Der Unfallchirurg
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Case Reports
[Benign subcutaneous emphysema after nail penetration : Case report and important differential diagnoses.]
Crepitus under the skin after penetrating injuries: harmless benign subcutaneous emphysema or life-threatening infection with gas-producing bacteria (gas gangrene because of Clostridium perfringens, crepitating cellulitis because of anaerobic Streptococcus or other coliforme bacteria)? We report a case of a 74-year-old male who developed massive crepitation of the left upper extremity and the lateral thoracic wall and mediastinal emphysema after sustaining a laceration of the left thumb and forefinger from a nail. Because there was the suspicion of gas gangrene we performed generous skin incisions of the ventral and dorsal part of the hand, the forearm and upper arm and open wound treatment. ⋯ Due to fast regression of the subcutaneous emphysema and the mediastinal emphysema, continuing lack of symptoms, negative smear test results from the beginning and low infection parameters in the blood all wounds could be closed 9 days after primary surgery. The suspicion of gas gangrene was not confirmed so the diagnosis of benign subcutaneous emphysema was made.
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Case Reports
[Dislocation of double-threaded screws after stabilization of the odontoid process with the Knöringer technique.]
A type III fracture of the odontoid process according to Anderson-D'Alonzo in a 92-year-old patient was stabilized anteriorly with two double-threaded screws using the technique of Knöringer. Postoperatively, cranial dislocation of the screws was evident and attempts to correct the screw position failed resulting in screw proximity to the brain stem. ⋯ In case of instability posterior stabilization techniques should be selected. Anterior osteosynthesis of the odontoid process with double-threaded screws in osteoporotic bone carries the risk of screw dislocation.
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Polytrauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young adults (aged 35-45 years). At 30-40%, traumatic hemorrhage is the most frequent preventable cause of death. Approximately every fourth patient with multiple injuries suffers from trauma-induced coagulopathy. ⋯ The current knowledge and therapy recommendations are presented.
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Comparative Study
[Point-of-care diagnostics compared to standard coagulation tests in multiple trauma : Pros and cons.]
The haemostasiological management of patients with multiple injuries requires rapid and adequate therapy decisions due to the highly dynamic surroundings. For this, diagnostic techniques which have the ability to detect and differentiate coagulation disorders that are commonly present in multiple trauma patients are necessary. Widely used routine coagulation tests (e.g., aPTT or PT) sensitively measure impairments of the intrinsic or extrinsic pathway, but without further identification or differentiation. ⋯ Impairments of clot quality can be differentiated. Because of the visualization of the clot formation, a patient's coagulation capacity can be assessed within minutes. Admittedly the use of these point-of-care devices in the operation theatre requires human and temporal resources.