Ensuring all falling trees are heard: the importance of publishing all research

Grocott HP, Jones PM. Can J Anaesth. 2018 Jul;65(7):757-759. doi: 10.1007/s12630-018-1133-z.

“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?”

In this issue of the Journal, McKay et al. report the results of a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) of 200 patients in whom an LMA® ClassicTM (Teleflex Inc.; Morrisville, NC, USA) supraglottic airway (SGA) was inserted.1 The incidence of sore throat was compared in groups using lidocaine- or water soluble-based lubricants and no lubricant at all. Their results suggest that lubrication does not influence the occurrence of sore throat following insertion of the LMA Classic. Though the results of this study are not particularly earth-shattering, and are also somewhat dated (making its relevance somewhat uncertain with respect to the newer generation SGA devices that are now being used), what is particularly notable is when (i.e., what year) this study was undertaken. Indeed, this RCT commenced almost 15 years ago and finished 11 years ago, yet its reporting was delayed until 2018.

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