• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.376-384
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• 2023

Purpose: The Armed Forces Trauma Center of Korea was established in April 2022. This study was conducted to report our 1-year experience of treating soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity. Methods: In this case series, we reviewed the medical records of 51 Korean soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity between April 2022 and March 2023 at a trauma center. We analyzed patients with Gustilo-Anderson type II and III fractures and reported the duration of transportation, injury mechanisms, injured sites, and associated injuries. We also presented laboratory findings, surgery types, intensive care unit stays, hospital stays, rehabilitation results, and reasons for psychiatric consultation. Additionally, we described patients' mode of transport. Results: This study enrolled nine male patients who were between 21 and 26 years old. Six patients had type II and three had type III fractures. Transport from the accident scene to the emergency room ranged from 75 to 455 minutes, and from the emergency room to the operating room ranged from 35 to 200 minutes. Injury mechanisms included gunshot wounds, landmine explosions, grenade explosions, and entrapment by ship mooring ropes. One case had serious associated injuries (inhalation burn, open facial bone fractures, and hemopneumothorax). No cases with serious blood loss or coagulopathies were found, but most cases had a significant elevation of creatinine kinase. Two patients underwent vascular reconstruction, whereas four patients received flap surgery. After rehabilitation, six patients could walk, one patient could move their joints actively, and two patients performed active assistive movement. Eight patients were referred to the psychiatry department due to suicidal attempts and posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: This study provides insights into how to improve treatment for patients with military trauma, as well as medical services such as the transport system, by revising treatment protocols and systematizing treatment.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.275-282
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• 1992

Maxillofacial war injures is specific representative of severe hard and soft tissue defect. This type of injuries were different from the trauma because it may be fatal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the injury type base on the retrograde medical record in the 104 patients from Feb. 1991 to Aug. 1992 in Korea Veterans Hospital. The obtained results were as follows. 1. Among 104 cases, 51 cases(49.0%) were classified as mandibular defects only, and 53 cases (51.0%) were classified as maxillary with mandibular defect (combined). 2. The etiologic factors of injury were gunshot, artillery and grenade or shell: 33 cases, 14cases, and 10 cases respectively in Korea War, 19 cases, 5 cases, and 8 cases respectively in Vietnam War. 3. In 57 cases of mandibular partial defect, the angle area showed the highest frequencies, 18 cases(31.6%). 4. In 42 cases of mandibular segmental defect, the area between the 1st molar and the ascending ramus showed the highest frequencies. 17 cases(40.4%), and almost all cases were unilateral defect (40 cases, 95.0%) 5. Reconstruction method performed for segmental mandibular defect were wire or plate(15 cases, 35.7%) and soft tissue closure only(12 cases, 28.7%), respectively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.421-428
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• 1986

From January 1981 through December 1985, 481 thoracic civilian injuries were reviewed in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Paik Hospital in Seoul. Sixty two percent of the injuries were caused by traffic accident, 18% fall down, 15% blunt trauma, 2% crushing injury, 2% stab wound, and 0.4% gunshot wound. Peak incidence of the trauma victim was fourth and fifth decades revealing 22% and 27% respectively. Sex ratio was 3.5:1 with male predominance. Elapsed time before admission was less than one hour in 36% and one to six hour in 30%. The types of the injuries were as follows: Non-penetrating injuries were the most part of the wounded, 97.6%. Rib fracture was the most common lesion occupying 292 patient out of 481 [61%]. Of these 292 patients, 72% was multiple rib fracture. The incidence of hemothorax or hemopneumothorax was 19% [102 patients] [Table 4]. Most common associated condition was head injuries, 98 patients [14%]. Thoracoabdominal injuries were seen in 31 patients [0.6%]. Tube thoracostomy was the definitive measures in the 20% of the wounded. Open thoractomy was performed in 5%. Additional procedures for the associated condition were done in the 16% of the cases, for example, reduction of long bone fracture and trephination for the head injury. Among 481 wounded, fatal complication occurred in 13 patients [2.7%]. This paper has also compared two series of patients according to period; one from 1970 to 1980 and the present series [Table 8]. Conclusively, the fatal complications or trauma death may be reduced by the effort 1] rapid transport of the victim, 2] initial correction or resuscitative measures of the circulatory and ventilatory deficit 3] early decision of definitive thoracostomy or thoracotomy and 4] proper prioritizing for the care of the multiple critically injured patient.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.4651-4655
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• 2015

The subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm in blunt trauma is uncommon and rarely occurs secondary to penetrating injury. Subclavian artery injuries represent an uncommon complication of blunt chest trauma, this structure being protected by subclavius muscle, the clavicle, the first rib, and the deep cervical fascia as well as the costo-coracoid ligament, a clavi-coraco-axillary fascia portion. Subclavian artery injury appears early after trauma, and arterial rupture may cause life-threatening hemorrhages, pseudoaneurysm formation and compression of brachial plexus. Most injuries were related to clavicle fracture, gunshot, other penetrating trauma, and complication of central line insertion. The presence of large hematomas and pulsatile palpable mass in supraclavicular region should raise the suspicion of serious vascular injury and these clinical evidences must be carefully worked out by physical examination of the upper limb. Since the first reports of endovascular treatment for traumatic vascular injuries in the 1993, an increasing number of vascular lesions have been treated this way. We report a case of subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm 10 days after blunt chest trauma due to traffic accident, treated by endovascular stent grafting.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.604-609
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• 1998

Trauma to the thorax represents a significant portion of injuries seen in an inner-city emergency room. Although most of these patients may be sucessfully managed without thoracotomy, a certain percentage requires operative intervention either immediately or within several hours. 126 records of patients who had early thoracotomy for chest trauma from March 1986, to June 1997, in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Masan Samsung General Hospital were reviewed. There were 96 males and 30 females whose ages ranged from 4 to 72 years, with a mean age of 32.8 years. The modes of injury were as follows : stab wounds, 55 cases(44%), blunt trauma, 70 cases(55%), and gunshot wound, 1 case(1%). Immediate operation was performed in 105 cases(84%) and delayed operation in 21 cases(16%). Indications that operation was necessary were hemorraging and shock in 66 cases(52%), cardiac tamponade in 27 cases(21%), and rupture of the diaphragm in 33 cases(27%). Most of these patients were sucessfully treated but 21 cases were resulted in death. The mortality rate was 16.6% and common causes of death were irreversible shock and hypoxia.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.90-93
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• 2015

The fibula free flap has now become the most reliable and frequently used option for mandible reconstruction. Recently, three dimensional images and printing technologies are applied to mandibular reconstruction. We introduce our recent experience of mandibular reconstruction using three dimensionally planned fibula free flap in a patient with gunshot injury. The defect was virtually reconstructed with three-dimensional image. Because bone fragments are dislocated from original position, relocation was necessary. Fragments are virtually relocated to original position using mirror image of unaffected right side of the mandible. A medical rapid prototyping (MRP) model and cutting guide was made with 3D printer. Titanium reconstruction plate was adapted to the MRP model manually. 7 cm-sized fibula bone flap was designed on left lower leg. After dissection, proximal and distal margin of fibula flap was osteotomized by using three dimensional cutting guide. Segmentation was also done as planned. The fibula bone flap was attached to the inner side of the prebent reconstruction plate and fixed with screws. Postoperative evaluation was done by comparison between preoperative planning and surgical outcome. Although dislocated condyle is still not in ideal position, we can see that reconstruction was done as planned.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.272-277
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• 2014

Objectives: Non-vascularized iliac crest bone graft (NVIBG) is a known treatment option in mandibular reconstruction following jaw resection, but no documented review of patients treated with NVIBG exists for northern Nigeria. The experience and technique from a Nigerian tertiary hospital may serve as baseline data for comparison and improvement of practice for other institutions. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of medical records and patient case files from January 2012 to December 2013 was undertaken. All case files and other medical records of patients who had reconstruction with NVIBG for benign or malignant lesions with immediate or delayed reconstruction were selected for review. Results: Twenty patients had mandibular reconstruction with NVIBG during the study period. Two patients were excluded because of incomplete medical records. Eighteen patients' (male=14, female=4) records were reviewed. Their ages ranged from 13 to 62 years (mean $26.0{\pm}10.6years$). Indications for NVIBG included jaw tumors (n=16; 88.3%), jaw cyst (n=1; 5.6%) and gunshot injury (n=1; 5.6%). Jaw tumors seen were ameloblastoma (n=15; 83.3%) and osteosarcoma (n=1; 5.6%). Treatments done were mandibular resection with condylar resection (n=7; 38.9%), mandibular segmental resection (n=10; 55.6%) and subtotal mandibulectomy (n=1; 5.6%). Patients' postoperative reviews and radiographs revealed good facial profile and continued bone stability up to 1 year following NVIBG. Conclusion: NVIBGs provide an acceptable alternative to vascularized bone grafts, genetically engineered bone, and distraction osteogenesis for mandibular reconstruction in resource-limited centers.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.215-218
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• 2022

The rectum is the least frequently injured organ in trauma, with an incidence of about 1% to 3% in trauma cases involving civilians. Most rectal injuries are caused by gunshot wounds, blunt force trauma, and stab wounds. A 46-year-old male patient was crushed between two vehicles while he was working. He was hemodynamically unstable, and the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma showed hemoperitoneum and hemoretroperitoneum; therefore, damage control surgery with pelvic packing was performed. A subsequent whole-body computed tomography scan showed a displaced pelvic bone and sacrum fracture. There was evidence of an anorectal full-thickness laceration and urethral laceration. In second-look surgery performed 48 hours later, the pelvis was stabilized with external fixators, and it was decided to proceed with loop sigmoid colostomy. A tractioned rectal probe with an internal balloon was positioned in order to approach the flaps of the rectal wall laceration. On postoperative day 13, a radiological examination with endoluminal contrast injected from the stoma after removal of the balloon was performed and showed no evidence of extraluminal leak. Rectosigmoidoscopy, rectal manometry, anal sphincter electromyography, and trans-stomic transit examinations showed normal findings, indicating that it was appropriate to proceed with the closure of the colostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. The optimal management for extraperitoneal penetrating rectal injuries continues to evolve. Primary repair with fecal diversion is the mainstay of treatment, and a conservative approach to rectal lacerations with an internal balloon in a rectal probe could provide a possibility for healing with a lower risk of complications.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.234-244
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• 2021

Purpose: To date, studies of firearm and explosive injuries in the Korean military have been limited compared to its importance. To overcome this, this study examined the characteristics of musculoskeletal damages in soldiers who have suffered firearm and explosive injuries over the past four years. Materials and Methods: From January 2015 to July 2019, military forces who had suffered musculoskeletal injuries from firearms or explosive substances were included. The medical records and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively, and telephone surveys about Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) for this group were conducted. To compare the functional outcomes, statistical analysis was performed using a t-test for the types of weapons, and ANOVA for others. Results: Of the 61 patients treated for firearms and explosives injuries, 30 patients (49.2%) were included after undergoing orthopedic treatment due to musculoskeletal injury. The average age at injury was 26.4 years old (21-52 years old). The number of officers and soldiers was similar. Eleven were injured by gunshot and 19 by an explosive device. Sixteen were treated in the Armed Forces Capital Hospital and 10 at private hospitals. More than half of the 16 patients (53.3%) with a fracture had multiple fractures. The most common injury site was the hand (33.3%), followed by the lower leg (30.0%). There were 14 patients (46.7%) with Gustilo-Anderson classification 3B or higher who required a soft tissue reconstruction. Fifteen patients agreed to join the SMFA survey for the functional outcomes. Between officers and soldiers, officers had better scores in the Bother Index compared to soldiers (p=0.0045). Patients treated in the Armed Forces Capital Hospital had better scores in both the Dysfunction and Bother Index compared to private hospitals (p=0.0008, p=0.0149). Conclusion: This is the first study to analyze of weapons injuries in the Korean military. As a result of the study, the orthopedic burden was high in the treating patients with military weapon injuries. In addition, it is necessary to build a military trauma registry, including firearm and explosive injuries, for trauma treatment evaluation and development of military trauma system.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated changes in interpersonal violence and utilization of trauma recovery services during the COVID-19 pandemic. At an urban level I trauma center, trauma recovery services (TRS) provide education, counseling, peer support, and coordination of rehabilitation and recovery to address social and mental health needs. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted considerable changes in hospital services and increases in interpersonal victimization. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted between September 6, 2018 and December 20, 2020 for 1,908 victim-of-crime patients, including 574 victims of interpersonal violence. Outcomes included length of stay associated with initial TRS presentation, number of subsequent emergency department visits, number of outpatient appointments, and utilization of specific specialties within the year following the initial traumatic event. Results: Patients were primarily female (59.4%), single (80.1%), non-Hispanic (86.7%), and Black (59.2%). The mean age was 33.0 years, and 247 patients (49.2%) presented due to physical assault, 132 (26.3%) due to gunshot wounds, and 76 (15.1%) due to sexual assault. The perpetrators were primarily partners (27.9%) or strangers (23.3%). During the study period, 266 patients (mean, 14.9 patients per month) presented before the declaration of COVID-19 as a national emergency on March 13, 2020, while 236 patients (mean, 25.9 patients per month) presented afterward, representing a 74.6% increase in victim-of-crime patients treated. Interactions with TRS decreased during the COVID-19 period, with an average of 3.0 interactions per patient before COVID-19 versus 1.9 after emergency declaration (P<0.01). Similarly, reductions in length of stay were noted; the pre-COVID-19 average was 3.6 days, compared to 2.1 days post-COVID-19 (P=0.01). Conclusions: While interpersonal violence increased, TRS interactions decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting interruption of services, COVID-19 precautions, and postponement/cancellation of elective visits. Future direction of hospital policy to enable resource and service delivery to this population, despite internal and external challenges, appears warranted.