Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H Tscherne.
The paper defines indications for amputation, reconstruction and replantation of severely injured extremities of multiple traumatised patients using the trauma score PTS (Hannover Polytrauma Score) and the fracture grading for open and closed fractures.
A standardized management of sonography in blunt abdominal trauma has replaced peritoneal lavage in our department. The sonographic evaluation is performed simultaneously with additional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the emergency room. The primary goal is the exclusion of intraabdominal bleeding. The management and the results of the diagnostic procedure are presented with reference to a consecutive series of 314 patients with blunt abdominal trauma or polytrauma. In 71 patients, laparotomy was performed because the sonographic findings were felt to indicate it. Only in two cases was the sonographic assessment incorrect (false-positive). Frequent sonographic and clinical controls are required especially when sonography cannot totally exclude intraabdominal bleeding during the initial assessment. If any discrepancies between negative or uncertain sonographic and suspect clinical findings remain, further high-tech diagnostic methods or exploratory laparotomy become necessary.
Our experience with open reduction of calcaneus fractures and internal stabilization without joint transfixation (n = 83) has shown us that the following features are mandatory in order to obtain normal postoperative foot statics and dynamics, normal joint mobility, and normal foot function: (1) restoration of the normal height, length and width of the calcaneus; (2) reduction of all joint surfaces and (3) stable screw- or H-plate osteosynthesis, allowing functional treatment later. Our own fracture classification (X-fragment/Y-joint fracture) allowed us to determine the type of fracture, its severity, and the prognosis, as well as the choice of operative treatment. A detailed +/- 200-point follow-up scoring system assured operative quality control and comparability of results. The complications were: 9 cases of superficial wound-edge necrosis (8%), 2 hematomas requiring revision, and 1 deep bone infection (1.2%). During our first operative period (1983-1985, mostly unilateral medial approach and trans-articular K-wire fixation), we had only 50% good-to-excellent results. During the second period (1986-1988, bilateral, extended lateral approach and stable screw/H-plate osteosynthesis), 76.5% (29 of 51 patients) had good-to-excellent results. Our experience thus indicates that our operative treatment principles can be recommended for patients who are either professionally active or active in sports.
The influence of trauma and hemorrhagic shock on the non-specific immune system has been pointed out in various experimental studies. Other investigations have also been able to find a relationship between these changes and a higher incidence of post-traumatic complications in the form of organ failure. Our aim was to demonstrate the potential changes in the cellular defense system in a clinical study on multiple trauma patients. The polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) are the main representative of the mobile, non-specific immune system. Our study revealed a significant deterioration of PMNL function after trauma. The metabolic activity and phagocytic function were mainly affected by a decrease in the concentration of so-called "opsonins." The opsonins are important for the identification and engulfment of debris (necrosis, fat emboli and thrombi) and bacterial substances (endotoxin). Next to the opsonin level, a change in the receptor configuration is important for phagocytosis. However, we could not find any substantial evidence of surface receptor alteration. The reticuloendothelial cells (RES), a stationary phagocytic system, also showed a significant reduction in clearance function in these polytraumatized patients. Similar to PMNL, these disturbances were based on the reduction of the opsonine concentration. We were able to demonstrate a significant disturbance in immune function in multiple trauma patients with post-traumatic complications compared to patients with a normal clinical course after injury. Disturbances in the PMNL function (seen after 4 days) were found to appear after the RES disturbances. Systemic interaction between these two phagocytic systems cannot be excluded and further investigation is therefore required.
The authors' ideas on the management of acute and chronic cervical spine injuries are presented. Unstable fractures and dislocations of the lower cervical spine should be reduced as soon as possible. Most frequently, the authors use the anterior approach and the Smith-Robinson technique with the addition of a H-shaped plate. Posterior fusion is mainly indicated for the release of irreducibly locked facets. Unstable odontoid fractures, especially those in group II according to Anderson and d'Alonzo, are stabilized by internal fixation with a screw. Between 1971 and 1987, 263 patients with lesions of the cervical spine were treated operatively: of these, 169 had acute and 32 chronic injuries; 47 patients had primary tumors or metastases; 15 suffered from arthritis, spondylodiscitis or congenital deformity. The findings in 92 patients (group I) with acute and 24 (group II) with chronic injuries at follow-up are reported. Among the 53 patients in group I with neurologic failure, an improvement was noted in 45 (85%); in 30 cases there was complete restoration of function and 72% of the injured patients became symptom-free. In 71% of those with acute and 58% of those with chronic injuries normal mobility was observed. Regardless of neurologic failure, 89% of patients in group I were able to work after 5 months. The rate of pseudarthrosis was 2%. The risks involved in anterior interbody fusion in the cervical spine are small when a careful and standardized operation technique is used. This allows early functional treatment and shortens the rehabilitation time.
From 1982 to 1986, a total of 202 lower leg fractures (70 closed, 132 open fractures) were treated with a monoexternal fixation device, and 148 cases were included in the follow-up study. The mean healing time was 15.4 weeks for closed fractures and 18.4 weeks for open fractures. Infection was occurred in 3.4% of the patients followed up (5.1% open fractures, as 0% closed fractures), aseptic delayed in 8.8%, and pin tract infection in 2.5%. The group of patients with open fractures treated with additional lag screws (n = 74) showed a higher rate of refractures (10.9% vs 4.5%) and bone grafting (65.5% vs 29.5%) than the control group without lag screws (n = 58). The healing times (15.8% vs 15.5 weeks) and rates of non-union (10.9% vs 11.4%) were similar in both groups. Among 14 cases of secondary intramedullary nailing, osteitis occurred in 2. In the dynamized group (n = 53) healing time was reduced to 16.0 weeks, as against 18.0 weeks in the n-dynamized group (n = 95).
Fourteen autogenous vascularized fibular bone grafts have been performed. The indications for surgery were segmental bone defects 17 cm in length on average, seven times because of radical tumor resection (three malignant, two locally aggressive tumors) and seven times because of primary or secondary bone loss in trauma patients. Two free vascularized fibular grafts were done in the upper extremity, four in the femur and eight in the tibia. The results with a follow-up from one half to seven years show that all extremities could be saved with no recurrence of tumor or infection. All vascularized fibular grafts healed with a good functional result. With stable osteosynthesis (AO-plates and external fixateur) partial weightbearing was possible after three weeks, full weightbearing after 8 to 12 months. For the femur a plate or interlocking nail should be used and for the tibia an external fixateur. Additional cancellous bone grafting should be done in two stages.
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Multiple trauma is often associated with blunt thoracic injuries. Especially lung contusion can result in respiratory insufficiency and therefore a higher mortality rate. In our prospective study comparing 8 multiple trauma patients with and without associated lung contusion, we found that respiratory function was already significantly disturbed (decrease of paO2/FiO2 and increase of AaDO2, a rise in extravascular lung water (EVLW) both early after trauma and also with a second peak following the 4th day. This group (LK) developed significantly more cases of respiratory distress (ARDS). The disturbance of respiratory function seen initially was interpreted as a consequence of the direct mechanical impact, leading to the formation of interstitial fluid and hematoma. The frequent development of ARDS in the LK-group probably results from a pronounced activation of cellular and humoral mechanisms and therefore an enforced injury of the pulmonary capillary bed. A significant increase of pulmonary infections or the development of sepsis was not seen in the LK-group and is probably not responsible for the higher ARDS-rate in this group.
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Scapulothoracic dissociation is a rare entity that consists of disruption of the scapulothoracic articulation. The mechanism of injury is probably traction caused by a blunt force to the shoulder girdle. This lesion is characterized by massive soft-tissue swelling of the shoulder; lateral displacement of the scapula, measured radiographically; an injury to bone (an acromioclavicular separation, a displaced fracture of the clavicle, or a sternoclavicular disruption); a severe neurovascular injury; and a variety of upper and lower-extremity fractures. We treated fifteen patients who had this lesion, most of whom had several associated injuries. Three patients died: two from exsanguination and one from a cardiac arrest. In most patients, the damaged artery was repaired and the brachial plexus was explored. All of the twelve patients who had a complete brachial-plexus injury were left with a flail upper extremity. Most patients refused amputation.
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Progress in the therapeutic management of multiple trauma patients has led to a decline in mortality (now 20%). The main cause for death is still the multiple organ failure (MOF), which is initiated in an early phase after trauma by shock and tissue damage, and manifests in a late phase during posttraumatic sepsis. Humoral and cellular changes accelerate the capillary damage, which provokes the failure of the organ systems. For this reason all therapeutic efforts should aim to minimize these influences. Next to infusion and ventilation therapy, early definite reduction of bleeding and tissue damage (debridement) and early osteosynthesis in multiple trauma patients seems reasonable.
A therapeutic concept for the treatment of acute thoracolumbar spinal injury includes an early closed reduction as the first step. In cases with a surgical indication in the lower thoracic area as well as in the lumbar spine, the posterior approach is preferred. Following decompression of the spinal cord, a transpedicular lifting of the upper endplate is done and the fractured vertebra is filled with corticocancellous bone chips. Stabilization is achieved with an internal fixator usually over two motion segments only. Subsequently, autologous corticocancellous bone is added between lamina and between the transverse processes. In the thoracic spine proper, the anterior approach is more advantageous. Following spondylectomy (removal of the vertebral body whole or in part), an intercorporal spine arthrodesis is performed utilizing a solid bone graft and plates. Seventy-six patients with 78 fractures and subluxations of the thoracolumbar spine were reexamined for an average of 3 years and 4 months after their operation. Of the patients with an incomplete cord injury (Frankel B-D) 60% improved at least one Frankel grade and an additional nine patients improved within their group. Clinical deterioration did not occur. Irrespective of the localization, the radiologically determined loss of correction following an anterior approach was an average of 7 degrees whereas the settling after posterior approach averaged 9 degrees. The sagittal index of the affected vertebra improved from 0.59 preoperatively to 0.80 postoperatively. All spinal arthrodeses healed with osseous reorganization. Twelve postoperative computer tomographies were analyzed (11 after a posterior decompression), and showed a decrease of the spinal canal compromise from 65% preoperatively to 11% following surgery.
Treatment for severe multiple injuries has quite often been impeded by erroneous diagnostic assessment by inadequately experienced physicians in hectic situations. A trauma algorithm flow chart has been devised for due consideration of all important steps in decision-finding. The therapeutic process has thus been improved, as demonstrated by a prospective study.
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