Systematic Preventable Trauma Death Rate Survey to Establish the Region-based Inclusive Trauma System in a Representative Province of Korea.

Background: Trauma mortality review is the first step in assessing the quality of the trauma treatment system and provides an important basis for establishing a regional inclusive trauma system. This study aimed to obtain a reliable measure of the preventable trauma death rate in a single province in Korea.

Methods: From January to December 2017, a total of 500 sample cases of trauma-related deaths from 64 hospitals in Gyeonggi Province were included.

Distribution of Trauma Deaths in a Province of Korea: Is "Trimodal" Distribution Relevant Today?

Purpose: This study was designed to provide a basis for building a master plan for a regional trauma system by analyzing the distribution of trauma deaths in the most populous province in Korea.

Materials And Methods: We investigated the time distribution to death for trauma patients who died between January and December 2017. The time distribution to death was categorized into four groups (within a day, within a week, within a month, and over a month).

Diagnostic significance of diaphragmatic height index in traumatic diaphragmatic rupture.

Purpose: Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture resulting from blunt trauma is usually severe. However, it is often overlooked during initial evaluation because there are no characteristic signs and symptoms. Thus, this study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics of diaphragmatic rupture caused by blunt trauma and investigate the diagnostic usefulness of diaphragmatic height index (DHI) measured using chest radiographs.

Sign of Life is Associated with Return of Spontaneous Circulation After Resuscitative Thoracotomy: Single Trauma Center Experience of Republic of Korea.

Background: Resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) can be a lifesaving treatment, but it has not yet been performed in Korea. In this study, we review our experience of RT after a regional trauma center was constructed.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of RT conducted at a single Korean trauma center from May 2014 to March 2018.

Analyses of clinical outcomes after severe pelvic fractures: an international study.

Background: This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes between patients with severe pelvic fractures treated at a representative trauma center that was established in Korea since 2015 and matched cases treated in the USA.

Methods: Two cohorts were selected from a single institution trauma database in South Korea (Ajou Trauma Data Bank (ATDB)) and the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) in the USA. Adult blunt trauma patients with a pelvic Abbreviated Injury Scale >3 were included.

Timing and Associated Factors for Sepsis-3 in Severe Trauma Patients: A 3-Year Single Trauma Center Experience.

Background: We hypothesized that the recent change of sepsis definition by sepsis-3 would facilitate the measurement of timing of sepsis for trauma patients presenting with initial systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Moreover, we investigated factors associated with sepsis according to the sepsis-3 definition.

Methods: Trauma patients in a single level I trauma center were retrospectively reviewed from January 2014 to December 2016.

Comparison of outcomes in severely injured patients between a South Korean trauma center and matched patients treated in the United States.

Background: The South Korean government recently developed a master plan for establishing a national trauma system based on the implementation of regional trauma centers. We aimed to compare outcomes between severely injured patients treated at a recently established South Korean trauma center and matched patients treated in American level-1 trauma centers.

Methods: Two cohorts were selected from an institutional trauma database at Ajou University Medical Center (AUMC) and the American National Trauma Data Bank.

Early Versus Late Tracheostomy in Trauma Patients: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study of 5 Years' Data at a Single Institution in Korea.

Background: Although there have been many studies dealing with tracheostomy timing in trauma patients, the optimal timing is still being debated. This study aimed to compare outcomes between early tracheostomy (ET) and late tracheostomy (LT) in trauma populations to estimate the optimal timing of tracheostomy after intubation.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the 5 years' data of trauma patients who underwent tracheostomy during their acute intensive care unit (ICU) stay.

Implementation of Trauma Center and Massive Transfusion Protocol Improves Outcomes for Major Trauma Patients: A Study at a Single Institution in Korea.

Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of the implementation of a trauma center and massive transfusion protocol (TCMTP) in a developing country without a well-established trauma system.

Methods: We included patients (1) aged >15 years, (2) with an Injury Severity Score >15, (3) who received ≥10 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) within 24 h, (4) who directly visited our institution from 2010 to 2016, and (5) who survived for ≥24 h. Patients treated during the post-TCMTP period (2015-2016) were compared with historical groups treated pre-TCMTP (2010-2012) and interim-TCMTP (2013-2014).

Efficacy of Uncross-Matched Type O Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion to Traumatic Shock Patients: a Propensity Score Match Study.

A new blood bank system was established in our trauma bay, which allowed immediate utilization of uncross-matched type O packed red blood cells (UORBCs). We investigated the efficacy of UORBC compared to that of the ABO type-specific packed red blood cells (ABO RBCs) from before the bank was installed. From March 2016 to February 2017, data from trauma patients who received UORBCs in the trauma bay were compared with those of trauma patients who received ABO RBCs from January 2013 to December 2015.

Trauma surgery without proper compensation under the current Korean National Health Insurance System.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the situations and problems of the current health insurance fees for trauma surgeries.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records and billing data from trauma surgeries performed in the hospital from August 2012 to July 2014. The name and number of surgeries were investigated and the code and number of operations prescribed by surgeons were compared with the number of cases actually billed to insurance.

The Applicability of Trauma and Injury Severity Score for a Blunt Trauma Population in Korea and a Proposal of New Models Using Score Predictors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify the utility of existing Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) coefficients and to propose a new prediction model with a new set of TRISS coefficients or predictors.

Materials And Methods: Of the blunt adult trauma patients who were admitted to our hospital in 2014, those eligible for Korea Trauma Data Bank entry were selected to collect the TRISS predictors. The study data were input into the TRISS formula to obtain "probability of survival" values, which were examined for consistency with actual patient survival status.

Risk factors for mortality of severe trauma based on 3 years' data at a single Korean institution.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the mortality rate in patients with severe trauma and the risk factors for trauma mortality based on 3 years' data in a regional trauma center in Korea.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of severe trauma patients admitted to Ajou University Hospital with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15 between January 2010 and December 2012. Pearson chi-square tests and Student t-tests were conducted to examine the differences between the survived and deceased groups.

Central Venous Catheter-Related Infection in Severe Trauma Patients.

Aim: To evaluate the CVC-related infection rate according to catheter insertion site and to analyze the risk factors for catheter-related local infections (CRLI) and bloodstream infections (CRBSI) among severe trauma patients.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 736 severe trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score of >15. Poisson regression was used to compare the infection rates according to the catheter insertion sites.

Management of severe blunt liver injuries by applying the damage control strategies with packing-oriented surgery: experiences at a single institution in Korea.

Background/aims: This study was conducted to investigate effective management strategies for patients with severe blunt liver injuries.

Methodology: Treatment methods and outcomes of 77 patients with grade IV-V damage among patients with liver injury managed between 2009 and 2013 were investigated.

Results: Of the 77 patients, 32 were managed surgically.