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Case Reports
. 2013 Mar;131(3):655-665.
doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31827c6f90.

Evidence on prognosis

Shimpei Ono  1 , Sandeep J Sebastin, Kevin C Chung
Affiliations
Case Reports

Evidence on prognosis

Shimpei Ono et al. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

In the clinical decision-making process, prognostic information gives physicians guidance regarding disease and treatment that can be passed along to patients. Using the clinical scenario of a type IIIB open tibial fracture as an example, this article focuses on how to search prognostic literature effectively and how to critically appraise prognostic studies. A well-built clinical question using the Patients, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes methodology helps plastic surgeons derive information from the vast resources in an effective and time-efficient manner. Subsequent critical appraisal of the collected studies is the essential step for identifying the most relevant high-quality evidence to provide the best prognostic information to guide patient decision-making.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A 22-year-old man with type IIIB open tibial fracture (Lt) Standard anteroposterior radiograph of a tibial shaft fracture with intramedullary nail fixation (Rt) Clinical photograph depicting the status of the soft-tissue and associated muscle loss
Figure 1
Figure 1
A 22-year-old man with type IIIB open tibial fracture (Lt) Standard anteroposterior radiograph of a tibial shaft fracture with intramedullary nail fixation (Rt) Clinical photograph depicting the status of the soft-tissue and associated muscle loss
Figure 1
Figure 1
A 22-year-old man with type IIIB open tibial fracture (Lt) Standard anteroposterior radiograph of a tibial shaft fracture with intramedullary nail fixation (Rt) Clinical photograph depicting the status of the soft-tissue and associated muscle loss
Figure 2
Figure 2
Outcome and prognostic factors for open tibial fractures Prognostic studies examine prognostic factors to determine their relationship to possible outcomes following various therapeutic treatments.
Figure 3
Figure 3
An example of Kaplan–Meier curves for 2 conditions (limb salvage and amputation) associated with rates of patients who return to work
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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