[Treatment regimen for deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgical interventions in an interdisciplinary approach]. / Behandlungsregime tiefer sternaler Wundinfektionen nach kardiochirurgischen Eingriffen im interdisziplinären Ansatz.

The aim of this article is to present the importance of a structured and situation-adapted approach based on the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in the interdisciplinary treatment of 54 patients with deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) after cardiac surgical interventions and the results achieved. The patients were 41 men and 13 women with an average age of 65.1 years, who developed a DSWI after a cardiac surgical intervention during the period 2003-2016. The treatment strategy included a thorough debridement including the removal of indwelling foreign material, the reconstruction with a stable re-osteosynthesis after overcoming the infection and if necessary, situation-related surgical flaps for a defect coverage with a good blood supply and mandatory avoidance of dead spaces. A total of 146 operations were necessary (average 2.7 operations/patient, range 1-7 operations). In 24.1 % of the cases a one-stage approach could be carried out. In 41 patients negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with programmed sponge changing was used for wound conditioning (mean 5 changes, standard deviation, SD±â€¯5.6 changes over 22 days, SD±â€¯23.9 days, change interval every 3-4 days in 40.7% of the cases). In 33 patients a bilateral myocutaneous pectoralis major flap was used, in 4 patients a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap and in 7 patients both were carried out. A total of 43 osteosynthesis procedures were carried out on the sternum with fixed-angle titanium plates. Of the patients 7 died during intensive care unit treatment (total mortality 13 %, n = 5, 9.3 % ≤ 30 days) or in the later course. Of the patients 47 (87.1 %) could be discharged with a cleansed infection. In 2 patients the implant was removed after 2 years due to loosening.

[Calcaneoplasty with radiofrequency cementing following balloon reduction]. / Kalkaneoplastie mit Radiofrequenzzementierung nach Ballonaufrichtung.

The standard surgical procedure for complex calcaneal fractures is open reduction, internal reduction and internal stable angle plate osteosynthesis via a lateral approach. More recently, options for minimally invasive and percutaneous surgical strategies have been presented [4, 7]. As a possible procedural alternative for a covered, surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures, calcaneoplasty is discussed and applied in this context [5]. In this case series of five complex calcaneal fractures presented here, a balloon catheter was used for percutaneous reduction to restore the alignment of the calcaneus.This was followed by placement of PMMA cement in radiofrequency application and osteosynthesis using percutaneous cannulated screws. This Vicenti technique allows stable reduction and retention with early partial weight bearing with an overall low complication rate [17].

Penetrating injuries in Germany - epidemiology, management and outcome an analysis based on the TraumaRegister DGU®.

BACKGROUND: The management of penetrating wounds is a rare challenge for trauma surgeons in Germany and Central Europe as a result of the low incidence of this type of trauma. In Germany, penetrating injuries are reported to occur in 4-5 % of the severely injured patients who are enrolled in the TraumaRegister DGU® (trauma registry of the German Trauma Society). They include gunshot injuries, knife stab injuries, which are far more common, and penetrating injuries of other origin, for example trauma caused by accidents. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology and outcome of penetrating injuries in Germany, with a particular focus on the level of care provided by the treating trauma centre to gain more understanding of this trauma mechanism and to anticipate the necessary steps in the initial treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 2009, the TraumaRegister DGU® has been used to assess not only whether a trauma was penetrating but also whether it was caused by gunshot or stabbing. Data were taken from the standard documentation forms that participating German hospitals completed between 2009 and 2018. Excluded were patients with a maximum abbreviated injury scale (MAIS) score of 1 with a view to obtaining a realistic idea of this injury entity, which is rare in Germany. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2018, there were 1123 patients with gunshot wounds, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 0.5 %, and 4333 patients with stab wounds (1.8 %), which were frequently caused by violent crime. The high proportion of intentionally self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head resulted in a cumulative mortality rate of 41 % for gunshot injuries. Stab wounds were associated with a lower mortality rate (6.8 %). Every fourth to fifth patient with a gunshot or stab wound presented with haemorrhagic shock, which is a problem that is seen during both the prehospital and the inhospital phase of patient management. Of the patients with penetrating injuries, 18.3 % required transfusions. This percentage was more than two times higher than that of the basic group of patients of the TraumaRegister DGU®, which consists of patients with a MAIS ≥ 3 and patients with a MAIS of 2 who died or were treated on the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: In Germany, gunshot and stab wounds have a low incidence and are mostly caused by violent crime or attempted suicides. Depending on the site of injury, they have a high mortality and are often associated with major haemorrhage. As a result of the low incidence of these types of trauma, further data and analyses are required in order to provide the basis for evaluating the long-term quality of the management of patients with stab or gunshot wounds.

[Update on gunshot wounds to extremities]. / Update zu Schussverletzungen der Extremitäten.

Due to recent rampage and terror attacks in Europe, gunshot wounds have become a focus of attention even though they are still rare in Europe. Approximately 50% of gunshot wounds affect the extremities and to understand the sequelae, a basic knowledge of wound ballistics is indispensable. The energy transmitted from the bullet to the tissue is responsible for the severity of the injury and is dependent on the type of weapon and ammunition. A differentiation is made between low-energy injuries caused, e.g. by pistols and high-energy injuries mostly caused by rifles. The higher energy transfer to the tissue in high-energy injuries, results in a temporary wound cavity in addition to the permanent wound channel with extensive soft tissue damage. High-energy gunshot fractures are also more extensive compared to those of low energy injuries. Debridement seems to be necessary for almost all gunshot wounds. Fractures should be temporarily stabilized with an external fixator due to contamination.

[Preclinical and intrahospital management of mass casualties and terrorist incidents]. / Prä- und innerklinisches Management bei MANV und Terroranschlag.

Due to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Brussels, Ansbach, Munich, Berlin and more recently Manchester and London, terrorism is realized as a present threat to our society and social life, as well as a challenge for the health care system. Without fueling anxiety, there is a need for sensitization to this subject and to familiarize all concerned with the special kind of terrorist attack-related injuries, the operational priorities and tactics and the individual basic principles of preclinical and hospital care. There is a need to adapt the known established medical structure for a conventional mass casualty situation to the special requirements that are raised by this new kind of terrorist threat to our social life. It is the aim of this article, from a surgical point of view, to depict the tactics and challenges of preclinical care of the special kind of terrorist attack-related injuries from the site of the incident, via the advanced medical post or casualty collecting point, to the triage point at the hospital. The special needs of medical care and organizational aspects of the primary treatment in the hospital are highlighted and possible decisional options and different approaches are discussed.

[Terrorist attack trauma - an individual entity of polytrauma : A 10-year update]. / Das Terroranschlagtrauma ­ eine eigene Entität des Polytraumas : 10-Jahres-Update.

The incidence of terrorist attacks is increasing worldwide, and they have also become a permanent threat in European cities. Due to its complexity, terrorist attack trauma places high demands on the strategy of surgical treatment. The combination of various mechanisms, explosions and gunshot injuries, with the characteristic pressure (blast) damage and a high proportion of penetrating trauma with simultaneous burns are characteristic features. Unlike in military conflicts, injuries to people of all ages and without ballistic body protection (body armor) are to be expected. The mechanism of the attack and its local conditions are of relevance for the assessment of the situation and the expected injury patterns. Thus, suicide attacks result in several times higher numbers of fatalities and casualties. Explosions on free ground lead to different types of injury than those in closed or semi-enclosed spaces. The treatment principles of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) are based on the intrahospital care of casualties as well as damage control strategies with trigger factors. In order to prepare and educate clinics and surgeons in Germany for such scenarios, various course formats of the professional societies, the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV) and the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU) have now been established.

Failure of an uncemented thumb carpometacarpal joint ceramic prosthesis.

Thumb carpometacarpal joint replacement is associated with high rates of loosening and failure. We present our results for an uncemented ceramic-ceramic total joint prosthesis with a reverse ball-and-socket design and bioactive coating. Between 2008 and 2012, 29 prostheses were inserted into 28 patients (mean age 63 years) with advanced osteoarthritis. After a mean period of 33 months (range 9-62), 26 patients (27 implants) were available for follow-up. Six months postoperatively, 50% of the patients had radiological evidence of early loosening. Fifteen implants had been removed in 14 patients for aseptic loosening (13) or trapezium fracture (2). The 12 patients whose prosthesis was still in place had a mean visual analogue scale pain score of 1.9 (range 0-6) and a mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 23 (range 0-73.3). Eleven patients were satisfied with the procedure. The rate of early aseptic failure was unacceptably high. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

[Replacement of the thumb carpometacarpal joint : Current importance of endoprosthetics for operative treatment of rhizarthrosis]. / Endoprothetik am Daumensattelgelenk : Aktueller Stellenwert der Endoprothetik zur operativen Behandlung der Rhizarthrose.

The role of joint replacement in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint is a subject of considerable controversy in the current literature. In German-speaking countries this technique is used much less frequently than resection procedures. Aseptic loosening of the prosthesis is believed to be the major cause of the high failure rates reported for cemented and uncemented types of implants. In this study the different implant designs were evaluated on the basis of the results reported in the international literature. There are only a few studies that cover relatively long follow-up periods and provide convincing results for thumb carpometacarpal joint prostheses in terms of implant survival and function. Aseptic loosening is reported to be the major cause with failure rates of 50 % or more. Although a Norwegian study reported high 5 and 10-year survival rates for various thumb carpometacarpal joint prostheses according to the Norwegian arthroplasty registry, it did not recommend the widespread use of thumb carpometacarpal joint replacement at the present time. In our opinion, joint replacement may be considered as a possible treatment option for advanced osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint but it should not always be recommended because long-term results are inconsistent and similar functional outcomes have been reported for alternative surgical techniques, such as resection arthroplasty.

[Treatment of gunshot fractures of the lower extremity: Part 1: Incidence, importance, case numbers, pathophysiology, contamination, principles of emergency and first responder treatment]. / Behandlung von Schussfrakturen der unteren Extremität : Teil 1: Inzidenz, Bedeutung, eigene Zahlen, Pathophysiologie, Kontamination, Prinzipien der Notfall- und Erstbehandlung.

Gunshot wounds are rare in Germany and are mostly the result of suicide attempts or improper handling of weapons. The resulting injuries involve extensive tissue damage and complications which are thus unique and require a differentiated approach. As trauma centers may be confronted with gunshot wounds at any time, treatment principles must be understood and regularly reevaluated. Due to Bundeswehr operations abroad and the treatment of patients from other crisis regions a total of 85 gunshot wounds in 64 patients were treated between 2005 and 2011. In the majority of cases the lower extremities were affected and we were able to carry out treatment to preserve the extremities. In this article we report on our experiences and the results of treatment of gunshot wounds to the lower extremities. This part of the article deals with the epidemiology and pathophysiology of gunshot wounds to the lower extremities. By means of an evaluation of microbiological findings in a subgroup of patients involved in a civil war (n=10), the problem of multidrug resistant pathogen contamination, colonization and infection is discussed. In addition to a description of initial and emergency treatment of gunshot wounds, measures required for further treatment and decontamination are presented. Finally, the results are discussed with reference to the literature in this field.

[Treatment of gunshot fractures of the lower extremity: Part 2: Procedures for secondary reconstruction and treatment results]. / Behandlung von Schussfrakturen der unteren Extremität : Teil 2: Verfahren der sekundären Rekonstruktion und eigene Behandlungsergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: Gunshot wounds of the lower extremities are always serious injuries, especially in cases in which bone is affected. Contamination and extensive tissue damage can be life-threatening for the patient and severely affect the function of the extremity. Contamination and local infections with multidrug resistant pathogens are regularly encountered particularly in casualties evacuated from crisis regions. Treatment of this special type of injury, which differs in the form and extent from conventional high-energy trauma of the lower extremities, usually requires lengthy and extensive therapy algorithms in order to preserve the affected extremity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on the results of 34 gunshot wounds of the lower extremities which were surgically treated in this department between 2005 and 2011, this article reports on procedures used for wound management, soft tissue reconstruction and restoration of bone continuity. This group included 18 patients with a total of 20 gunshot-related fractures, 40% of which affected the lower leg and 35% the thigh. The affected extremities could be salvaged in all cases. RESULTS: The therapeutic spectrum required for bone reconstruction after soft tissue coverage demonstrated in these case examples ranged from conventional osteosynthesis with or without local cancellous bone transplant with platelet-rich plasma, to healing in a fixator, bone resection and the Masquelet method, distraction osteogenesis using a fixator in order to restore continuity and definitive secondary extension using an intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor (ISKD) nail. Out of 15 bullet fractures affecting large tubular bones 8 could be healed without any shortening, axis deviation or malrotation. In 7 cases definitive shortening by an average of 20 mm (minimum 10 mm and maximum 40 mm) was necessary. The average treatment time before full weight-bearing was achieved within tolerable pain limits was 66 weeks (minimum 4 weeks and maximum 267 weeks). Secondary osteitis and osteomyelitis following primary restoration was detected in only one case. CONCLUSION: These results show that the treatment of gunshot wounds of the lower extremities is time-consuming and extensive and requires the complete spectrum of modern trauma surgery. Despite the high risk of complications during treatment it is possible and feasible to apply procedures that preserve the extremities.

[Gunshot and stab wounds in Germany--epidemiology and outcome: analysis from the TraumaRegister DGU®]. / Schuss- und Stichverletzungen in Deutschland--Epidemiologie und Outcome : Eine Analyse aus dem TraumaRegister DGU®

BACKGROUND: The management of gunshot wounds is a rare challenge for trauma surgeons in Germany and Central Europe as a result of the low incidence of this type of trauma. Penetrating injuries occur with an incidence of 5% in Germany. They are caused by gunshots or more commonly by knives or other objects, for example during accidents. Since even the number of patients who are treated at level 1 trauma centres is limited by the low incidence, the objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology and outcome of gunshot and stab wounds in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since 2009, the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®) has been used to assess not only whether a trauma was penetrating but also whether it was caused by a gunshot or a stabbing. On the basis of this registry, we identified relevant cases and defined the observation period. Data were taken from the standard documentation forms that participating German hospitals completed between 2009 and 2011. We did not specify exclusion criteria in order to obtain as comprehensive a picture as possible of the trauma entities investigated in this study. As a result of the high incidence of gunshot wounds to the head and the implications of this type of injury for the entire group, a subgroup of patients without head injuries was analysed. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2011, there were 305 patients with gunshot wounds and 871 patients with stab wounds. The high proportion of suicide-related gunshot wounds to the head resulted in a cumulative mortality rate of 39.7%. Stab wounds were associated with a lower mortality rate (6.2%). Every fourth patient with a gunshot or stab wound presented with haemorrhagic shock, which was considerably more frequently seen during the prehospital phase than during the inhospital phase of patient management. Of the patients with gunshot wounds, 26.9% required transfusions. This percentage was three times higher than that for patients with blunt trauma. CONCLUSION: In Germany, gunshot and stab wounds have a low incidence and are mostly caused by violent crime or attempted suicide. Depending on the site of injury, they have a high mortality and are often associated with major haemorrhage. As a result of the low incidence of these types of trauma, further data and analyses are required which can provide the basis for an evaluation of the long-term quality of the management of patients with stab or gunshot wounds.

[Gunshot wounds: should projectiles and fragments always be removed?]. / Schussverletzungen: Müssen Projektile und Fragmente immer entfernt werden?

BACKGROUND: Projectiles or metal fragments can remain lodged in the body of victims of gunshot injuries. This also applies to projectiles which do not tend to deform or fragment on impact. When a projectile fragments on penetration, jacket or lead core particles are likely to remain lodged in the affected region even if the projectile has exited the body. AIM OF THE STUDY: A frequently asked question in the surgical management of such injuries is whether there are medical indications for the surgical removal of projectiles or fragments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This article presents some typical cases of patients who have received treatment at our institution and reviews the pertinent literature to show general recommendations in special cases concerning the removal of projectiles or fragments and when additional surgical trauma is justified. Parameters for decision making are presented in an algorithm. RESULTS: From our own patients, 5 with remaining fragments in the soft tissue were invited for a clinical follow up. Serum probes and 24 h urine output was analysed for serum lead levels and urinary aminolevulinic acid levels. 74 months (max. 128 - min. 42 months) after injury we documented not elevated serum lead levels of 8.25 µg/ml and urinary aminolevulinic acid levels of 4.8 mg/24 h. DISCUSSION: When lead-containing projectiles or fragments remain lodged in the body, monitoring is required and includes the measurement of serum lead levels and urinary aminolevulinic acid levels. The most important clinical symptoms of lead poisoning are gastrointestinal and neurological in nature. The treatment of choice for lead poisoning is the administration of chelating agents and removal of the lead source by surgical intervention.

[Partial autologous reconstruction of the thumb carpometacarpal joint for posttraumatic arthrosis]. / Autologer Ersatz zerstörter Gelenkflächenanteile des Daumensattelgelenkes durch Knorpel-Knochen-Dübel bei posttraumatischer Arthrose.

We report about a successful reconstruction of the first carpometacarpal joint (CMC-joint) of the right hand in a 23 years old man with a posttraumatic defect using the OATS-technique (Osteochondral Autologous Transfer System). 2 autologous osteochondral cylinders with matching surfaces were harvested from the knee joint and implanted in osteoarthritic areas of the CMC-1 joint surface in press fit technique. After primary healing clinical and radiological controls were assessed 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. At clinical follow-up 1 year after the function of the CMC-1 joint was completely free, function nearly fully restored. The osteochondral grafts revealed a sound healing in an additional MRI-investigation. 3 years after the operation, the DASH-score of the patient was measured with 4.2 points. With view to the encouraging results of the OATS technique in other joints it should be taken into consideration in cases of osteoarthritic CMC-1 joint respecting indicatory limitations.

[Gunshot or blast injuries of the hand. Principles of treatment]. / Verletzungen durch Schuss oder Explosion an der Hand. Prinzipien der Versorgung.

Gunshot injuries to the hand are rare in Central Europe. As a result of their special trauma morphology they are a serious threat to the functional integrity of the hand and often lead to a loss of function which can be associated with a permanent unfitness to work or disability. Blast injuries to the hand are more common in this part of the world and are usually caused by the inappropriate use of fireworks. This trauma entity is associated with a number of special kinetic features and effects which have therapeutic consequences and should therefore be discussed separately. As a result of the low incidence of these specific types of injuries in times of peace, experience-based expertise is unlikely to be available. The management of gunshot injuries to the hand is a particular challenge to hand surgeons who must have specialist knowledge and skills in order to achieve an optimum outcome. This applies even more so to the treatment of blast injuries to the hand which are associated with far more complex injury patterns. As a rule blast injuries are associated with a high risk of complications and require a rapid assessment and rigorous management of all damaged structures similar to approaches used for infections of the hand. Illustrated by several cases which have been treated at our institution the basic aspects of the development and morphology of these injuries are discussed as well as different treatment options, algorithms and possible treatment outcomes.

[German military surgeons in deployment abroad: life and working conditions]. / Deutsche Militärchirurgen im Auslandseinsatz : Lebens- und Arbeitsbedingungen.

Since 1992 the German Bundeswehr has been deployed for securing peace and peacekeeping abroad. Since then 83 German soldiers have been killed and overall 129 wounded in action as of 07.12.2009. In Northern Afghanistan the German Bundeswehr runs a combat support hospital (role 3) in Mazar-e-Sharif providing a multidisciplinary capability profile. Furthermore, there are two role 2 medical treatment facilities for primary surgical trauma care located in Kunduz and Feyzabad. In these role 2 facilities life saving procedures and damage control operations are performed in order to enable rapid evacuation to a higher level of care. Thereby military surgeons are often confronted with various medical and logistic challenges. The German Navy also has two equivalent role 2 medical treatment facilities (Naval Rescue Centers) aboard its two combat support ships (CSS) "Berlin" and "Frankfurt am Main" to support maritime task groups operating worldwide. These floating field hospitals provide an indispensable asset in the medical emergency care of naval operations with difficult space-time factors. Due to the specific operating alliance between CSS and Naval Rescue Center, special operations as well as evacuation and humanitarian missions following disasters near the coastline can be effectively accomplished.

[Spectrum of surgical procedures performed in German rescue centers and the field hospital in Afghanistan in 2008]. / Spektrum der Operationen in deutschen Sanitätseinrichtungen in Afghanistan im Jahr 2008.

From the military perspective detailed knowledge about the spectrum of operations undertaken abroad is of particular interest to provide indications of the skills that will be required by the surgeons. Therefore, all surgical reports produced in 2008 in the operation theatres of Mazar-e-Sharif, Feyzabad and Kunduz were reviewed. The overview shows that a total of 799 operations were performed equivalent to 0.4-1.6 operations/day. Most of the patients who underwent surgery were local civilians and most of these operations involved osteosynthesis, débridement and soft tissue procedures. Of the surgical procedures 11% involved patients who were German service personnel of which 85% were urgent or emergency procedures and 25% of these involved treatment of combat injuries. When civilian patients with life-threatening injuries or diseases are referred to the medical facilities there is little opportunity to make decisions with regard to acceptance. Often it may be necessary for surgeons to perform procedures which are outside their field of specialization. In order to ensure a favorable outcome in acute situations surgeons mainly required skills in emergency surgery of the body cavities (visceral and thoracic surgery).

[The educational program for modern military surgeons]. / Weiterbildung zum modernen Militärchirurgen.

Casualties in military conflict produce patterns of injuries that are not seen in routine surgical practice at home. In an era of increasing surgical sub-specialization the deployed surgeon needs to acquire and maintain a wide range of skills from a variety of surgical specialties. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have become the modus operandi for terrorists and in the current global security situation these tactics can be equally employed against civilian targets. Therefore, knowledge and training in the management of these injuries are relevant to both military and civilian surgeons. To create this kind of military surgeon the so-called "DUO-plus" model for the training of surgical officers (specialization general surgery plus a second specialization either in visceral surgery or orthopedics/trauma surgery) has been developed in the Joint Medical Service of the German Bundeswehr. Other relevant skills, such as emergency neurotraumatology, battlefield surgery with integrated oral and craniomaxillofacial surgery and emergency gynecology, are integrated into this concept and will be taught in courses. Log books will be kept in accordance with the training curricula. On successful completion of the program medical officers will be officially appointed as Medical Officer "Einsatzchirurg" by their commanding officers for a maximum of 5 years and it will be necessary to renew it after this period. These refresher programs will require participation in visiting physicians programs in the complementary surgical disciplines in order to retain the essential specific skills.

[Terrorism--a new dimension in trauma care]. / Terrorismus--Eine neue Dimension des Polytraumas.

Bomb attacks on the civilian population are one of the primary instruments of global terrorism. Confronted as we are with the increasingly real threat in Europe too, we now have to be constantly prepared for the mass casualties and new injury patterns in trauma care that are caused by terrorist bombings. This is extraordinarily challenging, on both medical and logistical levels, for the hospitals involved. In this review the basic mechanisms of blast injuries are clarified. In addition, the fundamental principles of triage and the management of multiple trauma are presented; these are oriented on ATLS (advanced trauma life support) and DCS (damage control surgery) guidelines. These treatment concepts, which have proved their worth in both military and civilian environments, involve ongoing triage and constant situational assessment and are the basis of improved treatment results in the care of multiply traumatized victims of terrorist bombings.

[Complex fractures of the humeral head: which long-term results can be expected?]. / Komplexe Brüche des Oberarmkopfes: Welche Langzeitresultate sind zu erwarten?

BACKGROUND: Although improved techniques of internal fixation and prosthetic replacement were introduced successfully in the field of operative fracture care, treatment of complex fractures of the proximal humerus also involving the humeral head remains to be a challenge to the trauma surgeon. We therefore investigated clinical and radiological long-term results after humeral head preserving procedures. METHODS: 41 patients with a three or four part fracture of the humeral head were evaluated on average 6.6 years (min. 4.4 y; max. 9.0 y) after the trauma. The evaluation was based on the Constant- and HSS score clinically and on the Neer score radiologically. Nine patients were treated conservatively (group A), 13 patients had primarily an operative treatment (group B) and another 19 were operated upon after failure of conservative means. 24 of the patients were female and 17 male, with an average age of 52 years (min. 14.4 y; max. 71.2 y). According to Neers 's fracture classification of humeral head fractures we saw 14 type IV, 25 times a combination of type IV and V and in another 2 cases a type VI fracture. RESULTS: In group A (conservative) the Constant score showed on average 82.0 points for the injured and 95.3 points for the contralateral shoulder, the HSS score revealed 73.6 points and Neer's x-ray score 5.6 points. Group B (operated) showed also good results on average according to a Constant score of 72.1 points (fractured humerus) compared with 98.1 points of the contralateral shoulder. HSS score was 64.7 points. The radiological results reached 4.0 points. Group C (conservatively failed, secondary operation) achieved 68.2 points for the injured side and 95.8 points for the contralateral side according to Constant and 59.5 points according to HSS score. The x-ray evaluation showed 5.3 points. Fracture type did not influence the outcome in any of the groups. There was no humeral head necrosis in group A, one in group B (2.4 %) and four in group C (9.8 %). CONCLUSION: These data show that regarding to clinical and radiological long-term results also complex fractures of the humeral head should be treated by head preserving procedures.

[Primary hemiarthroplasty after complex fracture of the humeral head--functional late results]. / Primäre Hemiprothetik nach komplexem Oberarmkopfbruch--Funktionelle Spätergebnisse.

UNLABELLED: Treatment of complex fractures of the humeral head remains an obviously unsolved problem. Under consideration of the problems of head preserving methods, the development of the last years tended towards the hemiprosthetic replacement. As the discussion about the methods and implants continues to be controversial, long-term results of Neer-II-replacement of humeral head in own trauma cases are presented here. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 46 patients were investigated, in whom a cemented Neer II hemiprosthesis was implanted between 1983 and 1996 due to complex fracture patterns. Median age was 60.2 years, 74 % of patients were female. 59 % had a luxation fracture type Neer VI, 22 % presented a concomitant nerval lesion. Follow up was performed 5 years on average after the operation. 38 patients were investigated clinically according the score of Constant and Murley, 36 had a x- ray control. Additionally an individual questionnaire was completed by 46 patients. RESULTS: Average Constant-score was 66.2 points, whereas in 76.3 % a satisfactory or better result was achieved. In 23.9 % the outcome was poor. In one patient (2.2 %) explantation of the hemiprosthesis and shoulder fusion due to pain was necessary. Conditions for a good result were a patient aged 50 years and younger (75.9 pts. versus 64.2 pts.), an early hemiprosthetic replacement within 4 weeks after the trauma (71.7 pts. versus 55.3 pts.) and a patient without an earlier operation and nerval lesion (76.8 pts. versus 53.9 pts.). No correlation was found between the date of the follow-up and the interval of time since the operation. CONCLUSION: After complex fractures of the humeral head satisfactory long-term results can be obtained by the cemented Neer II hemiprosthesis. Thus, implants of the newer generation can not yet whitness their superiority under consideration of functional aspects. Refixation and reintegration of both the tubercula after trauma still seems to be an unsolved problem and requires further development.