• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.352-359
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• 1985

A clinical evaluation was performed on 811 cases of chest trauma who were admitted and treated at the department of thoracic & cardiovascular surgery, Catholic Medical College, during the past 19 years from Jan. 1966 to Dec. 1984. 1. The overall incidence rate of male to female was 3:1. 2. The common age groups were 4th, 5th, and 3rd decades. 3. The most common cause of chest trauma was stab in penetrating wound and traffic accidents in non penetrating wound. 4. The most common injury from non penetrating chest trauma was rib fracture [81.3%], and the incidence rate of flail chest was 14.5% of all cases of rib fractures. 5. The incidence rate of hemo-pneumothorax was 50.4% in non penetrating wounds, and 55.2% in penetrating wounds. 6. The most common method of surgical treatment was CTD [33.5%], and open thoracotomy was performed in 67 cases [8.3%]. 7, The overall mortality was 3.3% [27 cases], and common causes of the death were shock and respiratory insufficiency.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.86-88
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• 2024

Misinterpreting radiographic findings can lead to unnecessary interventions and potential patient harm. The urgency required when responding to the compromised health of trauma patients can increase the likelihood of misinterpreting chest x-rays in critical situations. We present the case report of a trauma patient whose skin fold artifacts were mistaken for pneumothorax on a follow-up chest x-ray, resulting in unnecessary chest tube insertion. We hope to help others differentiate between skin folds and pneumothorax on the chest x-rays of trauma patients by considering factors such as location, shape, sharpness, and vascular markings.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1577-1584
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• 2002

This paper develops a finite element model for studying the occupant behavior and injury cofficients of a large-sized cab-over type truck. Since it does not have a room to absorb collision energy and deformation in front of the passenger compartment the deformation is directly transmitted to the passenger compartment. Moreover, since its steering column is attached on the frame, severe deformation of the frame directly affects on the steering wheel's movement. Therefore, if the occupant behavior and injury coefficients analysis is performed using a finite element model developed based on a sled test, it is very difficult to expect acquiring satisfactory results. Thus, the finite element model developing in this paper is based on the frontal crash test in order to overcome the inherent problems of the sled test based model commonly used in the passenger car. The occupant behavior and injury coefficients analysis is performed using PAM-CRASH installed in super-computer SP2. In order to validate the reliability of the developed finite element model, a frontal crash test is carried out according to a test method used fur developing truck occupant's secondary safety system in european community and japan. That is, test vehicle's collision direction is vertical to the rigid barrier and collision velocity is 45kph. Thus, measured vehicle pulses at the lower parts of the left and right B-pilla., dummy chest and head deceleration profiles, HIC(head injury criterial) and CA(chest acceleration) values, and dummy behavior from the frontal crash test are compared to the analysis results to validate reliability of the developed model.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2018

Purpose: The regional emergency medical centers manage the patients with major blunt trauma according to the process appropriate to each hospital rather than standardized protocol of the major trauma centers. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and influence on prognosis of additional cervical-thoracic-lumbar-spine computed tomography (CTL-spine CT) scan in diagnosis of spinal injury from the victim of major blunt trauma with impaired consciousness. Methods: The study included patients visited the urban emergency medical center with major blunt trauma who were over 18 years of age from January 2013 to December 2016. Data were collected from retrospective review of medical records. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were measured for evaluation of the performance of diagnostic methods. Results: One hundred patients with Glasgow coma scale ${\leq}13$ underwent additional CTL-spine CT scan. Mechanism of injury was in the following order: driver, pedestrian traffic accident, fall and passenger accident. Thirty-one patients were diagnosed of spinal injury, six of them underwent surgical management. The sensitivity of chest, abdomen and pelvis CT (CAP CT) was 72%, specificity 97%, false positive rate 3%, false negative rate 28% and diagnostic accuracy 87%. Eleven patients were not diagnosed of spinal injury with CAP CT and C-spine lateral view, but all of them were diagnosed of stable fractures. Conclusions: C-spine CT scan be actively considered in the initial examination process. When CAP CT scan is performed in major blunt trauma patients with impaired consciousness, CTL-spine CT scan or simple spinal radiography has no significant effect on the prognosis of the patient and can be performed if necessary.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the clinical outcomes of trauma patients with blunt thoracic aortic injuries at a single institution. Methods: During the study period, 9,501 patients with traumatic aortic injuries presented to Trauma Center of Gil Medical Center. Among them, 1,594 patients had severe trauma, with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of >15. Demographics, physiological data, injury mechanism, hemodynamic parameters associated with the thoracic injury according to chest computed tomography (CT) findings, the timing of the intervention, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Results: Twenty-eight patients had blunt aortic injuries (75% male, mean age, 45.9±16.3 years). The majority (82.1%, n=23/28) of these patients were involved in traffic accidents. The median ISS was 35.0 (interquartile range 21.0-41.0). The injuries were found in the ascending aorta (n=1, 3.6%) aortic arch (n=8, 28.6%) aortic isthmus (n=18, 64.3%), and descending aorta (n=1, 3.6%). The severity of aortic injuries on chest CT was categorized as intramural hematoma (n=1, 3.6%), dissection (n=3, 10.7%), transection (n=9, 32.2%), pseudoaneurysm (n=12, 42.8%), and rupture (n=3, 10.7%). Endovascular repair was performed in 71.4% of patients (45% within 24 hours), and two patients received surgical management. The mortality rate was 25% (n=7). Conclusions: Traumatic thoracic aortic injuries are life-threatening. In our experience, however, if there is no rupture and extravasation from an aortic injury, resuscitation and stabilization of vital signs are more important than an intervention for an aortic injury in patients with multiple traumas. Further study is required to optimize the timing of the intervention and explore management strategies for blunt thoracic aortic injuries in severe trauma patients needing resuscitation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.421-424
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• 2023

This case report presents the case of a 49-year-old man who presented to our level I trauma center after sustaining injuries in an altercation with local law enforcement in which he was shot with a less lethal bean bag and tased. In a primary survey, a penetrating left supraclavicular wound was noted in addition to a taser dart lodged in his flank. No other traumatic findings were noted in a secondary survey. Given hemodynamic stability, completion imaging was obtained, revealing a foreign body in the left lung, a left open clavicle fracture, a C5 tubercle fracture, a possible grade I left vertebral injury, and a left first rib fracture. Soft tissue gas was seen around the left subclavian and axillary arteries, although no definitive arterial injury was identified. The bean bag projectile was embedded in the parenchyma of the left lung on cross-sectional imaging. The patient underwent thoracotomy for removal of the projectile and hemostasis. A thoracotomy was chosen as the operative approach due to concerns about significant bleeding upon foreign body removal. A chest tube was placed and subsequently removed on postoperative day 5. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 7. At a 2-week outpatient follow-up visit, the patient was doing well. This case report is the first to describe this outcome for a drag-stabilized bean bag. Although law enforcement officers utilize bean bag projectiles as a "less lethal" means of crowd control and protection, these ballistics pose significant risk and can result in serious injury.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2013

Background: Rib fractures are the most common type of thoracic trauma and cause other complications. We explored the risk factors for pneumonia in patients with multiple rib fractures. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and eighteen patients who visited our hospital with multiple rib fractures between January 2002 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Chest X-rays and chest computed tomography were used to identify injury severity. Patients with only a single rib fracture or who were transferred to another hospital within 2 days were excluded. Results: There were 327 male patients (78%), and the median age was 53 years. The etiologies of the patients' trauma included traffic accidents in 164 cases (39%), falls in 78 cases (19%), slipping and falling in 90 (22%), pedestrian accidents in 30 (7%), industrial accidents in 41 (10%), and assault in 15 (4%). The median number of rib fractures was 4.8. Pulmonary complications including flail chest (2.3%), lung contusion (22%), hemothorax (62%), pneumothorax (31%), and hemopneumothorax (20%) occurred. Chest tubes were inserted into the thoracic cavity in 216 cases (52%), and the median duration of chest tube insertion was 10.26 days. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) and rib score had a median of 15.27 and 6.9, respectively. Pneumonia occurred in 18 cases (4.3%). Of the total cases, 33% of the cases were managed in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the median duration of stay in the ICU was 7.74 days. Antibiotics were administered in 399 patients (95%) for a median of 10.53 days. Antibiotics were used for more than 6 days in 284 patients (68%). The factors affecting pneumonia in patients with multiple rib fractures in multivariate analysis included age (p=0.004), ISS (p<0.001), and rib score (p=0.038). The use of antibiotics was not associated with the occurrence of pneumonia (p=0.28). In-hospital mortality was 5.3% (n=22). Conclusion: The factors affecting risk of pneumonia in patients with multiple rib fractures included age (p=0.004), ISS (p<0.001), and rib score (p=0.038). Elderly patients with multiple traumas have a high risk of pneumonia and should be treated accordingly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.328-330
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• 1994

Brachial plexus injury developing after axillary thoracotomy is an uncommon complication. But if it occurs, it may cause annoying events. We recently experienced 2 patients who developed brachial plexus injury after wedge resection by axillary thoracotomy . The first patient was a 22 year-old man with right spontaneous pneumothorax . After wedge resection of the right upper lung by axillary thoracotomy, he complained total paralysis of the right arm. An electromyogram was obtained at 7 days after operation, with the confirmation of brachial plexus injury. He was discharged at 22days after operation and brachial plexus injury was completely recovered 4 months after discharge. The second patient was a 17 year-old man with recurrent right pneumothorax. He underwent wedge resection of the right upper lung by axillary thoracotomy. Electromyogram confirmed the diagnosis of brachial plexus injury in the immediate postoperative period. He was discharged at 15 days after operation and brachial plexus injury was recovered 2months after discharge.Brachial plexus injury after axillary thoracotomy is caused by stretching around the clavicle and tendon of pectoralis minor by fixation of the abducted arm to the frame. Thus, when we perform wedge resection by axillary thoracotomy, we must avoid over-stretching of the brachial plexus in positioning. If brachial plexus injury develops, immediate attention and management with close rapport are important to avoid possible medicolegal problems.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.7-19
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the correlation between injury and injury severity score (ISS) in geriatric traffic accident patients transported by 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: The subjects were 240 traffic accident patients over 65 years old transported by 119 rescue services emergency departments in Busan from January 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015. Results: ISS increased in motorcycle traffic accidents (p=.026), truck injuries (p=.005), and head and neck injury (p<.001). Vital signs were evaluated by 119 rescue EMT. ISS increased in cases of unresponsive unconsciousness (p<.001), hypotension (p=.001), and bradycardia (p<.001). The need for bleeding control and dressing by the EMTs increased ISS significantly (p=.022). Conclusion: In the initial evaluation of geriatric traffic patients, ISS can increase in motor cycle accidents and truck injuries. Due to high ISS, patients with head and neck injury, chest injury, hypotension, or tachycardia should be transferred to advanced level hospitals.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2009

One of the most important factors that affect a person's risk of injury in a motor vehicle crash is the age of the person. This study investigates the characteristics of crash injuries among young, middle-aged and older drivers and occupants. Based on the comprehensive claim data from automobile insurance from 2000 to 2007, this study examines in great detail the drivers and occupants injury body regions and severity by age in car-to-car frontal crashes. It has been shown that elderly drivers and occupants suffer more injuries at a chest region compared to the middle-aged group. This research calls attention to the need for design to make vehicles more protective for older drivers in car-to car frontal crashes.