Guidelines for reporting case series of tumours of the colon and rectum

Abstract

Although case series reports are the most frequent type of article published in surgical periodicals, their scientific value has recently been judged questionable for assessing the effectiveness of a treatment. It has also been suggested that strict rules, such as those published for randomised controlled trials (the CONSORT statement) could improve their quality. Forty papers on surgery for colorectal tumours were reviewed and a check list of items considered useful for reporting a case series was drawn up. Some items were borrowed from the CONSORT statement. The final list was checked against the 40 articles reviewed. Virtually all the published papers were defective in one or more aspects (selection of patients, details of clinical, pathological and technical data, methods of follow-up and statistical analysis). The quality of observational studies can be improved. Data collection is easier in prospective studies, and strict follow-up and appropriate statistical analysis may render a case series more reliable.

Short-term clinical and oncological outcomes after single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic surgery for rectosigmoid cancer: a retrospective clinical analysis of 30 cases

“…This study was conducted according to the guidelines for reporting observational studies. 17 Between October 2018 and January 2020, 30 consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colorectal resection for cancer of the sigmoid colon and upper rectum in our department were screened for inclusion. Diagnosis was confirmed by preoperative colonoscopy and computed tomography (CT) in all cases.…”

Dear author: is your case report paper adequate to international standards?

“…19 Ressalta-se ainda que conforme o objetivo do relato há instrumentos específicos que norteiam a qualidade da escrita, Figura 3. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Considerando-se os elementos discutidos e a força de evidência deste editorial, podemos inferir que os relatos de casos e de séries de casos podem ser altamente relevantes em situações raras e únicas, desde que corretamente conduzidos e aplicados como uma etapa em uma linha de investigação que contemple estudos de maior robustez de evidência científica.…”

Developing appropriate methodology for the study of surgical techniques

“…No similar initiative has been developed for surgical series, although some suggestions have been made for particular specialties. 8,9 An equivalent effort is needed to develop standards for reporting surgical case series, particularly for reporting patient selection, co-morbid pathology and postoperative morbidity.…”