Der Unfallchirurg
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Type II fractures of the odontoid process of the axis are the most common injury of the cervical spine in elderly patients. Only little evidence exists on whether elderly patients should be treated conservatively or surgically. ⋯ Fractures of the odontoid process pose a far-reaching danger for elderly patients. A balanced assessment of the general condition should be carried out at the beginning of treatment of these patients. In the early phase following trauma no differences were found with respect to survival rates but for long-term survival the operatively treated group showed advantages; however, these advantages cannot be causally attributed to the choice of therapy.
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It is undisputed that the stability of fracture fixation influences the fracture healing process; however, up until now the mechanical conditions which guide bone healing were unknown and it was therefore not possible to optimize the design of fracture fixation devices. This article presents how the stability of fracture fixation, interfragmentary movement and interfragmentary tissue strain depend on each other and how the mechanical environment influences the cellular processes in the healing tissue. ⋯ This tissue differentiation hypothesis allows the prediction of bone healing by intramembranous and endochondral bone formation as a function of the local mechanical environment in the fracture healing zone. This allows the possibility for selection of a fracture fixation stability to achieve high-quality bone healing.
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We report on a soldier with a gunshot wound to the midfoot. The diaphysis of MT 5 was pounded to pieces and there was a fracture in the diaphysis of MT 4. After debridement and fixation of MT 4 and MT 5 to MT 2 and 3 via two Kirschner wires we conducted a second look procedure with reconstruction of MT 5 via a piece of iliac crest. After eight weeks of unloading and removal of the last wire we started to put successively heavier weight on the foot.
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Multicenter Study
[Interdisciplinary treatment in geriatric traumatology from the trauma surgeons' perspective : Results of a survey in Germany].
Many patients treated on trauma surgery wards are geriatric trauma patients. To improve treatment of these often multimorbid patients, various interdisciplinary treatment concepts have been established in Germany between trauma surgeons and geriatricians. ⋯ The results of this survey underline the impact and the positive experiences in orthogeriatric services. Solutions have to be found to address the emerging problem of capacity constraints.