• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.125-128
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• 2011

Purpose: Blunt small bowel injury (SBI) is frequently combined other organ injury. So, clinical outcome and characteristics of SBI are influenced by other combined injuries. Thus, we analyzed isolated SBI patients and studied clinical outcome and characteristics. Methods: Between 2005 and 2010, 36 consecutive patients undergoing laparotomy due to isolated SBI were identified in a retrospectively collected. Database. Clinical outcome and characteristics were analyzed. Results: Laparotomy was performed in 36 patients. Primary repair was performed 17 patients. Segmental resection of small bowel was performed 19 patients. Median time gap from trauma to operation was 9 hours. In 24 hours from trauma, operation was performed 31 patients. Post operative death was 5 patients. Mean hospital stay was 18 days and median hospital stay was 12 days. There were significant differences between operation type and minor complication and hospital stay. And there were significant differences between time gap in 24 hours and minor complication. But, there were no significant between time gap and mortality. Conclusion: Although this study had many limitations, some valuable information was produced. When operation above 24 hours was delayed in SBI, minor complications were significantly increased. Segmental resection of small bowel in SBI were significantly increased minor complications and hospital stay. So, preventive measures for surgical site infection was important to reduce wound complication and hospital stay. Further continuous study and multi-center study were should be performed to improve clinical outcome in SBI.

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

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.27-30
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• 2020

Osborne-Cotterill lesion is an osteochondral fracture located in the posterolateral margin of the humeral capitellum, which may be associated with a defect of the radial head after an elbow dislocation. This lesion causes instability by affecting the lateral ulnar collateral ligament over its capitellar insertion, which is associated with a residual capsular laxity, thereby leading to poor coverage of the radial head, and hence resulting in frequent dislocations. We present a 54-year-old patient, a physician who underwent trauma of the left elbow after falling from a bike and suffered a posterior dislocation fracture of the elbow. The patient subsequently presented episodes of instability, and additional work-up studies diagnosed the occurrence of Osborne-Cotterill lesion. An open reduction and internal fixation of the bony lesion was performed, with reinsertion of the lateral ligamentous complex. Three months after surgery, the patient was asymptomatic, having a flexion of 130° and extension of 0°, and resumed his daily activities without any limitation. Currently, the patient remains asymptomatic 2 years after the procedure. Elbow instability includes a large spectrum of pathological conditions that affect the biomechanics of the joint. The Osborne-Cotterill lesion is one among these conditions. It is a pathology that is often forgotten and easily overlooked. Undoubtedly, this lesion requires surgical intervention.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2006

Purpose: In maxillofacial surgery, proper preoperative diagnosis is very important in achieving good postoperative results. Although conventional CT scans are useful for visual representations of fractures, they cannot provide direct guidance for reconstructing facial bone fractures. However, the recent technology of multislice scanning has brought many clinical benefits to CT images. Direct correlations can be made between preoperative imaging data and operative planning. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the differences between conventional CT and multidetective three-dimensional CT(3D MDCT) measurements in craniofacial deformities. Methods: From January 2005 to November 2005, MDCT scans of 41 patients were evaluated by comparing them with conventional CT scans. The 3D MDCT images were assessed and reviewed by using a simple scoring system. Results: The 3D MDCT scans offered easy interpretation, facilitated surgical planning, and clarified postoperative results in malar complex fractures, mandibular fractures, and extensive maxillofacial fractures and cranioplasty. However, 3D MDCT images were not superior to conventional CT scans in the diagnosis of blowout fractures. Conclusion: In spite of its limitations, the 3D MDCT provided additional and more comprehensive information than the conventional CT for preoperative assessment of craniofacial deformities. Therefore, the 3D MDCT can be a useful tool for diagnosis and systematic treatment planning in craniofacial skeletal deformities.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2007

Purpose: Management of the soft tissue defect in the lower extremity caused by trauma has always been difficult. Coverage with local and free muscle flaps after complete surgical excision of necrotic soft tissue and bone is a major strategy for treatment. There is no doubt that muscle provides a good blood supply, thus improving bone healing and increasing resistance to bacterial inoculation. However, accompanying problems are seen in cases with shallow dead space. This research was conducted to assess the efficacy of raising anterolateral thigh flaps and transferring them to the defect after complete debridement of non-viable, infected, and scar tissue as an alternative way to use local or free muscle flaps. Methods: From March 2005 to October 2007, 18 cases of soft tissue defect on lower extremities were re-surfaced with an anterolateral thigh perforator free flap. Results: The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 31 months with a mean of 15.9 months. All flaps survived completely. Satisfactory aesthetic and functional results were achieved. Under a two-point discrimination test, 13 patients had sensory recovery from 11 mm to 20 mm after 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Reconstruction of the lower extremity with anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps after appropriate debridement is a good alternative way to use local or free muscle flaps.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.216-219
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• 2017

Laparoscopy has been one of the most effective modalities in various surgical situations, although its use in trauma patients has some limitations. The benefits of laparoscopy include cost-effectiveness, shorter length of hospital stay, and less postoperative pain. This report describes diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic diverting sigmoid loop colostomy in penetrating extraperitoneal rectal injury. A 41-year-old male presented with perineal pain following penetrating trauma caused by a tree limb. Computed tomography showed air density in the perirectal space and retroperitoneum. As his vital signs were stable, we performed diagnostic laparoscopy and confirmed no intraperitoneal perforation. Therefore, laparoscopic diverting sigmoid loop colostomy was performed. He was discharged without any complications despite underlying hepatitis C-related cirrhosis. Colostomy closure was performed 3 months later.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.226-228
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• 2013

Elderly patients with acute subdural hematomas have higher mortality and lower functional recovery rates compared with those of other head-injured patients. Early and widely surgical decompression and active intensive care represent the best way to assist these patients. However, abrupt decompression of the hematoma can lead to brain disruption and secondary ischemia in the brain surrounding the craniectomy site. Acute brain swelling and brain extrusion, which take place shortly after decompression, can lead to a catastrophic situation during the operation due to the impossibility of appropriate closure of the dura and scalp. To avoid the deleterious consequences of disruption of brain tissue, we have adopted multiple fenestrations of the dura in a mesh-like fashion and gradual release of subdural clots through the small dural openings that are left open. This is especially important in cases in which there are massive amount of subdural hematomas with small parenchymal lesion and severe midline shifts in elderly patients. Further clinical experiences should be conducted in a more selected series patients to estimate the impact of this technique on morbidity and mortality rates.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2016

Purpose: Arterial injury in children is a challenging problem for its special characteristics. It is rare even during warfare. This review described a personal experience in the management and outcome of acute pediatric arterial injuries of extremities. Methods: Thirty-six children below age of 13 years were studied during period from 2004 through 2014 in Iraq. Results: Male patients were 27 (75%) and female were 9 (25%). Seven to twelve years old was the most affected age group. The incidence of iatrogenic injuries was greater in infants and toddlers while penetrating injuries were the most common in older children. Upper limbs arteries were affected in 17 (47.2%) and lower limb in 19 (52.8%) patients. Hard signs were the commonest mode of presentation (83.3%). Lateral wall tear and complete transection were the most frequent types of arterial injury (36.1% and 27.8% respectively). The most frequent procedures performed were end-to-end anastomosis and lateral arteriorrhaphy. Surgical outcome was good. In 27 cases distal pulsations were regained. Seven cases had impalpable distal pulses but still viable limbs. Limb length discrepancy was detected in one case. One case was complicated with limb loss. No death was recorded. Conclusion: Arterial injuries in children are age related. The proper treatment of arterial injuries in children requires high index of suspicion, early operative intervention and continuous postoperative follow-up throughout years of active growth. Angiogram has a limited role as a diagnostic tool in acute arterial injuries.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.192-195
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• 2010

Splenic rupture is a frequent surgical emergency in blunt abdominal trauma patients. There are several treatment options, including conservative treatment, a partial splenectomy, splenorrhaphy, and a splenectomy for splenic injury. Although reports on the safety and the efficacy of an elective laparoscopic splenectomy are abundant in the literature, a laparoscopic splenectomy for a ruptured spleen has only been reported in a few cases. We report a case of a laparoscopic splenectomy in the patient with Grade III traumatic splenic injury. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which a laparoscopic splenectomy was performed in Korea for the treatment of a traumatic splenic injury.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.172-175
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• 2019

Although thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has grown to become the standard of care to treat blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI), the long-term effects of TEVAR are still unclear. We here present a 72-year-old man with BTAI due to a traffic accident. He successfully underwent TEVAR and was transferred to another rehabilitation hospital 2 months after the accident. However, 1 month later, he underwent gastroscopy with fever and hematemesis and was diagnosed with aorto-esophageal fistula (AEF). After being re-transferred to Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, we tried to convince him to undergo surgical treatment, but he strongly refused. He received palliative care and died due to rupture of the aortic pseudoaneurysm 3 days after the hospital transfer. Fatal complications like AEF may occur after TEVAR, so clinicians need to carefully follow patients who underwent TEVAR.