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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.

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
Intervention NR
All VTE (subgroup analysis open only) · patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgery
Prolonged thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin for abdominal or pelvic surgery (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.42 [0.29, 0.6]6 studies · 1503 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
All DVT (subgroup analysis open only) · patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgery
Prolonged thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin for abdominal or pelvic surgery (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.43 [0.3, 0.62]6 studies · 1503 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
All VTE (sensitivity analysis unpublished) · patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgery
Prolonged thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin for abdominal or pelvic surgery (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.38 [0.27, 0.56]6 studies · 1620 participantsModerate
Lateral pararectal vs transrectal enterostomy placement
parastomal hernia (NRS) clinical examination, CT scan, or botha · people undergoing enterostomy placement for any reason
Lateral pararectal versus transrectal stoma placement for prevention of parastomal herniation (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.22 [0.84, 1.75]10 studies · 864 participantsVery low
Lateral pararectal vs transrectal enterostomy placement
parastomal hernia (RCT) clinical exam, sonography, intraoperatively, or combination, during stoma reversal · people undergoing enterostomy placement for any reason
Lateral pararectal versus transrectal stoma placement for prevention of parastomal herniation (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.34 [0.4, 4.48]1 study · 56 participantsLow
Lateral pararectal vs transrectal enterostomy placement
stomal prolapse clinical exam, documented on a standard pro forma · people undergoing enterostomy placement for any reason
Lateral pararectal versus transrectal stoma placement for prevention of parastomal herniation (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.23 [0.39, 3.85]1 study · 145 participantsVery low
Lateral pararectal vs transrectal enterostomy placement
ileus or stenosis clinical exam, sonography · people undergoing enterostomy placement for any reason
Lateral pararectal versus transrectal stoma placement for prevention of parastomal herniation (2019) · Cochrane
RR 2 [0.19, 20.9]1 study · 60 participantsLow
Lateral pararectal vs transrectal enterostomy placement
skin irritation clinical exam, intraoperative exam, or both, during stoma reversal · people undergoing enterostomy placement for any reason
Lateral pararectal versus transrectal stoma placement for prevention of parastomal herniation (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.67 [0.21, 2.13]1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Pain intensity on day 1 · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted20 studies · 2421 participantsLow
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Length of hospital stay (days) · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 316 participantsLow
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Time until return to normal activities (days) · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 383 participantsModerate
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Quality of life · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Pain intensity on day 1 · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 613 participantsLow
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Wound infections · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.37 [0.27, 0.51]19 studies · 2217 participantsModerate
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Intra‐abdominal abscesses · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.82 [0.44, 1.51]11 studies · 1466 participantsLow
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Length of hospital stay · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted17 studies · 1977 participantsLow
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Time until return to normal activity · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 380 participantsVery low
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Quality of life Scale used: Gastro‐intestinal Quality of Life Index · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2009 participantsLow
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Pain intensity on day 1 · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Wound infections · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.42 [0.35, 0.51]63 studies · 7612 participantsModerate
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Wound infections · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.27 [0.14, 0.52]5 studies · 783 participantsModerate
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Intra‐abdominal abscesses · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.45 [0.19, 1.07]4 studies · 723 participantsLow
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Length of hospital stay · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 140 participantsVery low
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Time until return to normal activity · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 383 participantsModerate
Subgroup analysis (publication date) ‐ Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Quality of life · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Intra‐abdominal abscesses · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 1.65 [1.12, 2.43]53 studies · 6677 participantsModerate
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Length of hospital stay (days) · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted46 studies · 5127 participantsLow
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Time until return to normal activities (days) · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted17 studies · 1653 participantsLow
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Quality of life Scale used: 1) Gastro‐intestinal Quality of Life Index 2) SF‐36 questionnaire · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
22009 participantsLow
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Pain intensity on day · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 61 participantsLow
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Wound infections (rate) · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.25 [0.15, 0.42]10 studies · 1245 participantsModerate
Laparoscopic vs open appendectomy
Intra‐abdominal abscesses (rate) · patients with suspected appendicitis
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.54 [0.24, 1.22]9 studies · 1185 participantsLow
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Overall mortality ( · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.9 [0.83, 0.98]4 studies · 4663 participantsModerate
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Overall mortality ‐ only total mesorectal excision ( · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.97 [0.87, 1.08]2 studies · 3211 participantsLow
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Cause‐specific mortality ( · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.89 [0.77, 1.03]2 studies · 2145 participantsLow
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Local recurrence ( · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.48 [0.4, 0.57]4 studies · 4663 participantsModerate
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Curative resection ( · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.97, 1.02]4 studies · 4673 participantsLow
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Sphincter preservation ( · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.99 [0.94, 1.04]3 studies · 4379 participantsLow
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Postoperative morbidity ‐ sepsis (within 30 days after surgery) · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.25 [1.04, 1.52]2 studies · 2698 participantsLow
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Postoperative morbidity ‐ surgical complications (within 30 days after surgery) · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.2 [1.01, 1.42]2 studies · 2698 participantsLow
Preoperative radiotherapy vs surgery alone
Quality of life ( · People with localised rectal carcinoma
Preoperative radiotherapy and curative surgery for the management of localised rectal carcinoma (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 3211 participantsLow
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs no training
Composite score of competency · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRLow
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs conventional patient‐based training
Performance time (minutes) · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs conventional patient‐based training
Complication or critical flaw occurrence · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs conventional patient‐based training
Patient discomfort · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs conventional patient‐based training
Overall global rating of performance or competency · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs conventional patient‐based training
Visualisation of mucosa · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs no training
Independent procedure completion · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.62 [1.15, 2.26]NRModerate
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs no training
Performance time (minutes) · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs no training
Complication or critical flaw occurrence · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRModerate