Effect of the implementation of infection prevention measures by an infection prevention link physician in trauma/orthopaedics surgery on hygiene-relevant processes and nosocomial infections.

Background: The German Infection Protection Act and KRINKO recommend nominating one authorized medical specialist in every medical department as an infection prevention link physician (PLP). Detailed evidence on the contribution of PLPs to reducing infection rates is not available in Germany.

Aim: The "HygArzt"-study investigated whether, and to what extent, a PLP in orthopaedics/trauma surgery is able to improve hand hygiene adherence (HHA), process steps of dressing change, nosocomial infection (NI) and surgical site infection (SSI) rates by implementing an infection prevention bundle (IPB).

Survey about target temperature and thermal management in intensive care for severe thermal trauma in burn centres of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Burn trauma induces hypermetabolism and alters thermoregulation resulting in elevated body temperature. Because patients with burns are prone to heat loss and hypothermia, maintaining physiologic body temperature is important. However, optimal target temperature is widely unknown because thermoregulation of burn trauma has mainly been studied in the previous century, when treatment concepts differed from current era.

NIpple Position to Pinpoint Localization of Chest Drain Insertion in FEmale Trauma Patients: The NIPPLE-Trial-A Landmark Study.

: The insertion of chest drains (CD) in trauma patients is a lifesaving, albeit high-risk intervention. Safe insertion of CD in settings where aids like ultrasound are not available relies on a landmark technique defining the so-called triangle of safety. The inferior margin of this triangle is identified by nipple height, which is thought to correspond to the fifth intercostal space (ICS).

No clinically relevant relationship between different quantitative measurement methods of the lateral femoral condyle morphology on lateral radiographs in anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients.

Purpose: To clarify whether different methods of quantifying lateral femoral condyle (LFC) bone morphology as risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on lateral radiographs should be considered as individual risk factors and to assess inter- and intraobserver reliability.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 487 patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction at our institution. Routine lateral radiographs of the injured knees were utilized to measure the following parameters: LFC ratio (LFCR), height of LFC to anteroposterior diameter ratio (HAPR), femur tibia size ratio (FTSR), tibia to posterior femoral condyle ratio (TPFCR) and Porto ratios (XY/AB; B/AB; B/XY).

MCL augmentation using a peroneus longus split tendon autograft satisfactorily restores knee stability with no impairment in foot function and with a low failure rate for concurrent ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: Addressing grade 2 and 3 medial-sided instabilities during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is crucial to reduce the risk of ACL graft failure. This study introduced a minimally invasive, medial collateral ligament (MCL) augmentation technique using a peroneus longus split tendon autograft, which was fixed to the femoral deep MCL insertion and tibial superficial MCL insertion.

Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, single-centre case series included patients who underwent MCL augmentation concurrent with primary or revision ACL reconstruction due to anteromedial instability.

Comparison of the European Foot and Ankle Score (EFAS) and the Self-Reported Foot and Ankle Score (SEFAS) in patients with foot and ankle surgery.

Background: The European Foot and Ankle Score EFAS and the Self-reported Foot and Ankle Score SEFAS are two Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) used in foot and ankle surgery. The EFAS has been published in recent years, while the SEFAS is a validated questionnaire based on the New Zealand total ankle questionnaire.

Methods: We compared the EFAS to the SEFAS, Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) regarding reliability and validity based on the results of 126 patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery in a single center.

Treatment and clinical outcome in patients with femoral head fractures: a long-term follow-up.

Introduction: A femoral head fracture (Pipkin fracture) is a rare but severe injury. The optimal treatment is controversial, and there is a lack of research focusing on treatment strategies. The study aimed to analyze the treatment strategies in comparison to the outcome in patients after traumatic hip joint dislocation (THD) with concomitant femoral head fractures.

Is It Possible to Monitor the Safest Time to Perform Secondary Surgery on Free Flaps? A Clinical Evaluation of the Tewameter.

: Postoperative monitoring, following free flap surgery, plays a crucial role in ensuring the survival of the flap. However, in microsurgery, not only the immediate postoperative monitoring period but also the choice of the right time for secondary surgeries is crucial for the free flap survival. There is no clear consensus concerning the right choice of timing for secondary surgery.

Trauma induced coagulopathy is limited to only one out of four shock induced endotheliopathy (SHINE) phenotypes among moderate-severely injured trauma patients: an exploratory analysis.

Background: Trauma induced coagulopathy remains to be an important cause of high transfusion requirements and mortality and shock induced endotheliopathy (SHINE) has been implicated.

Methods: European multicenter observational study of adult trauma patients with injury severity score ≥ 16 arriving within 2 h from injury to the trauma centers. Admission blood samples obtained were used for analysis of the SHINE biomarkers (syndecan-1, soluble thrombomodulin, adrenaline) and extensive analysis of coagulation, -and fibrinolytic factors together with collection of clinical data.

Treatment of anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery by endoluminal vacuum therapy with the VACStent avoiding a stoma - a pilot study.

Purpose: Anastomotic leak (AL) represents the most relevant and devastating complication in colorectal surgery. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) using the VACStent is regarded as a significant improvement in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal wall defects. The innovative concept of the VACStent was transferred to the lower GI tract, gaining initial experience by investigating safety and efficacy in 12 patients undergoing colorectal resections.

Early Point-of-Care Thromboelastometry Reduces Mortality in Patients with Severe Trauma and Risk of Transfusion: An Analysis Based on the TraumaRegister DGU.

Thromboelastometry like ROTEM is a point-of-care method used to assess the coagulation status of patients in a rapid manner being particularly useful in critical care settings, such as trauma, where quick and accurate assessment of coagulation can guide timely and appropriate treatment. Currently, this method is not yet comprehensively available with sparse data on its effectiveness in resuscitation rooms. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of early thromboelastometry on the probability of mass transfusions and mortality of severely injured patients.

VacStent as an Innovative Approach in the Treatment of Anastomotic Insufficiencies and Leakages in the Gastrointestinal Tract-Review and Outlook.

Anastomotic insufficiencies are severe complications of abdominal surgery, often leading to prolonged hospitalization, serious tissue inflammation, and even sepsis, along with the need for recurrent surgery. Current non-surgical treatments such as self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) and endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) have limitations, including stent migration or perforation. This review evaluates the effectiveness of the VacStent GI (Möller Medical GmbH, Fulda, Germany), a novel medical device combining SEMS and negative-pressure wound therapy in treating gastrointestinal leaks.

Everolimus plus reduced calcineurin inhibitor prevents anti-HLA antibodies and humoral rejection in kidney transplant recipients: 12-month results from the ATHENA study.

Background: Studies prospectively monitoring donor-specific antibodies (dnDSAs) and their clinical impact are sparse. This substudy of ATHENA was initiated to evaluate the effect of everolimus (EVR) or mycophenolic acid (MPA) in combination with reduced calcineurin inhibitor (CNI, tacrolimus [TAC] or cyclosporine [CsA]) on the formation of human leukocyte antibodies (HLA), including dnDSA, and the impact on clinical outcomes in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients.

Methods: All eligible patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive either EVR + TAC, EVR + CsA or MPA + TAC, with basiliximab induction plus steroids after transplantation up to Month 12.

Implementation of health-related quality of life in the German TraumaRegister DGU® - first results of a pilot study.

Background: Approximately 30,000 people are affected by severe injuries in Germany each year. Continuous progress in prehospital and hospital care has significantly reduced the mortality of polytrauma patients. With increasing survival rates, the functional outcome, health-related quality (hrQoL) of life and ability to work are now gaining importance.