title: [Research Assessment in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery on a National Level: A 5-Years Systematic Review of Research Activity in German University Hospitals].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In plastic surgery, a broad spectrum of research activity has been performed over the past decade. However, compared with other medical fields, there seems to be a lack of central coordination in the individual research areas. Also no comprehensive, periodical assessment has been undertaken to date. This study aims to provide an overview of German research activity in plastic surgery departments affiliated to medical universities.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a 5-year interval (01/2010-12/2014) survey of PubMed-listed publications of plastic surgery departments in German university hospitals. For each university (n=11), statistical analyses of the following parameters were performed: distribution of research fields, number of publications, annual cumulative impact sum (IS) and impact factor (IF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the above-mentioned period, a total of n=904 publications were analysed. Ranking among academic departments was as follows: number of publications: 1. Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 178 (annual average x̅=36/median x͂=34; 2. University Hospital of Erlangen 115 (x̅=23/x͂=23); 3. Bergmannsheil Bochum 90 (x̅=18/x͂=19). The annual impact sum (IS) averaged 33.51 (SD 11.088, p<0.05); separated IS: 1. Medizinische Hochschule Hannover x̅=74.66, x͂=62.22, 2. University Hospital of Erlangen x̅=53.24, x͂=50.84, 3. University Hospital RWTH Aachen x̅=46.12, x͂=44.67. The average impact factor per publication was: 1.98 (SD 0.31, p<0.05); separated IF: 1. University Hospital RWTH Aachen x̅=2.76, x͂=2.79; 2. University Hospital of Erlangen x̅=2.34, x͂=2.46; 3. Medizinische Hochschule Hannover x̅=2.08, x͂=2.05. The analysed publications were distributed as follows: 43% reviews, 20% cell biology/tissue engineering, 10% reconstruction, 27% others (including wound healing, vessel/nerve research, hand surgery, burn, aesthetics, oncology).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this comprehensive analysis, it seems that a periodical assessment of current research activity would be useful for the future. Data assessments should be started on European and international levels and should also be applied to other surgical and medical disciplines.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Hand- und Verbrennungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery - Burn Center, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Alawi
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Hand- und Verbrennungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery - Burn Center, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bohr
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Hand- und Verbrennungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery - Burn Center, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Stromps
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Hand- und Verbrennungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery - Burn Center, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Alharbi
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Hand- und Verbrennungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery - Burn Center, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pallua
mesh_terms: D005544:Forecasting; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000639:trends*; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000639:trends*