An Unusual Terrible Triad Variant Associated with an Essex-Lopresti Injury.

Essex-Lopresti injuries and terrible triad injuries of the elbow are rare injuries that typically result from high-energy trauma such as falling from a height or a motor vehicle collision. However, the combination of an Essex-Lopresti injury and terrible triad injury is unique and poses a significant challenge for treatment as these injuries are independently associated with poor functional outcomes if they are not acutely diagnosed. We describe a case of a 19-year-old who presented with an unusual variant of a terrible triad injury associated with an Essex-Lopresti injury. The patient had a distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and elbow dislocation, a radial head and coronoid process fracture, and a distal radius fracture. Almost a reverse Essex-Lopresti, this injury was successfully managed with open reduction and repair of the distal radius, radial head, and damaged ligaments in the elbow, along with an internal joint stabilizer (IJS).

Standards for external fixation application: national survey under the auspices of the German Trauma Society.

INTRODUCTION: External fixation is widely accepted as a provisional or sometimes definitive treatment for long-bone fractures. Indications include but are not limited to damage control surgery in poly-traumatized patients as well as provisional bridging to definite treatment with soft tissue at risk. As little is known about surgeon's habits in applying this treatment strategy, we performed a national survey. METHODS: We utilized the member database of the German Trauma Society (DGU). The questionnaire encompassed 15 questions that addresses topics including participants' position, experience, workplace, and questions regarding specifics of external fixation application in different anatomical regions. Furthermore, we compared differences between trauma centre levels and surgeon-related factors. RESULTS: The participants predominantly worked in level 1 trauma centres (42.7%) and were employed as attendings (54.7%). There was widespread consensus for planning and intra-operative radiographical control of external fixation. Surgeons appointed at a level I trauma centre preferred significantly more often supra-acetabular pin placement in external fixation of the pelvis rather than the utilization of iliac pins (75.8%, p = 0.0001). Moreover, they were more likely to favor a mini-open approach to insert humeral pins (42.4%, p = 0.003). Overall, blunt dissection and mini-open approaches seemed equally popular (38.2 and 34.1%). Department chairmen indicated more often than their colleagues to follow written pin-care protocols for minimization of infection (16.7%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that external fixation usage is widespread and well established among trauma surgeons in Germany, there are substantial differences in the method of application.