Reliability and validation of the German Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score.

PURPOSE: Patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) are important instruments to evaluate efficacy of orthopaedic procedures. The Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) is a PROM developed to evaluate outcomes after treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs). Purpose of this study is to develop and culturally adapt the German version of the ATRS and to evaluate reliability and validity. METHODS: The ATRS was translated by forward-backward translation based on common guidelines. In this retrospective study, 48 patients with a surgical intervention after ATR were recruited. Reliability was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was valued by determining Pearson correlation coefficient with the German version of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A). RESULTS: The German Version of the ATRS has an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.96) as well as an excellent test-retest-reliability (ICC 0.98). It has a moderately strong correlation with the VISA-A (r = 0.73) as well as with the FAOS subclasses (r = 0.6-0.79). CONCLUSION: The German version of the ATRS demonstrated good psychometric properties. It proofed to be a valid and reliable instrument for use in patients with Achilles tendon Rupture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

[Epiphysiolysis of the medial clavicle with posterior dislocation : Video article]. / Epiphysiolyse der medialen Klavikula mit posteriorer Luxation : Videobeitrag.

OBJECTIVE OF SURGERY: The goal of surgery is the anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation of an epiphysiolysis of the medial clavicle with posterior luxation in a child without harming intrathoracic structures. INDICATIONS: This case describes an acute epiphysiolysis of the medial clavicle Aitken type 0 with posterior dislocation. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Soft tissue infections within the region of the surgical access. Allergies against any materials used in the procedure. Successful closed reduction. Additional fracture of the clavicular shaft. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A detailed overview of the surgical technique is available through the video, which is accessible online as well as the graphic overview in this article. Longitudinal incision over the medial clavicle up to the sternoclavicular joint and preparation onto the bony structures. Display of the epiphysiolysis. Reduction of the medial clavicle. Introduction of two Kirscher wires along the longitudinal axis in the direction of the epiphysis and introduction of two sutures. Puncture of the cartilaginous epiphysis with the two sutures. Anatomical reduction of the medial clavicle and fixation by knots. With the continuous use of the sutures, fixation to the anterior periosteum and closure of the periosteum. Wound closure. FOLLOW-UP: For 6 weeks postoperative limitation of anteversion and abduction to 90°, afterwards unlimited functionality. No routine X­ray control. RESULT: After 6 months postoperative the patient is free of pain and has full range of motion. The Constant score is 97/100.

Current Trends in Orthopaedics and Trauma in Germany.

During the Guest Nation Symposium (cobranded with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie) at the 2023 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Congress in Las Vegas, the goal was to compile nationally important content from German orthopaedics and trauma surgery. This resulted in a mix of content on the latest developments in trauma care, knee arthroplasty, spinopelvic importance for hip arthroplasty, stemless shoulder endoprostheses, joint preservation for ankle osteoarthritis, trauma education, and research. Of course, this is only a small selection of the important issues that are being driven forward in Germany.

Reappraisal of clinical trauma trials: the critical impact of anthropometric parameters on fracture gap micro-mechanics-observations from a simulation-based study.

The evidence base of surgical fracture care is extremely sparse with only few sound RCTs available. It is hypothesized that anthropometric factors relevantly influence mechanical conditions in the fracture gap, thereby interfering with the mechanoinduction of fracture healing. Development of a finite element model of a tibia fracture, which is the basis of an in silico population (n = 300) by systematic variation of anthropometric parameters. Simulations of the stance phase and correlation between anthropometric parameters and the mechanical stimulus in the fracture gap. Analysis of the influence of anthropometric parameters on statistical dispersion between in silico trial cohorts with respect to the probability to generate two, with respect to anthropometric parameters statistically different trial cohorts, given the same power assumptions. The mechanical impact in the fracture gap correlates with anthropometric parameters; confirming the hypothesis that anthropometric factors are a relevant entity. On a cohort level simulation of a fracture trial showed that given an adequate power the principle of randomization successfully levels out the impact of anthropometric factors. From a clinical perspective these group sizes are difficult to achieve, especially when considering that the trials takes advantage of a "laboratory approach ", i.e. the fracture type has not been varied, such that in real world trials the cohort size have to be even larger to level out the different configurations of fractures gaps. Anthropometric parameters have a significant impact on the fracture gap mechanics. The cohort sizes necessary to level out this effect are difficult or unrealistic to achieve in RCTs, which is the reason for sparse evidence in orthotrauma. New approaches to clinical trials taking advantage of modelling and simulation techniques need to be developed and explored.

Performing Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) across Borders: Midterm Follow-Up of the Aeromedical Evacuation after Civilian Bus Accident at Madeira.

On 17 April 2019, a coach with tourists from Germany crashed in Madeira, requiring repatriation by the German Air Force. The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) concept was the central component of patient care. Data in Madeira were collected through a structured interview. The analysis of the Aeromedical Evacuation was based on intensive care transport records. In Germany, all available medical data sheets were reviewed for data collection. Quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Twenty-eight prehospital patients were transported to the Level III Trauma Center in Funchal (Madeira). Five operative procedures were performed. Fifteen patients were eligible for Aeromedical Evacuation (AE). In the second hospital phase in Germany, in total 82 radiological images and 9 operations were performed. Hospital stay lasted 11 days (median, IQR 10-18). Median follow-up (14 of 15 patients) was 16 months (IQR 16-21). Eighty percent (8 out of 10) showed an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Six key findings were identified in this study: divergent injury classification, impact of AE mission on health status, lack of communication, need of PTSD prophylaxis, patient identification, and media coverage. Those findings may improve AE missions in the future, e.g., when required after armed conflicts.

Return to sport after conservative treatment of elbow dislocation in judoka.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the elbow are frequent in judo combat, but studies on down-time and effect on performance after conservative treatments are rare. This issue is particularly relevant for elbow dislocations in high-performance patients such as elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) time-loss and (2) the regained level of performance in judoka after conservative treatment of simple elbow dislocation. METHODS: In cooperation with the European Judo Union, judoka were asked to complete a 139-item survey regarding elbow injuries they suffered during their career. Besides demographics, injury data, diagnosis and treatment options, the athletes were asked about down-time and reductions in performance level. This study enrolled 108 judoka with conservative treatment of elbow dislocation out of a population of 5426 volunteers. RESULTS: 69% (n=74) reported a time-loss of less than three months; 6% reported a time-loss of more than six months. The majority (68%, n=73) reported that they had returned to their previous performance level, while 22% (n=24) suffered from a slightly reduced level of performance. In the subgroup of international and national athletes (n=54), 63% returned to judo after less than three months, with 72% achieving the same level and 15% reporting a slightly reduced performance level. Level of performance and time lost after conservative treatment for elbow dislocations were comparable for male and female judoka. CONCLUSION: Approximately two out of three judoka returned to the same level of performance after three months of down-time after undergoing conservative therapy for simple elbow dislocations. Despite the high performance level of the study population, conservative treatment of simple elbow dislocation resulted in satisfactory outcomes. The presented data can guide medical professionals and competitive-level contact-sport athletes with respect to expectations in the process of returning to sport.

Vancomycin Concentrations in Synovial Fluid Do Not Reach Chondrotoxic Thresholds After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Vancomycin-Soaked Autologous Soft Tissue Grafts: An In Vivo Prospective Observational Study in Humans.

BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed that vancomycin soaking of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft can drastically reduce the incidence of postoperative infections after ACL reconstruction. However, it remains unknown whether the chondrotoxic threshold of vancomycin in synovial fluid is exceeded during this process. Several studies investigated the chondrotoxic properties of vancomycin in in vitro experiments and described a concentration of 1000 µg/mL as the critical threshold. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of the study was to measure the vancomycin concentration in synovial fluid after ACL reconstruction with vancomycin-soaked autografts. It was hypothesized that intra-articular vancomycin concentrations in the synovial fluid would not reach the chondrotoxic threshold of 1000 µg/mL after vancomycin soaking of autologous semitendinosus tendon and soft tissue quadriceps tendon grafts for ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The study enrolled 10 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction using 4-strand semitendinosus tendon autografts and 10 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction using soft tissue quadriceps tendon autografts. Before implantation, each harvested graft was intraoperatively wrapped in gauze swabs that had been soaked in a 5-mg/mL vancomycin solution. After wound closure, an aspirate of 5 mL of synovial fluid was taken from each patient. The vancomycin concentration of the aspirate was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Spearman rho correlation coefficients were used to identify relationships between the parameters, and the t test was used to test for differences between graft types. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study included 20 patients (14 women and 6 men; age, 29.35 ± 11.3 years). The mean vancomycin concentration measured in the synovial fluid was 23.23 ± 21.68 µg/mL, with a minimum concentration of 2.32 µg/mL and a maximum concentration of 71.56 µg/mL. No significant difference was found between the 2 graft types (P = .911). Significant positive correlation (r = 0.644; P < .05) was observed only between the vancomycin concentration and the mean duration from initiation of vancomycin soaking of semitendinosus tendon grafts to implantation (13.4 ± 6 minutes). No correlations were observed between the vancomycin concentration and the duration from implantation to fluid aspiration or between the vancomycin concentration and the graft diameter (median, 8.5 mm; range, 6.0-10.0 mm) for both graft types. CONCLUSION: Chondrotoxic vancomycin concentrations ≥1000 µg/mL were not reached in any aspiration of synovial fluid after ACL reconstruction using soft tissue autografts that were intraoperatively soaked in a 5-mg/mL vancomycin solution. Against the backdrop of multiple studies that showed significantly reduced infection rates after ACL reconstruction when vancomycin soaking was used, this study suggests that the chondrotoxic properties of this method are negligible because of its submarginal intra-articular concentrations.

The European guideline on management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following trauma: sixth edition.

BACKGROUND: Severe trauma represents a major global public health burden and the management of post-traumatic bleeding continues to challenge healthcare systems around the world. Post-traumatic bleeding and associated traumatic coagulopathy remain leading causes of potentially preventable multiorgan failure and death if not diagnosed and managed in an appropriate and timely manner. This sixth edition of the European guideline on the management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following traumatic injury aims to advise clinicians who care for the bleeding trauma patient during the initial diagnostic and therapeutic phases of patient management. METHODS: The pan-European, multidisciplinary Task Force for Advanced Bleeding Care in Trauma included representatives from six European professional societies and convened to assess and update the previous version of this guideline using a structured, evidence-based consensus approach. Structured literature searches covered the period since the last edition of the guideline, but considered evidence cited previously. The format of this edition has been adjusted to reflect the trend towards concise guideline documents that cite only the highest-quality studies and most relevant literature rather than attempting to provide a comprehensive literature review to accompany each recommendation. RESULTS: This guideline comprises 39 clinical practice recommendations that follow an approximate temporal path for management of the bleeding trauma patient, with recommendations grouped behind key decision points. While approximately one-third of patients who have experienced severe trauma arrive in hospital in a coagulopathic state, a systematic diagnostic and therapeutic approach has been shown to reduce the number of preventable deaths attributable to traumatic injury. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary approach and adherence to evidence-based guidelines are pillars of best practice in the management of severely injured trauma patients. Further improvement in outcomes will be achieved by optimising and standardising trauma care in line with the available evidence across Europe and beyond.

Frequency of relevant back pain two years after trauma and the effect on health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Persisting back pain is a frequent consequence after severe trauma including injury to the spine. Reports on the incidence and relevance of back pain in severely injured patients in the absence of direct injury to the spine are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of relevant back pain and its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in trauma patients with spine injury compared to patients without direct impact to spine postdischarge and two years after trauma within an observational study. METHODS: A two-year follow-up survey by using the Polytrauma Outcome Chart (PoloChart) and a set of specific questionnaires on socioeconomic and other HRQoL aspects was conducted among adult patients that had been treated for severe traumatic injuries (ISS ⩾ 9) at a German level 1 trauma center between 2008 and 2017. Patient subgroups included patients with relevant (VAS ⩾ 3) versus non-relevant back pain (VAS < 3) stratified by visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10). Patients with relevant back pain were separated into patients with (AIS spine ⩾ 1) and without spine injury (AIS spine = 0) according to the Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS). RESULTS: 543/1010 questionnaires were returned yielding a response rate of 54%. Patients were predominantly male (n= 383/543; 71%) with a mean age 45 ± 19 years, mostly blunt trauma (n= 524/543; 97%) and a mean ISS 18 ± 12 points. 32.4% of patients had sustained a spine injury defined by an AIS spine ⩾ 1 (n= 176/543). Half of these patients suffered from relevant back pain two years after trauma (n= 90/176; 51.1%); in contrast, in non-spine injured patients one in three patients reported relevant back pain (n= 127/367; 34.6%). Patients with relevant back pain reported significantly lower HRQoL as measured by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Trauma Outcome Profile. The use of pain medication after discharge and at two years after trauma was significantly higher in patients with relevant back pain (n= 183/211; 86.7% vs. n= 214/318; 75.8%; p< 0.001; pain medication 2 years after trauma: n= 113/210, 53.8% vs. 68/317, 21.5%, p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Persisting back pain is frequent at two years after trauma independent of presence or absence of initial injury to the spine and associated with lower HRQoL in almost every dimension including physical, mental and social domains.

Global Coagulation Testing in Acute Care Medicine: Back to Bedside?

OBJECTIVES: Detailed and decisive information about the patients' coagulation status is important in various emergency situations. Conventional global coagulation testing strategies are often used to provide a quick overview, but several limitations particularly in the trauma setting are well described. With the introduction of direct oral anticoagulations (DOACs), a milestone for several disease entities resulting in overall improved outcomes could be reached, but at the same time providing new diagnostic challenges for the emergency situation. DESIGN: As an alternative to conventional coagulation tests, there is increasing clinical and scientific interest in the use of early whole blood strategies to provide goal-directed coagulation therapies (GDCT) and hemostatic control in critically ill patients. Viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHAs) were therefore introduced to several clinical applications and may provide as a bedside point-of-care method for faster information on the underlying hemostatic deficiency. CONCLUSION: The use of VHA-based algorithms to guide hemostatic control in emergency situations now found its way to several international guidelines for patients at risk of bleeding. With this qualitative review, we would like to focus on VHA-based GDCT and review the current evidence for its use, advantages, and challenges in the two different clinical scenarios of trauma and intracerebral bleeding/stroke management.

[Treatment of Achilles insertional calcific tendinosis using a longitudinal midline incision approach/central tendon splitting approach]. / Therapie der kalzifizierten Insertionstendinopathie der Achillessehne über einen transtendinösen Zugang.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of Achilles insertional calcific tendinosis through a longitudinal midline incision approach with optional resection of the retrocalcaneal bursa and calcaneal tuberosity (Haglund's deformity). INDICATIONS: Calcific Achilles tendinosis, dorsal heel spur, insertional tendinosis. CONTRAINDICATIONS: General medical contraindications to surgical interventions. Fracture, infection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Longitudinal skin incision medial of the Achilles tendon. Exposure and midline incision of the Achilles tendon with plantar detachment from the insertion site preserving medial and lateral attachment. Resection of a dorsal heel spur and intratendinous calcifications. Optional resection of the retrocalcaneal bursa and calcaneal tuberosity (Haglund's deformity). POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial weight bearing 20 kg in 30° plantar flexion in a long walker boot for 2 weeks. Afterwards 2 weeks of progressively weight bearing in 15° plantar flexion and another 2 weeks in neutral ankle joint position in a long walker boot. RESULTS: A total of 26 feet of 26 patients with calcific Achilles tendinosis were treated with midline incision of the tendon. In all feet calcific tendon parts were resected. In 10 (38%) feet, a prominent dorsal spur was resected, in 12 feet (38%) retrocalcaneal bursa, and in 24 (92%) feet a calcaneal tuberosity. Mean follow-up was 34.5 months (range 2-64 months). Preoperative Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) score was 58.2 (±8.1) and postoperatively the score was 22.75 (±6.0). In all, 7 (26.9%) patients stated delayed wound healing; 1 suffered from deep vein thrombosis. Shoe problems were reported by 50% of patients, and 23.1% suffered from par- or dysesthesia. No revision surgery was required.

Survival after traumatic cardiac arrest is possible-a comparison of German patient-registries.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to trauma is rare, and survival in this group is infrequent. Over the last decades, several new procedures have been implemented to increase survival, and a "Special circumstances chapter" was included in the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines in 2015. This article analysed outcomes after traumatic cardiac arrest in Germany using data from the German Resuscitation Registry (GRR) and the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) of the German Trauma Society.  METHODS: In this study, data from patients with OHCA between 01.01.2014 and 31.12.2019 secondary to major trauma and where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started were eligible for inclusion. Endpoints were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hospital admission with ROSC and survival to hospital discharge. RESULTS: 1.049 patients were eligible for inclusion. ROSC was achieved in 28.7% of the patients, 240 patients (22.9%) were admitted to hospital with ROSC and 147 (14.0%) with ongoing CPR. 643 (67.8%) patients were declared dead on scene. Of all patients resuscitated after traumatic OHCA, 27.3% (259) died in hospital. The overall mortality was 95.0% and 5.0% survived to hospital discharge (47). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis; age, sex, injury severity score (ISS), head injury, found in cardiac arrest, shock on admission, blood transfusion, CPR in emergency room (ER), emergency surgery and initial electrocardiogram (ECG), were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Traumatic cardiac arrest was an infrequent event with low overall survival. The mortality has remained unchanged over the last decades in Germany. Additional efforts are necessary to identify reversible cardiac arrest causes and provide targeted trauma resuscitation on scene. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS, DRKS-ID DRKS00027944. Retrospectively registered 03/02/2022.

Plasmatic coagulation profile after major traumatic injury: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Uncontrolled hemorrhage is still the major cause of preventable death after trauma and is aggravated by trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). The underlying pathophysiology of TIC is still elusive, but several key effectors such as the thrombin-generation capacity, the protein C (PC) pathway, and the fibrinolytic activity could be identified. The aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate plasma coagulation markers attributed to reflect the course of TIC and to identify the mechanisms being responsible for the coagulopathy after major trauma. METHODS: Seventy-three consecutive patients after major trauma and admission to a level-1-trauma unit were included to the study. During early trauma management, extended coagulation testing including the measurement of circulating thrombin markers and activated PC (APC) was performed and correlated with standard shock parameters and the patients' clinical course and outcome. RESULTS: In contrast to standard coagulation parameters, thrombin markers and APC were found to be increased in correlation with injury severity. Even in patients with lower impact mechanisms, early endogenous accumulation of thrombin markers and APC (ISS < 16: 0.5 ng/ml; ISS ≥ 16-26: 1.5 ng/ml; ISS > 26: 4.1 ng/ml) were observed. Furthermore, APC showed ISS- and injury-dependent patterns while ROC curve analysis revealed that especially APC plasma levels were predictive for coagulopathy and general patient outcome. CONCLUSION: Increased levels of APC and thrombin markers in patients after major trauma were positively correlated with injury severity. APC showed an ISS- and injury-dependent kinetic and might serve as candidate biomarker to identify patients at risk for developing TIC.

Prevention of severe injuries of child passengers in motor vehicle accidents: is re-boarding sufficient?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether prolonged re-boarding of restraint children in motor vehicle accidents is sufficient to prevent severe injury. METHODS: Data acquisition was performed using the Trauma Register DGU® (TR-DGU) in the time period from 2010 to 2019 of seriously injured children (AIS 2 +) aged 0-5 years as motor vehicle passengers (MVP). Primarily treated and transferred patients where included. RESULTS: The study group included 727 of 2030 (35.8%) children, who were severely injured (AIS 2 +) in road traffic accidents, among them 268 (13.2%) as MVPs in the age groups: 0-1 years (42.5%), 2-3 years (26.1%) and 4-5 years (31.3%). The pattern of severe injury was head/brain (56.0%), thoracic (42.2%), abdominal (13.1%), fractures (extremities and pelvis, 52.6%) and spine/severe whiplash (19.8%). The 0-1-year-old MVPs showed the significantly highest proportion of brain injuries with Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) < 8 and severe injury to the spine. The 2-3-year-olds showed the significantly highest proportion of fractures especially the lower extremity and highest proportion of cervical spine injuries of all spine injuries, while the 4-5-year-olds, the significantly highest proportion of abdominal injury and second highest proportion of cervical spine injury of all spine injuries. MVPs of the 0-1-year-old and 2-3-year-old groups showed a higher median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 21.5 and 22.1 points than the older children (17.0 points). They also suffered an AIS-6-injury significantly more often (9 of 21) of spine (p = 0.001). Especially the cervical spine was significantly more often involved. Passengers at the age of 0-1 years were treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) three times as often as older children in the prehospital setting and twice as often at admission in the Trauma Resuscitation Unit (TRU). Their survival rate was 7 out of 8 (0-1 years), 1 out of 6 (2-3 years) and 1 out of 4 (4-5 years). CONCLUSION: Although the younger MVPs are restraint in a re-boarding position, severe injury to the spine and head occurred more often, while older children as front-faced positioned MVPs suffered from significantly higher rates of abdominal and more often severe facial injury. Our data show, that it is more important to properly restrain children in their adequate car seats (i-size-Norm) and additionally consider the age-related physiological and anatomical specific risks of injury as well as co-factors in road traffic accidents, than only prolonging the re-boarding position over the age of 15 months as a single method.

Diagnostic value of chest radiography in the early management of severely injured patients with mediastinal vascular injury.

INTRODUCTION: Time is of the essence in the management of severely injured patients. This is especially true in patients with mediastinal vascular injury (MVI). This rare, yet life threatening injury needs early detection and immediate decision making. According to the ATLS guidelines [American College of Surgeon Committee on Trauma in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®), 10th edn, 2018], chest radiography (CXR) is one of the first-line imaging examinations in the Trauma Resuscitation Unit (TRU), especially in patients with MVI. Yet thorough interpretation and the competence of identifying pathological findings are essential for accurate diagnosis and drawing appropriate conclusion for further management. The present study evaluates the role of CXR in detecting MVI in the early management of severely injured patients. METHOD: We addressed the question in two ways. (1) We performed a retrospective, observational, single-center study and included all primary blunt trauma patients over a period of 2 years that had been admitted to the TRU of a Level-I Trauma Center. Mediastinal/chest (M/C) ratio measurements were calculated from CXRs at three different levels of the mediastinum to identify MVI. Two groups were built: with MVI (VThx) and without MVI (control). The accuracy of the CXR findings were compared with the results of whole-body computed tomography scans (WBCT). (2) We performed another retrospective study and evaluated the usage of sonography, CXR and WBCT over 15 years (2005-2019) in level-I-III Trauma Centers in Germany as documented in the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU). RESULTS: Study I showed that in 2 years 267 patients suffered from a significant blunt thoracic trauma (AIS ≥ 3) and met the inclusion criteria. 27 (10%) of them suffered MVI (VThx). Through the initial CXR in a supine position, MVI was detected in 56-92.6% at aortic arch level and in 44.4-100% at valve level, depending on different M/C-ratios (2.0-3.0). The specificity at different thresholds of M/C ratio was 63.3-2.9% at aortic arch level and 52.9-0.4% at valve level. The ROC curve showed a statistically random process. No significant differences of the cardiac silhouette were observed between VThx and Control (mean cardiac width was 136.5 mm, p = 0.44). Study II included 251,095 patients from the TR-DGU. A continuous reduction of the usage of CXR in the TRU could be observed from 75% in 2005 to 25% in 2019. WBCT usage increased from 35% in 2005 to 80% in 2019. This development was observed in all trauma centers independently from their designated level of care. CONCLUSION: According to the TRU management guidelines (American College of Surgeon Committee on Trauma in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®), 10th edn, 2018; Reissig and Kroegel in Eur J Radiol 53:463-470, 2005) CXR in supine position is performed to detect pneumothorax, hemothorax and MVI. Our study showed that sensitivity and specificity of CXR in detecting MVI was statistically and clinically not reliable. Previous studies have already shown that CXR is inferior to sonography in detecting pneumothorax and hemothorax. Therefore, we challenge the guidelines and suggest that the use of CXR in the early management of severely injured patients should be individualized. If sonography and WBCT are available and reasonable, CXR is unnecessary and time consuming. The clinical reality reflected in the usage of CXR and WBCT over time, as documented in the TR-DGU, seems to support our statement.

[Treatment of severely injured patients by emergency physicians from different medical specialties : A retrospective multicenter investigation of data from the ADAC Air Recue Service and the German TraumaRegister DGU®]. / Schwerverletztenversorgung durch Notärzte aus unterschiedlichen Fachgebieten : Eine retrospektive, multizentrische Untersuchung aus Daten der ADAC Luftrettung und des deutschen TraumaRegister DGU®.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The level 3 guidelines on treatment of patients with severe/multiple injuries provide a defined framework for an appropriate treatment of these patients. It is presumed that prehospital diagnostic and therapeutic decisions are affected by the clinical expertise and the medical disciplines of the emergency physicians. METHODS: Retrospective, multicenter study based on data from the ADAC Air Recue Service and the TraumaRegister DGU®. In the study period 2011-2015, a total of 11,019 seriously injured patients were included. They were treated by emergency physicians from the following disciplines: anesthesiology (ANÄ), internal medicine (INN) and surgery (CHIR). RESULTS: Of the patients 81.9% were treated by ANÄ, 7.6% by INN and 10.5% by CHIR. Preclinically, 40.5% of patients were intubated (ANÄ 43.0%, INN 31.2%, CHIR 28.3%; p < 0.001), 5.5% received pleural decompression (ANÄ 5.9%, INN 4.2%, CHIR 2.8%; p = 0.004),and 10.8% were treated with catecholamines (ANÄ 11.3%, INN 8.3%, CHIR 8.3%; p = 0.022). Unconscious patients were intubated in 96.0% (ANÄ 96.1%, INN 97.7%, CHIR 93.9%; p = 0.205). The mortality was not influenced by the medical specialty of the emergency physician. CONCLUSION: In this air rescue cohort differences in indications for invasive procedures were observed between the groups. This may be caused by their clinical background. Using the example of intubation, it has been shown that guideline recommendations were closely followed irrespective of the medical specialty of the emergency physician.

Factors predicting failure of internal fixations of fractures of the lower limbs: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We assessed predictive factors of patients with fractures of the lower extremities caused by trauma. We examined which factors are associated with an increased risk of failure. Furthermore, the predictive factors were set into context with other long-term outcomes, concrete pain and physical functioning. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study at a single level I trauma center. We enrolled patients with traumatic fractures of the lower extremities treated with internal fixation from April 2017 to July 2018. We evaluated the following predictive factors: age, gender, diabetes, smoking status, obesity, open fractures and peripheral arterial diseases. The primary outcome was time to failure (nonunion, implant failure or reposition). Secondary outcomes were pain and physical functioning measured 6 months after initial surgery. For the analysis of the primary outcome, we used a stratified (according fracture location) Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: We included 204 patients. Overall, we observed failure in 33 patients (16.2 %). Most of the failures occurred within the first 3 months. Obesity and open fractures were associated with an increased risk of failure and decreased physical functioning. None of the predictors showed an association with pain. Age, female gender and smoking of more than ≥ 10 package years increased failure risk numerically but statistical uncertainty was high. CONCLUSIONS: We found that obesity and open fractures were strongly associated with an increased risk of failure. These predictors seem promising candidates to be included in a risk prediction model and can be considered as a good start for clinical decision making across different types of fractures at the lower limbs. However, large heterogeneity regarding the other analyzed predictors suggests that "simple" models might not be adequate for a precise personalized risk estimation and that computer-based models incorporating a variety of detailed information (e.g. pattern of injury, x-ray and clinical data) and their interrelation may be required to significantly increase prediction precision. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03091114 .

Alcohol and trauma: the influence of blood alcohol levels on the severity of injuries and outcome of trauma patients - a retrospective analysis of 6268 patients of the TraumaRegister DGU®.

BACKGROUND: Blood alcohol level (BAL) has previously been considered as a factor influencing the outcome of injured patients. Despite the well-known positive correlation between alcohol-influenced traffic participation and the risk of accidents, there is still no clear evidence of a positive correlation between blood alcohol levels and severity of injury. The aim of the study was to analyze data of the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU), to find out whether the blood alcohol level has an influence on the type and severity of injuries as well as on the outcome of multiple-trauma patients. METHODS: Datasets from 11,842 trauma patients of the TR-DGU from the years 2015 and 2016 were analyzed retrospectively and 6268 patients with a full dataset and an AIS ≥ 3 could be used for evaluation. Two groups were formed for data analysis. A control group with a BAL = 0 ‰ (BAL negative) was compared to an alcohol group with a BAL of ≥0.3‰ to < 4.0‰ (BAL positive). Patients with a BAL >  0‰ and <  0.3‰ were excluded. They were compared with regard to various preclinical, clinical and physiological parameters. Additionally, a subgroup analysis with a focus on patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) was performed. A total of 5271 cases were assigned to the control group and 832 cases to the BAL positive group. 70.3% (3704) of the patients in the control group were male. The collective of the control group was on average 5.7 years older than the patients in the BAL positive group (p < .001). The control group showed a mean ISS of 20.3 and the alcohol group of 18.9 (p = .007). In terms of the injury severity of head, the BAL positive group was significantly higher on average than the control group (p <  0.001), whereas the control group showed a higher AIS to thorax and extremities (p <  0.001). The mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 10.8 in the BAL positive group and 12.0 in the control group (p <  0.001). Physiological parameters such as base excess (BE) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) showed reduced values ​​for the BAL positive group. However, neither the 24-h mortality nor the overall mortality showed a significant difference in either group (p = 0.19, p = 0.14). In a subgroup analysis, we found that patients with a relevant head injury (AIS: Abbreviated Injury Scale head ≥3) and positive BAL displayed a higher survival rate compared to patients in the control group with isolated TBI (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study analyzed the influence of the blood alcohol level in severely injured patients in a large national dataset. BAL positive patients showed worse results with regard to head injuries, the GCS and to some other physiological parameters. Finally, neither the 24-h mortality nor the overall mortality showed a significant difference in either group. Only in a subgroup analysis the mortality rate in BAL negative patients with TBI was significantly higher than the mortality rate of BAL positive patients with TBI. This mechanism is not yet fully understood and is discussed controversially in the literature.

[Plantar fascia release and decompression of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter's nerve)]. / Plantarfaszienrelease und Dekompression des ersten kalkanearen Astes des Nervus plantaris lateralis (Baxter-Nerv).

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis and release of the first calcaneal branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter's nerve). INDICATIONS: Chronic plantar fasciitis, compression of the first calcaneal branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter's nerve). CONTRAINDICATIONS: General medical contraindications to surgical interventions, infection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Longitudinal incision at the medial heel. Exposure of the plantar fascia at its origin on the medial plantar calcaneus. Medial incision of the plantar fascia preserving the lateral portion. Resection of a heel spur, if present. Exposure of the abductor hallucis muscle. Incision of the superficial fascia of the muscle. Retraction of the muscle belly und incision of the deep portion of the fascia, decompression of the nerve. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Two weeks partial weight bearing 20 kg in a healing shoe. Progressively weight bearing using a shoe with a stiff sole for another 4 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 32 feet of 27 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis and compression of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve were treated with medial incision of the fascia and a nerve decompression. In 24 feet a calcaneal spur was resected. Mean follow-up was 25.6 months (12-35 months). Preoperative Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) score was 52.5 (±9.0), postoperative MOXFQ score was 31.3 (±4.1). Six (18,8%) patients had same or more pain 6 weeks postoperatively.;8 (25%) patients stated minor complications like swelling, delayed wound healing, temporary hypoesthesia or pain while walking.