Der Unfallchirurg
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Case Reports
[Isolated fracture of the lesser trochanter-What age-related differences are important?]
Isolated fractures of the lesser trochanter are very rare injuries. This case report describes the age-related differences based on two cases. A 13-year-old girl suffered an avulsion fracture of the lesser trochanter while sprinting. ⋯ After 3 months she could return to the preinjury functional level without impairments. A 55-year-old woman also suffered an isolated fracture of the lesser trochanter, which was a pathological fracture due to a breast cancer metastasis. The cause of an isolated fracture of the lesser trochanter in adults is assumed to be the sign of an underlying malignant disease, until this has been disproven.
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A mass casualty event (MCE) poses an enormous challenge for rescue services and hospitals. In addition to a hospital emergency plan, employee training and practice exercises are essential to be prepared for such an event. ⋯ Depending on the size (number of patients) and scope (extent of departments involved) of the MCE exercise in a hospital, a full-size MCE drill may entail costs between 10,000 and 100,000€. Since the execution of such exercises is essential in the sense of preparedness and considering quality management aspects, possibilities of refinancing and more cost-efficient training must be developed.
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Fractures of the lateral humeral condyle with displacement (>2 mm; <2 mm articular gap) require open reduction and stabilization. Non-displaced fractures should be treated conservatively; however, there are difficulties in the differentiation of complete (potentially unstable) an incomplete (stable) articular fractures. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of conservative and operative treatment approaches as well as the accuracy of treatment decisions based on fracture stability displayed on repetitive X‑rays. ⋯ Treatment decisions in pediatric lateral humeral condyle fractures are based on the primary and secondary fracture stability as observed in staged follow-up radiographs. Stable fractures, whether complete or incomplete, healed with good results after conservative treatment and overtreatment could be avoided. Unstable fractures, whether primary or secondary during the course, need to be recognized as such and operative treatment with a stable osteosynthesis must be initiated.
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In the treatment of pelvic ring and acetabular fractures percutaneous screw osteosynthesis provides the advantage of minimal soft tissue damage. The techniques are frequently used in combination with open osteosynthesis and less frequently as stand-alone procedures. A preoperative planning with the aid of computed tomography (CT) and knowledge of the intraoperative radiological fluoroscopy adjustment are prerequisites for an accurate placement of the screws. This article describes the indications and techniques for frequently used percutaneous screws.
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Iatrogenic damage to the ulnar nerve after crossed Kirschner wire osteosynthesis of supracondylar humeral fractures is a preventable complication in pediatric traumatology, which occurs in up to 10% of cases. There are strategies in the literature for avoiding this complication but no consistent suggestions for action in the presence of the damage. ⋯ Respondents used the clinical extent of the lesion, the timing of the diagnosis and the nature of primary care as criteria for the indications in postoperative ulnar nerve damage. Differences in outcome between invasive and waiting strategies cannot be derived from the study.