Achieving Evidence-Based Practices in Colorectal Surgery

The concept of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and evidence-based surgery (EBS) involves combining the best scientific evidence available with the clinician’s judgment while also considering the patient’s needs and preferences. In the past, the practice of colorectal surgery was based on tradition and anecdotal experience from experts rather than scientific rationale. However, the rise of EBM has led to changes in how colorectal surgery is performed. This review discusses the hierarchy of evidence, fundamental principles of EBS, and practicing evidence-based colorectal surgery. Tables review the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine revised levels of evidence, four steps of evidence-based surgery, key resources for evidence-based surgery, the “PICO” technique, and the Dindo-Clavien classification system. This review contains 5 tables and 69 references.