title: Meta-analysis in surgery: methods and limitations.
abstract: The growth of new knowledge continues to advance the surgical disciplines, and several types of literature reviews attempt to consolidate this expansion of information. Meta-analysis is one such method that integrates findings on the same subject from different studies. Within surgery, there is a wealth of literature on a given topic, which needs to be considered collectively. As such, meta-analyses have been performed to address issues like the use of bowel preparation for colorectal surgery and comparisons of outcomes for laparoscopic vs open surgical approaches. A basic understanding of the groundwork required for meta-analysis is fundamental toward interpreting and critiquing its results. This review provides an overview of the principles, application, and limitations of meta-analysis in the context of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Tina T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: McGory
authors.forename: Clifford Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Melinda A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Maggard
mesh_terms: D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011643:Publishing / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design; D012196:Review Literature as Topic