Der Unfallchirurg
-
Review
[The significance of biofilm for the treatment of infections in orthopedic surgery : 2017 Update].
The increase in endoprosthetic and osteosynthetic surgical treatment is associated with a simultaneous increase in implant-associated infections (surgical site infections, SSI). Biofilms appear to play a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of these infections and heavily contaminated wounds. This article aims to provide a current overview of biofilm and its relevance in orthopedic surgery. ⋯ The development of biofilm should be anticipated in strongly contaminated wounds as well as in acute and chronic infection sites. The best strategy to combat biofilms is to prevent their development. Standard microbiological culture methods do not enable the detection of biofilm. Therefore, the implementation of molecular biological detection methods (z. B. FISH) is important. Further anti-biofilm strategies are being investigated experimentally, but there are no real options for clinical use as of yet.
-
Review Meta Analysis
[Prevention of postoperative infections : Risk factors and the current WHO guidelines in musculoskeletal surgery].
Despite the many scientific and technological advances postoperative infection continues to be a large problem for trauma and orthopedic surgeons. Based on a review of the current literature, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the risk factors (RF) and possible preventive measures to control surgical site infections. ⋯ In the future, considerable efforts must be made in order to achieve a noticeable reduction in the rate of infection, especially in the case of high-risk patients.
-
Carpal bone fusions for secondary reconstruction are still indispensable despite state of the art diagnostic tools and modern treatment techniques for wrist lesions. The former fusions stabilize the wrist and enable sufficient residual carpal mobility. Pain can be reduced significantly by arthrodesis of destroyed joints and the progress of osteoarthritis may be stopped or delayed. This review presents commonly used fusions with their inherent indications, contraindications and complications.
-
Osteosynthesis-associated infections occur in 1-5% after closed and in up to 30% after open fractures. There are three different descriptions of implant-associated infections after fracture fixation, which are crucial for the selection of the adequate treatment strategy; temporal appearance from the index surgery (early versus late), pathogenesis of the infection (exogenous, hematogenous and contiguous from an adjacent focus), duration of infection symptoms (acute versus chronic). Diagnosis of osteosynthesis-associated infection is challenging, as chronic low-grade infections often present only with unspecific and subtle clinical symptoms. ⋯ Elevated C‑reactive protein value in blood is a supportive argument for infection, but is neither sensitive nor specific for infection. Imaging plays a key role to detect nonunions, infectious callus, sequester, peri-implant osteolysis and extraosseous and intramedullary involvement. Through microbiological and histopathological examination of intraoperative tissue samples, as well as sonication of explanted implants the causative pathogen is identified in most cases.
-
Implant-associated infections represent a serious complication following fracture management. Due to biofilm formation, an optimized treatment strategy is required to treat these infections. ⋯ In general, the eradication of infection is possible with surgical debridement, change or removal of the implant and adequate antibiotic therapy. In some cases, suppressive therapy until consolidation of fracture and later removal of the implant is an option.