Biostatistics: essential concepts for the clinician

ABSTRACT Introduction: The efficiency of clinical procedures is based on practical and theoretical knowledge. Countless daily information is available to the orthodontist, but it is up to this professional to know how to select what really has an impact on clinical practice. Evidence-based orthodontics ends up requiring the clinician to know the basics of biostatistics to understand the results of scientific publications. Such concepts are also important for researchers, for correct data planning and analysis. Objective: This article aims to present, in a clear way, some essential concepts of biostatistics that assist the clinical orthodontist in understanding scientific research, for an evidence-based clinical practice. In addition, an updated version of the tutorial to assist in choosing the appropriate statistical test will be presented. This PowerPoint® tool can be used to assist the user in finding answers to common questions about biostatistics, such as the most appropriate statistical test for comparing groups, choosing graphs, performing correlations and regressions, analyzing casual, random or systematic errors. Conclusion: Researchers and clinicians must acquire or recall essential concepts to understand and apply an appropriate statistical analysis. It is important that journal readers and reviewers can identify when statistical analyzes are being inappropriately used.

RESUMO Introdução: A eficiência dos procedimentos clínicos é baseada em conhecimentos práticos e teóricos. Inúmeras informações diárias estão ao alcance do ortodontista; porém cabe a esse profissional saber selecionar o que realmente tem impacto na prática clínica. A Ortodontia baseada em evidências acaba exigindo que o clínico conheça os fundamentos da bioestatística para compreender os resultados das publicações científicas. Tais conceitos também são importantes aos pesquisadores para um correto planejamento e análise dos dados. Objetivo: O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar, de forma clara, alguns conceitos essenciais da bioestatística que auxiliem o ortodontista clínico na compreensão da pesquisa científica para uma prática clínica baseada em evidências. Além disso, será apresentada uma versão atualizada do tutorial para auxílio na escolha do teste estatístico adequado. Essa ferramenta em PowerPoint® pode ser empregada para auxiliar o usuário a encontrar respostas para dúvidas comuns sobre bioestatística, como o teste estatístico mais adequado para comparar grupos, escolha de gráficos, realizar correlações e regressões, análises de sobrevivência e dos erros aleatório e sistemático. Conclusão: Pesquisadores e clínicos devem adquirir ou relembrar conceitos essenciais para compreender e aplicar uma análise estatística apropriada. É importante que os leitores e revisores de periódicos possam identificar quando análises estatísticas estão sendo utilizadas de forma inadequada.

O cotidiano revelado por imagens da cidade / Everyday life revealed through images of the city / El cotidiano revelado por imágenes de la ciudad

Durante uma pesquisa de doutorado, a produção de dados foi realizada em conjunto com os jovens participantes, que narraram sua mobilidade urbana pela cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Um desses jovens apresentou, durante o processo, suas fotografias e o desejo de exibi-las, representando os lugares pelos quais circulava na cidade. Elaboramos conjuntamente uma exposição virtual de suas fotografias, nomeada "Cotidiano". A exposição está disponível on-line e pode ser acessada em diferentes redes sociais. Apresentamos aqui o processo de criação da exposição e as histórias de algumas das imagens que a compõem. A partir deste relato, tendo como foco o processo de pesquisa, buscamos refletir sobre a produção colaborativa de dados e a utilização de atividades significativas para os sujeitos participantes do processo. Acreditamos na implicação do pesquisador no processo de pesquisa e na composição conjunta com seus colaboradores.(AU)

During a Doctoral research, data were produced jointly with young participants who narrated their urban mobility across the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. One of these youths presented the photographs he took during the process, which represented the places he visited round the city, and the desire to exhibit them. Together, we created a virtual exhibition of his photographs that was called "Everyday Life". The exhibition is available online and can be accessed in different social media. We present, here, the creation process of the exhibition and the stories of some of the images that compose it. Based on this report and focusing on the research process, we aim to reflect on collaborative data production and on the utilization of significant activities for the subjects who participate in the process. We believe in the researcher's involvement in the research process and in a joint composition with his or her collaborators.(AU)

Durante una investigación de doctorado, la producción de datos se realizó en conjunto con los jóvenes participantes que narraron su movilidad urbana por la ciudad de Río de Janeiro, Brasil. Uno de esos jóvenes presentó, durante el proceso, sus fotografías y el deseo de exhibirlas, representando los lugares por los cuales circulaba en la ciudad. Elaboramos en conjunto una exposición virtual de sus fotografías, denominada "Cotidiano". La exposición está disponible online y el acceso puede realizarse por medio de diferentes redes sociales. Presentamos aquí el proceso de creación de la exposición y las historias de algunas de las imágenes que la componen. A partir de este relato, utilizando como enfoque el proceso de investigación, buscamos reflexionar sobre la producción colaborativa de datos y la utilización de actividades significativas para los sujetos participantes del proceso. Creemos en la implicación del investigador en el proceso de investigación y en la composición conjunta con sus colaboradores.(AU)

Cómo leer y generar publicaciones científicas: exploración gráfica de datos cuantitativos: la importancia de mirar la información / How to read and generate scientific publications: in this issue: graphical exploration of quantitative data: the importance of looking at the information

Once the collection of data from a study has been completed and the respective database is available, the researcher is often impatient to answer the research question and ventures into the final steps of the analysis. However, a key stage, prior to a more complex or sophisticated statistical analysis, is data exploration and descriptive statistics. Unfortunately, the exploratory analysis of the data is often performed without much dedication, or is simply "skipped", which can have important consequences on the results obtained and lead to the report of erroneous conclusions. On the one hand, exploration allows to detect errors in the data and, if possible, to correct them from the source of origin or take them into account to make decisions about what to do with them. On the other hand, exploration allows to know the behavior of the variables evaluated in terms of their distribution (key concept in Statistics) and possible relationships among them, which is essential for subsequent descriptive and inferential analysis. The objective of this article is to show graphic tools for the exploration of quantitative data, in order to visualize its distribution and compare groups according to categories of qualitative variables.

Una vez finalizada la recolección de datos de un estudio y contado con la respectiva base de datos, es frecuente que el investigador esté impaciente por responder a la pregunta de investigación y se aventure a realizar los pasos finales del análisis. No obstante, una etapa clave, previa a un análisis estadístico más complejo o sofisticado, es la exploración de datos y la estadística descriptiva. Lamentablemente, el análisis exploratorio de los datos muchas veces es realizado sin mucha dedicación, o simplemente es "saltado", lo que puede tener consecuencias importantes en los resultados obtenidos y conducir al reporte de conclusiones erróneas. Por un lado, la exploración permite detectar errores en los datos y, si es posible, corregirlos desde la fuente de origen o tenerlos en cuenta para tomar decisiones respecto a qué hacer con ellos. Por otra parte, la exploración permite conocer el comportamiento de las variables evaluadas en términos de su distribución (concepto clave en Estadística) y posibles relaciones entre ellas, lo cual es fundamental para los análisis descriptivo e inferencial posteriores. El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar herramientas gráficas para la exploración de datos cuantitativos, con el fin de visualizar su distribución y comparar grupos según categorías de variables cualitativas.

Opiniones de adolescentes sobre el Plato del Bien Comer Maya como herramienta de promoción de la salud / Adolescents opinions regarding Plato del Bien Comer Maya as nutrition health promotion tool

Resumen: Objetivo: Conocer opiniones sobre el Plato del Bien Comer Maya de adolescentes de Cholul, Yucatán, para mejorar la herramienta comunicativa y utilizarla en actividades de promoción de la salud. Material y métodos: Estudio cualitativo, de investigación formativa. Se realizaron tres grupos focales, participaron 28 adolescentes de secundaria: 12-16 años. Criterios de inclusión: pertenecer a alguno de los tres grados de la escuela y tener familias originarias del poblado. El análisis de los datos se realizó manualmente. Resultados: En comparación con el Plato del Bien Comer nacional, el Plato Maya fue mejor identificado por tener elementos locales a los que pueden acceder fácilmente y con costos menores. Se identificó la palabra fruto como una variación lingüística que representa en ese contexto tanto a las frutas como a las verduras. Conclusiones: Para tener mejores resultados en intervenciones nutricionales es necesario diseñar estrategias educativo-comunicativas acordes con la cultura local.

Abstract : Objective: To know opinions of adolescents from Cholul, Yucatán, about Plato del Bien Comer Maya in order to improve it as health promotion tool. Materials and methods: Qualitative study, formative research. Three focus groups were carried out, participating 28 adolescents: 12-16 years old. Criteria of inclusion: studying middle school; to have native family from the town. Analysis of the data made manually. Results: Comparatively with the national Plato del Bien Comer, the Plato Maya was better identified because have local food products easier to obtain and cheaper. The principal finding was to understand Fruto is a linguistic variation word which represents in Maya context both fruits and vegetables. This might be an important key to improve health promotion activities with that population. Conclusions: In order to have better results in nutritional interventions, it is necessary to design educational-communicative strategies in accordance with the local culture.

O diagrama V como ferramenta de integração analítica de conhecimentos teórico-conceituais e metodológicos na saúde / El diagrama V como herramienta de integración analítica de conocimientos teórico-conceptuales y metodológicos en la salud / V diagram as a tool for analytical integration of theoretical, conceptual, and methodological knowledge in health care

Resumo OBJETIVO Produzir uma reflexão sobre a capacidade do diagrama V de integrar os conhecimentos teóricos-conceituais e metodológicos obtidos de sistemas, modelos e teorias complexas e não explicitamente identificáveis. MÉTODOS Estudo de reflexão com característica analítica. RESULTADOS Apresenta-se o diagrama V como um instrumento capaz de garantir uma análise integrada entre conhecimentos do domínio teórico-conceitual (visão de mundo e filosofia, teorias, princípios, constructos e conceitos) e a análise ou produção de conhecimentos metodológicos (registros de dados, transformações, asserções de conhecimento e asserções de valor). São usados exemplos relacionados ao Sistema Único de Saúde e atenção em Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas. CONCLUSÕES O diagrama V é um instrumento capaz de produzir uma análise integrada dos conhecimentos contidos em produções ligadas a modelos e teorias complexas e não explicitamente identificáveis como um modelo, teoria ou referencial teórico aplicando procedimentos dedutivos e indutivos.

Resumen OBJETIVO Producir una reflexión sobre la capacidad del diagrama V de integrar los conocimientos teóricos-conceptuales y metodológicos obtenidos en los sistemas, modelos complejos y teorías que no se identifica de forma explícita. MÉTODOS Estudio de la reflexión con características analíticas. RESULTADOS Muestra el diagrama V como una herramienta para asegurar un análisis integrado de los conocimientos del dominio teórico y conceptual (visión del mundo y la filosofía, las teorías, principios, conceptos y construcciones) y el análisis de la producción de conocimientos metodológicos (registros de datos, transformaciones, afirmaciones de conocimiento y afirmaciones de valor). Utilizan ejemplos de el Sistema Único de Salud y atención en el Centro de Atención Psicosocial Alcohol y Drogas. CONCLUSIONES El diagrama V es un instrumento capaz de producir un análisis integrado de los conocimientos contenidos en las producciones relacionadas con complejos modelos y teorías, que no se identifican explícitamente como un modelo, teoría o marco teórico aplicando procedimientos deductivos e inductivos.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To produce a reflection on the ability of the V diagram to integrate theoretical, conceptual, and methodological knowledge obtained from complex, non-explicitly identifiable systems, models, and theories. METHODS Reflection study with an analytical characteristic. RESULTS The V Diagram is presented as an instrument that can ensure an integrated analysis between theoretical and conceptual knowledge (worldview and philosophy, theories, principles, constructs, and concepts), and the analysis or production of methodological knowledge (data records, transformations, knowledge assertions, and value assertions). Examples are related to the Unified Health System (SUS), and care in Psychosocial Care Centers for Alcohol and Drugs. CONCLUSIONS V diagram is an instrument capable of producing an integrated analysis of the knowledge contained in productions linked to complex and non-explicitly identifiable models and theories as a theoretical model, theory or framework applying deductive and inductive procedures.

Interactive Visualization of Healthcare Data Using Tableau / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: Big data analysis is receiving increasing attention in many industries, including healthcare. Visualization plays an important role not only in intuitively showing the results of data analysis but also in the whole process of collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and sharing data. This paper presents a procedure for the interactive visualization and analysis of healthcare data using Tableau as a business intelligence tool. METHODS: Starting with installation of the Tableau Desktop Personal version 10.3, this paper describes the process of understanding and visualizing healthcare data using an example. The example data of colon cancer patients were obtained from health insurance claims in years 2012 and 2013, provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. RESULTS: To explore the visualization of healthcare data using Tableau for beginners, this paper describes the creation of a simple view for the average length of stay of colon cancer patients. Since Tableau provides various visualizations and customizations, the level of analysis can be increased with small multiples, view filtering, mark cards, and Tableau charts. CONCLUSIONS: Tableau is a software that can help users explore and understand their data by creating interactive visualizations. The software has the advantages that it can be used in conjunction with almost any database, and it is easy to use by dragging and dropping to create an interactive visualization expressing the desired format.

Previsiones e imprevisiones la víspera y el mismo día de las exposiciones científicas orales / Predictions and unexpected events on the eve and the same day of the oral scientific expositions

Para garantizar una exposición verbal exitosa, es muy sensato tomar en cuenta algunos aspectos que pudieran atentar contra la consecución del principal objetivo, tanto antes (comidas o bebidas, desplazamientos, tipo de local y postura) como durante su ejecución (puntualidad, saludo, uso de usted o tú como tratamiento de cortesía y otros), las discusiones y las imprevisiones (visitantes inesperados, errores lingüísticos, lagunas mentales, movimientos involuntarios y repentinos, percances y misceláneas), pues solo así será posible, la mayoría de las veces, llevar a feliz término una disertación.

To guarantee a successful verbal exposition, it is very sensible to take into account some aspects that could attempt against the attainment of the main objective, either before (meals or drinks, displacements, type of place and attitude) or during their performance (punctuality, greeting, use of you or you in a polite way as courtesy treatment and others), the discussions and the unexpected events (unexpected guests, linguistic errors, mental lagoons, involuntary and sudden movements, accidents and miscellany), because just this way it will be possible, most of the times, take a lecture to a happy term.

Aplicações clínicas do princípio de Scheimpflug na Oftalmologia / Clinical applications of the Scheimpflug principle in Ophthalmology

RESUMO Este artigo apresenta uma revisão dos princípios e das aplicações clínicas do princípio de Scheimpflug na área da imagiologia do segmento anterior. Ao disponibilizar uma imagem tridimensional do segmento anterior, esta tecnologia permite a caraterização da elevação e curvatura das superfícies anterior e posterior da córnea, o mapeamento paquimétrico, o cálculo do poder refrativo total da córnea e a biometria do segmento anterior. Na subespecialidade de cirurgia refrativa, esta abordagem melhora a capacidade de identificação de casos com risco de desenvolver ectasia, bem como de planeamento e de avaliação dos resultados dos procedimentos cirúrgicos. Recentemente, esta tecnologia foi introduzida na avaliação biomecânica in vivo da córnea e na cirurgia de catarata assistida por laser de femtossegundo.

ABSTRACT This article presents a review of the principles and clinical applications of the Scheimpflug principle in the anterior segment imaging. By providing a three-dimensional image of the anterior segment, this technology provides elevation and curvature data of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea, pachymetric mapping, the total refractive power of the cornea and the anterior segment biometry. For the refractive surgery sub-specialty, this approach improves the ability to identify cases at risk of ectasia, as well as the planning and evaluation of the results of surgical procedures. Recently, this technology was introduced in corneal biomechanical in vivo evaluations and in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Description of continuous data using bar graphs: a misleading approach

With the ease provided by current computational programs, medical and scientific journals use bar graphs to describe continuous data.

Risk analysis and assessment of occupational hazard fromindiumand its compounds in manufacture of liquid crystal display panel / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the exposed positions and levels of indium and its compounds in manufacture of liquid crystal displays, and to evaluate the degree of occupational hazard from indium and its compounds.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On-site investigation of occupational health, occupational hazard monitoring, and occupational health examination were used to evaluate the degree of occupational hazard from indium and its compounds in three manufacturers of liquid crystal display panel in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The time-weighted average (TWA) and short-term exposure limit (STEL) concentrations of indium and its compounds to which sputtering machine operating positions were exposed were less than 0.002~0.004 mg/m³ and 0.006~0.007 mg/m³, respectively, both of which complied with the National Hygienic Standard (PC-TWA = 0.1 mg/m³; PC-STEL = 0.3 mg/m³); the TWA and STEL concentrations of indium and its compounds to which grinding positions were exposed were 0.114~2.98 mg/m³ and 0.31~10.02 mg/m³, respectively, both of which exceeded the National Hygienic Standard with the highest concentration 33-fold higher than the standard. No significant health damages were found in exposed workers according to the results of occupational health examination.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The grinding positions are the key to the control of occupational hazard from indium and its compounds in manufacture of liquid crystal display panel. The workers should be equipped with the anti-particulate full-face respirator, which is an effective way to prevent occupational hazard from indium and its compounds.</p>

Real-time Data Display System of the Korean Neonatal Network

Real-time data reporting in clinical research networks can provide network members through interim analyses of the registered data, which can facilitate further studies and quality improvement activities. The aim of this report was to describe the building process of the data display system (DDS) of the Korean Neonatal Network (KNN) and its basic structure. After member verification at the KNN member's site, users can choose a variable of interest that is listed in the in-hospital data statistics (for 90 variables) or in the follow-up data statistics (for 54 variables). The statistical results of the outcome variables are displayed on the HyperText Markup Language 5-based chart graphs and tables. Participating hospitals can compare their performance to those of KNN as a whole and identify the trends over time. Ranking of each participating hospital is also displayed in terms of key outcome variables such as mortality and major neonatal morbidities with the names of other centers blinded. The most powerful function of the DDS is the ability to perform 'conditional filtering' which allows users to exclusively review the records of interest. Further collaboration is needed to upgrade the DDS to a more sophisticated analytical system and to provide a more user-friendly interface.

Meta, mega e retroanálises correlacionais: comparando dados primários em Psicologia / Correlational meta, mega and retroanalyses: comparing primary data in Psychology / Meta, mega y retroanálisis correlacionales: comparando datos primarios en Psicología

Na tentativa de promover a transformação de informações em conhecimento, este artigo compara as meta-análises com duas de suas variantes, as mega-análises e as retroanálises, técnicas desenvolvidas para a síntese e a equiparação de resultados pouco precisos ou contraditórios. Enquanto as meta-análises referem-se à síntese dos resultados de diferentes pesquisas primárias, as mega-análises referem-se à síntese dos dados coletados por pesquisas primárias e as retroanálises à recriação e posterior síntese desses mesmos dados. Por meio de uma simulação, o Estudo 1 pareia o viés médio de meta, mega e retroanálises em função de nove diferentes configurações que variam conforme a quantidade de estudos empregados e do tamanho da amostra individual de cada um desses estudos, nas modalidades de dados completos, leve e severa ausência de dados. No Estudo 2, os mesmos dados utilizados na simulação de ausência severa foram empregados para testar a precisão de mega e retroanálises quando se realiza a imputação de dados. Os resultados apontam para uma leve superioridade geral das mega-análises, diferença essa que diminui, até desaparecer, em situações ideais...

In an attempt to promote the transformation of information into knowledge, this article compares meta-analyses with two of its variants, mega-analyses and retro-analyses, techniques developed to summarize and compare results that are not very accurate or contradictory. While meta-analyses refer to the synthesis of results of different primary researches. mega-analyses refer to the synthesis of results collected by primary researches and retroanalyses, to the recreation and posterior synthesis of that data. Using a simulation, Study 1 pairs the average trends from meta, mega and retroanalyses regarding nine different configurations that vary according to the number of studies used and the size of the individual sample of each of those studies, in the full data, light data and severe lack of data modes. In Study 2, the same data used in the simulation of severe lack of data were used to test the accuracy of mega and retroanalyses when performing data imputation. The results show a slight general superiority of mega-analyses, a difference that fades away in ideal situations.

En la tentativa de fomentar la transformación de informaciones en conocimiento, este artículo compara los meta-análisis con dos de sus variantes, los mega-análisis y los retro-análisis, técnicas desarrolladas para la síntesis y la equiparación de resultados poco precisos o contradictorios. Mientras los meta-análisis se refieren a la síntesis de los resultados de distintas investigaciones primarias, los mega-análisis se refieren a la síntesis de los datos recolectados por investigaciones primarias, y los retro-análisis, a una nueva creación y posterior síntesis de esos mismos datos. Por medio de una simulación, el Estudio 01 parea el sesgo medio de meta-, mega- y retro-análisis en función de nueve distintas configuraciones que varían según la cantidad de estudios llevados a cabo y el tamaño de la muestra individual de cada uno de esos estudios, en las modalidades de datos completos, leve y severa ausencia de datos. En el estudio 02, los mismos datos utilizados en la simulación de ausencia severa han sido empleados para testar la precisión de mega- y retro-análisis cuando se lleva a cabo la imputación de datos. Los resultados señalan hacia una leve superioridad general de los mega-análisis. Esa diferencia disminuye, hasta desaparecer, en situaciones ideales...

Interactive Visualization for Patient-to-Patient Comparison

A visual analysis approach and the developed supporting technology provide a comprehensive solution for analyzing large and complex integrated genomic and biomedical data. This paper presents a methodology that is implemented as an interactive visual analysis technology for extracting knowledge from complex genetic and clinical data and then visualizing it in a meaningful and interpretable way. By synergizing the domain knowledge into development and analysis processes, we have developed a comprehensive tool that supports a seamless patient-to-patient analysis, from an overview of the patient population in the similarity space to the detailed views of genes. The system consists of multiple components enabling the complete analysis process, including data mining, interactive visualization, analytical views, and gene comparison. We demonstrate our approach with medical scientists on a case study of childhood cancer patients on how they use the tool to confirm existing hypotheses and to discover new scientific insights.

Web-based medical facilitators in medical tourism: the third party in decision-making.

The emergence of web-based medical tourism facilitators (MTFs) has added a new dimension to the phenomenon of cross-border travel. These facilitators are crucial connectors between foreign patients and host countries. They help patients navigate countries, doctors and specialties. However, little attention has been paid to the authenticity of information displayed on the facilitators’ web portals, and whether they follow ethical guidelines and standards.

Interpretation of Digital Chest Radiographs: Comparison of Light Emitting Diode versus Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp Backlit Monitors

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of light emitting diode (LED) backlight monitors and cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) monitors for the interpretation of digital chest radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 130 chest radiographs from health screening patients. The soft copy image data were randomly sorted and displayed on a 3.5 M LED (2560 x 1440 pixels) monitor and a 3 M CCFL (2048 x 1536 pixels) monitor. Eight radiologists rated their confidence in detecting nodules and abnormal interstitial lung markings (ILD). Low dose chest CT images were used as a reference standard. The performance of the monitor systems was assessed by analyzing 2080 observations and comparing them by multi-reader, multi-case receiver operating characteristic analysis. The observers reported visual fatigue and a sense of heat. Radiant heat and brightness of the monitors were measured. RESULTS: Measured brightness was 291 cd/m2 for the LED and 354 cd/m2 for the CCFL monitor. Area under curves for nodule detection were 0.721 +/- 0.072 and 0.764 +/- 0.098 for LED and CCFL (p = 0.173), whereas those for ILD were 0.871 +/- 0.073 and 0.844 +/- 0.068 (p = 0.145), respectively. There were no significant differences in interpretation time (p = 0.446) or fatigue score (p = 0.102) between the two monitors. Sense of heat was lower for the LED monitor (p = 0.024). The temperature elevation was 6.7degrees C for LED and 12.4degrees C for the CCFL monitor. CONCLUSION: Although the LED monitor had lower maximum brightness compared with the CCFL monitor, soft copy reading of the digital chest radiographs on LED and CCFL showed no difference in terms of diagnostic performance. In addition, LED emitted less heat.

Real-time in situ three-dimensional integral videography and surgical navigation using augmented reality: a pilot study / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a three-dimensional augmented reality system incorporating integral videography for imaging oral and maxillofacial regions, based on preoperative computed tomography data. Three-dimensional surface models of the jawbones, based on the computed tomography data, were used to create the integral videography images of a subject's maxillofacial area. The three-dimensional augmented reality system (integral videography display, computed tomography, a position tracker and a computer) was used to generate a three-dimensional overlay that was projected on the surgical site via a half-silvered mirror. Thereafter, a feasibility study was performed on a volunteer. The accuracy of this system was verified on a solid model while simulating bone resection. Positional registration was attained by identifying and tracking the patient/surgical instrument's position. Thus, integral videography images of jawbones, teeth and the surgical tool were superimposed in the correct position. Stereoscopic images viewed from various angles were accurately displayed. Change in the viewing angle did not negatively affect the surgeon's ability to simultaneously observe the three-dimensional images and the patient, without special glasses. The difference in three-dimensional position of each measuring point on the solid model and augmented reality navigation was almost negligible (<1 mm); this indicates that the system was highly accurate. This augmented reality system was highly accurate and effective for surgical navigation and for overlaying a three-dimensional computed tomography image on a patient's surgical area, enabling the surgeon to understand the positional relationship between the preoperative image and the actual surgical site, with the naked eye.