Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie
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In the late 1960s, the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) was established in Germany because of an increasing number of severe injuries in traffic accidents. To get a doctor quickly on scene was the initial intention, rather than transporting the patient. Today, rescue helicopters cover the entire field of emergency medicine and are an important transportation device for polytrauma patients. ⋯ For the multiply injured patient in particular, in over 40 % of the cases there is a joint patient care involving both helicopter- and ambulance-based emergency services. The HEMS undertakes especially the rapid, if necessary, even transregional transport to specialised trauma centres.
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A sagittal spinal deformity can lead to a significant reduction in quality of life. A loss of lumbar lordosis, which may be degenerative or iatrogenic, is usually identified as the main driver for a sagittal imbalance. Re-lordosing the lumbar spine has the potential to correct a global sagittal imbalance. Different surgical techniques are available. The present video describes the pedicle subtraction osteotomy, which represents a powerful option for rigid and severe deformities. ⋯ The pedicle subtraction osteotomy represents a powerful surgical technique for correction of a sagittal spinal imbalance.