title: The challenge of evaluating surgical procedures.
abstract: All new interventions and procedures must be properly assessed in comparison to the currently accepted method(s). It is unethical not to do so. The optimum method is by Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). This is ideally suited to the testing of drugs because the trial can usually be double blind and placebo controlled. RCTs are less commonly used for the evaluation of new surgical techniques. There are valid and invalid reasons for this and these are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bristol.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Stirrat
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Farrow
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farndon
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dwyer
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome