Der Unfallchirurg
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Comparative Study
[Survival strategy of burn centers in the context of the German DRG system: reimbursement].
The system of German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) has undergone modifications for burn cases (Y-DRG) since 2003. The DRG catalog includes two of seven Y-DRGs without a case weight. ⋯ In summary the budget for 2006 should be calculated by an individualized hospital rate for all Y-DRGs, especially as it was shown that the additional payments (Zusatzentgelte) for selected therapies did not cover the costs of special treatments in burn care in 2005 and 2006. The problem has been recognized and published internationally. The special and cost-intensive treatment of burn patients is difficult to calculate in a system of diagnosis-related groups due to the low number of cases.
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In Germany, a total of more than 30,000 polytraumatized patients are treated in level I-IV trauma centers. The exact number of hospitals fulfilling the requirements for the treatment of severely injured patients is unknown. We analyzed the number of hospitals in Germany capable of managing polytraumatized patients. We further analyzed the influence of various geographic and infrastructure conditions on the management of severely injured patients in the various Federal States in Germany. ⋯ Objectively, the number of trauma centers for the treatment of severely injured patients seems to be adequate in Germany. Nevertheless, there are substantial differences between various Federal States in Germany concerning the distribution of hospitals as well as the geographic and infrastructure conditions. To optimize trauma management in Germany we think that the formation of regional trauma networks is mandatory.
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The combination of transiliac screws and lumbopelvic distraction osteosynthesis is usually an appropriate procedure to treat vertical pelvic ring instabilities under the condition of full weight bearing. In this case, due to the extent of septic destruction of the dorsal portion of the iliac bone, the common triangular fixation method using conventional pedicle screws was not possible. Using the transiliac dorsoventral screw position with special long screws, we achieved high mechanical triangular stability sufficient for pelvic ring fusion despite the large bony defect.
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Ruptures of hamstring reconstructed anterior cruciate ligaments required additional surgery in five cases over a 4 year period. All transplants were primarily fixed with bioresorbable interference screws close to the joint. ⋯ We stained the tissue-sections following the haematoxylin-eosin, Masson-Goldner and van Gieson protocols. All cases revealed direct healing with grow-over Sharpey-like fibers close to the joint, corresponding to a fibrous tendon insertion and far from the joint the formation of fibrous or cartilage callus.