Der Unfallchirurg
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Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2002, a total of 50 patients with a dislocated or unstable fracture of the proximal humerus were treated surgically with a titanium helix wire introduced retrogradely into the medullary cavity. ⋯ Thus, the procedure does not achieve better functional results compared to other rigid and semirigid internal fixation methods while it has a high complication and revision rate compared to other rigid and semirigid internal fixation methods. Moreover, early functional treatment is not possible so that the titanium helix wire represents a retention aid rather than stable internal fixation. Overall we cannot recommend the procedure for the operative management of proximal humerus fractures further and have abandoned it ourselves.
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Traumatic facet dislocations and facet-fracture dislocations in the lower cervical spine (C2/C3 to C7/T1) are frequently associated with devastating neurological symptoms. A good outcome can only be achieved if the operator has wide and sound knowledge of reduction techniques and the best possible strategy is devised for the subsequent treatment of these severe lesions. ⋯ Closed reduction (e.g. with the aid of a halo ring) should be carried out as soon as possible after lower cervical spine dislocation or facet-fracture dislocation, as both the success rate of reduction and the potential for recovery from neurological deficits are clearly higher when reduction is achieved within the first 4 h after the initial injury.