• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.60-64
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• 2023

Upper extremity vascular injuries occurring with acute compartment syndrome are very challenging to manage in an emergency context in resource-poor settings. The need to always recognize the likelihood of coexisting compartment syndrome guides surgeons to perform concomitant fasciotomy to ensure a better outcome. We managed three vascular injuries in the upper extremities in two patients with concomitant imminent compartment syndrome observed intraoperatively. The first injury was complete brachial artery disruption following blunt trauma, while the second and third injuries were radial and ulnar artery transection caused by sharp glass cuts. Both patients were treated with vascular repair and fasciotomy. Secondary wound coverage was applied with split-thickness skin grafting, and the outcomes were satisfactory. Concomitant fasciotomy potentially improves the outcomes of vascular repair in emergency vascular surgery and should be considered for all injuries with the potential for acute compartment syndrome.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.265-268
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• 2023

Ankle fractures with syndesmotic injuries often require fixation, where metal screw fixation is a popular method. However, as the patient begins weight-bearing, most syndesmotic screws tend to loosen or break, and removal of such screws has been challenging for the surgeons, as the available techniques require predrilling or trephination and are associated with risks of bone damage. This study presents a case with technical tip for the removal of broken tricortical-fixed non-cannulated syndesmotic screws. It implements the generation of a small cortical window in the medial distal tibia and the use of pliers to engage the screw tip and remove through the medial side. The technique presented in the current study overcomes these limitations and facilitates minimal bone damage and reduced exposure to radiation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.261-264
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• 2023

Pancreatic trauma occurs in 0.2% of patients with blunt trauma and 5% of severe abdominal injuries, which are associated with high mortality rates (up to 60%). Traumatic pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has significant morbidity and appreciable mortality owing to complicating factors, associated injuries, and shock. The initial reconstruction in patients with severe pancreatic injuries aggravates their status by causing hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acidosis, which increase the risk for early mortality. A staging operation in which PD follows damage control surgery is a good option for hemodynamically unstable patients. We report the case of a patient who was treated by staging PD for an injured pancreatic head.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.276-280
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• 2023

Fungal thrombophlebitis of the central vein is a rare, life-threatening disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It requires immediate central venous catheter removal and intravenous antifungal therapy, combined in some cases with either anticoagulation or aggressive surgical debridement. A 70-year-old male patient injured by a falling object weighing 1,000 kg was transferred to our hospital. A contained rupture of the abdominal aorta with retroperitoneal hematoma was treated with primary aortic repair, and a small bowel perforation with mesenteric laceration was treated with resection and anastomosis. After a computed tomography scan, the patient was diagnosed with thrombophlebitis of the left internal jugular vein and brachiocephalic vein. Despite antifungal treatment, fever and candidemia persisted. Therefore, emergency debridement and thrombectomy were performed. After the operation, the patient was treated with an oral antifungal agent and direct oral anticoagulants. During a 1-year follow-up, no signs of candidemia relapse were observed. There is no optimal timing of surgical treatment for relapsed fungal central thrombophlebitis. Surgical treatment should be considered for early recovery.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.295-297
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• 2023

Penetrating gallbladder injuries are uncommon in the pediatric population. The treatment varies according to the severity of the injury and the patient's hemodynamics. We present the case of an 11-year-old male with an accidental pellet gunshot wound to the right upper abdomen that resulted in a grade III liver laceration and damage to the anterior gallbladder wall. The patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with drain placement. Postoperative radiography of the surgical specimen confirmed the presence of the pellet in the gallbladder. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged home on postoperative day 3. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a feasible treatment option for penetrating gallbladder injuries in hemodynamically stable patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.286-289
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• 2023

Torso stab injuries near the cardiac box may present unique challenges due to difficulties in hemorrhage control. For a stab injury to the heart, the repair is straightforwardly performed via median sternotomy. In contrast, injuries to the inferior vena cava are challenging to repair, especially when they are close to the diaphragm, and the bleeding can be torrential. Herein, we describe a case of a self-inflicted stab wound within the "cardiac box." The trajectory of the stab injuries went below the diaphragm and injured the infradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava. Successful emergent repair via the thoraco-laparotomy approach revived the young man. In this report, we revisit and discuss previous large series of patients with this rare vena cava injury.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.431-434
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• 2023

Severe blunt injuries to isolated solid abdominal viscera have been previously managed nonoperatively; however, management algorithms for simultaneous visceral injuries are less well defined. We report a polytrauma case of a 33-year-old man involved in a motorbike collision who presented with left-sided chest and abdominal pain. Initial imaging demonstrated multiple solid organ injuries with American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade V splenic injury and complete devascularization of the left kidney. The patient underwent urgent angioembolic coiling of the distal splenic artery with successful nonoperative management of simultaneous grade V solid organ injuries.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.315-321
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• 2023

Pediatric carpal fractures are rare and often difficult to detect. This paper reviews the current literature on pediatric non-scaphoid carpal fractures, with a case report of a lunate fracture associated with a distal radius and ulnar styloid fracture, managed nonoperatively in a 12-year-old boy. There is lack of consensus regarding the management of these fractures due to the low number of reported cases. A frequent lack of long-term follow-up limits our understanding of the outcomes, but good outcomes have been reported for both nonoperative and operative management. This case report brings attention to the current time period for the definition of delayed union in pediatric carpal fractures, and emphasizes the need for prolonged follow-up for the detection of delayed complications leading to functional impairment.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.454-457
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• 2023

Arterial injuries in the gluteal region caused by a knife are rare but serious, with mortality rates of up to 25%. This case report presents the management of a young male patient admitted to the emergency department in hypovolemic shock, with uncontrollable bleeding from an isolated penetrating gluteal injury. Additionally, the details of the surgical approach employed are discussed.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.458-461
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• 2023

Epiphyseal dislocations and fractures frequently occur in children and adolescents. However, these injuries seldom involve the distal femur, and bilateral cases are even rarer. We present an unusual case of bilateral epiphyseal detachment of the femur in a 21-year-old man who was involved in a traffic accident. Open reduction and fixation surgery were performed 5 days after the incident. The patient experienced favorable progress, with consolidation occurring at 3 months. No lower limb length discrepancies were observed at the 20-month follow-up. In summary, bilateral distal femoral epiphyseal detachment is an uncommon condition that can be effectively treated through surgical intervention.