• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2020

Purpose: In patients with trauma, rhabdomyolysis (RM) can lead to fatal complications resulting from muscle damage. Thus, RM must be immediately diagnosed and treated to prevent complications. Creatine kinase (CK) is the most sensitive marker for diagnosing RM. However, relying on CK tests may result in delayed treatment, as it takes approximately 1 hour to obtain CK blood test results. Hence, this study investigated whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could predict RM at an earlier time point in patients with trauma, since NLR results can be obtained within 10 minutes. Methods: This retrospective study included 130 patients with severe trauma who were admitted to the emergency room of a tertiary institution between January 2017 and April 2020. RM was defined as a CK level ≥1,000 U/L at the time of arrival. Patients with severe trauma were categorized into non-RM and RM groups, and their characteristics and blood test results were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0 for Windows. Results: Of the 130 patients with severe trauma, 50 presented with RM. In the multivariate analysis, the NLR (odds ratio [OR], 1.252; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.130-1.386), pH level (OR, 0.006; 95% CI, 0.000-0.198), presence of acute kidney injury (OR, 3.009; 95% CI, 1.140-7.941), and extremity Abbreviated Injury Scale score (OR, 1.819; 95% CI, 1.111-2.980) significantly differed between the non-RM and RM groups. A receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that a cut-off NLR value of 3.64 was the best for predicting RM. Conclusions: In patients with trauma, the NLR at the time of arrival at the hospital is a useful biochemical marker for predicting RM.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.399-407
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• 2018

Objective: Regionalization is one of the principal subjects for the advancement of rural emergency medical service systems in South Korea. This study shows the characteristics of interhospital transfer and status of the incidence of three major emergency disorders (acute myocardial infarction [AMI], acute stroke, and severe trauma) in one local province. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for patients with three major emergency disorders who visited emergency medical facilities in one local province from January 2013 to December 2015, on the basis of the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) data. Results: The incidence of three major emergency disorders had increased annually. Patients with each of these disorders tended to choose distinguishing methods of visiting emergency medical facilities. AMI patients tended to visited emergency medical facilities using private cars or on foot, while severe trauma patients usually visited by 119 ambulance, and acute stroke patients used 119 ambulance and private car in similar amounts. Overall, 65% of AMI patients were treated in intraregional medical facilities, but about 70% of acute stoke and severe trauma patients were transferred outside of the region. Conclusion: Because each of these disorders has an individual characteristic, it is difficult to expect a solution for the problems associated with emergency disorders just by assuring the availability of medical resources. Based on regionalization, a policy to provide the optimal treatment for those emergency disorders should be developed by planning public medical service systems based on the individual characteristics of emergency disorders, the standardized transfer plans of emergency patients and the assurance for mobilization and sharing of confined medical resources.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 2011

Mechanical ventilation is usually the treatment of choice for severe respiratory failure associated with trauma. However, in case of severe hypoxia, mechanical ventilation may not be sufficient for gas exchange in lungs. Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) undergo difficulties in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is the ideal therapeutic option for those patients with severe traumatic injuries. ECMO allows lungs to reserve their functions and decreases further lung injuries while increasing survival rate at the same time. We report two cases of patients with traumatic ARDS and Multiple Organ Failure including compromised heart function. The preservation of lung function was successful using ECMO therapy.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.174-180
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• 1997

Acute laryngeal trauma is a rare injury, but it threatens both the quality and maintenance of life. The optimal goal of treatment for acute communited laryngeal fracture is restoration of the skeletal framework and epithelial lining of endolarynx. But though the diagnostic skill has been developed, decision making for treatment of laryngeal trauma such as operating tim, open exploration versus closed reduction and stenting is very difficult and controversial. Recently, the authors experienced two cases with severe communited fractures of laryngeal framework and endolaryngeal avulsion injuries who were treated successfully with open surgical repair without stenting. So we report these two cases with review of the literatures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.99-102
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• 2023

Acute rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon is rare, but the diagnosis is often delayed when it occurs. Acute rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon is often caused by minor trauma or it occurs spontaneously. Therefore, the diagnosis is more likely to be delayed. Among ruptures of the tibialis anterior tendon, longitudinal ruptures are less common and difficult to diagnose. Thus far, there are no reports of ruptures of the tibialis anterior tendon caused by direct trauma in Korea. This paper reports a case of chronic longitudinal tear of the tibialis anterior tendon caused by trauma in a 50-year-old male patient with no specific history of the disease, along with a review of the relevant literature.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2015

The case of a patient with a transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) to whom extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) had been applied is reported. A 55-year-old male injured with liver laceration (grade 3) without chest injury after car accident. He received lots of blood transfusion and underwent damage control abdominal surgery. In the immediate postoperative period, he suffered from severe hypoxia and respiratory acidosis despite of vigorous management such as 100% oxygen with mechanical ventilation, high PEEP and muscle relaxant. Finally, ECMO was applied to the patients as a last resort. Aggressive treatment with ECMO improved the oxygenation and reduced the acidosis. Unfortunately, the patient died of liver failure and infection. TRALI is a part of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The use of ECMO for TRALI induced severe hypoxemia might be a useful option for providing time to allow the injured lung to recover.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.319-323
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• 1981

To clarify the clinical spectrum of non-oliguric acute renal failure, we undertook a retrospective study of 16 cases of acute renal failure following trauma and surgery, 6 of whom were non-oliguric throughout their periods of azotemia. With the clinical symptoms, BUN, creatinine and some urinary diagnostic indexes, we analyzed the differences between non-oliguric and oliguric renal failure. And the results were: 1. The nonoliguric form [10 cases] was more common than oliguric [6 cases], especially post-traumatic failure. 2. The both types belonged to parenchymal renal failure by the U/P UN ratio and urinary Na concentration [Vertal, 1967]. 3. The non-oliguric form was lesser severe in urinary diagnostic indexes and clinically. The non-oliguric renal failure has better clinical course and prognosis, the failure to diagnose it is as dangerous as the failure oliguric renal failure.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.1
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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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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.147-150
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• 2024

This case report describes the management of a 51-year-old female patient who arrived at the emergency room with a stab wound to the upper right chest. Immediate medical interventions were undertaken, including blood transfusions and endotracheal intubation. To prevent tension and control bleeding, gauze packing was applied directly through the large open wound. Further surgical exploration identified a laceration in the lung, necessitating a right upper lobe resection. Postoperatively, the patient's vital signs stabilized, and she was subsequently discharged without complications. This case highlights the decision-making process in selecting between an emergency department thoracotomy and an operating room thoracotomy for patients with penetrating chest trauma. It also illustrates the role of gauze packing in managing tension and hemorrhage. In summary, gauze packing can be an effective interim measure for stabilizing patients with traumatic injuries, unstable vital signs, and large open chest wounds, particularly when a chest tube is already in place, to prevent tension and facilitate bleeding control prior to surgical intervention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.2
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• pp.347-358
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• 2021

Acute trauma is a common cause of mortality in individuals aged < 40 years. As organ preservation has become important in treating trauma patients, the treatment is shifting from surgical management to non-operative management. A multidisciplinary team approach, including interventional radiology (IR), is essential for the optimal management of trauma patients, as IR plays an important role in injury evaluation and management. IR also contributes significantly to achieving the best clinical outcomes in critically ill trauma patients. This pictorial essay aims to present and summarize various interventional treatments in trauma patients requiring critical care.