Impact of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes on Unplanned Consultations and Hospitalizations in Patients With Cancer Undergoing Systemic Therapy: Results of a Patient-Reported Outcome Study Compared With Matched Retrospective Data.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) is increasingly being used in clinical studies of patients with cancer and enables structured and standardized data collection in patients' everyday lives. So far, few studies or analyses have focused on the medical benefit of ePROs for patients. OBJECTIVE: The current exploratory analysis aimed to obtain an initial indication of whether the use of the Consilium Care app (recently renamed medidux; mobile Health AG) for structured and regular self-assessment of side effects by ePROs had a recognizable effect on incidences of unplanned consultations and hospitalizations of patients with cancer compared to a control group in a real-world care setting without app use. To analyze this, the incidences of unplanned consultations and hospitalizations of patients with cancer using the Consilium Care app that were recorded by the treating physicians as part of the patient reported outcome (PRO) study were compared retrospectively to corresponding data from a comparable population of patients with cancer collected at 2 Swiss oncology centers during standard-of-care treatment. METHODS: Patients with cancer in the PRO study (178 included in this analysis) receiving systemic therapy in a neoadjuvant or noncurative setting performed a self-assessment of side effects via the Consilium Care app over an observational period of 90 days. In this period, unplanned (emergency) consultations and hospitalizations were documented by the participating physicians. The incidence of these events was compared with retrospective data obtained from 2 Swiss tumor centers for a matched cohort of patients with cancer. RESULTS: Both patient groups were comparable in terms of age and gender ratio, as well as the distribution of cancer entities and Joint Committee on Cancer stages. In total, 139 patients from each group were treated with chemotherapy and 39 with other therapies. Looking at all patients, no significant difference in events per patient was found between the Consilium group and the control group (odds ratio 0.742, 90% CI 0.455-1.206). However, a multivariate regression model revealed that the interaction term between the Consilium group and the factor "chemotherapy" was significant at the 5% level (P=.048). This motivated a corresponding subgroup analysis that indicated a relevant reduction of the risk for the intervention group in the subgroup of patients who underwent chemotherapy. The corresponding odds ratio of 0.53, 90% CI 0.288-0.957 is equivalent to a halving of the risk for patients in the Consilium group and suggests a clinically relevant effect that is significant at a 2-sided 10% level (P=.08, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSIONS: A comparison of unplanned consultations and hospitalizations from the PRO study with retrospective data from a comparable cohort of patients with cancer suggests a positive effect of regular app-based ePROs for patients receiving chemotherapy. These data are to be verified in the ongoing randomized PRO2 study (registered on ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT05425550). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03578731; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03578731. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/29271.

[Bouldering: a sport with a high risk of intraarticular fractures]. / Bouldern ­ Trendsport für jedermann mit Potential zu schwerwiegenden Gelenkverletzungen.

Bouldering is a famous new sport with an increasing number of athletes. It became an Olympic sport in 2020. As no major sports equipment is required, everybody can take up bouldering even with little knowledge. However, despite the low climbing height there is a high risk of severe joint injuries, especially in the lower limb. Increasing numbers of climbers have led to an increase in injuries. New floor designs are supposed to reduce these risks. Improved documentation and specific research in bouldering should provide more insight into risks, injury patterns and prevention.

Epidemiology and Injury Pattern of E-Scooter Injuries - Initial Results. / Verletzungen mit E-Scootern ­ erste Ergebnisse zu Epidemiologie und Verletzungsmustern.

AIM: Since the introduction of shared electric scooters in Germany in June 2019, surgeons have been treating injuries caused by these devices. METHODS: In our Institution, we implemented the first registry to examine the pattern of injuries and to gather epidemiological data on persons injured while riding electric scooters. We conducted a prospective analysis of all patients treated in our Emergency Department for an injury sustained while riding an electric scooter between June 2019 and June 2020. All patients were noted in a registry (E-SCORE = E-Scooter Register). The study was approved by the institutional ethics board. Outcomes were first time of use, injuries, imaging, alcohol and helmet use, age, length of hospital stay and surgical therapy. RESULTS: 90 patients were identified. Mean age was 35.6 years (± 15.4); 65.5% were male. We diagnosed 32 fractures and 7 ligament injuries. Injuries to the head were found in 38 patients; 8 had relevant intracerebral or maxillofacial injuries. Alcohol use was noted in 18 (20%) patients, only 2 of whom wore a helmet (2.2%). 29 patients (32.2%) required surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significant number of head injuries in patients riding electric scooters. Nevertheless, there are also a significant number of injuries to the bones and ligaments, which required surgical treatment. Hardly any of the patients was wearing a helmet and alcohol use was not unusual. In our opinion, scooter related injuries are leading to an growing number of vehicle related injuries and could probably benefit from some legal regulations, such as a blood alcohol limit and recommendation for helmet use. Implementation of a nationwide registry might be useful in evaluating injuries related to electric scooters.

Surgical Treatment Strategies for Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis of the Thoracolumbar Spine. / Operative Behandlungsstrategien der pyogenen Spondylodiszitis der thorakolumbalen Wirbelsäule.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances, the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with spondylodiscitis remains high, with an increasing incidence worldwide. Although conservative therapy has progressed, several cases require surgical intervention. However, the indication and opportunities for surgical treatment are still disputable. METHODS: In a joint consensus, the members of the 'Spondylodiscitis' working group of the Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery considered current literature, particularly the newly published S2k guideline of the AWMF, and examined the surgical indications and treatment strategies for thoracolumbar spondylodiscitis. RESULTS: Surgical intervention for spondylodiscitis is only required in a small percentage of patients. In studies comparing conservative and surgical therapies, most patients benefitted from surgery, regardless of the surgical technique selected. Presently, the standard procedure is a combined dorsoventral approach, in which a monolateral attempt should always be made. The choice of material (PEEK, titanium) for ventral support does not influence the clinical result.

Unmatched Type O RhD+ Red Blood Cells in Multiple Injured Patients.

BACKGROUND: Immediate supply of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates is crucial in the initial treatment of exsanguinating patients in the emergency room. General shortage of RhD- RBCs has led to protocols in which patients with unknown blood groups are initially transfused with group O, RhD+ RBCs. Limited data are available regarding the safety of such an approach. METHODS: Transfusion protocols for all multiple injured patients from the regional polytrauma database were retrospectively analyzed over a period of 5 years. Data on side effects were retrieved from the local safety update registry. Follow-up data were obtained from patients with identified RhD-incompatible transfusions. RESULTS: In total, 823 patients were registered as multiple injured in the database. An immediate transfusion of 259 units (mean number of units 4, range 1-6) group O, RhD+ RBCs was initiated in 62 of them. 14 of these patients were RhD- and received 60 units of RhD-incompatible RBCs in the emergency room. In the later course RhD- patients received additional 185 incompatible transfusions (13; 1-31). The overall seroconversion rate was 50%. No adverse outcome due to incompatible transfusion was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Initial supply with group O, RhD+ RBCs in multiple injured patients appears to be safe. Significant numbers of RhD- units can be saved for use in other patients.

Interactions of Fullerene-Polyglycerol Sulfates at Viral and Cellular Interfaces.

Understanding the mechanism of interactions of nanomaterials at biointerfaces is a crucial issue to develop new antimicrobial vectors. In this work, a series of water-soluble fullerene-polyglycerol sulfates (FPS) with different fullerene/polymer weight ratios and varying numbers of polyglycerol sulfate branches are synthesized, characterized, and their interactions with two distinct surfaces displaying proteins involved in target cell recognition are investigated. The combination of polyanionic branches with a solvent exposed variable hydrophobic core in FPS proves to be superior to analogs possessing only one of these features in preventing interaction of vesicular stomatitis virus coat glycoprotein (VSV-G) with baby hamster kidney cells serving as a model of host cell. Interference with L-selectin-ligand binding is dominated by the negative charge, which is studied by two assays: a competitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based inhibition assay and the leukocyte cell (NALM-6) rolling on ligands under flow conditions. Due to possible intrinsic hydrophobic and electrostatic effects of synthesized compounds, pico- to nanomolar half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50 ) are achieved. With their highly antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, together with good biocompatibility, FPS are promising candidates for the future development towards biomedical applications.

[A phase model of trauma rehabilitation : How can we avoid the "rehab-hole"?] / Phasenmodell der Traumarehabilitation : Wie können wir das "Rehaloch" vermeiden?

Advances in the rescue chain and first aid of polytrauma patients, which have consequently increased their chance of survival, have led to an increase in demands for rehabilitation. However, there is still a large hole in the continuity of rehabilitation between acute patient care and in-patient rehabilitation, the so-called "rehab-hole". The consequences are untapped rehabilitation potential, loss of strength, endurance and motivation as well as impairment of function of the patient.Based on the phase model of neurological/neurosurgical rehabilitation, we propose a step model for the rehabilitation of polytrauma patients that ensures an uninterrupted chain of rehabilitation. After acute patient care (phase a) and a potentially required early patient rehabilitation (phase b), trauma rehabilitation should seamlessly continue on to phase c. The implementation of phase c after acute patient rehabilitation requires changes in the structure of "orthopaedic" rehabilitation clinics and financial support due the large consumption of resources by more complexly injured patients in this phase. The subsequent rehabilitation in phase d is well established and complies with current rehabilitation measures (AHB, BGSW). Further rehabilitation measures may be essential for social and occupational reintegration of the patient (phase e), depending on the complexity of their injuries after the accident. For patients with long-lasting results after an accident, it is crucial to implement continuous follow-ups (phase f) to ensure a better long-term outcome.In order to implement this phase model it is necessary to establish specialized facilities that meet the particular requirements needed for phase c. This tri-phased treatment model in trauma centres can therefore be used in trauma rehabilitation. In addition to the already established local and regional rehabilitation centres, nationwide trauma rehabilitation centres have adopted phase c rehabilitation.

Noncharged and Charged Monodendronised Perylene Bisimides as Highly Fluorescent Labels and their Bioconjugates.

A series of water-soluble, hydroxylated and sulphated, polyglycerol (PG) dendronised, monofunctional perylene bisimides (PBIs) were synthesised in three generations. Their photophysical properties were determined by absorption and emission spectroscopy and their suitability as potential biolabels examined by biological in vitro studies after bioconjugation. It could be shown that the photophysical properties of the PBI labels can be improved by increasing the sterical demand and ionic charge of the attached dendron. Thereby, charged labels show superior suppression of aggregation over charge neutral labels owing to electrostatic repulsion forces on the PG-dendron. The ionic charges also enabled a reduction in dendron generation while retaining the labels' outstanding fluorescence quantum yields (FQYs) up to 100 %. These core-unsubstituted perylene derivatives were successfully applied as fluorescent labels upon bioconjugation to the therapeutic antibody cetuximab. The dye-antibody conjugates showed a strongly enhanced aggregation tendency compared to the corresponding free dyes. Biological evaluation by receptor-binding, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity studies revealed that labelling did not affect the antibody's function, which renders the noncharged and charged dendronised PBIs suitable candidates as fluorescent labels in biological imaging.

Which factors influence the need for inpatient rehabilitation after severe trauma?

INTRODUCTION: Despite the importance of rehabilitation in the treatment of patients with severe trauma or even of severely injured patients, the cooperation between acute and rehabilitation hospitals is often inadequate. The present study aims to identify factors that make it probable that a severely injured patient requires inpatient rehabilitation following the acute treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 75.357 cases from the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) was performed. All cases from 2002 until 2013 with an ISS≥9, who were taken to the ICU were included. Regarding the discharge destination the subgroups "at home" and "rehabilitation hospital" were analyzed in detail. Finally, we performed a multivariate regression analysis based on the parameters previously collected. RESULTS: 24.208 patients (32.1%) were transferred to a rehabilitation clinic. In the multivariate regression analysis the most relevant independent parameters for discharge in a rehabilitation hospital were age (18-54: OR 1.65; 55-74: OR 2.86 and 75 and older: OR 5.07, all p≤0.001), AIS pelvis≥2 (OD 1.94), AIS legs (OR 2.02), AIS spine (AIS 4: OR 5.78 and AIS 5-6: OR 6.36) and the AIS head (AIS 3: OR 1.88; AIS 4: OR 3.11 and AIS 5-6: OR 7.55) (all p≤0.001). The length of stay in the ICU (3-7 days: OR 1.88; 8-28 Days: OR 5.42 and 29 and more days: OR 14.7, all p≤0.001) was also a relevant parameter. The overall ISS presented no relevant influence with an OR of 1.02 (p=0.03). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Knowing independent factors for a required inpatient rehabilitation helps the treating physicians to identify the patients at an early stage in acute hospitals. So the transfer to a rehabilitation clinic can be organized faster and more selective in future.

Shell Cleavable Dendritic Polyglycerol Sulfates Show High Anti-Inflammatory Properties by Inhibiting L-Selectin Binding and Complement Activation.

A new class of fully synthetic shell cleavable multivalent polysulfates is prepared by introducing degradable linkers into a stable biocompatible dendritic polyglycerol scaffold and subsequent sulfation. The sulfated polymers show different degradation profiles, low anticoagulant and high anti-inflammatory properties, are able to efficiently bind to L-selectin and inhibit the complement activation at very low concentrations in vitro.

Radiologic diagnostic procedures in severely injured patients - is only whole-body multislice computed tomography the answer?

BACKGROUND: Whole-body multislice computed tomography (WB-MSCT) has become an important diagnostic tool in the early treatment phase of severely injured patients. The optimal moment of WB-MSCT's use during this treatment phase remains unclear. Many trauma centers use WB-MSCT in addition to conventional radiographs, while some trauma centers use WB-MSCT as the only radiological tool. The aim of this study was to determine the differences between these two protocols and to answer the question of whether conventional radiographs can still be used in the safe treatment of polytrauma patients. METHODS: Patients from the TraumaRegister DGU® with an injury severity score (ISS) of ≥16 were included. Group I received conventional radiographs and focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) prior to a WB-MSCT, and group II received an initial WB-MSCT and FAST. Both groups were compared concerning treatment time and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 3,995 patients in group I were compared to 4,025 patients in group II. There were no differences in ISS (29.97 vs. 29.94), gender (male: 73.5% vs. 72.8%), age (45.47 vs. 45.12 years), or calculated mortality (21.41% vs. 21.44%). Time needed in the resuscitation room was slightly longer in group I (72 vs. 64 min); the durations until admittance to the ICU and arrival to the OR were not significantly different between the groups. There was no difference in mortality (18.2% vs. 18.4%) or the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) (0.85 vs. 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: WB-MSCT plays an inherent role in the treatment of multiple-injured patients. However, the use of WB-MSCT as the only diagnostic method in the resuscitation room is not needed. Conventional radiographs and FAST followed by WB-MSCT can be performed in the early resuscitation phase without impairing patient outcomes. This approach enables the emergency room team to perform life-saving procedures - chest-tube insertion, laparotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation -immediately and simultaneous. Nevertheless, randomized multi-center trials are needed to determine the comparability and effectiveness of these algorithms.

Human vagus nerve branching in the cervical region.

BACKGROUND: Vagus nerve stimulation is increasingly applied to treat epilepsy, psychiatric conditions and potentially chronic heart failure. After implanting vagus nerve electrodes to the cervical vagus nerve, side effects such as voice alterations and dyspnea or missing therapeutic effects are observed at different frequencies. Cervical vagus nerve branching might partly be responsible for these effects. However, vagus nerve branching has not yet been described in the context of vagus nerve stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Branching of the cervical vagus nerve was investigated macroscopically in 35 body donors (66 cervical sides) in the carotid sheath. After X-ray imaging for determining the vertebral levels of cervical vagus nerve branching, samples were removed to confirm histologically the nerve and to calculate cervical vagus nerve diameters and cross-sections. RESULTS: Cervical vagus nerve branching was observed in 29% of all cases (26% unilaterally, 3% bilaterally) and proven histologically in all cases. Right-sided branching (22%) was more common than left-sided branching (12%) and occurred on the level of the fourth and fifth vertebra on the left and on the level of the second to fifth vertebra on the right side. Vagus nerves without branching were significantly larger than vagus nerves with branches, concerning their diameters (4.79 mm vs. 3.78 mm) and cross-sections (7.24 mm2 vs. 5.28 mm2). DISCUSSION: Cervical vagus nerve branching is considerably more frequent than described previously. The side-dependent differences of vagus nerve branching may be linked to the asymmetric effects of the vagus nerve. Cervical vagus nerve branching should be taken into account when identifying main trunk of the vagus nerve for implanting electrodes to minimize potential side effects or lacking therapeutic benefits of vagus nerve stimulation.

Two-Incision Minimally Invasive Approach for the Treatment of Anterior Column Acetabular Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: We describe an alternative to the Letournel ilioinguinal approach for anterior column acetabular fractures that is performed with a unique retraction device that decreases the rate of soft-tissue complications. STEP 1 POSITION THE PATIENT AND IDENTIFY THE SITES FOR THE INCISIONS: Identify the sites for both incisions with the help of an image intensifier. STEP 2 MAKE THE FIRST INCISION TO EXPOSE THE ANTERIOR COLUMN AND THE LINEA TERMINALIS PELVIC BRIM: Make the first incision to expose the central area of the fracture. STEP 3 MAKE THE SECOND INCISION TO EXPOSE THE SYMPHYSIS AND THE IPSILATERAL PUBIC BONE: Make the second incision to expose the area for the distal plate fixation. STEP 4 MAINTAIN EXPOSURE OF THE LINEA TERMINALIS USING A SOFT-TISSUE RETRACTION SYSTEM: For better visualization, use a soft-tissue retraction system. STEP 5 REDUCE THE FRACTURE: Clean and reduce the fracture through the first incision. STEP 6 FIX THE FRACTURE: Perform temporary and definitive fixation according to the standards for anterior acetabular fracture fixation. STEP 7 CLOSE THE WOUND: After radiographic documentation in three views, close the wound. RESULTS: We reported the results of a case-control study of the first twenty-six patients operated on with the two-incision minimally invasive technique.IndicationsContraindicationsPitfalls & Challenges.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy - An unexpected complication in spine surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an apical ballooning syndrome, which can be triggered by stress. Only few case reports describe the onset of Takotsubo as a complication of neurosurgery procedures. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A case of a 53 year-old female with a spinal neurinoma and surgery-associated Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is demonstrated. The patient developed typical signs of a myocardial infarction with circulation depression and ST elevation, but normal cardiac enzymes at the end of surgery. Cardiac catheterization and levocardiography confirmed the absence of any critical coronary disease but the presence of a typical apical ballooning and midventricular hypokinesis. The patient recovered completely under supportive conservative and cardiological therapy, showing regular left ventricular pump function. CONCLUSION: Interventions in neurosurgery and perioperative care should be kept as stress free as possible. Due to the possibility of neurogenic mechanisms related to cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy as an entity of stress-induced complications should be taken into consideration.

Numbers of Severely Injured Patients in Germany. A Retrospective Analysis From the DGU (German Society for Trauma Surgery) Trauma Registry.

BACKGROUND: Persons who sustain severe traumatic injury, i.e., those with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 16 or above, go on to suffer major physical, emotional, and socio-economic consequences. It is important to know the incidence of severe trauma so that these patients can be cared for optimally. METHODS: Data from the year 2012 on severely injured persons with an ISS of 16 or above were obtained from the trauma registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU) and analyzed. Further information was obtained from the database of the DGU trauma network. The annual incidence of severe trauma was estimated from these data in three different ways. RESULTS: An extrapolation of hospital-based data to the German population yielded a figure of 16 742 severely injured persons per year. A population-based estimate from the German federal state of Bavaria yielded a figure of 16 514/year, while an area-based extrapolation using data from 17 established networks yielded a figure of 16 554/year. We added 10% to each of these figures as a correction for assumed underreporting. We conclude that the number of persons who sustained a severe traumatic injury in Germany in 2012 lay between 18 209 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17 751-18 646) and 18 416 (95% CI: 18 156-18 695). This corresponds to an incidence of 0.02% per year. CONCLUSION: Data from a prospectively maintained nationwide trauma registry were used for the first time to calculate the annual incidence of severe traumatic injury in Germany: the expected number of severely injured persons per year is 18 200-18 400. Previous extrapolations yielded values in the range of 32 500-35 300. A high variability of documentation practices among supraregional trauma centers may have distorted the estimate, along with other factors. The figures were not normalized for age or sex.

Effect of the localisation of the CT scanner during trauma resuscitation on survival -- a retrospective, multicentre study.

INTRODUCTION: Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is increasingly becoming the standard diagnostic technique during the resuscitation of severely injured patients. However, little is known about the ideal localisation of the CT scanner within the emergency setting. We intended to analyse the potential effect of the localisation of the CT scanner on outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective multicentre cohort study involving 8004 adult blunt major trauma patients out of 312 hospitals, we analysed the effect of the distance of the trauma room to the CT scanner on the outcome. Three groups were built: 1. CT in the trauma room 2. CT equal or less than 50 m away and 3. CT more than 50 m away. Using data derived from the 2007-2011 version of TraumaRegister DGU(®) and the structure data bank of the TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®) (trauma network, TNW; German Trauma Society, DGU) we determined the observed and predicted mortality and calculated the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) as well as logistic regressions. RESULTS: n=8004 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria: their mean age was 46.4 ± 21.0 years. 72.8% of them were male and the mean injury severity score (ISS) was 28.6 ± 11.8. The overall mortality rate was 16.0%. The mean time from hospital admission to whole-body CT was 17.1 ± 12.3 min for group 1, 22.7 ± 15.5 min for group 2 and 27.7 ± 17.1 min for group 3, p<0.001. Risk adjusted SMR was 0.74 (CI 95% 0.67-0.81) in group 1, 0.81 (CI 95% 0.76-0.87) in group 2, and 0.88 (CI 95% 0.79-0.98) in group 3. SMR group 1 vs. SMR group 2: p=0.130. SMR group 2 vs. SMR group 3: p=0.170. SMR group 1 vs. SMR group 3: p=0.016. SMR groups 1+2 vs. SMR group 3: p=0.046. Comparable data were found for the subgroup analysis of Level-I trauma centres only. Logistic regression confirmed the positive effect of a close localisation of the CT to the trauma room. The odds ratio (OR) was lowest for the localisation of the CT in the trauma room (OR 0.68, CI 95% 0.54-0.86, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was proven for the first time that a close distance of the CT scanner to the trauma room has a significant positive effect on the probability of survival of severely injured patients. The closer the CT is located to the trauma room, the better the probability of survival. Distances of more than 50 m had a significant negative effect on the outcome. If new emergency departments are planned or rebuilt, the CT scanner should be placed less than 50 m away from or preferably in the trauma room.

TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®): optimizing patient flow and management.

PURPOSE: Caring for severely injured trauma patients is challenging for all medical professionals involved both in the preclinical and in the clinical course of treatment. While the overall quality of care in Germany is high there still are significant regional differences remaining. Reasons are geographical and infrastructural differences as well as variations in personnel and equipment of the hospitals. METHODS: To improve state-wide trauma care the German Trauma Society (DGU) initiated the TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®) (TNW) project. The TNW is based on five major components: (a) Whitebook for the treatment of severely injured patients; (b) evidence-based guidelines for the medical care of severe injury; (c) local auditing of participating hospitals; (d) contract of interhospital cooperation; (d) TraumaRegister DGU(®) documentation. RESULTS: By the end of 2013, 644 German Trauma Centres (TC) had successfully passed the audit. To that date 44 regional TNWs with a mean of 13.5 TCs had been established and certified. The TNWs cover approximately 90% of the country's surface. Of those hospitals, 2.3 were acknowledged as Supraregional TC, 5.4 as Regional TC and 6.7 as Lokal TC. Moreover, cross border TNW in cooperation with hospitals in The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria have been established. Preparing for the audit 66% of the hospitals implemented organizational changes (e.g. TraumaRegister DGU(®) documentation and interdisciplinary guidelines), while 60% introduced personnel and 21% structural (e.g. X-ray in the ER) changes. CONCLUSIONS: The TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®) project combines the control of common defined standards of care for all participating hospitals (top down) and the possibility of integrating regional cooperation by forming a regional TNW (bottom up). Based on the joint approach of healthcare professionals, it is possible to structure and influence the care of severely injured patients within a nationwide trauma system.

[In-hospital trauma management - damage control]. / Innerklinisches Traumamanagement - Damage Control - Die Mutter vieler Strategien.

Damage Control is a strategy for the initial treatment phase in severely injured patients. The aim is to avoid time consuming surgical procedures thereby reducing secondary damage and to improve patients' outcome. Once the patient is haemodynamically stabilized on the intensive care unit, definitive therapy - i. e. osteosynthesis, bowel/urinary tract reconstruction etc. - can be performed after a time interval of 5-10 days. Thus Damage Control is a quick and focused but preliminary treatment strategy in the initial emergency phase in critically injured patients.

[In-hospital trauma management - beyond routine in trauma resuscitation]. / Innerklinisches Traumamanagement - Seltenes ist selten: Zeugen Jehovas, Patienten mit Infektionskrankheiten, Schwangere und Kinder im Schockraum.

Trauma resuscitation in children, pregnant women, Jehovah's witnesses or in patients with infectious diseases like HIV is obviously beyond routine. This may result in uncertainty how to manage these patients appropriately. Preparation for such situations is essential. Therefore this article focuses on the specific problems associated with these kinds of patients.

[In-hospitaltraumamanagement - radiation emergency and multiple trauma - principals of treatment in the emergency room]. / Innerklinisches Traumamanagement - Schockraumversorgung von Patienten nach Strahlenunfällen.

Exposure to ionizing radiation combined with multiple trauma is a very rare but severe event. There are some important basic principles for the early inpatient management. An externally exposed patient poses no risk to the treatment team. Injuries require treatment in order of priority as known for example by ATLS(®). Against external contamination, the treatment team is adequately protected by wearing protective clothing and gloves in conformity with universal medical precautions. Treatment of life threatening injuries takes priority over decontamination. Specialized treatment centres should be involved early on in patient treatment.