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Original Articles
Changes in severe injuries of child and adolescent pedestrians in child protection zones after the revision of the Road Traffic Act in Korea: a retrospective nationwide observational study
Eun Sook Ryu, Jae Ho Jang, Jae Yeon Choi, Woo Sung Choi, Sung Youl Hyun
J Trauma Inj. 2025;38(4):366-372.   Published online December 31, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2025.0255
  • 1,413 View
  • 29 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
Purpose
This study aimed to analyze changes in injury severity among child pedestrians following the implementation of the revised Road Traffic Act (the "Minsik Law") in Korea’s child protection zones on March 25, 2020.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis using the nationwide Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) database. The pre-amendment period (January 2018 to February 2020; n=1,480) was compared with the post-amendment period (March 2021 to December 2023; n=1,085) for pedestrian accident patients under 13 years of age, applying a 1-year washout period to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary outcome was severe injury, defined as an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of ≥15. Multivariate logistic regression was used for the assessment.
Results
A total of 2,565 patients were included. The proportion of severe injuries (ISS ≥15) decreased from 63.1% to 53.6% after the amendment, although this trend did not reach statistical significance (P=0.085). However, after adjustment for age, sex, and other variables, multivariate analysis showed that the post-amendment period was independently associated with a significant 38.4% reduction in the odds of severe injury (adjusted odds ratio, 0.616; P<0.001). A significant shift in the distribution of injury sites was also noted (P<0.005).
Conclusions
The revision of the Road Traffic Act was significantly associated with reduced injury severity among child pedestrians in Korea. These findings provide strong evidence supporting the policy’s effectiveness in improving clinical outcomes and strengthening child safety.
Summary
Comparison of pedestrian injury characteristics between preschoolers and early school-aged children in Korea: a cross-sectional study
Ha Na Jeong, Chan Yong Park
J Trauma Inj. 2025;38(3):211-220.   Published online September 29, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2025.0040
  • 1,930 View
  • 31 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
Purpose
Pedestrian traffic injuries pose a significant public health issue worldwide and remain prevalent in Korea despite ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety. To inform future initiatives aimed at addressing this problem, this study compared pedestrian injuries between preschoolers (aged 4–5 years) and early school-aged children (aged 6–7 years), using national data on pedestrian injuries in these groups.
Methods
This study analyzed secondary data from the 2020 Community-Based Severe Trauma Surveillance (2016–2020). Injury-related characteristics and outcome variables were compared between the two age groups. Additionally, the distribution of pedestrian injuries was analyzed by month, day, and time.
Results
Of 413 pedestrian injuries, 173 (41.9%) occurred in preschoolers and 240 (58.1%) occurred in early school-aged children. Injuries most frequently occurred in July for preschoolers (18.5%) and in June for early school-aged children (13.3%). Preschoolers experienced more injuries on Saturdays (22.0%), whereas early school-aged children had higher injury rates on Tuesdays and Thursday both (17.9%). Peak injury times were around 5 PM for preschoolers (16.2%) with a secondary peak at 9 AM (15.6%). For early school-aged children, 5 and 6 PM were peak injury times (both 14.6%), with a secondary peak at 3 PM (14.2%). The severe injury group (Injury Severity Score, 16–75) had a significantly higher mortality rate than the mild/moderate injury group (Injury Severity Score, 1–15; odds ratio, 5.65; P=0.006). Furthermore, the mortality rate was significantly higher at local emergency centers than at regional trauma centers (odds ratio, 4.00; P=0.011).
Conclusions
Understanding the distinct characteristics of pedestrian injuries among young children can inform targeted interventions and policies, ultimately mitigating this problem and improving traffic safety for children in Korea and globally.
Summary
Case Reports
Successful minimally invasive reduction surgery with a micro burr hole in a pediatric patient with depressed skull fracture: a case report
Seung Han Yu, Hyuk Jin Choi, Byung Chul Kim, Mahn Jeong Ha
J Trauma Inj. 2025;38(3):307-311.   Published online June 25, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2025.0015
  • 2,632 View
  • 35 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
A 5-year-old female pediatric patient with head trauma was transferred to our regional trauma center. A depressed skull fracture measuring 45 mm in diameter and 6 mm in depth was diagnosed using a 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) scan. Despite the absence of significant neurological symptoms, the extent of the depression necessitated surgical intervention on the third day of hospitalization. Using a 2 mm micro burr, two holes were drilled at strategically selected points of the fracture identified by 3D CT. Adson blunt dissecting hooks were inserted through the burr holes to elevate and reduce the fracture. Postoperative CT scans, including a follow-up scan on the 36th day, demonstrated stable reduction. The minimally invasive technique applied for pediatric depressed skull fracture reduction may significantly reduce pain, shorten recovery time, and decrease hospitalization duration, yielding favorable outcomes.
Summary
Successful Damage Control Resuscitation with Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in a Pediatric Patient
Yoonjung Heo, Sung Wook Chang, Dong Hun Kim
J Trauma Inj. 2020;33(3):170-174.   Published online September 30, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2020.0012
  • 7,321 View
  • 115 Download
  • 2 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is considered an emerging adjunct therapy for profound hemorrhagic shock, as it can maintain temporary stability until definitive repair of the injury. However, there is limited information about the use of this procedure in children. Herein, we report a case of REBOA in a pediatric patient with blunt trauma, wherein the preoperative deployment of REBOA played a pivotal role in damage control resuscitation. A 7-year-old male patient experienced cardiac arrest after a motor vehicle accident. After 30 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, spontaneous circulation was achieved. The patient was diagnosed with massive hemoperitoneum. REBOA was then performed under ongoing resuscitative measures. An intra-aortic balloon catheter was deployed above the supraceliac aorta, which helped achieved permissive hypotension while the patient was undergoing surgery. After successful bleeding control with small bowel resection for mesenteric avulsion, thorough radiologic evaluations revealed hypoxic brain injury. The patient died from deterioration of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Although the patient did not survive, a postoperative computed tomography scan revealed neither remaining intraperitoneal injury nor peripheral ischemia correlated with the insertion of a 7-Fr sheath. Hence, REBOA can be a successful bridge therapy, and this result may facilitate the further usage of REBOA to save pediatric patients with non-compressible torso hemorrhage.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Hemodynamic and pathological Effects of aortic occlusion during Resuscitation: An ex vivo circulatory platform and in vivo animal study
    Zhongyou Li, Lingjun Liu, Fei Gao, Yu Chen, Taoping Bai, Wentao Jiang, Chong Chen, Ming Zhang
    Journal of Biomechanics.2026; 203: 113325.     CrossRef
  • Dynamic response of the aortic hemodynamic status to endovascular occlusion: A computational fluid dynamics study
    Zhongyou Li, Anyu Hou, Jiyang Zhang, Fei Gao, Feng Yan, Lingjun Liu, Taoping Bai, Ming Zhang, Wentao Jiang
    Journal of Biomechanics.2025; 184: 112680.     CrossRef
Successful TAE after DCS for Active Arterial Bleeding from Blunt Hepatic Injury in a Child: A Case Report
Chan Ik Park, Sang Bong Lee, Kwang Hee Yeo, Seungchan Lee, Sung Jin Park, Ho Hyun Kim, Jae Hun Kim, Chang Won Kim, Chan Yong Park
J Trauma Inj. 2016;29(2):47-50.   Published online June 30, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2016.29.2.47
  • 3,402 View
  • 17 Download
  • 1 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for blunt hepatic injury in children is not common and is especially rare after damage control surgery (DCS). We report a successful TAE after DCS on a child for massive bleeding from the left hepatic artery due to a motor vehicle accident. The car (a sport utility vehicle) ran over the chest and abdomen of a 4-year-old boy. On arrival, initial vital signs were as follows: blood pressure, 70/40 mmHg; heart rate, 149/min; temperature, 36.7℃; respiratory rate, 38/min. After resuscitation, computed tomography was done, and a suspicious contrast leakage from a branch of the left hepatic artery and a spleen injury (grade V) were found. TAE was performed successfully after DCS for a liver injury.
Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Damage Control Surgery for Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Caused by Delayed Rupture of Hepatic Subcapsular Hematoma
    Chan Yong Park, Kwang Hee Yeo, Ho Hyun Kim, Seon Hee Kim, Hyun Min Cho, Hoon Kwon, Chang Ho Jeon, Chang Won Kim, Seok Ran Yeom
    Trauma Image and Procedure.2017; 2(1): 17.     CrossRef
Original Articles
Injury Analysis of Child Passenger According to the Types of Safety Restraint Systems in Motor Vehicle Crashes
Kang Min Sung, Sang Chul Kim, Hyuk Jin Jeon, Yeong Soo Kwak, Young Han Youn, Kang Hyun Lee, Jong Chan Park, Ji Hun Choi
J Trauma Inj. 2015;28(3):98-103.   Published online September 30, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2015.28.3.98
  • 3,478 View
  • 6 Download
  • 2 Citations
AbstractAbstract PDF
PURPOSE
To compare injury sustained and severity of child occupant according to the types of safety restraint systems in motor vehicle crashes.
METHODS
This was a retrospective observational study. The study subjects were child occupants under the age of 8 years who visited a local emergency center following a motor vehicle crash from 2010 to 2014. According to safety restraint: child restraint systems (CRS), belted, and unbelted, we compared injuries sustained and injury severity using the maximal Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS), and analyzed the characteristics of severe injuries (AIS2+).
RESULTS
Among 241 subjects, 9.1% were restrained in CRS, 14.5% were only belted, and 76.3% was unbelted at the time of the crashes. Fourteen had severe injuries (AIS2+), all of whom didn't be restrained by CRS. Injuries in face and neck were the highest in unbelted group, and MAIS and ISS were the lowest in CRS group.
CONCLUSION
Among safety restraint systems for child occupant in motor vehicle crashes, the CRS have the preventive effect of face and neck injuries, and are the most effective safety restraint systems.
Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Predicting child occupant crash injury severity in the United Arab Emirates using machine learning models for imbalanced dataset
    Muhammad Uba Abdulazeez, Wasif Khan, Kassim Abdulrahman Abdullah
    IATSS Research.2023; 47(2): 134.     CrossRef
  • Current use of safety restraint systems and front seats in Korean children based on the 2008–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
    Seom Gim Kong
    Korean Journal of Pediatrics.2018; 61(12): 381.     CrossRef
The Clinical Usefulness of Halo Sign on CT Image of Trauma Patients
Jong Il Jeong, Ah Jin Kim, Dong Wun Shin, Jun Young Rho, Kyung Hwan Kim, Hong Yong Kim, Jun Seok Park
J Korean Soc Traumatol. 2007;20(2):83-89.
  • 2,199 View
  • 3 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
PURPOSE
This research was performed to determine which clinical signs and symptoms of brain injury are sensitive indicators of skull fracture (SF) and intracranial injury (ICI) in head injured children.
METHODS
We conducted a prospective study of minor head trauma in children younger than 2 years of age for a 1-year period. Skull radiographs, brain computed tomography (CT), and data forms, including mechanism of injury, symptoms, physical findings, and hospital course, were completed for each child.
RESULTS
Of 137 study subjects, 17 (12.4%) had SF/ICI. Falls were the most common mechanism of injury, and heights of fall above 1 meter were associated with incidence of SF/ICI (p<0.05). Scalp abnormalities were not associated with incidence of SF/ICI. As for clinical symptoms, lethargy and a grouping of features (irritability & vomiting) were associated with incidence of SF/ICI (p<0.05). The incidence of seizure, loss of consciousness, vomiting, irritability, and scalp abnormality did not differ significantly between those with normal radiologic findings and those with SF/ICI. Among asymptomatic patients, 11 (14.5%) patients had SF/ICI, and among patients with normal scalp findings, 9 (12.7%) patients had SF/ICI.
CONCLUSION
Clinical signs and symptoms, except for lethargy and a grouping of features (irritability & vomiting), were not sensitive predictors of SF/ICI. Nevertheless, SF/ICI occurred among normal children. In such a case, a liberal policy of CT scanning is warranted.
Summary
Current Status of Intraosseous Infusion Technique Use at Emergency Departments in Korea
Sang Cheon Choi, Hyun Soo Park, Jae Woo Kim
J Korean Soc Traumatol. 2007;20(1):6-11.
  • 1,762 View
  • 2 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
PURPOSE
Gaining vascular access is difficult and time-consuming in critically ill children, so nowdays, in many countries, intraosseous vascular access is frequently used for rapid vascular access in critically ill children. Its pharmacokinetics is close to that of the peripheral intravenous route, but its infusion flow rate is faster. The purpose of this study was to determine how widely the intraosseous infusion technique was being used in Korean emergency departments.
METHODS
We telephoned forty-two (42) randomly selected university-affiliated hospitals. We asked physicians if they use the intraosseous infusion technique. Responders were emergency and pediatric residents and emergency faculty. If they responded that they were not using the intraosseous infusion technique, we asked the reason. Also, we asked about their experiences with the intraosseous infusion technique.
RESULTS
Forty-two (42) hospitals were enrolled in this study. No hospital used the intraosseous infusion technique on a regular basis. However, 8 hospitals used the intraosseous infusion technique occasionally. None of the responders had experience with the intraosseous infusion technique.
CONCLUSION
The intraosseous infusion technique is currently underrepresented at emergency departments in Korea.
Summary
ICECI Based External Causes Analysis of Severe Pediatric Injury
Ki Ok Ahn, Jae Eun Kim, Hye Young Jang, Koo Young Jung
J Korean Soc Traumatol. 2006;19(1):1-7.
  • 5,404 View
  • 13 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
PURPOSE
Injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for children. As an injury prevention measure, the differences in external causes of severe pediatric injuries based on ICECI were analyzed according to age groups.
METHODS
A retrospective study was performed for pediatric patients under 15 years of age, who had been admitted to the emergency department with severe injuries from January 1998 to December 2004. The external causes of injury were investigated according to the ICECI: intent, mechanisms, places of occurrence, objects/substances producing injury, and related activities. The patients were divided into four groups based on age: infant (< 0 year), toddler (1~4 years), preschool age (5~8 years), and school age (9~15 years).
RESULTS
The injury mechanisms, the places of occurrence and the related objects/substances vary with the age groups. The most common subtype of traffic accidents was pedestrian injury in pre-school age group. Falls most frequently occurred in the toddler group. But falls from a height of less than l meter height (6 patients) occurred only in the infant group. The most common place of occurrence in the infant group was the home, and that of other groups was the road. The related objects/substances for falls, for example, household furnitures and playground equipment depended on the age group.
CONCLUSION
The age-group specific characteristics of severe pediatric injury were analyzed successfully through the ICECI. Therefore, when establishing a plan for the prevention of pediatric injury, consideration must be given to the differences in the external causes of injuries according to age group.
Summary
Case Report
Penetrating Orbitocranial Injury of a Pencil in a Pediatric Patient
Sun Chul Hwang
J Korean Soc Traumatol. 2012;25(1):28-31.
  • 1,920 View
  • 5 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
Pencils are common instruments for children to use and play with. This report describes an unusual penetrating orbitocranial injury in a 5-year-old girl who was struck in her facewith a pencil. She was holding it at a desk, and her friend pushed her back. The pencil penetrated the left lower eyelid and went deep into the right frontal lobe through the base of the skull. It was removed at the emergency room, after which brain CT was performed to detect the development of an intracranial hematoma. No complications occurred after conservative management with antibiotics and an antiepileptic drug. Pencils can be hazardous to children, and a penetrating head injury with a pencil may be managed without cranial surgery.
Summary
Original Articles
Indications for Computed Tomography (CT) to Detect Renal Injury in Pediatric Blunt Abdominal Trauma Patients with Microscopic Hematuria
Cheolgon Go, Hye Jin Kim, Sukjin Cho, Sung Chan Oh, Sang Lae Lee, Seok Yong Ryu
J Korean Soc Traumatol. 2010;23(1):29-37.
  • 1,882 View
  • 5 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
PURPOSE
Controversy exists regarding whether pediatric blunt abdominal trauma patients with microscopic hematuria should undergo radiographic evaluation. Adult patients have indications such as shock and deceleration injury. This study was conducted to suggest indications for the use of CT to detect significant renal injury in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma patients with microscopic hematuria.
METHODS
From January 2005 to December 2009, patients less than 18 years of age with blunt abdominal trauma and microscopic hematuria who had undergone CT were included in this retrospective study. We analyzed the correlation between microscopic hematuria, shock, deceleration injury, and American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) renal injury grade. Patients were divided into two groups: the insignificant renal injury group (AAST grade 1) and the significant renal injury group (AAST grades 2-5). We compared age, gender, mechanism of injury, degree of microscopic hematuria, evidence of shock, presence of deceleration injury, and associated injuries between the two groups. We analyzed the effect of each of the above each factors on renal injury by using a logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
Forty-three children were included, and the median age was 15 years. Five children had a significant renal injury. No significant differences, except age and microscopic hematuria (more than 30 red blood cells per high power field (RBC/HPF), p = 0.005) existed between the insignificant and the significant injury groups. A positive correlation existed between renal injury and microscopic hematuria (rho = 0.406, p = 0.007), but renal injury was not correlated with shock and deceleration injury. In the multivariate regression analysis, microscopic hematuria was the only factor correlated with renal injury (p = 0.042).
CONCLUSION
If a microscopic hematuria of more than 30 RBC/HPF exists, the use of CT should be considerd, regardless of shock and deceleration injury to detect significant renal injury in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma patients.
Summary
Age-related Injury Profile in Childhood
Kyung A Ahn, Eun Sook Kim, Kyung Soo Lim
J Korean Soc Traumatol. 2009;22(1):87-96.
  • 1,773 View
  • 8 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
PURPOSE
Injuries are the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the childhood population worldwide. Thus, this study was down to investigate the type and the severity of injuries according to the age group in childhood.
METHODS
A survey of injury information and a chart review were done on 378 children (257 boys, 121 girls) who visited the Emergency Departments of Asan Medical Center from March 1, 2009, to March 31, 2009. To determine differences in injury mechanism, accident place, injury site, New Injury Severity Score (NISS) and Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS), we divided the 378 patients into 4 group: under 1 year, 1 to 4 years, 5 to 9 years, and 10 to 15 years.
RESULTS
The mean (+/-SD) age of the study group was 5.1 (+/-4.4) years. Two year olds formed the largest group of injured children, with 77 cases (20.4% of the total). The most common cause of injury in childhood was being hit by an object (26.2%). Falls were frequent in the under-1-year group (22.2%) and slip downs (30.1%) were more frequent in 1-to-4-year group. More than half (53.4%) of the injuries occurred in the home, and the most common places of home-related injuries were the living room (41.1%) and the bedroom (31.2%). The mean (+/-SD) NISS was 1.5 (+/-1.8), and traffic accidents had the highest NISS (2.8+/-5.1). Injuries occurred most frequently during the evening. The peak period was 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (33.7%).
CONCLUSION
Patterns of childhood injury by age group were considerably different, and less severe and nonhospitalized injuries were common. Thus, need to improve surveillance of a variety of injuries, promote intersectional collaboration, build institutional capacities and mobilize community support and policy as an investment in prevention.
Summary
A Pilot Study on Environmental Factors Contributing to Childhood Home Slip-Down Injuries
Jeong Min Ryu, Min Hoo Seo, Won Young Kim, Won Kim, Kyoung Soo Lim
J Korean Soc Traumatol. 2009;22(1):51-56.
  • 3,734 View
  • 4 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate environmental factors contributing to childhood home slip-down injuries.
METHODS
Among a total of 2,812 injured children in our Customer Injury Surveillance System (CISS), we performed a prospective study on 262 children with home slip-down injuries who visited the pediatric emergency department of Asan Medical Center between March 2008 and February 2009. We made a frequency analysis on parameters such as activities just before the accident, the presence of any obstacles or lubricant materials, specific home place in the home where the injuries occurred, flooring materials on which the slipdown happened, additional objects hit after slip down, the site and kind of injury, the duration of therapy, and the disposition.
RESULTS
Walking was the most common activity just before the injury. Because rooms and bathrooms were most common places in the home for slip down injuries, laminated papers/ vinyl floor coverings and tiles were the most common flooring materials used in the places where the injuries occured. Most commonly, no obstacles caused the children to slip down, but the furniture, stairs, doorsills, wetness, or soapy fluid followed after that. Over half of the children who slipped (58%) also collided with other than the floor itself after the slipdown, most common objects hit were the edges of the furniture, and doorsills, followed by stairways. The head and neck were the most commonly injured sites, and a laceration was the most common kind of injury. Most children needed less than 1 week of therapy, only 4 children (1.53%) admitted. There were no mortalities.
CONCLUSION
The environmental factors contributing to slip-down injuries were the bathroom, laminated papers/vinyl floors, the furniture, stairs, doorsills, and wetness or soapy fluid. Especially, the furniture, stairs, and doorsills can be both primary obstacles and secondary collision objects. For the safety of our children, we must consider these factors on housing, when decorating or remodeling our house.
Summary
Case Report
The Reality of Child Abuse in Korea
Kyuwhan Jung, Ho Seong Han, Do Joong Park, Seok Chan Eun
J Trauma Inj. 2012;25(4):283-286.
  • 1,933 View
  • 20 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
A trauma surgeon is always concerned about child abuse when he or she meets injured children. Abused children will be neglected if trauma surgeons only concentrate on the injured site or physical dynamics. Lately, violence on children has increased in Korea. Therefore, in this study, we considered child abuse through a review of the literatures. An eleven-year-old boy visited the emergency room vomiting with abdominal distension. He had been kicked in the abdomen by his step-mother 10 days earlier. The computed tomography revealed a transected pancreas tail and neck with a large pesudocyst (Fig. 1) and laboratory findings showed an elevated amylase level of more than 6,500 IU/L. Because he complained of severe pain with rebound tenderness on the whole abdomen, he underwent an emergent laparotomy, a distal pancreatectomy of the tail portion with an anti-leakage procedure on the cut surface of the pancreas. However, he underwent a distal pancreatectomy again on the neck portion of the pancreas because of a continuing pseudocyst with severe pain that could not be controlled with conservative managements. After that, his symptoms were improved and he returned to his daily life.
Summary
Original article
Is Local Anesthesia Necessary in Ketamine Sedation for Pediatric Facial Laceration Repair?: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study
Min Jung Ko, Jae Hyung Choi, Young Soon Cho, Jung Won Lee, Hoon Lim, Hyung Jun Moon
J Trauma Inj. 2014;27(4):178-185.
  • 2,551 View
  • 16 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of combined treatment with local anesthesia and ketamine procedural sedation for pediatric facial laceration repair in the Emergency Department (ED).
METHODS
Patients aged 1 to 5 years receiving ketamine for facial laceration repair were prospectively enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, and controlled study at an ED. All patients were to receive intravenous ketamine (2 mg/kg). The local anesthesia group (LA group) received a local anesthetic along with ketamine, whereas the no local anesthesia group (NLA group) received only ketamine. The total time of sedation, the patients' movements and groans, adverse events, and the satisfaction ratings of physicians, nurses, and parents were recorded.
RESULTS
A total of 186 patients were randomized (NLA group: 90, LA group: 96). The total time of sedation (30.5 minutes for the NLA group, 32.6 minutes for the LA group; p=0.660), patients' groans (26 (28.9%) versus 23 (24.0%); 0.446) and movements (27 (30%) versus 35 (36.5%); p=0.350) was not affected by the addition of local anesthesia. Other adverse events were similar between the two groups. Also, the satisfaction ratings of physicians (median 4 for the NLA group versus 4 for the LA group (p=0.796)), nurses (2 versus 2.5 (p=0.400)), and parents (4 versus 4 (p=0.199)) were equivalent between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
In this study, we found that local anesthesia was not required along with ketamine sedation for pediatric facial laceration repair.
Summary

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