• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2006

Purpose: Injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for children. As an injury prevention measure, the differences in external causes of severe pediatric injuries based on ICECI were analyzed according to age groups. Methods: A retrospective study was performed for pediatric patients under 15 years of age, who had been admitted to the emergency department with severe injuries from January 1998 to December 2004. The external causes of injury were investigated according to the ICECI: intent, mechanisms, places of occurrence, objects/substances producing injury, and related activities. The patients were divided into four groups based on age: infant (<0 year), toddler (1~4 years), preschool age (5~8 years), and school age (9~15 years). Results: The injury mechanisms, the places of occurrence and the related objects/substances vary with the age groups. The most common subtype of traffic accidents was pedestrian injury in pre-school age group. Falls most frequently occurred in the toddler group. But falls from a height of less than l meter height (6 patients) occurred only in the infant group. The most common place of occurrence in the infant group was the home, and that of other groups was the road. The related objects/substances for falls, for example, household furnitures and playground equipment depended on the age group. Conclusion: The age-group specific characteristics of severe pediatric injury were analyzed successfully through the ICECI. Therefore, when establishing a plan for the prevention of pediatric injury, consideration must be given to the differences in the external causes of injuries according to age group.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.101-105
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• 2007

Purpose: This study aimed to find any difference in the clinical or the anatomical findings of vertebral artery dissection (VAD) between the trauma and the non-trauma groups. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data and radiologic images of VAD patients. We compared data on symptoms, neurologic deficit, National institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) at admission, Rankin score (RS) at admission and discharge, and radiological findings including anatomical features, between the trauma and the non-trauma groups. Results: From January 1997 to May 2006, 42 patients were enrolled and 13 patients (31%) had a history of earlier trauma. Focal neurologic deficit (trauma group 11/13 vs. non-trauma group 11/29), cerebral stroke (10/13 vs. 9/29), and extradural lesions of dissection (6/13 vs. 3/28) were more common in the trauma group than non-trauma group (p=0.007, p=0.017, p=0.018, respectively) and NIHSS at admission and discharge were significantly higher (p=0.012, p=0.001, respectively). Dissecting aneurysms were less frequent in the trauma group (2/13 vs. 19/29, p=0.006). Subarachnoid hemorrhage and unfavorable prognostic value (Rankin score at discharge ${\geq}$ 2) showed no differences between the groups (p=0.540, p=0.267, respectively). Conclusion: In VAD patients after trauma, focal neurologic deficit due to ischemic stroke and a steno-occlusive pattern are more frequent than they are in non-trauma patients. The location of dissection was most frequent at the extradural vertebral artery in the trauma group. NIHSS was higher in the trauma groups but the incidence of an unfavorable prognostic value (RS ${\geq}$ 2) was not significantly different between the groups.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.125-129
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• 2007

Purpose: The liver is one of the most commonly injured organs in abdominal trauma. Surgery has played a major role in treating traumatic liver injury. Recently, it was reported that conservative treatment could be the first-line management for hemodynamically stable patients without combined intraabdominal surgical problems. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic factors in traumatic liver injury. Methods: The medical records of 41 patients who were treated for traumatic liver injury at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from March 2003 to October 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Among the 41 patients, 34 cases (82.9%) were managed nonsurgically, and 7 cases (17.1%) were managed surgically. Out of the 5 (12.2%) mortalities, 2 were encountered in those who underwent surgery, and 3 were encountered in those who were treated nonsurgically. Univariate analysis showed that the initial systolic blood pressure, the initial hemoglobin level, and the grade of liver injury were significant prognostic factors for survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that initial low systolic blood pressure was the only independent risk factor. Conclusion: Patients with unstable vital signs initially have a poor prognosis. Aggressive management might be helpful for improving the survival rate in these patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.72-76
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the fixation method for treating alveolar fractures in an emergency department. Methods: The efficiency of using the fixation method was judged on the basis of clinical criteria. Stability, occlusion state, bleeding amount after fixation, operation time, and difficulties during procedural operation were recorded. Results: Eight patients were enrolled in this study. In all instances, the fixation method was effective in bleeding control. Each patient had a noticeable decrement in bleeding. A wire was used for four of the eight patients, and nylon strings was used for the others. The average operation time was 6.3 minutes for the wire patients and 2.8 minutes for the Nylon string patients. No specific problem was identified during the procedural operation. However, the difference in the fixation material influenced the effectiveness of the procedure, the operation time, and the satisfaction of the doctor. Conclusion: In the emergency department, the fixation method using wire or nylon string in the treatment of alveolar fractures is effective in bleeding control

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.83-89
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• 2007

Purpose: This research was performed to determine which clinical signs and symptoms of brain injury are sensitive indicators of skull fracture (SF) and intracranial injury (ICI) in head injured children. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of minor head trauma in children younger than 2 years of age for a 1-year period. Skull radiographs, brain computed tomography (CT), and data forms, including mechanism of injury, symptoms, physical findings, and hospital course, were completed for each child. Results: Of 137 study subjects, 17 (12.4%) had SF/ICI. Falls were the most common mechanism of injury, and heights of fall above 1 meter were associated with incidence of SF/ICI (p<0.05). Scalp abnormalities were not associated with incidence of SF/ICI. As for clinical symptoms, lethargy and a grouping of features (irritability & vomiting) were associated with incidence of SF/ICI (p<0.05). The incidence of seizure, loss of consciousness, vomiting, irritability, and scalp abnormality did not differ significantly between those with normal radiologic findings and those with SF/ICI. Among asymptomatic patients, 11 (14.5%) patients had SF/ICI, and among patients with normal scalp findings, 9 (12.7%) patients had SF/ICI. Conclusion: Clinical signs and symptoms, except for lethargy and a grouping of features (irritability & vomiting), were not sensitive predictors of SF/ICI. Nevertheless, SF/ICI occurred among normal children. In such a case, a liberal policy of CT scanning is warranted.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.106-114
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• 2007

Purpose: There is little controversy that a classic indication such as hemodynamic instability or any sign of peritoneal irritation requires an immediate laparotomy in the management of abdominal stab wounds. However, omental herniation or bowel evisceration as an indication for an immediate laparotomy is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of these factors as indications for an immediate laparotomy. Methods: The medical records of 98 consecutive abdominal stab wounds patients admitted to the Emergency Center of Masan Samsung Hospital from January 2000 to December 2006 were carefully examined retrospectively. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, thirty-nine factors, including the classic indication and intraabdominal organ evisceration, were evaluated and were found to be associated with a need for a laparotomy. Also, the classic indication was compared with a new indication consisting of components of the classic indication and intra-abdominal organ evisceration by constructing a contingency table according to the need for a laparotomy. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed any sign of peritoneal irritation, base deficit, and age to be significant factors associated with the need for a laparotomy (p<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of the classic indication were 98.6%, 72.0%, and 91.8%, respectively, and those of the new indication were 93.2%, 84.0%, and 90.8%, respectively. The differences in those rates between the above two indications were not significant. Conclusion: Intra-abdominal organ evisceration was not a significant factor for an immediate laparotomy. Moreover, the new indication including intra-abdominal organ evisceration was not superior to the classic indication. Therefore, in the management of abdominal stab wounds, the authors suggest that an immediate laparotomy should be performed on patients with hemodynamic instability or with any sign of peritoneal irritation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.90-95
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• 2007

Purpose: This research was conducted to study whether the specific location of pelvic-bone fractures could increase the risk for injury to the urinary bladder, urethra, or lower gastrointestinal tract. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 234 patients with pelvic-bone fractures who visited the emergency department of Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2006. The location of the pelvic-bone fracture was divided into 8 parts. The association of fracture location with injury to the urinary bladder, urethra, or lower gastrointestinal tract was analyzed with Fisher' s-exact test and multiple logistic regression. Results: Nineteen(19) patients had urinary bladder injury, 8 had urethral injury, and 9 had lower gastrointestinal tract injury. The following fracture locations were found to be significant; urinary bladder: sacroiliac (SI) joint (p<0.001), symphysis pubis (p=0.011), and sacrum (p=0.005); urethra: SI joint (p=0.020); lower gastrointestinal tract: symphysis pubis (p=0.028). After the multiple logistic regression analysis, the primary and the independent predictors for each of the injuries were as follows; urinary bladder: sacroiliac joint (p=0.000, odds ratio [OR]=10.469); lower gastrointestinal tract: symphysis pubis (p=0.037, OR=7.009). Conclusion: Consideration of further workup for injuries to the lower gastrointestinal and urinary tract is needed for some locations of pelvic-bone fractures because certain pelvic-bone fracture locations, especially the sacroiliac joint and the symphysis pubis, are associated with increased risk for injury to the lower gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.115-118
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• 2007

Purpose: A eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA$^{(R)}$) cream has been used as a topical anesthetic to reduce the pain of procedures penetrating the skin. It is generally applied for 40 to 60 minutes before the painful procedure. Because of the long application period, EMLA$^{(R)}$ is not useful in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 20-minute application of 9.6% lidocaine would be useful in reducing the pain of routine peripheral intravenous cannulation in the ED. Methods: We examined 27 male and 19 female patients ages over 18 years of age who required intravenous cannula insertion. Intravenous insertion was performed on 46 patients: 24 patients in the placebo group (mean age: 40.0 years) and 22 in the 9.6% lidocaine group (mean age: 37.6 years). The 9.6% lidocaine or placebo gel was applied and covered with an occlusive dressing for 20 minutes. Pain was scored by the patients using a 0- to 10-cm visual analogue scale. Results: The patients in the 9.6% lidocaine group (mean pain score: 3.4) experienced less pain than those in the placebo group (mean: 5.3), and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.029). Conclusion: We concluded that a 20-minute application of 9.6% lidocaine is safe and effective for reducing pain associated with venipuncture.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.80-86
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• 2017

Purpose: To analyze the data of patients who suffered trauma in a cultivator accident and visited the trauma center in rural Gyeongbuk Province. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and Korean Trauma Data Bank data of 120 patients who suffered cultivator-related traumas and visited the rural regional trauma center in Gyeongbuk Province from January to December 2015. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 96 years (mean, 70 years). Ninety-one (75.8%) patients were men, and twenty-nine (24.2%) were women. Most of the patients were in their 70s (46 men [50.5%] and 13 women [44.8%]). In total, 113 patients (94.1%) arrived at the regional trauma center by ground transport and 7 (5.9%) arrived by air transport. Ninety-eight patients (81.7%) were transported to the regional trauma center directly from the scene of the accident, and twenty-two (18.3%) were transferred from another medical institute. The mean time from the accident to arrival at the emergency department was 139 minutes, and only 46 patients (38.3%) arrived within 1 hour. Twelve (10.0%) patients died, including two deaths on arrival and two post- cardiopulmonary resuscitation deaths in the emergency department. All deaths were of male cultivator operators. The causes of death were shock (hypovolemic, traumatic, or septic), subdural hematoma (open), hemothorax, rhabdomyolysis, and pneumonia. Conclusions: As the government - led regional trauma center project is on process, it would be clinically important to summarize the initial outcome of cultivator injuries, which are characteristically found more in regional trauma centers in the rural area, and have high mortality. Based on this study, in the future, it will be necessary to follow up and analyze more number of patients and to construct accurate database about trauma cases related to cultivator in Gyeongbuk region.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.6-11
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• 2017

Purpose: The establishment of the trauma system has changed the quality of trauma care in many countries. As one of the first designated level I trauma centers in Korea, we hypothesized that there were changes in laparotomy patterns and subsequent survival rates after the center was established. Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study of all severe hemoperitoneum patients who were transfused with more than 10 units of packed red blood cells (RBCs) within 24 h of hospitalization. Variables related to trauma were collected throughout the study period, and the patients admitted before (period 1) and after (period 2) the establishment of a trauma center were compared. Results: Forty-five patients were managed from January 2009 to March 2015. The baseline patient characteristics of the two groups, including age, Injury Severity Score, blood pressure, and hemoglobin levels, were similar. The time to the operating room (OR) was $144.3{\pm}51.5$ min (period 1) and $79.9{\pm}44.1$ min (period 2) (p<0.0001). Damage control surgery (DCS) was performed in 17% of patients during period 1 and in 73% during period 2. The number of actual survivors (n=10) was higher than expected (n=8) in period 2. Conclusion: This is the first study analyzing the impact of a trauma center on the management of specific injuries, such as severe hemoperitoneum, in patients in Korea. During the study, the time to OR was shortened and DCS was used to a greater extent as a surgical procedure.