Der Unfallchirurg
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Needlestick injuries (NSI) of healthcare personnel (HCP) are work-related accidents with a risk of transmission of blood-borne human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV). Along with preventive measures to avoid accidental NSI, preventing the risk and diagnosis of an infection from NSI are given a high priority. Thus, follow-up monitoring of NSI is of great interest. ⋯ Through adequate management and follow-up of NSI low transmission rates can be achieved after exposure to blood-borne viruses within the occupational environment.
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A small proportion of patients with exertional leg pain (ELP) have deep posterior chronic exertional compartment syndrome (dp-CECS). These individuals report pain, tightness and cramps deep in the calf muscles that are elicited by exercise, but may also be present during rest to a lesser extent. Physical examination often reveals painful palpation of the flexor muscles in the area immediately dorsomedial to the tibial bone. ⋯ Various entities may mimic or coincide with dp-CECS, including medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) and popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). Fasciotomy of multiple flexor muscles is the only treatment that achieves a beneficial outcome. The aim of this overview is to discuss the diagnosis and management of dp-CECS.
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A small portion of patients suffer from severe knee pain following previous knee surgery or a trauma. Awareness among traumatologists regarding a neuropathic origin of this persistent knee pain is poor. Ongoing pain close to the knee may be caused by damage of the infrapatellar nerve (IN). ⋯ This study includes 15 patients having IN damage who were offered a step-up regimen including lidocaine injections, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) or neurectomy. Success (>50% drop in numeric rating scale pain score) was attained in 11 (73% success rate, 9 month median follow-up). The aim of this contribution is to increase knowledge regarding this illusive entity and to discuss the efficacy of our treatment protocol.
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An error-resistant safety culture can only be achieved through proactive clinical risk management. In April 2019 the Federal Joint Committee once again increased the pressure on hospitals by means of the Quality Promotion and Enforcement Directive (QFD Directive) to take measures within the framework of clinical risk management in order to reduce the error and harm rate and therefore to significantly improve patient safety. In the long term this can only be achieved by positively influencing the safety culture and thus the attitudes and motives of all employees. ⋯ This not only improves patient safety but also protects employees from negative consequences. Effective clinical risk management always follows a systemic approach, the 10 fields of action of which are discussed in this article. Large meta-analyses have also confirmed the substantial economic benefit of a clinical risk management.
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The exact incidence of postoperative periprosthetic humeral fractures (PPHF) months or years after fracture-related implantation of a hemiprosthesis is unknown. The currently available literature is predominantly concerned with operative treatment approaches. As a rule, these involved older patients and severe fracture conditions so that severe complications and unsatisfactory healing results were described. This article presents an alternative conservative treatment approach which is discussed based on the results of treatment. ⋯ The conservative treatment of PPHF can be a safe treatment option in multimorbid and chronically ill patients. A close outpatient control and good patient compliance are important. In incompliant and dementia patients, the risk of failure of conservative treatment is increased.