RESEARCH ARTICLE
Year : 2018  |  Volume : 3  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 37-42

Developing a consensus on indications, timing and core outcomes for surgical fixation of rib fracture: a Delphi technique protocol


1 York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, Heslington, York; The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
2 York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, Heslington, York, UK

Correspondence Address:
Helen MA Ingoe
York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, Heslington, York; The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
UK
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Source of Support: This study was supported by the Educational grant Orthopaedic Research UK. ORUK UK Registered Charity, No. 1111657., Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/2542-4157.233622

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Background and objectives: Developing a robust surgical trial requires evidenced based indications and selection of relevant outcomes. The aim of this study is to develop a consensus on indications and timing and a core outcome set for surgical fixation of rib fractures following blunt chest trauma. Design: A systematic review of the literature and identification of a core outcome set using a Delphi survey. Methods: Systematic review has identified multiple outcomes, indications and timing of surgery following rib fracture fixation. Using the Core Outcomes Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) methodology, three expert panels including clinicians, allied health professionals and patients will be invited to participate in an online questionnaire. Consensus will be achieved after three rounds using a rating scale of 1 (not important) to 9 (critically important). Those responses unable to gain consensus will be dropped through subsequent rounds. All three expert panels will take part in the development of a core outcome set. Clinicians will run a concurrent consensus on timing and indications for surgery. Discussion: A consensus on the indications, timing and outcomes that should be measured in a surgical rib fracture fixation trial is required to address in ability to compare multiple studies for evidence synthesis. Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval has been obtained from the University of York Health Science Research Governance Committee, Health Research Authority (235596) and North West Research Ethics Committee (18/WM/0018). Systematic review is complete, and the consensus rounds will take place between February and June 2018. Protocol version: 2.0. The results of the study will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration: This protocol was registered on the COMET website http://www.comet-initiative.org/studies/details/1104.


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