[Intercostal nerve syndrome]. / Das Intercostalnerven-Syndrom.

The intercostal nerve syndrome is caused by an impingement of the intercostals nerve at the level of the anterior rectus sheath. It may lead to acute or chronic abdominal pain, it should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of the acute or chronic abdomen. A positive Carnett-test and an effective local anaesthesia at the point of maximal tenderness allow the correct diagnosis. In our retrospective study 14 patients with 15 entrapment syndromes are described. If, sometimes after a few diagnostic and therapeutic detours, the diagnosis is established, surgical intervention with resection of the altered nerve at it's exit of the anterior rectus sheath can usually abolish the pain with little side effects.

Long-term results of the external fixation of distal radius fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term results of external fixation of distal radius fractures. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study (median follow-up, 5.3 years) of 49 patients with 50 distal radius fractures treated with an external fixator was carried out. An external fixator (Minifixator, Stratec Medical, Waldenburg, Switzerland) was used. The operative procedure is described in detail. A personal evaluation including clinical and radiologic assessment of both wrists was performed. RESULTS: The functional results, including the parameters strength, daily activities, range of motion, and presence of pain, as well as an anatomic score, the presence of osteoarthritis, the quality of reduction, and complications were recorded. Functional and anatomic results indicated excellent to good ratings in more than 80% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The external fixator is a versatile tool in the treatment of intra-articular and extra-articular fractures of the distal radius. The rate of algodystrophy (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) was 6%, and wrist stiffness was not found in our series.

Comparison of cyclosporin A absorption from LCT and MCT solutions following intrajejunal administration in conscious dogs.

Absorption from the intestine of cyclosporin A (CsA), dissolved in either a medium-chain (MCT) or a long-chain triglyceride (LCT) solution, was investigated in a chronic dog model. Following intrajejunal administration of 20 mg of CsA/kg of body weight, absorption, judged by the portalvenous appearance of CsA, was determined by measuring whole blood CsA concentrations in the portalvenous and arterial blood and the portalvenous flow. Appearance of CsA from LCT commenced earlier and attained significantly higher mean peak values (+/- SEM) in the portalvenous blood (2557 +/- 436 ng/mL) than from MCT (274 +/- 80 ng/mL). Portalvenous concentrations of CsA were always higher than arterial concentrations for both LCT and MCT, suggesting that CsA is transported by portalvenous blood following uptake from the gut. Absorption of CsA, measured over 300 min, was 10 times higher with LCT (9.96 +/- 2.00%) than with MCT (0.95 +/- 0.21%). This significant difference is believed to result from the formation of mixed micelles which occurs during digestion of LCT but not MCT.

Operative treatment of distal humeral fractures in the elderly.

We treated 49 patients at an average age of 80 years (75 to 90) with distal mostly intraarticular humeral fractures by open reduction. There were 8 class A, 13 class B and 28 class C fractures on Müller's classification. The patients were reviewed at a postoperative average of 18 months. The patients' assessment of the result was very good in 31%, good in 49%, fair in 15% and poor in 5%. The flexion-extension range was very good in 41%, good in 44% and fair in 15%. The incidence of implant failure, pseudarthrosis of the olecranon osteotomy and ulnar nerve lesion was no higher in these elderly patients than in younger patients. Old age is not a contraindication to open reduction and internal fixation; it is important to restore full function.

[Quality of emergency admission (resuscitation, REA) and first aid in multiple trauma]. / Qualität von Notfallaufnahme (Reanimation, REA) und Erstversorgung nach Polytrauma.

Undue delay between hospital admission and the beginning or urgent operative procedures is considered as a major mortality risk for polytraumatized patients in any trauma center. As part of a quality control study at our institution (Kantonsspital, University of Basel), the time spent for early resuscitation and diagnostic procedures was therefore prospectively recorded in 20 patients (mean age 38 years) with a mean ISS of 26.9 (range: 13 to 43). Time spent in the resuscitation room averaged 31.4 min (range: 10 to 50 min). Conventional radiographic diagnostic procedures took 34.7 more min (range: 20 to 60 min). An additional CT scan was performed in 15 patients requiring 19.5 min per region (head/thorax/abdomen/spine). Four patients underwent angiography necessitating 28 more min (mean). Time elapsed between admission and arrival of the patient in the OR or the ICU respectively accounted for an average of 89 min (range 22 to 200 min). For comparable injury severities this interval was shorter during the day than during the night (77 and 103 min respectively). Diagnoses established during this period were both accurate and comprehensive, as detectable from the low rate of missed diagnosis (three minor fractures). Although our results match favorably with figures reported in the literature we feel that further improvements could be achieved by performing the conventional radiographic procedures simultaneously with the early resuscitation in the resuscitation room. At present time, for reasons of X-ray protection, this is not possible in our institution.

[Distal humerus fractures in patients over 75 years of age. Long-term results of osteosynthesis]. / Distale Humerusfrakturen bei über 75jährigen Patienten. Langzeitresultate nach Osteosynthese.

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the adequacy of internal fixation of distal humerus fractures in patients over 75 years of age. 49 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 80 (75-93) years. The fractures were classified as 28 C-, 13 B- and 8 A-types according to the AO-system. Primary stable fixation was followed by early assisted mobilisation. The mean average follow-up time was 18 months. Excellent and good functional results were observed in 85%. 66% of all patients have no pain. There were 6 sensible ulnar nerve lesions, one deep wound infection, one pseudarthrosis of the distal humerus and one non union of the olecranon osteotomy. We conclude from our results that open reduction and internal fixation is indicated also for patients over 75 years with distal intraarticular humeral fractures.

[The DHS (dynamic hip screw) buttress plate in the management of unstable proximal femoral fractures]. / Die DHS-Abstützplatte für die Versorgung der instabilen proximalen Femurfrakturen.

The DHS-implant system is a technically simple and widely used operative treatment modality for pertrochanteric fractures of the femur. In unstable 4-part fractures rotation of the head and neck fragment around the lag screw and significant impaction might lead to lateralisation of the greater trochanter and therefore to marked shortening. To prevent these effects we treated 17 patients with 4-part fractures with a prototype of a modular trochanteric DHS buttress plate. With this additional implant lateralisation of the greater trochanter could be prevented in all cases. This also leads to a limitation of telescoping, with less shortening even with immediate full weight bearing.

[The dynamic hip screw support plate for management of unstable proximal femoral fractures]. / Die DHS-Abstützplatte für die Versorgung der instabilen proximalen Femurfrakturen.

The DHS-Implant system is a technically simple and widely used operative treatment modality for pertrochanteric fractures of the femur. In unstable 4 part-fractures rotation of the head and neck fragment around the lag screw and a significant impaction might lead to a lateralisation of the greater trochanter and therefore to an important shortening. To prevent these effects we treated 17 patients with 4 part-fractures with a prototype of a modular trochanteric DHS buttress plate. With this additional implant the lateralisation of the greater trochanter could be prevented in all cases. This also leads to a limitation of the telescoping, with less shortening even with immediate full weight bearing.

Antibiotic prophylaxis with two doses of cephalosporin in patients managed with internal fixation for a fracture of the hip.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed to evaluate the effects of antibiotic prophylaxis on the development of a wound infection in 239 patients who had immediate stabilization of a fracture of the proximal part of the femur with a dynamic hip screw. The effects of two perioperative doses of cefotiam, given twelve hours apart, were compared with those of two doses of a placebo. Sixteen perioperative risk factors were evaluated to determine whether it was possible to identify patients who were at risk for a wound infection. All patients were followed for a minimum of six weeks. Antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the prevalence of wound infection (p < 0.05): the rate of major wound infection decreased from 5 to 1 per cent and the rate of minor wound infection, from 11 to 4 per cent. The most powerful predictors of major wound infection were the duration of the operation, the interval between the accident and admission to the hospital, and the duration of postoperative urinary catheterization. The preoperative level of serum albumin and the absolute lymphocyte count were significant predictors (p < 0.05) of minor wound infection and systemic infection, respectively.

[Artificial nutrition in surgery: status, current problems and perspectives]. / Künstliche Ernährung in der Chirurgie: Stand, aktuelle Fragen und Perspektiven.

Parenteral and enteral nutrition are safe and efficacious substitutes of normal oral intake even for prolonged periods of time and offer adequate treatment of protein-calorie malnutrition and effective palliation of cancer cachexia. Perioperative nutritional support reduces operative morbidity and mortality in malnourished patients. Furthermore, parenteral and enteral nutrition are an effective primary treatment for acute inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome and small bowel fistulae. Enteral nutrients specifically support structure and function of both the intestinal mucosa and the mucosa-associated lymphatic tissues: Recent clinical data emphasize the need to feed enterally whenever possible, especially in critically ill patients. Continuing efforts to include new substrates and to create more balanced and disease-adapted solutions of parenteral and enteral nutrition will improve the available systems. In addition, parenteral and enteral nutrition as a component of new complex treatment modalities including growth factors and cytokines will improve treatment and patient care in general surgery, oncology and traumatology.

Quantification of absorption, intestinal and hepatic first pass effect in a chronic dog model.

A chronic dog model was used to measure the absorption and to elucidate the site and extent of presystemic metabolism of a selective D1-agonist (CY 208-243). The dog was instrumented with portal vein and carotid artery catheters together with an electromagnetic flow measuring device around the portal vein. After administering [14C]CY 208-243 intrajejunally, absorption rate was defined as the product of porto-arterial substrate difference and portal venous blood flow. The extent of absorption amounted to 34% for total radioactivity and 31% for unchanged drug, this indicating a gastrointestinal first-pass of 9%. In an additional study [14C]CY 208-243 was injected intravenously to the dog; the absorption (29%) and the bioavailability (5%) of CY 208-243 were calculated from the ratio of dose normalized, oral versus intravenous AUC values for total radioactivity and unchanged drug, respectively. These data confirm the absorption value found with the chronic dog model and indicate a global presystemic, i.e. intestinal and hepatic, first-pass effect of 83%. In conclusion, this chronic dog model allows an accurate assessment of drug absorption and a quantification of the gastrointestinal and hepatic first-pass effects.

[Emergency diagnosis of cecal volvulus]. / Notfalldiagnostik bei Zäkumvolvulus.

Twelve cases of coecal volvulus have been analysed. Given typical signs, plain radiography of the abdomen should assure diagnosis. Chronic volvulus requires a colon contrast enema for confirmation of diagnosis.. Immediate laparotomy is mandatory.

[Enteral nutrition at home with jejunostomy catheter]. / Heimernährung über Katheterjejunostomie.

Ten patients with obstructive tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract received a catheter jejunostomy (CJ) for long periods of enteral nutritional support. Seven of those patients received home enteral nutritional support for a period of 2-9 months. Body weight and serum albumin remained constant during the nutritional therapy. Complications (diarrhea, leakage) were rare and could successfully treated without interruption of feeding. In our experience CJ is a safe and effective method for home enteral nutritional support.

[4 fragment fractures of the proximal femur: is the dynamic hip screw a suitable implant?]. / 4-Fragment-Frakturen des proximalen Femurs: Ist die dynamische Hüftschraube (DHS) ein geeignetes Implantat?

The DHS-implant system is widely used in the operative treatment of pertrochanteric fractures of the femur. The telescoping effect of the implant in the unstable 4-fragment fracture leads to lateralisation of the greater trochanter and shortening of the leg. The quality of reposition influences this secondary dislocation. In our series of 65 patients treated with this device 17 repositions were in a varus position, followed by leg shortening of more than 10 mm in 9 patients. Independent of the quality of reposition in the long-term follow-up only one patient of 25 complained of persistent pain.

[Preoperative assessment of at-risk patients in traumatology]. / Präoperative Erfassung von Risikopatienten in der Traumatologie.

In a randomized, prospective double blind trial evaluating antibiotic prophylaxis for internal fixation of proximal femur fractures, the prognostic value of preoperative risk parameters, namely triceps skinfold, upper arm circumference, dynamometry, serum albumin, transferrin, prealbumin, lymphocyte count and serum zinc was analyzed. A population at risk of postoperative infection could be defined with serum albumin value and lymphocyte count: a serum albumin of less than 40 g/l correlated with increased local complications and a lymphocyte count under 1400 microliters coincided with increase in systemic infections. No correlation between perioperative transfusion and postoperative infections was found.

[Intra-articular unicondylar humerus fractures. Late results following stable osteosynthesis]. / Intraartikuläre unikondyläre Humerusfrakturen. Spätresultate nach stabiler Osteosynthese.

The authors report the late results in a series of 45 unicondylar intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus treated by internal fixation. The fractures were classified according the AO system. The average follow-up time was 4.25 years. A rating scale was used that was based on patient interviews. Based on the late results, internal fixation is concluded to be the treatment of choice for all unicondylar intra-articular fractures of the humerus.

Absorption of protein in the early postoperative period in chronic conscious dogs.

Postoperative alterations in amino acid exchange across the intestinal tract and in the capacity for protein absorption were investigated in a chronic canine model. Changes in postoperative splanchnic amino acid exchange consisted of a temporary decrease of total splanchnic amino acid release, including a significant reduction in alanine production, and an increase in glutamine consumption. Contrary to results under stable metabolic conditions, branched chain amino acids were also taken up by the intestine in the early postoperative period. The changes in postoperative amino acid exchange were not, however, reflected by a corresponding alteration in protein transport capacity. The absorptive capacity for a protein hydrolysate remained stable during the early postoperative period.

Indications for needle catheter jejunostomy in elective abdominal surgery.

Needle catheter jejunostomy for postoperative nutritional support is now employed worldwide. However, there is a large discrepancy regarding indications for this technique which this study attempts to rectify. The need for nutritional support after elective abdominal procedures in 464 patients was analyzed and compared with the experience with needle catheter jejunostomy in 42 patients. The results show that needle catheter jejunostomy is indicated after extensive operations of the upper gastrointestinal tract, for example, esophagectomy, total gastrectomy, and the Whipple procedure. With minor upper gastrointestinal operations, or procedures of the lower gastrointestinal tract, needle catheter jejunostomy should be performed only in patients with poor nutritional status or in the presence of postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In an unclear situation, liberal insertion of the needle catheter jejunostomy and a postponed decision on enteral feeding is recommended, as there is no significant catheter-related morbidity.