Methodological and reporting quality of Latin American randomized controlled trials in surgery from 2012 to 2022: a meta-research study

Lozada-Martinez I.D.; Visconti-Lopez F.J.; Rojas-Cueva A.C.; Ausejo F.; Castrillón-Lozano J.; Cañas Pedroza N.A.; Yela Ordoñez R.L.; García A.M.; Santana B.O.; Diazgranados-García M.C.; Acevedo-Parrales D.; Delgado P. · International Journal of Surgery Open (2025) · DOI: 10.1097/io9.0000000000000233

Resumen

Background: Latin America is a region where an increasing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in surgery are being conducted. However, there is no evidence regarding the methodological and reporting quality of this studies. Methods: Meta-research study, including RCTs conducted in general surgery and subspecialties, conducted in Latin American centers and published from 2012 to 2022 with inclusion in PubMed and Scopus databases. The CONSORT and Joanna Briggs Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials tools were used. Results: 83 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. 67.5% (n = 56) were conducted in Brazil. 74.7% (n = 62) of RCTs demonstrated high methodological quality, while only 31.7% (n = 26) exhibited high reporting quality. Out of the 13 methodological quality items, 3 were not fulfilled in more than 50% of the RCTs. Meanwhile, of the 37 reporting quality items, only 15 were met in more than 75% of the RCTs. Conclusions: While the methodological quality of Latin American RCTs in surgery included in PubMed and Scopus is relatively high, there is a predominance of moderate reporting quality. The common failure to comply with specific items in this sample is a phenomenon of great interest for surgical meta-research that warrants deeper exploration. These shortcomings the falsifiability and reproducibility of Latin American RCTs in surgery, which could be improved through scientific training.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas