• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2016

Purpose: The optimal method of fixation of symphysis pubis (SP) diastasis in pelvic ring injuries is still controversial. In this study, we investigated the radiological and the clinical results of a precontoured 4.5-mm symphysis pubis (SP) plate with tension band wiring (TBW) after an anterior pelvic injury in pelvic fractures. Methods: We treated 25 patients with traumatic SP diastasis by open reduction and internal fixation with plates and wires. We used a four-hole 4.5-mm precontoured SP plate with a tension band wiring. Results: Patients with a SP with TBW fixation achieved excellent or good results at final follow-up. Post-operative complications included two (8%) patients with metal work movement. The mean symphyseal width was smaller in 4.5 mm SP plate with TBW during 1-year follow up period. Conclusion: A precontoured symphysis pubis plate (4.5 mm) with figure-of-eight fashion tension band wiring shows favorable radiological results, excellent or good clinical outcome, and a lower complication (hardware failure and revision surgery).

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.451-453
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• 2023

We introduce a convenient method of urethrography before catheterization for patients with pelvic trauma that can be used in a resuscitation area. A 10-mL syringe without a needle was used. X-ray contrast medium (Iohexol, 300 mg I/mL) was administered through the urethral orifice using a 10-mL syringe without needle and a simple pelvic anteroposterior film was taken (70 kilovolt [peak], 50 mAs). A 36-year-old soldier with a saddle injury from a gun barrel was taken to a trauma center. He had a pelvic fracture and complained of hematuria. Bedside urethrography above described was performed. The anterior urethra showed nonspecific findings, but dye leaked from the posterior urethra. Bedside Foley catheter insertion was attempted, but the catheter could not be advanced past the membranous urethra. Thereafter, suprapubic catheterization was performed. On the day of the injury, iliac artery embolization was carried out. The dislocated sacroiliac joint was also treated using open reduction and internal fixation. On hospital day 7, guidewire Foley insertion was performed. This bedside urethrography technique is simple and useful for pelvic fractures in which urethral injury is suspected.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.74-80
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• 2013

Purpose: There are no detailed reports on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pelvic and acetabular fractures in the Asian population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of VTE in pelvic and acetabular fractures in the Korean population. Methods: The cases of 67 Korean patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures treated at our hospital from January 2009 to February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Until May 2010, VTE screening was performed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or ultrasonography (US) when the D-dimer value did not decline predictably, still exceeded $20{\mu}g/ml$ at 5 days after trauma and surgery, or increased to greater than $20{\mu}g/ml$ after a period of decline. After May 2010, contrast-enhanced CT and US were performed routinely irrespective of the D-dimer value. Physical prophylaxis was performed on all patients. The effects of the presence of a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture, and the effects of fracture type, accompanying injuries, and screening strategies on the incidences of VTE were investigated. Results: Overall, 26 patients(38.8%) were diagnosed with VTE and PTE in 14(20.9%). All were asymptomatic. Significantly higher incidences of VTE and PTE were observed in trauma patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures than in trauma patients without pelvic and acetabula fractures treated during the same period. No significant differences were observed in the incidences of VTE and PTE between patients with pelvic fractures, and patients with acetabular fractures or between patients with and without accompanying injuries. Compared with the previous screening strategy, the detection rates for VTE and PTE were higher for the newer screening strategy; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: In the Korean population, we should be vigilant for a high incidence of VTE, especially PTE, in patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2009

Purpose: This study compared the characteristics of and the prognosis for intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal/pelvic contrast extravasation, which had been confirmed by enhanced abdominal CT scan, after blunt trauma in patients who had undergone angiographic embolization. Methods: From January 2001 to March 2009, data were retrospectively collected regarding patients who had undergone contrast extravasation (CE) on CT scanning and arterial embolization after blunt trauma. The study patient group was divided into the intraperitoneal and the retroperitoneal/pelvic groups according to the area of contrast extravasation. We reviewed the initial demographic data, the location of injury, the solid organ injury, the embolized vessel, and the clinical outcome. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was $40.2{\pm}2.6$ years old, and there were 24 male patients. The intraperitoneal group included 10 patients, and retroperitoneal/pelvic group was comprised of 17 patients. The amount of transfusion from presentation to intervention and during the first 24 hours was greater in the retroperitoneal/pelvic group than in the intraperitoneal group. The intraperitoneal group showed a higher frequency and severity of liver injury than the retroperitoneal/pelvic group. Angiography revealed that the hepatic artery (n=4) was the most frequently embolized vessel in the intraperitoneal group, while the internal iliac artery (n=6), followed by the renal artery (n=4), internal pudendal artery (n=3), and the gluteal artery (n=2), were the most frequently injured vessels in the retroperitoneal/pelvic group. Conclusion: In patients with intra-abdominal contrast extravasation found on CT scanning and arterial embolization after blunt trauma, the need for transfusion was less in the intra-abdominal group than in the retroperitoneal/pelvic group. Liver injury was also more frequent and severe in the intraperitoneal group than in the retroperitoneal/pelvic group.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.29-32
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• 2014

Pelvic bone fracture with hemodynamic instability is fatal and the mortality rate can range up to 40%. Despite the big advances in the treatment of massive bleeding and hemorrhagic shock, the mortality associated with hemodynamically unstable pelvic bone fractures remains high. The gold standard of treatment for pelvic bone fracture with hemodynamic instability has not yet been determined and is an issue of main discussion among many doctors. Retroperitoneal packing is not yet wide spread in Korea, but is a good modality for managing of massive bleeding from pelvic bone fractures when an angiography suite or an expert surgeon is not available. A vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system can also be applied with retroperitoneal packing in the manner of damage control surgery and open abdomen surgery. We present the case of a 51-year-old male who had a pelvic bone fracture with massive bleeding. We performed retroperitoneal gauze packing with a VAC system for the first time. The postoperative vital signs of patient were immediately stable, the massive bleeding was easily and quickly controlled, and the amount of transfusion of blood components was reduced.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.248-253
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• 2009

Purpose: Hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures represent therapeutic challenges for the trauma team. The authors of this article have studied the clinical profiles of the angiographic intervention population at the emergency department during four years (2005~2009) to develop clinical guidelines for preventing deaths due to multiple trauma and for predicting the prognosis during initial evaluation. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 34 patients who had undergone angiographic interventions at the emergency department and compared the differences in clinical variables between survivors and non-survivors. Results: Representative values were compared between survivors and non-survivors : RTS (revised trauma score) 7.006 (6.376~7.841) vs. 6.128 (4.298~6.494), PRC (packed red cell) units 5.5 (2.0~11.0) vs. 15 (8.0~18.5), and lactate (mmol/L) 3.0 (1.0~7.0) vs. 8.5 (3.5~10.5). RTS (p<0.01) and PRC units before angiographic interventions (p=0.01) and lactate (p=0.02) had correlations to the final outcomes. Conclusion: The availability of an angiographic suite and persistent hypotension after adequate fluid resuscitation for pelvic trauma are good indications of angiographic intervention for pelvic hemorrhage.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.139-145
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• 2016

Purpose: The major pelvic trauma results in high mortality with associated fatal other injuries. During early stage of resuscitation, multidisciplinary approach is essential to improve the survival and outcomes. This study aims to report the effect and positive outcome of the trauma team approach on the management of hemodynamically unstable pelvic bone fracture. Methods: This retrospective review included all patients with hemodynamically unstable pelvic bone fracture admitted between March 2007 and December 2015. Patients were divided into group A, which comprised those admitted before the trauma team approach was started, and group B, which comprised those admitted after the approach was started. The advanced trauma life support protocol was followed for all patient. The comparisons between the two groups were based on medical records. Study variables included demographics, initial vital sign, injury severity score, fracture type, and injury mechanism. We analyzed the outcomes in each group with respect to the time interval for doctors' arrival, total length of stay in the emergency department (ED), time interval for computed tomography evaluation, 24-hour mortality, time interval for definitive fixation, and definitive fixation in the time-window of opportunity. Results: Fifty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. No statistically significant differences in demographic data existed between the two groups. The time interval for doctors' arrival (min, $63.09{\pm}50.48$ vs $21.48{\pm}17.75$; p=0.038) and total length of stay in the ED (min, $269.33{\pm}105.96$ vs $115.49{\pm}56.24$; p=0.023) were significantly improved. The 24-hour mortality was not significantly different between the two groups.(%, 14.3 vs 12.0; p=1.000) However, the time interval for definitive fixation and definitive fixation in the time-window of opportunity showed better results. Conclusion: The trauma team approach has positive effects, which include initial resuscitation through multidisciplinary approach and shortening the time interval to definitive fixation, on the management of hemodynamically unstable pelvic bone fracture.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.61-67
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• 2016

Purpose: Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (APCT) is frequently used as a diagnostic tool in trauma patients. However, trauma unrelated, incidental findings are frequently encountered. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalences of incidental findings on APCT scans in trauma patients. Methods: The archived records of 801 trauma patients treated from January 2013 to December 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Six hundred and forty of these patients underwent contrast enhanced APCT in an emergency department and were included in this study, and 205 (32.1%) of these patients had incidental findings. These findings were divided into two categories: category I, meaning a radiological benign finding not requiring further evaluation or follow-up, and category II, requiring further evaluation and follow-up. Results: One hundred and sixty (24.8%) patients were allocated to category I and 45 (7.2%) to category II. The most frequent incidental findings were discovered in kidneys (34.6%), followed by liver (28.8%), and gallbladder (15.6%). The most frequent finding in category I was a benign cyst (60.1%), followed by a simple stone (15.6%), and hemangioma (11.9%). Adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder (17.8%) was the most common lesion in category II, followed by atypical mass (15.6%), complicated stone (15.6%) and cystic neoplasm (15.6%). Conclusion: The prevalence of an incidental finding on APCT scans was 32.1%. Although category II lesions were not common in trauma patients, these findings should be communicated to patients, and when necessary referred to a primary care physician. Systems are required for producing appropriate discharge summaries and informing patients about the implications of incidental findings.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.281-285
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• 2023

Traumatic uterine rupture is uncommon but can be fatal and life-threatening for both the mother and infant. In addition to complications caused by trauma itself, such as pelvic fracture, gestational complications such as placental abruption, abortion, premature labor, rupture of membranes, maternal death, and stillbirth can occur. In particular, fetuses have been reported to have a high mortality rate in cases of traumatic uterine rupture. A 35-year-old pregnant female patient fell from the fourth floor and was admitted to our trauma center. We observed large hemoperitoneum, pelvic fractures, and spleen laceration, and the fetus was presumed to be located outside the uterus. The pregnant woman was hemodynamically unstable. Although the fetus was stillborn, angioembolization and surgical treatment were properly performed through collaboration with an interventional radiologist, obstetrician, and trauma surgeons. After two orthopedic operations, the patient was discharged after 34 days. This case report suggests the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of pregnant trauma patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.56-59
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• 2016

Patients with pelvic bone fractures with gastrointestinal perforations are reported in 4.4% of the cases and in very rare cases jejunum (0.15) is involved. However, intestinal perforations are often undiagnosed on the first examination before peritonitis is evident. We are presenting a report where a patient with anteroposterior compression injury, who was expected to undergo an internal fixation procedure, did not show any jejunum perforations on abdominal CT or other physical exams but was found on abdominal CT 1 week after right before surgery, therefore excision and anastomosis surgery, pelvic open reduction and internal fixation was simultaneously done with favorable results. In our case, we present a 61 year old male patient with liver trauma, adhesion at the abdominal cavity, with a past history of gallbladder excision, but without abdominal pain, fever, or infection symptoms. Therefore, this was a case that was difficult to initially diagnose the patient with jejunum perforation and peritonitis. The diagnosis was further supported during laparotomy when peritonitis around the area of intestinal perforation was observed. Generally, it is understood that pelvic bone fracture surgery is not immediately done on patients with peritonitis. However, this kind of patient who had peritonitis with intestinal adhesion and other complications could undergo surgery immediately as infection or other related symptoms did not coexist and the patient was rather stable, and as a result the treatment was successful.