Novel ways to explore surgical interventions in randomised controlled trials: applying case study methodology in the operating theatre

Table 1 Summary of surgeons’ experience, by centre

Centre	Surgeon	Number of years as a consultant	Approximate number of bypass procedures performed
A^a	S1	11	500+
	S3	1.5	130
	S4	N/A	50
	S5	7	500+
B^~	S2	11	500+
B^~	S6	7	400

N/A not applicable
^aAlthough there are three consultant surgeons in Centre A, four surgeons were included in the case studies. S4 was a senior surgical trainee undertaking a bariatric fellowship
^~Although there are three consultant surgeons in Centre B, one was not participating in the By-Band study

ISSN: 1745-6215