An observational study of duplicate presentation rates between two national orthopedic meetings.

BACKGROUND: National meetings such as those of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA) are invaluable in the dissemination of new research findings. Given the limits of meeting agendas, investigators who present the same paper at multiple meetings prevent other presentations on potentially important original research. To determine the incidence of duplicate presentation of research between recent COA and AAOS meetings and between national meetings (AAOS and subspecialty), we conducted an observational study. METHODS: We hand-searched all podium papers and posters from the 2001 COA annual meeting for duplicate presentation at the 2001 and 2002 AAOS annual meetings and subspecialty meetings held in the USA. We evaluated summary data abstracted from the duplicate presentations for consistency. RESULTS: Of 148 presentations at the 2001 COA meeting, 29 presentations (paper and poster) were duplicated at the 2001 or 2002 AAOS meeting: effectively 1 paper in 5 (19.5%). Canadian investigators were significantly more likely to present the same paper at both meetings than Americans (79% v. 13%, respectively; p < 0.01). Those who presented papers at COA altered their AAOS presentations in a variety of ways: by changing the wording in the title of their paper (24% of the time), adding or removing authors (38%), changing authorship order (34%) and changing the sample size (31%). Duplicate presentation rates between AAOS and other orthopedic subspecialty meetings averaged 11.4% (range 3.4%-26.4%). CONCLUSIONS: We identified a 20% duplicate presentation rate between the COA and AAOS annual meetings, and an 11% rate between the AAOS and subspecialty meetings. Stricter enforcement of guidelines and improved dissemination of research findings at both national meetings may limit this practice.     

Research publication in pediatric surgery: a cross-sectional study of papers presented at the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons and the American Pediatric Surgery Association

Introduction

Several studies have examined predictors of publication of research presented in scientific meetings in different disciplines. A tendency toward publishing studies with positive results has been described as “publication bias.” Our objective was to determine the proportion of the studies that were published, time to publication, and factors that could predict publication in pediatric surgery.

Methods

The abstract books of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons and the American Pediatric Surgery Association meetings for 2001 to 2002 were reviewed. Data were gathered regarding the methodology and characteristics of each study. Case reports and editorials were excluded. A Medline search was then conducted to determine the publication status. Analysis using univariate and multivariate techniques was undertaken, comparing the difference between published and unpublished studies.

Results

Two hundred seven abstracts were reviewed. Of the 183 abstracts included, 118 (64.5%) were published. Most studies were published 1 year after presentation (93.2%). Presentation in the American Pediatric Surgery Association meeting and research originating from North America and reporting statistically significant results were significantly associated with subsequent publication on univariate analysis. The presence of statistically significant results was the only factor associated with successful publication on multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 3.3; confidence interval, 1.5-7.7).

Conclusion

The strong association between successful publication and the presence of statistically significant results point to the strong possibility of publication bias affecting decisions made about publishing research in the pediatric surgery.     

Publication Rates of Presentations at an Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Background  

The Program Committee of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS) continually tries to improve the quality of the scientific program at AAOS meetings. However, according to the most recent study, the publication rate of papers presented at the 1996 annual meeting was only 34%.     

Podium versus poster publication rates at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association

Original studies at orthopaedic meetings are presented on the podium and in poster format. Publication of those studies in peer-reviewed journals is the standard of communicating scientific data to colleagues. Investigators of previous studies have reported publication rates, but never differentiated between the modes of presentation. We evaluated the annual meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association from 1994-1998 and found that studies presented on the podium were 1.3 times more likely to be published than those presented in a poster format (67% versus 52%). The mean time to publication was similar, 21.6 months for poster presentations and 24.8 months for podium presentations. Podium presentations were more likely to be published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American and British editions). Our findings suggest different rates and distribution of publication between podium and poster presentations at an international trauma meeting. These findings should be considered when evaluating studies of interest at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association meeting.     

What is the ultimate fate of presented abstracts? The conversion rates of presentations to publications over a five-year period from three North American plastic surgery meetings

BACKGROUND:

Advancements in clinical decision-making are influenced by presentations made at scientific conferences or publications in journals with extensive readership. However, many ideas shared at annual conferences fail to be published, and most surgeons attend these meetings only sporadically.

OBJECTIVE:

To quantify the conversion rates of meeting presentations to publications in North American plastic surgery.

METHODS:

MEDLINE (OvidSP) and PubMed databases were cross-referenced with abstracts accepted for podium presentation at the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and American Association of Plastic Surgeons annual meetings from 2003 to 2007. Parameters reviewed included publication rate, time to publication, subspecialty, trial type, publication journal and journal impact factor.

RESULTS:

Over the five-year study period, 45.00% of the 888 presentations were published in peer-reviewed journals. The mean time to publication was 22 months (range 1.00 to 85.90 months). In total, 57.00% of the 400 publications appeared in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; 47.20% of publications were case series study design. The majority of publications were of the reconstruction subspecialty (31.00%). Abstracts from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons had the highest conversion rate (57.70%). Publications based on abstracts presented at the American Association of Plastic Surgeons had the highest mean journal impact factor (2.33). The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons had the highest total number of publications (n=161).

CONCLUSIONS:

From the three North American annual general meetings reviewed, there was a modest conversion rate of mainly reconstructive case series published predominantly in a single journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Several years often pass from the genesis of a research hypothesis to final publication, and because the majority of presentations fail to be published, presentations should be observed with a critical eye given the more stringent peer review process and time required for final publication. In an effort to improve conversion rates, departments and faculty members must foster a culture that prioritizes publication.     

The best 10 clinical articles for the last 50 years from the Division of General Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Purpose

The aim of the review was to present the best 10 clinical articles for the last 50 years (1956-2006) from the Division of General Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), Toronto, Canada. These articles were judged by the major change (impact) in clinical practice of pediatric general surgery after their publication.

Methods

All clinical articles from 1956 to 2006 inclusively written by members of the division (while working at HSC) were evaluated. The 2 authors of this article (retired honorary staff surgeon and recently trained chief surgical resident/fellow) separately rated the articles. Each lead author (if possible) was asked to comment on “the significance of their paper, then and now.” If the lead author was unavailable, 1 of the 2 authors of this article commented on the articles.

Results

The best 10 clinical articles selected involved spleen trauma, necrotizing enterocolitis, esophageal replacement, Hirschsprung's disease, tracheal compression, fecal incontinence, gastroesophageal reflux, diaphragmatic hernia, and ruptured appendix. There were 8 staff members and 5 surgical residents/fellows who were lead authors, along with 10 staff from other divisions, departments, and/or hospitals.

Conclusion

The conservative management of splenic trauma was judged the best article from this Division that made the largest clinical impact for the last 50 years.     

Evidence-based surgery--evidence from survey and citation analysis in orthopaedic surgery

INTRODUCTION

The results of a survey on evidence-based surgery (EBS) among members of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) are presented. The study also analyzes the citations earned by articles with different levels of evidence (LOE) to see if LOE have any bearing on the importance attached to the articles by authors and contributors to the journals.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The questionnaire was e-mailed to 1000 randomly chosen consultant orthopaedic surgeons who were members of either the AAOS or the BOA. Participants were provided with the option of responding through web-based entry. For citation analysis, citation data were gathered from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American volume) between the years 2003 and 2007 (5-year period).

RESULTS

The survey showed that awareness and access to EBS have improved greatly over the years. At the present time, these factors are not important barriers to the implementation of EBS in clinical practice in developed countries. There was a statistically significant difference in those with and without additional qualifications with regard to the approach to EBS. However, an equal percentage of surgeons with and without additional qualifications felt that it was difficult to adhere to EBS guidelines in daily clinical practice. Citation analysis showed that readers of professional journals attach importance to LOE category of the article and tend to cite level-I evidence articles more than other articles.     

Publication Rate of Abstracts Presented at the Shoulder and Elbow Session of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery

Many shoulder and elbow abstracts presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting are cited in the orthopaedic literature or are used to guide orthopaedic practice, but not all of these abstracts are submitted, survive peer review, or eventually are published. Presuming unpublished works have not been scientifically confirmed, one could question whether it is academically responsible to cite abstracts presented at the AAOS before they are peer-reviewed and published. To partly address this issue we determined the peer-reviewed publication rate for 558 abstracts (233 papers and 325 posters) presented at the shoulder and elbow sessions of the AAOS from 1999 to 2004. In April 2007, we searched the computerized database MEDLINE and PubMed for published articles based on these abstracts. We examined the published articles to assess publication rate, time to publication, change in contents, change in authors, and change in conclusions of abstracts. The overall publication rate in peer-reviewed journals was 58% (321 of 558), similar to other orthopaedic meetings and medical disciplines. We believe it is unacceptable to cite shoulder and elbow abstracts submitted to the AAOS because only slightly more than (1/2) (58%) of them are authenticated scientifically.     

Publication Rates in Podium and Poster Presentations at the 2012-2014 American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meetings

Background

Subspecialty conferences are an important forum for disseminating the latest research relevant to clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to identify publication rates in podium and poster abstracts for the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) Annual Meeting and to identify the most common journals of publication and the reasons for nonpublication.

Variable Reporting by Authors Presenting Arthroplasty Research at Multiple Annual Conferences

Background

Prior studies have demonstrated discrepancies in financial conflict of interest (COI) disclosure among authors presenting research at multiple spine and sports medicine conferences. The purpose of this study was to quantify the variability of self-reported financial disclosures of individual authors presenting at multiple arthroplasty conferences during the same year.

English publication rate of 3,205 abstracts presented at the Annual Meeting of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association and the Annual Research Meeting of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association

Background

Previous studies reported that the publication rate of abstracts presented at overseas meetings was around 50 %. The study objectives were to determine the rate of publication in English-language journals and the impact factor (IF) for all papers presented at the Annual Meeting of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Annual Research Meeting of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOAR), and to compare the publication rates and IFs from abstracts accepted for oral versus poster presentations.

Methods

Titles and first authors were identified for 1,676 abstracts of free papers accepted for presentation to the JOA in 2006 and 2007, and 1,529 abstracts to the JOAR from 2006 to 2008. We identified the associated journal publications by searching PubMed, and IFs were determined using the journal citation reports. The publication rates and IFs for papers accepted for oral versus poster presentations were compared using statistical analysis.

Results

The overall publication rate was 25.5 % from the JOA and 50 % from the JOAR. There were no significant differences in yearly publication rates, or between oral and poster presentations for each year. The average IFs for all publications from the JOA was 2.45 and that from the JOAR was 3.5. There were no significant differences in yearly IFs, or between oral and poster presentations for each year (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The rate from JOAR was similar to publication rates for abstracts presented at overseas orthopedic meetings, however, the rate from JOA was half that of publication rates for abstracts presented at overseas orthopedic meetings, indicating that JOA may provide a below average contribution of new medical data to the international scientific community. No significant difference in publication rates between oral and poster presentations were found, and this suggests a need for improvement of the review system for the annual meeting and that review scores at the meetings did not predict the publication fate of abstracts.     

Contrast enema for pediatric intussusception: is reflux into the terminal ileum necessary for complete reduction?

Purpose

Complete contrast enema reduction of intussusception is traditionally considered confirmed when contrast is seen refluxing into the terminal ileum. Operative intervention is typically indicated when the intussusception is not completely reduced. This study reviews the outcomes after symptomatic reduction of intussusception without requiring reflux of contrast into the terminal ileum.

Methods

A retrospective review of all pediatric patients treated for intussusception between 1996 and 2006 was performed. Diagnostic modality, operative reports, and hospital records were reviewed.

Results

One hundred sixty-eight patients were treated for intussusception during the study period. Median age was 9.9 months (59 days to 16.7 years). One hundred thirty-seven (81.5%) patients underwent contrast enema as the initial diagnostic/therapeutic modality. On contrast enema, 15 (10.9%) patients demonstrated reduction of the intussusception but without contrast refluxing into the terminal ileum. All 15 patients had improvement of symptoms. Six (40%) patients underwent operative intervention and were found to have a completely reduced intussusception. Two (13.3%) patients had repeat contrast enema the next day confirming complete reduction. The remaining 7 (46.7%) patients were observed without further radiographic studies, and all 7 patients were discharged the following day tolerating full feedings. There were no recurrent intussusceptions.

Conclusion

Nonoperative management may be used in patients with reduced intussusception despite lack of contrast refluxing into the terminal ileum if symptoms resolve.     

Early repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Background

Timing of repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in babies that require stabilization on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains controversial. Although many centers delay operation until physiologic stabilization has occurred or ECMO is no longer needed, we repair soon after ECMO has been initiated. The purpose of this study is to determine if our approach has achieved acceptable morbidity and mortality.

Methods

Charts of live-born babies with CDH treated at our institution between 1993 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were then compared with The Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group and Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registries.

Results

Forty-eight (39%) patients required ECMO Thirty-four of these 48 neonates were cannulated before operative repair. Venoarterial ECMO was used exclusively. The mean (SD) time of repair from cannulation was 55 (21) hours. Survival for this subset of patients was 71%. Three patients (8.8%) who underwent repair on ECMO experienced surgical site hemorrhage that required intervention.

Conclusion

Early repair of CDH in neonates on ECMO can be accomplished with acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality.     

¿Están los servicios de cirugía general y del aparato digestivo preparados para ofrecer docencia de calidad acorde con los nuevos planes de formación?

Introduction

In recent months we have witnessed an update of the residents training program and the regulation of important training aspects. Teaching units are an important aspect of the training process, which should be required to comply with the prerequisites adapted to changing times as a guarantee of quality.

Aim

To identify areas for improvement in training, and the baseline resources of the units to deal with the implementation of the new training program.

Material and methods

The study was carried out in all units with accredited educational programs in the Valencian Community with questionnaires answered by tutors and residents, and meetings held with them.

Results

The participation rate was high (100% of tutors and 92% of residents). Some deficiencies in the requirements of the surgical units and in the quality of the training felt by the residents are detected, mainly in the research and educational activity fields. Huge differences between hospitals are found.

Conclusions

More attention must be paid to fulfilling all the requirements needed for the accreditation of the teaching units, with an emphasis on educational and research activities. The implementation of the new training program requires monitoring to minimise the differences found between the units.     

Past and current surgical treatment of giant omphalocele: outcome of a questionnaire sent to authors

Purpose

Operative treatment of giant omphalocele (OC) is still a challenge for pediatric surgeons. We were interested to ascertain whether published operative techniques for giant OC once advocated by their authors were still being used by these authors and whether the techniques had been modified or even abandoned for other techniques.

Methods

Relevant studies concerning the treatment of giant OC were identified by an electronic search. Publication date of the articles was from 1967 to 2009. A questionnaire was sent to the first author or coauthor, unless contact details were unavailable. The described surgical techniques were categorized into primary closure, staged closure, and delayed closure.

Results

Almost half of the authors (42%), independent of the initial technique used (primary, staged, or delayed closure), changed or stopped using their technique after the publication of the article. The change was not to one particular proven better technique. Herniation rate was lower in delayed closure (9% delayed vs 18% staged vs 58% primary).

Conclusions

The results of the questionnaire did not show a generally accepted method of treatment after more than 30 years of innovations in managing patients with a giant OC. There are generally 2 main treatment modalities: staged closure and delayed closure. Because of the lack of large patient numbers and late follow-up, long-term results of the published techniques are needed, and randomized multicenter trials based on these outcomes are recommended. Until then, we remain dependent on expert opinions.     

Cyclosporine microemulsion formulation (sigmasporin microral) effect as first-line immunosuppressant on renal functions at 3 years

Background

Cyclosporine (CsA) remains a mainstay of immunosuppressive maintenance regimens in developing countries, but its effects on long-term kidney allograft survival are still unclear. Our aim was to assess a generic microemulsion CsA (Sigmasporin) for long-term impact on graft function and patient survival among stable renal transplant patients.

Methods

Over a 36-month period, patients with transplantations from >6 months earlier were maintained on CsA doses of 2-8 mg/kg/d to keep C₂ within the recommended therapeutic range. We assessed 25 efficacy and tolerability parameters of scheduled intervals.

Results

Twenty-seven patients (9 female, 18 male) from 6 centers in 4 Middle-Eastern countries were enrolled between 2004 and 2009. Their average age was 35.1 ± 9.8 years, body mass index ranged from 15.7 to 41.2 kg/m², and average time from transplantation was 2.2 ± 1.6 years. Within the 36-month observation period the CsA dose was reduced by 17.3% from 2.89 ± 0.88 mg/kg/d to achieve C₂ levels of 600-1000 ng/mL. After 36 months the glomerular filtration rate declined by 8.2% from an overall baseline mean of 72.7 ± 23.5 mL/min/1.73 m². It improved in 11.1% of patients and remained unchanged in 44.4%. No new cases of hypertension or diabetes mellitus were reported, and there was 1 case of borderline hyperlipidemia. Graft functions were stable, apart from 2 incidences of CsA nephrotoxicity. Both graft and patient 3-year survival rates were 100%.

Conclusions

On a 3-year basis, Sigmasporin Microral was effective to maintain stable renal functions in kidney transplant patients, with safety and tolerability profiles similar to those reported in the international literature.     

Publication rates of abstracts presented at the 23rd (2013) and 24th (2014) National Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Congresses: We are not improving

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine 1) the publication rates of podium and poster presentations from the 23rd (2013) and the 24th (2014) National Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Congresses in peer-reviewed journals and (2) compare these rates with publication rates from the 20th congress (2007) published previously. The secondary objective was to determine the time lag to publication and compare this data with the data from the 20th congress.MethodsAll abstracts from the scientific programs of the 23rd (2013) and the 24th (2014) National Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Congresses were identified and computerized PubMed searches were conducted to determine whether an abstract had been followed by publication of a full-text article in peer-reviewed journals. The time lag to publication was also noted.ResultsOf the 993 presentation abstracts (302 podium and 691 poster presentations) from the 23rd congress and of the 940 presentation abstracts (310 podium and 630 poster presentations) from the 24th congress, 278 (28%) and 234 (24.9%) were followed by a full-text article in peer-reviewed journals indexed by PubMed, respectively. The rates of publication of the podium and poster presentations were 39.4% (119/302) and 23% (159/691), respectively from the 23rd and 37.7% (117/310) and 18.6% (117/630), respectively from the 24th congresses. The mean time to publication of the abstracts from the 23rd congress was 12.8 ± 18.8 (median: 13, range: −140 to 47) months and the mean time to publication of the abstracts from the 24th congress was 11.1 ± 14.42 (median: 11, range: −73 to 39) months. Fifty (50/278, 18%) abstracts from the 23rd congress (mean −11, range: [−32]−[−1], median −5 months) and 37 (37/234, 15.8%) abstracts from the 24th congress (mean −10.4, range: [−73]−[−1], median −4 months) were published as full-text articles prior to the presentation at the congress.ConclusionThe vast majority of abstracts presented at 23rd (2013) and the 24th (2014) National Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Congresses were not followed by publication of a full-text article in peer-reviewed journals. The publication rates of the abstracts presented at these congresses did not improve when compared with the 20th (2007) congress.