Table 8.

Point estimates of number needed to treat (NNT) for interventions with evidence of benefit in reducing postoperative pulmonary complications

Category of intervention	NNT (95% CI)	GRADE quality of evidence
Enhanced recovery after surgery pathways	8 (4.9 to 12.9)	Low
Prophylactic mucolytic	9 (5.5 to 17.8)	Low
Postoperative CPAP	10 (5.6 to 29)	Low
Lung protective ventilation	14 (8.3 to 33.8)	Moderate
Respiratory physiotherapy	10 (7.2 to 15.6)	Low
Epidural analgesia	22 (13.4 to 59.7)	Low
Goal directed haemodynamic therapy	45 (23.3 to 514.1)	Moderate

CPAP=continuous positive airway pressure; GRADE=Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.