The effects of tourniquet use in elbow surgery: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pneumatic tourniquets are frequently employed in extremity surgeries, aiming to enhance intraoperative visibility and minimize blood loss. Although their benefits and drawbacks have been extensively studied in lower limb operations, their impact on upper limb procedures, particularly elbow surgery, remains poorly understood. This study investigates the advantages and risks associated with pneumatic tourniquet used in elbow surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 183 patients who underwent elbow surgery for fractures between January 2019 and September 2023. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: those who underwent surgery with a tourniquet (WT) and those without a tourniquet (NT). Subgroup analyses were performed based on fracture complexity. Data collected included patient characteristics, tourniquet usage, surgical duration, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin levels, C-reactive protein levels, pain assessments, opioid administration, hospital stay duration, follow-up, complications, and revisions. Statistical analyses were used to identify significant differences and correlations. RESULTS: The use of a tourniquet in elbow surgery yielded several notable outcomes. Patients in the WT group experienced significantly shorter surgical durations and hospital stays. Hemoglobin drop was lower in the WT group, indicating reduced blood loss. However, there were no significant differences in postoperative pain, opioid consumption, or complications between the WT and NT groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that the recorded differences, particularly shorter surgical durations, were more pronounced in complex fractures. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows promising results in the use of pneumatic tourniquets in elbow surgery in terms of enhanced efficiency, reduced blood loss, and overall safety, without compromising patient outcomes. However, the potential influence of perioperative decision-making on tourniquet usage underscores the need for further research to elucidate its role and optimize its application, especially in complex elbow fractures.

A correction factor is needed for the intraoperative measurement of cup inclination in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The cup inclination in total hip arthroplasty is key to minimising complications. Stereometric effects (parallax) in two-dimensional projections can alter angle measurements. Even for different approaches, fluoroscopy causes different results in the measurement of inclination. A previous study has introduced a corrective factor for intraoperative radiographic cup inclination measurements compared to the postoperative standing radiographs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to find out whether, first, the correction factor is reproducible and second, whether the correction factor is independent of the surgical approach and C-arm model used. METHODS: A series of 377 cases of primary total hip arthroplasty was reviewed. We compared the cup inclination angle in the intraoperative and postoperative radiographic images. Based on this, it was possible to specify a standard of correction factor in defined ranges. RESULTS: The mean cup inclination in intraoperative images was 37.47∘ and the mean angle in postoperative images was 41.42, resulting in a mean difference of 3.95∘ with a strong correlation (r= 0.706). CONCLUSION: An added correction factor of 4∘ should be respected in intraoperative inclination measurements to adapt for parallax. An increased correction factor of 6∘ in particularly low-positioned cups (< 31∘) and a decreased correction factor of 2∘ in particularly steeply positioned cups (> 43∘) is recommended.

Patient-related risk factors and lifestyle factors for lumbar degenerative disc disease: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Back pain is a very widespread disease pattern and is one of the most frequent causes for consultation of a physician in general. In most cases, discogenic changes are the pathomorphological correlate of back pain. Numerous risk factors have been identified for these degenerative changes, but the influence and significance of the risk factors remain unclear, which was the aim of this systematic review. METHODS: A systematic literature search of the commonly used Pubmed database was performed using specific MESH terms. Further selection of the included studies was performed according to the PRISMA scheme, taking into account scientific merit as well as the relation to the research question. RESULTS: A total of 111 studies out of 1035 found were finally included in the literature search. 134 risk factors for disc degeneration and disc herniation were identified. These were divided into (1) patient-specific risk factors (n░=░34), (2) radiological risk factors (n░=░31), (3) lifestyle risk factors (n░=░6), (4) workplace-related risk factors (n░=░12), (5) genetic risk factors (n░=░50), and (6) other risk factors (n░=░1). Non-adjustable risk factors were age >50 years (OR 1.7/year), female gender (OR 1.41), family disposition (OR 4.0), comorbidities like atherosclerosis (OR 2.24), arthritic changes in other joints (OR 3.1) and history of injuries of the back (OR 3.1). Adjustable factors were elevated BMI (OR 2.77), comorbidities like hypertension (OR 1.25), dyslipidemia (OR 1.26) and diabetes mellitus (OR 6.8), as well as lifestyle habits like smoking (OR 3.8). DISCUSSION: In summary, intervertebral disc degenerations and herniations represent multifactorial events whose risk factors can be partly influenced and partly not influenced. This systematic review highlights the current state of knowledge as a basis for creating patient-specific algorithms to calculate risk for the development or progression of degenerative disc changes and disc herniations.

Performance in information processing speed is associated with parietal white matter tract integrity in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is most frequently used to test processing speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Functional imaging studies emphasize the importance of frontal and parietal areas for task performance, but the influence of frontoparietal tracts has not been thoroughly studied. We were interested in tract-specific characteristics and their association with processing speed in MS patients. Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging was obtained in 100 MS patients and 24 healthy matched controls to compare seed-based tract characteristics descending from the superior parietal lobule [Brodman area 7A (BA7A)], atlas-based tract characteristics from the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and control tract characteristics from the corticospinal tract (CST) and their respective association with ability on the SDMT. Results: Patients had decreased performance on the SDMT and decreased white matter volume (each p < 0.05). The mean fractional anisotropy (FA) for the BA7A tract and CST (p < 0.05), but not the SLF, differed between MS patients and controls. Furthermore, only the FA of the SLF was positively associated with SDMT performance even after exclusion of the lesions within the tract (r = 0.25, p < 0.05). However, only disease disability and total white matter volume were associated with information processing speed in a linear regression model. Conclusions: Processing speed in MS is associated with the structural integrity of frontoparietal white matter tracts.

Is the Use of Segways or E-Scooters in Urban Areas a Potential Health Risk? A Comparison of Trauma Consequences.

Background and objectives: Electromobility has become increasingly popular. In 2001, Segway personal transporters (Segway) were established for tourists, and e-scooters have been in use since their approval in 2019. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the types of injuries directly related to the use of Segways and e-scooters, respectively, in a German city and to phrase potential safety advice. Materials and Methods: All patients presenting to our emergency department after Segway incidents were retrospectively analyzed and compared with the prospectively collected cohort of patients following e-scooter incidents. Presented injuries were analyzed by body region and injury severity score (ISS). Epidemiological data were collected. Results: Overall, 171 patients were enrolled. The Segway group included 56 patients (mean age 48 years), and the e-scooter group consisted of 115 patients (mean age 33.9 years). Head injuries (HI) occurred in 34% in the Segway group compared to 52% in the e-scooter group. The ISS was approximately equal for both groups (mean ISS Segway group: 6.9/e-scooter group: 5.6). Conclusions: Since the e-scooter group presented a high number of HI along with a higher likelihood and greater severity of HI, mandatory use of helmets is suggested.

[Decline in work and commuting injuries during the first lockdown in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic : Comparison to the time period 2015-2019]. / Rückgang der Arbeits- und Wegeunfälle während des 1. Lockdowns 2020 im Rahmen der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie : Vergleich zu den Zeiträumen der Jahre 2015­2019.

BACKGROUND: Measures such as restrictions on personal contact and going out were taken to reduce SARS-CoV­2 infection numbers, ultimately resulting in the first lockdown. This was intended to create capacity in the healthcare system to manage the pandemic. AIM OF THE WORK: To analyze whether the number of work and commuting injuries decreased during the lockdown compared to the years 2015-2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All work and commuting accidents treated at the Klinikum rechts der Isar and the Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Murnau during the observational period 16 March-4 May 2020 were retrospectively compared with the figures from the same observation period in the years 2015-2019. The data on case numbers according to the transit physician procedure (DAV) were further broken down into cases of the injury type procedure (VAV) and severe injury type procedure (SAV) according to the injury type index of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). In addition, the collected data were compared with data from the Federal Statistical Office on the numbers of traffic accidents and traffic fatalities. RESULTS: A total of 4313 cases were considered. In 2020, the number of work and commuting accidents decreased by 31% compared to the observation period 2015-2019. VAV cases were decreased by 26% in 2020. SAV cases decreased by 5% in 2020. Road traffic accidents decreased by 17% in thre first four months in 2020 compared to the first four months in 2019. Traffic fatalities decreased by 11%. DISCUSSION: There was a 31% decrease in work and commuting accidents. This contributed to resource reallocation in the context of the pandemic. Nevertheless, almost constant numbers of severely injured patients and accidental deaths occurred, which shows the relevance of trauma surgery structures especially in times of crisis and makes it indispensable to include them in the calculation of intensive care resources.

Management of Pilon Fractures-Current Concepts.

Tibial pilon fractures were first described by Étienne Destot in 1911. He used the French word "pilon" (i.e., pestle), to describe the mechanical function of the distal tibia in the ankle joint. This term has further been used to portray the mechanism involved in tibial pilon fractures in which the distal tibia acts as a pestle with heavy axial forces over the talus basically causing the tibia to burst. Many different classification systems exist so far, with the AO Classification being the most commonly used classification in the clinical setting. Especially Type C fractures are extremely difficult to manage as the high energy involved in developing this type of injury frequently damages the soft tissue surrounding the fracture zone severely. Therefore, long -term outcome is often poor and correct initial management crucial. In the early years of this century treatment has evolved to a two-staged protocol, which nowadays is the gold standard of care. Additional methods of treating the soft tissue envelope are currently being investigated and have shown promising results for the future. The aim of this review is therefore to summarize protocols in managing these difficult fractures, review the literature on recent developments and therefore give surgeons a better understanding and ability to handle tibial pilon fractures.

Functional representation of the symbol digit modalities test in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is essential in the screening of cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methodological adaptions of the SDMT on functional MRI exist, but without specific investigation of more cognitive components of information processing speed (IPS). Additionally, there is only limited data on functional differences between MS-patients and healthy controls (HC). METHODS: 20 MS-patients and 20 HC were investigated executing the original version of the SDMT on fMRI. We analyzed (1) neural networks as indicated in the methodological adaptions (i.e. frontal (Brodman area BA6, BA9), parietal (BA7), occipital (BA17) and cerebellar), (2) functional activations of cognitive components of IPS and (3) functional differences between MS and HC during SDMT. RESULTS: MS patients performed worse during the SDMT. Both groups demonstrated activation on each region of interest. Cognitive component of IPS was driven by superior parietal and posterior cerebellar activation. MS-patients showed decreased cingulate activation during SDMT as compared to HC. CONCLUSION: The original SDMT task revealed comparable fMRI-activation sites as reported for previous adaptions. Cognitive components of IPS depend on superior parietal and medial posterior cerebellar regions known to process visuo-spatial integration and anticipation. Attention related areas in the cingulate cortex were decreased in MS-patients.