• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2011

Purpose: Traumatic airway injuries have high rates of mortality and morbidity. Thus, we evaluated the clinical results of trauma-related airway-injury patients. Methods: A clinical analysis was performed for patients with airway trauma who were admitted and treated at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Konyang University Hospital from Dec. 2002 to Dec. 2009. Results: Sixteen patients were admitted and treated. Fourteen patients were male, and the ages of the patients ranged from 16 to 75 years. Six cases were penetrating injuries, 4 were traffic-accident injuries. 3 were fall injuries, and. 3 were other blunt trauma injuries. Anato- mic injuries included 14 trachea cases (87.5%), 1 Rt. main bronchus (6.25%), and 1 Lt. main bronchus cases (6.25%). Diagnosis was made by using computed tomography and bronchoscopy. Five patients were treated with an explothoracotomy, and 7 underwent neck exploration with primary repair. Three patients simply needed conservative management, and 1 patient was treated with a closed thoracostomy. The post-operative mortality rate was 6.25 % (1 patient). Conclusion: Airway trauma is dangerous and should be treated as an emergency, so a high index of suspicion is essential for rapid diagnosis and successful surgical intervention in patients with airway injuries.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.217-222
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• 2003

Subcutaneous emphysema defines collection of air in subcutaneous spaces of body. It is usually originated from air in upper airway and lower respiratory tract such as larynx, trachea, bronchus and lungs. Air in subcutaneous spaces derives from leakage of air due to tearing or ruptures of airway structures, and also accompanies pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum and/or rib or sternal fractures or other major airway injuries. We experienced a case of subcutaneous emphysema caused by laryngeal injury without any associated airway injuries at neck from motorcycle accident, so we would report a case with the review of literatures.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.416-420
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• 2023

Blunt intrathoracic tracheal injuries are rare, even among blunt chest trauma patients. An early diagnosis based on a high index of suspicion allows for timely surgical management of potentially fatal airway trauma, thereby improving overall outcomes. Diagnosing these injuries can be difficult due to their nonspecific clinical features and the occasional difficulty in radiologic diagnosis. If a patient exhibits respiratory compromise with difficult ventilation and poor lung expansion, despite the insertion and management of an intercostal drain following high-energy blunt trauma, there should be a heightened suspicion of potential airway trauma. The aim of primary repair is to restore airway integrity and to minimize the loss of pulmonary parenchyma function. This case report discusses the rare clinical presentation of a patient with blunt trauma to the intrathoracic airway, the surgical management thereof, and his overall outcome. Although blunt traumatic injuries of the trachea are extremely rare and often fatal, early surgical intervention can potentially reduce the risk of mortality.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 2020

The following key questions and recommendations are presented herein: when is airway intubation initiated in severe trauma? Airway intubation must be initiated in severe trauma patients with a GCS of 8 or lower (1B). Should rapid sequence intubation (RSI) be performed in trauma patients? RSI should be performed in trauma patients to secure the airway unless it is determined that securing the airway will be problematic (1B). What should be used as an induction drug for airway intubation? Ketamine or etomidate can be used as a sedative induction drug when RSI is being performed in a trauma patient (2B). If cervical spine damage is suspected, how is cervical protection achieved during airway intubation? When intubating a patient with a cervical spine injury, the extraction collar can be temporarily removed while the neck is fixed and protected manually (1C). What alternative method should be used if securing the airway fails more than three times? If three or more attempts to intubate the airway fail, other methods should be considered to secure the airway (1B). Should trauma patients maintain normal ventilation after intubation? It is recommended that trauma patients who have undergone airway intubation maintain normal ventilation rather than hyperventilation or hypoventilation (1C). When should resuscitative thoracotomy be considered for trauma patients? Resuscitative thoracotomy is recommended for trauma patients with penetrating injuries undergoing cardiac arrest or shock in the emergency room (1B).

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.353-361
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• 2022

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial, heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa and tissue remodeling, which can include basal/progenitor cell hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous cell metaplasia, loss or dysfunction of ciliated cells, and increased matrix deposition. Repeated injuries can stimulate airway epithelial cells to produce inflammatory mediators that activate epithelial cells, immune cells, or the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit. This persistent inflammation can consequently induce aberrant tissue remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms driving disease within the different molecular CRS subtypes remain inadequately characterized. Numerous secreted and cell surface proteins relevant to airway inflammation and remodeling are initially synthesized as inactive precursor proteins, including growth/differentiation factors and their associated receptors, enzymes, adhesion molecules, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones. Therefore, these precursor proteins require post-translational cleavage by proprotein convertases (PCs) to become fully functional. In this review, we summarize the roles of PCs in CRS-associated tissue remodeling and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting PCs for CRS treatment.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.168-171
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• 2019

The treatment outcome remains poor of severe facial injuries because of the high risk of compromised airway or massive bleeding. We experienced two successful treatment cases of severe facial injury by the chainsaw. A 52-year-male had his face injured by the chainsaw during his work. He was transferred to the Level I trauma center using the Doctor-Helicopter. During his flight, bleeding control was tried and the information was given to the trauma surgeons before his arrival. His consciousness was alert and the vital signs were stable. The crushing wound, mandible open fracture, deep laceration of tongue, lip, neck and arterial bleeding were noted around his mandible. Nasotracheal intubation was performed under the bronchoscope-guided. Emergency operation (open reduction & internal fixation, primary repair with neurorrhaphy) was performed. At 30 hospital days, he was discharged with facial palsy on left mandibular area. A 30-year-male had his face injured by the chainsaw. He was transferred to our Level I trauma center from the local hospital. The deep-mutiple lacerations on right upper eyelid and forehead with the bony exposure were noted. The vital signs were stable and emergency operation was performed. He was discharged at 20 hospital days. Bone loss or tissue loss were not devastating than we expected even though the injury was occurred by the chainsaw. Aggressive treatment including airway manipulation or bleeding control and maximal opportunity of therapy are absolutely needed.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.168-172
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• 2022

Purpose: The neck is a particularly critical region for penetrating injuries due to the close proximity of the trachea, esophagus, blood vessels, and the spinal cord. An open neck injury has the potential for serious morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the assessment and management of open neck injuries. Methods: In this retrospective study, open neck injury patients who were admitted to the Trauma Center of Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University between December 2015 and December 2017 were analyzed for epidemiology, the mechanism of trauma, the injured organ, complications, and mortality. Results: Thirty-two patients presented with open neck injuries. All patients underwent computed tomographic angiography to evaluate their injuries once their vital signs stabilized. Among these patients, 27 required surgical treatment. The most commonly injured organ was the airway. There were five deaths, and the main cause of death was bleeding. Mortality was associated with the initial systolic blood pressure at the hospital and Glasgow Coma Scale. Conclusions: Mortality from open neck injuries was associated with initial systolic blood pressure at the hospital and Glasgow Coma Scale.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2016

Sympathetic reaction to grotesque facial injuries with oral bleeding can trigger confusion and generate inefficiency among emergency room personnel. Regardless of the extent of the injury, or of the sympathy elicated, the victim must be evaluated and treated as a whole patient with multiple trauma. There must be no confusion as to order of importance in the steps of evaluation : 1. airway 2. hemorrhage 3. shock 4. associated injuries 5. local injury 6. triage of facial injuries. The most dangerous aspect of oral hemorrhage is the possibility of its obstructing the upper airway. Swallowing large amounts of blood will usually cause gastric irritation and lead to vomiting, thus further complicating the management of the patient. Once a clear airway is assured and hemorrhage have been controlled, consideration is given to possible associated injuries before undertaking treatment of the facial injuries themselves. Status of the cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal and neuromuscular systems all have a bearing on decisions concerning facial injury treatment. In this light, treatment priority becomes exceeding important. On the other hand, the importance of facial injuries should never be minimized, especially in a mentally retarded patient with oral hemorrhage. This is a case report about oral hemorrhage control as treatment priority in a mentally retarded patient.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.393-398
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• 2023

Patients transported from fire sites may exhibit various injury patterns. Major trauma, skin burn, inhalation burn, and carbon monoxide poisoning are typical injuries. However, most physicians may be unfamiliar that cyanide poisoning can frequently occur due to combustion. Cyanide poisoning is highly significant owing to high mortality and the existence of antidotes. I present a 35-year-old man who was transported from a burning building and suffered severe metabolic acidosis despite no major bleeding as well as mild carbon monoxide poisoning. I suspected cyanide poisoning and administered the antidote; subsequently, the patient showed improvement. The next day, sudden airway obstruction developed, and emergency endotracheal intubation was performed. The inhalation damage was detected only in the lower airway tract and not in the upper airway. Physicians should be aware of cyanide poisoning and inhalation burn to avoid missing treatment opportunities.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.422-427
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• 2020

Management of maxillofacial trauma includes primary care, in which diagnosis and management of dentoalveolar injury play a vital role. Due to the impact sustained during a maxillofacial injury (whether direct or indirect), dentoalveolar injuries can occur, leading to fracture and displacement of teeth and associated alveolar bone into the surrounding soft tissues and associated structures, such as the maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, upper respiratory tract, tracheobronchial tree, or gastrointestinal tract. Undiagnosed displaced teeth may cause complications such as airway obstruction. This paper reports a case of displaced teeth in the nasal cavity and gastrointestinal tract and highlights the management protocol for displaced teeth secondary to maxillofacial trauma.