[Can muscle transposition of an antagonist modify regeneration of the peroneal nerve?]. / Kann die Muskelverlagerung eines Antagonisten die Regeneration des N. peronaeus beeinflussen?

The prognosis after injury and microsurgical repair of the peroneal nerve is poor. However, clinical experience seems to indicate better results if nerve repair or neurolysis is combined with transposition of the tibialis posterior muscle. This hypothesis was tested in 20 rabbits by severing the peroneal nerve of one lower extremity. Nerve repair with muscle transposition was performed in ten rabbits and nerve repair without muscle transposition in the remaining ten animals. Six to twelve months later, histological and histochemical studies of nerve and muscle tissue were performed. No significant differences between the two groups could be determined.

Subcutaneous or submuscular anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve?

Precise clinical and electroneurographic examinations were made of 51 patients before and after anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. The mean follow-up period was 9.6 years. In 86%, hand function improved, while in 10% it remained unchanged. Subcutaneous transposition was better than submuscular transposition, especially with regard to sensation. This method is simple and involves low morbidity for patients.

[Cortisone jet injection as therapy of hypertrophic scars and keloids]. / Die Cortison-Hochdruckinjektion als Therapie von hypertrophen Narben und Keloiden.

Intralesional steroid injection in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids has been well known for many years. In order to determine whether this therapy can still be recommended, 57 patients with hypertrophic scars or keloids received high-pressure injections of triamcinolon acetonide (Dermojet). 50% of the cases showed significant improvement with respect to scar color, itching and scar elevation. Thus, triamcinolon acetonide therapy is indicated in particular cases.

High-resolution ultrasonography of the carpal tunnel.

Twenty-eight wrists of 25 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and 28 wrists of 14 normal control subjects were studied with high-frequency real-time ultrasonography. Three general findings could be observed in CTS, regardless of its cause: swelling of the median nerve at the entrance of the carpal tunnel; flattening of the median nerve in the distal carpal tunnel; and increased palmar flexion of the transverse carpal ligament. Quantitative analysis proved these findings to be significant. We conclude that high-resolution sonography is able to diagnose median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel syndrome and to detect some of its potential causes.

Artificial heart and cardiac transplantation: report on the first European combined procedure.

It became necessary to perform a staged procedure by means of total artificial heart followed by cardiac transplantation in a 26-year-old, female patient. The Ellipsoidheart, as an artificial heart, fitted excellently in the chest without compromising the surrounding structures. As soon as the patient recovered with the artificial heart, a consecutive transplantation was performed. This first European clinical experience gained confidence and suggests applying more artificial hearts as a bridge towards transplantation.