Der Unfallchirurg
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Case Reports
[Dens fracture and multiple fracture of the thoracic spine after fall from great height. Diagnostic standard].
Multiple level spine fractures after a fall from a great height frequently cause a neurological deficit with paraplegia. In general, survival after a free fall from 20 m height without any neurological deficit is very unlikely. ⋯ In addition, 3 D reconstructions should be performed if rotatory instability is suspected. This case report illustrates the management and diagnostic problems of a serial spine trauma.
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In the study presented on 380 allogenic bone donations from living and organ donors, we analyzed the safety of allograft handling bone-band documentation, logistics and costs. For transplant treatment we routinely used a thermal disinfection system (Lobator SD-1). From 380 allograft donors, 400 bone transplants were gained. ⋯ Considering the low rejection rate and the short turnover rate, the economical costs could be reduced. Using an appropriate disinfection system (thermal disinfection at 80 degrees C), laboratory tests covering venereal diseases, malaria and cytomegalia are no longer required. Also, secondary HIV testing of living donors can be omitted without reducing the safety of the transplant.
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Between 1988 and 1994, 295 patients with blunt chest trauma were treated. Forty-two patients had flail chest, requiring mechanical ventilation. Open reduction and osteosynthesis (ASIF reconstruction plates or isoelastic rip clamps) of the chest wall were performed in 20 patients. ⋯ No complications related to the osteosynthesis arose during the follow-up. In conclusion, the best indication for early operative chest wall stabilization is flail chest without pulmonary contusion, leading to a significant reduction in the duration of ventilatory support. Secondary stabilization is recommended in patients with pulmonary contusion showing paradoxical movement of the chest wall during weaning from the respirator.
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Pathological or spontaneous fractures in childhood are rare and are mostly caused by benign bone diseases; the fractures must be treated on an individual basis, as there are no constant rules. Since the new method of osteosynthesis called "elastic stable intramedullary nailing" (ESIN) or "embrochage centro-medullaire elastique stable" (ECMES) has demonstrated the best results in the treatment of normal fractures in childhood, this method is rapidly being used in the treatment of spontaneous or pathological fractures. We report our experience in the treatment of spontaneous fractures in childhood with "elastic stable intramedullary nailing", in nine patients with ten fractures. ⋯ The location was the femur (two cases) and humerus (seven cases). All fractures healed completely without pseudarthrosis; as complications we saw one incidence of osteomyelitis, one of a second fracture after "elastic stable intramedullary nailing" and one coxa vara in a child with histiocytosis X of the proximal femur. In the 5 children with juvenile bone cysts the nails are still in situ; in two cases the nails had to be changed.