2
Practicing Evidence-Based Surgery
Candice S. Rettie and Gary B. Nackman
Objectives
1. To know the definition of evidence-based medi- cine (EBM).
2. To appreciate the role that EBM plays in con- tributing to the provision of quality patient care.
3. To apply EBM concepts to the delivery of patient care:
• To articulate meaningful clinical questions.
• To understand the basic concepts that facilitate effective literature searches.
• To acquire the basic skills necessary to evaluate the quality and relevance of the search results.
• To acquire the basic skills necessary to integrate EBM into the practice of medicine.
Case
Patient: Mr. Edwards is a 45-year-old white man.
Presenting problem: Pain and dragging sensation in left groin.
History of present illness: Three days ago, when lifting a very large pine tree that blew over in a recent windstorm, the patient felt a sudden pain in his left groin. The acute pain resolved, but he continues to feel a “dragging” sensation in same area. He has not noticed any bulge in his groin.
Past medical history: Negative: No prior episodes; no chronic illnesses.
Past surgical history: Cholecystectomy 3 years ago.
Review of systems: Noncontributory:
• Gastrointestinal: Denies change in bowel habits; no history of con- stipation; no hematochezia; no nausea and vomiting.
• Genitourinary: Denies difficulty or pain with urination or night- time urgency/frequency.
19
Pertinent social/family history: Non–union worker who loads and unloads delivery trucks.
Physical examination:
• Vitals: BP: 120/75; Temp: 37.5°C; HR: 72; Resp: 12.
• Abdomen: flat, soft, nontender, no masses. Upon standing, a bulge observed in left inguinal region: no erythema, nontender, easily reduced.
• Rectal exam: prostate within normal limits.
The Relevance of Evidence-Based Medicine
Many of the issues involved in the care of patients include “age-old”
traditions that may be based on empiricism. The first cholecystectomy was performed in 1882. Until several decades ago, drainage of the gall- bladder bed following cholecystectomy was the standard of care and was based on the belief that drainage of the affected area would promote healing and reduce postoperative complications. Through the 1970s, students and residents heard from their instructors and super- visors: “This is how my mentor taught me to drain the gallbladder bed, so you should do it this way, too.” With advances in surgical science, the study of the efficacy of drainage following cholecystectomy clearly indicated that drainage of the gallbladder bed did not improve clinical outcomes. Even though the traditional dogma had been rebuked by demonstrating no need for routine drainage, the clinical practice took decades to change.
A significant challenge in medicine is to maintain the learning process throughout one’s career, to keep current with the most recent evidence and practice guidelines, to understand the science behind the evidence and the guidelines, and thereby to continue providing optimal patient care. Even seasoned clinicians, when faced with the need to make a complex clinical decision, ask: “What are the practice guidelines for treating patients with this disease?” Implementing the practice guidelines in a routine manner is not sufficient. It is important to understand the studies that resulted in the practice guidelines and the implications of these findings for your specific patient. Remaining current with important developments and thoughtfully integrating new information into your patient’s care are essential elements of the practice of surgery, whether one is a student, resident, or an experi- enced attending physician. Evidence-based medicine is the purpose- ful integration of the most recent, best evidence into the daily practice of medicine (See Algorithm 2.1.).
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), as a formal approach to the prac- tice of medicine, was defined in the 1980s by David Sackett and his colleagues as
the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. The practice of evidence-based medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best avail- able clinical evidence from systematic research. In short, evidence-based med-
icine means systematically searching for the best evidence rather than relying on expert opinion or anecdotal experience.1
EBM is never a substitute for clinical expertise. In providing patient care, EBM should be integrated with clinical acumen, in the context of the patient’s preferences and values:
Good doctors use both individual clinical expertise and the best available exter- nal evidence and neither alone is enough. Without clinical expertise, practice risks becoming tyrannized by external evidence, for even excellent external evidence may be inapplicable to or inappropriate for an individual patient.
Without current best external evidence, practice risks becoming rapidly out of date, to the detriment of the patients.2
Implicit in this definition of EBM is the premise that an individual patient’s case must drive the search for, and the application of, relevant and high-quality evidence. Further, “best evidence” refers to the data and the conclusions derived from systematic research, such as infor- mation provided through the Cochrane Library (http://www.update- software.com/cochrane/). The Cochrane Library is the gold standard for EBM databases. Expert opinion and anecdotal experience are not systematic research. However, current best evidence must be integrated with clinical acumen (derived from experience, expert opinion, and anecdotal evidence) and with the preferences and values of the patient.
Review the Evidence Begin Here:
Determine Diagnosis
Estimate Prognosis
Decide Best Therapy Determine
Harm Provide Care of
Highest Quality Proceed to Next Patient Problem
Algorithm 2.1. The practice of evidence-based patient care.
1 Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence-Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1997.
2 Ibid.
Patients with a similar disease process may vary in their presenta- tion and in their response to treatment. Therefore, it is essential to realize that, even with the best evidence, the application of that evi- dence must be considered in the context of the unique attributes of each patient. Further, patient autonomy, as expressed in differences in expec- tations and preferences, must be considered when developing a patient management plan.
If you still have doubts about the importance of practicing EBM in the practice of surgery, there are three compelling reasons to support the use of EBM in your practice. First, a common characteristic of physicians is their desire and obligation to provide optimal care for their patients and, as much as is possible, to facilitate the patients’
return to their previous state of health. Since optimal medical care for patients changes over time with progress in technology and improved understanding of patient outcomes, it is necessary to have the tools
that ensure your ability to remain current. Evidence-based medicineprovides a framework to allow the physician lifelong learning opportunities.
Second, today’s patients are better educated and often seek a collab- orative relationship with their physician. They may have read the latest findings from National Institutes of Health (NIH) trials and often par- ticipate in patient advocacy groups. Current knowledge and critical appraisal of the professional literature is a vital component of your skill set as a physician. Through critical appraisal of the literature, you can provide the appropriate context for the information obtained by patients. Your clinical acumen, combined with your knowledge of the scientific method and levels of evidence, allows you to respond pro- fessionally and meaningfully to your patient’s questions about his or her care.
Third, physicians must play an increasingly high-profile role in the development of public policy. The best evidence and an understand- ing of why it is the best are necessary if medicine, as a profession, is going to be the final arbiter of its practice.
The Practice of Evidence-Based Surgery
The practice of evidence-based surgery integrates the art of surgery (well-honed clinical acumen, “good hands,” and interpersonal aware- ness) with use of the best information provided by contemporary science. The five central precepts of evidence-based surgery are as follows.
1. The clinical problem, not the physician’s habits or institutional
protocols, should determine the type of evidence to be sought. It has
been recognized that “clinical pathways” or “optimaps” aid in the care
of patients, streamlining cost-effective care. The correct application of
the evidence-based approach to patient care demands that, in follow-
ing clinical protocols, one always must be mindful that the quality of
the evidence being used to develop a treatment plan meets the specific
needs of the individual patient.
2. Clinical decision making should be based on the clinical data obtained by the practitioner and application of the best available scientific evidence. Data obtained from conducting a history and physical examination provide the foundation for clinical decision making. These data then are evaluated in the context of the current best evidence. Clinical decision making is the result of applying the best that science and clinical acumen have to offer in the unique context of the individual patient.
3. It frequently has been stated that the literature is complex and often contradictory. The challenge is for the physician to be able to judge the validity of a study and the applicability of the findings for guiding the care of the specific patient. Identifying the best evidence refers to reading the literature critically with a basic understanding of epidemiologic and biostatistical methods. Without an understand- ing of the basic concepts of research design and statistics, one is unable to critically review the relevance and validity of a study.
4. Conclusions derived from identifying and critically appraising evidence are useful only if they are put into the context of the indi- vidual patient’s needs and then put into action in managing patients or making healthcare decisions. Physicians need to be able to obtain meaningful information in real time to improve clinical decision making.
5. Performance should be evaluated constantly. It is important to monitor the outcome of your care and communicate with colleagues the success and failures of treatment, as demonstrated in the classic morbidity and mortality conference. Understanding the relationship between care and outcomes has been the hallmark of surgical care since the days of Billroth in the 19th century. Being accountable for one’s actions and taking action to eliminate untoward outcomes are hallmarks of the excellent surgeon.
The practice of evidence-based surgery begins with gathering data to understand what brings the patient to the surgeon’s office. As with the traditional practice of surgery, it is necessary to ask meaningful questions about the patient’s problem. The answers to the questions are obtained from a focused history and physical examination of the patient. The information that is obtained is organized into a differen- tial diagnosis list. The process of asking questions then shifts from posing questions designed to elicit accurate data about the patient to posing questions about the available evidence regarding how to best care for the patient. This additional step of systematically obtaining relevant, current, scientific evidence to guide clinical decision making is what differentiates evidence-based practice from tradi- tional practice.
How to Use the Current Best Evidence
The most effective way of using evidence to provide clinical care is with
a “bottom-up” “approach.” Clinical reasoning is based on acquiring
information to answer questions. The clinician’s task is to understand
the nature of the patient’s problem. Clinical expertise drives the
posing of relevant questions and the obtaining of useful information to better characterize the patient’s problem. The questions posed in the process of clinical decision making are answered by using the best evidence available. For example, a properly randomized controlled trial is rated as more scientific and, therefore, as more reliable and valid than clinical wisdom and acumen or published expert opinion. Finally, the question is put into context by integrating the best external evi- dence with individual clinical expertise and patient choice.
A common question is how or where to get the current best evidence.
Your reference librarian will be an invaluable resource. There are several on-line databases and resources that are useful, including the Cochrane Library, EBM journals such as Evidence Based Medicine, the National Institutes of Health databases, and other Web databases:
http://cebm.jr2.ox.ac.uk/
http://www.cebm.utoronto.ca/
http://www.guidelines.gov/index.asp http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus.
The content of these databases is described briefly in Appendix 2.A.
How Do You Appraise the Evidence?
There are several types of evidence. The most desirable evidence is provided by randomized, controlled trials. Study designs also include less rigorous experimental designs and quasi-experimental designs, such as case series, case-control studies, and cohort studies.
Quasi-experimental methods, meta-analyses, outcome studies, and practice guidelines provide an overall assessment of a topic by analyzing multiple studies that used various research designs. The study designs and the elements of randomized controlled trials are summarized in Tables 2.1 and 2.2.
The levels of evidence refer to a grading system for assessing medical studies by classifying them according to the scientific rigor or the quality of the evidence (outcomes). The levels of evidence are ordered to give the best rating to studies in which the risk of bias is reduced, as reflected by the a priori design of the study (its scientific rigor) and the actual quality of the study. Studies of evidence are clas-
Table 2.1. Hierarchy of study designs.
Random Prospective allocation of Control group follow-up subjects
Case series No No No
Case-control study Yes No No
Cohort study Yes Yes No
Randomized controlled Yes Yes Yes
trial
Source: Reprinted from McLeod RS. Evidence-based surgery. In: Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. New York: Springer- Verlag, 2001, with permission.
sified into three levels, determined by the scientific rigor of the study’s design. See Table 2.3.
In addition to reviewing the outcomes of specific, randomized, clin- ical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and practice guidelines can be extremely useful in dealing with specific patient problems or in updating of knowledge. Systematic reviews follow a defined protocol for the purpose of integrating the results of multiple studies when methodologic differences preclude conducting a meta-analysis. Guide- lines for evaluating the quality of systematic reviews are presented in Table 2.4.
Table 2.2. Elements of a randomized controlled trial.
1. Stating the research question 2. Selecting the subjects 3. Allocating the subjects 4. Describing the maneuver
a. The interventions
b. Minimizing potential biases c. Baseline and follow-up maneuvers 5. Measuring outcome
a. Assessing treatment effectiveness b. Assessing side effects and toxicity 6. Analyzing the data
7. Estimating the sample size 8. Ethical considerations 9. Administrative issues
a. Feasibility of the trial b. Administration of the trial c. Data management
d. Funding issues
Source: Reprinted from McLeod RS. Evidence-based surgery.
In: Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery:
Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. New York: Springer- Verlag, 2001, with permission.
Table 2.3. Levels of evidence.
I Evidence obtained from at least one properly randomized controlled trial
II-1 Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization
II-2 Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies, preferably from more than one center or research group
II-3 Evidence obtained from comparisons between times or places with or without the intervention; dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments (such as the results of treatment with penicillin in the 1940s) could also be included in this category
III Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees
Source: Reprinted from McLeod RS. Evidence-based surgery. In: Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. New York: Springer- Verlag, 2001, with permission.
A review conducted using the meta-analysis process differs from the typical techniques used in the creation of a review article. The meta- analysis includes the development of specific criteria to be applied to the existing literature for the purpose of determining which studies are suitable for further evaluation. After inclusion criteria are met, the meta-analysis can combine the results of several studies to increase the
“statistical power” of the data set, a vital step in determining the ade- quacy of the sample size. One of the difficulties inherent in meta- analytic reviews is the variable quality of the articles cited. While there are statistical methods to control for the variability, it is important to understand how quality is defined. The quality of an article is assessed by determining the reliability (replicability and consistency of the find- ings) and the validity (meaningfulness) of the findings. The important issue is how to evaluate the studies.
The standards for reviewing an article are as follows:
• Were there clearly defined groups of patients who shared essential characteristics of interest in the study?
• Were the measurements of treatment exposure and clinical outcome reliable (consistent or replicable) and valid (meaningful)?
• Was the follow-up adequate in duration and depth?
• Do the results satisfy some “diagnostic test for causation”?
Validity refers to how well a technique (or measure) measures what it is supposed to measure. There are three kinds of validity: content, criterion, and construct validity. Content validity refers to the degree to which a measure (e.g., a lab study) actually represents (is specific for) the entity (e.g., a disease) being measured. For example, creatinine clearance is indicative of renal function; therefore, creatinine clearance has content validity when it is used to measure renal function. Crite- rion validity is related to how well the measurement (e.g., a lab study) predicts another characteristic (e.g., sign or symptom) associated with the entity (e.g., disease). For example, creatinine clearance does not
Table 2.4. Guidelines for using a review.
1. Did the overview address a focused clinical question?
2. Were the criteria used to select articles for inclusion appropriate?
3. Is it unlikely that important, relevant studies were missed?
4. Was the validity of the included studies appraised?
5. Were the assessments of the studies reproducible?
6. Were the results similar from study to study?
7. What are the overall results of the review?
8. How precise were the results?
9. Can the results be applied to my patient care?
10. Were all the clinically important outcomes considered?
11. Are the benefits worth the harms and costs?
Source: Adapted from Oxman AD, Cook DJ, Guyatt GH. Users’ guides to the medical literature. VI. How to use an overview. Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. JAMA 1994;272:1367–1371. Copyright © 1994 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from McLeod RS. Evidence-based surgery. In: Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. New York:
Springer-Verlag, 2001, with permission.
clearly predict the presence of lower extremity claudication with ambu- lation; therefore, in a study of renal function, use of creatinine clear- ance as an indicator of lower extremity ischemia would not be recommended, since creatinine clearance does not have criterion valid- ity for predicting claudication upon ambulation. Construct validity is more nebulous. Construct validity refers to a specific pattern of rela- tionships among similar variables that are characteristic of an entity, such that two or more of the characteristics are more strongly related to each other than to a third characteristic. Usually, the outcome is measured by several independent measures, and the similarity of the measures is assessed. For example, in children there is a strong posi- tive correlation between age and height, shoe size, and the total score on a test of general knowledge. Whereas height and shoe size gener- ally have a strong positive correlation to each other, total score on the knowledge test has a weaker correlation to age and shoe size.
Validity of the data can be determined by reviewing the data that are presented in the article. Sample sizes should be specified, and descrip- tive statistics of the samples should be provided. The baseline measures of the groups should be specified so that the reader can determine whether or not the groups were similar in their initial baseline mea- sures. See Tables 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7 for descriptions of how to determine validity in different types of studies.
Reliability refers to the replicability of the findings. Generally, repli- cating the measures and evaluating the degree of agreement assesses reliability. Were the methods specified? Were the techniques used in the study consistently applied?
Clinical practice guidelines are user-friendly statements that inte- grate best evidence and other knowledge to guide clinical decision Table 2.5. Are the results of this diagnostic study valid?
1. Was there an independent, blind comparison with a reference (“gold”) standard of diagnosis?
2. Was the diagnostic test evaluated in an appropriate spectrum of patients (like those in whom it would be used in practice)?
3. Was the reference standard applied regardless of the diagnostic test result?
Source: Reprinted from Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence- Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. New York: Churchill Livingstone Inc., 1997. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Ltd. With permission from Elsevier.
Table 2.6. Is this evidence about prognosis valid?
1. Was a defined, representative sample of patients assembled at a common (usually early) point in the course of their disease?
2. Was patient follow-up sufficiently long and complete?
3. Were objective outcome criteria applied in a “blind” fashion?
4. If subgroups with different prognoses are identified:
• Was there adjustment for important prognostic factors?
• Was there validation in an independent group of “test-set” patients?
Source: Reprinted from Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence- Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. New York: Churchill Livingstone Inc., 1997. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Ltd. With permission from Elsevier.
making. As with any evidence, one must review carefully the “review”
to determine the quality of the conclusions. Practice guidelines are sys- tematically developed protocols (not rules) about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. The guidelines usually are flexible so that the individual patient characteristics, common local practice, and individual practitioner preferences can be accommodated.
The most rigorously developed guidelines are evidence based, prefer- ably based on the findings of level I and II studies. A recent review of over 275 current, published, peer-reviewed clinical practice guidelines identified areas of concern in the development of the guidelines. Analy- sis of the methods used to identify, summarize, and evaluate evidence in the development of peer-reviewed clinical guidelines found dismal levels of methodologic rigor, especially in the identification and summary of evidence. The specifications of the patient population, the interventions, and the outcomes of interest frequently were inadequate.
A strength of most guidelines is that they do specify recommendations for clinical practice and for how to individualize patient care. Guide- lines for assessing practice guidelines are presented in Table 2.8.
Table 2.7. Are the results of this systematic review valid?
1. Is it an overview of randomized trials of the treatment you’re interested in?
2. Does it include a methods section that describes:
a. Finding and including all the relevant trials?
b. Assessing their individual validity?
3. Were the results consistent from study to study?
Source: Reprinted from Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence- Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. New York: Churchill Livingstone Inc., 1997. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Ltd. With permission from Elsevier.
Table 2.8. Guideline for assessing practice guidelines.
1. Were all important options and outcomes clearly specified?
2. Was an explicit and sensible process used to identify, select, and combine evidence?
3. Was an explicit and sensible process used to consider the relative value of different outcomes?
4. Is the guideline likely to account for important recent developments?
5. Has the guideline been subject to peer review and testing?
6. Are practical, clinically important, recommendations made?
7. How strong are the recommendations?
8. What is the impact of uncertainty associated with the evidence and values used in guidelines?
9. Is the primary objective of the guideline consistent with your objective?
10. Are the recommendations applicable to your patients?
Source: Adapted from Hayward RSA, Wilson MC, Tunis SR, Bass EB, Guyatt GH, for the Evidence Based Medicine Working Group. User’s guide to the medical literature.
VIII. How to use clinical practice guidelines. Are recommendations valid? JAMA 1995;274:570–574. Copyright © 1995 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Reprinted from McLeod RS. Evidence-based surgery. In: Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2001, with permission.
The validity of recommendations from clinical guidelines can be evaluated by considering the following issues:
• Specify important decisions and related patient outcomes: Were all the critical decision points and the associated patient outcomes clearly identified?
• Use the evidence relevant to each decision option: Was it identi- fied, validated, and combined in a sensible and explicit way?
• Identify the relative preferences of the key stakeholders: Are the outcomes of decisions (including benefits, risks, and costs) identi- fied and explicitly considered?
• Robustness of the clinical guideline: Does it maintain its structure, while providing the flexibility necessary to accommodate clini- cally sensible variations in practice?
Finally, it is essential to be familiar with basic epidemiology and bio- statistics so that the clinical relevance of the evidence that you obtained from your search can be determined. In general, it is helpful to be able to calculate two types of statistics:
1. Odds ratios, likelihood ratios 2. Sensitivity/specificity
Examples of epidemiologic and biostatistical tests are provided in Tables 2.9, 2.10, and 2.11.
Essential Elements of an EBM Question
The EBM process begins with asking questions that arise as a care plan is developed for the patient. The first step is to know how to ask the question(s). Questions need to focus on the meaningful clinical components of caring for the patient. Sackett
3specifies four essential elements to an EBM question:
Table 2.9. Different ways of finding out whether a treatment some- times causes harm.
Adverse outcome Present Absent
(case) (control) Totals
Exposed to Yes a b a + b
the (cohort)
treatment No c d c+ d
(cohort)
Totals a + c b + d a + b + c + d
Source: Reprinted from Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence- Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. New York: Churchill Livingstone Inc., 1997. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Ltd. With permission from Elsevier.
3 Ibid.
Objective: To provide a quick example of diagnostic test results for explaining and illustrating likelihood ratios at the bedside.
Key information to remember: 10, 30, 50, 9, 1 (you may find it easier to remember them as single digits 1, 3, 5, 9, 1 and then add zeros to the first three of them; or remember that the first three ascend as odd digits beginning with 1 and the final two descend; or whatever works for you!) Put them in a table:
Target disorder
Present Absent Likelihood ratio
Most 10% 1% 10%/1% = 10 SpPin
abnormal
Diagnostic 30% 9% 30%/9% = 3.3 Up a bit
test Mid-zone 50% 50% 50%/50% = 1 No use
result 9% 30% 9%/30% = 0.3 Down a bit
Most 1% 10% 1%/10% = 0.1 SnNout
normal
Totals 100% 100%
(Alternatively, (Simply the you could enter same numbers them as counts as the previous and convert them column, but in to % or decimal the reverse fractions) order)
Using the nomogram or hand calculations, you can take clinically sensible pretest probabilities and see how different test results take you to posttest probabilities.
For example, for a pretest of 50%,* the posttest probabilities are (from top to bottom):
• 10/11†= 91% (in most situations, you’ve ruled in the diagnosis; analogous to a SpPin‡)
• 3.3/4.3 = 77% (the diagnosis is more likely, but not decisively so)
• 1/2 = 50% (right back where you started from, because the test result’s LR of 1 means that pretest probability is unchanged by the test)
Source: Reprinted from Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence- Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. New York: Churchill Livingstone Inc., 1997. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Ltd. With permission from Elsevier.
Table 2.11. Types of statistical tests.
Statistical test (with Procedure test (with no adjustment for adjustment for Data type prognostic factors) prognostic factors) Binary (dichotomous) Fisher exact test or Logistic regression
chi-square (Mantel–Haenszel)
Ordered discrete Mann-Whitney U-test
Continuous (normal Student’s t-test Analysis of covariance
distribution) (ANCOVA)
(multiple regression) Time to event Log-rank Wilcoxon Log-rank (Cox’s
(censored data) test proportional
hazards)
Source: Reprinted from McLeod RS. Evidence-based surgery. In: Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. New York: Springer- Verlag, 2001, with permission.
30
1. Patient or problem being addressed
2. Intervention, whether by nature or by clinical design (a cause, a prog- nostic factor, or treatment, etc.), being considered
3. Comparison intervention, when relevant 4. Outcome or outcomes of clinical interest
The acronym PICO is useful in remembering the elements. See Table 2.12 for a description of the elements and ways to frame your question.
Clinical Application
This section focuses on the application of the EBM algorithm (Algo- rithm 2.1) to the clinical case presented at the beginning of this chapter and the process for asking questions in the development of a treatment plan.
How Do You Use Your Questions?
Determine the answer to the following queries:
• Which question is most important to the patient’s well-being?
• Which question is most feasible to answer within the time you have available?
• Which question is most interesting to you?
• Which question are you most likely to encounter repeatedly in your practice?
Once you have selected your question(s), the next step is to gather and review the evidence.
The evidence-based practice algorithm (Algorithm 2.1) that is presented at the beginning of this chapter provides a structure for developing questions that focus on each step in the process of clinical decision making. The steps in clinical decision making as presented in the algorithm are: achieving a diagnosis, estimating prognosis, deciding on the best therapy, determining harm, and providing care of the highest quality. To apply the algorithm, a patient problem is selected. The case of Mr. Edwards (see case at beginning of the chapter) serves as an example. Mr. Edwards has made an appointment with his physician because of a dragging sensation in his groin that has per- sisted for 3 days after he felt a sharp pain while lifting a heavy object.
Mr. Edwards wants to find out if anything can, or should, be done about it.
For Mr. Edwards’ physician, however, the clinical question becomes more complicated. Using the algorithm, five questions are generated that will guide the clinical decision making:
• What is the most likely diagnosis for an acute pain in the groin that has evolved into a persistent dragging sensation in the same area?
• What is the prognosis if the condition is not treated?
• What is the best therapy to treat the condition?
• What harm is likely to come to the patient as a result of the recom-
mended therapy?
Table 2.12.The four elements of well-built clinical questions. 2. Intervention (a 3. Comparison cause, a prognostic intervention (if 1. Patient or problemfactor, a treatment, etc.)necessary)4. Outcome(s) Tips for buildingStarting with yourAsk, “Which mainAsk, “What is theAsk, “What can I patient, ask, “Howintervention am Imain alternativehope to accomplish?” would I describeconsidering?”to compare withor a group of patientsBe specificthe intervention?”“What could this similar to mine?”Again, be specificexposure really Balance precisionaffect?” Again, be with brevityspecific Example“In patients with“...would adding“...when compared“...lead to lower heart failure fromanticoagulationwith standardmortality or dilatedwith warfarintherapy alone...”morbidity from cardiomyopathyto standard heartthromboembolism. who are in sinusfailure therapy...”Is this enough to be rhythm...”worth the increased risk of bleeding?” Source:Reprinted from Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence-Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. New York: Churchill Livingstone Inc., 1997. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Ltd. With permission from Elsevier.
• What is the optimal care for the patient (that is grounded in the patient’s preferences and life situation, evaluating the literature, understanding local resources, and the clinician’s experience)?
Step 1: Achieving a Diagnosis
The clinical process for determining a diagnosis is to obtain a history, conduct a physical examination, generate differential diagnoses, and order relevant labs and studies. The essential information from the history and physical examination is consistent with a diagnosis of left inguinal hernia. In creating the differential, however, it is important to ensure that other reasonable explanations of an abdominal mass are considered. Table 2.13 lists alternative diagnoses that can be considered.
Achieving a diagnosis, the first step of the EBM algorithm, has the same related elements as every other step:
• Patient’s primary complaint or the problem of interest (pain in the groin)
• Intervention or action (history and physical exam)
• Comparison of alternative interventions (identify labs/studies to be ordered)
• Outcome of clinical interest (diagnostic accuracy/cost-effectiveness of each lab/study)
The process for generating a question to guide clinical decision making regarding achieving a diagnosis is summarized in Table 2.14.
The question can be phrased as follows: What role do labs and clinical studies have in diagnosing the reason for a sudden onset of Table 2.13. Differential diagnosis of groin masses.
Inguinal hernia Hydrocele
Femoral hernia Testicular mass
Lipoma Testicular torsion
Lymphadenitis Epididymitis
Lymphadenopathy Ectopic testicle
Abscess Femoral aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm
Hematoma Cyst
Varicocele Seroma
Source: Reprinted from Scott DJ, Jones DB. Hernias and abdominal wall defects. In:
Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evi- dence. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2001, with permission.
Table 2.14. Step 1: Achieving a diagnosis.
Creating an evidence-based medicine question
Element: Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome of
problem intervention clinical
interest Question Male patient H/PE to H/PE and Diagnostic components: with pain in determine labs/studies to accuracy, cost-
L groin diagnosis determine DX effectiveness (DX)
pain in the groin that occurred during heavy lifting and was followed by several days’ duration of dragging sensation? To evaluate the rel- evance of the studies for diagnostic utility with regard to a patient’s condition, apply the following criteria: look for “gold standard” eval- uations; check to see if the diagnostic test was used in an appropriate spectrum of patients; and, finally, determine whether or not the refer- ence standard was applied to the study results, regardless of the diag- nostic test result. By following these steps, the quality of the study and its relevance to the patient can be determined so that the physician can make a decision about whether or not to incorporate the findings into the patient’s care plan.
With regard to Mr. Edwards, the literature is reviewed and confirms that the gold standard for diagnosing hernia is a thorough history and physical examination. Based on the data obtained through the history and physical examination, an initial list of differential diagnoses is developed. Based on epidemiologic data, it is fairly certain that Mr.
Edwards has an inguinal hernia. Approximately 680,000 inguinal hernia repairs are performed annually in the United States, and more than 90% are performed on males. However, it is important to exclude alternative diagnoses. Other diagnoses that could present with persis- tent groin pain are placed on the differential list. After confirming the adequacy of the list, it is clear that the most likely diagnosis is a hernia.
The next step is to classify the type of hernia, since this will help to determine the preferred course of treatment (Table 2.15).
Step 2: Estimating a Prognosis
Continuing through the algorithm, perform step 2: estimating a prog- nosis. To estimate a prognosis, you must be confident of the accuracy of your diagnosis. It is clear that the hernia is neither incarcerated nor strangulated. However, the natural course of the condition indicates that there is a significant probability that either of these two events
Table 2.15. Nyhus classification of groin hernias.
Type 1. Indirect inguinal hernia—normal internal inguinal ring Type 2. Indirect inguinal hernia—enlarged internal inguinal ring but intact inguinal canal floor
Type 3. Posterior wall defect A. Direct inguinal hernia
B. Indirect inguinal hernia—enlarged internal inguinal ring with destruction of adjacent inguinal canal floor, e.g., massive scrotal, sliding, or pantaloon hernias
C. Femoral hernias Type 4. Recurrent hernia
A. Direct B. Indirect C. Femoral D. Combined
Source: Reprinted from Scott DJ, Jones DB. Hernias and abdominal wall defects. In:
Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evi- dence. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2001, with permission.
could occur. Table 2.16 specifies how to create a question to guide clinical decision making at this point.
The question becomes: For a patient with a left inguinal hernia, what treatment should you recommend (observation or surgery) to reduce the likelihood of incarceration or strangulation of the hernia?
One must be able to define what the natural history of a condition is before a risk-benefit analysis may be completed.
The literature is searched to determine the probability of an adverse outcome related to the medical condition, in this case incarceration and strangulation. To evaluate the studies for validity with regard to esti- mating Mr. Edwards’ prognosis, apply the following four criteria:
• Determine the characteristics of the patients in the study (defined, representative sample assembled at a common point in the course of their disease).
• Determine the adequacy of the follow-up (sufficient duration and comprehensiveness).
• Was the objective outcome criteria applied in a blinded manner (the evaluators were unaware of the patient’s specific treatment)?
• For studies divided into subgroups with different prognoses, were appropriate adjustments made for important prognostic factors?
Was there a control group of “test-set” patients?
Step 3: Deciding on the Best Therapy
Step 3 in the algorithm is deciding on the best therapy for your patient. The essential element in framing the question about best therapy focuses on what interventions (cause/prognostic factor/
treatment/etc.) should be considered. This process is critical to the development of a treatment recommendation that is individualized for each patient.
For Mr. Edwards, surgery will become necessary; the natural history of a hernia is that it becomes larger with the passage of time, does not resolve spontaneously, and can result in intestinal obstruction or stran- gulation. In this specific example, it is difficult to identify published studies in which patients with inguinal hernia were randomized prospectively to operative versus nonoperative therapy. Historically, however, prior to the common practice of elective repair, hernias were known as the most common cause of intestinal obstruction. Therefore, prophylactic hernia repair became the the standard of care. Prophylatic hernia repair is considered to be the optimal intervention, based on the best available data (level III: historical observation, the wisdom of Table 2.16. Step 2: Estimating a prognosis.
Creating an evidence-based medicine question
Element Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome of problem intervention clinical interest Question Male, acute Observation Operative Likelihood of
component onset L intervention incarceration/
groin pain strangulation
experts). Unless a patient is so debilitated that his life expectancy is very short or his comorbid conditions are so severe that operative risks are considered to be unacceptable, one should consider prophylactic repair. Hernia surgery poses an acceptable level of risk when compared to the high likelihood of intestinal obstruction or strangulation without elective preventive surgery. A literature search also reveals that the risk of hernia strangulation is thought to be greatest in the period soon after initial presentation.
4Based on the prognosis determined from talking with experts and reviewing the literature, it is clear that the optimal treatment is surgery.
The literature identifies three treatment options: observation with reevaluation in 2 weeks, immediate surgery, and elective surgery 6 months hence. Reducing the risk of the potential complications of hernias (incarceration and strangulation) is best achieved through minimizing the time until surgery.
Mr. Edwards’ treatment plan develops as follows:
• Preferred treatment is elective surgery, scheduled as soon as possi- ble, with biweekly follow-up by the primary care physician during the interim and patient education related to the signs and symptoms of an incarcerated or strangulated hernia.
• The less preferable treatment is indefinite observation with a follow- up visit to the surgeon in 6 months.
The next EBM question that guides the development of a plan for Mr.
Edwards is: What type of operative procedure is best? The essential element is specifying comparison “interventions,” for example, compar- ing open and laparoscopic techniques. Table 2.17 specifies the compo- nents of your clinical decision-making question regarding best therapy.
The evidence-based question about estimating best therapy becomes: For a male patient with a simple left inguinal hernia, is a laparoscopic or open procedure the preferred approach? (The ques- tion can be answered by checking Chapter 35, “Hernias and Abdomi- nal Wall Defects,” by D.J. Scott and D.B. Jones, in Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence, cited above, for the techniques to repair primary inguinal hernias.)
Table 2.17. Step 3: Deciding on the best therapy.
Creating an evidence-based medicine question
Element Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome of problem intervention clinical interest Question Male, L Open Laparoscopic Optimal component inguinal operative procedure operative
hernia procedure procedure for
reducing inguinal hernia
4Gallegos NC, Dawson J, et al. Risk of strangulation in groin hernias. Br J Surg 1991;78(10):1171–1173. Rai S, Chandra SS, et al. A study of the risk of strangulation and obstruction in groin hernias. Aust N Z J Surg 1998;68(9):630–634.
In reviewing the studies for treatment, there are two major questions to be answered: Was there randomized assignment of patients to experimental conditions and were they analyzed in the groups to which they were assigned? Was the attrition rate reported and were all patients who entered the study accounted for at the conclusion of the study?
In a quick search of Cochrane’s database, you find two prospective, nonrandomized trials describing the outcomes of using an open approach (the Lichtenstein approach) to repair primary inguinal hernias: one by Kark et al
5reporting a series of 3175 and one by Lichtenstein’s group
6reporting 4000 repairs. With the use of the open Lichtenstein approach, the rate of recurrence varied from 0.5% to 0.1%, with minimal complications, and patients usually returned to work within 2 weeks. A search for prospective studies of laparoscopic tech- niques yields Phillips et al’s
7multicenter study of 3229 transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repairs and Felix et al’s
8retrospective, multicen- ter study of 10,053 TAPP repairs. The recurrence rate was 0.4% to 0.6%.
It is apparent that the two approaches yield comparable results.
Step 4: Determining Harm
In reviewing studies of negative outcome, two basic questions must be answered:
1. Does the intervention cause an adverse effect in some patients?
2. And, if so, was the particular intervention responsible for the nega- tive outcome in the specific patient?
Answering the two questions above will frame the next set of EBM questions that are needed to develop the plan for Mr. Edwards. In framing this iteration of EBM questions, the essential element that must be considered is specifying the clinical outcome of interest. See Table 2.18 for an example of the components of the next EBM question that will guide the process of clinical decision making for Mr. Edwards.
Table 2.18. Step 4: Determining harm.
Creating an evidence-based medicine question
Element Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome of problem intervention clinical interest Question Male with Laparoscopic Open Adverse effects,
component L inguinal time to recovery
hernia
5 Kark AE, Kurzer MN, Belsham PA. 3175 primary inguinal hernia repairs: advantages of ambulatory open mesh repair using local anesthesia. J Am Coll Surg 1998;186:447–455.
6 Amid PK, Shulman AG, Lichtenstein IL. Open “tension-free” repair of inguinal hernias:
the Lichtenstein technique. Eur J Surg 1996;162:447–453.
7 Phillips EH, Arregui M, Carrol BJ, et al. Incidence of complications following laparo- scopic hernioplasty. Surg Enosc 1995;9:1621.
8 Felix EL, Michas CA, Gonzalez MH. Laparoscopic hernioplast: TAPP vs TEP. Surg Endosc 1995;9:984–989.
The EBM question becomes: For a 45-year-old man with a simple left inguinal hernia, which procedure is most likely to have the maximum likelihood of immediate success and also is most likely to prevent recurrence? The focus of the question is obtaining data about the adverse outcomes associated with the use of open versus laparo- scopic operative techniques.
9There are several level I studies that explicitly compare the Lichtenstein (open) and TAPP (laparoscopic) procedures.
10Other studies have compared TEP and other open. After reviewing the information, you conclude that the major difference between the two laparoscopic procedures versus the open Lichtenstein procedure is that, although laparoscopic procedures cost significantly more, laparoscopic procedures appear to allow patients to return to work more quickly. Operative time and complication rates are not notably different.
Step 5: Providing Care of the Highest Quality
In the final step in the algorithm, the element that is emphasized is assuring that the clinical decision making of the physician optimized the outcome for Mr. Edwards. Table 2.19 specifies the relevant compo- nents of the clinical decision-making question. The evidence is summa-
9Liem MSL, Van Der Graff Y, Van Steensel CJ, et al. Comparison of conventional anterior surgery and laparoscopic surgery for inguinal-hernia repair. N Engl J Med 1997;336:1541–1547. Champault G, Rizk N, Cathleine JM, et al. Inguinal hernia repair:
totally pre-peritoneal laparoscopic approach versus Stoppa operation, randomized trial:
100 cases. Hernia 1997;1:31–36. Wright DM, Kennedy A, Baxter JN, et al. Early outcome after open versus extraperitoneal endoscopic tension-free hernioplasty: a randomized clinical trial. Surgery (St. Louis) 1996;119:552–557.
10 Paganini AM, Lezoches E, Carle F, et al. A randomized, controlled, clinical study of laparoscopic vs open tension-free inguinal hernia repair. Sur Endosc 1998;12:979–986.
Payne JH, Grininger LM, Izawa MT, et al. Laparoscopic or open inguinal herniorrhaphy?
A randomized prospective trial. Arch Surg 1994;129:973–981.
Table 2.19. Step 5: Providing care of the highest quality.
Creating an Evidence-Based Medicine Question
Element: Patient problem Intervention Comparison Outcome intervention of clinical
interest Question Male with L Open Laparoscopic Minimal component: inguinal hernia, approach approach time away
no acute distress, from work
primary wage earner for family—hourly worker with no paid time off; wife has excellent insurance
Source: Reprinted from Scott DJ, Jones DB. Hernias and abdominal wall defects. In:
Norton JA, Bollinger RR, Chang AE, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evi- dence. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2001.
rized and explained to Mr. Edwards so that he can be a participant in his care and give informed consent to the treatment of his choice. It turns out that he is an hourly worker, without paid time off. His wife’s health insurance will cover any reasonable and customary costs. The patient’s
most important concern is that he is able to return to work in the shortest time possible. Given the information about the risks and benefits inherent toeach procedure, he elects to have the laparoscopic hernia repair.
Summary
Evidence-based medicine provides a systematic approach to ensuring the delivery of the highest quality of care possible to patients. It draws on the best evidence available to inform the practice of skilled and experienced clinicians. The quality of the evidence ranges from useful but potentially biased single-case studies to randomized clinical trials that meet the strictest standards of scientific rigor. Additional useful evidence can be obtained from meta-analyses, outcome studies, and practice guidelines.
Evidence-based medicine has five core tenets for practicing medicine:
• Clinical decision making should be based on the best available scientific evidence.
• The clinical problem, rather than the habits or protocols, should determine the type of evidence to be sought.
• Identifying the best evidence means thinking informed by epidemi- ologic and biostatistical methods.
• Conclusions derived from identifying and critically appraising evidence are useful only if put into action in managing patients or making healthcare decisions.
• Performance should be constantly evaluated.
The evidence-based medicine algorithm for delivering quality patient care contains five clinical objectives:
1. Achieving a diagnosis 2. Estimating the prognosis 3. Deciding on the best therapy 4. Determining harm
5. Providing care of the highest quality
Application of the five core tenets of evidence-based medicine to the five clinical objectives promotes the optimal practice of surgery. The acronym for developing an effective question to guide the application of evidence to the practice of surgery is PICO: patient problem, inter- vention, comparison intervention, and outcome of clinical interest.
Three “pearls” to keep in mind:
• Clinical wisdom is invaluable but never above question.
• The best evidence is only as good as the clinician who applies the information to deliver patient care.
• Clinical acumen and experience form the essential base on which the
practice of evidence-based medicine rests.
Selected Readings
Dawson-Saunders B, Trapp RG. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 2nd ed.
Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1994.
Glasziou P, Irwig L, Bain C, Colditz G. Systematic Reviews in Health Care: A Practical Guide. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2001.
McLeod RS. Evidence-based surgery. In: Norton JA, et al, eds. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2001.
Reeves S, Koppel I, Barr H, Freeth D, Hammick M. Twelve tips for undertak- ing a systematic review. Medical Teacher 2002;24:358–363.
Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence-Based Medi- cine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1997.
Sackett DL, Rosenberg MC, Muir Gray JA, et al. Evidence-Based Medicine:
How to Practice and Teach EBM, 2nd ed. London: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
