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Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in regional anesthesia and pain medicine (Part II): guidelines for performing the systematic review
  1. Ryan S D’Souza1,
  2. Michael J Barrington2,
  3. Ananda Sen3,
  4. Edward J Mascha4 and
  5. George A Kelley5
  1. 1Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
  2. 2Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Pain Medicine, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, USA
  3. 3Departments of Biostatistics and Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  4. 4Departments of Quantitative Health Sciences and Outcomes Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
  5. 5Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
  1. Correspondence to Michael J Barrington, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Pain Medicine, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA; barringm{at}ohsu.edu

Abstract

In Part I of this series, we provide guidance for preparing a systematic review protocol. In this article, we highlight important steps and supplement with exemplars on conducting and reporting the results of a systematic review. We suggest how authors can manage protocol violations, multiplicity of outcomes and analyses, and heterogeneity. The quality (certainty) of the evidence and strength of recommendations should follow the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. It is our goal that Part II of this series provides valid guidance to authors and peer reviewers who conduct systematic reviews to adhere to important constructs of transparency, structure, reproducibility, and accountability. This will likely result in more rigorous systematic reviews being submitted for publication to the journals like Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine and Anesthesia & Analgesia.

  • Anesthesia, Local
  • EDUCATION
  • TECHNOLOGY

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/rapm-2023-104802

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors RSD’S conceived and led the development of this project, and drafted the original and subsequent versions of the manuscript including its format and intellectual content, before preparing it for submission. MJB conceived and led the development of this project and drafted the original and subsequent versions of the manuscript including its format and intellectual content, before preparing it for submission. AS contributed important intellectual content to the manuscript and approved the final version. EJM contributed important intellectual content to the manuscript, developed its format and structure, edited subsequent sections, and approved the final version. GAK contributed important intellectual content to the manuscript, drafted subsequent versions of the manuscript, and approved the final version. This manuscript was handled by: Thomas R. Vetter, MD, MPH, MFA.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests RSD’S is an Associate Editor for Anesthesia & Analgesia, and an Associate Editor for Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine. MJB is a Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine Executive Section Editor of Anesthesia & Analgesia. AS received a honorarium for his contribution to this manuscript. EJM is Statistical Editor for Anesthesia & Analgesia. GAK is the Statistical Advisor for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses for Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

    • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.

    • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.

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