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Table 4 Selected historical examples of interventions widely endorsed and seldom contested that are not based on any evidence from randomized trials. (Adapted from [63])

From: The need to reform our assessment of evidence from clinical trials: A commentary

Intervention

Blood transfusion for severe hemorrhagic shock

Defibrillation for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia

Neostigmine for myasthenia gravis

Suturing for repair of large wounds

Closed reduction/splinting for displaced long-bone fractures

Insulin for diabetes mellitus

Directed pressure/suturing to stop bleeding

Activated charcoal for strychnine poisoning