Femoral neck fracture after removal of the standard gamma interlocking nail: a cadaveric study to determine factors influencing the biomechanical properties of the proximal femur.

We retrospectively analyzed 1334 patients who were implanted standard gamma interlocking nails (SGN) to stabilize trochanteric femoral fractures over the years 1992-1998. Reoperation to remove the nails was performed in 37 patients, in 9 of them purely because of pain. Three out of these 9 patients with removed SGN suffered femoral neck fractures in the early postoperative course after having been mobilized to full weight-bearing capacity. This complication was not observed with other implant systems and, considering the notoriously high complication rate of femoral neck fractures, severely reduces the value of the SGN concept per se. These findings in combination with other known shortcomings of SGNs prompted us to conduct an experimental study on the fracture force of excavated femurs addressing the hypothesis that the specific design of the SGN is responsible for the occurrence of fatigue fractures of the femoral neck. Eighteen matched pairs of fresh human cadaveric proximal femurs, which were treated by insertion and removal of (i) SGNs or (ii) dynamic hip screws (DHS) or (iii) by excavation in the absence of an implant, were subjected to incremental loading cycles and compared to the untreated contralateral femurs. Overall, the fracture force was found to be significantly lower among the treated than among the untreated bones. However, the fracture force required after removal of the DHS system was still significantly higher than for SGN or excavation alone. In this way, our findings demonstrate that removing relatively big implants such as SGN can cause serious complications such as femoral neck fractures. We therefore recommend to leave this type of device in place even after fracture healing except in cases of deep and chronic infection.

[Lesions of lateral ligaments of ankle joint in sports.]. / Aussenbandverletzungen des oberen Sprunggelenkes im Sport.

Lesions of the lateral ankle ligaments are most common injuries in sportsmen. Expecially games of ball and racket are of highest risk. Diagnosis consists of a comprehensive clinical examination including tests of stability as well as radiographs to exclude a fracture. Key words: lateral ankle ligaments, functional treatment, ortheses, operative treatment.

[Prevention of thromboembolism in accident surgery--angiospastic complications with DHE-heparin. A multicenter study]. / Thromboembolieprophylaxe in der Unfallchirurgie--angiospastische Komplikationen bei DHE-Heparin. Eine multizentrische Erhebung.

In immobilized patients different drugs are used for thromboembolism prophylaxis. Arterial vasospastic complications have recently been reported after Heparin-DHE. In our clinical observation five of these cases were treated. A multicenter study was performed in 82 Austrian trauma units investigating the incidence and outcome of complications of Heparin DHE prophylaxis. 147,290 patients had different drugs for thromboembolism prophylaxis. 61,092 got Heparin-DHE. Complications could be observed at 142 patients but only in the group receiving Heparin DHE. 135 cases were treated conservatively (amputation of limbs became necessary in seven patients). In seven other cases immediate operative exposure of the vessels and balloon catheter dilatation was successfully performed. Vasospasm occurred only in patients with Heparin DHE prophylaxis. It is important to realize this possibility, so that early therapeutic measurements can be taken to avoid unnecessary permanent ischaemic damages and limb amputation.

[Plastic repair of the lateral ligament of the upper ankle joint: methods and results (author's transl)]. / Methoden und Ergebnisse der lateralen Bandplastik des oberen Sprunggelenkes.

A review is given about common techniques for plastic repair of the lateral ligament of the upper ankle joint. Own experiences are presented. Indications for plastic repair age: old injury of the ligaments with clinical symptoms; fresh lesions of the ligament; if the tissues of the articular capsule or of the ligament are completely destroyed or if during surgery a chronic insufficiency of the ligaments becomes evident. Contraindications against plastic repair are: a marked arthrosis of the ankle joint, a permanent valgar displacement of the talus, old age and a high risk for surgery. The results of 13 plastic operations of the lateral ligament could be classified as "very good" in ten cases and as "good" in three cases (evaluation according to Marti). In seven cases a modified technique of Watson-Jones has been used, twice Weber's method and in four cases a direct ligament plastic. Those procedures are favoured which come close to the original anatomy, are easy to perform without destroying functional structures and which do not cause an unnecessary restriction of movement.