Archives of Craniofacial Surgery  2012;13(1):1-3

doi:10.7181/acfs.2012.13.1.1

A Guide to Designing a Case Series in Plastic Surgery.

Tae Gon KIM 1 ; Il Kug KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Report; Design; Plastic surgery

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

The case series is a descriptive study that follows a group of patients who have a similar diagnosis or who are undergoing the same procedure and is the most prevalent type of research in the field of plastic surgery. Results of case series can generate hypotheses that are useful in designing further studies, including randomized controlled trials or a prospective cohort study. However, no causal inferences should be made from case series regarding the efficacy of the investigated treatment. The authors provide a guide to the design and report on the case series.