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Pasli M, Tumin D, Guffey R. Simulation-Based Analysis of Trial Design in Regional Anesthesia. Anesthesiol Res Pract 2024; 2024:6651894. [PMID: 38525205 PMCID: PMC10959581 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6651894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In regional anesthesia, the efficacy of novel blocks is typically evaluated using randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the findings of which are aggregated in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Systematic review authors frequently point out the small sample size of RCTs as limiting conclusions from this literature. We sought to determine via statistical simulation if small sample size could be an expected property of RCTs focusing on novel blocks with typical effect sizes. Methods We simulated the conduct of a series of RCTs comparing a novel block versus placebo on a single continuous outcome measure. Simulation analysis inputs were obtained from a systematic bibliographic search of meta-analyses. Primary outcomes were the predicted number of large trials (empirically defined as N ≥ 256) and total patient enrollment. Results Simulation analysis predicted that a novel block would be tested in 16 RCTs enrolling a median of 970 patients (interquartile range (IQR) across 1000 simulations: 806, 1269), with no large trials. Among possible modifications to trial design, decreasing the statistical significance threshold from p < 0.05 to p < 0.005 was most effective at increasing the total number of patients represented in the final meta-analysis, but was associated with early termination of the trial sequence due to futility in block vs. block comparisons. Conclusion Small sample size of regional anesthesia RCTs comparing novel block to placebo is a rational outcome of trial design. Feasibly large trials are unlikely to change conclusions regarding block vs. placebo comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Pasli
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Dmitry Tumin
- Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Department of Academic Affairs, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Ryan Guffey
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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Magoon R. Systematic literature under the scanner: The Pandoras' box is set open! Am J Emerg Med 2024; 77:206. [PMID: 38278650 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Magoon
- Department of Anesthesia, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi 110001, India.
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Payne T, Moran B, Loadsman J, Marschner I, McCulloch T, Sanders RD. Importance of sequential methods in meta-analysis: implications for postoperative mortality, delirium, and stroke management. Br J Anaesth 2023; 130:395-401. [PMID: 36931783 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Trial sequential analysis is an adaptation of frequentist sequential methods that can be used to improve inferences from meta-analysis. Trial sequential analysis can help preserve type I and type II error rates at desired levels for analyses conducted before the required information size. Through three case studies recently published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, we show how trial sequential analysis can inform the interpretation of meta-analyses. Limitations of trial sequential analysis, which also include those of the meta-analysis to which it is applied, must be carefully considered alongside its benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Payne
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ben Moran
- Critical Care Program, George Institute of Global Health, Sydney, Australia; Department of Intensive Care, Gosford Hospital, Gosford, Australia; Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Gosford Hospital, Gosford, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - John Loadsman
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian Marschner
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim McCulloch
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert D Sanders
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Institute of Academic Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Magoon R, Puri S, Bandyopadhyay A. Harmonizing the Septic Shock Terminology: Need of the Hour. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023. [DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
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Vail EA, Tung A. A Roadmap to Optimize Intraoperative Mechanical Ventilation. Anesth Analg 2022; 135:967-970. [PMID: 36269986 PMCID: PMC9589916 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000006158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Vail
- From the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Penn Center for Perioperative Outcomes Research and Transformation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Avery Tung
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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