Der Unfallchirurg
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The goal of blood management in orthopedic and trauma surgery is to minimize exposure to allogenic blood transfusion in elective surgical procedures. Pre-, intra- and postoperative techniques are available. In a retrospective study at our department we could show, that postoperative reinfusion in primary knee arthroplasty is an effective way to avoid allogenic blood transfusion. ⋯ Group II required per patient 1.3 units of allogenic blood (totally 26 units), group I needed only 0.25 units of allogenic blood per patient (totally 5 units) by using the same guidelines for transfusion in both groups. There were similar preoperative and postoperativ hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in both groups. We recommend the use of postoperative reinfusion in addition with other blood saving techniques to reduce allogenic blood transfusion in primary knee arthroplasty.
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32 patients, aged 16 to 49 years, were treated by osteosynthesis using the Herbert mini screw. The indications were five fractures (type B3, Herbert classification), two delayed unions (type C) and 25 nonunions (type D1 to D3, Filan and Herbert classification). Six patients received no bone grafts, 19 received cancellous bone graft from the radius. ⋯ The range of motion was 79% of the opposite side for extension/flexion and 83% for radial/ulnar deviation. The average DASH-score reached 15 points. The Herbert mini screw has proven to be a reliable implant for reconstruction of proximal pole fractures and nonunions of the scaphoid.
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Editorial Comment
[Therapy of cartilage damage--more current than ever].
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Therapy of cartilage damage is a frequent problem, especially in the young and active patient. For the treatment of a cartilage damage we have to consider the size of the defect, age and weight of the patient, meniscal tears, ligament instabilities and varus-/valgus-malalignment. ⋯ Microfracturing seems to be an effective alternative for small defects. The restoration of the cartilage surface with the use of autologous chondrocyte transplantation, osteochondral autograft transplantation and posterior condyle transfer seems to be an adequate treatment for younger patients.
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Between January 1993 and December 1998 26.005 patients with hip fractures underwent treatment in departments of general surgery and traumatology in Westfalia-Lippe, Germany. Data of these patients were reported to the chamber of physicians where a report card system for external quality assurance has been established since 1991. 1.747 patients were between 10 and 60 years of age. Treatment according to the guideline of hip fractures of the German College of Traumatology is compared to treatment in reality. ⋯ The reality of treatment of hip fractures does not meet the criteria of the guideline. Further efforts have to be undertaken for the benefit of relatively young patients with hip fractures.