title: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Facial Plastic Surgery.
abstract: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses hold a unique position in the pyramid of evidence. They can provide transparent and rigorous summaries to answer many clinical questions in facial plastic surgery. They can also identify areas of research deficiency, create new knowledge, and support guidelines or policies. A well-conducted systematic review follows a structured process to minimize bias and ensure reproducibility. When appropriate, a meta-analysis is incorporated to provide a statistical synthesis that combines the results of individual studies. This powerful quantitative method is becoming more prevalent in facial plastic surgery. This article provides a practical framework to understand and conduct this valuable type of research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, 190 Elizabeth Street - Rm 3S438, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada; Eye Face Institute, 4789 Yonge Street, Suite 316, Toronto, Ontario M2N 0G3, Canada.
authors.forename: Basil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hassouneh
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 1500 East Medical Center Drive SPC 5312, 1904 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5312, USA. Electronic address: mbren@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brenner
mesh_terms: D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013518:Surgery, Plastic
keywords: Evidence-based medicine; Facial plastic surgery; Local flap; Meta-analysis; Reconstruction; Rhinoplasty; Rhytidectomy; Systematic review