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
Continuous vs interrupted closure
Sinus or fistula formation at last · patients undergoing a laparotomy incision
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.51 [0.64, 3.61]10 studies · 5082 participantsVery low
Monofilament vs multifilament sutures
Incisional hernia · patients undergoing a laparotomy incision
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.76 [0.59, 0.98]16 studies · 4520 participantsModerate
Monofilament vs multifilament sutures
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 1.08 [0.91, 1.28]23 studies · 6557 participantsModerate
Monofilament vs multifilament sutures
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 1.24 [0.93, 1.67]22 studies · 6199 participantsModerate
Monofilament vs multifilament sutures
Sinus or fistula formation at last · patients undergoing a laparotomy incision
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.91 [0.77, 4.73]8 studies · 2285 participantsVery low
Fast absorbable vs slow absorbable sutures
Incisional hernia · patients undergoing a laparotomy incision
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.81 [0.63, 1.06]10 studies · 3643 participantsModerate
Fast absorbable vs slow absorbable sutures
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 1.16 [0.85, 1.57]11 studies · 4100 participantsModerate
Fast absorbable vs slow absorbable sutures
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 1.55 [0.92, 2.61]8 studies · 3440 participantsModerate
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Wound infection at last · patients undergoing a laparotomy
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.99 [0.84, 1.17]29 studies · 8457 participantsModerate
Fast absorbable vs slow absorbable sutures
Sinus or fistula formation at last · patients undergoing a laparotomy incision
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.05, 16.05]2 studies · 911 participantsVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Wound dehiscence at last · patients undergoing a laparotomy
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.78 [0.55, 1.1]34 studies · 9004 participantsModerate
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Sinus or fistula formation at last · patients undergoing a laparotomy
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.49 [0.26, 0.94]19 studies · 5470 participantsLow
Mass vs layered closure
Incisional hernia · patients undergoing laparotomy incisions
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.92 [0.58, 6.35]5 studies · 1176 participantsVery low
Mass vs layered closure
Wound infection at last · patients undergoing laparotomy incisions
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.93 [0.67, 1.3]11 studies · 2926 participantsLow
Mass vs layered closure
Wound dehiscence at last · patients undergoing laparotomy incisions
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.69 [0.31, 1.52]11 studies · 2863 participantsModerate
Mass vs layered closure
Sinus or fistula formation at last · patients undergoing laparotomy incisions
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.49 [0.15, 1.62]6 studies · 1076 participantsLow
Continuous vs interrupted closure
Incisional hernia · patients undergoing a laparotomy incision
Closure methods for laparotomy incisions for preventing incisional hernias and other wound complications (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.01 [0.76, 1.35]11 studies · 3854 participantsModerate
Mechanical devices vs ligature
Total complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.97 [0.27, 3.5]8 studies · 850 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs ligature
Intraoperative complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.06 [0.17, 6.7]3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs ligature
Postoperative complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.2 [0.09, 0.44]3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs ligature
Postoperative superficial infections · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.1 [0.01, 0.84]3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs ligature
Postoperative ileus · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.37 [0.13, 1.07]3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs ligature
Postoperative deep infections · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.45 [0.1, 2.08]3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs ligature
Operative time (minutes) · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs ligature
Hospital stay (days) · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Clips vs ligature
Total complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 2.03 [0.71, 5.84]6 studies · 553 participantsVery low
Clips vs ligature
Intraoperative complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.74 [0.33, 9.04]6 studies · 553 participantsVery low
Clips vs ligature
Postoperative complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.88 [0.63, 5.64]6 studies · 553 participantsVery low
Mechanical devices vs ligature
Intraoperative complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.93 [0.34, 2.55]8 studies · 850 participantsVery low
Clips vs ligature
Postoperative superficial infections · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.25 [0.32, 4.9]6 studies · 553 participantsVery low
Clips vs ligature
Postoperative ileus · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.92 [0.15, 5.64]6 studies · 553 participantsVery low
Clips vs ligature
Postoperative deep infections · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.75 [0.28, 10.93]6 studies · 553 participantsVery low
Clips vs ligature
Operative time (minutes) · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 553 participantsVery low
Clips vs ligature
Hospital stay (days) · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 553 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs clips
Total complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.13, 7.6]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs clips
Intraoperative complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.13, 7.6]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs clips
Postoperative complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs clips
Postoperative superficial infections · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs clips
Postoperative ileus · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Mechanical devices vs ligature
Postoperative complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.8 [0.21, 3.13]8 studies · 850 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs clips
Postoperative deep infections · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs clips
Operative time (minutes) · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs clips
Hospital stay (days) · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Mechanical devices vs ligature
Postoperative superficial infections · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.58 [0.18, 1.93]8 studies · 850 participantsVery low
Mechanical devices vs ligature
Postoperative ileus · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.47 [0.19, 1.18]8 studies · 850 participantsVery low
Mechanical devices vs ligature
Postoperative deep infections · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.79 [0.24, 2.53]8 studies · 850 participantsVery low
Mechanical devices vs ligature
Operative time (minutes) · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted8 studies · 850 participantsVery low
Mechanical devices vs ligature
Hospital stay (days) · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted8 studies · 850 participantsVery low
Endoscopic stapler vs ligature
Total complications · patients undergoing appendix stump closure during laparoscopic appendectomy
Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.34 [0.05, 2.41]3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Enema plus glucagon vs enema alone
Successfully reduced intussusception · children with intussusception
Management for intussusception in children (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.09 [0.94, 1.26]2 studies · 218 participantsLow