[Algorithm for flexible decision-making in the intra-hospital management of patients with the changing requirements of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic]. / Flexibler Entscheidungsalgorithmus zum innerklinischen stationären Patient*innen-Management unter wechselnden Anforderungen der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie.

After the initial fulminant outbreak, the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic has now taken a more protracted course which, nevertheless, challenges hospitals in returning to a "normal" mode and in preparing for a worst-case scenario of a second wave. Not only the organization of the first contact with the patient and the admission in the emergency department but also the admission as an in-patient and the subsequent management requires both flexibility and clear directions of action for the medical personnel involved. The aim of the algorithm was to develop a structured, easy to implement and easy to follow guideline while simultaneously preserving resources. The algorithm covers some key points of decision making such as clinical signs, first contact, admission for in-patient treatment, consequences of swab and computed tomography (CT) results, and allocation and isolation measures within the hospital. The algorithm is not intended to guide diagnostics, decisions and treatment in the narrower medical sense but to provide more general instructions for the management of in-patients considering specific aspects of SARS-CoV­2.

[Scientific impact of the TraumaRegister DGU®]. / Wissenschaftlicher Impact des TraumaRegister DGU®.

BACKGROUND: The trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®) is not only a tool for quality management but also for research purposes. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the impact of the TraumaRegister DGU® on scientific output and patient treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of publications from the TraumaRegister DGU® with respect to numbers, impact factors, journals, citations and presentations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The number and impact factors of publications from the TraumaRegister DGU® rose steeply during the last 10 years and in the last 3 years consisted of 25 publications per year. More than two thirds of them were published in high quality international journals and reflect the great scientific importance. For the German speaking readership and the specific aspects of treatment of the severely injured relevant to Germany, the large number of German language articles are just as important. Independent of the impact factor publications in Deutsches Ärzteblatt, the journal with the highest circulation and Der Unfallchirurg play the most important role. A large amount of scientific information gained from the TraumaRegister DGU® has been included in treatment guidelines and structures. The register is a basic prerequisite for the TraumaNetzwerk DGU®. Since almost all severely injured patients in Germany are now included in the registry, it is possible to obtain epidemiologically reliable data of treatment and outcomes for these patient groups.

[Optimization of criteria for activation of trauma teams : Avoidance of overtriage and undertriage]. / Optimierung der Kriterien zur Schockraumalarmierung : Vermeidung von Über- und Untertriage.

INTRODUCTION: Severely injured patients are supposed to be admitted to hospital via the trauma room. Appropriate criteria are contained in the S3 guidelines on the treatment of patients with severe/multiple injuries (S3-GL); however, some of these criteria require scarce hospital resources while the patients then often clinically present as uninjured. There are tendencies to streamline the trauma team activation criteria (TTAC); however, additional undertriage must be avoided. A study group of the emergency, intensive care medicine and treatment of the severely injured section (NIS) is in the process of optimizing the TTAC for the German trauma system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to solve the objective the following multi-step approach is necessary: a) definition of patients who potentially benefit from TTA, b) verification of the definition in the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU), c) carrying out a prospective, multicenter study in order to determine overtriage and undertriage, thereby validating the activation criteria and d) revision of the current TTAC. RESULTS: This article summarizes the consensus criteria of the group assumed to be capable of identifying patients who potentially benefit from TTA. These criteria are used to test if TTA was justified in a specific case; however, as the TTCA of the S3-GL are not fully incorporated into the TR-DGU dataset and because cases must also be considered which were not subject to trauma room treatment and therefore were not included in the TR-DGU, it is necessary to perform a prospective full survey of all individuals in order to be able to measure overtriage and undertriage. CONCLUSION: Currently, the TR-DGU can only provide limited evidence on the quality of the TTAC recommended in Germany. This problem has been recognized and will be solved by conducting a prospective DGU-supported study, the results of which can be used to improve the TR-DGU dataset in order to enable further considerations on the quality of care (e. g. composition and size of the trauma team).

[Eleven years of core data set in intensive care medicine. Severity of disease and workload are increasing]. / Elf-Jahre-Kerndatensatz in der Intensivmedizin. Zunahmen von Fallschwere und Versorgungsaufwand.

BACKGROUND: In the year 2000 a working group of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care Medicine (DIVI) defined a core data set on quality assurance for the first time. In the following years the participating intensive care units sent data to the registry on a voluntary basis and received an annual report on benchmarking data. Alterations in the quality in the field of intensive care medicine have so far only been published to a very low extent. AIM: This study analyzed the core date set of the DIVI between 2000 and 2010 in respect to changes in disease severity using the simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II), the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), the need for therapeutic interventions with the therapeutic intervention scoring system (TISS 28) and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria were participation in the registry for at least 4 years, SAPS II, SOFA, TISS28 scores available and data on ICU discharge. A standardized mortality rate (SMR) was calculated for each year. RESULTS: The mean SAPS II score including 94,398 patients increased by 0.23 points/year with a standard error (SE) of 0.02 to 26.9 ± 12 points (p < 0.001). Similarly, the SOFA score on admission to the ICU increased by 0.14 points/year (SE 0.04) to 3.4 ± 2.7 points (p < 0.001), the proportion of patients with a two organ failure doubled to 7.1 % and the number of patients dependent on ventilation increased by 13.6 % to 59.8 %. The mean time on ventilation increased by 0.17 ventilator days/year (SE 0.01, p < 0.001) to 3.1 ± 7.5 days/patient. The mean number of therapeutic interventions increased by 8.7 % to 26.3 ± 8.3 TISS 28 points/day. The mean length of stay on the ICU (4.3 ± 8 days) and the age of the patients (63.2 ± 17.0 years) remained unchanged. The readmission rate showed no significant changes between the years 2004 and 2010. The readmission rate to the ICU within 48 h after primary discharge was 3.1 % with a 95 % confidence interval (CI) of 3.0-3.3 in contrast to 1.5 % (95 % CI 1.4-1.6) for readmission to the ICU after 48 h. The length of stay in hospital before admission to the ICU decreased for patients with scheduled surgery (6.3 ± 9.7 days vs. 4.2 ± 6.9 days), increased slightly for patients with medically indicated admission to the ICU (2.4 ± 8.2 days 3.1 ± 8.6 days) and remained unchanged for patients with unscheduled admission to the ICU after surgery (4.1 ± 8.6 days). The SMR decreased between 2000 and 2004 from 0.97 to 0.72 and increased again thereafter to 0.99 (ICU mortality 8.5 %). CONCLUSION: The severity of disease on admission to the ICU, the proportion of patients on ventilation and the workload of therapeutic interventions increased between 2000 and 2010 in German ICUs but the length of stay of patients in the ICU remained unchanged. The SMR decreased until 2005 and increased thereafter to return to the initial values. The overall ICU mortality was low compared to international data.

[Diagnostic management in paediatric blunt abdominal trauma - a systematic review with metaanalysis]. / Diagnostik des stumpfen Abdominaltraumas des Kindes - ein systematisches Review mit Metaanalyse.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the diagnostic management in paediatric blunt abdominal injuries. METHODS: A literature research was performed using following sources: MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane. Where it was possible a meta-analysis was performed. Furthermore the level of evidence for all publications was assigned. RESULTS: Indicators for intraabdominal injury (IAI) were elevated liver transaminases, abnormal abdominal examinations, low systolic blood pressure, reduced haematocrit and microhematuria. Detecting IAI with focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) had an overall sensitivity of 56.5 %, a specificity of 94.68 %, a positive likelihood ratio of 10.63 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.46. The accuracy was 84.02 %. Among haemodynamically unstable children the sensitivity and specificity were 100 %. The overall prevalence of IAI and negative CT was 0.19 %. The NPV of abdominal CT for diagnosing IAI was 99.8 %. The laparotomy rate in patients with isolated intraperitoneal fluid (IIF) in one location was 3.48 % and 56.52 % in patients with IIF in more than one location. CONCLUSIONS: FAST as an isolated tool in the diagnostics after blunt abdominal injury is very uncertain, because of the modest sensitivity. Discharging children after blunt abdominal trauma with a negative abdominal CT scan seems to be safe. When IIF is detected on CT scan, it depends on the number of locations involved. If IIF is found only in 1 location, IAI is uncommon, while IIF in two or more locations results in a high laparotomy rate.

[Intercultural differences in the treatment of severely injured patients with poor prognosis. Using the example of a 23-year-old Chinese patient]. / Interkulturelle Differenzen bei der Behandlung von schwerstverletzten Patienten mit infauster Prognose. Beispiel eines 23-jährigen chinesischen Patienten.

Because of globalization, we are increasingly confronted with the treatment of patients from other cultures. Using the example of a 23-year-old Chinese patient, we explain the origin of the intercultural differences which developed into a conflict.Due to a bicycle accident the patient incurred an extremely severe traumatic brain injury with multiple midface fractures. The prognosis was unfavorable. Despite extensive information the family insisted on maximum therapy. This resulted in a misunderstanding among the medical team involved, because they believed that this was not in the interests of the patient. The position of the family is rooted in Chinese culture. An intensive examination might have avoided, or at least mitigated, a conflict. To summarize, it could be useful to address cultural peculiarities at an early stage when treating patients from different cultures to prevent conflicts or to be better prepared for them. Also, an Ethics Commission may be involved early for preventing or resolving a potential conflict.

[Trauma team activation-Who should be alerted for which patients?] / Schockraumaktivierung ­ Bei welchen Patienten alarmieren wir wen?

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that in total almost 10 million people are injured in accidents in Germany every year, most of which are in the household milieu and leisure sector. It is estimated that of these more than 32,000 seriously injured patients are admitted to the emergency room every year. It is recommended that the decision of the prehospital treatment team or the first examiner in the hospital as to whether a potentially severely injured patient should be admitted via the emergency room of the hospital should be based on a catalogue of criteria. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Against the background of the update of the S3 guidelines on the treatment of multiple trauma/severely injured patients and on the basis of the current literature, an overview with respect to the composition of the team and the criteria for which an emergency room team is or should be activated is given. RESULTS: Alerting the emergency room team is still recommended if a certain injury pattern is present or if a prehospital intervention is necessary. The B­criteria based on the course of the accident or mechanism, which have recently been the subject of increasing criticism, have been adapted. Recommendations for geriatric patients could also be formulated. DISCUSSION: Compared to the S3 guidelines from 2016 the emergency room alarm criteria could be revised on the basis of new literature and have been included in the revised guidelines. There is no doubt that further optimization. e.g., based on prehospital algorithms or using point of care diagnostics, are possible and desirable in the future.

[Preclinical management of multiples injuries: S3 guideline]. / Präklinische Polytraumaversorgung: S3-Leitlinie.

The guidelines follow the priorities established by the A-B-C-D-E scheme. They focus on the treatment of actual disturbances of vital functions and not so much on their anticipated development. Important recommendations with regard to the indication for intubation and ventilation, fluid therapy, diagnosis and treatment of severe chest injuries (tension pneumothorax in particular), management of severe traumatic brain injury, pelvic and vertebral injuries, priorities in the management of extremity fractures as well as indications for the choice of the receiving hospital are given. The recommendations are discussed in view of future concerns and developments.

[Emergency anesthesia, airway management and ventilation in major trauma. Background and key messages of the interdisciplinary S3 guidelines for major trauma patients]. / Notfallnarkose, Atemwegsmanagement und Beatmung beim Polytrauma. Hintergrund und Kernaussagen der interdisziplinären S3-Leitlinie Polytrauma.

Patients with multiple trauma presenting with apnea or a gasping breathing pattern (respiratory rate < 6/min) require prehospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) and ventilation. Additional indications are hypoxia (S(p)O(2) < 90% despite oxygen insufflation and after exclusion of tension pneumothorax), severe traumatic brain injury [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) < 9], trauma-associated hemodynamic instability [systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg] and severe chest trauma with respiratory insufficiency (respiratory rate > 29/min). The induction of anesthesia after preoxygenation is conducted as rapid sequence induction (analgesic, hypnotic drug, neuromuscular blocking agent). With the availability of ketamine as a viable alternative, the use of etomidate is not encouraged due to its side effects on adrenal function. An electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure measurement and pulse oximetry are needed to monitor the emergency anesthesia and the secured airway. Capnography is absolutely mandatory to confirm correct placement of the endotracheal tube and to monitor tube dislocations as well as ventilation in the prehospital and hospital setting. Because airway management is often complicated in trauma patients, alternative devices need to be available preclinical and a fiber-optic endoscope should be available within the hospital. Use of these alternative measures for airway management and ventilation should be considered at the latest after a maximum of three unsuccessful endotracheal intubation attempts. Emergency medical service (EMS) physicians should to be trained in emergency anesthesia, ETI and alternative methods of airway management on a regular basis. Within hospitals ETI, emergency anesthesia and ventilation are to be conducted by trained and experienced anesthesiologists. When a difficult airway or induction of anesthesia is expected, endotracheal intubation should be supervised or conducted by an anesthesiologist. Normoventilation should be the goal of mechanical ventilation. After arrival in the resuscitation room the ventilation will be controlled and guided with the help of arterial blood gas analyses. After temporary removal of a cervical collar, the cervical spine needs to be immobilized by means of manual in-line stabilization when securing the airway.

[Emergency anesthesia, airway management and ventilation in major trauma. Background and key messages of the interdisciplinary S3 guidelines for major trauma patients]. / Notfallnarkose, Atemwegsmanagement und Beatmung beim Polytrauma. Hintergrund und Kernaussagen der interdisziplinären S3-Leitlinie Polytrauma.

Patients with multiple trauma presenting with apnea or a gasping breathing pattern (respiratory rate <6/min) require prehospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) and ventilation. Additional indications are hypoxia (S(p)O(2)<90% despite oxygen insufflation and after exclusion of tension pneumothorax), severe traumatic brain injury [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)<9], trauma-associated hemodynamic instability [systolic blood pressure (SBP)<90 mmHg] and severe chest trauma with respiratory insufficiency (respiratory rate >29/min). The induction of anesthesia after preoxygenation is conducted as rapid sequence induction (analgesic, hypnotic drug, neuromuscular blocking agent). With the availability of ketamine as a viable alternative, the use of etomidate is not encouraged due to its side effects on adrenal function. An electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure measurement and pulse oximetry are needed to monitor the emergency anesthesia and the secured airway. Capnography is absolutely mandatory to confirm correct placement of the endotracheal tube and to monitor tube dislocations as well as ventilation and oxygenation in the prehospital and hospital setting. Because airway management is often complicated in trauma patients, alternative devices and a fiber-optic endoscope need to be available within the hospital. Use of these alternative measures for airway management and ventilation should be considered at the latest after a maximum of three unsuccessful intubation attempts. Emergency medical service (EMS) physicians should to be trained in emergency anesthesia, ETI and alternative methods of airway management on a regular basis. Within hospitals ETI, emergency anesthesia and ventilation are to be conducted by trained and experienced anesthesiologists. When a difficult airway or induction of anesthesia is expected, endotracheal intubation should be supervised or conducted by an anesthesiologist. Normoventilation should be the goal of mechanical ventilation. After arrival in the resuscitation room the ventilation will be controlled and guided with the help of arterial blood gas analyses. After temporary removal of a cervical collar, the cervical spine needs to be immobilized by means of manual in-line stabilization when securing the airway.

[Lethality and outcome in multiple injured patients after severe abdominal and pelvic trauma. Influence of preclinical volume replacement - an analysis of 604 patients from the trauma registry of the DGU]. / Letalität und Outcome beim Mehrfachverletzten nach schwerem Abdominal- und Beckentrauma. Einfluss der präklinischen Volumengabe - Eine Auswertung von 604 Patienten des TraumaRegisters der DGU.

BACKGROUND: Uncontrollable hemorrhaging after blunt trauma and the resulting hemorrhagic shock is still one of the main causes of death in trauma patients. Starting volume replacement before admission to hospital is one of the main pillars of immediate treatment. The statements concerning the quantity of the preclinically administered fluid are still controversial and have a low level of evidence in the literature. Massive abdominal trauma and unstable pelvic fractures belong to the most relevant causes of hemorrhagic shock. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the quantity of the preclinically administered fluid on the posttraumatic course of patients with massive abdominal and pelvic injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients of the trauma registry of the DGU (German Society for Trauma Surgery) who met the following criteria were included: injury severity score ≥16 points, primary admission to hospital, age ≥16 years, initial blood pressure <100 mmHg and transfusion of erythrocyte concentrate (EC). Out of this collective patients with an AIS abdomen ≥4 or an AIS pelvis ≥4 were analyzed. Both groups were divided into 4 subgroups subject to the preclinically infused volume (<1000 ml, 1000-2000 ml, 2001-3000 ml and >3000 ml). RESULTS: Of the 375 patients with abdominal trauma and 229 patients with pelvic trauma were consistent with the inclusion criteria. In both groups an increasing volume replacement was associated with an increased need for transfusion and a reduction of the coagulation ability (Quick 61% in the case of <1000 ml versus 49.1% in the case of >3000 ml). The rescue time had a relevant influence on the quantity of preclinically infused volume (62 min for <1000 ml versus 88 min for >3000 ml). On admission to hospital the blood pressure values were on average the same in all patients (~ 95 mmHg). With an increasing volume a slight elevation of lethality was found as well as a significant increase of the transfused erythrocyte concentrates, a significant deterioration of coagulation and an increase of patients with mass transfusions. CONCLUSION: In the case of a preclinical relevant bleeding after blunt pelvic or abdominal trauma moderate volume replacement (<1000 ml) results in an enhancement of the initial coagulation situation and in a reduction in the need for transfusion. The results of this study support the concept of a restrained volume therapy after massive trauma with and bleeding requiring transfusion.

[Psychological care in German intensive care units : Results of a survey among the members of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine]. / Psychologische Versorgung auf deutschen Intensivstationen : Ergebnisse einer Umfrage unter den Mitgliedern der Deutschen Interdisziplinären Vereinigung für Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin.

BACKGROUND: Psychological care should be provided in intensive care units (ICUs) because of the proven mental symptoms of patients and relatives. Even physicians and nurses can benefit from a corresponding care structure. Knowledge is lacking whether and how psychological care for patients and relatives as well as support for staff in German ICUs is implemented. For this reason, a survey was conducted among the members of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI) to gain an overview of the current structures and the need for psychological support. METHODS: The members of DIVI were invited to participate in a web-based survey. A total of 226 physicians and nurses took part in the survey. Analysis included statistics and group comparisons with Χ2 methods. RESULTS: In all care areas, psychological care of patients, relatives, and support for staff, respondents indicated a significant undersupply and expressed the need for improved care. A model which provides consular or team-integrated support based on the level of care is conceivable. DISCUSSION: The current state of psychological care in German ICUs does not cover the existing need. Consequently the development of concepts and the beginning of discussions on how appropriate psychological care can be implemented in the future is necessary.

Survival among patients with severe high cervical spine injuries - a TraumaRegister DGU® database study.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is a significant cause of death and impairment. The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) differentiates the severity of trauma and is the basis for different trauma scores and prediction models. While the majority of patients do not survive injuries which are coded with an AIS 6, there are several patients with a severe high cervical spinal cord injury that could be discharged from hospital despite the prognosis of trauma scores. We estimate that the trauma scores and prediction models miscalculate these injuries. For this reason, we evaluated these findings in a larger control group. METHODS: In a retrospective, multi-centre study, we used the data recorded in the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) to select patients with a severe cervical spinal cord injury and an AIS of 3 to 6 between 2002 to 2015. We compared the estimated mortality rate according to the Revised Injury Severity Classification II (RISC II) score against the actual mortality rate for this group. RESULTS: Six hundred and twelve patients (0.6%) sustained a severe cervical spinal cord injury with an AIS of 6. The mean age was 57.8 ± 21.8 years and 441 (72.3%) were male. 580 (98.6%) suffered a blunt trauma, 301 patients were injured in a car accident and 29 through attempted suicide. Out of the 612 patients, 391 (63.9%) died from their injury and 170 during the first 24 h. The group had a predicted mortality rate of 81.4%, but we observed an actual mortality rate of 63.9%. CONCLUSIONS: An AIS of 6 with a complete cord syndrome above C3 as documented in the TR-DGU is survivable if patients get to the hospital alive, at which point they show a survival rate of more than 35%. Compared to the mortality prognosis based on the RISC II score, they survived much more often than expected.

[Thromboembolism prophylaxis in trauma surgery: S3 guidelines and significance of the amendment for trauma surgeons]. / Thromboembolieprophylaxe in der Unfallchirurgie: S3-Leitlinie und Bedeutung des Amendments für den Unfallchirurgen.

Prevention of venous thromboembolism has become an integral component of trauma surgery treatment and consists of physical and pharmacological measures. The indications and choice of prophylaxis modalities depend on the patient's individual risk profile which is determined by the combination of exposing and predisposing risk factors. The exposing risk is characterized by the type and extent of surgery or trauma, whereas the predisposing risk relates to patient inherent risk factors. This has also been considered in the compilation of the guidelines. This review summarizes the recommendations of the German S3 guidelines relating to trauma surgery and also discusses the amendment referring to the registration of the new oral anticoagulants rivaroxaban and dabigatran etexilate. The availability of these new compounds increases the spectrum of prophylaxis modalities thereby creating a need for new information in trauma surgery.

[Coagulation management in multiple trauma]. / Gerinnungsmanagement beim Polytrauma.

More than 25% of polytraumatized patients present in the emergency department with a coagulopathy which results in a 4-fold increase in mortality. The detection of microvascular bleeding is the major clinical indicator. Measurement of fibrinogen, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time as well as thrombelastometry are required. A prerequisite for the substitution of coagulation factors and platelets is an immediate surgical control of bleeding and correction of hypothermia, acidosis and hypocalcemia. The goals for platelet count, fibrinogen, PT and aPTT are well established. The use of an algorithm for transfusion and coagulation management results in optimized therapy and improved outcome. Substituted coagulation products are only effective if hyperfibrinolysis has been corrected before. The administration of fibrinogen corrects the coagulation factor that is critically reduced earliest, improves global coagulation tests and reduced mortality in some studies. The dose required (3-5 g) can be calculated by a formula. Fresh frozen plasma is given in a 1:1 ratio to red blood cells or at least 20-40 ml/kg body weight. A clear advantage for survival has not yet been shown and some of the risks include insufficient substitution of fibrinogen and transfusion-related acute lung injury. Goals for the administration of platelet concentrates depend on the acuity of bleeding, injury pattern (e.g. head trauma) and clinical signs of microvascular bleeding. Factor VIIa remains an off-label rescue therapy if bleeding persists despite optimization of preconditions and specific coagulation management.

[Bilateral hydrothorax and hydromediastinum after puncture of the right subclavian vein]. / Bilateraler Infusothorax und Infusomediastinum nach Punktion der V. subclavia rechts.

Complications after the percutaneous insertion of central venous catheters are pneumothoraces, catheter-associated infections and thrombosis. In rare cases, late problems occur as a disruption of the main thoracic duct or vascular erosion. The developing pleural effusion must be analysed for other causes such as congestive heart disease, inflammatory or tumorous disease, pancreatitis, low blood protein, or subdiaphragmatic abscess. The following case report describes a rare catheter complication in a 16-year-old polytraumatised patient. The differentiation to a chylothorax and suitable therapy are described.

[Impact of hypothermia on the severely injured patient]. / Bedeutung der Hypothermie in der Traumatologie.

Accidental hypothermia is a common complication in severely injured patients. Risk factors include environmental exposure of the patient at the accident site or in the clinic, infusion of cold fluids, hemorrhagic shock and anesthetics which influence thermoregulation. In contrast to animal studies, human studies and clinical experiences have identified accidental hypothermia of the severely injured patient to be associated with increased complication and mortality rates. As a consequence, hypothermia together with acidosis and coagulopathy, have been coined the lethal triad in severely injured patients. On a cellular level hypothermia reduces cellular activity and metabolism resulting in reduced oxygen consumption, which is therapeutically used in patients following cardiac arrest. However, the activity of important enzymes, such as those of the coagulation pathway, is simultaneously down regulated. Hypothermia-induced coagulopathy, which is refractory to substitution of coagulation factors, is a major complication of hypothermia in traumatized patients. Therefore, hypothermic trauma patients with hemodynamic instability require aggressive rewarming.

[Degloving injuries of the lower limb]. / Die Décollementverletzung im Bereich der unteren Extremität.

Although seldom dangerous to life, these degloving injuries are all potentially infected and, unless treated as acute surgical emergencies, inevitably lead to serious complications. Diagnostic is done according to a standardized protocol, which eventually must be integrated in the standard polytrauma management. Multidisciplinary (orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology, physiotherapy) defect management is of utmost importance and requires an "integrated therapy concept". The success or failure of primary treatment of degloving injuries is determined by an adequate primary care including debridement, osteosynthesis (if necessary) and soft tissue and skin management. If the skin is no more vascularised, it should be thinned out and refixed as a full thickness skin graft at the day of injury. Still vascularised skin flaps should be replaced and fixed with few stitches. A second look operation 24 to 72 hours later should be planned. Secondary surgery is necessary in almost every patient in order to improve the functional or aesthetic result. Adjuvant procedures such as physiotherapy, standardized scar treatment, orthesis, orthopedic shoes, etc. may be useful at any time of treatment.