Propensity Scoring in Plastic Surgery Research: An Analysis and Best Practice Guide

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery Research
• Biostatistics
• Observational Study Design

Background:

• Randomized controlled trials are often infeasible in plastic surgery.
• Observational studies are common but prone to bias.
• Propensity scoring can mitigate bias in observational studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the utilization of propensity scoring in plastic surgery research.
• To identify gaps in reporting propensity scoring methodologies.
• To provide recommendations for improving propensity score reporting.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of articles published in three major plastic surgery journals.
• Data collection period: August 2018 to August 2020.
• Analysis of the frequency and completeness of propensity score reporting.

Main Results:

• Propensity scoring was used in only 8 (0.8%) of 971 reviewed articles.
• None of the studies fully reported their propensity scoring methodology.
• Significant underutilization and incomplete reporting were observed.

Conclusions:

• Propensity scoring methods are rarely used in plastic surgery research.
• Current reporting practices for propensity scoring are inadequate.
• Guidelines are needed to improve the application and reporting of propensity scoring in plastic surgery.