• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.57-64
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• 2007

Purpose: Clinically, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs within 72 hours after acute exposure of risk factors. Because of its high fatality rate once ARDS progresses, early detection and management are essential to reduce the mortality rate. Accordingly, studies on early changes of ARDS were started, and serum ferritin, as well the as injury severity score (ISS), which has been addressed in previous studies, thought to be an early predictive indicator for ARDSMethods: From March 2003 to March 2005, we investigated 50 trauma patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit in Dongguk University Medical Center, Gyeongju. The patients were characterized according to age, sex, ISS, onset of ARDS, time onset of ARDS, serum ferritin level (posttraumatic $1^{st}\;&\;2^{nd}$ day), amount of transfused blood, and death. Abdominal computed topography was performed as an early diagnostic tool to evaluate the onset of ARDS according to its diagnostic criteria. The serum ferritin was measured by using a $VIDAS^{(R)}$ Ferritin (bioMeriux, Marcy-1' Etoile, France) kit with an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay method. For statistical analysis, Windows SPSS 13.0 and MedCalc were used to confirm the probability of obtaining a predictive measure from the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results: The ISS varied from 14 to 66 (mean: 33.8) whereas the onset of ARDS could be predicted with the score above 30 (sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 60.0%, p<0.05). On the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ day, the serum ferritin levels were measured to be from 31 mg/dL to 1,200 mg/dL (mean: 456 mg/dL), and the onset of ARDS could be predicted when the value was over 340 mg/dL (sensitivity: 80.0%, specificity: 65.0%, p<0.05). On the posttraumatic $2^{nd}$ day, the serum ferritin levels were measured to be from 73 mg/dL to 1,200 mg/dL (mean: 404 mg/dL), and the onset of ARDS could be predicted when the value was over 627 mg/dL (sensitivity: 60.0%, specificity: 92.5%, p<0.05). The serum ferritin levels and the ISS were significantly higher on the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ day in the ARDS group, suggesting that they are suitable indices predicting the onset of ARDS, however relationship between the serum ferritin levels and the ISS was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this study, we discovered increasing serum ferritin levels in multiple- trauma patients on the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ & $2^{nd}$ day and concluded that both the serum ferritin level and the ISS were good predictors of ARDS. Although they do not show statistically significant relationship to each other, they can be used as independent predictive measures for ARDS. Since ARDS causes high mortality, further studies, including the types of surgery and the methods of anesthesia on a large number of patients are essential to predict the chance of ARDS earlier and to reduce the incidence of death.

• 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 Chest Surgery
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.120-125
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of patients with complex rib fractures undergoing operative or nonoperative management at our major trauma center. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who were considered for surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) at a single major trauma center from May 2016 to September 2022 was performed. Results: In total, 352 patients with complex rib fractures were identified. Thirty-seven patients (11%) fulfilled the criteria for surgical management and underwent SSRF. The SSRF group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with flail chest (32 [86%] vs. 94 [27%], p<0.001) or Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15 (37 [100%] vs. 129 [41%], p<0.001). No significant differences were seen between groups for 1-year mortality. Patients who underwent SSRF within 72 hours were 6 times less likely to develop pneumonia than those in whom SSRF was delayed for over 72 hours (2 [18%] vs. 15 [58%]; odds ratio, 0.163; 95% confidence interval, 0.029-0.909; p=0.036). Prompt SSRF showed non-significant associations with shorter intensive care unit length of stay (6 days vs. 10 days, p=0.140) and duration of mechanical ventilation (5 days vs. 8 days, p=0.177). SSRF was associated with a longer hospital length of stay compared to nonoperative patients with flail chest and/or ISS >15 (19 days vs. 13 days, p=0.012), whilst SSRF within 72 hours was not. Conclusion: Surgical fixation of complex rib fractures improves outcomes in selected patient groups. Delayed surgical fixation was associated with increased rates of pneumonia and a longer hospital length of stay.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.241-247
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of how the trauma care system is applied on the management of trauma patients. Methods: We divided the patients into a pre-trauma system group and a post-trauma system group according to the time when we began to apply the trauma care system in our institution. We compared the general characteristics, injury severity score, initial response time to the trauma patients, number of preventable deaths, and clinical outcomes between the two groups. Results: The numbers of patients in the pre-trauma system group and the post-trauma system group were 188 and 257, respectively. No differences in the patient's median ages, trauma scores (ISS, RTS, TRISS) and proportions of severe trauma patients (ISS>15) were observed between the two groups. The number and the proportion of patients who were admitted to our hospital were increased in the post-trauma system group. The time interval from trauma CP activation to emergency surgery or angio-embolization, and the patient's time spent in emergency room were shortened in the post-trauma system group. However, the lengths of the ICU stay and the hospital stay, and the number of in-hospital mortalities were not improved in the post-trauma system group. In severe trauma patients (ISS>15), there were no differences between the two groups in the number and the proportion of admitted patients, and the time interval from trauma CP activation to performing a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure was not shortened in the post-trauma system group. Conclusion: Application of the trauma care system has shortened the time between the initial response and patient management. However, this improvement was not enough to result in better clinical outcomes. More trauma physicians, multidisciplinary cooperation, and a well-organized trauma management process will be needed if the maximum efficacy of the trauma system is to be achieved.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.198-206
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to calculate and analyze the effective radiation doses from computed tomography (CT) and radiologic intervention in patients in the emergency department (ED) with trauma critical pathway (CP) activation and further to estimate the lifetime attributable risks (LARs) for the incidence of and mortality from cancers induced by the radiation dose. Methods: Through a retrospective electrical chart review of 104 injured patients who trauma critical pathway were activated from November 2012 to March 2013, we calculated effective radiologic doses by taking the product of the dose-linear product of the scan and the conversion coefficient. After a determination of the image results, we divided the patients into two groups, negative or positive, and calculated the effective dose for each group. With these results, we estimated the LARs for the incidence of and the mortality from cancers by using the table in the Biologic Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR)-VII report. Results: A total of 76 patients were enrolled. The mean age was $49.0{\pm}8.5$ years. The mean injury severity score (ISS) was $12.7{\pm}8.4$. The cumulative effective dose (CED) for individual patients varied from 2.8 mSv to 238.8 mSv, and the mean was $47.6{\pm}39.9$ mSv. The CED in patients with an $ISS{\geq}16$($63.2{\pm}26.6$ mSv) was higher than that of patients whose ISS<16($33.5{\pm}23.1$ mSv) (p<0.001). The CED in patients who were treated with surgery or intervention($69.0{\pm}45.2$ mSv) was higher than that of patients who were treated conservatively($33.6{\pm}22.4$ mSv) (p<0.001). The LARs for cancer incidence and mortality were $328.5{\pm}308.6$ and $189.0{\pm}159.3$ per 100,000 people, respectively. Conclusion: The CED and the LAR for trauma CP-activated patients in the ED were significant, so efforts should be made to decrease the effective dose received by severely injured patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.46-52
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effect of arterial embolization on survival in patients with pelvic bone fractures and arterial bleeding. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2007, in all, 18 patients with pelvic bone fractures that had been treated with interventional arterial embolization were included in this retrospective study. The Injury Severity Score (ISS), the Revised Trauma Score (RTS), the initial hemodynamic status, the blood gas analysis, blood transfusion data, and mortality were the main outcome measurements. Results: Pelvic bone fractures were classified into lateral compression (LC), antero-posterior compression (APC), vertical shear (VS), and combined (CM) type according to the Young-Burgess classification. The Survivor group included 11 patients (61.1%), and the non-survivor group included 7 patients (38.9%). The mean ages for the survivor and the non-survivor groups were 40.0 and 45.6 years (p=0.517). The types of pelvic bone fractures were LC 11 (61.1%), APC 6 (33.3%), and VS 1 (5.6%): LC 7 (63.6%), and APC 4 (36.4%) in the survivor group and LC 4 (57.1%), APC 2 (28.6%), and VS 1 (14.3%) in the non-survivor group. The internal iliac artery was the predominant injured vessel among both the survivors (n = 5, 45.5%) and the non-survivors (n = 4, 57.1%). No differences in initial blood pressures, ISS, and RTS existed between the two groups, but the arterial pH was lower in the non-survivor group (pH 7.09 (${\pm}0.20$) vs 7.30 (${\pm}0.08$), p=0.018). The number of transfused 24-hour units of packed RBC was greater in the non-survivor group ($24.1{\pm}12.5$ vs $14.4{\pm}6.8$, p=0.046). Conclusion: No differences in initial blood pressure and trauma scores existed between survivors and non-survivors with pelvic bone fractures, who had been treated with arterial embolization, but arterial pH was lower the in non-survivors.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.77-86
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• 2009

Purpose: The appropriate management of traumatic truncal arterial injury is often difficult to determine, particularly if the injury is associated with severe additional truncal lesions. The timing of repair is controversial when patients arrive alive at the hospital. Also, there is an argument about surgery versus stent-graft repair. This study's objective was to evaluate the appropriate method and the timing for treatment in cases of truncal abdominal injury associated with other abdominal lesions. Methods: The medical records at Ajou University Medical Center were reviewed for an 8-year period from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2008. Twelve consecutive patients, who were diagnosed as having had a traumatic truncal arterial injury, were enrolled in our study. Patients who were dead before arriving at the hospital or were not associated with abdominal organ injury, were excluded. All patients involved were managed by using the ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) guideline. Data on injury site, the timing and treatment method of repair, the overall complications, and the survival rate were collected and analyzed. Results: Every case showed a severe injury of more than 15 point on the ISS (injury severity score) scale. The male-to-female ratio was 9:3, and patients were 41 years old on the average. Sites of associated organ injury were the lung, spleen, bowel, liver, pelvic bone, kidney, heart, vertebra, pancreas, and diaphragm ordered from high frequency to lower frequency. There were 11 cases of surgery, and one case of conservative treatment. Two of the patients died after surgery for truncal organ injury: one from excessive bleeding after surgery and the other from multiple organ failure. Arterial injuries were diagnosed by using computed tomography in every case and 9 patients were treated by using an angiographic stent-graft repair. There were 3 patients whose vessels were normal on admission. Several weeks later, they were diagnosed as having a truncal arterial injury. Conclusion: In stable rupture of the truncal artery, initial conservative management is safe and allows management of the major associated lesions. Stent grafting of the truncal artery is a valuable therapeutic alternative to surgical repair, especially in patients considered to be a high risk for a conventional thoracotomy.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.170-174
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• 2013

Purpose: A flail chest is one of most challenging problems for trauma surgeons. It is usually accompanied by significant underlying pulmonary parenchymal injuries and mayled to a life-threatening thoracic injury. In this study, we evaluated the treatment result for a flail chest to determine the effect of trauma localization on morbidity and mortality. Methods: Between 2004 and 2011, 46 patients(29 males/17 females) were treated for a flail chest. The patients were divided into two group based on the location of the trauma in the chest wall; Group I contained patients with an anterior flail chest due to a bilateral costochondral separation (n=27) and Group II contained patients with a single-side posterolateral flail chest due to a segmental rib fracture (n=19). The location of the trauma in the chest wall, other injuries, mechanical ventilation support, prognosis and ISS (injury severity score) were retrospectively examined in the two groups. Results: Mechanical ventilation support was given in 38 patients(82.6%), and 7 of these 38 patients required a subsequent tracheostomy. The mean ISS for all 46 patients was $19.08{\pm}10.57$. Between the two groups, there was a significant difference in mean ventilator time (p<0.048), but no significant difference in either trauma-related morbidity (p=0.369) or mortality (p=0.189). Conclusion: An anterior flail chest frequently affects the two underlying lung parenchyma and can cause a bilateral lung contusion, a hemopneumothorax and lung hemorrhage. Thus, it needs longer ventilator care than a lateral flail chest does and is more frequently associated with pulmonary complications with poor outcome than a lateral flail chest is. In a severe trauma patient with a flail chest, especially an anterior flail chest, we must pay more attention to the pulmonary care strategy and the bronchial toilet.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.115-119
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• 2008

Purpose: Abrupt abstinence from alcohol in cause of chronic alcohol addiction can trigger alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The authors studied the effect of post-operative alcohol withdrawal syndrome in patients who require intensive care due to trauma. Methods: For the study group, we selected 70 patients who had undergone emergency surgery from May 2003 to March 2007 due to trauma and who had been treated with prophylactic thiamine. Data was collected retrospectively. We excluded those who extended their hospital stay for other than traumatic causes, those who died within 3 days of surgery after trauma, those who transferred to other institutions, and those who received a psychiatric diagnosis. Patient groups were determined by the existence or the non-existence of withdrawal syndrome. Age, sex, injury mechanism, mortality, complications, durations of hospital stay and intensive care, use of mechanical ventilator, and sedative use were investigated. A Chi-square test and The Mann-Whitney method were used for statistical analysis in this study. Results: Twenty-four (24) patients from the 58 who had an ISS of 16 or more showed alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and men were shown to be affected with the syndrome significantly more than women. Although ISS was higher in the group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, statistically, the difference was not significant (P<0.08). The total hospital stay in the patient group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome was on average 10 days longer. However, the difference was not significant (P<0.054). The duration of intensive care in the patient group with alcohol withdrawal syndrome was significantly longer (P<0.029). The patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome showed no significant difference in the duration of mechanical ventilator use (P<0.783), or in the duration of sedative use (P<0.284). Respiratory distress, pneumonia, upper airway infection, sepsis, acute renal failure, and mortality in the alcohol withdrawal syndrome group were investigated, but no statistically significant difference were noted. Conclusion: We found that the duration of intensive care in chronic alcohol abusers was longer due to the development of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. We also discovered that, when the patients overcame the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome after intensive care, no difference was found in the frequency of developing complications, the morbidity, and the mortality. Therefore, we conclude that intensive care in trauma patients who are chronic alcohol abusers decreases the incidence of complications found in patients with post-operative alcohol withdrawal syndrome and does not adversely impact the prognoses for those patients.

• 자동차안전학회지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.7-12
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• 2018

Injury mechanisms of lower extremity injuries in motor vehicle accidents are focused on fractures, sprains, and contusions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the analysis of lower extremity injury mechanism in occupant motor vehicle accident by using Hospital Information System (HIS) and reconstruction program, based on the materials related to motor vehicle accidents. Among patients who visited the emergency department of Wonju Severance Christian Hospital due to motor vehicle accidents from August 2012 to February 2014, we collected data on patients with agreement for taking the damaged vehicle's photos. After obtaining the verbal consent from the patient, we asked about the cause of the accident, information on vehicle involved in the accident, and the location of car repair shop. The photos of the damaged vehicle were taken on the basis of front, rear, left side and right side. Damage to the vehicle was presented using the CDC code by analytical study of photo-images of the damaged vehicle, and a trauma score was used for medical examination of the severity of the patient's injury. Among the 1,699 patients due to motor vehicle crashes, 88 (5.2%) received a diagnosis of lower extremity fracture and 141 (8.3%) were the severe who had ISS over 15. Nevertheless during 19 months for research, it was difficult to build up in-depth database about motor vehicle crashes. It has a limitation on collecting data because not only the system for constructing database about motor vehicle crash is not organized but also the process for demanding materials is not available due to prevention of personal information. For accurate analysis of the relationship between occupant injury and vehicle damage in motor vehicle crashes, build-up of an in-depth database through carrying out various policies for motor vehicle crashes is necessary for sure.