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 high or moderate to high where GRADE has been performed and the intervention is more effective/beneficial than the comparison for key outcomes.
Population: Adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery
Intervention: Antibiotics (different types of antibiotics given either alone or in combination) ᵃ
Comparison: Placebo or no treatment ᵃ
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
Surgical wound infection | Favors intervention | High |
Note The methods section of the Cochrane review which underpins this Cochrane Clinical Answer (CCA) lists the rate of surgical wound infection as the primary and sole outcome. ᵃ This evidence table summarizes the findings for the comparison of antibiotics versus placebo or no treatment, which is the main comparison as stated in the Cochrane review Summary of Findings table. Different antibiotics were used across the included studies and no single regimen was specifically evaluated against placebo. See the full CCA for information on other comparisons (short‐term use of antibiotic versus long‐term use of antibiotic; anaerobic antimicrobial prophylaxis regimen plus additional aerobic coverage versus same anaerobic regimen alone; aerobic antimicrobial prophylaxis regimen plus additional anaerobic coverage versus same aerobic regimen alone; aerobic antimicrobial prophylaxis versus anaerobic antimicrobial prophylaxis; oral antimicrobial prophylaxis versus intravenous prophylaxis; combined oral plus intravenous antimicrobial prophylaxis versus oral alone or intravenous alone; preoperative versus postoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis).
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.
- How does antimicrobial prophylaxis affect outcomes in people undergoing colorectal surgery?
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