• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2006

Purpose: For prevention and suitable administration, the effect of age on the severity of injuries in traffic accidents should be considered when evaluating a patient, but there have not been enough epidemiological studies that evaluate the age factor in traffic accidents. For that reason, we investigated old-aged patients who were involved in traffic accidents (65 years old or more) and who were admitted to the emergency department of a college hospital in an urban city of Korea. Methods: We collected data from traffic-accident patients who came to the emergency room of a university hospital in Seoul from Jan.1, 2004 to Dec.31, 2005. We compared their abilities to ambulate and the RTSs (Revised trauma scores) by using a LSD (least significant difference), linear regression. Results: A total of 1460 patients were included. The mean RTS of all traffic-accident patients was $7.77{\pm}0.280$. The scores for drivers and passengers, motor-cycle drivers and passengers, bicycle drivers and passengers, and pedestrians were $7.79{\pm}0.21$, $7.78{\pm}0.22$, $7.54{\pm}0.25$, $7.77{\pm}0.20$, and $7.80{\pm}0.21$ respectively (p=0.000). There was no statistically significant difference between the RTS of patients over 65 years and that of other patients. In a regression analysis, the number of patients over 45 ages who were able to ambulate was lower than that of younger people, independently of other influencing factors (B=-0.330, R-square = 0.243, p=0.000). Conclusion: We expected that RTS of old age group more than 65 years old will significantly lower than that of others, but there was no statistically significant difference.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.345-352
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• 2019

This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the length of stay in elderly pediatric inpatients in traffic accidents. We used Korean National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury data on the discharged from 2012 to 2016. Statistically significant factors affecting the length of stay are admission route, Charlson Comorbidity Index(CCI), injury parts, operation, results, hospital area, and beds for hospitals. The length of stay was shorter in the case of the admission route of the outpatient department than the emergency room, the results were not improved or death rather than improved, and the bed size was 500-999 beds or over 1000 beds rather than 100-299 beds. However, the length of stay was longer in the case of CCI score was 1-2 or over 3 rather than 0, injury parts were other parts rather than head/neck, when the operation was yes, and when the hospital area was a province, metropolitan rather than Seoul. This study intends to understand the medical characteristics of inpatient to prevent pedestrian traffic accidents in accordance with the population aging. Based on this finding, we wish to be used as the basic data for the establishment of policies to effectively manage traffic safety and medical resources in consideration of the characteristics of the elderly people.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.435-442
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• 2016

Background: Blunt traumatic cardiac rupture is rare. However, such cardiac ruptures carry a high mortality rate. This study reviews our experience treating blunt traumatic cardiac rupture. Methods: This retrospective study included 21 patients who experienced blunt traumatic cardiac rupture from 1999 to 2015. Every patient underwent surgery. Several variables were compared between survivors and fatalities. Results: Sixteen of the 21 patients survived, and 5 (24%) died. No instances of intraoperative mortality occurred. The most common cause of injury was a traffic accident (81%). The right atrium was the most common location of injury (43%). Ten of the 21 patients were suspected to have cardiac tamponade. Significant differences were found in preoperative creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) levels (p=0.042) and platelet counts (p=0.004) between the survivors and fatalities. The patients who died had higher preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale scores (p=0.007), worse Trauma and Injury Severity Scores (p=0.007), and higher Injury Severity Scores (p=0.004) than those who survived. Conclusion: We found that elevated CK-MB levels, a low platelet count, and multi-organ traumatic injury were prognostic factors predicting poor outcomes of blunt cardiac rupture. If a patient with blunt traumatic cardiac rupture has these factors, clinicians should be especially attentive and respond promptly in order to save the patient's life.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.7329-7334
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• 2015

This is to analyze of driver behavioral and the accident characteristics in rollover. The study period was January 2011 to May 2014 and the subject of study was 102 person who were drivers visited the emergency room. Research tool includes a damage information of the vehicle, accident mechanism, damage to the patient clinical information with the injury data from the ROAD Traffic Authority. For data analysis, SPSS 18.0 was used for t-test, ANOVA and Chi-square test. Injury Severity Score average score according to the vehicle type is 6.00 points in the smaller vehicle, at high vehicle 11.78 points, from the other vehicle that showed 14.70 points. Significant differences between the three groups did not show (P=.267). Men did not use a seat belt significantly compared to women(P=.007). Vehicle type and weather, this was no correlation with whether or not use the seat belt(P=.755, P=.793). But showed a tendency to smaller size vehicles drivers do not use a seat belt, the weather could see a little more inclined to use a seat belt rather than a sunny day. Finally, in rollover accidents as in other types of accident it was confirmed that the seat belt has a great influence on the damage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.365-370
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• 2007

Purpose: There are many reports about facial bone fractures, but limited to retrospective data of a single hospital. Etiology and severity of the facial bone fracture have been changed and treatment method and materials have been advanced. In order to reflect those changes and provide up-to-date data of the facial bone fractures in Daegu, we gathered the data and analyzed the epidemiologic study. Methods: The medical records of 1058 fractures in 895 patients were gathered from 5 general hospitals in Daegu during last year and these data were analyzed by following parameters: age, sex, place of residence, occupation, cause of injury, time of injury, location of fracture, length of in-hospital stay, time of operation, treatment method, associated injury, complication. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Results: Most commonly involved age group was 20s(26%) and the sex ratio was 3.4:1(male predominance). Fractures were occurred more in unban and white-color workers. Among variable etiology of injury, traffic accident was the most common cause. Time of injury was heighest at 6 to 7 P.M., on Sunday, in July. Locations of fractures were following sequence: nasal, zygoma, mandible, orbit, maxilla. Mean length of in-hospital stay and time of operation after injury were 6.3 and 3.2 days, respectively. In treatment methods, operative methods were dominant than conservative management and general anesthesia were favored than local anesthesia. Associated injuries were noticed in 188 cases(21.2%) and complications were in 94 cases(8.9%) and among them, ocular problem were common. Conclusion: Compared to previous studies, mean age of occurrence was lowered and the etiologies showed age-specific pattern and reflected the change of lifestyle. In young age groups, sports injury, violence were more dominant and the other hand, traffic accident and fall were dominant in older groups.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.22 no.3 s.74
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• pp.59-67
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• 2004

On January 1, 2003, the motor vehicle management system in Korea was transformed from government's vehicle type approval to manufacturer's self-certification. The motor vehicle recall system with self-certification is an essential mechanism to place the liability of the vehicle defects on manufacturers and hence protect consumers from automobile accidents. This study provides a methodology to measure the benefits of motor vehicle recall system in two categories: benefits of reduction in traffic accidents and benefits of severity reduction in traffic accident. Applying the proposed methodology, the benefits of implementing motor vehicle recall system in Korea were estimated. It was estimated that 745 traffic accidents, 12 fatal accidents, and 1473 injury accidents were respectively reduced in 2002 due to implementation of motor vehicle recall system.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.199-211
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• 2008

This study deals with the side right-angle collisions of 4-legged signalized intersections in Cheongju. The goals are to analyze the characteristics of accidents and to find out the accident factors that affect severity using ordered probit model. In pursuing the above, the study uses the data of 580 side right-angle collisions occurred at the 181 intersections(2004-2005). The analyses show that more accidents were occurred in the nighttime and in going straight. The main cause was analyzed to be the red-light violation. Also, the main results of modeling are the following, First, the likelihood ratio index is 0.094 and t-ratio values that explain goodness of fit are significant. Second, minor road traffic volumes, minor road lanes, major road left-turn lanes, major road left-turn signal, major road yellow signal time, cross angle, major and minor road speed limits are significant factors affecting crash severities at signalized intersections.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.215-218
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• 2012

Objective: Traumatic epidural hematomas (EDHs) in children are a relatively unusual occurrence. The cause and outcome vary depending on period and reg ion of study. The aims of this analysis were to review the cause and outcome of pediatric EDHs nowadays and to discuss outcome-related variables in a large consecutive series of surgically treated EDH in children. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 29 patients with surgically treated EDHs between Jan 2000 and February 2010. Patients' medical records, computed tomographic (Cl) scans, and, if performed, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed to define variables associated with outcome. Variables included in the analysis were age, associated severe intracranial injury, abnormal pupillary response, hematoma thickness, severity of head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score), parenchymal brain injury, and diffuse axonal injury. Results: The mean (SO) age of the patients was 109 months (0-185 months). Most of the injuries with EDHs occurred in traffic accident (14 cases, 48.2%) and followed by slip down in 6 cases and falls in 6 cases. There were one birth injury and one unknown cause. EDHs in traffic accidents occurred in pedestrians hit by a motor vehicle, 9 cases; motorbike and car accidents, 5 cases and bicycle accidents, 1 case. The locations of hematoma were almost same in both sides (left side in 15 cases). Temporal lobe is the most common site of hematomas (13 cases, 44%). The mean size of the EDHs was 18 mm (range, 5-40 mm). Heterogeneous hematomas in CT scans were 20 cases (67%). Two patients were referred with unilateral or bilateral dilated pupil(s). There was enlargement of EDH in 5 patients (17%). All of them were heterogeneous hematomas in CT scans. Except for 4 patients, all EDHs were associated with skull fracture(s) (87%). There was no case of patient with major organ injury. CT or MRI revealed brain contusion in 5 patients, and diffuse axonal injury in one patient The mortality was zero, and the outcomes were excellent in 26 and good in 2 patients. None of the tested variables were found to have a prognostic relevance. Conclusion: Regardless of the EDH size, the clinical status of the patients, the abnormal pupillary findings, or the cause of injury, the outcome and prognosis of the patients with EDH were excellent.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.212-220
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• 1998

Concomitant ipsilateral fractures of the humerus, radius and ulna are uncommon combined injury and are also called "floating elbow". It was found that this injury was usually a result of rather severe trauma and frequently associated injuries to other organ systems. It is controversial in the treatment of the "floating elbow", but the current treatment recommendations are open reduction and internal fixation of both the humerus and the forearm fracture with early initiation of range of motion exercises. The authors reviewed thirteen cases of ipsilateral fractures of the humerus, radius and ulna treated in our clinic from January 1992 to March 1997, and average follow-up period was over 18 months(range, 12 to 36 months). The results obtained were as follows; 1. The most common cause of injury was traffic accident and most common location of fractures was mid-third in both humerus and forearm. 2. The shape of fractures was transverse or comminuted in most cases. 3. The good clinical results were obtained by open reduction and internal fixation of both the humerus and the forearm fracture with early initiation of range of motion exercises. 4. The recovery was affected by the severity of the initial trauma and method of the treatment. 5. According to the Lange and Foster method, the functional result was good in 8 cases, fair in 4 cases and poor in 1 cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.243-255
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• 2019

Objective : Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in people of all age groups, the elderly population is at a particular risk. The proportion of elderly population in the society is markedly increasing and Korea is one of the most rapidly aging societies. Here, we analyzed the data from 904 patients older over 65 years who were registered in the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS). Methods : The Korean Society of Neurotraumatology recorded data from 20 institutions between September 2010 and March 2014. This retrospective study examined the clinical epidemiology, sex difference, outcome epidemiology, sociodemographic variables, and outcomes in the geriatric population related to TBI based on data from the KNTDBS. Results : The study included 540 men and 364 women. The age distributions in the male and female groups were statistically significantly different. The most common cause of trauma was a fall and diagnosis was acute subdural hematoma. The incidence was the highest in men aged 80-84 years and in women aged 75-79 years. The most common time of arrival to hospital after TBI was within 1 hour and 119 rescue team provided first aid earliest to patients with TBI. The mortality rate stratified according to the cause of trauma was significantly different, with mortality rates of 3.77% in fall and 11.65% in traffic accident. The mortality rates according the severity of brain injury, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and treatment were statistically significant. Conclusion : To our knowledge, this study is the first to focus on elderly patients with TBI in Korea and particularly investigate mortality and characteristics related to TBI-related death based on data from the KNTDBS. Although the study has some limitations, our results may be used to obtain useful information to study targeted prevention and more effective treatment options for older TBI patients and establish novel treatment guidelines and health polish for the geriatric population.