Distribution of Trauma Deaths in a Province of Korea: Is “Trimodal” Distribution Relevant Today?
10.3349/ymj.2020.61.3.229
- Author:
Kyungjin HWANG
1
;
Kyoungwon JUNG
;
Junsik KWON
;
Jonghwan MOON
;
Yunjung HEO
;
John Cook Jong LEE
;
Yo HUH
Author Information
1. Division of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. ermdhuhyo@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Trauma death;
cause of death;
mechanism of injury;
injuries and wounds;
trauma system;
trimodal
- MeSH:
Cause of Death;
Central Nervous System;
Hemorrhage;
Humans;
Korea;
Wounds and Injuries
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2020;61(3):229-234
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
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). Additionally, the distribution of deaths within 24 hours was further analyzed. We also reviewed the distribution of deaths according to the cause of death and mechanism of injury.RESULTS: Of the 1546 trauma deaths, 328 cases were included in the final study population. Patients who died within a day were the most prevalent (40.9%). Of those who died within a day, the cases within an hour accounted for 40.3% of the highest proportion. The majority of trauma deaths within 4 hours were caused by traffic-related accidents (60.4%). The deaths caused by bleeding and central nervous system injuries accounted for most (70.1%) of the early deaths, whereas multi-organ dysfunction syndrome/sepsis had the highest ratio (69.7%) in the late deaths. Statistically significant differences were found in time distribution according to the mechanism of injury and cause of death (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: The distribution of overall timing of death was shown to follow a bimodal pattern rather than a trimodal model in Korea. Based on our findings, a suitable and modified trauma system must be developed.
