BETs and CAs in this Category

Surgical » Resuscitation

			Mean arterial pressure in isolated head injury
			Ultrasonography or diagnostic Peritoneal lavage in abdominal trauma
			Seldinger technique chest and complication rate
			Low dose (renal dose) dopamine in the critically ill patient
			Factor VIIa for intractable blood loss in trauma
			To Stab or Slash: the percutaneous dilatation or standard surgical approach to cricothyroidotomy in prehospital care
			The Infective Complications of a Femoral Central Venous Line
			Is the central venous pressure reading equally reliable if the central line is inserted via the femoral vein
			Neurological Outcome with Mechanical CPR
			The sensitivity of a normal chest radiograph in ruling out aortic dissection
			Do asymptomatic premature infants need routine 'top up' transfusions?
			Etomidate for procedural sedation in the emergency department.
			Cardiopulmonary bypass and the survival of patients in cardiac arrest
			Spiral CT in Aortic Dissection
			Is continuous positive airway pressure effective in bronchiolitis?
			Is Antero-posterior position superior to Antero-lateral position for placement of electrodes for external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation post bypass grafting?
			Antimicrobial and antibiotic coated central venous catheters
			Bone Injection Gun Placement of Intraosseous Needles
			Does needle always mean tube after suspected tension pneumothorax?
			Do low dose steroids improve outcome in septic shock?
			Anion gap is a screening tool for elevated lactate with risk of sepsis
			Emergency caesarean section in cardiac arrest before the 3rd trimester.

Generic appraisals

Puskas JD, Williams, Duke PG et al.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting provides complete revascularization with reduced myocardial injury,transfusion requirements, and length of stay: a single blind RCT

Randomised control trial

Kirkpatrick AW

Hand-held Thoracic Sonography for Detecting Post-Traumatic Pneumothoraces: the Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (EFAST)

Diagnosis

levitan RM

Limitations of difficult airway prediction in patients intubated in the emergency department.

Cohort

Baker R.C, Tiller T., Bausher J. et al

Severity of Disease correlated with fever reduction in febrile infants

Cohort

Surgical » Abdo pain » Pancreatitis

			Serum amylase or lipase to diagnose pancreatitis in patients presenting with abdominal pain.
			Urinary Trypsinogen to rule out acute pancreatitis in patients with abdominal pain
			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Serum amylase and acute pancreatitis
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?

Surgical » Abdo pain » Appendicitis

			Abdominal ultrasound in the diagnosis of childhood appendicitis
			White cell count and diagnosing appendicitis in children
			Ultrasound scanning in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnancy
			White cell count and diagnosing appendicitis in adults
			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Ultrasound scanning in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in adults
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?
			Is Norepinephrine better than Dopamine in vasopressor support of Septic Shock?
			CT vs USS in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis
			Should isotonic infusion solutions routinely be used in hospitalised paediatric patients?

Surgical » Abdo pain » Bowel obstruction

			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Role of plain abdominal radiograph in the diagnosis of intussusception
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?
			Is Norepinephrine better than Dopamine in vasopressor support of Septic Shock?
			Is cyclizine is better than metoclopramide in patients with moderate to severe abdomen pain

Surgical » Abdo pain » Biliary tract

			Analgesia in biliary colic
			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Parenteral analgesia and/or buscopan for abdominal pain
			Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) in abdominal colic
			How accurate is clinical diagnosis at identifying patients with cholecystitis?
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Pethidine versus morphine in patients presenting with Biliary colic?
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?
			Intravenous NSAID's in the treatment of Biliary colic
			Is Norepinephrine better than Dopamine in vasopressor support of Septic Shock?
			Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) in biliary colic.
			Emergency Physician bedside ultrasound for the diagnosis of cholelithiasis

Surgical » Abdo pain » Urinary tract

			Rectal or Intravenous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in acute renal colic
			Intramuscular piroxicam is better than Intramuscular diclofenac for renal colic
			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) in abdominal colic
			No evidence for the use of buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) in renal colic
			NSAIDS or Opioids in Renal Colic.
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?
			Intravenous NSAID's in the Management of Renal Colic
			Sensitivity of haematuria at detecting urinary calculi
			Ultrasound VS IVP in detecting renal stones

Surgical » Abdo pain » Abdominal aneurysm

			Fluid resuscitation in acute abdominal aortic aneurysm
			Do buckle fractures of the paediatric wrist require follow-up?
			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?

Surgical » Abdo pain » Mesenteric infarction

			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Role of plain abdominal radiograph in the diagnosis of intussusception
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?

Surgical » Abdo pain » Peptic ulcer disease

			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?
			Oral steroids in management of asthma in acute peptic ulcer patient

Surgical » Abdo pain » Abdominal pain in pregnancy

			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?
			Is Norepinephrine better than Dopamine in vasopressor support of Septic Shock?
			Serum or Urine beta-hCG in Ectopic Pregnancy?
			Is Magnetic Resonance Imaging useful for suspected appendicitis in pregnant patients

Surgical » Abdo pain » Other

			Analgesia and assessment of abdominal pain
			Serial x-rays in battery ingestion
			Accuracy of clincal examination in detecting/excluding serious abdominal pathology
			Parenteral analgesia and/or buscopan for abdominal pain
			Role of plain abdominal radiograph in the diagnosis of intussusception
			Abdominal radiography in 'Body Packers'.
			Does a normal CRP exclude serious pathology in the patient with acute abdominal pain
			Routine AXR in patients with abdo pain?
			Method of gut decontamination
			Is there a reversal of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation after redirection of anomalous hepatic venous flow to the lungs?
			Caesarean sections reduce the maternal-fetal transmission rate of human papillomavirus infection.

Surgical » Anorectal problems » Abscesses

Endoanal ultrasound versus Magnetic resonance Imaging for perianal sepsis

Surgical » Ent problems » Ear pain

			Antibiotics for otitis media
			Systemic or topical antibiotics in otitis externa
			Antibiotic prophylaxis in traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane
			Ear Foreign Body Removal

Surgical » Ent problems » Epistaxis

			Little evidence for either packing or cautery in anterior epistaxis
			Cautery or cream for epistaxis in children
			Anterior epistaxis - does cooling decrease bleeding?
			Inflatable nasal tampons are less painful than dry hydrophilic nasal tampons

Surgical » Ent problems » Throat pain

			Lateral neck x-rays are not indicated in the emergency department management of suspected fish bone impaction.
			Is penicillin V or cephalosporin more effective for sore throats?
			Do Steroids Reduce Symptoms in Acute Pharyngitis?
			Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of bleeding after tonsillectomy
			Acute Management of Peritonsillar Abscess (Quinsy)
			Are throat swabs and rapid antigen tests helpful for improving treatment of sore throat?
			Can throat examination distinguish between bacterial and viral infective agents?
			Is prescription of antibiotics or surgical intervention best for recurrent tonsillitis?
			Which analgesic is best for sore throats?
			Should sore throats be investigated to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescription?

Surgical » Ent problems » Other

			Steroids only indicated for Bell's palsy with complete paralysis
			Do grommets prevent language delay?
			Steroids in sudden sensorineural hearing loss
			Effervescent agents for oesophageal food bolus impaction
			Buscopan for oesophageal food bolus impaction
			To Stab or Slash: the percutaneous dilatation or standard surgical approach to cricothyroidotomy in prehospital care
			Nasal foreign bodies
			Are topical corticosteroids superior to systemic histamine antagonists in treatment of allergic seasonal rhinitis?
			Antibiotic prophylaxis in traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane
			Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of bleeding after tonsillectomy
			Does the clinical finding of ear wax exclude the finding of otitis media?
			Proteolytic enzymes for oesophageal meat impaction
			Do antibiotics work for tonsillitis caused by infectious mononucleosis?
			Antibiotics for Maxillary Sinusitis
			Ear Foreign Body Removal
			Does the Epley maneuver help reduce symptoms in patients presenting to the Emergency Department with acute benign positional vertigo?
			Should an infant who is breastfeeding poorly and has a tongue tie undergo a tongue tie division?

Surgical » Non traumatic painful joints

			Steroids in lateral epicondylitis.
			Ultrasound is better than x-ray at detecting hip effusions in the limping child
			Steroid Injection Therapy for de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis in Adults.
			The effect of physiotherapy on hypersensitive post-operative scars

Surgical » Back pain » Post trauma

			High dose steroids for whiplash
			Plain radiography is not indicated as 1st choice imaging modality in children with non-traumatic back pain
			Acupuncture for neck pain
			Can we assess the prognosis for whiplash soon after the injury?
			Manipulation and/or exercise for neck pain?
			Prognosis in acute non-traumatic simple lower back pain
			Bed rest for acute simple lower back pain
			Massage for chronic low back pain
			Laser for the treatment of chronic low back pain
			Early radiography in acute lower back pain
			Tennis elbow and epicondyle clasp
			Muscle relaxants for acute low back pain
			Laser for the treatment of acute low back pain
			Muscle relaxants for chronic low back pain
			Zygapophysial joint injections in chronic low back pain

Surgical » Back pain » Not post trauma

			Acupuncture in chronic back pain
			High dose steroids for whiplash
			Plain radiography is not indicated as 1st choice imaging modality in children with non-traumatic back pain
			Acupuncture for neck pain
			Can we assess the prognosis for whiplash soon after the injury?
			Manipulation and/or exercise for neck pain?
			Prognosis in acute non-traumatic simple lower back pain
			Bed rest for acute simple lower back pain
			Massage for chronic low back pain
			Laser for the treatment of chronic low back pain
			Early radiography in acute lower back pain
			Tennis elbow and epicondyle clasp
			Muscle relaxants for acute low back pain
			Exercise for acute back pain
			Exercise for Chronic Back Pain
			Spinal fusion in chronic back pain
			NSAIDs in chronic back pain
			Intradiscal electrothermy for the treatment of discogenic chronic low back pain
			Intraspinal opioids for the management of chronic low back pain
			Epidural injections for chronic simple low back pain
			Laser for the treatment of acute low back pain
			Muscle relaxants for chronic low back pain
			Zygapophysial joint injections in chronic low back pain
			Radiofrequency denervation for lumbar zygapophysial joint pain.
			Massage therapy for acute low back pain
			Are back schools effective in the management of chronic simple low back pain?
			Provocation discography for the diagnosis of discogenic chronic low back pain
			Spinal manipulation in chronic back pain
			Behavioural therapy for chronic low back pain

Surgical » Testicular pain

			Colours doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of atypical / early testicular torsion in boys under 12 years of age.
			The sensitivity of the cremasteric reflex in ruling out testicular torsion.

Surgical » Abscesses

			abscesses; to pack or not to pack
			Incision and drainage preferable to oral antibiotics in acute paronychial nail infection?
			Aspiration of breast abscesses

Surgical » Vascular problems » Limb ischaemia

			Anticoagulation for acute ischaemic limbs
			Is sympathectomy of benefit in critical leg ischaemia not amenable to revascularisation?

Surgical » Vascular problems » Aneurysms

			Fluid resuscitation in acute abdominal aortic aneurysm
			Does a normal CT scan rule out a subarachnoid hemorrhage
			Peripheral pulses to exclude thoracic aortic dissection
			Spiral CT in Aortic Dissection
			Accuracy of Emergency Department Ultrasound in Detecting AAA.

Surgical » Loin pain

			Is Ultrasound a good diagnostic test for obstructive biliary disease?
			NSAIDS or Opioids in Renal Colic.
			Urine dipstick as rule out of urinary caculi
			Accuracy of negative dipstick urinalysis in ruling out urinary tract infection in adults

Surgical » Penile problems

Ice, pins or sugar to reduce paraphimosis

Surgical » GU system » Infections » STD

			Accuracy of negative dipstick urinalysis in ruling out urinary tract infection in adults
			Is positive dipstick alone enough to identify the cause as infective in patients with dysuria and haematuria?

Surgical » GU system » Infections » Non STD

			Antibiotics in Renal Colic
			Long standing symptoms of UTI:Failure to eradicate primary infection vs initial cure with subsequent reinfection
			Accuracy of negative dipstick urinalysis in ruling out urinary tract infection in adults
			UTI in men - is investigation required?
			Is positive dipstick alone enough to identify the cause as infective in patients with dysuria and haematuria?

Surgical » GU system » Calculi

			Rectal or Intravenous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in acute renal colic
			Is Ultrasound a good diagnostic test for obstructive biliary disease?
			Intramuscular piroxicam is better than Intramuscular diclofenac for renal colic
			No evidence for the use of buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) in renal colic
			Antibiotics in Renal Colic
			KUB and US vs Spiral CT in first 24 HRS of Renal Colic, which is more cost effective
			ultrasound vs CT scan for detecting calculi
			KUB sensitivity at detecting urinary calculi

Surgical » GU system » Bleeding

			Is Ultrasound a good diagnostic test for obstructive biliary disease?
			Use of intravenous omeprazole in gastrointestinal patients before endoscopy

Surgical » GU system » Retention

			Prophylactic antibiotics in urinary catheterisation to prevent infection
			Is SPC better than Urethral catherisation in first time acute urinary retention
			Delayed vs 24h TWOC in patients with BPH and first episode of acute retention

Surgical » Cardiac

			Can Cardiac re-transplantation be performed with an acceptable survival after primary graft failure?
			Is transmyocardial revascularisation of benefit to people with 'no option' angina?
			Is transcatheter device occlusion as good as open heart surgery for closure of atrial septal defects?
			Does the use of topical transexamic acid in cardiac surgery reduce the incidence of post-operative mediastinal bleeding?
			Topical Vancomycin during Cardiac Surgery
			The Infective Complications of a Femoral Central Venous Line
			Is Sotalol more effective than standard beta-blockers for the prophylaxis of atrial fibrillation during cardiac surgery
			Prophylactic Amiodarone in the prevention of Atrial Fibrillation
			What is the optimal dose of aspirin after discharge following coronary bypass surgery
			Is a pleural drain of value after CABG with LIMA in preventing Pleural Effusions when the Pleura is opened?
			Is rate control superior to conversion strategy in AF post cardiac surgery?
			Is amiodarone or digoxin better in AF post cardiac surgery in terms of time to return of sinus rhythm?
			Is prophylactic haemofiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass of benefit during cardiac surgery?
			The sensitivity of a normal chest radiograph in ruling out aortic dissection
			Peripheral pulses to exclude thoracic aortic dissection
			Does aspirin 6 hours after coronary artery bypass grafting optimise graft patency?
			Does magnesium offer any additional benefit in patients having anti-arrhythmic treatment for atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery?
			In aortic arch surgery is there any benefit in using antegrade cerebral perfusion or retrograde cerebral perfusion as an adjunct to hypothermic circulatory arrest?
			In open heart surgery is there a role for the use of carbon dioxide field flooding techniques to reduce the level of post-operative gaseous emboli?
			1 or 2 chest drains for lobectomy
			Does use of aprotinin in coronary artery bypass graft surgery affect graft patency
			Is the figure-of-eight superior to the simple wire technique for closure of the sternum?
			Is addition of anti-platelet therapy to warfarin beneficial to patients with prosthetic heart valves?
			Can troponin T be used to diagnose acute coronary syndrome during postoperative period following coronary artery bypass surgery
			Is clopidogrel beneficial following coronary bypass surgery
			Does it matter whether a chest drain is aimed upwards or downwards for the optimum drainage of fluid or air from the pleural cavity ?
			Is Antero-posterior position superior to Antero-lateral position for placement of electrodes for external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation post bypass grafting?
			Bi-atrial pacing significantly reduces the Incidence of atrial fibrillation post cardiac surgery
			Can epiaortic ultrasound reduce the incidence of intraoperative stroke during cardiac surgery?
			In patients undergoing cardiac surgery does asymptomatic significant carotid artery stenosis warrant carotid endarterectomy?
			Is carotid artery stenting equivalent or superior to carotid endarterectomy for treatment of carotid artery stenosis?
			What is the optimal anticoagulation management of patients post cardiac surgery who go into atrial fibrillation?
			Are prophylactic beta-blockers of benefit in reducing the incidence of AF following coronary bypass surgery?
			Does off pump coronary artery surgery reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation?
			Does the radial artery provide better long-term patency than the saphenous vein?
			Should the pericardium be closed in patients undergoing cardiac surgery?
			Does pleurotomy during internal mammary artery harvest increase post-operative pulmonary complications?
			A new CURE? Clopidogrel ahead of coronary angioplasty in acute coronary syndromes
			Might gene therapy offer symptomatic relief for patients with 'no option' angina?
			Can the use of thromboelastography predict and decrease bleeding and blood and blood product requirements in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery?
			Can ventilation while on cardiopulmonary bypass improve post-operative lung function for patients undergoing cardiac surgery?
			Use of pericardiocentesis for patients with cardiac tamponade in penetrating chest trauma
			Should additional antibiotics or an iodine washout be given to all patients who suffer an emergency re-sternotomy on the cardiothoracic intensive care unit?

Generic appraisals

Marinelli G, Chiappini B, Di Eusanio M et al.

Bypass Grafting with coronary endarterectomy: immediate and long-term results

Cohort

Puskas JD, Williams, Duke PG et al.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting provides complete revascularization with reduced myocardial injury,transfusion requirements, and length of stay: a single blind RCT

Randomised control trial

Kirkpatrick AW

Hand-held Thoracic Sonography for Detecting Post-Traumatic Pneumothoraces: the Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (EFAST)

Diagnosis

levitan RM

Limitations of difficult airway prediction in patients intubated in the emergency department.

Cohort

Baker R.C, Tiller T., Bausher J. et al

Severity of Disease correlated with fever reduction in febrile infants

Cohort

Surgical » Ortho » Fracture

			Splinting of buckle fractures of the distal radius in children
			Collar and cuff vs other splintage methods after MUA of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in children
			IV Opiates versus femoral block in fractured neck of femur
			Need for cervical spine imaging for alert children after trauma
			Cervical spine imaging in children under 9 after trauma
			High spatial resolution Sonography in diagnosis of suspected fracture of Scaphoid
			Get them moving now: Early mobilisation for minimally displaced radial head fractures
			Is ultrasound or plain film radiography a more sensitive diagnostic modality for diagnosing slipped capital femoral epiphysis?
			Immobilisation of stable ankle fractures
			Elbow extension as a 'rule-out' tool for significant injury in adults
			Elbow extension as a 'rule-out' tool for significant injury in children
			Hyperbaric Oxygen in Fracture Healing
			No evidence found that a femoral nerve block in cases of femoral shaft fractures can delay the diagnosis of compartment syndrome of the thigh.
			Early mobilisation for volar plate avulsion fractures
			Ottawa Knee Rule in children
			Prediction of fracture associated with anterior shoulder dislocation.
			Treatment of central metatarsal fractures: support vs plaster
			Treatment of a supracondylar fracture
			Is a cast as useful as a splint in the treatment of a distal radius fracture in a child
			Treatment for fractures of a lateral condyle of the humeus in a child
			Best position of immobilisation in a greenstick fracture of the distal radius
			Influence of clinical information on the diagnosis of a wrist fracture in a child

Surgical » Ortho » Dislocation

			General anaesthesia or conscious sedation for reducing a dislocated hip prosthesis?
			Need for cervical spine imaging for alert children after trauma
			Cervical spine imaging in children under 9 after trauma
			Elbow extension as a 'rule-out' tool for significant injury in adults
			Elbow extension as a 'rule-out' tool for significant injury in children
			How to immobilise after shoulder disclocation.
			Early mobilisation for volar plate avulsion fractures
			Prediction of fracture associated with anterior shoulder dislocation.
			The value of pre-hospitalisation self-administered preventative measures against MRSA SSIs in patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty.