Actually there are such journals - here is just one example
Journal of hand surgery
http://www.jhandsurg.org/article/PIIS0363502305007409/abstract
Volar Versus Dorsal Plating in the Management of Intra-Articular Distal
Radius Fractures
David S. Ruch, MD, Anastasios Papadonikolakis, MD
Received 16 February 2005; accepted 7 September 2005
Purpose
To compare the complications and functional and radiographic outcomes of
volar and dorsal plating of intra-articular distal radius fractures.
Methods
This retrospective review included 34 patients found by searching a database
of 350 patients treated for distal radius fractures. Inclusion criteria were
(1) at least 1 year of follow-up data and (2) open reduction and internal
fixation of a multifragmentary fragment intra-articular distal radius
fracture with either a nonlocking volar or dorsal plate. Twenty patients
were treated with a dorsal plate and 14 patients were treated with a volar
nonlocking plate. Objective and subjective outcome parameters were compared
between the 2 groups. Objective evaluations included wrist range of motion,
grip strength, and preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters
(radial inclination, palmar tilt, ulnar variance, fracture pattern).
Subjective evaluations were performed using the Disabilities of the Arm,
Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score and the Gartland and Werley
score.
Results
Volar plating resulted in a significantly better Gartland-Werley score
compared with dorsal plating. There were no significant differences in the
DASH score.Volar collapse was documented in 5 of the 20 patients in the
dorsal plating group, which resulted in a mild loss of pronation compared
with the volar plating group. No collapse occurred in the volar plating
group. In addition the difference in the percentage of wrist range of motion
compared with the contralateral wrist was not significant. Dorsal plating
was associated with a ruptured extensor indicis tendon in 1 patient;
secondary surgical procedures were required in 4 patients (tenolyses and
radial styloidectomy). Volar plating was associated with median nerve
neuropathy in 2 patients and intersection syndrome in one.
Conclusions
Although both groups of patients had similar DASH scores the functional
outcome in terms of Gartland and Werley scores was better in the volar
plating group. In addition there was a higher rate of volar collapse and
late complications in the dorsal plating group compared with the volar
plating group.
Type of study/level of evidence
Therapeutic, Level III.
Irina Ibraghimova
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www.eurasiahealth.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Evidence based health (EBH)
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Power
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 8:02 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: List of journals reporting level of evidence
>I would like to know which medical journals have started reporting the
level of evidence along with the abstracts of the articles that they
publish.
...
>Dr. Tashfeen Ahmad, FCPS, PhD
===========================================================
Tashfeen
I would hope that no journals attach a level of evidence to the papers
that they publish. A level of evidence is a tool for delegating to someone
else the critical appraisal of the usefulness of a piece of evidence.
However, the level of evidence can be very misleading without knowing how
the evidence was critically appraised, the context (relation of the piece
of evidence to other relevant scientific knowledge), and the use to which
the evidence will be put.
Journals cannot always put the evidence into context (although sometimes
this is done by the authors or an accompanying editorial).
Journals should not assume how the piece of evidence is going to be used.
Peer-review journals do (in theory at least) have articles critically
appraised before publication, but they should not be allowed to give the
impression (as assigning a level of evidence would) that readers do not
need to appraise the article themselves. In plain language: never trust a
journal to do your baloney detection for you.
The term "level of evidence" promises more than it can deliver, and is a
temptation, irresistable to many, not to think. The term pollutes the
literature because it is wonderful marketing; and it is wonderful
marketing because it is prone to biased and erroneous interpretation.
You might want to search the archives of the Evidence-Based-Health list
for previous discussions on levels of evidence. There has been some
interesting debate on the issue.
Michael
Clinical Knowledge Author, Guideline Developer and Informatician
Clinical Knowledge Summaries Service www.cks.library.nhs.uk
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