• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.161-166
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• 2016

Purpose: Bleeding is the primary cause of death after severe pelvic fracture. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the mainstay of treatment for arterial bleeding. This study aimed to determine the frequency of bleeding by angiography of blush-positive pelvic fractures on computed tomography (CT) images. The bleeding arteries that were involved were investigated by pelvic angiography. Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 83 pelvic fracture patients who were treated in the intensive care unit of the author's trauma center between January 01, 2013 and April 30, 2015. Results: Overall mortality was 9 of 83 patients (10.8%). Blush was observed in 37 patients; blush-positive patients had significantly higher mortality (24.3%) than blush-negative patients (0%). Twenty-four of the 83 patients (28.9%) underwent pelvic angiography. Bleeding was showed in 22 of 24 patients in pelvic angiography. TAE was successfully performed in 21 (95.5%) of the bleeding 22 patients. Angiography was performed in 23 of 37 blush-positive patients, and arterial bleeding was identified in 21 (91.3%). A total 33 bleeding arteries were identified in 22 angiography-positive patients. The most frequent origin of bleeding was internal iliac artery (69.7%) followed by the external iliac artery (18.2%) and lumbar arteries (12.1%). Conclusion: The vascular blush observed in CT scans indicates sites of ongoing bleeding in pelvic angiography. TAE is an excellent therapeutic option for arterial bleeding and has a high success rate with few complications.

• 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 Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2013

Objective : Despite several limitations, the Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) is normally used to evaluate trauma systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventable trauma death rate using the TRISS method in severe trauma patients with traumatic brain injury using our emergency department data. Methods : The use of the TRISS formula has been suggested to consider definitively preventable death (DP); the deaths occurred with a probability of survival (Ps) higher than 0.50 and possible preventable death (PP); the deaths occurred with a Ps between 0.50 and 0.25. Deaths in patients with a calculated Ps of less than 0.25 is considered as non-preventable death (NP). A retrospective case review of deaths attributed to mechanical trauma occurring between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 was conducted. Results : A total of 565 consecutive severe trauma patients with ISS>15 or Revised Trauma Score<7 were admitted in our institute. We excluded a total of 24 patients from our analysis : 22 patients younger than 15 years, and 2 patients with burned injury. Of these, 221 patients with head injury were analyzed in the final study. One hundred eighty-two patients were in DP, 13 in PP and 24 in NP. The calculated predicted mortality rates were 11.13%, 59.04%, and 90.09%. The actual mortality rates were 12.64%, 61.547%, and 91.67%, respectively. Conclusion : Although it needs to make some improvements, the present study showed that TRISS performed well in predicting survival of traumatic brain injured patients. Also, TRISS is relatively exact and acceptable compared with actual data, as a simple and time-saving method.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.95-97
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• 2011

Purpose: We analyzed the medical costs for severely traumatized patients according to the severity and medical performance so that we could improve the financial balance of the trauma center. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients visiting SNUH Trauma Center from May 2011 to August 2011. Among a total of 55 severely traumatized patients, 31 patients whose medical bills were available and categorized were included in this study. The injury severity score (ISS) was calculated from the abbreviated injury score (AIS), which was updated in 2008,for each patient to assess the severity of injury. Major trauma was defined as an ISS above 15. Results:The 31 patients in this study included 20 males and 11 females. The average ISS was $33.23{\pm}16.65$ points. We categorize the patients into three groups according to ISS, 16-24: group 1, 25-40: group 2, and above 41: group 3. Total incomes, admission fees, surgery fees, and imaging test fees are shown in table 1. The costs seem to be higher costs in group 2, but this result has no statistical significance. Statistical significantly data are as follows: high radiologic test fees in group 1, short hospital stay in groups 1 and 2, and short ICU stay in group 1. The average hospital stay was 17 days, and the average emergency intensive care unit (EICU) stay was 7.5 days. Although the EICU stay was only 44% of the total hospital stay, the income from the EICU covers 79.4% of the total hospital income. Conclusion: From this study, we found several items that show relatively high medical income from severely traumatized patients visiting the SNUH Trauma Center. Most of the medical fees arise in the early phase of acute medicine usually in the ICU. Efforts to identify the items with high income and to minimize expenses will improve the financial structure of the Trauma Center,which is facing a budget crisis.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.120-125
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify clinical outcome and characteristics of trauma patients via emergency medical services (EMS). Methods: Medical records of the trauma patients visiting the emergency department were retrospectively collected and analyzed from January 2015 to June 2016 in the single institution. Of 529 registered patients, 371 patients were transported by - were enrolled. The parameters including age, gender, injury mechanism, Glasgow coma scale on arrival, presence of shock (systemic blood pressure <90 mmHg) on arrival, time to arrival from accident to emergency room (ER), need for emergency procedures such as operation or angioembolization, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, injury severity score (ISS), the trauma and injury severity score, revised trauma score (RTS), length of stay, and mortality rate were collected. The SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) was used for the data analysis. Results: Arrival time from the field to the ER was significantly shorter in EMS group. However, overall outcomes including mortalities, length of stay in the ICU and hospital were same between both groups. Age, ISS, RTS, and injury mechanisms were significantly different in both groups. ISS, RTS, and age showed significant influence on mortality statistically (p<0.05). Conclusions: The time to arrival of EMS was fast but had no effect on length of hospital stay, mortality rate. Further research that incorporates pre-hospital factors influence clinical outcomes should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of such a system in trauma care of Korea.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.165-169
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• 2014

Purpose: Trauma is one of the most common and lethal causes of death in Korea, especially in people under the age of 40. However, a considerable percentage of trauma patients are lost each year due to the scarce resources of the trauma system. The purpose of this study was to determine the recognition of trauma and trauma system. Methods: From April 8th to 22nd, 2014, visitors and in-patients in our medical center were interviewed and surveyed with a questionnaire, which included 28 questions regarding the trauma system, such as the most common cause of death, the locations of trauma centers, the importance of trauma centers, and consent for supporting trauma centers financially. Results: The majority of the respondents recognized trauma as a common cause of death; this was particularly true for people younger than 40. Most respondents' expectancy for the optimal time for trauma patient transport was high, recognizing that major trauma patients should receive urgent care. The respondents felt that trauma centers are important and needed, just as much as police stations and libraries are. Among 178 respondents, 140 (80.5%) were willing to financially support the trauma system. Conclusion: The respondents were aware of the seriousness of trauma and generally agreed on the need for trauma centers. In order to meet the needs and the demands of the people, and to reduce preventable death rate, the trauma system should be improved not only in quality but also in quantity with better and more facilities and manpower, with the aid of publicity from trauma organizations and funding from the government.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2021

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated a redistribution of resources to meet hospitals' service needs. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on a regional trauma center in South Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed cases of polytrauma at a single regional trauma center in South Korea between January 20 and September 30, 2020 (the COVID-19 period) and compared them to cases reported during the same time frame (January 20 to September 30) between 2016 and 2019 (the pre-COVID-19 period). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes included the number of daily admissions, hospital length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS. Results: The mean number of daily admissions decreased by 15% during the COVID-19 period (4.0±2.0 vs. 4.7±2.2, p=0.010). There was no difference in mechanisms of injury between the two periods. For patients admitted during the COVID-19 period, the hospital LOS was significantly shorter (10 days [interquartile range (IQR) 4-19 days] vs. 16 days [IQR 8-28 days], p<0.001); however, no significant differences in ICU LOS and mortality were found. Conclusions: The observations at Regional Trauma Center, Pusan National University Hospital corroborate anecdotal reports that there has been a decline in the number of patients admitted to hospitals during the COVID-19 period. In addition, patients admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significantly shorter hospital LOS than those admitted before the COVID-19 pandemic. These preliminary data warrant validation in larger, multi-center studies.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2005

Background: Blunt thoracic trauma in children has a high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we assessed the significance of the injury pattern, mechanism and initial status in emergency department on severity and prognosis in pediatric blunt thoracic trauma patients. Method: We retrospectively reviewed medical records and chest X-ray and CT images of 111 pediatric blunt thoracic trauma patients from October 2000 to June 2005. Data recorded age, gender, season, injury mechanism, injury pattern, associated injury, length of hospital stay and cause of death. Result: Of all 111 patients, 68 patients were injured by motor vehicle accidents, 30 were falls, 5 were motorcycle accidents, 3 were sports accidents and 5 were miscellaneous. In thoracic trauma, single injury of lung contusion were 35 patients and 32 patients had multiple thoracic injuries. Hospital stay in school age group were longer than preschool age group. The causes of death were brain injury in 9, respiratory distress in 4, and hypovolemic shock in 2 patients. Emergently transfused and mechanically ventilated patients had higher mortality rates than other patients. Patients required emergency operation and patients with multiple thoracic injuries had higher mortality rates. Conclusion: In this study, patients with combined injury, emergency transfusion, mechanical ventilation, emergency operation, multiple injuries in chest X-ray had higher mortality rates. Therefore in these pediatric blunt thoracic trauma patients, accurate initial diagnosis and proper management is required.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Temporal bone fracture (TBF) is a common occurrence in cases of head trauma. Although the incidence of temporal bone concussion (TBC) has increased in cases of head trauma, it has not been extensively studied. We assessed the characteristics of TBF and TBC in patients with head trauma. Subjects and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 432 patients with head injury who visited our hospital between January 2011 and April 2016. Of these patients, 211 who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Their clinical characteristics, causes of injury, and hearing function were analyzed. Results: Among the 211 patients, 157 had TBFs and 54 had TBCs. Ear symptoms were more common among patients with TBF than among those with TBC. Car accidents were the most common cause of both TBF and TBC, but assault and sports injuries were more common among patients with TBC than among those with TBF. The occurrence of facial palsy in both cases of TBF and TBC. Hearing loss was observed among 35 patients with TBF and 11 patients with TBC. However, patients with TBF showed conductive hearing loss with an air-bone gap. Hearing function of these patients with TBF recovered with a reduced air-bone gap, but the patients with TBC showed little recovery. Conclusions: Emergency physicians should focus more on temporal bone injury in patients with head trauma. Therefore, an early complete diagnostic battery, which includes high-resolution computed tomography, audiometric tests, neurologic examination, and vestibular tests, be performed in patients with head trauma.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Temporal bone fracture (TBF) is a common occurrence in cases of head trauma. Although the incidence of temporal bone concussion (TBC) has increased in cases of head trauma, it has not been extensively studied. We assessed the characteristics of TBF and TBC in patients with head trauma. Subjects and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 432 patients with head injury who visited our hospital between January 2011 and April 2016. Of these patients, 211 who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Their clinical characteristics, causes of injury, and hearing function were analyzed. Results: Among the 211 patients, 157 had TBFs and 54 had TBCs. Ear symptoms were more common among patients with TBF than among those with TBC. Car accidents were the most common cause of both TBF and TBC, but assault and sports injuries were more common among patients with TBC than among those with TBF. The occurrence of facial palsy in both cases of TBF and TBC. Hearing loss was observed among 35 patients with TBF and 11 patients with TBC. However, patients with TBF showed conductive hearing loss with an air-bone gap. Hearing function of these patients with TBF recovered with a reduced air-bone gap, but the patients with TBC showed little recovery. Conclusions: Emergency physicians should focus more on temporal bone injury in patients with head trauma. Therefore, an early complete diagnostic battery, which includes high-resolution computed tomography, audiometric tests, neurologic examination, and vestibular tests, be performed in patients with head trauma.