Clinical Operational Research Unit, University College London, London WC1H 0BT, UK.
Br J Cancer. 2011 Mar 29;104(7):1085-97. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6606060. Epub 2011 Mar 8.
Pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer is a commonly performed and well-established practice of ∼50 years standing. However, there have been no controlled studies, randomised or otherwise. We sought to investigate the evidence base that has been used in establishing its status as a standard of care.
Among 51 papers used in a recent systematic review and quantitative synthesis, a citation network analysis was performed. A total of 344 publications (the 51 index papers and a further 293 cited in them) constitute the citation network.
The pattern of citation is that of a citation cascade. Specific analyses show the frequent use of historical or landmark papers, which add authority. Papers expressing an opposing viewpoint are rarely cited.
The citation network for this common and well-established practice provides an example of selective citation. This pattern of citation tends to escalate belief in a clinical practice even when it lacks a high-quality evidence base and may create an impression of more authority than is warranted.
结直肠癌细胞肺转移切除术是一种已有约 50 年历史的常规且成熟的治疗方法。然而，目前尚无对照研究（包括随机对照研究）。我们旨在研究已用于确立其作为标准治疗方法地位的证据基础。
在最近的一项系统评价和定量综合研究中，我们对 51 篇论文进行了引文网络分析。共有 344 篇出版物（51 篇索引论文和进一步引用的另外 293 篇论文）构成了引文网络。
引文模式呈引文级联。具体分析显示，经常使用具有历史或里程碑意义的论文，以增加权威性。很少有引用持相反观点的论文。
这种常见且成熟的治疗方法的引文网络提供了选择性引文的一个例子。这种引文模式往往会加剧对临床实践的信念，即使它缺乏高质量的证据基础，并且可能会给人一种比实际更有权威的印象。
