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)

1,645 questions in 107 reviews · Wounds

current versions
No studies 651 · 39.6%Ungraded 84 · 5.1%Very low 554 · 33.7%Low 283 · 17.2%Moderate 64 · 3.9%High 9 · 0.5%

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
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 585‐nm PDL versus 5‐FU ‐ purpura ‐ hypertrophic and keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 4.2NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Scar severity ‐ 585‐nm PDL versus TAC plus 5‐FU ‐ patient self‐assessment of scar improvement of 50% or higher ‐ hypertrophic and keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.61, 1.29]NRVery low
Laser therapy vs no treatment
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 585‐nm PDL versus no treatment ‐ mild to moderate discomfort or pain related to treatment ‐ hypertrophic and keloid scars ‐ · patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
OR 8.62NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 585‐nm PDL versus TAC plus 5‐FU ‐ mild to moderate pain related to treatment ‐ hypertrophic and keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.9NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 585‐nm PDL versus TAC plus 5‐FU ‐ purpura ‐ hypertrophic and keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 3NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 585‐nm PDL versus silicone gel sheeting ‐ pain during laser treatments ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 3NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 585‐nm PDL versus silicone gel sheeting ‐ skin irritation ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.33NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Scar severity ‐ erbium laser versus TAC ‐ VBS (Higher scores = worse scar appearance) ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Scar severity ‐ erbium laser versus TAC ‐ patient self‐assessment ‐ patients considering the scar much better ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 2.17 [1.28, 3.66]NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser versus TAC ‐ pain at injection site ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.25 [0.06, 1.03]NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ fractional CO2 laser versus TAC ‐ telangectasia ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.2 [0.01, 3.92]NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ fractional CO2 laser versus TAC ‐ skin atrophy ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.72]NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ fractional CO2 laser versus TAC ‐ charring ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 7NRVery low
Laser therapy vs no treatment
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 585‐nm PDL versus no treatment ‐ purpura ‐ hypertrophic and keloid scars ‐ · patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 21.32NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ fractional CO2 laser versus verapamil ‐ pain at injection site ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 5NRVery low
Laser therapy vs other treatments
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ fractional CO2 laser versus verapamil ‐ charring ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 7NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Scar severity ‐ 585‐nm pulsed‐dye laser (PDL) plus triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) plus 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) versus TAC plus 5‐FU ‐ blinded observer assessment of good to excellent scar improvement ‐ hypertrophic and keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.75 [0.95, 3.22]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Scar severity ‐ 585‐nm PDL plus TAC plus 5 FU versus TAC plus 5‐FU ‐ patient self‐assessment of good to excellent scar improvement ‐ hypertrophic and keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.36 [0.85, 2.18]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Scar severity ‐ carbon dioxide (CO2) laser plus TAC versus cryosurgery plus TAC. Mean percentage reduction ‐ blinded observer assessment ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Scar severity ‐ CO2 laser plus TAC versus cryosurgery plus TAC Mean percentage reduction ‐ patient self‐assessment score (higher scores = worse scar appearance) ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects: CO2 laser plus TAC versus cryosurgery plus TAC ‐ atrophy ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.13 [0.7, 1.82]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ CO2 laser plus TAC versus cryosurgery plus TAC ‐ erythema ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.5 [0.47, 4.78]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ CO2 laser plus TAC versus cryosurgery plus TAC ‐ telangiectasia ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.07, 1.52]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ CO2 laser plus TAC versus cryosurgery plus TAC ‐ hypopigmentation ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.6 [0.16, 2.29]NRVery low
Laser therapy vs no treatment
Scar severity ‐ Non‐Ablative Fractional Laser (NAFL) versus no treatment ‐ health professional global assessment measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100 mm (0 = as normal skin and 100 = worst possible scar) ‐ hypertrophic s... · patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 2 [0.85, 4.69]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Scar severity ‐ Neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser plus Diprospan plus 5‐FU versus Diprospan plus 5‐FU ‐ blinded observer assessment of good to excellent scar improvement ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.45 [0.88, 2.41]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Scar severity: Nd:YAG laser plus Diprospan plus 5‐FU versus Diprospan plus 5‐FU ‐ patient self‐assessment of scar improvement of 50% or higher ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.38 [0.91, 2.1]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects: Nd:YAG laser plus Diprospan plus 5‐FU versus Diprospan plus 5‐FU ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
7NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Scar severity ‐ Helium‐Neon (He‐Ne) laser plus decamethyltetrasiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane and cyclopentasiloxane cream versus decamethyltetrasiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane and cyclopentasiloxane cream ‐ Vancouver Scar scale (VSS) (higher scores... · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 595‐nm PDL plus verapamil versus verapamil ‐ regrowth ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1.5 [0.27, 8.22]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 595‐nm PDL plus verapamil versus verapamil ‐ pain related to treatment ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 3NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 595‐nm PDL plus verapamil versus verapamil ‐ hyperpigmentation ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 5NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 595‐nm PDL plus verapamil versus verapamil ‐ depigmentation ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.07, 15.12]NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 595‐nm PDL plus verapamil versus verapamil ‐ purpura ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 15NRVery low
Laser therapy plus other treatment vs other treatment
Incidence of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ 595‐nm PDL plus verapamil versus verapamil ‐ total ‐ keloid scars ‐ · participants with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 4.67 [1.53, 14.26]NRVery low
Laser therapy vs no treatment
Scar severity ‐ NAFL versus no treatment ‐ patient global assessment measured on a VAS ranging from 0 to 100 mm (0 = as normal skin and 100 = worst possible scar) ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Laser therapy vs no treatment
Scar severity ‐ NAFL versus no treatment ‐ Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) (higher scores = worse scar appearance) ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Laser therapy vs no treatment
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ NAFL versus no treatment ‐ scar worsening ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 7NRVery low
Laser therapy vs no treatment
Incidence and severity of treatment‐related adverse effects ‐ NAFL versus no treatment ‐ hyperpigmentation ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
RR 3NRVery low
Laser therapy vs no treatment
Scar severity ‐ Fractional Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser versus no treatment ‐ Vancouver Burn Scar (VBS) scale (higher scores = worse scar appearance) ‐ hypertrophic scars ‐ · patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Cone of pressure flap vs standard flap technique
Complete healing of surgical wound · people with stage IV pressure ulcers
Reconstructive surgery for treating pressure ulcers (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsVery low
Cone of pressure flap vs standard flap technique
Wound dehiscence · people with stage IV pressure ulcers
Reconstructive surgery for treating pressure ulcers (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsVery low
Cone of pressure flap vs standard flap technique
Pressure ulcer recurrence · people with stage IV pressure ulcers
Reconstructive surgery for treating pressure ulcers (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsVery low
Topical negative pressure wound therapy vs conventional open wound healing
Time to wound healing (days) · adults with open wounds after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease
Dressings and topical agents for the management of open wounds after surgical treatment for sacrococcygeal… (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 19 participantsVery low
Zinc oxide mesh vs placebo mesh
Proportion of wounds healed at 6 months · adults with open wounds after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease
Dressings and topical agents for the management of open wounds after surgical treatment for sacrococcygeal… (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Zinc oxide mesh vs placebo mesh
Proportion of wounds healed at 12 months · adults with open wounds after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease
Dressings and topical agents for the management of open wounds after surgical treatment for sacrococcygeal… (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Zinc oxide mesh vs placebo mesh
Cost‐effectiveness (assessed using quality‐adjusted life years) · adults with open wounds after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease
Dressings and topical agents for the management of open wounds after surgical treatment for sacrococcygeal… (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Zinc oxide mesh vs placebo mesh
Pain at first postoperative dressing change (measured using a validated scale such as a visual analogue scale) · adults with open wounds after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease
Dressings and topical agents for the management of open wounds after surgical treatment for sacrococcygeal… (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Zinc oxide mesh vs placebo mesh
Adverse effects (surgical site infection or allergic reaction) · adults with open wounds after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease
Dressings and topical agents for the management of open wounds after surgical treatment for sacrococcygeal… (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 64 participantsUngraded
Lietofix cream vs iodoform dressing
Time to wound healing (days) · adults with open wounds after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease
Dressings and topical agents for the management of open wounds after surgical treatment for sacrococcygeal… (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies