Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Reilmann

Publications and source records attributed to H Reilmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Biceps tendon: diagnosis, therapy and results after proximal and distal rupture].

Ruptures of the long head of the M. biceps humeri are commonly caused by degenerative changes within the tendon. They are associated with pathologies of the subacromial space. The loss of power regarding elbow flexion and supination amounts to 8 to 21% after conservative treatment. Refixation offers a small but evident improvement of flexion and supination power. Especially endurance is improved. The number of cases with remaining light or marked weakness is reduced by more than 50%. Deformity by the slipped muscle can be corrected effectively. Function of the glenohumeral joint can only be improved if associated subacromial problems are identified and treated simultaneously. As complications are uncommon surgery should be recommended to young and active patients and should at least be offered to less active patients. Ruptures of the distal tendon are less common. Thirteen patients were re-examined after operative repair for distal biceps tendon avulsion and 277 reported cases were reviewed. After conservative management (n = 20) the power of flexion will remain reduced by 30%-40%, that of supination by more than 50%. The loss of flexion power, as well as the deformity can be diminished by attachment of the distal biceps to the brachialis muscle (n = 22). The anatomic re-insertion (n = 248) additionally reduces the loss of supination power to 0%-25%, but bears a higher risk of complications. Using the 'double-incision technique' (n = 105 of 248) does not decrease the risk of naval lesions but increases the incidence of radioulnar synostosis. The use of suture anchors provides a nice way of fixation of the tendon but does not facilitate the approach to the tuberosity. The distal biceps tendon rupture should be treated operatively. The adequate method of repair is to be determined individually.

Arm Injuries↗

[Retrograde intramedullary nailing of humeral fractures with new implants. Analysis of 120 consecutive cases].

Since 1993, 120 fractures of the humerus were treated by retrograde unreamed nailing. Operations were performed on simple, complex, compound and pathological fractures of the proximal three quarter of the humerus. On the proximal humerus, displaced two-part-fractures and occasionally three- or four-part-fractures were stabilized. In 110 cases a prototype of an unreamed humeral nail with deployable fins for proximal locking was employed. In another ten cases the new solid interlocking nail of the AO/ASIF was used. The operative procedure, rehabilitation program, complications and functional and radiological results are presented. Retrograde nailing offers a high patient comfort and good functional results (Constant-Score on average 87% of the opposite side). Complications were nail migration (8.3%), instability (3.8%), nonunions (5.8%) and iatrogenic fractures (5.8%). Patients with high grade osteoporosis, small proximal fragments and poor compliance have an increased rate of complications.

Adolescent↗

[Proximal and distal biceps tendon rupture--an indication for surgery?].

We reviewed 77 conservatively and 164 operatively treated cases of rupture of the long head of the biceps documented in the literature. Refixation offers a small but relatively constant improvement of flexion and supination power and thus reduces the number of cases with remaining light or marked weakness by one third. Deformity by the slipped muscle can be corrected effectively. As complications are uncommon surgery should be recommended to young and active patients and should at least be offered to less active patients. Thirteen patients were re-examined after operative repair for distal biceps tendon avulsion and 277 reported cases were reviewed. After conservative management (n = 20) the power of flexion remains reduced by 30%-40%, that of supination by more than 50%. The loss of flexion power, as well as the deformity can be nicely diminished by attachment of the distal biceps to the brachialis muscle (n = 22). There are no complications documented regarding this procedure. The anatomic reinsertion (n = 248) additionally reduces the loss of supination power to 0%-25%, but bears a higher risk of complications. The double-incision technique (n = 105 of 248) does not necessarily decrease this risk. There are as many nerve injuries reported as with the single-anterior approach. Additionally we are faced with the problem of radioulnar synostosis. The use of suture anchors provides a nice way of fixation of the tendon but does not facilitate the approach to the tuberosity. The distal biceps tendon rupture should be treated operatively. The adequate method of repair is to be determined individually.

Arm Injuries↗

[Combination of intramedullary nail and covered screw osteosynthesis for managing distal tibial fracture with ankle joint involvement].

Fractures of the distal metaphysis of the tibia often include an extension into the ankle. Intramedullary nailing combined with covered screw osteosynthesis should reduce the high incidence of soft tissue and ankle problems and should be an alternative to open plate fixation, with good ultimate functional outcome. Between January 1993 and December 1995, a prospective study on 49 patients with distal metaphyseal tibia fracture and involvement of the ankle was performed. All the fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing combined with covered screw osteosynthesis, and plate fixation in cases of fibula fractures. There were 27 men and 22 women with an average age of 46.4 +/- 12.7 years (range 21-90). In most studies of the use of intramedullary nailing in distal tibial fractures the classification has been inadequate. Therefore a new classification according to Robinson et al. (1995) was used: 10 fractures were type II B (20.4%), 13 were type II C (26.5%), and 26 patients suffered a combination of type II B and type II C (53.1%). This fracture type was defined as type II D for use in this study. The severity of soft tissue injury was recorded using the Gustilo system in case of open (n = 19) and the Tscheme system in case of closed fractures (n = 30). In 31 patients distal tibia fracture was accompanied by a fracture of the fibula, which was first stabilized using a plate. For reconstruction of the distal articular surface, covered screw osteosynthesis was done. At the next step intramedullary nails were inserted and were statically locked proximally and distally. From January 1993 to February 1994, the reamed AO standard nail was used. After introduction of the unreamed tibial nail (UTN) all fractures were treated by this implant. Full load on the operated leg was allowed after 8 weeks. Union of the fracture was assessed by standard radiological and clinical criteria. Misalignment was defined as more than 5 degrees of angular rotation. Further surgery due to a valgus deformity in the ankle joint had to be done in three cases. There were no deep infections. Three patients had a superficial infection in the ankle area, but surgical debridement was not necessary. A leg shortening was found in 4 cases, but it was less than 1 cm in every case. Therefore, surgical correction was not done. Patients were reviewed at intervals of 2, 6, and 12 weeks, and after 6, and at least 12 months. All 49 patients were finally reviewed after an average time of 15.7 months (range 12-38). Bone fusion was reached 12.8 weeks (range 9-21) after the operative treatment. A specific assessment of the ankle symptoms was made using the score of Olerud and Molander (1984). In 29 patients excellent results were recorded. A satisfactory result was attained with 17 patients and just 3 patients were found to be unsatisfactory. Although proximity of distal tibia fracture to the ankle makes the treatment more complicated than for fractures of the tibial diaphysis, closed intramedullary nailing combined with covered screw fixation is a good alternative to open reduction and plate fixation. The major advantages are closed procedure and simplified interlocking techniques. Therefore, closed intramedullary nailing combined with covered screw fixation is a safe and effective method of managing this type of fracture.

Adult↗

Is early kinetic positioning beneficial for pulmonary function in multiple trauma patients?

Body positioning (kinetic therapy) is known to improve oxygenation in patients with impaired pulmonary function and ARDS. We have used body positioning prophylactically in trauma patients whose injury and pattern predispose to ARDS. This retrospective study reports the effects of early prophylactic (group P) versus late (group L) axial rotation on pulmonary function and the incidence of ARDS. Both groups were comparable in age, injury severity and the degree of thoracic injury. Systemic oxygenation was significantly better and the incidence of ARDS significantly lower in group P (group P: 34.3 per cent, group T: 74.1 per cent, P < 0.05). There was a tendency towards a lower incidence of pneumonia and a better survival in group P, which did not reach statistical significance. The duration of kinetic therapy and of ventilation was comparable in both groups. In this retrospective evaluation early prophylactic kinetic therapy was associated with a significantly lower incidence of ARDS compared with that instigated later.

Adult↗

[Homologous talus replacement after talectomy in infection and septic talus necrosis. Experiences with 3 cases].

Severe infections of the talus are often associated with complete septic collapse of the talus. In this connection, open fractures with defects or significant comminution have a bad prognosis is as far as reconstruction of the talus is concerned. In the Department of Traumatology, Braunschweig, in 1995 three patients (all male, average age 35.3 +/- 10.2 years) were treated with cancellous bone grafting after talectomy performed because of infection and complete septic collapse of the talus. In two of these cases third-degree open total dislocation of the talus had been sustained. The third patient came to us after undergoing arthroscopy of the ankle region in another hospital. In each case a fulminating infection was the outcome. Following a step-by-step algorithm, in a first step urgent radical debridement with talectomy was done. To maintain approximation between the tibia and calcaneus on one side and the os naviculare on the other, the bony defect was filled with PMMA chains and the external fixateur technique was used for immobilization during treatment of the infection. After second- and third-look procedures a free flap was grown for soft tissue coverage within the first 10 days. After 17.6 +/- 3.3 days the talus was replaced with a cancellous bone graft, combined with double arthrodesis in two cases, and external fixation for the next 4-5 weeks. In the third patient a triple arthrodesis was done. At follow-up after an average of 12 months (range 8-17 months), the bone graft with arthrodesis had been completely integrated in all cases. All patients are free of symptoms in normal life. In the case of severe open fractures of the talus with significant comminution combined with infection and septic bone collapse conservation of the talus is often impossible. The combination of homologous cancellous bone grafting and arthrodesis after talectomy is therefore a good method of keeping any decrease in the function of the foot to a minimum.

Adult↗

[Guidelines in surgery--pediatric traumatology].

Guidelines for the treatment of fractures in children include social and therapeutic parameters, such as adequate hospitalization for children, a definitive therapy with a low degree of invasiveness, and a high degree of freedom of mobility. The selection of a method is linked to the patient's requests. Minimally invasive techniques should be applied in preference. Therapeutic strategies should be compared not only with regard to results, but also with regard to effectivity and efficiency. There are no strict guidelines in therapeutic procedures whatsoever.

Child↗

[Conservative functional therapy of closed rupture of the Achilles tendon. Treatment approach and analysis of results].

In a prospective study in the period from May 1989 to April 1994, 161 patients at the Unfallchirurgische Klinik in Braunschweig were treated for rupture of the Achilles tendon using a conservative functional method. A follow-up examination was carried out on 132 patients (81%) after an average of 12.6 months. Conservative therapy was indicated if dynamic ultrasonography showed sufficient adaptation of the rupture. Continuous retention of the adapted tendon fragments was guaranteed by means of special footwear that raises the back of the foot (Variostabil). The average age of the patients was 39.5 years. In 97 cases (73.5%) the injury was caused by sports. In 68 ruptures the dehiscence was compensated in plantar flexion. In 48 cases the dehiscence was 1-5 mm, and in 16 cases it was between 6 and 10 mm. The average period of hospitalization was 4.8 days (1/19). The period of inability to work was an average of 4 weeks (27.4 days (0/98)). The rupture healed on an average of 9.5 weeks (5.9/23). Complications included seven cases of re-rupture (5.3%), and, in the course of treatment, four patients (3%) suffered profound leg vein thrombosis that in one case developed into postthrombotic syndrome. In two cases there was tendovaginitis of the Achilles tendon. Early functional conservative therapy using the VARIO-STABIL shoe is a suitable method for treating a newly ruptured Achilles tendon. When there is a precise indication, the method is equally as good as operative therapy and because of the low complication rate, it is even preferable.

Achilles Tendon↗

[Covered osteosynthesis through cannulated screws in medial Garden type I and II femoral neck fractures].

Fracture of the femoral neck is a common problem in elderly patients. In these patients with concomitant illness and medical complications the hip fracture is then often the reason for a long-term institutionalization with serious implications for the outcome. While the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures Garden's stage III and IV is quite clear, the procedure for impacted or undisplaced fractures Garden's stage I or II is still the subject of controversy. In a retrospective study was shown that conservative treatment of impacted or undisplaced femoral neck fractures is associated with a high complication rate of 30-40%. When these femoral neck fractures were broken down according to Garden's classification the complication rate in cases of Garden's stage II was found to be 1.5 times that in femoral neck fractures in Garden's stage I. With a P-value less than 0.05 this difference was statistically significant (Wilcoxon test). Because of these major problems associated with conservative treatment we changed our current algorithm. Covered internal fixation with cancellous screws is now considered to be indicated for all impacted or undisplaced femoral neck fractures. Between 1990 und 1992, 53 patients (42 female, 11 male) with femoral neck fracture in Garden's stage I (24 patients) or II (29 patients) were treated in our Department of Traumatology with 6.5 mm cancellous screws. In all case early mobilization and weight-bearing were allowed. In this prospective study the average follow-up was 14.3 +/- 2.1 months (range 8-20 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Experience with external fixation in treatment of shaft fractures in childhood].

In a retrospective study 89 shaft fractures sustained during childhood and treated by external fixation were analysed [80 fractures of the lower extremity (59 of the femur) and 9 of the upper extremity]. The operative investment (operating time, period of hospitalization, time for fluoroscopy, general anaesthesia, start of mobilization, number of X-rays) correlated with the success of the treatment. The overall complication rate was 19.1%. Technical errors occurred in 5.6% of all cases; the infection rate was 4.5%; refractures were seen in 4.5% of all patients and reinfarction also in 4.5%. The last 10 femur fractures were analysed separately and the overall complication rate was demonstrably reduced to 3.2%. All technical errors are avoidable and the infection rate could be minimized by better care of the pin, exit points, and by ensuring more stable anchorage of the screws. The consolidation time is longer than with plate osteosynthesis and medullary nailing. But in contrast to adults, in children the treatment was completed with external fixation, and no pseudarthrosis was seen. The consolidation time was shorter with dynamic external fixation. With dynamic systems healing took an average of 7 weeks, while rigid systems needed an average of 9 weeks. Refractures and reinfarction were caused by the rigidity of the external fixation system. In isolated dislocated shaft fractures in childhood the advantages of the fixateur externe are its easy application, low level of invasiveness and early mobilization. It was used in all kinds of fractures in children aged 4-13 years.

Child↗