Severe intraoperative vascular bleeding as main complication of acetabular fractures treated with plate osteosynthesis via the modified Stoppa approach.

Acetabular fractures are challenging fractures and finding the best supportive treatment is complex. Many operative treatment options exist - one of them is the plate osteosynthesis via the modified Stoppa approach gaining popularity over the last decades. The purpose of this study is to give an overview of this surgical techniques and its main complications. Patients ≥ 18 years between the years 2016 and 2022 with acetabular fractures in our department received a surgical intervention with plate fixation via the modified Stoppa approach. All protocols and documents during a patient's hospital stay were analyzed to find relevant perioperative complications concerning this operative technique. Between 01/2016 und 12/2022 75 patients with acetabular fractures were treated surgically in the author's institution with a plate osteosynthesis via the modified Stoppa approach. In 26.7 % (n = 20) of all cases, patients were confronted with one or more perioperative complications typical for this operation. Intraoperative venous bleedings were the main complication with 10.6 % (n = 8). Postoperative functional impairment of the obturator nerve and deep vein thrombosis occurred with 2.7 % (n = 2) and 9.3 % (n = 7). This retrospective study shows that plate fixation via the Stoppa approach is a good treatment option because of the excellent intraoperative overview of the fracture, but has its pitfalls and complications. Especially severe vascular bleedings must be taken into account and its management well known.

[Costs-revenue deficit of outpatient treatment of minor injuries in the emergency department]. / Kosten-Erlös-Defizit der ambulanten Versorgung von Bagatellverletzungen in der Notaufnahme.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with minor injuries hastily present in the emergency department and tie up resources and personnel there. OBJECTIVE: To establish the cost-revenue relationship of outpatient care of minor injuries in the traumatology emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The calculation was based on the uniformly billed emergency flat rates of the uniform assessment standard (EBM). Using the current collective bargaining agreements for physicians and nurses, per minute costs were calculated. The time required for treatment was determined on the basis of 100 reference patients with minor injuries. The case cost calculation with the respective resources was carried out with the operational controlling of the University Hospital Frankfurt. RESULTS: A total of 4088 patients with minor injuries who presented in 2019 were included. Most common reasons for presentation were contusions of the lower (31.9%; n = 1303) and upper extremities (16.6%; n = 677). A time expenditure of 166.7 min per day for the medical staff and 213.8 min per day for nursing staff was calculated. A total revenue of 29,384.31 € and total costs of 69,591.22 € were calculated. Thus, a revenue deficit of -40,206.91 € can be calculated for the year 2019. This corresponds to a monetary deficit of 9.84 € per patient. CONCLUSION: There is a shortage of the medical resource "personnel" to satisfactorily and economically manage the nowadays high volume of self-presenting pedestrian patients with minor injuries. The current remuneration of the treatment of minor injuries by the uniform assessment scale is insufficient for the hospital sector.

Acetabular fractures treatment needs in the elderly and nonagenarians.

Different treatment options for acetabular fractures in the elderly and nonagenarians exist; a consistent guideline has not been established, yet. The purpose of this study is to give an overview of how those fractures can be handled and compares two different surgical treatment methods. A total of 89 patients ≥ 18 years between 2016 and 2021 with acetabular fractures in our department received a surgical intervention with plate fixation via the Stoppa approach or a total hip arthroplasty with a Burch-Schneider ring and integrated cup. 60 patients ≥ 65 were compared in two groups, 29 patients between 65 and 79 and 31 patients ≥ 80. For comparison, data on operation times, hospitalization, complications during operation and hospital stay, blood loss and postoperative mobilization were collected. Characteristics could be found for indications for operative osteosynthesis or endoprosthetics based on the X-ray analysis. There was a tendency to treat simple fractures with osteosynthesis. Patients between 65 and 79 with an osteosynthesis had benefits in almost every comparison. Patients ≥ 80 with a plate fixation had advantages in the categories of postoperative complications, blood loss and transfusion of erythrocyte concentrates. Statistical significant differences were noticed in both groups regarding the operation time. Patients between 65 and 79 with osteosynthesis had significant benefits for postoperative complications, hospitalization, number of blood transfusions and postoperative mobilization. Finding the best supportive treatment option is difficult, and decision-making must respect fracture patterns and individual risk factors. This study shows that plate fixation via the Stoppa approach has some benefits.

Impact of 2 different posterior screw fixation techniques on primary stability in a cervical translational injury model: A biomechanical evaluation.

BACKGROUND: In case of injuries to the subaxial cervical spine, especially in osteoporotic bone, the question of the most stable operative technique arises. There are several techniques of screw fixation available regarding dorsal stabilization. This study investigates 2 techniques (lateral mass screws (LMS) vs cervical pedicle screws (CPS)) in the subaxial cervical spine regarding primary stability in a biomechanical testing using a translational injury model. METHODS: A total of 10 human formalin fixed and 10 human fresh-frozen specimens (C 4 - T 1) were investigated. Specimens were randomized in 2 groups. Fracture generation of a luxation injury between C 5 and C 6 was created by a transection of all ligamentous structures as well as the intervertebral disc and a resection of the facet joints.Dorsal stabilization of C 4/C 5 to C 6/C 7 was performed in group A by lateral mass screws, in group B by pedicle screws. In the biomechanical testing, the specimens were loaded at 2 N/s in translation direction until implant failure. RESULTS: Formalin fixed specimen: Mean load failure was 513.8 (±86.74) Newton (N) for group A (LMS) and 570.4 (±156.5) N for group B (CPS). There was no significant difference (P = .6905).Fresh frozen specimen: Mean load failure was 402.3 (±96.4) N for group A (LMS) and 500.7 (±190.3) N for group B (CPS). There was no significant difference (P = .4206). CONCLUSION: In our loading model respecting the translational injury pattern and a flexion movement we could not verify statistically significant differences between lateral mass screws and cervical pedicle screws. Mean loading failure was slightly higher in the CPS group though.