Evidence-based medicine and systematic reviews in perioperative medicine -Fad or necessity?

The aim of Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the unbiased and systematic ide ntification and synthesis of valid scientific data. These best-evidence dat a may then be used for clinical decision-making. The systematic review is t he most important tool of EBM and gives a specific answer to a specific que stion. More than 200 systematic reviews have been published in perioperativ e medicine. They treat complications and risks related to anaesthesia, post operative and labour analgesia, nausea and vomiting, regional anaesthesia, blood transfusion and fluids replacement, and resuscitation. The majority o f these systematic reviews are of good quality. In the specific settings of perioperative medicine the number of systematic reviews has become so impo rtant that recommendations for evidenced-based strategies of prevention and therapy can be formulated.