title: Meta-analysis protocols should be prospectively registered.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham, Room 26, 4th Floor, Heritage Building, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK. dnepogodiev@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nepogodiev
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Smart
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham, Room 26, 4th Floor, Heritage Building, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Pinkney