[Combination of a universal antidote and temporary skin substitute for chemical burns: Extended case report]. / Kombination von universellem Antidot und temporärem Hautersatz bei Verätzungen: Erweiterter Fallbericht.

In this article we describe our experiences in the treatment of chemical burns with Diphoterine(®) solution and Suprathel(®) as a temporary skin substitute material, a treatment which in the past was not commonly used for this pattern of injuries. In the study period from October 2012 to December 2013 we treated five patients (four male and one female including two children and three adults) with chemical burns by decontamination with Diphoterine(®) and wound covering with Suprathel(®). The control group included five patients with similar injury patterns who were treated with Diphoterine(®) and occlusive wound dressings. No wound infections occurred in any of the five cases and no interactions were observed between Suprathel(®) and the chemical substance involved. In four cases the skin areas with IIa-IIb degree damage showed good wound healing and only slight scarring in the follow-up after 3 months and one of the five patients had to be treated surgically. Suprathel(®) can be used as a temporary skin substitute for the treatment of skin burns and is also available for the treatment of chemical burns.

Epidemiology of pneumonia in a burn care unit: the influence of inhalation trauma on pneumonia and of pneumonia on burn mortality.

The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of burn patients developing pneumonia, as well as the predisposing factors and the mortality of these patients. Infectious complications present serious problems in severely burned patients. Pneumonia, in particular, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients. Patients with inhalation injuries are exposed to a greater risk due to the possible development of infectious complications in the lower respiratory tract. During their stay in our Burn Care Unit, 22.9% of our burn patients developed pneumonia and 10.9 % of these patients died. Risk factors for the development of pneumonia in burn patients were found to be inhalation trauma, high ABSI score, the Baux and modified Baux index, and high ASA score (p<0.01). Age and gender showed no significant correlation to the incidence of pneumonia. In this study we were able to determine the incidence of pneumonia in burn patients, their mortality and the strong correlation of the presence of inhalation injury with the development of pneumonia.

Le but de cette étude est de déterminer les caractéristiques épidémiologiques des patients brûlés qui développent une atteinte pulmonaire , ainsi que les facteurs prédisposants et le taux de mortalité . La pneumonie est une cause majeure de morbidité et de mortalité chez les patients gravement brûlés. Les patients atteints de lésions par inhalation sont exposés à un risque plus élevé en raison de l'évolution possible de complications infectieuses dans les voies respiratoires inférieures. Au cours de leur séjour dans notre unité de soins aux brûlures, 22,9% de nos patients brûlés ont développé la pneumonie et 10,9% de ces patients sont décédés. Les facteurs de risque pour le développement de la pneumonie chez les patients brûlés retrouvés sont le traumatisme de l'inhalation, le score élevé de ABSI, l'incice de Baux et l'indice Baux modifié, et le score ASA élevé (p <0,01). L'âge et le sexe des patients n'ont montré aucune corrélation significative à l'incidence de la pneumonie. Dans cette étude, nous avons pu déterminer l'incidence des complications pulmonaires du fait des lésions par inhalation .chez les patients brûlés, ainsi que sur le taux de mortalité.

Management of difficult intra-articular fractures or fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.

Intra-articular fractures or fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint are difficult clinically because the bone and soft tissue structures are small and intricate. Suboptimal treatment of intra-articular fractures typically leads to functional impairment of the hand. This article reviews the current methods of treatment, together with the senior author's experience in treating difficult proximal interphalangeal joint fractures and dislocations. Besides conservative treatments, surgical treatments include open or closed reduction with traditional Osteosynthesis, such as K-wires, screws or plates. Among recent developments are the percutaneous application of thin cannulated compression screws and novel dynamic external fixators. After a preferred minimally invasive treatment with stable reconstruction of the articular surface, sufficient aftercare is necessary to improve surgical outcomes.

Noncontact electrosurgical grounding--a useful and safe tool in the initial surgical management of thermal injuries.

BACKGROUND: Electrosurgical instruments - one of the useful and most-used instruments within the surgeon's armamentarium - are potentially dangerous by causing unanticipated direct burns; fire occurring as a result of electrosurgical instruments and electromagnetic interference with a pacemaker, defibrillator, or cardiac monitoring device. METHODS: The Mega 2000 Patient Return Electrode System produced by Megadyne Medical Products is a noncontact electrode designed to provide adequate electrical return to facilitate function of electrocautery devices. We used this noncontact device in 67 patients (28 women, 39 men) with large burns during their stay in our burn unit and in 11 of these patients (4 women, 7 men) for escharotomies during admission in our burn care. RESULTS: The device functioned well in all cases, no additional cutaneous burns on the patients' body were noticed. CONCLUSION: This paper is a review of our experience with this noncontact electrosurgical grounding in burn surgery highlighting its advantages comparing with the conventional electrosurgical instruments.

[Reconstruction of an iatrogenic acromial pseudarthrosis: a case report]. / Rekonstruktion einer iatrogenen Akromionpseudarthrose: Ein Fallbericht.

Acromial fractures are rare but severe complications which can occur during subacromial decompression. We report a case of acromial pseudarthrosis which was discovered belatedly due to persistent pain after several operations. The pseudarthrosis was successfully treated by osteosynthesis with a distal radius plate and implantation of a monocortical bone graft from the iliac crest. Two years after surgery, the fracture has healed and the patient's pain improved significantly. In the constant score the patient achieved postoperatively 58 points compared to 25 points before surgery and 65 points compared to 25 points preoperatively in the subjective shoulder rating system (SSRS). Postoperatively, the patient had a better range of motion with active abduction/adduction of 50/0/25º (30/0/20° preoperatively), outward rotation/inward rotation of 35/0/45º (30/0/30° preoperatively) and anteversion/retroversion of 60/0/35° (35/0/20° preoperatively).

The axis-board: an alternative to the cable technique for intraoperative assessment of lower limb alignment.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate intraoperative assessment of lower limb alignment is crucial for the treatment of long bone fractures, implantation of knee arthroplasties and correction of deformities. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to present a new technique for the intraoperative analysis of the mechanical axis. METHODS: The axis board is placed under the patient's lower limb. With the centre of the ankle and hip lying on the reference line we can assess the mechanical axis of the lower limb. This technique was used in 38 cases (19 high tibial osteotomies, 13 femoral fractures and 6 tibial fractures). RESULTS: Comparing the intraoperative tibiofemoral angles and Mechanical Axis Deviations (MAD) with the results of the postoperative long standing radiographs we showed an accuracy of 1 +/- 0.9 degrees and 2.9 +/- 2.6 mm respectively. CONCLUSION: The method is a simple and convenient option for intraoperative evaluation of the mechanical axis. However, for complex corrections we still recommend the use of navigation systems.