title: [Clinical research in hand surgery: the problem and value of retrospective studies].
abstract: Retrospective studies are still very important in clinical decision making although they present severe methodological deficiencies compared to controlled trials. Imprecise and incomplete data gathering, lack of homogeneity in the group studied, and lack of randomisation are the main drawbacks. Indications for retrospective studies and criteria for their execution are presented.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Hand-, Plastische und Wiederherstellungschirurgie des Malteser-Krankenhauses Bonn.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brüser
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noever
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery*; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012106:Research; D012189:Retrospective Studies
vernacular_title: Klinische Forschung in der Handchirurgie: Problematik und Wert retrospektiver Studien.