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Biomedical subjects

W Strecker

Publications and source records attributed to W Strecker.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[A complication during kyphoplasty. Cement penetration through the azygos vein into the superior vena cava].

A 59-year-old woman had a nontraumatic osteoporotic fracture of the seventh thoracic vertebral body. Despite correct operative technique, in the course of kyphoplasty cement was dislocated through the segment vein into the azygos vein and from there into the superior vena cava. The patient was free of cardiopulmonary symptoms throughout. Oral anticoagulation was administered for 3 months to prevent thromboembolism, and regular clinical and echocardiographic follow-up examinations were also performed during this period.

Bone Cements↗
PubMed2005

[Value of arthroscopy in the treatment of upper ankle arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate arthroscopy in upper ankle osteoarthritis. METHODS: In the period from 1988 to 1997, 358 arthroscopies of the upper ankle joint were performed in 178 cases due to arthritis. Of 132 accessible patients, 124 replied to our questionnaire: 90 (73%) of the responders underwent clinical examination 94 (37-152) months following the initial arthroscopy and were graded according to the score of Evanski and Waugh. All arthroscopies were performed under fluid filling using anterolateral and anteromedial approaches. In only five cases was the posterior compartment additionally investigated. Generally, neither tourniquet nor mechanical joint distraction were applied. RESULTS: Of a total of 12 (6.7%) complications, only 3 (1.7%) hematomas needed surgical revision. One hematoma was due to an arteriovenous fistula treated by double ligation. All complications including five hypesthesias were temporary and subsided spontaneously. The 124 patients of the questionnaire group assessed the result of arthroscopic surgery as excellent in 11%, good in 46%, fair in 22%, and poor in 21%. Of all patients, 22% required further surgery of the upper ankle: in 9% further arthroscopy, in 3% arthrodesis, and in 10% microsurgical denervation. The total range of motion increased from 10/0/40 degrees (extension/flexion) preoperatively to 15/0/44 degrees at the follow-up examination. The Evanski score improved significantly (p<0.001) from 41 to 76 points. CONCLUSION: Due to minimal invasiveness and low risk of complications, arthroscopy is recommended for the following indications of upper ankle osteoarthritis: focal arthrosis, limited range of motion caused by osteophytes, soft tissue impingement, corpora libera, and synovitis. Severity and extent of upper ankle arthritis, range of motion, pain, local bone and soft tissue quality as well as the age, physical activity and compliance of the patient concerned are decisive for the individual therapeutic protocol. Alternative surgical techniques in upper ankle osteoarthritis are assessed such as denervation, distraction arthroplasty, correction osteotomy, ankle arthrodesis and total ankle replacement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Hematogenous osteomyelitis in adults].

Hematogenous osteomyelitis (HOM) in adults is a very rare event in industrialised countries. However, in tropical regions the morbidity of HOM is more important, primarily due to the impact of sickle cell disease, thalassemia, HIV-infection and tuberculosis. HOM is most commonly caused by pyogenic bacteria and mycobacteria, but infections by fungi, viruses and parasites must also be considered. In spite of modern diagnostic procedures such as nuclear and magnetic resonance imaging, the histopathologic and microbiologic examination of bone remains the gold standard for diagnosing OM. Other diagnoses should also be considered. Nonbacterial osteomyelitic lesions (plasmacellular OM, sclerosing OM, SAPHO syndrome) as well as acute leukemia, malignant bone tumors (i.e., Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma) are conditions with similar presentations. Acute HOM is best managed by appropriate antibiotic therapy. In case of failure and in chronic HOM, surgical debridement is mandatory.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2004

[Pulley injuries in sport climbers].

The closed traumatic rupture of finger flexor tendon pulleys in rock-climbers represents a new complex finger trauma first observed in the mid 1980s. While initially the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches varied, nowadays a standard proceeding is being applied. After clinical suspicion and eliminating the possibility of a fracture by normal radiographs, pulley strains as well as singular or multiple pulley ruptures can be diagnosed using ultrasound. If the ultrasound fails to give a definitive diagnosis, an MRI should be performed. In the case of a singular rupture, a conservative treatment with initial immobilisation and early functional therapy is indicated. In the case of a multiple pulley rupture, a surgical reconstruction is mandatory. We favour the "loop and a half" technique of Widstrom and colleagues 1989 and, alternatively, the Weilby repair 1978. Post-operative initial immobilisation and early functional treatment under external pulley protection should be performed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Therapy of injuries of the pulley system in sport climbers].

OBJECTIVE: Closed traumatic ruptures of finger flexor tendon pulleys are frequent in rock climbing. The objectives of this study were to characterise this injury and to formulate diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. An algorithm and a grading system are analysed for validation. METHODS: 122 pulley injuries were prospectively evaluated. After standard radiographs, a dynamic ultrasound examination was performed in all climbers. In ten cases an additional MRI was necessary. All patients were classified according to the pulley injury score. Grade I-III injuries received conservative and grade IV injuries received operative therapy. 88 patients were re-evaluated, including all grade IV patients. RESULTS: 48 climbers had pulley strains, and 74 had ruptures (a single rupture in 90.5 % of the cases and multiple ruptures in 9.5 %). According to the pulley-injury-score, 39 % were grade I, 25 % were grade II, 30 % were grade III and 6 % were grade IV injuries. 115 patients underwent conservative therapy, of which 81 were re-evaluated. 8/81 complained three months after the injury about consistent pain, mostly caused by tendinitis. All grade IV injuries underwent surgical reconstruction, in two cases through Weilby's repair, in three cases through the "loop and a half" technique and in two further cases with a combination of the two. According to the Buck-Gramcko Score we had four excellent, two good and one fair result. The functional result was excellent in one, good in five and fair in one case. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm as well as the grading system proved to be highly suitable. The good results achieved with the conservative treatment in grade I - III injuries justify this approach.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of physiological standard pressures of the forearm flexor muscles during sport specific ergometry in sport climbers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic exertional compartment syndromes (CECS) are well known in sports medicine. Most commonly affected is the tibialis anterior muscle compartment in runners and walkers. Only a few cases of CECS of the forearm flexor muscles have been reported. OBJECTIVES: To determine pressure levels inside the deep flexor compartment of the forearms during a sport specific stress test. METHOD: Ten healthy, high level climbers were enrolled in a prospective study. All underwent climbing specific ergometry, using a rotating climbing wall (step test, total climbing time 9-15 minutes). Pressure was measured using a slit catheter placed in the deep flexor compartment of the forearm. Pressure, blood lactate, and heart rate were recorded every three minutes and during recovery. RESULTS: In all the subjects, physical exhaustion of the forearms defined the end point of the climbing ergometry. Blood lactate increased with physical stress, reaching a mean of 3.48 mmol/l. Compartment pressure was related to physical stress, exceeding 30 mm Hg in only three subjects. A critical pressure of more than 40 mm Hg was never observed. After the test, the pressure decreased to normal levels within three minutes in seven subjects. The three with higher pressure levels (>30 mm Hg) required a longer time to recover. CONCLUSIONS: For further clinical and therapeutic consequences, an algorithm was derived. Basic pressure below 15 mm Hg and stress pressure below 30 mm Hg as well as pressures during the 15 minute recovery period below 15 mm Hg are physiological. Pressures of 15-30 mm Hg during recovery suggest high risk of CECS, and pressures above 30 mm Hg confirm CECS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Osteotomies in malalignments of the lower extremities].

The surgical correction of malalignments of the lower extremities is a very demanding procedure. It requires extensive knowledge of: (1) fundamental lower extremity biomechanics, (2) various diagnostic modalities, and (3) methodology for multidimensional preoperative planning. Despite advanced techniques in diagnostics and surgery, the history of the patient and a physical examination are still the first steps in the diagnostic chain. The knowledge of the method-dependent normal values, their physiological range and intra-individual differences are a prerequisite. In posttraumatic deformities, the healthy leg is a good reference for the patient's geometric orientation. As a rule, values differing by three times the standard deviation or more are good indications for an operation. These are 15 and 12 mm for the upper and lower leg, 18 and 15 mm for the whole leg and only 3 degrees mm for the mechanical leg axis measured using computer tomography and long standing x-rays, respectively. The indication for surgical correction is not only based on geometric data. The patient's functional needs, symptoms, complaints and compensation possibilities must also be taken into account. The lower extremities have to be assessed in a psychosocial context. Among the huge number of possible surgical techniques, the procedure best suited for the patient has to be selected. This requires extensive knowledge and advanced technical skills from the treating orthopaedic surgeon. In supracondylar or high tibial osteotomies for the treatment of medial arthritis of the knee joint, the patient should be informed of the long term prognosis and endoprosthetic alternatives. Today, percutaneous epiphysiodesis is a very reliable and minimally invasive surgical technique for correcting the length and axis of the lower extremity in children between 10 and 14 years. With well planned epiphysiodesis procedures, it is often possible to avoid complex osteotomies in younger patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Influence of prosthesis design on intramedullary pressure formation in femur shaft implants of cemented hip endoprostheses].

The increase of intramedullary femoral pressure can lead to the intravasation of bone marrow and fat cells into the blood stream of the femoral vein and consequently into the pulmonary circulation. This effect is the same in intramedullary nailing and in the implantation of femoral stem prostheses. In a prospective study we evaluated the intraoperative, intramedullary pressure in the distal femur during the implantation of femoral stem prostheses with two different designs. In eight patients we implanted Müller straight stems and in another eight we implanted stem type Option 3000. Intramedullary pressure was recorded continuously by the implantation of a microtip pressure probe (piezoresistive principle, 50 Hz) in the distal femur. We found markedly higher pressure in Müller straight stem prostheses: range: 590-2,570 mmHg (median = 1,293, SD = 627 mmHg). Intramedullary pressure in stem prosthesis type Option 3000 was much lower: range: 59-574 mmHg (median = 289, SD = 219 mmHg). The differences were statistically significant (p = 0.0008). By changing the designs of femoral stem prostheses, the intramedullary pressure can be markedly reduced. In the case of elderly patients or those with pulmonary illness we recommend femoral stem prosthesis designs, which induce little increase in the intramedullary pressure, in order to reduce cardiopulmonary complications.

Bone Cements↗
PubMed2001

[Corrective osteotomies of the distal femur with retrograde intramedullary nail].

Deformities of the distal femur are usually corrected by supracondylar osteotomy. In the "classical" procedure the bone cut is performed with an oscillating saw, and internally fixed using a plate. This technique is hampered first by an invasive approach and second by limited corrective options in case of complex deformities. A supracondylar bone cut by focal dome osteotomy or drill osteoclasis in combination with internal fixation by retrograde intramedullary nailing (RN) might be a promising alternative procedure. 12 patients with multidimensional post-traumatic deformities of the distal femur were prospectively enrolled in a study to investigate this new minimal-invasive technique. In all patients a meticulous analysis of leg geometry was done pre- and postoperatively. Details of operative planning, osteotomy and fixation procedure are given as well as the postoperative treatment. 7 corrective osteotomies were one-step procedures, in 5 patients additional lengthening over the RN was performed using unilateral external fixation. The mean follow-up was 15 (range 7-27) months. All of the osteotomies healed in a normal expected time frame. All patients had important functional benefits. In 11 patients the goal of deformity correction was achieved. In one patient the correction in the frontal plane remained insufficient. 6 months after the completion of femoral lengthening osteomyelitis developed in one patient, probably due to a pin-track infection. The infection subsided after early removal of the RN. No further complications were observed. The presented technique is demanding concerning pre-operative planning and surgical realization but it offers a minimal-invasive and promising approach for the correction of multidimensional femoral deformities.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Fractures involving the distal femoral epiphysis. Long-term outcome after completion of growth in primary surgical management].

During a period of 12 years (1983-1994) we operated 13 patients with fractures involving the distal epiphyseal cartilage of the femur. All patients could be followed up in clinical and radiological examination following the completion of growth. By examination no patients had any complaints. The clinical examination revealed no limitation in range of motion of the hip or knee joint compared to the other side in any of the patients. 5 patients out of 13 (38%) were found to have a correct axial alignment with no axis deviation, shortening or lengthening of the leg. The other 8 patients (62%) presented the following one- or multidimensional deformities (compared to the contralateral, uninjured femur): 2 patients had varus deformities, 5 patients had valgus deformities, the axial malalignment in the frontal plane was always less than 10 degrees in all cases. 5 patients were found to have a shortened femur (between 8 and 19 mm), while an elongation of the primarily injured femur (10 and 15 mm) was established in 2 patients. On the basis of this study, we recommend that clinical and, if necessary, radiological and/or sonographic examinations are performed following the completion of growth in all patients with injuries involving the epiphyseal plate of the distal femur.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

A comparison of two techniques for digital distraction lengthening in skeletally immature patients.

Since 1987, 16 skeletally immature patients aged 2 to 16 years (mean, 7.9 years) underwent 27 digital lengthening procedures of terminal bones, 20 metacarpals and 7 phalanges, using the distraction callotasis technique. Seven digits were lengthened with 2 fixator half-pins on either side of the osteotomy site (dual half-pin group). Twenty digits, which were too small to accommodate 4 half-pins, were lengthened over a longitudinal intramedullary guidewire with 1 fixator half-pin on either side of the osteotomy site (single half-pin/K-wire group). No bone grafts were needed. The mean preoperative bone length in the dual half-pin group was 30 mm (range, 23-40 mm) and that of the single half-pin/K-wire group was 18 mm (10-30 mm). The mean total length gained was 14 mm (9-23 mm) in the dual half-pin group and 12 mm (6-19 mm) in the single half-pin/K-wire group. The mean percent lengthened was 49% (22% to 96%) in the dual half-pin group and 70% (27% to 136%) in the single half-pin/K-wire group. Eighteen complications occurred: 15 in the 20 cases using the central guidewire (75%) and 3 in the 7 cases without the central guidewire (43%). Only 7 complications required repeat surgery. We conclude that the use of the single half-pin/K-wire technique allows successful and substantial lengthening for bones shorter than 23 mm, making correction surgery possible for younger children. This technique, however, has a greater risk for complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Trauma severity-dependent changes in AT III activity.

Trauma may cause a relevant reduction in antithrombin (AT) III activity, which is associated with adverse events. The very early changes in AT III activity after accident trauma are still unclear and possible relations with Interleukin (IL)-6, which is known to interact with AT III, have not been investigated so far. Upon approval of the IRB/IEC, 30 patients were enrolled with multiple injuries (ISS 9-75). Groups were performed according to injury severity, IL-6 concentration, and survivors versus non-survivors. Blood samples were collected at the scene of accident then at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h and at day 3, 5, 10 and 15. No patient received AT III concentrates. In all groups a reduction in AT III activity occurred, which was most pronounced in very severe injuries. The activity re-increased spontaneously and steadily in all groups regardless of the IL-6 concentration. There was no clear impact of the AT III activity on survival.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Concepts of the German Society of Tropical Surgery].

The DTC promotes access to surgical care facilities of acceptable medical quality for all people in third world countries. To achieve this goal following concepts and activities are persued: Establishment of a 2-year training programme district surgery Postgraduate surgical training in Germany Workshops and annual scientific meetings Development of adapted surgical technologies Cooperation with national and international organisations Promotion of north-south partnerships between colleagues and hospitals.

Curriculum↗
PubMed2000

Is interleukin 6 an early marker of injury severity following major trauma in humans?

HYPOTHESIS: Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, is expressed by various cells after many stimuli and underlies complex regulatory control mechanisms. Following major trauma, IL-6 release correlates with injury severity, complications, and mortality. The IL-6 response to injury is supposed to be uniquely consistent and related to injury severity. Therefore, we designed a prospective study starting as early as at the scene of the unintentional injury, to determine the trauma-related release of plasma IL-6 in multiple injured patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: On approval of the local ethics committee, 94 patients were enrolled with different injuries following trauma (Injury Severity Score [ISS] median, 19; range, 3-75). The patients were rescued by a medical helicopter. Subsets were performed according to the severity of trauma--4 groups (ISS, <9, 9-17, 18-30, and >32)-and survival vs nonsurvival. The first blood sample was collected at the scene of the unintentional injury before cardiopulmonary resuscitation, when appropriate. Then, blood samples were collected in hourly to daily intervals. Interleukin 6 plasma levels were determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. The short-term phase protein, C-reactive protein, was measured to characterize the extent of trauma and to relate these results to IL-6 release. RESULTS: As early as immediately after trauma, elevated IL-6 plasma levels occurred. This phenomenon was pronounced in patients with major trauma (ISS, >32). Patients with minor injury had elevated concentrations as well but to a far lesser extent. In surviving patients, IL-6 release correlated with the ISS values best during the first 6 hours after hospital admission. All patients revealed increased C-reactive protein levels within 12 hours following trauma, reflecting the individual injury severity. This was most pronounced in patients with the most severe (ISS, >32) trauma. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study that elucidates the changes in the IL-6 concentrations following major trauma in humans as early as at the scene of the unintentional injury. The results reveal an early increase of IL-6 immediately after trauma. Moreover, patients with the most severe injuries had the highest IL-6 plasma levels. There is strong evidence that systemic IL-6 plasma concentrations correlate with ISS values at hospital admission. Therefore, IL-6 release can be used to evaluate the impact of injury early regardless of the injury pattern.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Compartment syndrome of the thigh with sciatic nerve paralysis].

UNLABELLED: Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh has been infrequently reported in the literature. Closed femoral fractures and blunt soft tissue trauma are the main causes of this injury. The multiple injured patient in this case report developed a compartment syndrome of the thigh after intramedullary nailing of a comminuted fracture of the femur. Fasciotomy was performed two days after surgery because of extense swelling of the thigh in the ventilated and sedated patient. Sciatic and femoral nerve palsy was recognized after extubation of the patient nine days after the injury. During the following weeks the paresis of the femoral nerve recovered but neither motor nor sensory function of the sciatic nerve could be demonstrated. Therefore an operative revision of the sciatic nerve was performed eighteen weeks after trauma. No direct nerve injury could be detected but there were adhesions around the nerve as a sign of compression neuropathy caused by the compartment syndrome. The tibial component of the sciatic nerve showed a complete recovery within the next months but there was a persisting peroneal nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Early clinical symptoms of a compartment syndrome like pain, paresthesia and paresis can not be ascertained in a ventilated and sedated patient. Tense swelling of the muscles is often the only detectable sign. Frequent measurements of compartment pressure should be done in these patients. We suggest early decompressive fasciotomy because the morbidity caused by fasciotomy in a borderline compartment syndrome is far outweighed by the morbidity that accompanies an undiagnosed untreated compartment syndrome with possible nerve palsy.

Adult↗