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%, p < 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.

Citations

• Deep learning-based survival outcomes of REBOA vs resuscitative thoracotomy in trauma: a nationwide cohort study in South Korea
  Jayun Cho, Jiyeon Oh, Soeun Kim, Jaehyeong Cho, Dong Keon Yon, Wu Seong Kang
  International Journal of Surgery.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
This study evaluated the surgical volumes and types of specific surgical procedures in a single trauma center for 3 consecutive years.
Methods
From January 2014 to December 2016 there were 9,530 injury cases in the trauma registry that were reviewed.
Results
There were 1,502 patients (15.8%) with an injury severity score over 15, of which 426 (28.4%) underwent an emergency operation or had an interventional radiology procedure. There were 186 craniotomies, 87 laparotomies, and 74 interventional radiology procedures performed.
Conclusion
The number of emergency operations by each dedicated trauma surgeon was very low therefore implementation of an acute-care surgery model is appropriate to consider together with changes to the training program for trauma surgeons.

Citations

• Integrating acute care surgery in South Korea: enhancing trauma and non-trauma emergency care
  Jin Young Lee, Seheon Kim, Jin Bong Ye, Jin Suk Lee, Younghoon Sul
  World Journal of Emergency Surgery.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Role of Trauma Surgeons at a Regional Trauma Center in South Korea
  Dongmin Seo, Inhae Heo, Hohyung Jung, Kyoungwon Jung
  Journal of Acute Care Surgery.2024; 14(3): 94.     CrossRef
• Understanding Regional Trauma Centers and managing a trauma care system in South Korea: a systematic review
  Jeehye Im, Eun Won Seo, Kyoungwon Jung, Junsik Kwon
  Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research.2023; 104(2): 61.     CrossRef
• Trauma provision in South-West Nigeria: Epidemiology, challenges and priorities
  Tochukwu Nonso Enemuo
  African Journal of Emergency Medicine.2022; 12(3): 276.     CrossRef