• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.246-250
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• 2012

Background: Although it is rare for the fracture itself to become a life threatening injury in patients suffering from rib fracture, the lives of these patients are occasionally threatened by other associated injuries. Especially, early discovery of patients with rib fracture and intra-abdominal organ injury is extremely important to the prognosis. This study analyzed the link between rib fracture and intra-abdominal injury to achieve improved treatment. Materials and Methods: Among trauma patients that had visited the hospital emergency room from January 2007 to December 2009, a retrospective study was conducted on 453 patients suffering from rib fracture due to blunt trauma. Rib fracture was classified according to location (left, right, and bilateral), and according to level (upper rib fracture [1-2nd rib], middle rib fracture [3-8th rib], and lower rib fracture [9-12th rib]). The researched data was statistically compared and analyzed to investigate the correlation between the location, level, and number of rib fracture and intra-abdominal organ injury. Results: Motor vehicle injury was found to be the most common mechanism of injury with 208 cases (46%). Associated injuries accompanied with rib fracture were generated in 276 cases (61%). Intra-abdominal organ injury was discovered in 97 cases (21%). Liver injury was the most common intra-abdominal injury associated with rib fracture with 39 cases (40%), followed by spleen injury, with 23 cases (23%). Intra-abdominal injury according to level of rib fracture was presented as upper rib fracture in 11 cases (11%), middle rib fracture in 31 cases (32%), and lower rib fracture in 55 cases (57%), thus verifying that intra-abdominal injuries were commonly accompanied in lower rib fractures (p=0.03). In particular, significant increase of intra-abdominal injury was presented in fractures below the 8th rib (p=0.03). The number of intra-abdominal injuries requiring emergency operations was significantly higher in patients with more than 6 rib fractures (p=0.04). Conclusion: Intra-abdominal organ injury is more common in patients with lower rib fracture, especially fractures below the 8th rib. Intra-abdominal organ injuries generated in multiple rib fracture patients with more than 6 fractures significantly higher severity. These cases must be thoroughly inspected and carefully observed as there is possibility of emergency operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.406-408
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• 2014

A 66-year-old male patient arrived at the emergency room with a crush injury to his chest. Multiple rib fractures, hemothorax on both sides, left scapular fracture, liver laceration, and retroperitoneal hematoma were found upon the radiologic examination. After closed thoracostomy, the patient had been initially admitted to the intensive care unit, but he was transferred to the general ward on the next day. On the 4th post-trauma day, the patient complained of severe pain and there was bloody drainage through the chest tube. This case is an exploration with the consideration of the possibility of major bleeding and the subsequent repair of the descending thoracic aorta. This case is regarded as a case in which the aorta wall was damaged as the sharp margin of the fractured ribs caused continuous irritation.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.124-128
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• 2016

A 7-year-old intact female Maltese dog presented with a history of bite wounds. Physical examination revealed labored breathing, four puncture wounds with subcutaneous emphysema of the thorax, and paradoxical respiratory movement of the right thoracic wall. On radiography, a segmental fracture of the right 7th rib and a single fracture of the 8th rib were evident on the dorsal thorax. An inward displacement of the fractured segment and contusion of the right caudal lung lobe were identified with computed tomography. A diagnosis of pseudo-flail chest was made. Exploratory thoracotomy revealed a full-thickness muscular defect, a marked discoloration of the right caudal lung lobe, a segmental fracture of the right 7th rib, and a single fracture of the right 8th rib. Necrotic tissues were removed using surgical debridement. The fractured 7th and 8th ribs were corrected using a single interfragmentary wiring technique. The thoracic wall was reconstructed using the latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Additional thoracic stabilization using a thermoplastic splint was applied to correct paradoxical respiratory movement. The external splint was removed 4 weeks postoperatively. There was no evidence of respiratory abnormalities 18 months postoperatively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.188-190
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• 2010

흉골 골절은 흉부 둔상 후 흔하게 일어나며 대부분 합병증 없이 잘 해결 된다. 그러나 흉부 둔상에서 흉골골절과 내유동맥손상으로 인하여 심낭외 압전을 일으키는 경우는 매우 드물다. 저자들은 흉부 둔상으로 인하여 발생한 급성 심낭외 압전을 경험하였기에 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.389-391
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• 2005

We report a case of T4 bursting fracture with paraparesis that recovered by posterior approach. A 47-year-old man presented with paraparesis (grade III) which had progressed rapidly after motor cycle accident. After sacrificing the T4 nerve root (right), posterior interbody fusion using cage following T4 corpectomy and T3-4, T4-5 discectomy was performed. After operation, lower extremities motor power improved and he could walk after one month. And this is the first report of posterior approach using cage by corpectomy and two level discectomy in case of upper thoracic burst fracture in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.367-370
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• 2015

Bone cement augmentation procedures have been getting more position as a minimally invasive surgical option for osteoporotic spinal fractures. However, complications related to these procedures have been increasingly reported. We describe a case of bone cement dislodgement following cement augmentation procedure for osteoporotic spinal fracture by reviewing the patient's medical records, imaging results and related literatures. A 73-year-old woman suffering back and buttock pain following a fall from level ground was diagnosed as an osteoporotic fracture of the 11th thoracic spine. Percutaneous kyphoplasty was performed for this lesion. Six weeks later, the patient complained of a recurrence of back and buttock pain. Radiologic images revealed superior dislodgement of bone cement through the 11th thoracic superior endplate with destruction of the lower part of the 10th thoracic spine. Staged anterior and posterior fusion was performed. Two years postoperatively, the patient carries on with her daily living without any significant disability. Delayed bone cement dislodgement can occur as one of complications following bone cement augmentation procedure for osteoporotic spinal fracture. It might be related to the presence of intravertebral cleft, lack of interdigitation of bone cement with the surrounding trabeculae, and possible damage of endplate during ballooning procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.53-57
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• 2010

배경: 이 연구는 늑골 수상 후 발생하는 늑간 신경병증에 대한 평가를 위하여 숫자통증등급, 통증 기간 및 체질량 지수에 따른 늑간 신경병증에 대한 심한 정도를 알고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 늑골 골절 수상 후 3개월 이상 동안 보존적인 치료에도 불구하고 심한 통증을 호소하는 환자 47명을 대상으로 근전도 검사를 시행하여 흉부의 늑간 및 척추 주위 근육에 대한 평가를 하였다. 결과: 47명 중에서 11명에 대하여 늑간 신경병증의 진단을 얻을 수 있었으며, 남자 8명과 여자 3명이었으며, 그 연령은 직업적으로 활동적인 연령대였다. 늑간 신경병증이 호발하는 부위는 7번부터 12번 부위 늑골 골절의 늑간이었다. 그 빈도는 단일 골절보다는 다발성 골절과 밀접한 상관 관계를 알 수 있었다. 그 증상으로는 흉통(90.9%), 감각이상(81.8%), 무감각(63.6%), 후부 흉통(27.2%), 그리고 근위축(18.2%) 순이었다. 근전도에 의한 숫자통증등급, 통증 기간 및 체질량 지수와 관계는 없었다. 결론: 늑골 골절수상 후 3개월 이상 지속적인 통증을 호소하는 환자에서 지속적인 늑간 신경통에 대한 진단을 위한 평가로 근전도가 도움이 될 수 있다.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.175-179
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• 2010

Purpose: Sternal fractures after blunt thoracic trauma can cause significant pain and disability. They are relatively uncommon as a result of direct trauma to the sternum and open reduction is reserved for those with debilitating pain and fracture displacement. We reviewed consecutive 11 cases of open reduction and fixation of sternum and tried to find standard approach to the traumatic sternal fractures with severe displacement. Methods: From December 2008 to August 2010, the medical records of 11 patients who underwent surgical reduction and fixation of sternum for sternal fractures with severe displacement were reviewed. We investigated patients' characteristics, chest trauma, associated other injuries, type of open reduction and fixation, combined operations, preoerative ventilator support and postoperative complications. Results: The mean patient age was 59.3years (range, 41~79). The group comprised 6 male and 5 female subjects. Among 11 patients who underwent open reduction and fixation for sternal fracture with severe displacement, 6 cases had isolated sternal fractures and the other 5 patients had associated other injuries. Sternal fractures were caused by car accidents (9/11, 81.8%), falling down (1/11, 9.1%) and direct blunt trauma to the sternum (1/11, 9.1%), respectively. 3 of the 7 patients (42.9%) who underwent sternal plating with longitudinal plates showed loosening of fixation. Otherwise, none of the 4 patients who underwent surgical fixation using T-shaped plate had stable alignment of the fracture. Conclusion: Sternal fractures with severe displacement need to be repaired to prevent chronic pain, instability of the anterior chest wall, deformity of the sternum, and even kyphosis. In the present study, a T-shaped plate with a compression-tension mechanism constitutes the treatment of choice for displaced sternal fractures.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.272-275
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• 2015

Pelvic bone fracture with unstable vital signs is a life-threatening condition demanding proper diagnosis and immediate treatment. Unlike long bones, the pelvic bone is a three dimensional structure with complex holes and grooves for vessels and nerves. Because of this complexity, a pelvic bone fracture can lead to complicated and serious bleeding. We report a case of a fifty-year-old male suffering from a pelvic bone fracture due to a fall. An imaging study showed fractures of both the superior and the inferior ramus of the pubic bone, with contrast extravasation underneath them, resulting in a large preperitoneal hematoma. He was sent for angiography, which revealed a hemorrhage from a branch of the left obturator artery. Embolization was done with a glue and lipiodol mixture. The patient recovered without complication, and was discharged at four weeks after admission.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.219-221
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• 2015

Subclavian injuries in blunt trauma are reported in less than 1% of all arterial injuries or chest related injuries. We report a female 68 yr-old patient whom has visited our emergency center due to a motorcycle traffic accident with complaints of right chest wall and shoulder pain. Her injury severity score was 22 and she was found with a comminuted clavicle fracture and subclavian artery injury. She developed delayed symptoms of pallor, pain and motor weakness with loss of pulse in her right arm. Attempts at intervention failed and thus, she underwent emergency artificial graft bypass from her subclavian artery to her brachial artery. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she is happy with the results. Although rare, a high index of suspicion for the injury must be noted and the inevitable surgical option must always be considered.