Innovation and Tribulation in the History of Randomized Controlled Trials in Surgery

Abstract

Despite persistent critiques of the rigor of surgical research, surgeons have actually pursued careful empirical studies for centuries. Their work has enriched not only surgical science but also the development of evidencebased medicine. From conducting landmark controlled trials, to using statistics, alternate patient allocation, randomization, and sham controls, surgeons have long embraced innovative trial approaches and played important roles in the development of key methods of RCTs. However, historical contexts unique to surgery have shaped the implementation of RCTs in this field. Unlike the history of pharmaceuticals, in which substantial research funding has been devoted to testing new drugs before their approval, surgical trials have followed a different trajectory. New operations have repeatedly come into wide use in the absence of RCTs. On many occasions, when established procedures have become controversial, surgeons have then marshaled the resources to conduct RCTs reassessing the operations. Such trials have triggered powerful debates in which proponents of surgical RCTs battled against ingrained practices and preferences. In such cases, RCTs often were not decisive factors in determining the fate of surgical practices but supporting tools that followed and reflected changes in surgical judgment already underway. Surgical trialists also have encountered specific, recurring challenges, especially with the methodological and ethical complexity of blinded and sham-controlled trials. The history of surgical trials thus reveals major contributions from surgeons to the advancement of evidence-based medicine, as well as ongoing challenges. Strengthened and systematic trial support could advance the future of surgical RCTs.

FIGURE 1.

Portrait of James Lind (1716–1794), by G. Chalmers, c 1783. Wellcome Collection, available at https://wellcomecollection.org/works/q763qfax#licenseInformation. License via https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.

FIGURE 2.

“The New Operating Theatre,” Great Northern Central Hospital, London, circa 1888–1911. Wellcome Collection, available at https://wellcomecollection.org/works/gcqafahs. License via https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode).

FIGURE 3.

One of the many popular press articles that promoted Henry Cotton’s theories. From The evening world (New York, NY), 24 July 1919. Available at Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1919-07-24/ed-1/seq-16/). In the public domain.

FIGURE 4.

Breast cancer awareness poster produced by the American Society for the Control of Cancer, c. 1936. Source: National Museum of American History Available at https://visualsonline.cancer.gov/details.cfm?imageid=1817. In the public domain.