• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제59권5호
• /
• pp.485-491
• /
• 2016

Objective : The aims of the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS) are to evaluate and improve treatment outcomes for brain trauma, prevent trauma, and provide data for research. Our purpose was to examine the mortality rates following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a retrospective study and to investigate the sociodemographic variables, characteristics, and causes of TBI-related death based on data from the KNTDBS. Methods : From 2010 to 2014, we analyzed the data of 2617 patients registered in the KNTDBS. The demographic characteristics of patients with TBI were investigated. We divided patients into 2 groups, survivors and nonsurvivors, and compared variables between the groups to investigate variables that are related to death after TBI. We also analyzed variables related to the interval between TBI and death, mortality by region, and cause of death in the nonsurvivor group. Results : The frequency of TBI in men was higher than that in women. With increasing age of the patients, the incidence of TBI also increased. Among 2617 patients, 688 patients (26.2%) underwent surgical treatment and 125 patients (4.7%) died. The age distributions of survivors vs. nonsurvivor groups and mortality rates according the severity of the brain injury, surgical treatment, and initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were statistically significantly different. Among 125 hospitalized nonsurvivors, 70 patients (56%) died within 7 days and direct brain damage was the most common cause of death (80.8%). The time interval from TBI to death differed depending on the diagnosis, surgical or nonsurgical treatment, severity of brain injury, initial GCS score, and cause of death, and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusion : Using the KNTDBS, we identified epidemiology, mortality, and various factors related to nonsurvival. Building on our study, we should make a conscious effort to increase the survival duration and provide rapid and adequate treatment for TBI patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• 제43권3호
• /
• pp.285-291
• /
• 2010

배경: 흉부외상은 개발도상국인 나라에서 이환율과 사망률의 가장 많은 원인 중에 하나이다. 흉부둔상으로 발생하는 늑골골절은 외상의 중증도를 나타내는 중요한 지표이다. 연구의 목적은 늑골 골절을 치료시 이환율과 사망률을 확인 하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 2002년 5월부터 2008년 12월까지 입원 후 3일 이내 타 병원으로 전원을 간 환자를 제외한 둔상으로 인한 늑골골절이 발생한 환자를 대상으로 후향적으로 연구하였다. 이 기간 동안 474명이 입원하였고, 454명이 연구에 포함되었다. 남자가 356명 여자가 9명이었고 평균나이는 53세(5~90세)였다. 결과를 예측하는 요소로 손상기전, 늑골 골절수, 중환자실 입원기간 그리고 ISS, 입원기간, 폐 합병증과 사망률을 조사 하였다. 결과: 외상의 기전으로 교통사고 189명(41.7%), 보행 중 넘어짐 103명(22.7%), 추락 85명(18.7%) 그리고 농기계 사고 30명(6.6%), 산업재해 32명(7.0%), 폭행 15명(3.3%)였다. 흉부내 손상으로 혈흉 269명(59.3%), 기흉 144명(31.7%) 폐좌상 95명(20.9%) 그리고 피하기종 29명(6.4%), 큰 혈관손상 5명(0.1%)이 있었다. 대부분의 환자는 보존적인 치료를 하였고, 흉관 삽관술 시행은 234명(51.5%)이었으며, 개흉술은 18명(4.0%)이었다. 평균 흉관삽관 기간은 $5.2{\pm}6.2$일이었다. 대부분의 환자는 일반 병동에서 치료를 하였으며, 평균 입원기간은 $22.5{\pm}20$일이었다. 평균 ISS 수치는 $14.8{\pm}10.9$ (3~75)였고 사망률은 4.9% (22명)였다. 입원기간에 영향을 주는 것은 늑골골절 수, 흉관삽관 기간, 폐질환 동반 그리고 산재보험 이었고, 사망에 영향을 미치는 요인으로는 폐좌상, ISS가 예후에 영향을 주는 주요한 요인이었다. 결론: 늑골 골절은 중증손상을 나타내는 지표이다. 합병증과 동반된 손상 때문에 늑골골절 환자들은 입원하여 치료하는 것이 좋다고 생각한다. 최근의 연구에서 40대 이하의 젊은 환자도 노년층의 환자와 같이 늑골골절로 인한 이환율과 사망률이 증가 한다고 한다. 우리의 연구에서는 ISS와 페좌상이 사망률에 영향을 주고 있다. 늑골골절이 1개 또는 이상인 늑골 골절만 있는 환자도 입원치료를 하는 것이 좋을 것으로 생각 한다.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제20권1호
• /
• pp.33-39
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Few studies have been done for spinal injuries after skiing and snowboarding accidents. Assuming that the riding patterns of skiing and snowboarding were different, we analyzed the differences between the mechanisms, diagnoses and levels of spinal injuries caused by them. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of spinal hazards associated with skiing and snowboarding in order to educate skiers and snowboarders. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 96 patients who had sustained spinal injuries as a result of skiing and snowboarding accidents from January 2003 to March 2006. We used a questionnaire, radiological studies, history taking, and physical examinations. We analyzed the mechanism of injury, the level of spinal injury, the severity of spinal injury, and the Abbreviated Injury Scale scores (AIS score). We used the t-test and the chi-square test. Results: The skiing and the snowboarding injury group included in 96 patients. The skiing injury group included 30 patients (31.2%), and the snowboarding injury group included the remaining 66 patients (69.8%). The primary mechanism of injury in skiing was collisions and in snowboarding was slip downs (p=0.508). The primary level of spinal injury in skiing and snowboarding was at the L-spine level (p=0.547). The most common athlete ability of the injured person was at the intermediate level (p=0.954). The injured were most commonly at the beginner or the intermediate level (p=0.302). The primary diagnosis of spinal injury in skiing and snowboarding was back spain (p=0.686). The AIS scores did not differed between the two groups (p=0.986). Conclusion: The most common spinal injury after skiing and snowboarding accidents was back sprain. There was no difference in the severity of spinal injury between skiing and snowboarding accidents.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제24권2호
• /
• pp.95-97
• /
• 2011

Purpose: We analyzed the medical costs for severely traumatized patients according to the severity and medical performance so that we could improve the financial balance of the trauma center. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting SNUH Trauma Center from May 2011 to August 2011. Among a total of 55 severely traumatized patients, 31 patients whose medical bills were available and categorized were included in this study. The injury severity score (ISS) was calculated from the abbreviated injury score (AIS), which was updated in 2008,for each patient to assess the severity of injury. Major trauma was defined as an ISS above 15. Results:The 31 patients in this study included 20 males and 11 females. The average ISS was $33.23{\pm}16.65$ points. We categorize the patients into three groups according to ISS, 16-24: group 1, 25-40: group 2, and above 41: group 3. Total incomes, admission fees, surgery fees, and imaging test fees are shown in table 1. The costs seem to be higher costs in group 2, but this result has no statistical significance. Statistical significantly data are as follows: high radiologic test fees in group 1, short hospital stay in groups 1 and 2, and short ICU stay in group 1. The average hospital stay was 17 days, and the average emergency intensive care unit (EICU) stay was 7.5 days. Although the EICU stay was only 44% of the total hospital stay, the income from the EICU covers 79.4% of the total hospital income. Conclusion: From this study, we found several items that show relatively high medical income from severely traumatized patients visiting the SNUH Trauma Center. Most of the medical fees arise in the early phase of acute medicine usually in the ICU. Efforts to identify the items with high income and to minimize expenses will improve the financial structure of the Trauma Center,which is facing a budget crisis.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The most common cuase of transfusion for trauma victims in an emergency department is hypovolemic shock due to injury. After an injury to an internal organ of the chest or the abdomen, transfusion is needed to supply blood products and to compensate tissue oxygen transport and bleeding. From the 1990's, there have been some reports that transfusion is one of the major factors causing multiple-organ failure. Thus, as much as possible, tranfusion has been minimized in the clinical setting. This study aims to analyze the prognostic factors for mortality among trauma victims transfused with blood products in an emergency department. Methods: We conducted this study for the year of 2010 retrospectively. The study group included adult trauma victims tranfused with blood products in our ED. The exclusion criteria were discharge against medical advice, and missing follow-up due to transfer to another facility. During the study period, 34 adult trauma victims were enrolled. We compared the clinical variables between survivors and non-survivors. Results: the mean age of the 34 victims was 58.06 years, and males account for 58.5% of the study group. The most-frequently used form transportation was ambulance(119, 55.9%), and the most common injury mechanism was mobile vehicle accidents(67.6%). The mean revised trauma score (RTS) was 5.9, and the mean injury severity score (ISS) was 47.76. The mortality rate in the ED was 58.5%, Comparison of survivors with non-survivors showed statistical differences in injury mechanism, initial SBP, DBP, RTS, ISS, and some laboratory data such as AST, ALT, pH, PO2, HCO3, glucose (p<0.05). Regression analyses showed that mortality among adult trauma victims transfused in the ED correlated with RTS. Conclusion: When an adult trauma victim is transported to the ED and needs a tranfusion, the emergency physician carefully assess the victim by using physiologic data.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.188-195
• /
• 2012

Purpose: An increase in the demand for specialized Trauma Centers led to a government-driven campaign, that began in 2009. Our hospital was selected as one of the Trauma Centers, and we reviewed data on trauma patients in order to correlate the mortality at a regional Trauma Center with its contributing factors, such as the severity of the injury, the means of arrival, and the time duration before arrival at our center. Methods: Data on the patients who visited our Trauma Center from January 2010 to November 2011 were retrospectively reviewed using electronic medical records. The patients who had revised trauma scores (RTSs) less than 7 or injury severity scores (ISSs) greater than 15 were included. The patients were categorized as survivors and non-survivors, and the means of arrival as transferred or visited directly. Time durations before arrival of less than one hour were also taken intoconsideration. Results: Two hundred(200) patients were enrolled, and the mortality rate was 36.5%. The most common cause of the accident was an automobile accident, and the most common cause of death was brain injury. The RTSs and the ISSs were significantly different in the non-survivor and the survivor groups. The mortality rate of the patients who were transferred was not statistically different from that of patients who visited directly. However, a time duration before arrival of less than one hour was statistically meaningful. Conclusion: The prognosis of the trauma patients were correlated with the severity of the trauma as can be expected, but the time between the incidence of accident and the arrival at hospital and whether the presence of transfer to trauma center were not statistically significant to the prognosis.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제30권3호
• /
• pp.75-79
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Although trauma is the most common cause of death under age 18, Korean national pediatric trauma data has lack of clinical data. This study is to prepare manpower resources, equipment, and make a correct policy decision on pediatric trauma victims Methods: The study enrolled 528 patients under age 16 with traumatic injury visited Wonju Severance Christian Hostpital Trauma Center, from February 12, 2015 to December 31, 2016. We analyzed the distribution of gender, age, place and time of the accident, injury mechanism, injury severity, and injured organ by medical record. Results: The major injury mechanisms were blunt injury in 485 (91.90%), penetrating injury in 27 (5.10%), burn in 13 (2.50%), near drowning in 2 (0.40%), and foreign body ingestion in 1 (0.20%). Ninety-seven (18.4%) patients were injured at home and 67 (12.7%) patients were injured at school. The overall mortality rate was 1.13% (n=6). 5 mortalities were related to automobile accident and one was fall down. Mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 4 (2, 8). No statistical significance was observed in the mean ISS between each age group. The peak time of accident occurrence was between 16 and 17 o'clock. The mean ISS was higher in blunt injury group than penetrating injury with statistical significance ($6.50{\pm}7.60$ vs. $3.00{\pm}8.10$; p<0.05). The most common injury site was upper extremity. Mean ISS was highest in thorax injury. However, mean ISS of thorax injury was higher with statistical significance only compared with face, neck and upper extremity injury. Conclusions: We reported our pediatric trauma patients data of our hospital level I trauma center, which is the only one level I trauma center of Gangwon Province. These data is useful to prevent and prepare for pediatric trauma.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제28권3호
• /
• pp.219-221
• /
• 2015

Subclavian injuries in blunt trauma are reported in less than 1% of all arterial injuries or chest related injuries. We report a female 68 yr-old patient whom has visited our emergency center due to a motorcycle traffic accident with complaints of right chest wall and shoulder pain. Her injury severity score was 22 and she was found with a comminuted clavicle fracture and subclavian artery injury. She developed delayed symptoms of pallor, pain and motor weakness with loss of pulse in her right arm. Attempts at intervention failed and thus, she underwent emergency artificial graft bypass from her subclavian artery to her brachial artery. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she is happy with the results. Although rare, a high index of suspicion for the injury must be noted and the inevitable surgical option must always be considered.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제34권4호
• /
• pp.242-247
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Blunt cardiac injuries (BCI) have a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic myocardial contusion to cardiac rupture and death. BCIs rarely require surgical intervention, but can be rapidly fatal, requiring prompt evaluation and surgical treatment in some cases. The aim of this study was to identify potential factors associated with in-hospital mortality after surgery in patients with BCI. Methods: The medical records of 15 patients who had undergone emergency cardiac surgery for BCI between January 2014 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. We included trauma patients older than 18 years admitted to Regional Trauma Center, Gachon University Gil Medical Center during the study period. Clinical and laboratory variables were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Results: Non-survivors showed a significantly higher Injury Severity Score (p=0.001) and Abbreviated Injury Scale in the chest region (p=0.001) than survivors. American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale Grade V injuries were significantly more common in non-survivors than in survivors (p=0.031). Non-survivors had significantly more preoperative packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions (p=0.019) and were significantly more likely to experience preoperative cardiac arrest (p=0.001) than survivors. Initial pH (p=0.010), lactate (p=0.026), and base excess (BE; p=0.026) levels showed significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: Initial pH, lactate, BE, ventricular injury, the amount of preoperative PRBC transfusions, and preoperative cardiac arrest were potential predictors of in-hospital mortality.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.170-177
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The first regional trauma center selected in Korea was the Gachon University Gil hospital regional trauma center; expectation on its role has been high because of its location in the Seoul metropolitan region. To determine if those expectations are being met, we analyzed the patients visiting the center and their treatment experiences for the past 3 years in order to propose a standard for the operation of a trauma center. Methods: The visiting route, visiting methods, performance of emergency surgery, the ward and the length of stay, the injury mechanism, the injury severity score (ISS), the department that managed the surgery, and the cause of death were analyzed for 367 patients visiting the center from its establishment in June 2011 through December 2013. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47 years (285 male and 82 female patients). A total of 187 patients directly visited the center whereas 180 were transferred to the center. Traffic accidents comprised the majority of injury mechanisms, and 178 patients underwent emergency surgery. The mean length of stay per patient was 11 days for those in the ICU and 27 days for those in a general ward. These patients occupied 4 beds in the ICU and 10 beds in the general ward per day. A total of 1.21 surgeries were performed per patient, and the mean number of surgeries performed per day was 0.49. The mean ISS was 15.91, and 183 patients (50%) had an ISS of ${\geq}16$. Thirty-one patients died; they had a mean ISS of 28.42. The most frequent cause of death was multi-organ failure. The mean number of treatment consultations during a patient's stay was 6.32. Forty-five patients (13%) were discharged from the center, and 291 (79%) were transferred to another hospital. Conclusion: A systematic approach to establishing a treatment model for trauma patients, including injury mechanism, multidisciplinary treatment, and trauma surgeon intervention, is required for treating trauma patients.