Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic surgery is a large and complex field of research. Several evidence gaps exist for specific diseases or surgical procedures. An overview on existing knowledge is needed to plan and prioritise future research. The aim of this project is to create a systematic and living evidence map of pancreatic surgery.
Methods and analysis A systematic literature search in MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials will be performed searching for all randomised controlled trials (RCT) and systematic reviews (SR) on pancreatic surgery. RCT and SR will be grouped in research topics. Baseline and outcome data from RCT will be extracted, presented and effect sizes meta-analysed. Data from SR will be used to identify evidence gaps. A freely accessible web-based evidence map in the format of a mind map will be created. The evidence map and meta-analyses will be updated periodically.
Dissemination After completion of the project, a permanently updated evidence map of pancreatic surgery will be available to patients, physicians, researchers and funding bodies via www.evidencemap.surgery. Its use will allow clinical decision-making based on primary data and prioritisation of future research endeavours.
PROSPERO registration number CRD42019133444.
- evidence map
- evidence management
- pancreatic surgery
- systematic review
- meta-analysis
- living review
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Footnotes
Contributors PP, FJH, OM, EK, HGK and ALM made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work or the acquisition of data and drafted the work. RK, KJ, TH, MWB and MKD made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work or the acquisition of data and revised the work critically for important intellectual content. All authors gave their final approval to the publication of this manuscript and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Funding This work was supported by the Heidelberg Foundation for Surgery (Heidelberger Stiftung Chirurgie, www.stiftung-chirurgie.de), Heidelberg, Germany.Half of the article processing charge was covered by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft within the funding programme Open Access Publishing, by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts and by Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Not required.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.