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Biomedical subjects

T Fritz

Publications and source records attributed to T Fritz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Gliding nail osteosynthesis. A new universally applicable implant for management of per- and subtrochanteric femoral fractures].

Age, high physiological load and the great number and different fracture types of the proximal femur are the main challenges for implants used in the management of these fractures. For use in these types of fracture with immediate restoration of full weight-bearing capacity and for reduction of the intra- and postoperative complication rate, the gliding nail was developed. The development is based on a large number of experimental and clinical examinations of per- and subtrochanteric fractures. The advantages of an intramedullary implant and the gliding screw systems are combined with increased moment of resistance of the double-T femor-neck blade profile. We performed a prospective clinical evaluation of the first 186 patients with per- and subtrochanteric fractures who were treated between 15 September 1994 and 29 February 1996 in the Aschaffenburg Trauma Department with a follow-up examination at least 3 months after the operation. The intraoperative complication rate was 1.1%. The postoperative complication rate was 4.9%. Change of the blade because of fracture impaction and tractus iliotibialis problems was the most frequent problem with 2.2%. The most severe complication (1.1%) were caused by subchondral placement of the blade in the cranial one-third of the femur head. In these cases reosteosynthesis was indicated. Ninety-three percent of the survivors were able to return home. The rate of bed-ridden patients (7.7% and 11.7%) was not very different before or after the operation. However, many patients do not reach the condition they had before the fracture and they are one step worse in mobility and social independence.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Pigmented villonodular synovitis. Case reports and review of the literature].

Because this disease is so rare the optimum treatment of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), in particular the diffuse form differs in the literature. The most important surgical procedures are arthroscopic and open synovectomy. The prevention of disease progression, as well as joint destruction and dysfunction, depends upon the early diagnosis of PVNS. During 1994 and 1995, we treated four cases of PVNS surgically and followed the patients for a time period of more than 12 months. Two patients were treated with complete synovectomy, one patient underwent partial synovial resection, and in the final case an arthrodesis was performed. Our results indicate that an MRI is essential for diagnosis and treatment planning. For the localized form of PVNS, it appears that a partial synovectomy is appropriate. However, in the event of diagnostic uncertainty or obvious diffuse involvement of the synovium, a total synovectomy is indicated because of the high recurrence rate. In our study, all four patients had disease involving secondary bony lesions and, in one case, joint destruction. Based on our findings, it is clear that early surgical therapy is the only recommended curative intervention. The decision regarding the surgical approach, arthroscopic versus open, depends on the form of PVNS, the extent of the disease and secondary changes of the joint.

Adult↗

Ultrasound measurements at the proximal phalanges in healthy women and patients with hip fractures.

Measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) are useful for the assessment of fracture risk in osteoporosis. First prospective studies showed that quantitative ultrasound as measured at the calcaneus also predicts future hip fracture risk, independently of BMD and as accurately as BMD. The aim of this study was to compile a reference population for a new ultrasound device that determines amplitude-dependent speed of sound (AD-SOS) through the proximal phalanges of the hand and to prove its ability to distinguish between health volunteers and osteoporotic patients. In a case-control study we examined 139 healthy women aged 21-94 years and a group of 24 female patients aged 69-94 years with recent hip fractures. In the healthy reference population additional BMD measurements were performed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasound measurements at the calcaneus were carried out. In vivo precision of AD-SOS measurements through the phalanges was 0.52% CV. Simple regression analyses showed a negative correlation with age (r = -0.73, p < 0.001); modest significant correlations with BMD of the lumbar spine (r = 0.36, p < 0.001) and BMD of the femoral neck (r = 0.37, p = 0.002) as measured with DXA were shown. The comparison with another ultrasound device measuring SOS and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) through the calcaneus showed correlation with SOS (r = 0.50, p < 0.001); no significant correlation was found with BUA measurements. Furthermore a dependency of AD-SOS values in anthropometric factors such as body mass index (r = 0.37, p < 0.001), height (r = 0.40, p < 0.001) and weight (r = 0.23, p < 0.05) was shown. First study results on 24 clinically diagnosed osteoporotic patients, defined as patients with recent (< 1 week) pertrochanteric or femoral neck fractures, showed a good separation between age- and sex-matched controls and osteoporotic patients (Z = -2.0 SD). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed an area under the fitted curve of 0.83 +/- 0.06. These results are powerful for a device measuring AD-SOS through the proximal phalanges of the hand, and further prospective studies have proven the capability of phalangeal ultrasound in fracture risk assessment.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Spirofungin, a new antifungal antibiotic from Streptomyces violaceusniger Tü 4113.

A new secondary metabolite was detected in the culture filtrate and extracts of Streptomyces violaceusniger Tü 4113 by HPLC-diode-array and HPLC-electrospray-mass-spectrometry screening. The compound named spirofungin has a polyketide-spiroketal structure and shows various antifungal activities, particularly against yeasts.

Antifungal Agents↗

[The Richard classic nail (intramedullary hip screw, IMHS) as unreamed intramedullary nail in osteosynthesis treatment of pertrochanteric fractures].

The treatment of 85 patients with pertrochanteric femoral fractures (average age 82.3 years) with the Richards classic nail allowed full weight-bearing in 94.1% and unreamed implantation in 91.8%. In the follow-up period (11.2 months post-operatively) few complications (1.2% infections, 1.2% cutting out) could be documented. The Sanders and Regazzoni score revealed that 66% of the patients reached their preoperative status again. Statistical analysis showed a negative influence of patient age and fracture type on the postoperative walking ability.

Aged↗

[Importance of blade geometry for stability of fixation with short intramedullary nailing systems for the proximal end of the femur (gliding nail)].

Three biomechanical examinations of the double-T blade of the gliding nail were performed. Under alternating load, also after 100,000 cycles and 2000 N load, no instability occurred after gliding nail osteosynthesis. The best relationship between the introduction forces of the blade (1.771-1.329 N) and the extraction forces (1.474-477 N) was seen after glass pearl treatment of the blade surface. Displacement of the plate in a sow bone femor head after 1000 cycles at 1500 N was 1.0-4.00 mm for a double-T blade, but 4.0-8.0 mm for a 10 mm screw like the gamma-nail screw.

Aged↗

[Biomechanics of combined Kirschner wire osteosynthesis in the human model of unstable dorsal, distal radius fractures (Colles type)].

In an experimental study, the biomechanical qualities of the combined Kirschner wire osteosynthesis (KWO) in the unstable Colles' fracture were analyzed. This type of pin fixation is our preferred osteosynthesis in the treatment of unstable Colles' fracture because it allows immediate functional therapy. It represents a modification of Kapandji's dynamic KWO, compensating for the insufficient volar stability by means of the conventional static KWO. Clinical experience according to the anatomical and functional results, was very encouraging suggesting that a clinical concept based on the biomechanical principles of combined KWO and its single components should be constituted. Simulation of the unstable Colles' fracture was realized by dorsal wedge osteotomy of the distal end of the radius using cadaveric material. This fracture model was subsequently pinned using the different KWO types and tested by a standardized vector energy testing device regarding its stability in the four main loading directions. The combined KWO unifies the advantage of volar stability of the conventional KWO with the high dorsal stability of dynamic KWO. The main functional principle of dynamic KWO with regard to its axial stability consists in the repositioning of the dorsal bone fragmentation zone and hence the reconstitution of cortical load transmission. Besides its good stabilization, dynamic KWO also leads to optimal alignment of the distal metaphyseal fragment. Furthermore, the experiments yielded important information about technical aspects of the surgical procedure, which helps us to avoid anatomical and functional deficiencies. Based on these experimental findings, the surgical technique of combined KWO was standardized.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

[Widening mediastinum after blunt thoracic trauma: an unexpected differential diagnosis].

We report our experience concerning a young, white, healthy woman who had a typical blunt chest injury caused by a severe car accident. We had to evaluate and differentiate the initial roentgenographic post-traumatic mediastinal enlargement in order definitely to exclude a suspected covered rupture of the thoracic aorta or the heart caused by this high-velocity deceleration trauma. The difficulties encountered are critically discussed with regard to the unexpected primary thymoma that was diagnosed postoperatively. The diagnostic algorithm in blunt chest injury is also discussed. The controversy about the classification and management options of primary thymic tumors is also presented.

Adult↗

[The prospects for Kirschner-wire osteosynthesis in the dorsally unstable distal radius fracture (Colles' type)].

The following experimental study was conducted to develop biocompatible methods of osteosynthesis in fractures of the distal radius and to evaluate their stability. A model of dorsal wedge osteotomy in the distal radial metaphysis was used to develop the surgical technique and to test the stability of the alternative methods of osteosynthesis. The concept for this model was based on commercially available materials which were either biodegradable or osteoconductive. Four different forms of biocompatible osteosynthesis were compared to combined Kirschner wire osteosynthesis (KWO), our preferred method of treatment of unstable Colles fracture. Biocompatible osteosynthesis was achieved with an invasivity and stability comparable to that of KWO. In conclusion, injection osteosynthesis exceeded the other biocompatible methods of osteosynthesis in all respects. Regarding the recent developments in injectable materials for osteosynthesis it offers the best perspective for clinical application.

Biocompatible Materials↗

[Pubic osteotomy in obturator gliding hernia].

Hernias of the obturator foramen are rare. They are described mostly in elderly female patients in poor health. Often the correct diagnosis is stumbled upon as a result of surprising intraoperative findings. Surgical therapy is indicated often by the clinical symptoms of an incarcerated hernia. Herniation of the entire urinary bladder with hemorrhagic infarction has never been described before. For an anatomical reduction of the hernia it was necessary to resect the superior pubic ramus. For plastic reconstruction a marlex mesh was used.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Ultrasound velocity of the tibia in normal German women and hip fracture patients.

One of the latest developments in quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is the measurement of the speed of sound (SOS) of cortical bone of the midtibia. To determine the diagnostic validity of this method we measured 150 healthy women aged 22-94 years. Additionally, we report on first results of patients with hip fracture. Precision in vivo of the tibial QUS expressed as the percentage coefficient of variation (CV) was 0.39% for the first day and 0.45% after repositioning the second day (mean CV = 0.42%). No significant dependency of tibial SOS was found with weight, height, and body mass index in pre- and postmenopausal women. There was a significant decline of SOS with age in postmenopausal women (SOS = 4225 - 5.3 age, r = -0.46, P < 0. 001), whereas premenopausal women showed no decline (SOS = 3906 + 1. 3 age, r = 0.13, ns) Mean SOS values of premenopausal women were significantly higher than those of postmenopausal women (3960 +/- 78.7 m/second and 3898 +/- 120 m/second, respectively, P < 0.001). Postmenopausal women on estrogen substitution had significantly higher mean tibial SOS values than age-comparable postmenopausal women without estrogen substitution (3980 +/- 99 m/second and 3869 +/- 100 m/second, respectively, P < 0.001). Significant difference between age-matched healthy women, n = 11, and hip fracture patients, n = 13, expressed as z-score of -1.4 SD was found. In conclusion, tibial QUS declines with age and detects higher values in premenopausal women and postmenopausal women on estrogen substitution and lower values in hip fracture patients. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify its role in fracture risk assessment.

Adult↗