TY - JOUR
T1 - Is the right research being conducted to advance knowledge about breast reconstruction? An analysis of the research pipeline
AU - Checketts, Jake X.
AU - Gordon, Joshua
AU - Crawford, Julia H.
AU - Adams, Haley
AU - Duckett, Laurie
AU - Vassar, Matt
N1 - Funding Information:
We evaluated studies funded by the Plastic Surgery Foundation to determine whether recently funded studies addressed the research gaps we identified from the breast reconstruction guideline. We used the “Grants We Funded” feature of the Plastic Surgery Foundation’s Web site. We included studies that indirectly addressed the recommendations (i.e., data from the study could improve knowledge related to the research gaps even though they did not directly address the research question), and those that directly addressed recommendations. Only studies funded since publication of the breast reconstruction guideline were included.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - Background: It has been estimated that up to 85 percent of research is of limited value or wasted, in part because of the wrong research questions being addressed. In this study, the authors identified research gaps for breast reconstruction using guideline recommendations based on low-quality or no evidence. The authors then evaluated whether research was currently being conducted to fill these gaps. Methods: The authors extracted grade C and D options, which are based on limited evidence, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeon’s clinical practice guideline for breast reconstruction. For each option, the authors created Participants, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome questions and search strings using a systematic process. Searches were conducted of ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to locate new and ongoing studies. The authors also catalogued studies on breast reconstruction funded by the Plastic Surgery Foundation. Results: Of the 10 research gaps, only six were being addressed by new and ongoing research. Timing of reconstruction (immediate or delayed) and use of acellular dermal matrix were most frequently studied. Preoperative referral of a plastic surgeon before mastectomy, complications associated with preoperative breast size, effects of hormone therapy on postoperative outcomes, and methods for detecting local recurrence after mastectomy were not being addressed by new research. Studies funded by the Plastic Surgery Foundation showed a similar pattern. Conclusions: Of the areas identified, some have received more attention than others. Gaps remain. The authors’ results should spark interest in conducting research on these to ics and b so doin stren then the clinical ractice guideline recommendations.
AB - Background: It has been estimated that up to 85 percent of research is of limited value or wasted, in part because of the wrong research questions being addressed. In this study, the authors identified research gaps for breast reconstruction using guideline recommendations based on low-quality or no evidence. The authors then evaluated whether research was currently being conducted to fill these gaps. Methods: The authors extracted grade C and D options, which are based on limited evidence, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeon’s clinical practice guideline for breast reconstruction. For each option, the authors created Participants, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome questions and search strings using a systematic process. Searches were conducted of ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to locate new and ongoing studies. The authors also catalogued studies on breast reconstruction funded by the Plastic Surgery Foundation. Results: Of the 10 research gaps, only six were being addressed by new and ongoing research. Timing of reconstruction (immediate or delayed) and use of acellular dermal matrix were most frequently studied. Preoperative referral of a plastic surgeon before mastectomy, complications associated with preoperative breast size, effects of hormone therapy on postoperative outcomes, and methods for detecting local recurrence after mastectomy were not being addressed by new research. Studies funded by the Plastic Surgery Foundation showed a similar pattern. Conclusions: Of the areas identified, some have received more attention than others. Gaps remain. The authors’ results should spark interest in conducting research on these to ics and b so doin stren then the clinical ractice guideline recommendations.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85044279825&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/PRS.0000000000004107
DO - 10.1097/PRS.0000000000004107
M3 - Article
C2 - 29481388
AN - SCOPUS:85044279825
SN - 0032-1052
VL - 141
SP - 566
EP - 577
JO - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
JF - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
IS - 3
ER -