European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society consensus study to identify research priorities in paediatric orthopaedic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric orthopaedic surgery is rarely supported by high-quality evidence, with treatment decisions generally informed by experience or case series. The European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society recognises the need to establish research priorities in the field. This study builds on previous UK research priorities to discover the most important unanswered clinical effectiveness research questions in elective and trauma care and basic science, amongst Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeons across Europe. METHODS: A modified Delphi technique, including an initial scoping survey and a two-round Delphi process conducted amongst paediatric orthopaedic surgeons in Europe. RESULTS: An average of 113 surgeon responses were received in each round, scoring questions from 1 (low priority) to 5 (high priority). The mean score for importance was 3.59 in elective questions, 3.13 in trauma and 3.54 in basic science. The top questions in each group were identified. The top five research priorities for elective care related to the care of - Perthes Disease, Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. Those in trauma related to the treatment of fractures around the elbow, forearm and femur Basic science priorities related to pharmaceuticals in the management of paediatric orthopaedic conditions and the pathology of Perthes' Disease and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. CONCLUSIONS: The results will help guide clinicians, researchers and funding bodies to focus research towards important topics and improve the evidence for practice in paediatric orthopaedic surgery. We hope that this study will encourage the development of collaborative international studies to improve care in paediatric orthopaedics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V - decision analysis.