[Post-traumatic necrosis of the humeral head-Endoprosthesis or joint preservation]. / Posttraumatische Humeruskopfnekrose ­ Endoprothese oder Gelenkerhalt.

BACKGROUND: Humerus fractures play a major role in daily clinical routine, and subsequent osteonecrosis is common after osteosyntheses. OBJECTIVES: The current paper highlights the incidence and cause of osteonecrosis after proximal humerus fractures, with respect to presentation of anatomy and risk factors. METHODS: Display of the literature and therapy options for humerus fracture and subsequent necrosis. RESULTS: Humerus fractures are the seventh most frequent fractures in humans. The complication rate is 40%, and the described rate of necrosis is up to 34%. Accordingly, the surgical revision rate is at 19% according to recent literature. CONCLUSION: The treatment of humerus head fracture must consider numerous variables. The individual type of fracture and the current individual situation of the patient must be included in the process of choosing the right treatment. Modern implants with screw locking features should be used, and for certain circumstances the direct implantation of a prosthesis should be considered. Thereby the expectations of the patient with respect to the postoperative activity level play a major role.

[Uncertainty in the radiological evaluation of deformity in proximal humerus fractures]. / Unsicherheit bei der radiologischen Achsbestimmung proximaler Humerusfrakturen.

INTRODUCTION: The accurate measurement of the deformity of proximal humerus fractures is essential for a proper treatment, particularly in the growing bone. Due to the local pain the correct projection in standard X-rays is difficult to achieve and, in contrast to other joints, cannot be verified in the X-ray. Even with the correct projections a mismeasurement can occur when the rotation is 45° to both planes. The aim of this study was to objectify the error sources and reveal starting points for an improvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a three-step study we initially developed a mathemathical formula in cooperation with the faculty of mathematics of the University of Duisburg-Essen. This formula was proved with X-ray imaging of a steel rod which was bent 120°, simulating a 60° deformity. X-ray images with different rotation and tilt were taken and compared with the values calculated with the above-mentioned formula. In the third step X-rays of a healthy shoulder in different rotation and tilt positions were presented to 2 orthopaedic and 3 radiological consultants. The aim was to determine the direction and amount of rotation and tilt. RESULTS: The first theoretical step resulted in a mathematical formula which describes the optical deformation based on real deformation, tilt and rotation. The evaluation showed a mean difference of 0.5° (0-1.2°) between the calculated and the measured values. In the third step, evaluation of the X-rays of a shoulder showed that two in 50 (4 %) of the values were correct, in additional 28 cases (56 %) the tendency of the direction of the rotation was correct, the extent of the rotation was missed by 19.6° (0-60°). Ante- and retroversion were evaluated correctly in nine cases (18 %), the extent was missed by a mean of 23° (0-50°). In seven cases (18 %) the tendency for rotation and ante-/retroversion was correct, in 11 cases (22 %) one or both aspects could not be evaluated, in additional 8 cases (16 %) the extent could not be estimated. DISCUSSION: Our results show that rotation and tilt of the proximal humerus cannot be estimated in shoulder X-rays and therefore a reliable measurement of the deformity of proximal humerus fractures is extremely unsafe. This problem is relevant for clinical practice because of the high likeliness of unaccurate projections in shoulder X-ray imaging after trauma. Especially for the growing bone the problem is evident, so that new ways of determining the deformity are mandatory.

[Proximal cut-out of the hip screw: cement augmentation as a minimally invasive rescue procedure]. / Zementaugmentation als minimalinvasive Rettungsoperation bei proximalem Cut-out von Hüftnägeln.

BACKGROUND: Cemented augmentation of osteosynthesis for the treatment of peritrochanteric fractures in elderly patients has been under discussion for years. We propose this option as a salvage procedure in cases of instability after standard osteosynthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After reduction and optional re-osteosynthesis a Jamshidi needle is placed transcutanously or through the open wound cranio-lateral of the tip of the hip screw. Cement augmentation can be performed under fluoroscopic control. The patients were monitored for at least 7 months postoperatively to rule out a redislocation. RESULTS: From 1/2009 to 1/2011 we treated 6 patients (5 female, 1 male, age 83.8 [79-94] years). We performed 4 augmentations and 2 augmentations with additional re-osteosynthesis. OP time was 26.8 (13-45) minutes. The revision was performed 9.7 (4-14) days after the osteosynthesis. Within 14.7 (7-28) months no redislocation and no surgical complication occurred. CONCLUSION: Even with a small patient number the good results show the potential of this minimally invasive technique. In our opinion this option allows a fast and technically easy salvage procedure without blocking of further treatment options like a prosthesis.

[Process of organ donation at a maximum care hospital]. / Organspendeprozess an einem Krankenhaus mit Maximalversorgung.

BACKGROUND: A chronic shortage of organs for transplantation has developed due to the disparity between the demand for solid organs and the current supply. Improved processes for identifying potential donors could expand the pool of available organs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who died between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008 in the University hospital of Essen suffering from a primary or secondary cerebral injury were assessed retrospectively. Age, date of death, duration of stay in the intensive care unit, main and additional diagnoses and diagnostic test for assessing brain death as well as discussions with relatives were recorded anonymously. RESULTS: 424 deaths with primary or secondary cerebral injury (group A) were identified during the study period. 267 deaths (62.9 %) (group B) were further evaluated for organ donation after excluding absolute medical contraindications, e. g. malignancies, multiple organ failure. In 68 cases (16.0 %), diagnostic test of brain death had been completed (group C). Despite a high refusal rate, 36 (8.5 %) organ procurements were realized (group D) resulting in 140 transplanted organs (3.9 per organ donor). CONCLUSION: The first crucial step to improve the rate of organ donation is to identify any potential donor. In 8.5 % of intensive care unit deaths with primary or secondary cerebral damage, organ procurement was realized. In addition, education regarding transplant medicine and a positive attitude to organ donation among the general public as well as medical personnel is necessary to minimize the high refusal rates.