Der Unfallchirurg
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Optimal timing of operative treatment of upper extremity long bone fractures in polytraumatized patients depends on the type and location of the fractures, as well as on the cardiorespiratory stability of the patient, and should be early in diaphyseal fractures in order to optimize intensive care treatment. The timing of surgery in cases of upper limb fractures is secondary to life-saving therapies. The same applies to stabilization of fractures of the lower limbs, including fractures of the femur and tibial shaft. ⋯ Amputations at the upper extremity in polytraumatized patients are only occasionally indicated in very severe injuries. In injuries involving total amputation, depending on the condition of the limb, immediate reattachment should be attempted if the cardiorespiratory situation of the patient is stable.
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Operability is mainly determined by the interaction between the magnitude of an operation and the patient's tolerance for the procedure. A further factor is the benefit gained by performing the procedure versus the sequelae caused by its omission. ⋯ The pathophysiological consequences of accidental trauma show a phasic course with respect to the immunomodulatory response. An operative trauma inflicted by a secondary surgical intervention contributes an additional burden. Depending on the inflammatory phase during which this secondary hit is inflicted there may be a disturbance of homoeostasis that may even lead to multiple organ failure. Whether this happens can depend on type and magnitude of the surgical intervention. Minor operations result in smaller systemic effects and will be less critical with respect to operability.
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Foot injuries in polytraumatized patients are not critical for survival but for the later quality of life. Closed fractures or dislocations of the foot are frequently overlooked or misinterpreted in association with polytrauma, which leads to severe functional impairment in those patients who survive. Repeated clinical examinations and early radiographic examinations are essential in the unconscious patient after resuscitation. ⋯ Emergent reduction of fracture dislocations of the talus, calcaneus, Chopart's and Lisfranc's joints via direct approaches and temporary transfixation with K-wires should be attempted in a first step whenever possible. Additional external fixation facilitates wound care and prevents soft tissue contractions until definite internal fixation becomes feasible. Early soft tissue coverage is always sought in order to avoid infection.
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Review
[Operative strategies for hand injuries in multiple trauma. A systematic review of the literature].
Hand injuries are not life threatening but crucial in multiple trauma because of their long-term functional results. The goal of this systematic review was to derive recommendations for diagnostic and treatment procedures from a systematic review of the literature. ⋯ Hand injuries represent important lesions in multiple trauma. Due to the life-threatening situation they may be overlooked in the beginning of the treatment. Because of their long-term consequences for function and health-related quality of life, hand injuries require an early and accurate diagnosis and a differentiated treatment strategy.
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Lower extremity injuries make up a substantial proportion of the injuries in multiply injured patients. The aim of this systematic literature analysis was to give an overview of the levels of evidence for different management strategies in the first operative phase after long-bone injuries of the lower extremity in multiply injured patients to enable, in the presence of adequate evidence, the development of clinical management corridors or, if the evidence was found to be inadequate, to document the necessity for scientific proof. ⋯ Numerous comparative studies (EL 2) dealing with management strategies in the first operative phase after long-bone injuries of the lower extremity in multiply injured patients are available, but there are only a few randomized studies. Based on the available data, it is possible to develop a rational therapy for this patient population.