[Organizational redistribution of Ukrainian war wounded for care in Germany]. / Organisatorische Weiterverteilung ukrainischer Kriegsverletzter zur Versorgung in Deutschland.

Due to the war in Ukraine, which began on February 24th, 2022, countless people are injured every day, regardless of whether they are civilians or soldiers. This has led to the Ukrainian healthcare system being massively overburdened and for this reason these patients are brought to Germany, among other places, to be treated here. This article is intended to show the way and the organizational effort required to distribute the patients to the clinics in Germany.

[ATLS® and TDSC®: how it fits together : A treatment concept for mass casualty and terrorist-related mass casualty situations, life-threatening and special scenarios]. / ATLS® und TDSC®: How it fits together : Ein Behandlungskonzept für MANV und TerrorMANV, lebensbedrohliche oder besondere Lagen.

Terrorist-related mass casualty incidents represent a medical and organizational challenge for all hospitals. The main reasons are the special patterns of injuries, the onset and development of the scenario, the lack of information at the beginning, the overall number of casualties and the number of uninjured but involved patients presenting at the hospital.Due to these circumstances and the high percentage of penetrating injuries with a permanent risk of uncontrollable bleeding and other life-threatening complications, a strategic and tactical initial surgical care is necessary.For these special terrorist-related mass casualty (MasCal) situations, the Terror and Disaster Surgical Care (TDSC®) course was developed and imparts special medical and surgical knowledge as well as a scenario-based training in surgical decision-making. The TDSC® course focusses on the scenario-related provision of surgical care and distribution of the limited resources to enable survival for as many patients as possible.To improve individualized trauma care course formats, such as the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) were established and are nowadays widespread in Germany. It could be shown that standardized approaches and algorithm-based treatment could improve the outcome of trauma victims. Faced with the present day permanent risk of a possible terrorist-related MasCal situation, the question arises how and to what extent elements and principles of both course formats (TDSC® and ATLS®) could be used to improve and organize the initial care in a terrorist-linked MasCal incident.For the first time it is shown that the key elements of both courses (primary survey of the ATLS® and the TDSC® principles: categorization, prioritization, disposition and realization) could be established and integratively used to structure the initial intrahospital medical and surgical care.

[Artificial intelligence, robotics and digitalization in the concept of military surgery of the German medical service]. / Künstliche Intelligenz, Robotik und Digitalisierung im Konzept der Einsatzchirurgie des deutschen Sanitätsdienstes.

BACKGROUND: As in other areas, military surgery is being transformed by developments in artificial intelligence, robotics and digitalization. Although the prospect of operating with a robot-assisted surgery system in the country of deployment while the responsible surgeon is in Germany is still a long way off, the training of military surgeons and the treatment of injured soldiers on deployment would nowadays be unimaginable without the digitalization of surgery in the armed forces. The structure of the medical environment in German clinics places restrictions on training that is close to operational reality. In the daily routine it is not possible to carry out the necessary numbers of deployment-relevant emergency surgical procedures under the expected conditions. Such procedures thus require the use of appropriate simulators or simulated scenarios that are as close to reality as possible. Although military surgeons are qualified in at least two specialist areas, the availability of telemedicine on deployment is helping to noticeably improve the treatment of injured soldiers. Telemedical consultation with colleagues in Germany makes it possible, for example, to reach joint decisions across different branches and disciplines. CONCLUSION: Until now it has not been possible to substitute the attending surgeon in the country of deployment with robot-assisted surgery systems or even robots for carrying out life-saving and stabilizing procedures; however, in order to provide surgeons with the necessary tools to successfully operate in situations where there is a shortage of personnel and materials in an inhospitable environment, use is made of the means that are currently available in the German medical services and constant efforts are made to explore the future possibilities of digital simulation. This article shows the reader the current status of digitalization in surgical training and deployments in the German armed forces.

In-vitro study of species-specific coagulation differences in animals and humans using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).

Animal tests are conducted in all fields of trauma research, but transferability of these data to humans is limited. For example, it is still unclear which animal species is most similar to humans in terms of physiology of blood coagulation. To improve transferability and raise awareness of the existing differences, we compared human coagulation to coagulation of different animals. Rotational thromboelastometry was used to analyse the blood of pigs, sheep, rabbits and dogs. Animal data were compared with human coagulation based on the number of significant differences of the test parameters and on a descriptive comparison of the extent of relative deviation of the single values. All animal species showed significant differences in coagulation properties when compared with humans. Coagulation parameters of dogs and sheep were on average most similar to humans. However, there is no animal which is most similar to humans concerning all aspects of coagulation. Differences in coagulation between humans and animals are significant. This must be taken into account when transferring animal test data to humans.

[Vascular surgical training concept for military surgeons in Germany]. / Gefäßchirurgisches Ausbildungskonzept für Militärchirurgen in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing threat of terrorist attacks and assassinations even in Europe, the interest in management of severe vascular injuries, which, with an increased incidence of 10% are to be expected with such penetrating wounds, is also growing; however, with increasing subspecialization in surgery there is a threat that the know-how in vascular surgery will become lost among non-vascular surgical specialists. Therefore, the Germany military established an educational program, the so-called DUOplus concept, to ensure that future military surgeons acquire and retain the experience and skills to fulfill the demanding role of a deployed surgeon. OBJECTIVE: The DUOplus concept of the German Medical Forces is introduced with a special focus on vascular surgery training. RESULTS: All trainee German military surgeons attain a second specialization alongside general surgery. This residency includes several courses in various surgical specialties as well as a 12-month rotation in a vascular surgery department. The core elements of vascular trauma training are two practical courses on life-like models. In these courses, which were developed especially for the needs of non-vascular surgeons in hands-on training, open surgical techniques and damage control measures including resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) are taught on suitable models and intensively practiced. CONCLUSION: All surgeons potentially confronted with traumatic and iatrogenic vascular injuries should have some basic competence in the management of vascular trauma. Especially the courses in vascular surgery for non-vascular surgeons offer such a skill set for every surgeon. Next to the German military surgeons, the courses are attended more and more by civilian and military surgeons from different surgical specialties and nationalities.

[Update on gunshot wounds to extremities]. / Update zu Schussverletzungen der Extremitäten.

Due to recent rampage and terror attacks in Europe, gunshot wounds have become a focus of attention even though they are still rare in Europe. Approximately 50% of gunshot wounds affect the extremities and to understand the sequelae, a basic knowledge of wound ballistics is indispensable. The energy transmitted from the bullet to the tissue is responsible for the severity of the injury and is dependent on the type of weapon and ammunition. A differentiation is made between low-energy injuries caused, e.g. by pistols and high-energy injuries mostly caused by rifles. The higher energy transfer to the tissue in high-energy injuries, results in a temporary wound cavity in addition to the permanent wound channel with extensive soft tissue damage. High-energy gunshot fractures are also more extensive compared to those of low energy injuries. Debridement seems to be necessary for almost all gunshot wounds. Fractures should be temporarily stabilized with an external fixator due to contamination.

Changes in trauma management following the implementation of the whole-body computed tomography: a retrospective multi-centre study based on the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®).

OBJECTIVES: Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) plays an increasingly important role in the diagnostic assessment of trauma room patients. It is still unclear whether its use has led to changes of trauma room procedures and patient outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective multi-centric study based on the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®), we analysed patients with an ISS ≥ 9 between 2002 and 2013. Two periods of time, i.e. up to 3 years preceding (pre-WBCT) and up to 3 years following the introduction of the WBCT (WBCT-group), were assessed separately for every hospital (TR-DGU Project ID 2014-020). RESULTS: 19,838 patients underwent treatment in 77 hospitals. Of these, 5621 were assigned to the pre-WBCT group and 11,307 to the WBCT group. Basic data did not differ relevantly. The time spent in the trauma room decreased from 77.9 min (pre-WBCT) to 63.3 min (WBCT). Following the introduction of the trauma scan, the number of diagnoses per patient increased from 4.6 to 5.1. The percentage of patients who underwent surgery immediately after the completion of trauma room procedures decreased from 44.5 to 39.1%. There was an increase in mortality from 15.7 to 15.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of WBCT is not superior to a combination of conventional radiography, ultrasound and focused CT in terms of mortality. The entire process involving the introduction of the trauma scan and the further development of algorithms has caused changes that can be observed in the trauma room setting.

[Preclinical and intrahospital management of mass casualties and terrorist incidents]. / Prä- und innerklinisches Management bei MANV und Terroranschlag.

Due to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Brussels, Ansbach, Munich, Berlin and more recently Manchester and London, terrorism is realized as a present threat to our society and social life, as well as a challenge for the health care system. Without fueling anxiety, there is a need for sensitization to this subject and to familiarize all concerned with the special kind of terrorist attack-related injuries, the operational priorities and tactics and the individual basic principles of preclinical and hospital care. There is a need to adapt the known established medical structure for a conventional mass casualty situation to the special requirements that are raised by this new kind of terrorist threat to our social life. It is the aim of this article, from a surgical point of view, to depict the tactics and challenges of preclinical care of the special kind of terrorist attack-related injuries from the site of the incident, via the advanced medical post or casualty collecting point, to the triage point at the hospital. The special needs of medical care and organizational aspects of the primary treatment in the hospital are highlighted and possible decisional options and different approaches are discussed.

[Treatment strategies for mass casualty incidents and terrorist attacks in trauma and vascular surgery : Presentation of a treatment concept]. / Versorgungsstrategien beim MANV/TerrorMANV in der Unfall- und Gefäßchirurgie : Darstellung eines Versorgungskonzeptes.

The treatment of patients in the context of mass casualty incidents (MCI) represents a great challenge for the participating rescue workers and clinics. Due to the increase in terrorist activities it is necessary to become familiar with this new kind of threat to civilization with respect to the medical treatment of victims of terrorist attacks. There are substantial differences between a "normal" MCI and a terrorist MCI with respect to injury patterns (blunt trauma vs. penetrating/perforating trauma), the type and form of the incident (MCI=static situation vs. terrorist attack MCI= dynamic situation) and the different security positions (rescue services vs. police services). This article is concerned with question of which changes in the surgical treatment of patients are made necessary by these new challenges. In this case it is necessary that physicians are familiar with the different injury patterns, whereby priority must be given to gunshot and explosion (blast) injuries. Furthermore, altered strategic and tactical approaches (damage control surgery vs. tactical abbreviated surgical care) are necessary to ensure survival for as many victims of terrorist attacks as possible and also to achieve the best possible functional results. It is only possible to successfully counter these new challenges by changing the mindset in the treatment of terrorist MCI compared to MCI incidents. An essential component of this mindset is the acquisition of a maximum of flexibility. This article would like to make a contribution to this problem.

Antioxidative therapy in an ex vivo human cartilage trauma-model: attenuation of trauma-induced cell loss and ECM-destructive enzymes by N-acetyl cysteine.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanical trauma of articular cartilage results in cell loss and cytokine-driven inflammatory response. Subsequent accumulation of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species enhances the enzymatic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This study aims on the therapeutic potential of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in a human ex vivo cartilage trauma-model, focusing on cell- and chondroprotective features. DESIGN: Human full-thickness cartilage explants were subjected to a defined impact trauma (0.59 J) and treated with NAC. Efficiency of NAC administration was evaluated by following outcome parameters: cell viability, apoptosis rate, anabolic/catabolic gene expression, secretion and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and proteoglycan (PG) release. RESULTS: Continuous NAC administration increased cell viability and reduced the apoptosis rate after trauma. It also suppressed trauma-induced gene expression of ECM-destructive enzymes, such as ADAMTS-4, MMP-1, -2, -3 and -13 in a dosage- and time-depending manner. Subsequent suppression of MMP-2 and MMP-13 secretion reflected these findings on protein level. Moreover, NAC inhibited proteolytic activity of MMPs and reduced PG release. CONCLUSION: In the context of this ex vivo study, we showed not only remarkable cell- and chondroprotective features, but also revealed new encouraging findings concerning the therapeutically effective concentration and treatment-time regimen of NAC. Its defense against chondrocyte apoptosis and catabolic enzyme secretion recommends NAC as a multifunctional add-on reagent for pharmaceutical intervention after cartilage injury. Taken together, our data increase the knowledge on the therapeutic potential of NAC after cartilage trauma and presents a basis for future in vivo studies.

Clinical Relevance of Cement Leakage after Radiofrequency Kyphoplasty vs. Balloon Kyphoplasty: A Prospective Randomised Study.

BACKGROUND: Cement leakage is regarded as a typical complication of cement-based augmentation of vertebral fractures. The gold standard is balloon kyphoplasty (BK). Recent methods, such as radiofrequency kyphoplasty (RFK), must be compared with BK in terms of therapeutic success and complication rates. It is unclear whether the cement leakage rate in RFK is lower than with BK and whether this has any clinical relevance. Therefore, the aim of our prospective clinical study was to compare RFK with BK with respect to cement leakage rates and associated clinical complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After prospective randomisation, 100 patients (76 women and 24 men with an average age of 78.5 years) or 162 vertebral bodies were treated by BK (n = 79) or RFK (n = 83). We evaluated the parameters "localisation of cement leakage" (epidural, intradiscal, extracorporal, intravascular) and "clinical relevance". RESULTS: More cement is used in BK (5.2 ml) than in RFK (4.0 ml, p = 0.001). Cement leakage was found in 48/79 patients (60.8 %) with BK and 53/83 patients (63.9 %) with RFK (p = 0.420). Even subanalysis by location showed no significant difference between the two methods. Despite the high leakage rates, we experienced only two cases (1× BK, 1× RFK) with intravascular leakage in the inferior vena cava, with interventional endovascular salvage. CONCLUSION: The two examined kyphoplasty methods (BK vs. RFK) have the same high rates of cement leakage, but are rarely associated with clinically manifest complications. Clinically relevant differences between the two compared kyphoplasty methods could not be found.

[Influence of Peridural Infiltration Therapy on Postural Control in Chronic Pain of the Lower Lumbar Spine - A Prospective Clinical Study]. / Einfluss der periduralen Infiltrationstherapie auf die posturale Kontrolle bei chronischem Schmerz der unteren Lendenwirbelsäule ­ eine prospektive klinische Untersuchung.

Background: Postural control, balance stability, is reduced in patients with chronic low back pain, due to pain. Epidural injection therapy (EI) is an established treatment of low back pain. The objective of our study was to investigate whether EI-induced pain relief also leads to improvement in postural control, as detected by computerised dynamic posturography (CDP). Patients and Methods: In a prospective study, 32 patients underwent CDP during and after the EI series of three injections. The main objective was to measure changes in overall stability index (OSI) in a pre- and post-intervention comparison. Results: The pain, measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), decreased by 62.8 %, from 4.3 ± 2.5 points to 1.6 ± 1.9 points (p < 0.001). Likewise, the OSI improved by 21.6 %, from 3.7 ± 1.7° to 2.9 ± 1.4° (day 5) (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Pain relief induced by EI results in improved postural control, which is of importance for supportive physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

[Effects of Surgically Treated Pelvic Ring and Acetabular Fractures on Postural Control]. / Einfluss von operativ versorgten Beckenring- und Azetabulumfrakturen auf die posturale Kontrolle.

BACKGROUND: The aim of surgical treatment of pelvic ring and acetabular fractures is to allow rapid mobilisation of patients in order to restore stance and gait stability (postural control), as this significantly correlates with a positive outcome. The regulation of postural stability is mainly controlled by transmission of proprioceptive stimuli. In addition, the pelvis serves as a connection between the legs and the spine and thus is also of great importance for mechanical stabilisation. It remains unclear whether surgical treatment of pelvic ring and acetabular fractures affects the regulation of postural control. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of surgically treated pelvic ring and acetabular fractures on postural stability by means of computerised dynamic posturography (CDP) after a mean of 35 months and to compare the results with a healthy control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case control study of 38 patients with surgically treated pelvic ring and acetabular fractures and 38 healthy volunteers was carried out using CDP. The average time of follow-up was 35 (12-78) months. The most important outcome parameter in this investigation was the overall stability index (OSI). Hip joint mobility, the health-related quality of life (SF-12) and pain were supplementary outcome parameters. RESULTS: It was found that surgically treated pelvic ring and acetabular fractures had no influence on postural stability. The OSI was 2.1 ° in the patient group and 1.9 ° in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in hip joint mobility. A total of 52 % of patients showed no or only mild pain. Mean health-related quality of life was the same as in the total population. CONCLUSION: Surgically treated pelvic ring and acetabular fractures do not lead to deterioration in postural control in the mid term. This is of high prognostic importance for rapid mobilisation of the patients. Therefore no increase in the risk of falling is expected after successfully treatment of fractures.

[Current state of medical care of polytrauma and mass casualty incidents in Germany. Are we well-prepared?]. / Aktueller Stand der Versorgung beim Polytrauma und MANV in Deutschland. Sind wir gut vorbereitet?

The white paper on the medical care of the severely injured published in 2006 is a collection of proposals and recommendations concerning structure, organization and equipment for the medical care of severely injured patients. Since its publication 50 networks ( http://www.dgu-traumanetzwerk.de/index ) have been established as part of the trauma network. This and the trauma register have helped to continuously improve the medical care of severely injured patients since 1993 [26]. Numerous studies have documented the progress made in measures required by the trauma network [4, 6]. For example, the mortality rate of severely injured patients has dropped from 25 % to approximately 10 % in the past 15 years. From the register and network data it is difficult to tell how each of these measures is implemented in the participating hospitals, who provides medical treatment to patients when, and how medical care is organized in detail. This is why a survey on medical care for polytrauma and in mass casualty situations was conducted among medical directors in German surgical hospitals who are members of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU). Thanks to the 211 participants (most of whom specialize in orthopedic and trauma surgery) a detailed description of how medical treatment is currently organized and performed could be acquired. The survey showed that care of patients with polytrauma (i.e. medical treatment and management) is important irrespective of the level of training of physicians and of the level of patient treatment in hospitals. The central role of traumatologists was emphasized not only in terms of actual treatment but also as an administrator for organizational and management matters. Almost all hospitals have plans for a mass casualty situation; however, the levels of preparedness show considerable variation. A highly critical view is taken of the new surgical specialists with respect to interdisciplinary and comprehensive emergency medical treatment and casualty care. The survey also revealed the continual conflict between managing costs and maintaining quality and resources. It gives an overview of patient treatment in the transition from preclinical to clinical care and provides insights into the targets achieved, current problems and conflicts.

[The Value of Ultrasonography Compared with Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Deltoid Ligament Injuries--Is there a Difference?]. / Vergleich der Sonografie und der Magnetresonanztomografie zur Diagnostik von Rupturen des Lig. deltoideum--gibt es einen Unterschied?

BACKGROUND: Ruptures of the deltoid ligament can lead to ankle instability which may cause arthrosis. Aim of this comparative clinical trial was to assess the value of ultrasonography (US) compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of medial collateral (deltoid) ligament ruptures associated with Weber type B and C fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All four components of the deltoid ligament of the ankles of 28 patients with Weber type B and 14 patients with Weber type C fractures were preoperatively evaluated by US and MRI for partial or complete ruptures. RESULTS: Deltoid ligament injuries were detected in 10 of 28 patients (35.7 %) with Weber type B and in 12 of 14 patients (85.7 %) with Weber type C fractures with MRI. US reliably identified all 17 patients with complete rupture of the deltoid ligament (sensitivity 100 %, specifity 92 %). However only half of the 6 patients who sustained a partial rupture were correctly identified (sensitivity 50 %, specifity 97.2 %). 26 of 30 ruptures (sensitivity 86.6 %, specifity 96.3 %) and 13 of 27 partial ruptures (sensitivity 48.1 %, specifity 97.8 %) of the four components of the deltoid ligament were correctly identified with US. CONCLUSION: US is a reliable procedure for detection of clinically relevant ruptures and uninjured components of the deltoid ligament after distal fibula fractures. However US is not suitable to reliably identify partial ruptures. The treatment decision for operation or conservative treatment of ankle fractures is based on the stability of the ankle. Patients with lateral malleolar fractures and intact medial malleolus but rupture of the deltoid ligament often show a spontaneous reduction of the talus in X-ray images and may therefore be falsely classified as stable (unrecognised medial instability). However, unstable malleolar fractures should be treated with open reduction and internal fixation in order to improve outcome. Hence US is able to influence therapeutic decisions by detecting medial ankle instability, which cannot be detected clinically or radiologically.

[Influence of anterior cruciate reconstruction on postural stability: A pre- and postoperative comparison]. / Der Einfluss einer VKB-Plastik auf die stabile Standfähigkeit: Ein prä- und postoperativer Vergleich.

BACKGROUND: Ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lead to an anteromedial rotational instability in the knee joint and, thus, to a deterioration of the patient's ability to stand (postural control). It still remains unclear whether postural control can be restored by ACL reconstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a unilateral ACL graft on the ability to stably stand on the injured leg using computer-aided dynamic posturography (CDP); the stability indices on standing on one leg were compared pre- and postoperatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 25 patients were studied after unilateral ACL injury and subsequent ACL reconstruction using CDP. The average time of follow-up was 608 days (range 357-821 days). The ability to stably stand on the healthy and injured leg was compared and evaluated for significant differences. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement of postural control after ACL reconstruction. The Overall Stability Index (OSI) for the leg with ACL rupture was 3.7° ± 1.6° preoperatively and 3.0° ± 1.1° postoperatively (p < 0.05). In the postoperative comparison with the healthy leg, the value in the operated leg was 3.0° ± 1.1° and the healthy leg was 3.0° ± 1.4° (p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: ACL replacement can be improve stability compared to the preoperative value by about 21% and even the stability level of the contralateral healthy knee can be achieved.

[Anterior cruciate ligament ruptures and postural control: correlation of functional knee scores with computerized dynamic posturography]. / Verletzungen des vorderen Kreuzbandes und posturale Kontrolle: Korrelation von Kniescores und Klinik mit der computergestützten dynamischen Posturographie.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of postural stability deficits after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture requires a complex measurement process, the so-called computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). It would be desirable if the decrease in postural stability caused by ACL rupture could be estimated by simpler functional scores. The aim of this study was therefore to review the currently available standard knee scores for the suitability to assess postural stability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study 58 patients with isolated unilateral ACL rupture were examined using CDP. The questionnaires used were Tegner, WOMAC, ADL-KOS, KOS-Sport, KSS and Lysholm scores. The values obtained were compared and correlated with the results of the CDP. In addition, a subgroup analysis of copers and non-copers was performed. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation with the postural stability deficit for any of the scores examined in this study. Only the subjectively perceived instability correlated appreciably with the CDP with r=0.423. CONCLUSIONS: All currently used scores for the investigation of patients with ACL rupture cannot give any information about the ability of postural balance. If patients complain about an increased subjective feeling of instability a close observation of postural stability using CDP is inevitable.

[Influence of bodily constitution and physical activity on postural stability]. / Einfluss von Konstitution und Belastung auf die posturale Stabilität.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: In order for balance to be maintained, the postural control system must process above all visual, vestibular and proprioceptive information and translate this input into appropriate motor responses. The influence of bodily constitution and physical activity on motor responses and thus on postural stability is still unclear. To use computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) to investigate the influence of body height, body mass index (BMI), regular sporting activity and acute maximal exercise on balance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four subjects completed a standardized questionnaire on their height, BMI and sporting activity. We then assessed the postural stability of the subjects. Seventeen further subjects performed a maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. We used CDP and a predefined protocol to assess balance at rest, at maximal exercise and then at 5-minute intervals until recovery. RESULTS: Body height and regular physical activity did not influence balance ability. By contrast, BMI and acute physical exercise had a strong effect. Immediately after maximal exercise, postural stability deteriorated by 44 % compared to the baseline level (p < 0.017). Complete recovery occurred within only 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas body height and regular physical activity do not influence balance performance, a high BMI value and acute maximal exercise lead to a considerable decrease in postural stability. Our results can thus explain the increasing risk of injury after strenuous physical activity, especially in association with sports that require excellent balance.

[Necrotizing fasciitis. 2011 update]. / Nekrotisierende Fasziitis. Update 2011.

Necrotizing fasciitis belongs to a group of complicated soft tissue infections that can be even life threatening. Despite growing knowledge about its etiology, predictors, and the clinical progression, the mortality remains at a high level with 20%. A relevant reduction can be achieved only by an early diagnosis followed by consistent therapy. The clinical findings in about 75% of the cases are pain out of proportion, edema and tenderness, blisters, and erythema. It is elementary to differentiate a necrotizing or a non-necrotizing soft tissue infection early. In uncertain cases it can be necessary to perform a surgical exploration to confirm the diagnosis. The histopathologic characteristics are the fascial necrosis, vasculitis, thrombosis of perforating veins, the presence of the disease-causing bacteria as well as inflammatory cells like macrophages and polymorphonuclear granulocytes. Secondly, both the cutis and the muscle can be affected. In many cases there is a disproportion of the degree of local and systemic symptoms. Depending on the infectious agents there are two main types: type I is a polymicrobial infection and type II is a more invasive, serious, and fulminant monomicrobial infection mostly caused by group A Streptococcus pyogenes.Invasive, severe forms of streptococcal infections seem to occur more often in recent years. Multimodal and interdisciplinary therapy should be based on radical surgical débridement, systemic antibiotic therapy as well as enhanced intensive care therapy, which is sometimes combined with immunoglobulins (in streptococcal or staphylococcal infections) or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT, in clostridial infections). For wound care of extensive soft tissue defects vacuum-assisted closure has shown its benefit.