[Hardware removal after pelvic ring injury]

BACKGROUND

Pelvic ring fractures are considered as rare injuries. Minimally invasive sacroiliac screw fixation has been used increasingly in recent years as an operative strategy for the treatment of these injuries, if the dorsal pelvic ring needed to be addressed. Treatment options for the anterior pelvic ring comprise plates, screws or external fixation.

METHOD

Based on the limited number of publications on this subject and our own experience with 80 patients who suffered pelvic ring B- or C-type injuries during a period of 8 years we are able to show that the indication for hardware removal in the pelvic ring should be strictly defined.

RESULTS

In some cases like external fixation, implant-associated infection, malpositioning, allergic implant reaction, critical soft tissue covering, palpable hardware and consolidated juvenile fractures implant removal is certainly indicated. In patients without symptoms and in patients with trauma-associated symptoms which are not definitely associated with the hardware, the removal should be only indicated after thorough consideration of the risks versus the benefits and additionally by taking the initial injury pattern into account. If despite all these objections the hardware removal has been indicated it should always be considered that hardware removal may be challenging with several possible severe complications.

[Refracture of long bones after implant removal. An avoidable complication?]

Refractures of long bones after implant removal are a rare but serious complication, which in most cases make a reoperation necessary. We analysed our own cases and reviewed the scarce literature on this subject. As a result we found that it is possible to reduce this complication by performing thorough preoperative preparation, observing an adequate interim time between initial osteosynthesis and hardware removal, cautiously exposing the weakened bone to force for a certain time period after implant removal and taking the character of the fracture healing into consideration. It is not possible to entirely eradicate this complication because a lot of patients demand the implant removal even though it is known that demineralisation and residual screw holes both induce a reduction of energy-absorbing capacity and therefore predispose the patient to refracture. In some cases the surgeon should recommend that the implants remain in situ.

[Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis--are there any causal factors? Case report]

BACKGROUND

Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL) is a rare complication of shoulder arthroscopy. PAGCL describes a chondrolysis in the shoulder joint after arthroscopy mostly affecting younger patients. The process leading to chondrolysis is not known yet.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The case report describes a patient with rapid progress of the PAGCL. A literature review with key words: PAGCL, postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, shoulder arthroscopy AND chondrolysis, chondronecrosis AND arthroscopy was carried out.

RESULTS

16 Publications involving case reports with 96 cases were found. The mean age at operation was 28 ± 10 years (range: 13 to 61 years). The majority of patients (62%) were male. 8 diagnoses at index operation were found. 63% received intraarticular local anaesthetics (62% bupivacain, 21% bupivacain and epinephrin, 2% lidocain) through a pain pump.

CONCLUSION

PAGCL is a rare and disturbing complication after shoulder arthroscopy. The majority of the patients are young and male. A relevant causal factor is an intraarticular pain pump with bupivacain. Other factors have not yet been verified. A multifactorial aetiology is likely. No specific and effective treatment regimen is described.

[Pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the neck skin due to a cervical spondylodesis - case report and review of the literature]

BACKGROUND

Pharyngo-vertebral fistulas - especially with delayed diagnosis - are a rare but grave reported complication in cervical spine surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present a patient, sent postoperatively from Italy after cervical spine surgery to our department. The patient has developed a pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the dorsal neck skin due to infected spondylodesis.

CASE REPORT

In the presented patient, the successful closure of the pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course was made after diverse revisions at the anterior side with a platysma flap, at the posterior one with a drain.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Aetiology, diagnostic work-up and treatment opinions are discussed in a detailed literature review.

CONCLUSION

To the best of the authors' knowledge the presented pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the dorsal neck skin as a complication after anterior cervical spine surgery has not been reported in the literature before.

[Traumatic lumbosacral dislocation - an underrated injury]

Traumatic lumbosacral dislocations are rare. We report two cases with initially missed posttraumatic lumbosacral dislocations. The reported cases and the review of the literature show that, especially, accident victims with multiple fractures of the lumbar transverses processes may require a CT scan to confirm fractures or dislocations of L5/S1. Follow-up examinations due to persisting pain after physiotherapy should include lateral X-rays of the lumbar spine of the patient standing. According to the literature and our experience, the treatment of traumatic lumbosacral dislocation usually consists of open reduction and postero-lateral or dorso-ventral fusion of the unstable segments.

Immune depression syndrome following human spinal cord injury (SCI): a pilot study

Experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) has been identified to trigger a systemic, neurogenic immune depression syndrome. Here, we have analyzed fluctuations of immune cell populations following human SCI by FACS analysis. In humans, a rapid and drastic decrease of CD14+ monocytes (<50% of control level), CD3+ T-lymphocytes (<20%, P<0.0001) and CD19+ B-lymphocytes (<30%, P=0.0009) and MHC class II (HLA-DR)+ cells (<30%, P<0.0001) is evident within 24 h after spinal cord injury reaching minimum levels within the first week. CD15+ granulocytes were the only leukocyte subpopulation not decreasing after SCI. A contributing, worsening effect of high dose methylprednisolone cannot be excluded with this pilot study. We demonstrate that spinal cord injury is associated with an early onset of immune suppression and secondary immune deficiency syndrome (SCI-IDS). Identification of patients suffering spinal cord injury as immune compromised is a clinically relevant, yet widely underappreciated finding.

Ketamine aggravates symptoms of acute stress disorder in a naturalistic sample of accident victims

The glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine produces transient dissociative states and alters cognitive functioning in healthy humans, thus resembling the core symptoms of acute and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First evidence exists that the common use of the analgesic and sedative properties of ketamine during emergency care correlates with sustained symptoms of PTSD in accident victims. The aim of the present study was to examine whether ketamine administration after moderate accidental trauma modulates dissociation and other symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD) in the direct aftermath of the event. Accident victims were screened within the third day after admission to hospital for symptoms of ASD (Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire, ASD Scale) and prior stressful life events (Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire). Subjects had received a single or fractionated dose of either racemic ketamine (n=13), opioids (n=24) or non-opioid analgesics (n=13) during initial emergency treatment. There were no significant differences between medication groups in demographic and clinical characteristics such as injury severity or prior traumatization. With respect to ASD symptomatology three days post-event there were significant associations between ketamine analgosedation and increased symptoms of dissociation, reexperiencing, hyperarousal and avoidance relative to the comparison groups.Growing evidence exists that ketamine might modulate or aggravate early post-traumatic stress reactions when given in the acute trauma phase, which in turn might contribute to long-lasting symptomatology.

[CT-based assessment score after ventral spondylodesis for thoracolumbar spine fracture]

BACKGROUND

Dorsoventral stabilization is a common procedure to treat thoracolumbar spine fractures. Especially in respect of the evaluation of alternative procedures to autogenous bone graft, a standardized evaluation score for ventral spondylodesis is necessary.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a group of 44 patients a follow-up CT scan was evaluated with a standardized scoring system by four different independent evaluators (a trauma surgeon, an orthopedic surgeon, and two radiologists). The score is based on the morphologic classification of the region between graft and vertebral body. It allows a classification of the spondylodesis as sufficient, partial, and not sufficient.

RESULTS

The statistical evaluation of the classification of the different evaluators shows very good interobserver agreement in monosegmental fusion and good agreement in bisegmental fusion.

CONCLUSION

The demonstrated score is easy to handle, does not need special equipment for CT scans, and shows good interobserver agreement in the classification of spinal fusion after ventral spondylodesis for thoracolumbar spine fracture.

[Development of the spine after traumatic spinal cord injury in children and adolescents]

In the 1970s, there was growing concern about the risk of secondary deformations of the spine as these seemed to endanger the otherwise improving prognosis for the life of paraplegic subjects, especially of paralyzed children and adolescents. According to the literature, the level and extent of the spinal cord injury and the age at the time of injury are determinants of the development of scoliosis, hyperlordosis or global kyphosis. Correction of the deformity by brace orthosis is not indicated except for children. The indications for surgical intervention in terms of the extent of the scoliosis and technical performance corresponds to the well known situation for idiopathic scoliosis except for the length of fusion. A special form of scoliosis, the so called "collapsing spine", allows good surgical correction because it is usually not rigid. Early, substantial degenerative processes such as segmental intervertebral instability at the level of the paraplegia, as well as distinct uncarthrosis proximally distant from the innervated zones with secondary radicular damage, are observed. By means of modern surgical procedures, the appearance of the patient's body, as well as the quality of life, can be favorably influenced.

Distalization of the patella during tibial callus distraction

Consecutive distalization of the patella is described in two patients undergoing segmental transportation after high tibial corticotomy. Revision surgery with loosening and proximal reattachment of a portion of the patellar ligament bridging the callus distraction zone could re-establish the correct patellar position. Despite excellent callus formation after tibial corticotomy just below the tibial tuberositas, this procedure should be performed more distally as the fibers of the patellar tendon spread laterally and distally.

[Treatment and rehabilitation of post-traumatic tetraplegia in advanced age. A report of experiences]

We report about the results of the treatment of patients older than 70 years with posttraumatic tetraplegia. In 7 out of 11 patients treatment in a specialised department lasting for many months makes it possible to live a subjective satisfactory life at home in spite of being severely handicapped. The goals and limits of rehabilitation of patients with posttraumatic tetraplegia cannot only be derived from the age but from the individual capability of the injured patient.

[Traumatic damage to the lower cervical spine--a diagnostic problem?]

Even today fractures and dislocations of the lower cervical spine are usually not recognized, or the interpretation of the results of the diagnostic procedures is not correct. These diagnostic failures are often caused by an incomplete representation of the cervical spine in the conventional radiograms, particularly in the lateral projection. Beyond that, the interpretation of the results of the neurological examination of patients with motoric or sensoric deficits after spine injury can be incorrect. Ignorance of the distribution of the segmental innervation of the upper extremities could lead to the wrong diagnosis of paraplegia in a tetraplegic patient. Two patients with injuries of the lower cervical spine are reported, in whom these problems led to an incorrect diagnosis. With regard to these cases we propose a standard diagnostic procedure for the clinical and radiological emergency examination of patients with neurological deficits after spine injury. The technical possibilities of obtaining correct radiographs of the lower cervical spine are described in detail.

[Unilateral, paramedian spinal contusion after athletic injury with complete recovery]

The acute injury of the spinal column and the spinal cord asks for immediate diagnostic techniques and adequate therapeutical intensive care in order to secure the possibility of a maximum of neurologic recovery. An impact trauma of the spinal cord in sports accidents can cause an incomplete paraplegia. In some cases, morphologic lesions of the myelon cannot be detected. We present an exceptional and striking case of a 15-year old young woman who suffered from a contusio spinalis after high jump with the clinical signs of an incomplete, sensomotoric paraplegia which showed a strictly unilateral and paramedian border at the right side of her body for about two weeks. Additionally, the diagnostic possibilities of physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and neurophysiologic diagnostic techniques in detecting spinal cord injuries are demonstrated.

[Risk analysis of primary endoprosthetic management of proximal femur fractures]

From 1984 to 1991 439 patients with fractures of the coxal femur (303 femoral neck fractures, 136 pertrochanteric fractures) were treated by primary arthroplasty. The average age of the 370 female and 69 male patients was 80.9 (+/- 9.9) years. In 368 patients (83.8%) concomitant diseases were diagnosed and 212 patients (48.3%) showed more than 1 risk factor. There were 205 alloarthroplasties and 234 hemiarthroplasties performed. The percentage of patients treated by total hip endoprosthesis was 31.2% in 1984 and increased to 63.1% in 1991. In 49.2% of all cases general complications occurred, pre-dominantly nosocomial infections and pressure sores. Local (surgical) complications were diagnosed after 10.5% of all operations. The 30-day-mortality was 5.2%, the in-hospital-mortality 5.9%. Statistical analysis by multivariate logistic regression showed an independent negative influence of pre-operative immobility, pertrochanteric fractures, diabetes mellitus and multiple concomitant diseases on mortality. Age, sex or other single risk factors were not independently associated with an increased mortality. Patients with the above mentioned risk factors are easy to identify pre-operatively and do perform better after intensive preparation, short operation time and early mobilisation after surgery.

[Total endoprosthesis or dual head prosthesis in endoprosthetic management of femoral neck fractures?]

From 1.1.1984 to 31.12.1992, a total of 363 femoral neck fractures were treated by primary hip arthroplasty, with 213 total hip endoprostheses (58.7%) and 150 bipolar endoprostheses (41.3%). The average age of the 51 (14.0%) male and 312 (86.0%) female patients was 80.3 (+/- 8.9) years. While only 15.8% of all patients were treated with alloarthroplasty in 1984, the proportion treated in this way increased to 88.9% in 1992. In the same period, the percentage of patients with total hip arthroplasty who were above 80 years rose from 15.6% to 54.5% (p < 0.05), and the percentage in this group with multiple concomitant diseases rose from 28.1% to 48.2% (p < 0.05). General postoperative complications occurred after 43.5% of the operations (total arthroplasty 38.0%, bipolar prosthesis 51.3%, p < 0.01), with no substantial change during the observation period (1984-1986, 43.6%; 1990-1992, 43.2%). Surgical complications were observed in 9.1% of all cases (total arthroplasty 11.7%, bipolar prosthesis 5.6%, p < 0.05), decreasing slightly from 11.7% in 1984-1986 to 8.1% in 1990-1992. The postoperative mortality was 3.3% (total arthroplasts 1.9%, bipolar prosthesis 5.3%, p > 0.05). The higher rate of general complications and the insignificantly higher mortality after insertion of bipolar endoprostheses cannot be attributed to the endoprosthetic technique itself; they are probably due to the higher age and poorer general condition of patients in whom hemiarthroplasty was performed. Although there has been an increasing frequency of total hip replacement even in older and sicker patients in recent years, no significant changes in morbidity and mortality were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Results of management of pertrochanteric comminuted fractures in the elderly with a tumor shaft endoprostheses]

Pertrochanteric fractures are typical injuries of elderly people, that can be treated with osteosynthesis in most cases. From 1984 to 1991 we performed 105 implantations of tumor-endoprosthesis in elderly patients with comminuted pertrochanteric fractures with simultaneous coxarthrosis or osteoporosis. The mean age of these patients was 82.7 years. 81.9% of the patients had concomitant systemic diseases (coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes etc.), 51.4% showed several risk factors. General postoperative complications were diagnosed in 63.8% of all cases, mostly nosocomial urinary tract infections, pressure sores and cardiovascular disorders. In 14.3% of the patients local (surgical) complications occurred. 83.3% of the patients were able to walk when they left the hospital, the in-hospital mortality was 13.3% (30-day-mortality 12.4%). Although primary osteosynthesis of pertrochanteric fractures with dynamic hip screw or gamma-nail show a smaller risk, implantation of a tumor-endoprosthesis can be an alternative in patients with severe osteoporosis, coxarthrosis or after instable osteosynthesis.

[Histopathological changes of gallbladder and liver parenchyma in symptomatic cholelithiasis]

In a retrospective study of 1101 patients (302 men, 799 women; mean age 56,7 [19-88] years) with symptomatic cholelithiasis who had undergone elective cholecystectomy and intraoperative liver biopsy, histological examination revealed inflammatory changes in the gallbladder in 96.7%, chronic fibrotic cholecystitis in 94.5% and a severe form of cholecystitis in 8.8%. Clinically relevant changes in the liver parenchyma were present in 27.9%, most frequently intrahepatic cholangitis (21.8%). The latter was significantly more common in choledocholithiasis than in isolated cholecystolithiasis. 27 patients had signs of severe liver disease, namely viral hepatitis, cirrhosis or fatty liver. Since the gall-bladder in cholelithiasis is almost always inflamed, cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice. Not uncommonly liver biopsy will reveal clinically relevant changes in the liver parenchyma. This will be useful information, especially in the management of symptoms which persist postoperatively.

[Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy before elective surgical therapy of symptomatic cholelithiasis]

We evaluated the data of 1143 patients who underwent preoperative gastroscopy or upper gastrointestinal series before elective surgical treatment of cholelithiasis between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1990. On these 824 women and 319 men we performed 1064 (93.1%) gastroscopies and only 78 (6.8%) upper gastrointestinal series. The incidence of pathological findings was 30.2% (345 patients), with 68.3% findings of inflammatory nature. In 28 patients (2.5%) cholecystectomy or bile duct exploration was combined with an additional gastrointestinal surgical procedure. In 227 cases (19.8%) biliary surgery was followed by pharmacological treatment of the gastrointestinal disease. Because of the high incidence of simultaneous disease of the upper gastrointestinum we believe that routine preoperative gastroscopy is indicated before elective surgical treatment of cholelithiasis.

Maturation of transmission in reinnervated mouse soleus muscle

After the tibial nerve of the mouse was cut unilaterally and immediately resutured, reinnervation of soleus muscle proceeded rapidly and muscle isometric contraction characteristics reached normal levels within 2 months. In contrast, synaptic transmission remained immature since resistance to presynaptic (magnesium) or postsynaptic (curare) blocking solutions remained reduced. Results suggest that release probability and transmitter stores were smaller than normal. To study the effect of training, animals were allowed to run in wheels. Running caused a delay in reinnervation at 18-20 days, which was, however, abolished by 4 weeks. On the other hand, exercise counteracted development of denervation atrophy. The safety margin of transmission in runners was higher than in nonrunners at 4 weeks, indicating enhanced maturation, but was lower at 2 months of reinnervation. These results suggest that recovery of muscle precedes maturation of synaptic transmission.