Der Unfallchirurg
-
Fixed-angle implants are being increasingly used in surgery of fractures of the proximal humerus. The aim of this retrospective investigation was to evaluate the outcome after fracture reduction utilizing a fixed-angle plate (Königsee). ⋯ It has been shown that results after fixation of proximal humerus fractures with fixed-angle implants are good. The functional outcome is good and complications are rare. Our results correlate with other investigations regarding fracture reduction using fixed-angle plates and nails.
-
Fractures of the talus in children are rare. Repeated clinical examination and imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging are often needed to establish a diagnosis. In case of the late recognition of talus fractures, catastrophic results may occur for the hind-foot. This case report presents a 5 year old boy with a non-displaced talus neck fracture with good outcome after minimally invasive osteosynthesis.
-
Significant injuries to the thorax comprise pneumothorax, rib fractures, lung contusion, cardiac contusion, aortic laceration, ruptured diaphragm, and the very rare injuries to the tracheo-bronchial tree and the esophagus. A surgeon dealing with chest trauma patients needs to be familiar with the indications for and execution of chest tube insertion for thoracic drainage, pericardial puncture, and thoracoscopy and thoracotomy. Interventional techniques are gaining increasing acceptance in the management of major vascular injuries. The vast majority of patients with chest injury do not need an operative intervention, but it is necessary to place a thoracic drain in 10-15% of cases or to perform in a much lower proportion a pericardial puncture or a thoracotomy.
-
A retrospective epidemiological multifactorial study of pediatric burn patients admitted to the Burn Center Bochum in the period of 1992-2002 was performed. ⋯ The number of children with a background other than German was higher; moreover, a high number of injuries was not covered by health insurance. Having identified the high-risk group among the pediatric burn patients, we suggest that prevention programs should be directed towards these families in order to reduce further risk of pediatric burns.
-
Exsanguination plays a key role in avoidable prehospital deaths. As some bleedings from deep stab wounds cannot be stopped with direct compression, the insertion of a Foley catheter can prevent ongoing bleedings. A case report of bleeding from a stab wound in the supraclavicular region is given. The simple measure of careful insertion and blocking of a Foley catheter proved to be a key resuscitative procedure which can be done under any suitable circumstances.