[The problem of long/post-COVID in expert assessments]. / Problematik von Long­/Post-COVID in der Begutachtung.

Assessing long/post-COVID syndrome (PCS) following an infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a multidisciplinary challenge due to the diverse and complex symptoms. Besides discipline-specific evaluation of infection-related organ damage, the main issue is expert objectivity and causality assessment regarding subjective symptoms. The consequences of long/PCS raise questions of insurance rights in all fields of law. In cases of persistent impairment of performance, determining reduction in earning capacity is crucial for those affected. Recognition as an occupational disease (BK no. 3101) is vital for employees in healthcare and welfare sectors, along with occupational accident recognition and assessing the illness's consequences, including the reduction in earning capacity (MdE) in other sectors or work areas. Therefore, expert assessments of illness consequences and differentiation from previous illnesses or damage disposition are necessary in all areas of law, individually based on corresponding organ manifestations in medical fields and interdisciplinarily for complex late sequelae, for instance, by internists with appropriate qualifications for pulmonary or cardiac manifestations and neurologists, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists for neurological and psychiatric manifestations, etc.

[Investigation of the reduction in the disability after fractures in children and adolescents]. / Ermittlung der Minderung der Erwerbsfähigkeit nach Frakturen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen.

The student accident insurance has been part of the German Statutory Accident Insurance (Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung, DGUV) for 50 years. In order to assess the reduction in working capacity (Minderung der Erwerbsfähigkeit, MdE) in the event of permanent consequences of accidents and injuries, the recommendation to treat the affected child or adolescent "as an average adult" is currently still valid. The present work deals with the everyday practice of the MdE assessment in children and adolescents and their weaknesses through the transfer of the principles from adulthood. In addition, proposals for the adaptation of the assessment principles for the growth age are drawn up.

[Surgical treatment of bites]. / Chirurgische Behandlung von Bissverletzungen.

OBJECTIVE: Thorough and profound debridement for acute bite injuries while sparing nerves, vessels and tendons. INDICATIONS: Acute traumatic and late presented bite injuries. CONTRAINDICATIONS: General contraindication for anesthesia or surgery. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Extensive flabellate local anesthesia/general anesthesia, wound irrigation using 0.9% NaCl or antiseptic solutions, removal of avital tissues, wound debridement, wound edge excision, anew extensive irrigation, drainage if necessary, wound closure where applicable (except older or punctual deep injuries), bandage, elastic wrapping and immobilization. If necessary, plastic surgery with coverage of remaining defects. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Immobilization with initially daily wound evaluation, removal of drainage/loop on postoperative day 2; if necessary, antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in high-risk wounds (e.g., puncture wounds, joint or bone involvement, extensive soft tissue squeezing), suture removal on day 10-12 after surgery. RESULTS: Of 142 bite injuries that were treated and retrospectively evaluated, 46% were caused by dogs and 32% by cats. Patients were on average 44 years old; 55% of all dog bites affected women, but 67% of all cat bites. In 48% of the cases, general anesthesia was necessary. The postoperative infection rate was 6.3%.

[Optimized resource mobilization and quality of treatment of severely injured patients through a structured trauma room alarm system]. / Optimierte Ressourcenmobilisation und Versorgungsqualität Schwerstverletzter durch eine strukturierte Schockraumalarmierung.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of severely injured patients in the trauma resuscitation unit (TRU) requires an interdisciplinary and highly professional trauma team approach. The complete team needs to be waiting for the patient in the TRU on arrival. Treating severely injured patients in the TRU, the trauma team connects the initial preclinical emergency stabilization with the subsequent sophisticated treatment. Thus, the trauma team depends on concise information from the emergency personnel at the scene to provide its leader with further information as well as an accurate alarm including all departments necessary to stabilize the patient in the TRU. METHOD: Aiming at an accurate and most efficient trauma team alarm, this study was designed to provide and analyze an alarm system which mobilizes the trauma team in a stepwise fashion depending on the pattern of injuries and the threat to life. The trauma team alarm system was analyzed in a prospective data acquisition at a level I trauma center over a period of 12 months. Evaluation followed the acquisition phase and provided comparison to the status prior to the establishment of the alarm system. All items underwent statistical testing using t­tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The data of 775 TRU patients showed a significant reduction of false information on the patients status prior to arrival. It also showed an increase in punctual arrival in the TRU of the emergency teams. False alarms were significantly reduced (from 11.9% to 2.7%, p > 0.01). The duration from arrival of the patient in the TRU to the initial multislice computed tomography (CT) scan was reduced by 6 min while the total period of treatment in the TRU was reduced by 17 min. After the alarm system to gradually mobilize the trauma team was put into action, team members left the TRU if unneeded prior to finishing the initial treatment in only 4% of the cases. The patient fatality rate was 8.8% (injury severity score, ISS = 23 points) after establishment of the alarm system compared to 12.9% (ISS = 25 points) before. CONCLUSION: The implementation of an accurate and patient status-based alarm system to mobilize the trauma team can improve the quality of treatment while the duration of treatment of the severely injured patients in the TRU can be decreased. It also provides a most efficient mobilization of personnel resources while sustaining patient safety.

[Treatment of traumatic lesions of the bursa olecrani and chronic bursitis olecrani]. / Behandlung der traumatisch eröffneten Bursa olecrani und der chronischen Bursitis olecrani.

OBJECTIVE: Complete olecranon bursectomy with debridement, protection of veins and nerves. Risk-adapted antibiotic therapy and early functional aftercare. INDICATIONS: Acute, traumatic laceration of the bursa olecrani, chronic therapy-resistant bursitis olecrani. CONTRAINDICATIONS: For traumatic bursa injuries: general contraindications for anesthesia and surgery; chronic bursitis: initially not closable skin defect (plastic surgery required), hemodynamically instable patient (e.g. systemic inflammatory response syndrome [SIRS] or sepsis), pre-existing skin infection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Local anesthesia beyond the lesion, careful debridement, identification and removal of the entire bursa, excision of contaminated skin, lavage, drain insertion (Redon, Easy-flow, Penrose). Wound closure, elastic bandage, and splint. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Elastic bandage for 2 days, followed by drain removal. Wound assessment, early functional aftercare without splint, antibiotic therapy in septic bursitis for 2 weeks, PRICE scheme. Removal of stitches after 10-12 days. RESULTS: Over 5 years, 138 cases of traumatic bursa lesion or chronic bursitis olecrani were treated in our clinic, 82 patients underwent surgery. Ten patients were treated with vacuum-assisted closure therapy and consecutive wound healing; fistulae occurred in two patients and in another two dehiscence developed. All of the defects could be closed without flaps.

[Promoting Young Talents in Trauma Surgery through Students-On-Call]. / Nachwuchsförderung in der Unfallchirurgie durch studentischen Rufdienst.

BACKGROUND: Due to restrictions on admission to medical school, changing claims to an optimized work-life balance and occupational perspectives, surgical professions in particular are struggling with strategies to motivate young academics. Surgical disziplines aim towards a profound transfer of knowledge and pique student's interest by ensuring a sustainable education at university. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to evaluate a Students-On-Call System (SOCS) and to identify a financial benefit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study the SOCS was compared pre-/postevaluation using questionnaires and the supporting X­rays within a curricular teaching module of orthopedic trauma surgery, with students in the fourth semester of specialism and those in the practical semester at medical school. RESULTS: The students of SOCS showed significantly better results prior to the course and afterwards than the two other groups. By establishing SOCS medical students get involved into the treatment of emergency patients in the trauma resuscitation unit (TRU) and operating room (OR). Students get the chance to enhance their comprehension of diagnostics, therapy and decision making in surgical context. This highly valuable traineeship combines a minimized teaching effort with an effective motivation of young academcis for the surgical profession. A SOCS has reduced the workload of medical colleagues. Establishing SOCS spare the residents being on call and results in reduced costs of 23,659.86 Euro per year. CONCLUSION: The results presented show that the SOCS leads to an excellent cost-benefit balance, which has been established in multiple surgical departments at the medical school of the University of Göttingen. Apart from practice-oriented surgical teaching, the SOCS is a way of promoting successful young talent saving resources in the medical on-call services.

[Osteosynthesis of Weber B ankle fractures using the one-third tubular plate and refixation of the syndesmosis]. / Osteosynthese von Weber-B-Sprunggelenkfrakturen mit der Drittelrohrplatte und Syndesmosenrekonstruktion.

OBJECTIVE: Anatomical reconstruction and recovery to complete range of function of the upper ankle joint. Therefore, the most stable but least invasive osteosynthesis is required to enable the patient early functional mobilization. INDICATION: Supination and pronation fracture with luxation mechanism of the upper ankle joint with or without rupture of the syndesmosis. Open fracture of the distal fibula including displaced and instable fractures. CONTRAINDICATION: Severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease; contaminated open fractures (≥ 2nd degree); pediatric fractures with open epiphyseal plate. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Supine position with ipsilateral slightly elevated hip and knee. Incision of about 8 cm length along the dorsal edge of the distal fibula. When reaching the lateral malleolus, a slight ventral angulation is necessary. Open reduction through this posterolateral approach. Secure the reposition using an interfragmentary lag screw and anatomically adjusted third tubular plate. Followed by a revision of the syndesmosis and transfixation using a tricortical position screw. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Mobilization on day 1 after surgery with reduced weight-bearing when position screw is not applied; when position screw is implanted with ground contact for 6 weeks. Removal of position screw under local anesthesia after 6 weeks and pain-controlled full weight-bearing. Removal of metal after 1.5 years. RESULTS: Open reduction using the third tubular plate and an interfragmentary lag screw through a dorsolateral approach used in 90 % of all Weber B fractures in our clinic. Additional revision of a ruptured syndesmosis performed in 70 % and transfixation through a position screw in 40 %. Persisting instability in the upper ankle joint significantly reduced after surgical treatment compared to a conservative approach. Revisions necessary in 3.7 % of patients and pseudarthrosis diagnosed in 0.9 %. It has been shown that the preoperative x-ray and clinical examination is limited in detecting a ruptured syndesmosis.

[Stabilization of unstable intertrochanteric fractures with the proximal femoral nail]. / Osteosynthese von per- und subtrochantären Femurfrakturen mit dem proximalen Femurnagel.

OBJECTIVE: Restoration of function and anatomy of the proximal femur. Possibility of full weightbearing after surgery. Less invasive intramedullary osteosynthesis. INDICATIONS: Unstable trochanteric fracture (AO classification 31-A2, 31-A3), subtrochanteric fracture (AO classification 32-A1), fracture of the femoral shaft in the proximal region. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Ipsilateral coxarthrosis, open growth plate, hip fracture. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Closed or open reduction on the extension table. Intramedullary reaming of the proximal femur, insertion of PFNA and blade as proximal locking screw, static or dynamic distal locking screw. Implantion of bone cement via blade, if necessary. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Weightbearing as limited by pain. Osteoporosis diagnostics and initiation of treatment, if necessary. RESULTS: The stabilization of trochanteric fractures is usually done with PFNA. Compared to other methods, e.g., DHS, fewer complications were observed with the PFNA. Subtrochanteric fractures were associated with higher complication rates compared to intertrochanteric fractures.

[Minimally invasive osteosynthesis of pilon fractures]. / Minimal-invasive osteosynthesen von pilonfrakturen.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) is the anatomical reconstruction of the distal tibial articular surface, with preservation of the soft tissue to allow early functional postoperative management. This should lead to a normal bone healing and recovery without arthrosis. INDICATIONS: Fractures type Rüedi I + II or AO 43-B1, -B2, AO 43-C1, -C2, rare and relative indications are fractures of type AO 43-B3 and -C3 fractures without IIb and III° soft tissue injuries. It may also be used as an additional technique for osteosynthesis with external fixators. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Severe comminuted fractures of the pilon with closed or open II and III° soft tissue damage. Severe soft tissue damage (III°). SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: An intensive preoperative analysis of conventional X-rays and CT images is necessary to support the indication for MIO of pilon fractures. The first step is reduction of the fracture with axial traction, in some cases with a distractor or external fixator. The definitive reduction is performed with K-wire joysticks or reduction clamps. The key step is the intraoperative X-ray control of the reduction in various planes, if possible with 3D reconstruction. An alternative is also arthroscopic control of the articular reduction. All manipulations are performed via small incisions. After incision of the skin, all layers of soft tissue are smoothly divided with scissors allowing the soft tissue including vessels and nerves to be moved out of the working channel. All instruments and implants (e.g., K-wires, drill sleeve, screws) are introduced between the opened scissor branches. After lag screw osteosynthesis with 3.5 or 4.5 mm conventional screws, the articular block is reduced to the diaphysis and fixed with a minimally invasively inserted plate. Under X-ray control in two planes, the plate is adjusted into position and preliminarily fixed with K-wires. The screws are inserted using the minimally invasive technique. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Immediate mobilization starting on day 1 with partial weight bearing (sole contact or 12-15 kg) for 4-6 weeks, postoperative protection with orthesis or split cast for 2-5 days depending on degree of swelling, early functional physiotherapy, thrombosis prophylaxis with heparin until complete mobilization. Full weight-bearing depending on fracture type after 6-8 weeks. RESULTS: Advantages of minimally invasive osteosynthesis of pilon fractures compared to conventional open reduction and osteosynthesis, include protection of the soft tissue and no further disturbances of circulation-ideal prerequisites for undisturbed bone healing. In 129 patients after osteosynthesis of pilon fracture, no reoperations were necessary when using MIO, but reoperation was necessary with other techniques in 17.6% of all patients. In addition, no infections were observed with MIO vs. 13.4% of patients with other techniques. The average Olerud/Molander Score was 95 points for the MIO group vs. 58.91 points for all patients treated, while MIO plus an external fixator received a score of 50 points. The average Ankle Hindfoot Score was 64.9 points, for MIO 87.5 points, and for operations consisting of MIO plus an external fixator 58 points.

[X-ray in trauma and orthopedic surgery. Physical and biological impact, reasonable use, and radiation protection in the operating room]. / Röntgen in Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie. Ein Update über physikalische und biologische Auswirkungen, sinnvolle Anwendung und Strahlenschutz im Operationssaal.

Orthopedic and especially trauma surgeons' use of x-rays during operations vary extensively, especially in minimally invasive osteosynthesis procedures. Radiation hazards often are neglected. In this paper, a short overview of physical and biological effects of radiation are given. In addition, practical information about how to lower radiation exposure in the daily work in the operating room (OR) is given. The operating team is exposed mainly to scattered radiation. The radiation exposure is 10 times higher on the tube side than on the amplifier side. The distance between tube and surgeon must be as great as possible. The tube should be positioned under the OR table, and the distance between tube and patient should be as short as possible. The positioning of the C-arm device without radiation is important. The use of patient landmarks is used to position the C-arm over the region of interest, but the preoperative training of surgeons and team with virtual learning tools, e.g., virtX, is very effective in reducing radiation hazards.

The nitric acid burn trauma of the skin.

Nitric acid burn traumata often occur in the chemical industry. A few publications addressing this topic can be found in the medical database, and there are no reports about these traumata in children. A total of 24 patients, average 16.6 years of age, suffering from nitric acid traumata were treated. Wound with I degrees burns received open therapy with panthenol-containing creams. Wound of II degrees and higher were initially treated by irrigation with sterile isotonic saline solution and then by covering with silver-sulphadiazine dressing. Treatment was changed on the second day to fluid-absorbent foam bandages for superficial wounds (up to IIa degrees depth) and occlusive, antiseptic moist bandages in combination with enzymatic substances for IIb degrees -III degrees burns. After the delayed demarcation, necrectomy and mesh-graft transplantation were performed. All wounds healed adequately. Chemical burn traumata with nitric acid lead to specific yellow- to brown-stained wounds with slower accumulation of eschar and slower demarcation compared with thermal burns. Remaining wound eschar induced no systemic inflammation reaction. After demarcation, skin transplantation can be performed on the wounds, as is commonly done. The distinguishing feature of nitric-acid-induced chemical burns is the difficulty in differentiation and classification of burn depth. An immediate lavage should be followed by silver sulphadiazine treatment. Thereafter, fluid-absorbent foam bandages or occlusive, antiseptic moist bandages should be used according to the burn depth. Slow demarcation caused a delay in performing surgical treatments.

[Primary definitive cast therapy on the upper and lower extremities. Indications and cost analysis]. / Primäre definitive Stützverbandbehandlung mit Softcast an der oberen und unteren Extremität. Anwendung und Kostenanalyse.

BACKGROUND: Soft cast (SC) is a semirigid cast material which opened new possibilities for fracture care in adults and children. The primary definitive cast technique (PDCT) with SC is a new casting method that uses a combination of fiberglass and polyurethane resin. Time, personnel, and material costs for producing plaster casts using the conventional technique (primary plaster cast and secondary hard cast, or POPHC) were prospectively compared with PDCT using SC on upper and lower extremities. METHODS: Time, personnel, and material costs for producing plaster casts using the conventional technique (primary plaster cast and secondary hard cast, or POPHC) were prospectively compared with PDCT using SC on upper and lower extremities. RESULTS: Compared with PDCT, the costs for POPHC were always higher: 138% for upper arm casts, 142% for lower arm and scaphoid casts, 219% for ankle joint casts, 157% for ankle splints, 336% for first-toe bandage/orthesis, and 289% for geisha shoes. CONCLUSION: The procedure using PDCT with SC can contribute to cost savings and improve patient comfort.

virtX - evaluation of a computer-based training system for mobile C-arm systems in trauma and orthopedic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Operating room personnel (ORP) operating mobile image intensifier systems (C-arms) need training to produce high quality radiographs with a minimum of time and X-ray exposure. Our study aims at evaluating acceptance, usability and learning effect of the CBT system virtX that simulates C-arm based X-ray imaging in the context of surgical case scenarios. METHODS: Prospective, interventional study conducted during an ORP course with three groups: intervention group 1 (training on a PC using virtX), and 2 (virtX with a C-arm as input device), and a control group (training without virtX) - IV1, IV2 and CG. All participants finished training with the same exercise. Time needed to produce an image of sufficient quality was recorded and analyzed using One-Way-ANOVA and Dunnett post hoc test (alpha = .05). Acceptance and usability of virtX have been evaluated using a questionnaire. RESULTS: CG members (n = 21) needed more time for the exercise than those of IV2 (n = 20): 133 +/- 55 vs. 101 +/- 37 sec. (p = .03). IV1 (n = 12) also performed better than CG (128 +/- 48 sec.), but this was not statistically significant. Seventy-nine participants returned a questionnaire (81% female, age 34 +/- 9 years, professional experience 8.3 +/- 7.6 years; 77% regularly used a C-arm). 83% considered virtX a useful addition to conventional C-arm training. 91% assessed virtual radiography as helpful for understanding C-arm operation. CONCLUSIONS: Trainees experienced virtX as substantial enhancement of C-arm training. Training with virtX can reduce the time needed to perform an imaging task.