• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.190-194
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• 2015

Blunt cerebrovascular injury is defined as a vertebral or carotid arterial structural wall injury resulting from nonpenetrating trauma. Complete traumatic internal carotid artery occlusion is very rare condition accounting for 0.08~0.4 0f all trauma patients and believed to be associated with the greatest risk of ischemic stroke reported in 50~90% in a few small series. A 55-year-male was admitted with drowsy mentality and severe headache after a fall down accident. Brain computed tomography showed a subdural hematoma at the both frontal area with a fracture of the occipital skull bone. Two days after admission, he suddenly complained with a right side hemiparesis of motor grade 2. Brain magnetic resonance diffusion demonstrated multiple high flow signal changes from the left frontal and parietal lesion. Computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) revealed absence of the left ICA flow. Trans femoral cerebral angiography (TFCA) showed complete occlusion of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) at ophthalmic segment in the left ICA angiogram and flows on the left whole hemispheric lesions through the anterior communicating artery in the right ICA angiogram. We decided to conduct close observations as a treatment for the patient because of acute subdural hematoma and sufficient contralateral cerebral flow by perfusion SPECT scan. Two weeks after the accident, he was treated with heparin anticoagulation within INR 2~4 ranges. He recovered as the motor grade 4 without another neurologic deficit after 3 months.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2015

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of pediatric trauma patients came to the emergency department. Without guidelines, many of these children underwent repeat brain computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of repeat brain CT in children with TBI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of TBI in children younger than 19 years of age who visited the emergency department (ED) from January 2011 to December 2012. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale score of the patients, study population divided in three groups. Clinical data collected included age, mechanism of injury, type of TBI, and outcome. Results: A Total 83 children with TBI received repeat brain CT. There were no need for neurosurgical intervention in mild TBI (GCS score 13-15) group who underwent routine repeat CT. 4 patients of mild TBI group, received repeat brain CT due to neurological deterioration, and one patient underwent neurosurgical intervention. Routine repeat CT identified 12 patients with radiographic progression. One patient underwent neurosurgical intervention based on the second brain CT finding, who belonged to the moderate TBI (GCS score 9-12) group. Conclusion: Our study showed that children with mild TBI can be observed without repeat brain CT when there is no evidence of neurologic deterioration. Further study is needed for establish indication for repetition of CT scan in order to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure of children.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.158-169
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• 2015

Purpose: Frostbite can affect still soldiers. Initial clinical manifestations are similar for superficial and deep frostbite, so early treatment is identical. It is under-estimated by physicians. We try to identify the challenges of managing these complex tissue injuries. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 84 patients hospitalized at AFCH from 2009 to 2015 was conducted. We investigated differences of epidemiological characteristics, identification of soft tissue injury, treatment and complications between superficial (SF: 43; 51.2%) and deep (DF: 41; 48.8%) frostbite. Results: The major (94.0%) developed frostbite in dry circumstances (89.3%). Wet circumstances (66.7%) were more susceptible to DF rather than dry (46.7%). The 38 (45.2%) arrived to specialist within 7days. Most prone sites were feet, followed by hands. Toes had more deep injuries. DF presented more increased levels of ALT, CPK, CKMB, CRP. The bone scan of W+S+ was 48.3%, 87.1% and W+S- was 20.7%, 12.9%, respectively. The treatment resulted in improved or normalized perfusion scan with matching clinical improvement. It was a good tool to assess treatment response. Eighteen normal and 8 stenotic type of PCR resulted in normal with matching clinical improvement. One continuous obstructive waveform led to minor amputation. Twelve underwent both PCR and MRA. Among 6 normal PCR, 5 showed normal and one stenosis in MRA. All 5 stenosis and one obstruction showed the same findings in MRA. It was a good tool to evaluate vascular compromise. They were treated with rapid rewarming (11.6%, 22.0%), hydrotherapy (16.3%, 29.3%), respectively. Six (14.6%) underwent STSG, 2 (4.9%) had digital amputation in DF. Berasil, Ibuprofen, Trental were commonly administered. PGE1 was administered selectively for 6.8, 10.8 days, respectively. Raynaud's syndrome (16.3%), CRPS (4.7%), LOM (14.6%) and toe deformity (4.9%) were specific sequelae. Conclusion: We should recommend intensive foot care education, early rewarming and evacuation to specialized units. The bone scanning and PCR should allow for a more aggressive and active approach to the management of tissue viability.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.144-148
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• 2015

Purpose: Immediate identification of vascular injury requiring embolization in patients with pelvic bone fracture isn't an easy task. There have been many trials finding indicators of embolization for patients with pelvic bone fracture. Although Young and Burgess classification is useful in decision making of treatment, it is reported to have little value as indicator of embolization in major trauma patients. The aim of this study is to find out Young and burgess classification on predicting vessel injury by analzyng pelvic radiograph taken from major trauma patients with pelvic bone fracture. Methods: Among major trauma patients with injury severity scores (ISS) higher than 15 who visited our emergency room from January 2011 to June 2014, 200 patients were found with pelvic bone fracture in trauma series and thus pelvic CT angiography was taken. Setting aside patients with exclusion criteria, 153 patients were enrolled in this study for analysis of Young and Burgess classification. Results: The most common mechanism of injury was lateral compression in both groups. There was no statistical significant difference in Young and Burgess classification (p=0.397). The obturator artery was the most commonly injured artery in both groups. Six patients had more than one site of bleeding. Conclusion: Prediction of transcatheter angiographic embolization using Young and Burgess classification in severe trauma patients is difficult and requires additional studies.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.134-143
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• 2015

Purpose: Many patients are injured by trauma. And some of them expire due to severity of trauma. Various scoring systems have been introduced in grading severity and predicting mortality of trauma patients. This study is to evaluation the usefulness of factors for determining the severity and predicting the prognosis of the trauma victims. Methods: Data on the patients who visited our Emergency departments from January 2010 to December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed using electronic medical records. The patients were activated severe trauma team calling system. The patients were categorized as survivors and non-survivors. Univariated associations were calculated, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with hospital mortality. Results: Two hundred sixty two(262) patients were enrolled, and the mortality rate was 25.6%. By multivariate analysis, lower respiration rate, lower Glasgow Coma Score, higher International Normalized Ratio and emergency transfusion within 6 hours were expected as severity and prognosis predict factors (each of odds ratio were 24.907, 14.282, 2.667 and 16.144). Conclusion: As predict factors, respiration rate, Glasgow Coma Score, International Normalized Ratio and emergency transfusion, are useful determining the severity and predicting prognosis of trauma victims.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.8-13
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• 2016

Purpose: Specialized general trauma surgeons play an important role in the care of trauma patients. Hemoperitoneum is a severe, but representative, condition following a life-threatened trauma. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes for polytrauma patients with hemoperitoneum between the periods during which a trauma surgeon was available and that unavailable. Methods: Thirty-one trauma patients with hemoperitoneum who were treated at Korea University Guro Hospital over a period of 4 years were included in this study, and their case records were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups, the 2011 and 2012 group and the 2013 and 2014 group corresponding, respectively, to the periods that a trauma surgeon was not and was working. Vital signs on admission, scores on the injury severity scale and, Glasgow coma scale, elapsed time to diagnostic, and therapeutic, and/or operative interventions were studied. The effects on intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, as well as mortality, were also studied. Results: The study population consisted of 16 and 15 patients in group 1 and 2, respectively. The patients in both groups had six unstable hemodynamic on admission. The time to the main procedure (intervention, operation etc.) was longer during the periods when a trauma surgeon was not working than it was during the period when working. This difference did not reached statistical significance. The mortality rates for the two groups were not statistically different either (18.75% vs 26.67%; p=0.928). Conclusion: Having at least one specialized general trauma surgeon on duty may reduce the time to intervention and surgery for severe trauma patients with hemoperitoneum, but appears to have no effect on the mortality rates. In conclusion, having only one trauma surgeon on duty does not improve the quality of care for trauma patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.123-128
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• 2015

Purpose: Establishment of the trauma system changed quality of trauma care in many countries. As one of the first designated level 1 trauma center in Korea, we analyzed trauma registration data in 2014. Methods: Data was extracted from Korean Trauma Data Base (KTDB) that was started from august 2013. Variables related to demographics and trauma was collected through the year 2014. Results: There were 3269 trauma patients who admitted to our hospital and registered to KTDB in 2014. Median age was 49 years, 64.4% were men, and 90% of patients were blunt in mechanism. Median injury severity score (ISS) was 5, mean revised trauma score (RTS) was 7.65. There were 138 (4.2%) deaths and 87 (2.7%) patients of them was death after admission. Conclusion: This is the first report using KTDB registration from our institution. Trauma volume is appropriate but it should be compared with other trauma centers in Korea. In future national analysis of KTDB is mandatory.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.37-43
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• 2012

Purpose: A tube thoracostomy is an invasive procedure that places patients at risk for complications. Tube thoracostomies are frequently performed by emergency medicine residents. Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess both the complication rate for tube thoracostomies performed by emergency medicine residents and the factors associated with these complications. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone a tube thoracostomy performed by emergency medicine residents between January 2008 and February 2009 was conducted at a university hospital. Complications were divided into major and minor complications and into immediate and delayed complications. Complications requiring corrective surgical intervention, requiring the administration of blood products, or involving situations requiring intravenous antibiotics were defined as major. Complications that were detected within 2 hours were defined as immediate. Results: Tube thoracostomies were performed in 189 patients, and 70 patients(37%) experienced some complications. Most complications were immediate and minor. In multiple logistic regressions, BMI, hypotension and resident seniority were significantly associated with complications. Conclusion: The prevalence of complications was similar to these in previous reports on the complications of a tube thoracostomy. Most complications from tube thoracostomies performed by emergency medicine residents were immediate and minor complications. Thus, emergency medicine residents should be allowed to perform closed tube thoracostomies instead of thoracic surgeons.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.75-81
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of a trauma team's management. Methods: A total of 181 patients with severe trauma were retrospectively divided into two groups. Of these 181 patients, 81 patients without a trauma team admitted between April and October 2008 were assigned to Group 1, and 100 patients with a Trauma team admitted between April and October 2009 were assigned to Group II. We compared general characteristics, the length of stay in the emergency department (ED) and treatment outcomes (24-h packed RBC transfusion, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, 24-h mortality) between these two groups. Results: The length of stay in the ED was significantly reduced in Group II compared to Group I ($p$=0.025). No significant differences were found in mean arterial pressure, Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, Injury Severity Score, in-hospital mortality and 24-h mortality between the two groups. However, Group II had a lower amount of 24-h packed RBC transfusion and a shorter length of ICU and hospital stay than Group I, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Through the establishment of a trauma team, the length of stay in the ED can be reduced remarkably. Furthermore, the need for 24-h packed RBC transfusions and the length of stay in the ICU and hospital were found to be decreased in patients managed by a trauma team.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.17-24
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate whether therapeutic hypercapnia could attenuate systemic inflammatory responses in hemorrhagic shock in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were mechanically ventilated and underwent pressure-controlled (mean arterial pressure: $38{\pm}1$ mmHg) hemorrhagic shock. At 10 minutes after the induction of hemorrhagic shock, the rats were divided into the normocapnia ($PaCO_2$=35-45 mmHg, n=10) and the hypercapnia ($PaCO_2$=60-70 mmHg) groups. The $PaCO_2$ concentration was adjusted by using the concentration of inhaled $CO_2$ gas. After 90 minutes of hemorrhagic shock, rats were resuscitated with shed blood for 10 minutes and were observed for 2 hours. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the heart rate were monitored continuously, and the results of arterial blood gas analyses, as well as the plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and nitrite/nitrate were compared between the normocapnia and the hypercapnia groups. Results: The MAP and the heart rate were not different between the two groups. The plasma concentration of IL-6 was significantly lower in the hypercapnia group than in the normocapnia group (p<0.05). The IL-10 concentration was not different and the IL-6 to IL-10 ratio was significantly lower in the hypercapnia group compared to the normocapnia group. The plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration of the hypercapnia group was lower than that of the normocapnia group. Conclusion: Therapeutic hypercapnia attenuates systemic inflammatory responses in hemorrhagic shock.