Der Unfallchirurg
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Pseudoarthrosis and cubitus valgus as main complications following displaced fractures of the radial condyle in children can be prevented by open reduction and fixation by K wires. However, delayed union and stimulation of the radial physis with condylar overgrowth and varisation of the elbow as well as fishtail deformities of the distal end of the humerus are reported nevertheless. To prevent those growth disturbances all primary and secondary (4-day X-ray control) displaced fractures of the radial condyle, i.e. those with a central gap of more than 2 mm, were prospectively treated by open reduction and osteosynthesis with a metaphyseal lag screw beginning 1974. Sixty-six patients (41 boys, 25 girls) with an average follow-up of 10 years (2-22 years) sustained 28 primary and 6 secondary displaced fractures. In 5 cases a K wire fixation was performed in view of the smallness of the fragment. Two children with conservative treatment following overlooked displaced fractures showed condylar overgrowth and varisation of the elbow. Screw osteosynthesis led to symmetric elbow angles and function in all cases, whereas fishtail deformities could be observed in 8 of 27 children, probably as a consequence of the remaining central fracture instability. ⋯ Open reduction and osteosynthesis with a metaphyseal lag screw prevents condylar overgrowth in displaced fractures of the radial condyle by guaranteeing fracture healing in anatomic position within 3-4 weeks. However, fishtail deformity can not be prevented by metaphyseal compression only.
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Blunt chest trauma is the leading cause of thoracic injuries in Germany, penetrating chest injuries are rare. Hereby, single or multiple rib fractures, hemato-pneumothorax and pulmonary contusion represent the most common injuries. The early management of thoracic injuries consists of detection and sufficient therapy of acute life threatening situations like tension pneumothorax, acute respiratory insufficiency or severe intrathoracic bleeding. ⋯ Early intubation and PEEP-ventilation, alternate prone and supine positioning of multiple injured patients with lung contusion and differentiated concepts of volume- and catecholamine therapy represent the basic therapeutic principles. Additionally, the entire early trauma management of multiple injured patients must focus on the presence of pulmonary contusion. Every additional burden on their pulmonary microvascular system like microembolisation during femoral nailing, the trauma burden of extended surgery or mediator release in septic states may cause rapid decompensation and organ failure and therefore, has to be avoided.
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In an overview the clinical and academic problems of this kind of fractures are described and their treatment is discussed. The most important problem is the pseudarthrosis that can happen in the framework of a conservative treatment of displaced fractures, rarely after operative treatment with K-wires. A rather academic problem is the obligatory growth disturbance of a partial stimulation of the lateral part of the growth plate. ⋯ Pseudarthrosis, varus and fishtail deformity are a result of increasing instability of primarily or secondarily displaced fractures. All three problems can be avoided by metaphyseal compression osteosynthesis with an AO small-fragment screw with an additional axial K wire in the trochlea. Our own long-term results are shown and compared with the results of other procedures in the literature.
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Comparative Study
[Prognosis of proximal radius fractures in the growth period].
Fractures of the proximal radius in children may lead to deformities of the radial head and functional disturbance of pro- and supination. However, traumatization is not only caused by the injury itself, but may also occur secondary to surgical reduction, manipulation of fracture fragments and excessive physiotherapy. In a prospective long-term follow-study (2-20 years after trauma) of 38 children with displaced proximal radius fractures we found functional disturbances in 11% of children only. ⋯ Functional impairment was mainly seen after open reduction or secondary growth disturbances. On follow-up radiographs all conservatively treated fracture angulations up to 60 degrees had corrected themselves spontaneously. In view of the high complication rates after open reduction and the poor functional results, as well as the inconvenience for the pediatric patient and the economic aspects, we recommend a primary conservative treatment concept of proximal radius fractures in children.
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To calculate canal compromise and decrease of midsagittal diameter caused by retropulsion of fragments into the spinal canal we analyzed the pre- and postoperative computed tomographies of 32 patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures treated by USS (universal spine system). Our intention was to examine the efficiency of ultrasound guided repositioning of the dispaced fragments which was performed in all 32 cases. We found a clear postoperative enlargement of canal area (ASP preoperatively 55%, postop. 80%) and midsagittal diameter (MSD preop. 58%, postop. 78%). 10 of 13 patients presented a postoperative improvement of neurological deficit, no neurological deterioration occurred. ⋯ Below L 1 the spinal canal is greater than between Th 11 and L 1, so a more important spinal stenosis is tolerated. In case of unstable burst fractures with neurological deficit the ultrasound guided spinal fracture reposition is an effective procedure concerning the necessary improvement of spinal stenosis: an additional ventral approach for the revision of the spinal canal is unneeded. In fractures without neurologic deficit the repositioning of the displaced fragments promises an avoidance of long-term damages such as myelopathia and claudicatio spinalis.