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Tables and figures are commonly adopted methods for presenting specific data or statistical analysis results. Figures can be used to display characteristics and distributions of data, allowing for intuitive understanding through visualization and thus making it easier to interpret the statistical results. To maximize the positive aspects of figure presentation and increase the accuracy of the content, in this article, the authors will describe how to choose an appropriate figure type and the necessary components to include. Additionally, this article includes examples of figures that are commonly used in research and their essential components using virtual data.
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Background/Aims@#For the management of hilar malignant biliary obstruction (HMBO), endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) is preferred over percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) because of its convenience. However, there is no established guideline for malignant hilar obstruction that requires multiple stenting. In this study, we compared the efficacy of bilateral metal stents (BMS) versus multiple plastic stents (MPS). @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, we analyzed 102 patients who underwent EBD with either BMS or MPS due to HMBO caused by hilar cholangiocarcinoma between 1996 and 2018 at Samsung Medical Center. We compared the successful drainage rates, cholangitis events, overall complications, mortality, and conversion rates to PTBD between the two groups. @*Results@#The successful drainage rates in the BMS group and the MPS group were 71.4% (25/35) and 65.6% (44/67), respectively, with no significant difference. The MPS group had a higher cholangitis risk (hazard ratio [HR], 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 3.58) and higher 6-month mortality (HR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.26 to 6.71) than the BMS group. There were no significant differences in overall complications or the conversion rate to PTBD between the groups. @*Conclusions@#In patients with malignant HMBO, the BMS group showed better outcomes in terms of the cholangitis rate and 6-month mortality than the MPS group. Therefore, if possible, bilateral metal stenting is recommended for HMBO caused by hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
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Clip migration into the common bile duct (CBD) is a rare complication of laparoscopic biliary surgery. We report a case of Hem-o-lok clip migration-induced CBD stone in a 66-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) 4 years ago. The patient visited the emergency room for upper abdominal pain. CT scan revealed increased CBD diameter and multiple CBD stones. We performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for CBD stone extraction. Cholangiography revealed multiple suspected filling defects in the CBD; stones and unknown foreign body were removed using Basket. The foreign body found in the duodenum was a Hem-o-lok clip. When epigastric pain develops in a patient who has undergone LC and LCBDE, it is possible that biliary stone occurs due to clip migration.
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General medical journals such as the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology (KJA) receive numerous manuscripts every year. However, reviewers have noticed that the tables presented in various manuscripts have great diversity in their appearance, resulting in difficulties in the review and publication process. It might be due to the lack of clear written instructions regarding reporting of statistical results for authors. Therefore, the present article aims to briefly outline reporting methods for several table types, which are commonly used to present statistical results. We hope this article will serve as a guideline for reviewers as well as for authors, who wish to submit a manuscript to the KJA.
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Clip migration into the common bile duct (CBD) is a rare complication of laparoscopic biliary surgery. We report a case of Hem-o-lok clip migration-induced CBD stone in a 66-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) 4 years ago. The patient visited the emergency room for upper abdominal pain. CT scan revealed increased CBD diameter and multiple CBD stones. We performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for CBD stone extraction. Cholangiography revealed multiple suspected filling defects in the CBD; stones and unknown foreign body were removed using Basket. The foreign body found in the duodenum was a Hem-o-lok clip. When epigastric pain develops in a patient who has undergone LC and LCBDE, it is possible that biliary stone occurs due to clip migration.
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General medical journals such as the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology (KJA) receive numerous manuscripts every year. However, reviewers have noticed that the tables presented in various manuscripts have great diversity in their appearance, resulting in difficulties in the review and publication process. It might be due to the lack of clear written instructions regarding reporting of statistical results for authors. Therefore, the present article aims to briefly outline reporting methods for several table types, which are commonly used to present statistical results. We hope this article will serve as a guideline for reviewers as well as for authors, who wish to submit a manuscript to the KJA.
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Acupuncture is regarded as a relatively safe procedure, but it may have various complications. Cardiac tamponade after acupuncture is an extremely rare complication but can have fatal outcomes. We present a 73-year-old female patient with decreased consciousness and dyspnea after acupuncture at an oriental medical clinic. Initial vital signs were a blood pressure of 60/40 mmHg and a heart rate of 110 beats/min. Echocardiography and chest computed tomography were performed in the emergency department to determine the cause of the shock, and the result came out as hemopericardium. The patient underwent through an emergency cardiac surgery under the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade following acupuncture and was fully recovered after surgery.
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Esophageal anastomotic leak is the most common and serious complication followingesophagectomy. However, the standard treatment for anastomotic leaks remains unclear.Recently, endoscopic vacuum therapy has become an important non-surgical alternativetreatment method for patients with esophageal anastomotic leak. This treatment involvesthe endoscopic placement of a sponge connected to a nasogastric tube into the defectcavity or lumen. Subsequently, continuous negative pressure is delivered to the cavitythrough the tube. Several studies have reported a treatment success rate of 80% to 100%.In this study, we review the mechanism of action, the method of performing the procedure,its safety and efficacy, and prognostic factors for failure of endoscopic vacuum therapyin the management of patients with anastomotic leak, and on this basis attempted toconfirm the possibility of establishing a standardized treatment protocol using endoscopicvacuum therapy.
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Properly set sample size is one of the important factors for scientific and persuasive research. The sample size that can guarantee both clinically significant differences and adequate power in the phenomena of interest to the investigator, without causing excessive financial or medical considerations, will always be the object of concern. In this paper, we reviewed the essential factors for sample size calculation. We described the primary endpoints that are the main concern of the study and the basis for calculating sample size, the statistics used to analyze the primary endpoints, type I error and power, the effect size and the rationale. It also included a method of calculating the adjusted sample size considering the dropout rate inevitably occurring during the research. Finally, examples regarding sample size calculation that are appropriately and incorrectly described in the published papers are presented with explanations.
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Background@#The present study was to compare the potential impact of remifentanil-based propofol-supplemented anesthesia regimen vs. conventional sevoflurane-sufentanil balanced anesthesia on postoperative recovery of consciousness indicated by c) values in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. @*Methods@#Patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomly allocated to get the remifentanil-based propofol-supplemented anesthesia employing target-controlled infusion (TCI) of remifentanil and propofol (Group-PR, n = 15) or a balanced-anesthesia employing sevoflurane-inhalation and TCI-sufentanil (Group-C, n = 19). In Group-PR, plasma concentration (Cp) of TCI-remifentanil was fixed at 20 ng/ml, and the effect-site concentration of TCI-propofol was adjusted within 0.8–2.0 μg/ml to maintain BIS value of 40–60. In Group-C, sevoflurane dosage was adjusted within 1–1.5 minimum alveolar concentration to maintain BIS of 40–60, and Cp of TCI-sufentanil was fixed at 0.4 ng/ml. The inter-group difference in the time for achieving postoperative BIS > 80 (T-BIS80) in the intensive care unit was determined as the primary outcome. The inter-group difference in the extubation time was determined as the secondary outcome. @*Results@#T-BIS80, was shorter in Group-PR than Group-C (121.4 ± 64.9 min vs. 182.9 ± 85.1 min, respectively; the difference of means –61.5 min; 95% CI –115.7 to –7.4 min; effect size 0.812; P = 0.027). The extubation time was shorter in Group-PR than in Group-C (434.7 ± 131.3 min vs. 946.6 ± 393.3 min, respectively, P < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#Compared with the conventional sevoflurane-sufentanil balanced anesthesia, the remifentanil-based propofol-supplemented anesthesia showed significantly faster postoperative conscious recovery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
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Several assumptions such as normality, linear relationship, and homoscedasticity are frequently required in parametric statistical analysis methods. Data collected from the clinical situation or experiments often violate these assumptions. Variable transformation provides an opportunity to make data available for parametric statistical analysis without statistical errors. The purpose of variable transformation to enable parametric statistical analysis and its final goal is a perfect interpretation of the result with transformed variables. Variable transformation usually changes the original characteristics and nature of units of variables. Back-transformation is crucial for the interpretation of the estimated results. This article introduces general concepts about variable transformation, mainly focused on logarithmic transformation. Back-transformation and other important considerations are also described herein.
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Purpose@#To identify the effect of breathing training on the physical function and psychological problems in patients with chronic stroke. @*Methods@#In total, 26 patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group, who underwent breathing training and neurodevelopmental treatment, and the control group, who underwent neurodevelopmental treatment (13 patients per group). Physical function was evaluated using the balance and Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Psychological problems were assessed using the Depression. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). ADLs were measured using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BBS, MBI, and BDI were recorded before and after the 4-week treatment. @*Results@#As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental and control group showed significant difference for BBS, MBI and BDI after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in BBS, MBI and BDI than the control group (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that breathing training was effective improvement physical function, and psychological problems in patients with chronic stroke.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to verify the effects of bridge exercise with resistance to one hip joint adductor muscle on the thickness of external and internal oblique abdominal muscles, transversus abdominis muscle, and erector spinae muscle. @*Methods@#The subjects were divided into two exercise groups: 15 for Bridge Exercise Group (BEG) and 15 for One Hip joint Adduction Bridge Exercise Group (OHABEG). The study used an ultrasonic instrument to measure trunk muscle thickness. OHABEG performed a bridge exercise with one hip Joint adduction. BEG performed a bridge exercise without resistance. @*Results@#The external oblique abdominal, internal oblique abdominal, and the transversus abdominis muscles showed a significant increase by period and time in intra-group interactions (p0.05). The erector spinae muscle had a significant increase in each period (p0.05). @*Conclusion@#These results demonstrated that bridge exercise with one hip joint adduction had positive effects on trunk muscle thickness. These results confirm that a bridge exercise with one hip joint adduction has a positive effect on the muscle thickness of trunk, suggesting the possibility of using it as a rehabilitation treatment for a lumbar stabilization exercise and as a basic data.
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Purpose@#This study examined the comparison of effects of non-surgical continuous and intermittent traction on pain, balance and physical function in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. @*Methods@#A total of 30 knee osteoarthritis patients were recruited and randomized to a continuous traction group (n=10), an intermittent traction group (n=10), and a control group (n=10). The continuous traction group and intermittent traction group received a non-surgical continuous and intermittent knee joint traction workout five times a week, for 4 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the numeric rating scale (NRS), timed up and go test (TUGT), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) before and after the 4-week treatment. @*Results@#As a result of comparison within groups, the continuous traction group, intermittent traction group, and control group showed a significant difference for NRS, TUGT, and WOMAC after the experiment (p<0.05). According to the comparison of the three groups, the continuous traction group showed a more effectively significant difference than the intermittent traction group and the control group in the balance and physical functions before and after the experiment (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that non-surgical continuous traction treatment was effective in improving pain, balance ability, and physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients.
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Purpose@#To identify the effect of breathing training on the physical function and psychological problems in patients with chronic stroke. @*Methods@#In total, 26 patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group, who underwent breathing training and neurodevelopmental treatment, and the control group, who underwent neurodevelopmental treatment (13 patients per group). Physical function was evaluated using the balance and Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Psychological problems were assessed using the Depression. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). ADLs were measured using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BBS, MBI, and BDI were recorded before and after the 4-week treatment. @*Results@#As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental and control group showed significant difference for BBS, MBI and BDI after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in BBS, MBI and BDI than the control group (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that breathing training was effective improvement physical function, and psychological problems in patients with chronic stroke.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to verify the effects of bridge exercise with resistance to one hip joint adductor muscle on the thickness of external and internal oblique abdominal muscles, transversus abdominis muscle, and erector spinae muscle. @*Methods@#The subjects were divided into two exercise groups: 15 for Bridge Exercise Group (BEG) and 15 for One Hip joint Adduction Bridge Exercise Group (OHABEG). The study used an ultrasonic instrument to measure trunk muscle thickness. OHABEG performed a bridge exercise with one hip Joint adduction. BEG performed a bridge exercise without resistance. @*Results@#The external oblique abdominal, internal oblique abdominal, and the transversus abdominis muscles showed a significant increase by period and time in intra-group interactions (p0.05). The erector spinae muscle had a significant increase in each period (p0.05). @*Conclusion@#These results demonstrated that bridge exercise with one hip joint adduction had positive effects on trunk muscle thickness. These results confirm that a bridge exercise with one hip joint adduction has a positive effect on the muscle thickness of trunk, suggesting the possibility of using it as a rehabilitation treatment for a lumbar stabilization exercise and as a basic data.
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Purpose@#This study examined the comparison of effects of non-surgical continuous and intermittent traction on pain, balance and physical function in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. @*Methods@#A total of 30 knee osteoarthritis patients were recruited and randomized to a continuous traction group (n=10), an intermittent traction group (n=10), and a control group (n=10). The continuous traction group and intermittent traction group received a non-surgical continuous and intermittent knee joint traction workout five times a week, for 4 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the numeric rating scale (NRS), timed up and go test (TUGT), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) before and after the 4-week treatment. @*Results@#As a result of comparison within groups, the continuous traction group, intermittent traction group, and control group showed a significant difference for NRS, TUGT, and WOMAC after the experiment (p<0.05). According to the comparison of the three groups, the continuous traction group showed a more effectively significant difference than the intermittent traction group and the control group in the balance and physical functions before and after the experiment (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that non-surgical continuous traction treatment was effective in improving pain, balance ability, and physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients.
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Several assumptions such as normality, linear relationship, and homoscedasticity are frequently required in parametric statistical analysis methods. Data collected from the clinical situation or experiments often violate these assumptions. Variable transformation provides an opportunity to make data available for parametric statistical analysis without statistical errors. The purpose of variable transformation to enable parametric statistical analysis and its final goal is a perfect interpretation of the result with transformed variables. Variable transformation usually changes the original characteristics and nature of units of variables. Back-transformation is crucial for the interpretation of the estimated results. This article introduces general concepts about variable transformation, mainly focused on logarithmic transformation. Back-transformation and other important considerations are also described herein.
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PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of aquatic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise on the balance, gait ability, and depression in patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: Thirty patients with chronic stroke were assigned randomly to an experimental (n=15) or control (n=15) group. The experimental group performed aquatic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise. The control group performed ground proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise. Training was conducted once a day for 30 minutes, five days per week for six weeks. The balance ability was measured using the Berg balance scale. The gait ability was measured using the 10 Meter walk test. Depression was measured using the Beck depression inventory. RESULTS: As a result of a comparison within groups, the experimental and control group showed a significant difference for balance, gait ability, and depression after the experiment (p<0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group, in which aquatic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise was applied, showed more significant changes in balance, gait ability, and depression than the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, aquatic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise effectively improved the balance, gait ability and depression in patients with chronic stroke.
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Humans , Depression , Gait , StrokeABSTRACT
As a follow-up to a previous article, this review provides several in-depth concepts regarding a survival analysis. Also, several codes for specific survival analysis are listed to enhance the understanding of such an analysis and to provide an applicable survival analysis method. A proportional hazard assumption is an important concept in survival analysis. Validation of this assumption is crucial for survival analysis. For this purpose, a graphical analysis method and a goodness-of-fit test are introduced along with detailed codes and examples. In the case of a violated proportional hazard assumption, the extended models of a Cox regression are required. Simplified concepts of a stratified Cox proportional hazard model and time-dependent Cox regression are also described. The source code for an actual analysis using an available statistical package with a detailed interpretation of the results can enable the realization of survival analysis with personal data. To enhance the statistical power of survival analysis, an evaluation of the basic assumptions and the interaction between variables and time is important. In doing so, survival analysis can provide reliable scientific results with a high level of confidence.