Overview
Featured Article
Liu K, Fogg L. Use of antibiotics alone for treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surgery 2011;150:673-83
Ansaloni L, Catena F, Coccolini F et al. Surgery versus conservative antibiotic treatment in acute appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Dig Surg 2011;28:210-21
Expert Reviews:
Methodological Reviewer
Lillian Kao MD, MSc, FACS, Department of Surgery, University of Texas, HSC
Supplementary Articles
Bhandari M, Devereaux, PJ, Montaori V, et al; for the Evidence-Based Surgery Working Group. Users’ guide to the surgical literature: how to use a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Can J Surg 2004;47(1):60-67
Questions
Please read the provided articles and be prepared to discuss the following:
- What are the clinical question being addressed? Were the questions the same in both studies?
- Did the reviews explicitly address a sensible clinical question?
- Were the searches for relevant studies detailed and exhaustive?
- Were the primary studies of high methodologic quality?
- Were assessments of studies reproducible?
- How did the results differ between the two studies?
- What are the overall results of the reviews?
- How precise were the results?
- Were clinically important outcomes considered in both analyses?
- Are the benefits of non-operative treatment worth the costs and potential risks?
- State the conclusion. Have the authors addressed the clinical question posed?
- What are the limitations of the two studies?