Studies of pear-shaped nuclei using accelerated radioactive beams.

There is strong circumstantial evidence that certain heavy, unstable atomic nuclei are 'octupole deformed', that is, distorted into a pear shape. This contrasts with the more prevalent rugby-ball shape of nuclei with reflection-symmetric, quadrupole deformations. The elusive octupole deformed nuclei are of importance for nuclear structure theory, and also in searches for physics beyond the standard model; any measurable electric-dipole moment (a signature of the latter) is expected to be amplified in such nuclei. Here we determine electric octupole transition strengths (a direct measure of octupole correlations) for short-lived isotopes of radon and radium. Coulomb excitation experiments were performed using accelerated beams of heavy, radioactive ions. Our data on (220)Rn and (224)Ra show clear evidence for stronger octupole deformation in the latter. The results enable discrimination between differing theoretical approaches to octupole correlations, and help to constrain suitable candidates for experimental studies of atomic electric-dipole moments that might reveal extensions to the standard model.

High complication rate after septic orthopaedic implant removal of the lower leg.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine predictive risk factors for revision surgery in patients with septic orthopaedic implant removal of the lower leg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 196 patients with septic removal of orthopaedic implants after primary trauma of the lower leg between 2008 and 2012 were evaluated. Patients with endoprosthesis infection were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (22.4 %) had infectious complications with revision surgery. We found 14 patients with soft tissue infections, 10 patients with osteomyelitis, 19 patients with wound-healing problems, 10 patients with pin track infections and two patients with fistulas. High complication rates were associated with severity of the initial trauma, localisation, and the state of union or non-union. Patients with peripheral arterial disease, anaemia and smoking showed a significantly higher risk for revision surgery; whereas patients with diabetes and arterial hypertension did not. A total of 22.6 % had open fractures as an initial trauma. In 76 %, bacteria could be detected. The complication rate was 41.2 % after initial open fractures and 19.6 % after initial closed fractures. A higher grade of soft tissue damage showed no increasing complication rate (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, complications after septic implant removal of the lower leg were evaluated and risk factors were determined. The awareness of the risks for complications after septic orthopaedic implant removal can lead to a better treatment for patients. Decision-making can be based on scientific results to prevent patients suffering from further severe disease progression.

[Flaps for soft tissue defect closure in the distal lower leg]. / Lappenplastiken zur Defektdeckung am distalen Unterschenkel.

Soft tissue defects in the distal lower leg region are challenging to treat, especially in trauma cases. To achieve early closure of the defect, pediculated adipofascial or muscle flaps can be used as well as free flaps. The pediculated adipofascial suralis flap has a reliable blood supply and a broad radius so this flap can be used for almost every defect location on the distal lower leg except for defects larger than 10 × 10 cm. The donor site defect does not lead to major problems and is well tolerated. The soleus flap can cover defects in the middle third and proximal distal third of the lower leg with its muscle. The donor site defect is occasionally associated with reduced calf functioning but is tolerated well most of the time. Because of these advantages, the pediculated adipofacial suralis flap and the soleus muscle flap can be used instead a microvascular free flap for the closure of defects in the distal lower leg region.

[Infected knee prostheses. Part 1: early infection or acute hematogenous infection]. / Die infizierte knieprothese. Teil 1: frühinfekt oder akuter hämatogener Infekt.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of an early total knee arthroplasty (TKA) infection with the goal of salvaging the implant. INDICATIONS: Early postoperative infections within the first 4 weeks. The acute hemtogenous infection of the knee joint with TKA and duration of symptoms for a maximum of 4 weeks. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Unsuitable for anesthesia, high acute infection with sepsis and risk for bacteremia with danger to life, large soft tissue damage where plastic surgery coverage is not possible. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Arthrotomy, synovectomy, inlay removal, jet lavage, instillation of polyhexanide, new inlay, drainage and infusion-aspiration-drainage if necessary, wound closure with plastic surgery if necessary. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Infusion-aspiration-drainage with polyhexanide for 3 days or drainage for 3 days. Continuous passive motion (CPM) with increasing range of motion (ROM) 0-0-30°. Removal of the drain after 5 days and mobilization with increasing ROM and full weight-bearing. RESULTS: The success rate for the salvage procedure is about 70%.

[Infected knee prostheses. Part 2: chronic late infections]. / Die infizierte knieprothese. Teil 2: der chronische spätinfekt.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of late and chronic infections, which require the replacement of all the infected implant material. INDICATIONS: All infections lasting more than 4 weeks that have been proven to be bacterial and/or obvious signs of infection. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Unsuitable for anesthesia, high acute infection with sepsis and risk for bacteremia with danger to life, large soft tissue damage where plastic surgery coverage is not possible. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Arthrotomy, synovectomy, removal of all foreign bodies including all residue of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), jet lavage, spacer, drainage, wound closure or temporary closure using vacuum sealing. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Bed rest with a leg brace and drainage until daily drainage volume is <50 ml, then mobilization with no weight-bearing in an orthesis, 4 weeks systemic antibiotics, after 2 weeks without antibiotics aspiration of the joint, when no bacteria are found reimplantation of a revision TKA (total knee arthroplasty) and with plastic surgery for coverage (gastrognemius flap) if necessary, when bacteria are found again revision with exchange of the spacer. RESULTS: In the literature, the success rate for both the one-stage or the two-stage procedure is about 80-95%. In our very nonhomogeneous collective the overall rate of success is about 81%.

[Soft tissue healing in infected arthroplasty]. / Weichteilsanierung bei infizierter endoprothetik.

OBJECTIVE: Soft-tissue defect coverage with well vascularized tissue (musculocutaneous or fasciocutaneous) in the arthroplasty setting. Where arthroplasty has been removed due to infection, as a muscle flap to close infected cavities. INDICATIONS: Soft tissue defects, wound-edge necrosis in arthroplasty, and persistent infection in Girdlestone patients. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Moribund patients. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Pedicled flap: as far as possible, lift the flap as an island flap to increase coverage. Then suture the flap into the defect (split skin graft where appropriate). Free flap: lift the flap and prepare a vascular pedicle for anastomosis. Suture the flap into the site and create arterial and vascular micro-anastomoses (split skin graft where appropriate). POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Position the extremity according to the flap type used. Use 500 ml HES (hydroxyethyl starch) 6% for 5 days. Avoid compression of the pedicle or anastomosis area. Flaps are generally autonomous after 3 weeks. RESULTS: The survival rate for both flap types, free and pedicled, is >90%. The flap survival rate should not be confused with the healing rate for infected arthroplasty.