Cheju Halla General Hospital

ObjectiveShallow water diving-related spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a significant cause of cervical spine trauma, particularly in younger individuals. This study retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of patients with SCI caused by shallow-water diving accidents at a regional trauma center on Jeju Island, South Korea. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the timing of treatment, injury characteristics, and prognosis.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with cervical SCI resulting from shallow-water diving injuries admitted to the trauma center over a 9-year period. The data were obtained from medical records and neurological outcomes were measured using the American Spinal Injury Association scale. Statistical analyses, including correlation and multiple regression analyses, were performed to identify factors influencing prognosis.ResultsThirty-four patients with cervical SCI resulting from shallow-water diving were included in this study. No statistically significant correlation was found between surgical timing and prognosis; however, significant correlations with prognosis were identified for mean canal compromise (MCC), mean spinal cord compression, and lesion length. In the multiple regression analysis, higher MCC and severe SCI, particularly hemorrhagic injury, were associated with prognosis. The mean time from injury to surgery was 1.25 days.ConclusionThis study indicates that, specifically for patients with a higher MCC but less severe SCI, appropriate and more rapid intervention may improve prognosis. However, further large-scale studies are required to clarify the favorable factors and their role in achieving a good prognosis.

There is insufficient evidence regarding the use of second-line vasopressors following norepinephrine administration in the post-resuscitation management of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the survival outcomes between norepinephrine plus epinephrine and norepinephrine plus vasopressin as vasopressor combinations after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients with OHCA. This retrospective observational study included data from a prospective multicenter registry. Adult patients with OHCA who achieved sustained ROSC and received vasopressor combinations of norepinephrine plus epinephrine or norepinephrine plus vasopressin were included in the study. The variable of interest was the vasopressor combination either norepinephrine plus epinephrine or norepinephrine plus vasopressin within 24 h from sustained ROSC. The primary outcome was survival to discharge. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. Between October 2015 and June 2024, 901 patients were analyzed. Survival to discharge and good neurological outcome were significantly higher in the group with norepinephrine plus epinephrine than in the group with norepinephrine plus vasopressin (17.0% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.001, and 8.1% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.002, respectively). Norepinephrine plus vasopressin was independently associated with worse survival to discharge and neurological outcome compared to norepinephrine plus epinephrine, after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.454, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.277–0.746, p = 0.002 and aOR 0.346, 95% CI 0.150–0.794, p = 0.012, respectively). These findings were maintained in multiple regression models and sensitivity analyses. Norepinephrine plus epinephrine administration within 24 h from sustained ROSC showed better survival to discharge than norepinephrine plus vasopressin in patients with OHCA.

Non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary is extremely rare and presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Early recognition, appropriate surgical intervention, and adjuvant chemotherapy are essential for successful management. This case underscores the importance of considering choriocarcinoma in the differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors, especially in perimenopausal women with vascular mass. We present the case of a 47-year-old sexually active woman with a history of pelvic pain, diagnosed with non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with successful management using the bleomycin, etoposide, and platinum (BEP) regimen. This case highlights the importance of early detection and appropriate management of this rare entity.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the utilization and outcomes of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in managing noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) among trauma patients in Korea. The evolution of REBOA and its impact on patient survival was investigated as well as predictors of mortality.Methods: This retrospective study included 234 post-REBOA patients from 5 leading regional trauma centers across Korea between 2016 and 2021. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were various clinical parameters regarding REBOA, overall treatment flow, and complications. For comparative analyses, patients were dichotomized into in-hospital non-survivors or survivors. Then, generalized additive and linear regression models were used to evaluate the trend of in-hospital mortality.Results: The overall in-hospital mortality was 65.4%. The survivors had a higher proportion of responders following REBOA (87.7% vs 62.7%, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Key variables influencing outcomes included total occlusion time, red blood cell transfusion volume within the first 24 hours, revised trauma score, and systolic blood pressure gap. These factors significantly correlated with mortality rates in multivariate logistic regression.Conclusion: Over 6 years, survival rates for NCTH patients undergoing REBOA in Korea have shown improvement. Despite diverse REBOA protocols across institutions, the results underscore the need for continued research, standardized practices, and national quality control measures to further optimize patient outcome and establish more effective treatment protocols for NCTH.

PurposeRecent advancements in interventional radiology have made angioembolization an invaluable modality in trauma care. Angioembolization is typically performed by interventional radiologists. In this study, we aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of emergency angioembolization performed by trauma surgeons.MethodsWe identified trauma patients who underwent emergency angiography due to significant trauma-related hemorrhage between January 2020 and June 2023 at Jeju Regional Trauma Center. Until May 2022, two dedicated interventional radiologists performed emergency angiography at our center. However, since June 2022, a trauma surgeon with a background and experience in vascular surgery has performed emergency angiography for trauma-related bleeding. The indications for trauma surgeon–performed angiography included significant hemorrhage from liver injury, pelvic injury, splenic injury, or kidney injury. We assessed the angiography results according to the operator of the initial angiographic procedure. The term “failure of the first angioembolization” was defined as rebleeding from any cause, encompassing patients who underwent either re-embolization due to rebleeding or surgery due to rebleeding.ResultsNo significant differences were found between the interventional radiologists and the trauma surgeon in terms of re-embolization due to rebleeding, surgery due to rebleeding, or the overall failure rate of the first angioembolization. Mortality and morbidity rates were also similar between the two groups. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis evaluating failure after the first angioembolization, pelvic embolization emerged as the sole significant risk factor (adjusted odds ratio, 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–10.33; P=0.041). Trauma surgeon–performed angioembolization was not deemed a significant risk factor in the multivariable logistic regression model.ConclusionsTrauma surgeons, when equipped with the necessary endovascular skills and experience, can safely perform angioembolization. To further improve quality control, an enhanced training curriculum for trauma surgeons is warranted.

Background:It is unknown whether the outcomes achieved in the early period after revision lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (RLMAT) are maintained through the midterm period.Purpose:To evaluate the midterm clinical and radiological results of patients who underwent RLMAT.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:We reviewed the outcomes of 19 RLMATs in 18 patients with at least 5 years of follow-up data. The mean follow-up period was 6 ± 1.1 years (range, 5-8.5 years). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Lysholm score, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, and the Tegner activity level. Radiographic progression of arthritis was measured by the absolute and relative joint space widths on 45° of knee flexion posteroanterior radiographs preoperatively, 1 year postoperatively, and at the latest follow-up.Failure was defined as meniscocapsular separation, removal, or tear of more than half of the meniscal allograft on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or conversion to total knee arthroplasty. Of the 18 patients, 3 underwent ≥2 RLMATs. The survival rate was evaluated according to the number of revision surgeries.Results:For knees with an intact meniscus transplant at the final follow-up, the modified Lysholm and IKDC scores were significantly improved compared with preoperatively, but the Tegner activity level was unchanged. No significant differences were found in the absolute and relative joint space widths postoperatively. There were 6 failures within 3 years after RLMAT; the overall 5-year survival rate was 68.4% (13/19 knees). All failed knees showed bucket-handle tear patterns on MRI due to meniscocapsular healing failure. The survival rate decreased as the number of RLMATs increased—73.3% for a first RLMAT (n = 15 knees), 66.7% for a second RLMAT (n = 3 knees), and 0% for a third RLMAT (n = 1 knee). Midterm MRIs of 8 well-healed RLMATs showed evidence of meniscal degeneration; nonetheless, this did not affect clinical outcomes.Conclusion:The midterm results of RLMATs demonstrated a 5-year survival rate of 68.4% and positive clinical and radiological outcomes for failed MATs despite unimproved activity levels. Inadequate meniscocapsular healing was the leading cause of failure, and it needs to be carefully considered when performing RLMATs.