Evidence
This page contains a snapshot of featured content which highlights evidence addressing key clinical questions including areas of uncertainty. Please see the main topic reference list for details of all sources underpinning this topic.
BMJ Best Practice evidence tables
Evidence tables provide easily navigated layers of evidence in the context of specific clinical questions, using GRADE and a BMJ Best Practice Effectiveness rating. Follow the links at the bottom of the table, which go to the related evidence score in the main topic text, providing additional context for the clinical question. Find out more about our evidence tables.
This table is a summary of the analysis reported in a Cochrane Clinical Answer that focuses on the above important clinical question.
Confidence in the evidence is very low or low where GRADE has been performed and there may be no difference in effectiveness between the intervention and comparison for key outcomes. However, this is uncertain and new evidence could change this in the future.
Population: Adults with sigmoid diverticulitis
Intervention: Laparoscopic resection
Comparison: Open resection
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
Mean hospital stay | No statistically significant difference | Low |
30‐day postoperative mortality | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Overall surgical postoperative complications (follow‐up range 6-12 months) | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Early overall morbidity at 30 postoperative days | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Late overall morbidity (after the first 30 postoperative days: within 6 months) | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Late overall mortality (after the first 30 postoperative days) | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Operative time | Favours comparison | Low |
Intraoperative blood loss | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Postoperative pain at day 4 | Favours intervention | Very Low |
Quality of life (follow‐up range 6-12 months) | See note ᵃ | Low |
Note ᵃ Results reported narratively. See the Cochrane Clinical Answer (CCA) for more details.
This evidence table is related to the following section/s:
Cochrane Clinical Answers
Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) provide a readable, digestible, clinically focused entry point to rigorous research from Cochrane systematic reviews. They are designed to be actionable and to inform decision making at the point of care and have been added to relevant sections of the main Best Practice text.
- Is observational management more beneficial than routine use of antibiotics for people with uncomplicated diverticulitis?
- How does laparoscopic resection compare with open resection in people with sigmoid diverticulitis?
- For people with diverticulitis, how does mesalamine (5-ASA) compare with placebo for prevention of recurrence?
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