Quality of life, walking ability and change of living situation after trochanteric femur fracture in geriatric patients-Comparison between sliding hip screw and cephalomedullary nails from the registry for geriatric trauma.

BACKGROUND: There is no well-established gold standard for treating trochanteric femur fractures in the elderly. The two common treatment options are cephalomedullary nails (CMN) and sliding hip screws (SHS). In this study, treatment using CMN and SHS were compared for a cohort of patients older than 70 years of age: The main outcomes were quality of life and main residence after surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective study we analyzed 24,919 patients from 100 hospitals, treated between 2016 and 2019 and documented in the Registry for Geriatric Trauma. The impact of CMN vs. SHS on the walking ability, quality of life (QoL), living situation, mortality, and revision rate were analyzed. To analyze the change of the living situation, the main residence 120 days after surgery for patients, who lived in their own home before fracture, was described for both groups. FINDINGS: A total of 10,995 patients could be included of which 10,436 patients were treated with CMN and 369 patients with SHS. 120 days postoperative the QoL differed significantly (p = 0.020) in favor of treatment using CMN. 26% of the SHS group who lived at home prior to surgery had to reside in a nursing home after surgery, whereas the rate was only 18% in the CMN group (p < 0.001). No significant difference in the mortality rate nor a difference in the walking ability 120 days postoperative were found. CMN were implanted more promptly (median: 13.9 vs. 18.4 hours; p < 0,001). No differences were found concerning the revision rate between the two groups, neither during inpatient treatment (p = 0.723) nor during the 120 day follow-up period (p = 0.524). INTERPRETATION: There might be a benefit for geriatric patients with trochanteric femur fractures to be treated with a proximal femur nail in regard to a higher QoL and a reduced institutionalization rate. Mortality or revision rate was not affected by the chosen implant.

Preventable and potentially preventable deaths in severely injured patients: a retrospective analysis including patterns of errors.

PURPOSE: Analyzing preventable and potentially preventable deaths is a well-known procedure for improving trauma care. This study analyzes preventable and potentially preventable deaths in German trauma patients. METHODS: Patients aged between 16 and 75 years with an Injury Severity Score >15 who were primary admitted from July 2002 to December 2011 were analyzed in this study. Data from the patients' hospital records were retrospectively analyzed, and cases were categorized as preventable, potentially preventable, and non-preventable deaths. In addition, trauma management was screened for errors. RESULTS: 2304 patients were admitted from July 2002 to December 2011. 763 of which fulfilled the defined criteria. The mortality rate was 25.3 %. Eight cases (4.2 %) were declared as preventable deaths and 31 cases (16.1 %) as potentially preventable deaths. The most common errors in preclinical trauma care related to airway management. The main clinical error was insufficient hemorrhage control. Fluid overload from infusion was the second most common fault in both. CONCLUSIONS: Preventable and potentially preventable errors still occur in the treatment of severely injured patients. Errors in hemorrhage control and airway management are the most common human treatment errors. The knowledge of these errors could help to improve trauma care in the future.

[TraumaNetwork, Trauma Registry of the DGU®, Whitebook, S3 Guideline on Treatment of Polytrauma/Severe Injuries - An Approach for Validation by a Retrospective Analysis of 2304 Patients (2002-2011) of a Level 1 Trauma Centre]. / Traumanetzwerk, TraumaRegister der DGU®, Weißbuch, S3-Leitlinie Polytrauma ­ ein Versuch der Validierung durch eine retrospektive Analyse von 2304 Patienten (2002­2011) an einem überregionalen (Level 1) Traumazentrum.

Background: In the last decades, a reduction in mortality in severely injured patients with an ISS ≥ 16 could be observed. Some authors report a death rate of about 22 %. Moreover, there were some new insights in the last years such as the reduction in mortality by use of whole-body CT and the introduction of the S3 guideline of the German Society of Trauma Surgery "Treatment of Patients with Severe and Multiple Injuries" have supported the evidence-based treatment of severely injured patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2304 patients was performed between 2002 and 2011. The data of the authors' clinic for the trauma registry of the DGU® were used. After applying the inclusion criteria, ISS ≥ 16 and primary transfer from the accident site, 968 patients remained. Results: In the study population, a mean ISS of 29.81 and a mean GCS of 9.42 were found. The average age was 46.04 years. The mortality rate was 28.7 %. A significant difference between decedents and survivors was found at the ISS, GCS, RTS, new ISS, TRISS, RISC, AIS head, AIS skin, RR pre-clinical, pre-clinical heart rate and age. To test whether the lethality was reduced by the increased use of whole-body CT, a division into a group prior to and from 2009 was performed. Results revealed a significant increase in the whole-body CT rate from 56.96 to 71.7 %. The mortality rate declined from 32.3 to 24.5 %. In the same way it was verified whether the S3 guideline had an impact on mortality. Therefore, a division into groups before and from 2011 was conducted. Here, the mortality rate decreased from 30.4 to 18.4 %. In addition, a comparison between 2010 and 2011 was performed. Overall, there were statistically significant differences in the trauma room time, the surgical time, the volume infused, the rate of multiple organ failure and the rate of whole-body CTs performed. Conclusion: In the period from 2002 to 2011 a mortality rate of 28.7 % was found. The higher rate in comparison to published data is most likely explained by the high rate of serious and severe head injuries. The increased use of whole-body CT and the introduction of the S3 guideline led to a significant decrease in mortality in the authors' patient population. This is due particularly to the accelerating of the treatment of severely injured patients, the reduction of the infused volume, shortened surgical phase within the first 24 hours and the increased use of whole-body CT.

[No improved survival rate in severely injured patients by prehospital intubation : A retrospective data analysis and matched-pair analysis]. / Kein verbessertes Überleben bei schwerstverletzten Patienten durch die präklinische Intubation : Eine retrospektive Datenanalyse mit Matched-pair-Analyse.

BACKGROUND: Training programs for the treatment of trauma patients generally recommend establishing a secure airway if the patient presents with a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of less than 9; however, the evidence for its effectiveness is rather sparse. This study analyzed the effect of preclinical intubation on mortality of patients with a GCS <9 in an emergency medical situation. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included patients who were primarily admitted to a German level 1 trauma center between 2002 and 2012 with an injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 16, a GCS < 9 and primary transport from the site of the accident. Data were collected from the trauma registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery and from hospital records. A total of 455 patients were included and a matched-pair analysis of 62 patients was conducted. RESULTS: Both analytical methods showed no significant reduction in mortality rate after prehospital intubation. In the retrospective analysis intubated patients presented with a significantly lower systolic blood pressure on admission, received a higher amount of fluid volume at all phases of treatment and arrived at the hospital after a prolonged rescue time. In the matched-pair analysis, intubated patients also received a higher amount of fluid volume and showed better peripheral oxygen saturation on admission. No further differences between the groups could be found. CONCLUSION: It appears that preclinical intubation in trauma patients with a GCS < 9 does not result in a better outcome. The preclinical intubation resulted in a reduced systolic blood pressure on arrival at hospital, a prolonged preclinical rescue time and a greater amount of infused fluid volume.

[Case fatality rate and outcome in multiply injured patients after trauma: influence of specialisation from the first treating physician - an analysis of 198 patients from a national trauma centre]. / Einfluss der Fachdisziplin des erstbehandelnden Notarztes auf das präklinische Management von Mehrfachverletzten - eine Auswertung von 198 Traumapatienten eines überregionalen Traumazentrums.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of multiple injured patients is a highly demanding process concerning the amount and speed of gathered information. Physicians have to evaluate the situation and begin a treatment immediately. There may be influencing variables in the pre-clinical treatment which are correlated to the specialisation of the first treating physician and influencing the outcome of the patient. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the specialisation of the first treating physician on the pre-clinical treatment and the resulting outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All trauma patients of our department from 2007 to 2010 who fulfilled the following criteria were included into our study: completely recorded DIVI-emergency protocol with declared specialisation of the first treating physician and inclusion into the trauma register of the DGU. This group of patients was divided into three groups according to the specialisation of the first treating physician (anaesthesia, surgery and other) and compared with one another. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 198 patients. 76 were treated by anaesthesiologists, 58 by surgeons, and 64 by physicians of other specialisations. The Injury Severity Score (ISS), the age and the distribution between the sexes showed no significant differences. Surgeons applied significantly less volume pre-clinically (794 ml [anesthesiologists: 1275 ml, others: 1231 ml; p value = 0.036]), the haemoglobin value was higher in the surgeon-treated group. This was also reflected in the applied blood transfusions at admission. The pre-clinical intubation rates (anaesthesiologists 48.7 %, others 37.5 %, surgeons 31 % [p value = 0.11]), the ventilator free days within the first 30 days after admission (anaesthesiologists 21.8, others 21.0, surgeons 25.8), intensive care unit free days within the first 30 days after admission (anaesthesiologists 18.4, others 18.5, surgeons 22.4) as well as the rescue time and case fatality rate showed no significant differences between the different groups. CONCLUSION: Multiply injured patients get a different treatment from the different specialised physicians in the pre-clinical phase. There were differences in the pre-clinical applied volume and haemoglobin value. Rescue time and intubation rate as well as outcome parameters were not statistically different. The case fatality rate in total was not significantly different between the 3 groups.

[Current practice in coagulation and transfusion therapy in multiple trauma patients: A German nation-wide online survey]. / Stand der Gerinnungs- und Transfusionstherapie beim Schwerverletzten : Eine deutschlandweite Online-Umfrage.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the treatment of trauma-associated coagulopathy and bleeding has advanced enormously. The aim of this study was to assess the current practice of coagulation and transfusion management in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 2011 until January 2012 we conducted a survey via online-questionnaire that was sent per E-Mail to all members of the German Society for Trauma Surgery. It comprised 12 questions with respect to current treatment of coagulopathy and haemorrhage in trauma patients. RESULTS: The response rate was 145/3006 (5 %). The respondents had following specialties: 77.2 % trauma surgery 15.9 % anesthesiology, 6.9 % others. 64 % of respondents were employed by a Level 1 trauma centre, wheras 17 % worked in a local level 3 centre. The majority (94 %) claimed to treat hypothermia regularly. Only about half of the participants reported to follow a massive transfusion protocol in their institution. The potential components of these protocols were reported in varying rates, being it well-established components (e.g. FFP 78 %; Fibrinogen 75 %) or therapies with poor evidence in multiple trauma (Desmopressin 39 %, rFVIIa 47 %). Calcium was provided by only 48 % of respondents although generally recommended in all guidelines. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that in Germany strategies and principles regarding management of trauma-associated coagulopathy are standardized only poorly. Level 1 centres appear to apply a more advanced approach, however to much variability exists with respect to the components of the transfusion protocols. The low response rate indicates that most German trauma surgeons consider coagulation and hemorrhage as "expert-topics" beyond their field of duty.

[The injured child--diagnostic work-up in the emergency room]. / Das verletzte Kind--diagnostisches Vorgehen im Schockraum.

The diagnosis of an injured child in the emergency room requires interdisciplinary collaboration and should be performed in a level 1 or 2 trauma center, if possible. Here, the basic trauma team could be complemented with (pediatric) surgeons. In a pediatric trauma center, specially trained pediatric surgeons or trauma surgeons, anesthetists, and radiologists who are experienced in the treatment of children should be available. The initial emergency room treatment does not differ significantly from that of adults. Ionizing radiation is the greatest hazard for children in the diagnosis of trauma patients. The CT scan is responsible for most of the radiation. To reduce the risk of developing a malignancy, the most harmful consequence of radiation, differentiated use is necessary. This can be achieved by using the presented algorithms. However, the differentiated use of the CT should not result in additional risk to the child. If the child is in a critical condition and obviously has multiple life-threatening injuries, the use of a whole-body CT is justified, due to time saving and targeted therapy of the child.

Cervical biomechanics and neck pain of "head-spinning" breakdancers.

The cervical spine of breakdancers is at great risk due to reversed body loading during headspin manoeuvers. This study focused on the cervical biomechanics of breakdancers and a correlation with neck pain. A standardized interview and biomechanical testing of the cervical spine of 25 participants with "headspin" ability ages 16-34 years and an age-matched cohort of 25 participants without any cervical spine problems was conducted. Neck pain history, Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical range of motion (CROM) and cervical torque were recorded. The "headspin" group reported significantly better subjective fitness, more cervical complaints, higher pain intensity, a longer history of neck pain and a worse NDI compared to the "normal" collective. The "headspin" group showed a 2-2.5 times higher rate of neck pain than the normal population, with increased cervical flexion (p<0.05) and increased cervical torque in all planes (p<0.001). The CROM showed a negative moderate to strong correlation with NDI, pain intensity and history of neck pain. Sports medicine practitioners should be aware of headspin maneuver accidents that pose the risk of fractures, dislocations and spinal cord injuries of breakdancers.

[Hollow organ injury and multiple trauma: treatment, course and outcome - an organ-specific evaluation of 1127 patients from the trauma registry of the DGU]. / Inzidenz von Hohlorganverletzungen nach Trauma: Behandlung, Verlauf und Outcome - eine organspezifische Auswertung von 1127 Patienten des Traumaregisters der DGU.

BACKGROUND: The relevance of hollow organ trauma in severely injured patients within a large collective has not been thoroughly reviewed as yet. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of hollow organ trauma in relation to the outcome and the currently established method of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Altogether data of all patients of the Trauma Register of the German Society of Trauma Surgery (DGU) (1993 - 2009) were interpreted retrospectively. All patients with an "Injury Severity Score" (ISS) ≥ 16, direct admission to a trauma centre and an age of ≥ 16 years were included. All patients with abdominal trauma (AISabdomen ≥ 2) were compared with patients with hollow organ trauma (AIShollow organ ≥ 2). The following organs were attributed to the hollow organs: stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum / ileum), colon, gall bladder and urinary bladder. RESULTS: From 9268 patients with abdominal injuries 1127 (12.2 %) additionally showed a hollow organ injury (AISabdomen ≥ 2, AIShollow organ 2 - 5) and were analysed in dependence on the classification of the "American Association for the Surgery of Trauma" (AAST) organ severity score. AAST-hollow organ: II°: 4.6 %, III°: 5.3 %, IV°: 2.1 %, V°: 0.2 %. Patients with leading hollow organ injury (grades IV and V) thereby showed a significant increase of lethality (IV°: 32.7 % and V°: 31.3 %). With an increasing grade of hollow organ injury, however, the ISS increased as well. Lethality was not increased over the expected lethality rate (RISC score) due to the additional hollow organ injury though. CONCLUSION: The results presented here show the prevalence and the outcome of hollow organ injury in a large collective within the Trauma Register of the DGU for the first time.

[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.

Measurement of the silver ion concentration in wound fluids after implantation of silver-coated megaprostheses: correlation with the clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Tumor patients and patients after traumas are endangered by a reduced immune defense, and a silver coating on their megaprostheses may reduce their risks of infection. The aim of this study was to determine the silver ion concentration directly measured from the periprosthetic tissue and the influence on the clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Silver ions were evaluated in 5 mL wound fluids two days postoperatively and in blood patients 7 and 14 days after surgery using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry in 18 patients who underwent total joint replacement with a silver-coated megaendoprosthesis. RESULTS: The concentration of silver ions averaged 0.08 parts per million. Patients who showed an increased silver concentration in the blood postoperatively presented a lower silver concentration in the wound fluids and a delayed decrease in C-reactive protein levels. There were significantly fewer reinfections and shorter hospitalization in comparison with a group that did not receive a silver-coated megaprosthesis. CONCLUSION: An increased concentration of silver in the immediate surroundings of silver-coated prostheses was demonstrated for the first time in cohorts of patients with trauma or tumors. An elevated concentration of silver ions in the direct periprosthetic tissue may have reduced the infection rate.

[Stingray injury--a harmless injury for surfers?]. / Der Stachelrochenstich--eine harmlose Wellenreitverletzung?

BACKGROUND: Stingray injuries with potentially lethal outcomes have been described in the medical literature, but a stingray injury to a surfer does not belong to the injuries treated daily in Germany. PATIENTS: We report on a stingray injury to a 31-year-old female with an uncommon course. RESULTS: Diagnostics of and therapy for stingray injuries are described. CONCLUSION: Stingray stings are painful injuries. In addition to the pain-relieving heat deactivation of the stingray toxin, the wound has to be cleaned to avoid secondary infection. Non-radiopaque foreign bodies should be ruled out by MRI. Stingray bites can cause severe injuries to water sportsmen and women with the need for surgical intervention.

Abdominal vascular trauma in 760 severely injured patients.

PURPOSE: The relevance of abdominal vascular injuries in polytraumatic patients within a large collective has not yet been thoroughly analyzed. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of traumatic injuries in relation to outcome and currently established treatment options. METHODS: 51,425 patients from the Trauma Registry of the German Society of Trauma Surgery (TR DGU) (1993-2009) were analyzed retrospectively. All patients who had an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of ≥16, were directly admitted to a trauma center and subsequently received treatment for at least three days, were ≥16 years old, and had an abdominal injury (AISabdomen ≥2) were included. Patients with abdominal trauma (AISabdomen ≥2) were compared with patients with additional vascular trauma (AISvascular 2-5). RESULTS: 10,530 (20.5 %) of the 51,425 patients had documented abdominal injury. 760 (7.2 %) of the patients with abdominal injury additionally showed abdominal vascular injury (AISabdomen ≥2, AISvascular 2-5) and were analyzed based on the classification of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) organ severity score (AAST vascular injury grade: II, 2.4 %; III, 2.7 %; IV, 1.8 %; V, 0.2 %. Patients with high-grade abdominal vascular injury (grades IV and V) showed a significant increase in mortality (IV, 44.6 %; V, 60 %) and consequently a decrease in the need for surgical intervention (IV, 67.4 %; V, 64 %). CONCLUSIONS: The results presented here show the prevalence and outcome of abdominal vascular injuries in a large collective within the TR DGU for the first time. Based on the current literature and these findings, a treatment algorithm has been developed.

Special considerations in the interpretation of plain radiographs of the cervical spine in children. A review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: This review provides an overview of the special considerations with regard to correct diagnosis of plain radiographs of the pediatric cervical spine. Injuries to the cervical spine are rare in children. The leading trauma mechanism is motor vehicle injury. Plain radiographs are a common tool in the search for a diagnosis. Taking the growth process into account there are many differences to be found compared to the adult c-spine. Knowledge of these differences is important when working towards the correct interpretation of plain radiographs of the pediatric c-spine. METHODS: To create this review, a literature search of the electronic databases Cochrane, PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase was conducted. RESULTS: Special considerations of plain radiographs of the pediatric c-spine are presented. Biomechanical and embryology specifics have been a focus of this review. They are explained relating on the development of the c-spine. The known auxiliary lines used in the interpreting of the pediatric c-spine are reported. A selection of these auxiliary lines is shown. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the c-spines characteristics is of major importance for every physician involved in pediatric trauma care. This could lead to not only avoiding misdiagnosis but could also lead to avoiding the overuse of computed tomography of the pediatric c-spine.

Diagnosis of cervical spine injuries in children: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to discuss current knowledge of the diagnostic management of cervical spine (c-spine) injuries in children. METHODS: Studies dealing with this topic were collected from the following sources: MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Where possible, a meta-analysis was performed. Furthermore, the level of evidence for all the included publications was assigned. RESULTS: The incidence of cervical spine injury (CSI) in children is rare (1.39 %). It seems that the upper c-spine is more often injured in children younger than 8 years of age. When a CSI is expected, immobilization should be performed. The best immobilization is achieved with a combination of a half-spine board, rigid collar, and tape. The literature for thoracic elevation or an occipital recess in children younger than 8 years of age is inhomogeneous. The c-spine in children can be cleared by a combination of the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) low-risk criteria and the Canadian C-Spine Rule. Caution is advised for nonverbal and/or unconscious children. In these children, plain radiographs should be performed. If these images are inadequate or show hints for bony injuries, a computed tomography (CT) of the c-spine should be considered. Additional views of the c-spine offer only little information for clearing the c-spine.

[Urgency of neurosurgical interventions for severe traumatic brain injury]. / Dringlichkeit neurochirurgischer Interventionen bei schwerem Schädel-Hirn-Trauma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess whether the time interval between accident and neurosurgical intervention has an influence on functional neurological outcome and mortality in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) or whether the further clinical course has already been determined by the initial severity of the injury. METHODS: Data were derived from the Trauma Registry of the German Society of Trauma Surgery. A total of 770 patients were identified who had undergone decompressive surgery, had an ISS ≥ 9 and for whom time of accident and start of surgery had been documented. To evaluate the possible influence of the time factor on outcome and mortality, these patients were subdivided into five groups according to time until decompression (I: < 2 h, II: 2-3 h, III: 3-6 h, IV: 6-24 h and V: > 24 h). Aside from mortality we analysed AIS, GCS, age and ISS in survivors and non-survivors. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 770 patients with sTBI (AIS skull ≥3). The average age was 39.9 years and 71.6% were male. The average overall injury severity was reflected by an ISS score of 31.3 and the average AIS head score was 4.51. Of the 570 who underwent surgery in less than 6 h (groups 1-III), 33% died (188/570). Of the remaining 200 patients 40 died (20%). Mortality decreased throughout the groups (49 to 14%), as did the severity of the head injury (AIS 4.66 to 4.23); GCS on the other hand increased with the time between accident and surgery (5.9 to 8.8). CONCLUSION: We could not substantiate that reducing the time between accident and neurosurgical decompression could decrease mortality. It rather seems that the initial magnitude of brain damage determines prognosis and outcome after sTBI. The interval between the appearance of neurological symptoms (e.g. anisocoria) and neurosurgical intervention plays an important role and should be kept as short as possible.

[Emergency trauma room management in severely and most severely injured patients. A multidisciplinary task]. / Schockraummanagement beim Schwer- und Schwerstverletzten. Eine interdisziplinäre Aufgabe.

The treatment of most severely injured patients represents a great challenge for the trauma room team. Besides the time factor, which is a crucial cornerstone of the treatment in general and of the appropriate treatment of life-threatening injuries in particular, minor injuries and non-life-threatening injuries must also be taken into account. For this task, multidisciplinary processes play a paramount role. Advanced Trauma Life Support®, Definitive Surgical Trauma Care and the European Trauma Course represent training concepts, which predefine structured diagnostic and treatment procedures. These concepts allocate the highest treatment priority to injuries that may be immediately fatal for the patient. Besides those life-threatening injuries that are commonly summarised under the term "deathly six", other minor traumas should also be assessed and treated in a structured manner as they may often considerably affect the quality of life after trauma.

[S3 guideline on treatment of polytrauma/severe injuries. Trauma room care]. / S3-Leitlinie Polytrauma/Schwerverletzten-Behandlung. Schockraumversorgung.

For the multidisciplinary treatment team, the medical care of the most severely injured patients in the trauma room means they have to convert a structured evaluation process into a target-oriented treatment process. Apart from the time factor and the detection of life-threatening injuries that are often summarised under the term"deadly six", also so-called trivial injuries should not be overlooked, because they occasionally can crucially affect the quality of life after trauma. The S3 guideline on polytrauma does not claim to be complete. Important subjects such as the medical care of children have not yet been integrated into the guideline, but it is planned to include them in the next revision.

[Kidney injury and multiple trauma: outcome, course and treatment algorithm. An organ-specific evaluation of 835 patients from the trauma register of the DGU]. / Nierenverletzung und Polytrauma: Outcome, Verlauf und Behandlungsalgorithmus. Eine organspezifische Auswertung von 835 Patienten des TraumaRegisters der DGU.

BACKGROUND: The relevance of renal trauma in severely injured patients within a large collective has not yet been thoroughly reviewed. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of renal trauma in relation to the outcome and the currently established method of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Altogether data of 35,664 patients of the TraumaRegister of the German Society of Trauma Surgery (DGU) (1996-2007) were interpreted retrospectively. All patients with an injury severity score (ISS) ≥16, direct admission to a trauma center and an age of ≥16 years were included. All patients with abdominal trauma (AIS(Abdomen) ≥2) were compared with patients with abdominal and renal trauma (AIS(Kidney) ≥2). RESULTS: A total of 18,416 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria of which 6,218 (34.1%) had abdominal injuries. Of these patients with abdominal injury 835 (13.3%) additionally showed a kidney injury (AIS(Abdomen) ≥2, AIS(Kidney) 2-5) and were analyzed according to the classification of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) organ-severity-score. AAST kidney: II°: 45.5%, III°: 31.1%, IV°: 15.6%, V°: 7.8%. Patients with leading kidney injury (grade IV and V) thereby showed a significant increase in mortality (IV: 32.3% and V: 40.0%) and an increase in the need for surgical intervention (IV: 61.5 and V: 81.5%). With an increasing grade of renal injury, however, the ISS is also increased but mortality was not increased over the expected mortality rate (RISC score) due to the additional renal injury. Dialysis rate in the surviving patients showed an increased rate depending on the degree of the kidney injury (II: 5.5%, III: 7.6%, IV: 18.8%, V: 8.3%). CONCLUSION: The results presented here show the prevalence and the outcome of kidney injury in a large collective within the TraumaRegister of the DGU for the first time. Based on the current literature and the findings a treatment algorithm has been developed.