Der Unfallchirurg
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Damage Control Orthopedics is a strategy for treatment of fractures in severely injured patients. The aim is to reduce secondary damage and thereby improve the patient's outcome. The relevant fractures are primarily stabilized with external fixators instead of a primary definitive osteosynthesis. ⋯ The only available randomized study shows an advantage of this strategy in a subgroup of borderline patients. A meta-analysis could not find convincing evidence that definitively proves the advantage of this concept. A new multi-center randomized study has been started to evaluate the concept of damage control in a defined group of critically injured patients with femoral shaft fractures.
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Minimally invasive techniques and developments of implants with angular stability have led to a renaissance of plate osteosynthesis for fracture stabilization in recent years. They represent a major source of success which has facilitated minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) or even made it feasible. For implants with LCP technology all current types of screws can be used and/or combined. ⋯ Moreover, reduction techniques, intra-operative imaging and the biomechanical features of the selected implant require a more meticulous preoperative planning. Minimizing the surgical trauma has resulted in decreased complication rates of problematic fractures. However, the particular inherent risks of a closed procedure have to be evaluated for each body region to avoid severe complications.
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Pathophysiology of multiple trauma is characterized by different trauma-associated repercussions like organ destruction, haemorrhage, immune cell activation by foreign antigen, for example. The length of time while such impairments take hold of the organism substantially impacts the extent of the post trauma secondary injury. ⋯ The current review highlights the importance of the time duration of posttrauma second hits on the pathophysiology of systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. The quick termination of such secondary impairments by immediate therapeutic intervention mainly impacts the patients' prognosis.
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In 2009, 3 years after the foundation of the Trauma Network of the German Society for Trauma (TraumaNetzwerkD DGU), the majority of German hospitals participating in the treatment of seriously injured patients is registered in regional trauma networks (TNW). Currently there are 41 trauma networks with more than 660 hospitals in existence, 18 more are registered but are still in the planning phase. Each Federal State has an average of 39 trauma centres of different levels taking part in the treatment of seriously injured patients and every trauma network has an average catchment area of 8708 km(2). ⋯ Because of the varying sizes of the trauma networks there are differences in the areas covered by each trauma network and trauma centre. Concerning the process of certification and auditing (together with the company DIOcert) it could be seen that by careful examination of the check lists of each hospital unforeseen problems during the audit could be avoided. The following article will present the current state of development of the Trauma Network of the German Society for Trauma and describe the certification and auditing process.
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Due to revised conditions of medical care in Germany, in particular the introduction of the newly designated specialist for orthopaedics and trauma surgery, the working conditions in trauma surgical clinics in Germany has changed. In May 2008 the professional committee of the German Trauma Society conducted a survey at the 729 trauma surgical clinics and departments in order to establish the true level of care at these particular sites. The results of the 90,000 variables presented in the following article, reflect the changes in trauma care as well as in the medical care structures and emphasize the increased work load. In particular the lack of qualified candidates underlines the main explanation for vacant posts and is also evaluated in this article.