Compared with classic systematic reviews, the scoping reviews, mapping reviews and evidence gap maps (EGMs) address broader research questions. Therefore, they are classified into the "big picture review" family. These three types of evidence synthesis have developed rapidly in recent years, but the related concepts are easy to be confused. This article introduces the methodological development process of the three types of evidence synthesis, summarizes the similarities and differences in terms of research purposes and methodology based on the methodological guidelines of the three types of evidence synthesis in the "big picture review" family. The author hopes that this article can help domestic researchers distinguish and identify the three types of evidence synthesis, avoid conceptual confusion, and correctly choose the type of evidence synthesis in the "big picture review" family according to the research purpose.
Objective To understand the current research status of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in colorectal cancer. Methods Literatures about the application of SLN biopsy in the field of colorectal surgery were collected and reviewed. Results The results of SLNs biopsy accurately reflected the status of the nodal basin. Focused examination of the SLNs could identify micrometastases that might otherwise had been missed by standard histopathological analysis, thus upstaged this group of patients. Conclusion SLN biopsy represents a new and effective technique to predict the tumor status of regional lymph nodes, which offers a potential alternative to improve the accuracy of tumor staging in colorectal cancer.
