Table 2 Comparison of evidence available for a selection of commonly discussed perioperative interventions
From: Clinical review: Evidence-based perioperative medicine?
Intervention | Cochrane systematic review | Systematic review | Large randomised controlled trial | Randomised controlled trial | Level 1 evidence (mortality) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Optimisation | 1 | 2 | 1 | > 10 | Yes (systematic review) |
Beta-blockade | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Yes (small randomised controlled trial only) |
Regional anaesthesia | 3 | > 10 | 0 | > 10 | Yes (systematic review) |
Enteral nutrition | 0 | 2 | 0 | > 10 | No |
High O2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | No |
Normothermia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | No |
Critical care | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No |