[Reconstruction of distal fingeramputations using palmar fingerflaps and the dorsal eponychial flap]. / Versorgung von fingerkuppendefekten mit palmarer Lappen- und dorsaler Eponychiumplastik.

Reconstruction of fingertip amputations, especially if they involve more than half of the fingernail require the surgeon to determine whether the fingernail should be removed. However, aside from aesthetic aspects the fingernail has functional purposes - stabilisation of the pulp and enhancement of sensibility - and should therefore be preserved. Since November 2004 we have been using the technique of combining palmar finger flaps with dorsal eponychial plasty in reconstructing complex distal fingertip defects in 12 patients. All flaps had an uneventful healing. One patient with insufficient bone support after a failed operation developed an onychogryphosis. The remaining patients were satisfied with the result. With a simple technique augmenting the palmar reconstruction of complex fingertip defects by the dorsal eponychial flap plasty we can achieve a better support for the pulpa and also a better cosmetic result.

Functional donor-site morbidity during level and uphill gait after a gastrocnemius or soleus muscle-flap procedure.

BACKGROUND: There is only limited objective information about functional donor-site morbidity after harvest of one head of the triceps surae muscles to cover a severe soft-tissue defect of the leg. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether a functional deficit is present during level and uphill walking after such a procedure. METHODS: Five subjects who had completely recovered from the initial injury were studied with use of comprehensive gait analysis during free level, fast level, and uphill walking on a ramp at a 10 degrees inclination. RESULTS: Gait analysis revealed no relevant donor-site morbidity affecting level gait at a free walking speed (mean, 1.27 m/sec; range, 1.18 to 1.40 m/sec). When the subjects walked at a higher velocity (mean, 1.89 m/sec; range, 1.58 to 2.43 m/sec), an asymmetry of the ground-reaction forces was seen. The second vertical peak force during push-off was reduced by a mean of 7.3% (range, 0.94% to 12.24%), and the impulse in the direction of progression was reduced by a mean of 8.7% (range, 0.13% to 17.87%) on the affected side (p = 0.04). During uphill walking, a compensatory strategy to reduce the demand on the posterior calf muscles was seen in all subjects-that is, they shortened the length of the step on the contralateral side by a mean of 3.9 cm (range, 2.2 to 6.2 cm), which corresponded to a mean side-to-side difference of 5.6% (range, 2.18% to 6.18%) (p = 0.04). A calcaneal motion pattern, denoted as increased ankle dorsiflexion, was seen in three of the five subjects during uphill walking as a sign of decreased function of the posterior calf muscles. Two of them (both with a soleus flap) also had a calcaneal pattern during fast gait. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded from this study that the functional donor-site morbidity after harvest of one head of the triceps surae muscles is mild in subjects who have had a complete recovery from their initial injury. Normal level gait is possible. However, deficits are seen in more demanding tasks such as fast walking or uphill walking.

Magnetic resonance imaging of anterior cruciate ligament tears: evaluation of standard orthogonal and tailored paracoronal images.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the three standard orthogonal imaging planes and a paracoronal imaging plane for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety patients (91 knees; 29 F and 61 M) aged between 15 and 84 years (mean 36.9 +/- 16.4 years) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee prior to arthroscopy. At surgery, 32 knees had an intact ACL, 4 a partial tear, and 55 a complete ACL tear. In all patients, axial, sagittal, coronal, and paracoronal T2-weighted turbo-SE images were acquired. The ACL was classified as intact, partially, or completely torn. Partial and complete tears were combined for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Partial ACL tears (four cases) were not correctly diagnosed at MRI except in one knee by one observer on coronal images. Sensitivity in detecting ACL tears was 95%/63% (reader1/reader2) in the axial, 93%/95% in the sagittal, 93%/86% in the coronal, and 100%/93% in the paracoronal plane. Specificity was 75%/81% in the axial, 72%/81% in the sagittal, 78%/94% in the coronal, and 78%/88% in the paracoronal plane. CONCLUSION: ACL tears can be diagnosed accurately with each of the standard orthogonal planes. Based on reader confidence and interobserver agreement paracoronal images may be useful in equivocal cases.

[Combined fractures of the femoral neck with femoral shaft fractures]. / Kombinierte Frakturen des Schenkelhalses mit Femurschaftfrakturen.

Ipsilateral fractures of the femoral neck and shaft presents diagnostic difficulties and complex choices as to treatment. The surgeon is often faced with a multiply-injured patient with an obvious fracture of the femoral shaft. The accompanying femoral neck fracture can be overlooked (20-50%). Most frequently, the missed fracture is a minimally displaced vertical fracture of the femoral neck. Reviewing the literature on the subject offers little guidance of managing this fracture combination. Our present protocol for this double fracture is treatment with immediate internal fixation: 1. ISS < 25: Interlocking nailing for the shaft fracture and supplementary screws for the neck fracture, 2. ISS > 25: Plating for the shaft fracture and screwing for the neck fracture. The aseptic necrosis of the femoral head is not frequent.

[Conservative treatment of navicular fractures 1983-1985]. / Konservativ behandelte Navicularefrakturen 1983-1985.

In the period of 1983-1985 81 patients in the University Hospital in Zurich with a navicular-fracture have been treated conservatively. In a retrospective analyse the collective will be tested and the results be demonstrated.

[Management of unstable shaft fractures of the lower extremity in children using the external fixator]. / Versorgung instabiler kindlicher Schaftfrakturen der unteren Extremität mit dem Fixateur externe.

METHOD: Since 1993 we have treated 30 children between 2 and 15 years with 31 unstable tibial and femoral shaft fractures. We perform closed reduction und X-ray control and stabilize the fracture using the monotube-fixator, system Howmedica. The advantages of this system are based on the self-drilling, self-cutting screws and the simple dynamization. DISCUSSION: The treatment of dislocated, instable fractures of the tibial and femoral shaft in children using traction method is related with a long hospital stay in an uncomfortable position. The traction method leads to bone healing, but with a high rate of deformity after reposition. We treat the shaft fractures of the lower extremity using the external fixation. This method allows to reach early weight bearing mobilisation, it is related to a shorter hospital stay. The child is already one day after initial treatment allowed to walk with full weight bearing. The treatment with the external fixation is a modification of the traction method. CONCLUSION: We think to have a good concept of treatment using external fixation in children with unstable fractures of the femur and tibia shaft. The disadvantages namely pin tract infections, general anesthesia for removal and difficulties with the reduction are overruled by the advantages as short hospital stay, early weight bearing mobilisation and early return of the child to his own environment.

[Acute mesenterial infarcts--results of surgical therapy]. / Akute Mesenterialinfarkte--Ergebnisse operativer Therapie.

Forty-five patients with mesenteric infarction documented by laparotomy or autopsy were reviewed. 35% of the patients had superior mesenteric artery occlusion by embolus, 27% by thrombosis, 11% had venous thrombosis, 9% nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, and 18% were unclear. The mortality rate was 60% within half a year postoperatively. 22% had inoperable lesions, 46% underwent bowel resection, and 32% were managed by revascularization. In the group treated by bowel resection (n = 21) 30% died, in the group treated by revascularization 80% of the patients died.

[Distraction spondylodesis of the sacrum in "vertical shear lesions" of the pelvis]. / Distraktionsspondylodese des Sakrums bei "Vertical-shear-Läsionen" des Beckens.

The sacroiliac region is the link through which the weight of the trunk is transmitted to the legs and a region frequently indicated by patients as the site of back pain. Sacral fractures often remain undiagnosed and untreated and frequently result in neurologic symptoms and deficits. Since a systematic approach is used to analyse the pelvic ring fractures with CT scans, the surgical management of sacral fractures had become a focus of interest. Stabilization is important for survival of the patient and may improve the long-term functional results of treatment of such injuries. Specific treatments aimed at neurologic problems are available and may allow the patient functional recovery. Previous attempts to achieve internal fixation for sacral stabilization have used lag screws, sacral bars and plates in a compression mode. We present a new type of stabilization for vertically unstable sacral fractures in zones II and III (Denis). The aim of our suggested stabilization is a stable fixation without compression on the fracture side to protect the neural structures. We perform a transfixation from L5 to the pelvic rim with an internal fixator. Our instrumentation allows decompression (fracture reposition, sacral laminectomy, sacral foraminotomy) of the neural structures and stable fixation without compression. Five multiply traumatized patients with sacral fractures as a component of vertical shear injury of the pelvis had the sacroiliac region stabilized with the internal fixator. The preliminary results are presented.

[Indications for and results of interlocking nailing in lower leg fractures]. / Indikationen und Resultate der Verriegelungsnagelung bei Unterschenkelfrakturen.

At the clinic for Traumatology at the University Hospital of Zürich between 1981-1986 53 tibial fractures in 52 patients have been treated with interlocking nails. The system of Grosse and Kempf was utilized. The fractures were produced by a variety of mechanisms of injury, of which 70% were caused by traffic accidents. Associated injuries to other organ systems were sustained by 44% of the patients, overall there were 13% considered to have multiple trauma. 21% of the fractures were open. 21% required stable fixation, 17% were dynamized. The remaining 79% fractures were treated with dynamic nailings. A bridging callus was observed after an average of 6 weeks, and cortical bridging at 18 weeks following nailing. Complications included local infection around the proximal transversal screws in 2 and osteomyelitis in 1 case.

[Callus distraction by an internal bone transport system in unilateral fixation]. / Kallusdistraktion durch ein internes Knochentransportsystem bei unilateraler Fixation.

The problem of the treatment of bone defects can be solved by distraction osteogenesis as developed by ILIZAROV. This study shows how the bone transport technique can be adapted to every common external fixator while using a new internal distraction system. In 20 dogs a bone defect of 6 cm was performed at the femur. The femur was stabilized with an unilateral frame. A proximal or distal corticostomized bone fragment (length 2.5 cm) was descended through the bone defect (1 mm day). In 15 dogs a new regeneration of bone was observed. The quality of the regenerated bone depends upon stability of the fixation. In 5 dogs with osteotomy and rapid dislocation of the transported fragment no bone bridging was found.

[Admission documentation of multiple trauma patients using the Zurich Trauma Protocol--initial experiences]. / Eintrittsdokumentation polytraumatisierter Patienten mit dem Zürcher Traumaprotokoll--Erste Erfahrungen.

A new protocol to document multiply injured patients in presented. It consists of 23 pages and is indexed on the right side. The pages are structured according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS): head/neck, face, thorax, abdomen, extremities/pelvis and integument. Different checklists on the right side of each page help to enter data efficiently; schemes and templates on the left side provide further support to visualize and classify the injuries. Summaries for diagnosis, therapies and for further investigations provide a standardized overview of the patient. The experiences of 22 residents were analyzed after one year of the protocol use. The trauma protocol was shown to be easy to learn, it was well accepted, and it increased the exchange of information between the emergency room and the intensive care unit. However, some residents considered this data entry to more laborious compared with the traditional medical record system. The trauma protocol was designed for prospective data acquisition of intensive care patients; it provides also a uniform structure for retrospective analysis and is therefore a helpful tool to increase quality control and quality assurance.

[Indications and results of interlocking nailing of the femur]. / Indikationen und Resultate der Verriegelungsnagelung am Femur.

Since the introduction of an interlocking nail in 1972, different systems have been developed for the management of unstable femoral fractures. At the Clinic for Traumatology at the University Hospital of Zürich, the system of Grosse and Kempf was utilized until 1986, after which the AO universal nail system has been and still is used. Between 1981 and 1987, 63 femoral fractures in 62 patients have been treated with interlocking nails. The fractures were produced by a variety of mechanisms of injury, of which 75% were caused by traffic accidents. Associated injuries to other organ systems were sustained by 73% of the patients, overall there were 33% considered to have multiple trauma. 25% of the fractures were open. 44% (n = 28) required stable fixation, 15 were dynamized. The remaining 35 fractures were treated with dynamic nailings, 8 proximal and 27 distal. 15% were open nailings. Following dynamic stabilization full weight bearing was obtained after 56 and stable fixation after 120 days. A bridging callus was observed after an average of 8 weeks, and cortical bridging at 26 weeks following nailing. Complications included displacement of transversal screws in 3, local infections around the distal or proximal transversal screws in 3 and osteomyelitis at the fracture site in 3 cases.

[Necrotizing soft tissue infections]. / Nekrotisierende Weichteilinfekte.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections are a group of life- and limb-threatening infections. They are caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria occasionally in a synergistic polymicrobial combination. The literature describing necrotizing soft tissue infections is controversial and often contradictory. Depending on their clinical appearance, tissue level and microbiological findings, necrotizing soft tissue infections are classified into two major groups, infections within the subcutaneous/fascia niveau and within the muscle level. Necrotizing infections of the subcutaneous level are further differentiated in hemolytic streptococcal gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, clostridium fasciitis, and anaerobic nonclostridium fasciitis. In particular, necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressing process, which is characterized by suppurative fasciitis, following by vascular thrombosis and cutaneous gangrene and is often accompanied by severe systemic toxicity, seen as septic-toxic shock and progressive (multi-) organ failure. Nineteen cases of necrotizing soft tissue infections were treated at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Zurich, between 1989 and 1992. These infections originated from "neglected trauma" in 9 (9/19), drug injections in 4 (4/19), acute infections in 3 (3/19), operative wounds in 2 (2/19) and perforation of the intestine in 1 case (1/19). Most of the patients (13/19) suffered from chronic debilitating diseases and were compromised by a suppressed immune system. We treated two groups of patients, one with septic-toxic clinical course and the other without. Eleven patients (11/19) belonged to group one and four of them, showing necrotizing fasciitis of the trunk, died as a result of multiorgan failure (MOF). Furthermore, three patients in this group had a limb amputated. In the other group without septic-toxic signs, no one died or lost a limb. The two groups differed also in length of hospital stay, an average of 60 days in group one (23 days intensive care) and 25 days in group two. Our results suggest that prompt recognition and treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections are essential for the patient's survival. Often the full extent of the infections is underestimated initially, resulting in delayed surgical therapy. To control the rapidly spreading necrosis, early diagnosis and radical debridement of the affected tissue are essential and should be done without compromise, even if the affected limb must be amputated.

[Ipsilateral knee and hip joint dislocation]. / Ipsilaterale Knie- und Hüftgelenkluxation.

Knee and hip dislocations are often serious injuries with an uncertain outcome. Simultaneous ipsilateral dislocation of the knee and hip joints is very rare; consequently, there is an inadequate amount of literature on the subject. In this case report we present a 35-year-old male patient with this combination of both injuries and discuss it in comparison with the available literature. This case report shows, that a methodical and sequential treatment can lead to good results in spite of this complex combination of injuries.

[Callus distraction in traumatology: concepts and indications]. / Kallusdistraktion in der Traumatologie: Konzepte und Indikationen.

The understanding of the conditions under which bone and soft tissue can be regenerated by distraction has opened a new era in the field of limb reconstruction. Success in lengthening for posttraumatic limb length discrepancy has led to different applications of the distraction techniques. We present an overview of the clinical new possibilities, the strategy, the techniques and the complications using the distraction technique in the trauma patient. The optimal biologic method (limb distraction after resection or callus distraction by a transport technique) and the optimal fixation devices depend on the indication (local aspect, polytrauma, patient, motivation).

[Differences of acute and chronic epidural hematoma]. / Unterschiede der akuten und chronischen Epiduralhämatome.

Standard neurosurgical management demands prompt evacuation of all extradural hematomas to obtain a low incidence of mortality and morbidity. In selected cases some authors have suggested that moderate hematomas can be managed conservatively without risk to the patient and with a normal outcome. The goal of this study was to analyze the differences in preoperative clinical parameters between a group of acute and a group of chronic extradural hematomas (chronic extradural hematoma was defined as a delay of more than 72 h from the accident to diagnosis). One hundred fifteen (115) patients with extradural hematomas underwent a standard evaluation, documentation and neurosurgical management (prompt evacuation of all extradural hematomas through a craniotomy). Ninety-five patients (83%) had an acute extradural hematoma. Twenty patients (17%) had a chronic extradural hematoma. We analyzed the following parameters: age, cause of accident, clinical findings, Glasgow Coma Score, morphology of hematoma, location of hematoma, cause of bleeding and clinical outcome. The mean age (chronic 30/acute 32) and age distribution were not significantly different between groups. There were no differences in the cause of accident. All patients in both groups had skull fractures. There was no difference between groups regarding hematoma location, most of there being located in the temporal fossa. In the group of acute extradural hematomas, 62% of patients had a Glasgow Coma Score of less than 8 and 47% had pupillary dilation. In the group of chronic extradural hematomas, moderate clinical symptoms were found, with headache and discrete psychological changes most common. Eighty percent (80%) of the patients had a Glasgow Coma Score of greater than 13 and no patients had pupillary dilation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Inline skating, an old sport, newly discovered: harmless or a potential danger with socioeconomic effects?]. / In-line Skating, eine alte Sportart, neu entdeckt: Harmlos oder ein Gefahrenpotential mit sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen?

Over a period of one year, all accidents associated with in-line skating (ILS) were surveyed. Sport-specific data was recorded with a standardized questionnaire. The study comprised 66 patients with 75 injuries (48 upper limb, 16 skull, eight lower limb, three trunk). We were looking after 42 male and 24 female patients with an average age of 20 years (5-53 years). Twenty-seven patients (40%) had to be treated as inpatients. Overall, the most frequent injury (one third of all injuries) was forearm fracture close to the wrist (21 radius fractures, four radioulnar fractures). It had to be reset in 20 cases. Additional internal fixation was required in 10 cases (Kirschner wire osteosynthesis, intramedullary nailing or plate osteosynthesis). Only five patients could be treated with plaster cast fixation alone. Most patients with injuries in the vicinity of the wrist were not wearing a wrist protector at the time of the accident. The most frequent reasons given for not wearing protectors was forgetfulness or the high price of protectors. However, there were also two distal radius fractures and a disc injury in the wrist in patients who had been wearing wrist protectors. In most cases, ILS accidents lead to appreciable damage requiring a healing period of several weeks to months (average period of loss of work 41 days). The bfu (advisory center for accident prevention) reckons with 60,000 ILS cases annually in Switzerland. These injuries are thus of great socioeconomic importance. In the future, better risk behavior must be achieved by informing the population (wearing protectors, especially for the wrist and head, attendance of training courses).

[Injuries of the lower extremity with vascular lesions of the popliteal area. Management errors]. / Verletzungen der unteren Extremität mit Gefässläsionen im Popliteabereich. Managementfehler.

Lower extreemity injury complicated by limb-threatening vascular injuries of the popliteal artery present an infrequent but difficult management problem. In a retrospective study 37 consecutive patients with severely injured lower extremities after blunt trauma, all complicated by popliteal vascular injury, were evaluated. In 10 patients we found severe management errors: In 7 patients a delay in diagnosis of the vascular injury, in 3 patients with extensive bone and soft-tissue damage an inadequate stabilisation of the fracture. The optimal management of complex injury with associated vascular injuries requires a high index of suspicion and a treatment of all components of such an injury. The initial goals are the accurate diagnosis or exclusion of arterial injury, surgical debridement, adequate bony stabilization with minimal additional bone and soft-tissue trauma, revascularisation by interposition of a vein graft after resection of the damaged segment, immediate fascial decompression and early soft-tissue reconstruction.