• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.57-62
• /
• 2012

Gunshot wounds are rare in Korea, but they have tended to increase recently. We experienced an interesting case of penetrating gunshot injuries to the cervical spine with migration the fragments of the bullet within the dural sac of the cervical spine, so discuss the pathomechanics, treatment and complications of gunshot wounds to the spine and present a review of the literature. A 38-year-old man who had tried to commit suicide with a gun was admitted to our hospital with a penetrating injury to the anterior neck. the patient had quadriplegia. A Computed tomography (CT) scan and 3-dimensional CT of the spine showed destruction of the left lateral mass and lamina of the 5th cervical vertebra; the bullet and fragments were found at the level of the 5th cervical vertebra. The posterior approach was done. A total laminectomy and removal of the lateral mass of the 5th cervical vertebrae were performed, and bone fragments and pellets were removed from the spinal canal, but an intradurally retained pellets were not totally removed. A dural laceration was noted intraoperatively, and CSF leakage was observed, so dura repair was done watertightly with prolene 6-0. The dura repair site was covered with fibrin glue and Tachocomb$^{(R)}$. Immediately, a lumbar drain was done. Radiographs included a postoperative CT scan and X-rays. The postoperative neurological status of the patient was improved compared with the preoperative neurological status. however, the patients developed symptoms of menigitis. He received lumbar drainage(200~250 cc/day) and ventilator care. After two weeks, panperitonitis due to duodenal ulcer perforation was identified. Finally, the patient died because of sepsis.

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

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.246-250
• /
• 2010

Mediastinal emphysema, also referred to as pneumomediastinum or Hamman's syndrome, is defined as the presence of air or gas within the fascial planes of the mediastinum. Superior extension of air into the cervicofacial subcutaneous space via communications between the mediastinum and cervical fascial planes or spaces occurs occasionally. The mediastinal air may originate from the respiratory tract, the intrathoracic airway, the lung parenchyma, or the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of air in the mediastinum may be spontaneous, iatrogenic or due to penetrating trauma. Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air or gas within the pleural cavity. A pneumothorax can occur spontaneously. It can also occur as the result of a disease or injury to the lung or due to a puncture to the chest wall. Pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax is a rare complication of head and neck surgery. Nevertheless, when it occurs, it is usually considered to result from direct dissection by the air at the time of injury or of surgery. Most of the cases of pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax that have been described in the oral and maxillofacial surgery literature result from air dissecting down the fascial planes of the neck. The authors report a case with subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after orthognathic surgery.

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