J Acute Care Surg.  2024 Nov;14(3):94-101. 10.17479/jacs.2024.14.3.94.

Role of Trauma Surgeons at a Regional Trauma Center in South Korea

• Seo D
• Heo I
• Jung H
• Jung K

• KMID: 2561027
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17479/jacs.2024.14.3.94

Abstract

Purpose
Treatment at a dedicated trauma center significantly reduces the mortality rate after trauma. High-quality trauma care requires well-established systems. Moreover, the presence of an on-site trauma surgeon during resuscitation improves outcomes. Although the trauma system history, including trauma centers in South Korea, is relatively short, it has developed rapidly, and trauma surgeons’ roles have also been established. This study aimed to show clinical performance, particularly in trauma surgery, and the outcomes of a regional trauma center serving as a Level 1 trauma center in South Korea.
Methods
Using the Korean Trauma Data Bank, data collected at Ajou University Hospital Trauma Center between January 2020 and December 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. Patients’ demographic characteristics, mechanisms of injuries, trauma surgery types, and outcomes were evaluated.
Results
There were 9,205 patients admitted with trauma, of whom 1,149 underwent trauma surgery (including laparotomy, thoracotomy, pelvic packing, neck surgery, and peripheral vascular surgery). A total of 1,787 trauma surgeries were performed, and the mean time to surgery for hypotensive patients with hemorrhagic shock from arrival was approximately 50 minutes. Damage control surgery including laparotomy, thoracotomy, and pelvic packing accounted for 12% of cases. It was determined that the mortality rate (excluding death on arrival) was less than 5%, and the length of hospital stay decreased over the study period.
Conclusion
Clinical performance, particularly in trauma surgery, conducted by dedicated trauma surgeons, has led to favorable clinical outcomes at a regional trauma center in South Korea.

Keyword

laparotomy, thoracotomy, trauma centers, vascular surgical procedures, wounds and injury