USEFULNESS AND LIMITS OF CONVENTIONAL AND CUMULATIVE METAANALYSIS IN GYNECOLOGY-OBSTETRICS

The authors describe some situations where meta-analyses would have be en of great benefit if they have been done or sufficiently published. They emphasize several problems ensued by this new method : if possibl e, meta-analyses have to be done each time a new trial is analysed, ac cording to a precise method. Cumulative meta-analysis should rely on a regular and prospective registration of clinical trials. In all cases , meta-analyses should be available to a large number of physicians, i n the main interest of patients.