Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate demographics, methodological data and writing style of abstracts presented at the 5th Congress of National Trauma and Emergency Surgery.
Methods: Study design, institutions and number of authors, appropriateness of the title, use of a structured abstract, word count, fluency, accuracy of the statistical evaluation, and conclusionabstract accordance were assessed in 451 abstracts.
Results: Nearly 49% of abstracts were retrospective and 29% were case reports in design. 33%, 26%, and 24% of abstracts were related to isolated organ, single system and multi-system injuries, respectively. Approximately two-fifths of presentations were university-based. Approximately one-third of presentations were multidisciplinary in origin. The mean number of authors was 5.6+/-1.8, and a statistical significance was found between abstract contributions from university versus other hospitals (p=0.001). Three-fourths of the abstracts had an appropriate title and 91% were structured. Word count was 100-250 in 57% and 250-500 in 42% of abstracts. Statistical analysis was used in only 19% of abstracts. Most of the abstracts were fluent. Conclusion-abstract accordance was present in 71% of the abstracts.
Conclusion: Our results indicate there are some deficiencies in the abstract writing process. The use of a structured abstract may intensify fluency and compliance to abstract writing guidelines. Clinical studies regarding multi-traumatized patient groups and experimental studies should be encouraged.