MRSA colonisation in patients with proximal femur fractures in a German trauma centre: incidence, infection rates and outcomes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation in patients admitted into a level 1 German trauma centre with proximal femur fractures, to correlate this incidence with defined risk factors for MRSA colonisation and to determine its influence on morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Between August and November 2006, 65 patients were included in the study. Cotton-tipped swab samples were taken from the nose, throat, groin and any skin defects in the emergency room. The following factors were recorded: age, gender, any concomitant diseases, the fracture type and treatment device, skin lesions, hospitalisation within the last year, any urinary or vascular catheters, a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube, an ileal stoma, the use of a respirator and antibiotic therapy within the last year. During follow-up, data concerning any surgical site infections; any chest, urinary or vascular catheter infections; the success of decontamination and death within 1 year after surgery were collected. RESULTS: The risk factors for MRSA colonisation were positive in 40 patients. The incidence of MRSA colonisation was 17%, which is higher than in most comparable studies but consistent with some very recent publications. The nosocomial infection rates, surgical site infection rates and mortality within the 1-year follow-up period were significantly higher in the MRSA-colonised patients. CONCLUSION: The high incidence of MRSA in this study supports the need for systematic detection of MRSA-colonised patients. In our hospital, any patient with positive risk factors for MRSA colonisation is swabbed in the emergency room and treated as MRSA positive until proven otherwise.

Tendon transfers for drop foot correction: long-term results including quality of life assessment, and dynamometric and pedobarographic measurements.

BACKGROUND: Drop foot deformity is a common problem with severe restrictions in quality of life and impairment of daily activities. A technique of posterior tibial tendon transfer through the interosseus membrane and fixation to the anterior tibial and the long peroneal tendon "Bridle procedure" (stirrup-plasty) offers a physiological alternative to surgical correction. METHODS: Data of 53 consecutive patients treated by stirrup-plasty were acquired from patient's charts; 31 were interviewed with standardized questionnaires; 20 were examined physically; 19 received pedobarography, and 8 underwent dynamometric muscle function tests. Follow-up time averaged 6.5 years. RESULTS: The mean range of motion (ROM) in the ankle joint was 8° dorsiflexion and 15° plantar flexion. Most patients achieved plantigrade foot position and the majority developed gait without orthotic devices. As expected, maximum dorsiflexion torque averaged a third of the non-operated leg, according to reduced muscle diameter and strength of the transferred muscle. Pressure distribution of the sole during gait was not relevantly altered by the tendon transfer compared to the non-operated leg. Most patients were satisfied with the operative results and reported a significant increase in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Fusion of the transposed posterior tibial, anterior tibial and the peroneus longus tendon prevents drop foot deformity sufficiently. The stirrup mechanism, in combination with tenodesis of the toe extensors, provides a balanced foot and avoids equinovarus and cavus deformity without immobilizing the ankle joint. Improvements in quality of life parameters justify the risk of the operative procedure for the patient.