 12 · 1.6%Very low 209 · 27.5%Low 229 · 30.2%Moderate 160 · 21.1%High 58 · 7.6%

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
Summary of findings table ‐ Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation vs mechanical bowel preparation alone
Anastomotic leakage · Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Preoperative combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation for preventing complications in… (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.6 [0.36, 0.99]10 studies · 2356 participantsModerate
Summary of findings table ‐ Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation vs mechanical bowel preparation alone
Mortality · Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Preoperative combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation for preventing complications in… (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.87 [0.27, 2.82]3 studies · 639 participantsModerate
Summary of findings table ‐ Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation vs mechanical bowel preparation alone
Incidence of postoperative ileus · Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Preoperative combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation for preventing complications in… (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.59, 1.32]6 studies · 2013 participantsLow
Summary of findings table ‐ Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation vs mechanical bowel preparation alone
Length of hospital stay · Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Preoperative combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation for preventing complications in… (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 621 participantsModerate
Summary of findings table ‐ Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation vs oral antibiotics alone
Surgical site infections · Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Preoperative combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation for preventing complications in… (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.87 [0.34, 2.21]3 studies · 960 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table ‐ Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation vs oral antibiotics alone
Anastomotic leakage · Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Preoperative combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation for preventing complications in… (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.84 [0.21, 3.45]3 studies · 960 participantsLow
Summary of findings table ‐ Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation vs oral antibiotics alone
Mortality · Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Preoperative combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation for preventing complications in… (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.3, 3.5]2 studies · 709 participantsLow
Summary of findings table ‐ Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation vs oral antibiotics alone
Incidence of postoperative ileus · Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Preoperative combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation for preventing complications in… (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.25 [0.68, 2.33]2 studies · 709 participantsLow
Summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair vs non‐mesh repair
Surgical site infections within 30 days of repair · adult patients with incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia
Mesh versus non‐mesh for emergency groin hernia repair (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.66 [0.96, 2.88]2 studies · 454 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair vs non‐mesh repair
Mortality within 30 days of repair · adult patients with incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia
Mesh versus non‐mesh for emergency groin hernia repair (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.38 [0.58, 3.28]1 study · 208 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair vs non‐mesh repair
Complications classified by the Clavien‐Dindo Classification within 30 days of repair · adult patients with incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia
Mesh versus non‐mesh for emergency groin hernia repair (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
Summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair vs non‐mesh repair
Clinical recurrence or reoperation for recurrence within 30 days of repair · adult patients with incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia
Mesh versus non‐mesh for emergency groin hernia repair (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 200 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair vs non‐mesh repair
Clinical recurrence or reoperation for recurrence within one year of repair · adult patients with incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia
Mesh versus non‐mesh for emergency groin hernia repair (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.19 [0.04, 1.03]2 studies · 104 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair vs non‐mesh repair
Reoperation due to complications (e.g. infection, seroma, bleeding) within 30 days of repair · adult patients with incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia
Mesh versus non‐mesh for emergency groin hernia repair (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
Summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair vs non‐mesh repair
Mesh removal within 30 days of repair · adult patients with incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia
Mesh versus non‐mesh for emergency groin hernia repair (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 402 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Primary ‐ Short‐term complications (abscess, perforation, obstruction or fistula) within 30 days · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.3, 2.62]3 studies · 1329 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Recurrence during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Long‐term complications during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Long‐term emergency surgery during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ All‐cause mortality · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Adverse events · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Primary ‐ Short‐term complications (abscess, perforation, obstruction or fistula) within 30 days · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Primary ‐ Short‐term emergency surgery within 30 days · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Recurrence during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Long‐term complications during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.07, 15]1 study · 44 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Long‐term emergency surgery during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Primary ‐ Short‐term emergency surgery within 30 days · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.47 [0.13, 1.71]3 studies · 1329 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ All cause mortality · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Adverse events · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Recurrence during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.01 [0.81, 1.25]2 studies · 1024 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Long‐term complications during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.08 [0.61, 1.93]2 studies · 1024 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Long‐term emergency surgery during · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.42 [0.58, 3.49]2 studies · 1024 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ All‐cause mortality  · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.98 [0.6, 1.59]3 studies · 1262 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Secondary ‐ Adverse events · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.14 [0.02, 1.13]3 studies · 1329 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Primary ‐ Short‐term complications (abscess, perforation, obstruction or fistula) within 30 days · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Primary ‐ Short‐term emergency surgery within 30 days · Patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.7 [0.11, 4.58]1 study · 51 participantsLow
Nitrous oxide vs carbon dioxide
Cardiopulmonary complications · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
Peto OR 2.62 [0.78, 8.85]3 studies · 204 participantsVery low
Helium vs carbon dioxide
Procedure‐related general complications (surgical morbidity) · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 177 participantsVery low
Helium vs carbon dioxide
Pneumoperitoneum‐related serious adverse events · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
Peto OR 8.28 [0.86, 80.03]3 studies · 128 participantsVery low
Helium vs carbon dioxide
Mortality · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 177 participantsVery low
Helium vs carbon dioxide
Quality of life · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Helium vs carbon dioxide
Pain scores (first postoperative day) Visual analogue scale, lower score indicates less pain.Scale: 0–10 cm · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
MD 0.492 studies · 108 participantsLow
Helium vs carbon dioxide
Analgesia requirements (morphine mg) · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
MD 12 [4.44, 19.56]1 study · 90 participantsVery low
Helium vs carbon dioxide
Costs · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Room air vs carbon dioxide
Cardiopulmonary complications · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 146 participantsVery low
Room air vs carbon dioxide
Procedure‐related general complications (surgical morbidity) · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Room air vs carbon dioxide
Pneumoperitoneum‐related serious adverse events · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 146 participantsVery low
Nitrous oxide vs carbon dioxide
Procedure‐related general complications (surgical morbidity) · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
Peto OR 1.01 [0.14, 7.31]3 studies · 207 participantsVery low
Room air vs carbon dioxide
Mortality · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 146 participantsVery low
Room air vs carbon dioxide
Quality of life · people undergoing laparoscopic general abdominal or gynaecological pelvic surgery under general anaesthesia
Gases for establishing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic abdominal surgery (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies