Der Unfallchirurg
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In the view of efficiency and cost effectiveness the increasing incidence of gunshot wounds in Europe demands a modification of treatment protocols. The general basis are debridement of soft tissue injuries, antibiotics and fracture stabilization. ⋯ Small caliber gunshot wounds can be treated more conservatively. The following review presents an overview on the ballistic and surgical basis for the treatment of gunshot wounds of the musculoskeletal system.
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The treatment of the medial femoral neck fracture remains controversial until today. The goal of this paper is therefore, based on the literature, to show guidelines for optimal treatment: conservative treatment vs. operation, osteosynthesis vs. prosthesis, timing for osteosynthesis, open vs. closed reduction, choice of implant for osteosynthesis, postoperative treatment (weight bearing vs. non weight bearing), Pauwels-Osteotomy vs. prosthesis in cases op pseudarthrosis, femoral head prosthesis vs. total hip arthroplasty, bipolar vs. monopolar femoral head prosthesis, choice of classification. Further we want to point out which statements are evidence based and where we need further investigation.
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Injuries to ligaments and tendons heal by formation of inferior repair tissue. This may result in severe joint dysfunction. Because of an increased occurrence of sports-related injuries, musculoskeletal disorders may become one of the major burden of health care. ⋯ The benefits of using mesenchymal stem cells on a three dimensional biological matrix have been shown recently. Tissue engineering will also include mechanical manipulation of tissue environments to accelerate cell differentiation and to improve matrix formation. Fibroblast-seeded polymer scaffolds could be useful in ligament and tendon replacement in which autogenous fibroblasts would be obtained through biopsy, cultured and seeded onto a scaffold.
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This article reviews the current body of knowledge on the adverse effects of smoking on soft-tissue and bone healing, with emphasis on tibial fractures in combination with severe soft-tissue injury. The pathophysiological effects are multidimensional, including arteriolar vasoconstriction, cellular hypoxia, demineralisation of bone, and delayed revascularisation. Several animal and clinical studies have been published about the negative effects of smoking on bone metabolism and fracture healing. ⋯ Nowadays, there is strong evidence to be very insistent that patients presenting with a (open) tibial fracture should refrain from smoking immediately to promote bone healing and to lower the complication rate. In case of elective reconstructive procedures, patients should refrain from smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery. In both situations, cessation should continue during the full rehabilitation period.
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The complex pathophysiology of electrical injury is caused by several mechanisms which are superimposed and cumulative in action. Existing empirical guidelines are only partially compatible with the results of recent studies. The significance of the joule effect, theories about progressive tissue necrosis, and the traditional surgical approach should be reviewed in view of electroporation and anatomical arrangements. The quality of long-term treatment results and the consistently high rate of amputations have prompted the development of alternative surgical options.