Completion and Publication Rates of Randomized Controlled Trials in Surgery

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.We evaluated early discontinuation and nonpublication of surgical trials approved in Canada, Germany, and Switzerland. Forty-three percent were stopped early, 18% for slow recruitment. Trial discontinuation was strongly associated with nonpublication. These findings are relevant when interpreting surgical literature, and surgical trialists should consider feasibility studies before starting full-scale trials.