Table 21:
GRADE Evidence Profile for Robot-Assisted Versus Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy for Estimated Blood Loss
| # Studies (Design) | Risk of Bias | Inconsistency | Indirectness | Imprecision | Publication Bias | Upgrade Considerations | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 RCT | No serious limitations | No serious limitations | No serious limitations | Serious limitations (−1)a | Undetected | None | ⊕⊕⊕ Moderate |
| 4 non-RCTs | Serious limitations (−1)b | No serious limitations | No serious limitations | Serious limitations (−1)a | Undetected | None | ⊕ Very low |
Abbreviations: GRADE, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation; RCT, randomized controlled trial.
a
Not powered to detect differences. Difficulties in accurately measuring blood loss.
b
GRADE starts at low for nonrandomized studies. Differences in baseline patient characteristics and surgeon experience may impact estimated blood loss.