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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
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs no training
Patient discomfort · 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
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 no 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 conventional patient‐based 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 extractedNRNo studies
Virtual reality endoscopy simulation training vs conventional patient‐based training
Independent procedure completion · health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy
Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.45 [0.27, 0.74]NRLow
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Overall incidence of parastomal hernia ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.53 [0.43, 0.66]10 studies · 771 participantsLow
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Subgroup analysis:Incidence of parastomal hernia (laparoscopic surgery) ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.64 [0.47, 0.87]3 studies · 153 participantsLow
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Subgroup analysis:Incidence of parastomal hernia (open surgery) ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.46 [0.34, 0.62]6 studies · 517 participantsModerate
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Subgroup analysis:Incidence of parastomal hernia (sublay (extraperitoneal) mesh subgroup) ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.48 [0.36, 0.64]7 studies · 619 participantsModerate
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Subgroup analysis:Incidence of parastomal hernia (intraperitoneal mesh subgroup) ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.76 [0.55, 1.06]2 studies · 101 participantsModerate
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Incidence of parastomal hernia (worst‐case scenario sensitivity analysis) ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.49 [0.3, 0.81]10 studies · 835 participantsLow
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Incidence of parastomal hernia (best‐case scenario sensitivity analysis) ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.4 [0.26, 0.61]10 studies · 835 participantsLow
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Reoperation rate ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.9 [0.5, 1.64]9 studies · 757 participantsLow
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Operative time for index procedure ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 671 participantsLow
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Postoperative length of stay ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 500 participantsModerate
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Stoma‐related infection ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.32, 2.5]6 studies · 472 participantsLow
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Mesh‐related infection ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 128 participantsUngraded
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Patient‐reported quality of life ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 263 participantsUngraded
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Rehospitalisations/ambulatory visits required for parastomal hernia problems/treatment ( · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Prosthetic mesh placement vs standard treatment
Subgroup analysis: Incidence of parastomal hernia at 12 months · individuals having a stoma formation
Prosthetic mesh placement for the prevention of parastomal herniation (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.47 [0.29, 0.78]7 studies · 592 participantsLow
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Hernia recurrence · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.46 [0.26, 0.8]21 studies · 5575 participantsModerate
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Surgical complications ‐ neurovascular or visceral injury · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.61 [0.49, 0.76]24 studies · 6293 participantsHigh
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Surgical complications ‐ wound infection · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.29 [0.89, 1.86]21 studies · 4540 participantsLow
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Surgical complications ‐ wound dehiscence · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.55 [0.12, 2.48]2 studies · 329 participantsLow
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Mortality (within 30 days post‐surgery) · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Duration of surgery (minutes) · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted20 studies · 4148 participantsVery low
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Duration of postoperative stay (days) · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted12 studies · 2966 participantsLow
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Time to return to full ADLs (days) · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted10 studies · 3183 participantsLow
Mesh vs non‐mesh repair
Conversion from laparoscopic to open approach · adults undergoing inguinal and femoral hernia repair
Mesh versus non‐mesh for inguinal and femoral hernia repair (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 1680 participantsLow
Daikenchuto vs control
Time from completion of operation to first flatus (hours)
Daikenchuto for reducing postoperative ileus in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 83 participantsVery low
Daikenchuto vs control
Time from completion of operation to first bowel movement (hours)
Daikenchuto for reducing postoperative ileus in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 500 participantsVery low
Daikenchuto vs control
Time from completion of operation to resumption of regular solid food intake (hours)
Daikenchuto for reducing postoperative ileus in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 258 participantsVery low
Daikenchuto vs control
Any drug‐related adverse events (CTCAE grade ≥ 2)
Daikenchuto for reducing postoperative ileus in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (2018) · Cochrane
RD 05 studies · 568 participantsLow
Daikenchuto vs control
Patient satisfaction on day of discharge (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS))
Daikenchuto for reducing postoperative ileus in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 81 participantsVery low
Daikenchuto vs control
Incidence ratio of any re‐interventions before leaving hospital
Daikenchuto for reducing postoperative ileus in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.99 [0.06, 15.62]1 study · 207 participantsModerate
Daikenchuto vs control
Length of postoperative hospital stay (days)
Daikenchuto for reducing postoperative ileus in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 292 participantsLow
Delayed chemotherapy vs immediate chemotherapy
Overall survival · patients with asymptomatic, incurable, metastatic colorectal cancer
Survival differences with immediate versus delayed chemotherapy for asymptomatic incurable metastatic… (2018) · Cochrane
HR 1.17 [0.93, 1.46]3 studies · 351 participantsLow
Delayed chemotherapy vs immediate chemotherapy
Toxicity – nausea and vomiting · patients with asymptomatic, incurable, metastatic colorectal cancer
Survival differences with immediate versus delayed chemotherapy for asymptomatic incurable metastatic… (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.84 [0.31, 2.25]2 studies · 140 participantsVery low
Delayed chemotherapy vs immediate chemotherapy
Toxicity – stomatitis · patients with asymptomatic, incurable, metastatic colorectal cancer
Survival differences with immediate versus delayed chemotherapy for asymptomatic incurable metastatic… (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.1 [0.47, 2.55]2 studies · 140 participantsVery low
Delayed chemotherapy vs immediate chemotherapy
Toxicity – diarrhoea · patients with asymptomatic, incurable, metastatic colorectal cancer
Survival differences with immediate versus delayed chemotherapy for asymptomatic incurable metastatic… (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.69 [0.34, 1.4]2 studies · 140 participantsVery low
Delayed chemotherapy vs immediate chemotherapy
Quality of life · patients with asymptomatic, incurable, metastatic colorectal cancer
Survival differences with immediate versus delayed chemotherapy for asymptomatic incurable metastatic… (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 161 participantsVery low
Delayed chemotherapy vs immediate chemotherapy
Progression‐free survival · patients with asymptomatic, incurable, metastatic colorectal cancer
Survival differences with immediate versus delayed chemotherapy for asymptomatic incurable metastatic… (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 351 participantsLow
Delayed chemotherapy vs immediate chemotherapy
Compliance to chemotherapy · patients with asymptomatic, incurable, metastatic colorectal cancer
Survival differences with immediate versus delayed chemotherapy for asymptomatic incurable metastatic… (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 174 participantsLow
Dietary fibre (all study interventions) vs control
Number of participantswith at least one recurrent adenoma · people with a history of colorectal adenomas
Dietary fibre for the prevention of recurrent colorectal adenomas and carcinomas (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.04 [0.95, 1.13]5 studies · 3641 participantsLow
Dietary fibre (all study interventions) vs control
Number of participantswith more than one adenoma · people with a history of colorectal adenomas
Dietary fibre for the prevention of recurrent colorectal adenomas and carcinomas (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.06 [0.94, 1.2]2 studies · 2542 participantsLow
Dietary fibre (all study interventions) vs control
Number of participantswith at least one adenoma 1 cm or greater · people with a history of colorectal adenomas
Dietary fibre for the prevention of recurrent colorectal adenomas and carcinomas (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.99 [0.82, 1.2]4 studies · 3224 participantsLow
Dietary fibre (all study interventions) vs control
Number of participantsdiagnosed with colorectal cancer · people with a history of colorectal adenomas
Dietary fibre for the prevention of recurrent colorectal adenomas and carcinomas (2017) · Cochrane
RR 2.7 [1.07, 6.85]2 studies · 2794 participantsLow
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Incisional hernia · patients undergoing a laparotomy
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.07 [0.86, 1.32]17 studies · 4720 participantsModerate
Continuous vs interrupted closure
Wound infection at last · patients undergoing a laparotomy incision
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.13 [0.96, 1.34]23 studies · 10039 participantsModerate
Continuous vs interrupted closure
Wound dehiscence at last · patients undergoing a laparotomy incision
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.21 [0.9, 1.64]21 studies · 9228 participantsModerate