• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate whether rapid and efficient administration of blood products was achieved and whether clinical outcomes were improved by applying a massive transfusion protocol (MTP). Methods: From January 2016 to September 2019, the medical records of trauma patients who received at least 10 units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) at Pusan National University Hospital (level I trauma center) were retrospectively reviewed. The patients treated from January 2016 to January 2018 were designated as the non-MTP group, and those treated from February 2018 to September 2019 were designated as the MTP group. Results: During the study period, 370 patients received massive transfusions. The non-MTP and MTP groups comprised 84 and 55 patients, respectively. No significant between-group differences were found in the units of PRBC (23.2 vs. 25.3, respectively; p=0.46), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (21.1 vs. 24.4, respectively; p=0.40), and platelets (PLT) (15.4 vs. 17.0, respectively; p=0.54) administered in the first 24 hours. No statistically significant differences between the non-MTP and MTP groups were found in the FFP-to-PRBC ratio (0.9 vs. 0.94, respectively; p=0.44) and or the PLT-to-PRBC ratio (0.72 vs. 0.72, respectively; p=0.21). However, the total number of cryoprecipitate units was significantly higher in the MTP group than in the non-MTP group (7.4 vs. 15.3 units, respectively; p=0.003) and the ratio of cryoprecipitate to PRBC in the MTP group was significantly higher than in the non-MTP group (0.31 vs. 0.62, respectively; p=0.021). The time to transfusion was significantly reduced after MTP implementation (41.0 vs. 14.9 minutes, respectively; p=0.003). Conclusions: Although no significant differences were found in the clinical outcomes of patients who had undergone severe trauma, rapid and balanced transfusion was achieved after implementing the MTP.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.254-260
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• 2012

Purpose: Ongoing treatment and care, as well as initial stabilization, are required for trauma patients. With increasing number of sickest trauma patients and shortage of surgeons, the need for advanced practice nurse to provide and coordinate trauma care has been greater. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of hiring a trauma clinical nurse specialist and its influence on the treatment of trauma patients. Methods: Based on the employment of the clinical nurse specialist in December 2010, the patients were divided into two groups: patients admitted from January 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010 and patients admitted from December 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011. Retrospectively, data were collected using electronic medical records. The general characteristics, clinical courses, and ICU re-admission rates, collaboration (transfers to other departments and collaborative surgery) were compared. Results: To have a clinical nurse specialist on the trauma team resulted in a statistically significant reductions in the length of general ward hospital stay (p<0.05), the ICU re-admission rate, (p<0.03), the lead-time before transfer to other departments (p<0.05). Conclusion: The clinical nurse specialist, as a professional practitioner, improved the quality of treatment through early detection and management of problems. In addition, as a coordinator, the clinical nurse specialist maintained a cooperative relationship with multi-disciplinary medical personnel. The trauma clinical nurse specialist contributed to the treatment of trauma patients positively through a decrease in ICU re-admission rate and length of hospital stay.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.105-115
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• 2016

Purpose: While all midshaft clavicle fractures have traditionally been treated with conservative measures, recent operative treatment of displaced, communited midshaft clavicle fractures has become more common. Though a recent increase in operative treatment for midshaft clavicle fractures, we have done the operative methods in limited cases. The aim of this study is to present indications, operative techniques and outcomes of the experienced cases that have applied to this limited group over the previous 10 years. Methods: This study consists of a retrospective review of radiological and clinical data from January of 2005 to July of 2015. Operative criteria for midshaft clavicle fractures having considerable risk of bone healing process were 4 groups - a floating shoulder, an open fracture, an associated neurovascular injury, and a nonunion case after previous treatment. Results: The study consisted of 18 patients who had operative treatment for midshaft clavicle fractures in adults. The most common surgical indication was a floating shoulder (10 cases, 55.6%), followed by nonunion (5 cases, 27.8%), an associated neurovascular injury (4 cases, 22.2%), and open fracture (3 cases, 16.7%). All cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation in anterosuperior position with reconstruction plate or locking compression plate. Bone union was achieved in all cases except 1 case which was done bone resection due to infected nonunion. Mean bone union period was 19.5 weeks. There were no postoperative complications, but still sequelae in 4 cases of brachial plexus injury. Conclusion: We have conducted an open reduction and internal fixation by anterosuperior position for midshaft clavicle fractures in very limited surgical indications for last 10 years. Our treatment strategy for midshaft clavicle fractures showed favorable radiological results and low postoperative complications.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2012

Purpose: Cervical dislocations with locked facets account for more than 50% of all cervical injuries. Thus, investigating a suitable management of cervical locked facets is important. This study examined factors of close reduction failure in traumatically locked facets of the subaxial cervical spine patients to determine suitable surgical management. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed of the case histories of 28 patients with unilateral/bilateral cervical locked facets from Nov. 2004 to Dec. 2010. Based on MRI evaluation of disc status at the injury level, we found unilateral dislocations in 9 cases, and bilateral dislocations in 19 cases, The patients were investigated for neurologic recovery, closed reduction rate, factors of the close reduction barrier, fusion rate and period, spinal alignment, and complications. Results: The closed reduction failed in 23(82%) patients. Disc herniation was an obstacle to closed reduction (p=0.015) and was more frequent in cases involving a unilateral dislocation (p=0.041). The pedicle or facet fracture was another factor, although some patients showed aggravation of neurologic symptoms, most patients had improved by the last follow up. The kyphotic angle were statistically significant (p=0.043). Sixs patient underwent anterior decompression/fusion, and 15 patients underwent circumferential fusion, and 7 patients underwent posterior fusion. All patients were fused at 3 months after surgery. The complications were 1 case of CSF leakage and 1 case of esphageal fistula, 1 case of infection. Conclusion: We recommend closed reduction be performed as soon as possible after injury to maximize the potential for neurological recovery. Patients fot whom closed reduction of the cervical locked facets have a higher incidence of anatomic obstacles to reduction, including facet fractures and disc herniation. Immediate direct open anterior reduction or circumferential fixation/fusion of locked cervical facets is recommended as a treatment of choice for traumatic locked cervical facet patients after closed reduction failure.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2018

Purpose: Although there has been substantial progress for the treatment of thoracic trauma, the mortality of the penetrating neck injury is still high, has been reported about 10-15%. However, there has not been a report which is reflecting Korean medical present. We retrospectively analyzed the penetrating neck injury patients based on the Korean Trauma Data Base. Methods: Between December 2013 and June 2017 at the trauma center of the Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea, total of 36 patients with isolated low-velocity penetrating neck injuries were included. We analyzed the patients' age, gender, injury mechanism and causes by medical chart review. Results: Among total of 36 patients, 26 (72.2%) were male and 10 (27.8%) were female. Homicidal neck injuries were most common, followed by accidental and suicidal injuries (47% vs. 33% vs. 19%, respectively). All penetrating injuries in our study were low-velocity trauma such as following: knife (n=16, 44.4%); glass or glass bottle (n=11, 30.6%); scissors (n=4, 11.1%); grinder (n=2, 5.6%); and three (8.3%) of miscellaneous injuries. Twenty-seven (75.0%) patients underwent emergency surgery, and only one (2.8%) patient underwent elective surgery. Eleven (30.6) patients were diagnosed with superficial injuries, including six patients who had conservative treatment. Twelve (33.3%) patients had arterial injuries and 10 (27.8%) patients had venous injuries. The patients who had deep injuries showed significant difference against the patient with superficial injury (98.0 vs. 129.1, p=0.008). Conclusions: Low velocity penetrating injury confined to the neck is able to be successfully treated with prompt surgical management. Regardless of the conditions which are evaluated at emergency department, all penetrating neck injury patients should be regarded as urgent surgical candidates.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2005

Purpose: We report the radiologic and the clinical results for surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures involving the subtalar joint. Methods: We evaluated the findings of radiographs and computed tomographs of 39 patients (40 cases) with intra-articular calcaneal fractures. The fractures were treated with open reduction via an extended lateral approach and internal fixation using a plate. We assessed the radiologic results, such as the $B{\ddot{o}}hler$ angle, the Gissane angle, and the height/width ratio. We assessed the clinical results based on the critieria of Salama et al. Results: According to the Essex-Lopresti classification, 9 cases were classified as tongue type and 31 cases as joint depression type. According to the Sanders classification, 10 cases were classified as type IIA, 4 cases as IIB, 16 cases as IIIAB, 4 cases as IIIAC, and 6 cases as type IV. The mean preoperative $B{\ddot{o}}hler$ angle was 7.7, the mean postoperative $B{\ddot{o}}hler$ angle was 21.1, and the mean last follow-up $B{\ddot{o}}hler$ angle was 16.8. Clinical results classified as 10 excellent, 13 good, 11 fair, and 6 poor. Conclusion: In the treatment of intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus, open reduction via an extended lateral approach seems to be a useful method in that it can provide direct exposure of the subtalar joint with little morbidity.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.76-81
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the data comprehensively including not only the clinical and radiographic outcomes but some parameters related to operation between the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique and intramedullary nailing (IMN) for treatment of segmental tibia shaft fractures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 31 patients (mean age, 49.3 years, range, 27-74 years), with a mean follow-up of 14.1 months (range, 12-19 months) with acute segmental tibial fractures (AO 42-C2) who underwent either surgical treatment of MIPO or IMN. In accordance with the Gustilo-Anderson classification, 11 were type I, 5 were type II, and 15 were type III. Initial compartment syndrome was confirmed in 2 cases. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in terms of the patient demographic data between the two groups. The time to definitive fixation was longer in the MIPO group (mean $13.7{\pm}10.9days$; range, 2-27) than in the intramedullary group (mean $5.4{\pm}9.6days$; range, 0-35) with statistically significant difference (p=0.002). Bony union was observed in most of cases but except 5 cases of nonunion were diagnosed (3 in the MIPO vs 2 in IMN, p=0.188). The average bone healing time was 27.1 weeks (10 to 56 weeks) in MIPO group and 23.2 weeks (13 to 66 weeks) in IMN group, respectively (p=0.056). Overall complications were 5 cases in MIPO group and 2 cases in the IMN group. Difference in LEFS was not statistically significant between both groups (p=0.824). Conclusion: This study showed that segmental tibia shaft fractures treated with both MIPO and intramadullary nailing was challenging with relatively high complication rate. A well planned sequential strategy with keeping the soft tissue and personality of fracture in mind is utmost significant as much as the choice of surgical modalities.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.202-209
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• 2019

Purpose: Cranioplasty (CP) is often required for survival after decompressive craniectomy. Several materials, including autologous bone and various artificial materials, have been introduced for CP, but it remains unclear which material is best for CP. This study aimed to explore differences in complications between patients who underwent CP using an autologous bone flap versus a three-dimensional (3D) titanium mesh and to identify significant risk factors for post-CP complications. Methods: In total, 44 patients were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups (autologous bone vs. 3D titanium mesh). In both groups, various post-CP complications were evaluated. Through a comparative analysis, we aimed to identify differences in complications between the two groups and, using binary logistic analysis, to determine significant factors associated with complications after CP. Results: In the autologous bone flap group, there were three cases of surgical infection (3/24, 12.5%) and 11 cases of bone flap resorption (BFR) (11/24, 45.83%). In the 3D titanium mesh group, there was only one case of surgical infection (1/20, 5%) and 11 cases of various complications, including mainly cosmetic issues (11/20, 55%). A subgroup risk factor analysis of CP with an autologous bone flap showed no risk factors that predicted BFR with statistical significance, although a marginal association was found between larger bone flaps and BFR (odds ratio [OR]=1.037, p=0.090). In patients treated with a 3D titanium mesh, multivariate analysis revealed that only the existence of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt system was strongly associated with overall post-CP complications (OR=18.66, p=0.021). Conclusions: Depending on which material was used, different complications could occur, and the rate of complications was relatively high in both groups. Hence, the material selected for CP should be selected based on individual patients' conditions.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2015

Purpose: Delayed, traumatic, intraparenchymal hemorrhage (DTIPH) is a well-known contributing factor to secondary brain damage that evokes severe brain edema and intracranial hypertension. Once it has occurred, it adversely affects the patient's outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis factors for DTIPH by comparing clinical, radiological and hematologic results between two groups of patients according to whether surgical treatment was given or not. Methods: The author investigated 26 patients who suffered DTIPH during the recent consecutive five-year period. The 26 patients were divided according to their having undergone either a decompressive craniectomy (n=20) or continuous conservative treatment (n=6). A retrospective investigation was done by reviewing their admission records and radiological findings. Results: This incidence of DTIPH was 6.6% among the total number of patients admitted with head injuries. The clinical outcome of DTIPH was favorable in 9 of the 26 patients (34.6%) whereas it was unfavorable in 17 patients (65.4%). The patients with coagulopathy had an unexceptionally high rate of mortality. Among the variables, whether the patient had undergone a decompressive craniectomy, the patient's preoperative clinical status, and the degree of midline shift had significant correlations with the ultimate outcome. Conclusion: In patients with DTIPH, proper evaluation of preoperative clinical grading and radiological findings can hamper deleterious secondary events because it can lead to a swift and proper decompressive craniectomy to reduce the intracranial pressure. Surgical decompression should be carefully selected, paying attention to the patient's accompanying injury and hematology results, especially thrombocytopenia, in order to improve the patient's neurologic outcomes.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2020

Purpose: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease in elderly patients and is usually treated by burr-hole drainage. However, the optimal surgical technique for treating CSDH has not been determined. In this study, we analyzed outcomes and recurrence rates after burr-hole drainage with or without irrigation in patients with CSDH. Methods: Eighty-two CSDH patients treated with burr-hole drainage at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital from March 2015 to June 2016 were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups based on the surgical technique performed as follows: single burr-hole drainage without irrigation (group A, n=47), single burr-hole drainage with irrigation (group B, n=14), or double burr-hole drainage with irrigation (group C, n=21). These three groups were compared with respect to clinical and radiological factors and the recurrence rate, and independent factors predicting recurrence were sought. Results: After burr-hole drainage, CSDH recurred in 15 (18.3%) of the 82 patients, and six patients (7.3%) required reoperation. More specifically, recurrence was observed in 12 patients (25.5%) in group A, one (7.1%) in group B, and two (9.5%) in group C. The number of burr-holes did not significantly affect recurrence (odds ratio [OR]=0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60-2.38), but irrigation had a significant effect (OR=0.20; 95% CI: 0.04-0.97). Conclusions: This study shows that irrigation during burr-hole surgery in CSDH patients significantly reduced the risk of recurrence, regardless of the number of burr-holes used. We therefore recommend the use of active irrigation during burr-hole drainage surgery in CSDH patients.