title: A debate on the value and necessity of clinical trials in surgery.
abstract: In the current era of evidence-based medicine there is increasing demand for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in surgery. Unfortunately, many unique aspects of surgery make RCTs difficult to implement. This article is a debate that explores the motion that clinical trials in surgery are both useful and necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital, 3100-910 West 10th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E3, Canada.
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Kurt T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Alscher
authors.forename: York N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Hsiang
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D013502:General Surgery / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards*