What is evidence-based surgery?

Abstract Evidence-based medicine has been defined as conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual In other words, clinical decisions should be based on the best available evidence rather than relying on anecdotal experience, expert opinion, or traditional ways. To practice evidence-based medicine, there must be good evidence available, it must be disseminated and readily available, and clinicians must be able to access it, critically appraise it, and apply it to individual patients. Traditionally, surgeons have relied on evidence from case series rather than higher level evidence from randomized controlled trials. While it may be difficult to perform well-designed and -executed surgical randomized controlled trials, it is also mandatory that they be performed, given the rapid changes in technology. In addition to providing the best treatment for patients, it allows for the judicious use of available funds and ensures that there are adequate resources for interventions that are known to be effective. Copyright © 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company