Der Unfallchirurg
-
Clinical studies do not allow a quantitative correlation between stability of fracture fixation and outcome of bone healing. This limits the biomechanical improvement of fracture fixation techniques. The most practical quantitative parameter to describe the stability of a fracture fixation is the stiffness. ⋯ To circumvent complex and time consuming calculations for several fixations a map was calculated which shows the expected bone healing quality as a function of the axial stiffness and the shear stiffness of the fixation device. By comparing the stiffness of various fixation techniques with the stiffness map it becomes evident that the methods most often used (e.g. unreamed nail, plate and external fixator) have a low shear and/or rotational stiffness that is too low to achieve the optimal healing outcome. The high axial stiffness of plates next to the plate surface can lead to very low tissue strain directly adjacent to the plate and can delay the bone healing process at this location.
-
Volume therapy is a cornerstone of early resuscitation of severely injured trauma patients, but the optimal strategy remains under debate. A recent Cochrane review could not find evidence for or against early volume replacement or large versus small amounts of fluid. ⋯ Current guidelines and recommendations advocate the initiation of volume replacement at a reduced level in bleeding and hypotensive trauma patients in terms of "permissive hypotension," with the aim of maintaining mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) at 65 mm Hg and/or target systolic blood pressure at 80-90 mm Hg so as not to exacerbate the bleeding until its source can be controlled. Advanced Trauma Life Support principles, together with independent measurements of hemoglobin, base excess, and/or lactate, are recommended as sensitive tests for assessing the extent of bleeding and shock. Isotonic crystalloid solutions should be used as first-line volume replacement in bleeding, hypotensive trauma patients. Specific recommendations apply for patients with traumatic brain injury.
-
Sex parity of medical students has increased to the degree that approximately 50 % of medical students are women. Orthopedic and trauma surgery, however, has not managed to keep up with this trend and women are still grossly underrepresented. ⋯ The effectiveness of the approach will have to be proven by further evaluation, especially with respect to assessment of career development and application rates of participants. Adaptation of environmental and working conditions to suit women's needs seem to play an important role in promoting new surgery residents.
-
The aim was minimally invasive osteosynthesis of a distal fibular fracture under the premises of poor soft tissue conditions and existing chronic comorbidities to enable rapid recovery and to reduce soft tissue stress in order to avoid postoperative infections and achieve early weight bearing. ⋯ Study currently ongoing, no complications or revisions so far.
-
Locking head systems are an additional option in the surgical treatment of metacarpal fractures. In this clinic 2.0 mm locking compression plates (LCP) are used, which provide the possibility of functional postoperative treatment even for complex and osteoporotic metacarpal fractures. For simple fractures and good bone quality the LCP system is used as a compression or neutralization plate. Depending on the type and localization of the fracture, different osteosynthesis techniques are used in order to achieve a functional postoperative treatment in as many patients as possible. ⋯ After osteosynthesis with 2.0 mm LCPs all types of metacarpal fractures can be treated without immobilization.