• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.5-11
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• 2009

Purpose: The mortality and the amputation rates due to vascular trauma remain high despite advanced vascular surgical techniques and supportive management. The clinical features of patients with vascular trauma have not been well studied in the Korean population. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with vascular trauma and to develop a database and guidelines for improving the outcomes of treatment. Methods: The medical records of 37 patients with traumatic vascular injuries who had visited in an emergency center between January 2002 and December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed and statistically analyzed. Results: The mean age was 37.8 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 5.2 : 1. The mechanism of vascular trauma was penetrating in 18 patients and blunt in 19 patients. Upper extremities were most frequently injured (39.4%). The treatment methods were primary repair in 21 patients, exploratory laparotomies in 7, radiological interventions in 3, resections and graft interpositions of the pseudoaneurysm in 3, observations in 3 and a bypass graft in 1. Four out of the 37 patients died, and three of these who died had injuried abdominal vessels. Twenty-five of the patients recovered completely, four expired, seven had neuropathy in the course of treatement, one had his limb amputated, and one experienced wound necrosis. Conclusion: Peripheral vessel injuries are commonly accompanied by nerve, muscle, or tendon injuries. Patients without associated fractures or compartment syndrome had good prognosis. Although the time intervals from hospital arrival to definite treatment were the shortest among patients with blunt abdominal vascular injuries, three expired. Therefore, we offer a 'ritical pathway'to improve the outcomes of patients with blunt abdominal vascular injury.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.133-138
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• 2011

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been utilized in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients with severe respiratory failure unresponsive to conventional medical treatment. We retrospectively reviewed 12 CDH patients who were treated using ECMO in our center between April 2008 and February 2011. The pre ECMO and on ECMO variables analyzed included gestational age, sex, birth weight, age at the time of ECMO cannulation, arterial blood gas analysis results, CDH location, timing of CDH repair operation, complications and survival. There were 9 boys and 3 girls. All patients were prenatally diagnosed. Mean gestational age was $38.8{\pm}1.7$ weeks and mean birth weight was $3031{\pm}499$ gram. Mean age at the time of ECMO cannulation was $29.9{\pm}28.9$ hours. There were 4 patients who survived. Survivors showed higher 5 min Apgar scores ($8.25{\pm}0.96$ vs. $7.00{\pm}1.20$, p=0.109), higher pre ECMO mean pH ($7.258 {\pm}0.830$ vs. $7.159{\pm}0.986$, p=0.073) and lower pre ECMO $PaCO_2$ ($48.2{\pm}7.9$ vs. $64.8{\pm}16.1$, p=0.109) without statistical significance. The hernia was located on the left side in 10 patients and the right side in 2 patients. The time interval from ECMO placement to operative repair was about 3~4 days in 5 early cases and around 24 in the remaining cases. There were 3 cases of post operative bleeding requiring re operation and 2 cases of abdominal compartment syndrome requiring abdominal fascia reopening. ECMO catheter reposition was required in 4 cases. Three cases of arterial or venous thrombosis were detected and improved with follow up. Our data suggests that ECMO therapy could save the lives of some neonates with CDH who can not be maintained on other treatment modalities. Protocolized management and accumulation of case experience might be valuable in improving outcomes for neonates with CDH treated with ECMO.