Various rescue techniques are used for the prehospital transport of trauma patients. This study compares different techniques in terms of immobilization of the cervical spine and the rescue time. A ...wireless motion capture system (Xsens Technologies, Enschede, The Netherlands) was used to record motion in three-dimensional space and the rescue time in a standardized environment. Immobilization was performed by applying different techniques through different teams of trained paramedics and physicians. All tests were performed on the set course, starting with the test person lying on the floor and ending with the test person lying on an ambulance cot ready to be loaded into an ambulance. Six different settings for rescue techniques were examined: rescue sheet with/without rigid cervical collar (P1S1, P1S0), vacuum mattress and scoop stretcher with/without rigid cervical collar (P2S1, P2S0), and long spinal board with/without rigid cervical collar (P3S1, P3S0). Four time intervals were defined: the time interval in which the rigid cervical collar is applied (T0), the time interval in which the test person is positioned on rescue sheet, vacuum mattress and scoop stretcher, or long spinal board (T1), the time interval in which the test person is carried to the ambulance cot (T2), and the time interval in which the ambulance cot is rolled to the ambulance (T3). An ANOVA was performed to compare the different techniques. During the simulated extrication procedures, a rigid cervical collar provided biomechanical stability at all angles with hardly any loss of time (mean angle ranges during T1: axial rotation P1S0 vs P1S1 p<0.0001, P2S0 vs P2S1 p<0.0001, P3S0 vs P3S1 p<0.0001; lateral bending P1S0 vs P1S1 p = 0.0263, P2S0 vs P2S1 p<0.0001, P3S0 vs P3S1 p<0.0001; flexion/extension P1S0 vs P1S1 p = 0.0023, P2S0 vs P2S1 p<0.0001). Of the three techniques examined, the scoop stretcher and vacuum mattress were best for reducing lateral bending in the frontal plane (mean angle ranges during T1: P2S1 vs P3S1 p = 0.0333; P2S0 vs P3S0 p = 0.0123) as well as flexion and extension in the sagittal plane (mean angle ranges during T2: P1S1 vs P2S1 p<0.0001; P1S0 vs P2S0 p<0.0001). On the other hand, the rescue sheet was clearly superior in terms of time (total duration P1S0 vs P2S0 p<0.001, P1S1 vs P2S1 p<0.001, P1S0 vs P3S0 p<0.001, P1S1 vs P3S1 p<0.001) but was always associated with significantly larger angular ranges of the cervical spine during the procedure. Therefore, the choice of technique depends on various factors such as the rescue time, the available personnel, as well as the severity of the suspected instability.
Hair is a defining feature of mammals and has critical functions, including protection, production of sebum, apocrine sweat and pheromones, social and sexual interactions, thermoregulation, and ...provision of stem cells for skin homeostasis, regeneration, and repair. The hair follicle (HF) is considered a "mini-organ," consisting of intricate and well-organized structures which originate from HF stem and progenitor cells. Dermal papilla cells are the main components of the mesenchymal compartments in the hair bulb and are instrumental in generating signals to regulate the behavior of neighboring epithelial cells during the hair cycle. Mesenchymal-epithelial interactions within the dermal papilla niche drive HF embryonic development as well as the postnatal hair growth and regeneration cycle. This review summarizes the current understanding of HF development, repair, and regeneration, with special focus on cell signaling pathways governing these processes. In particular, we discuss emerging paradigms of molecular signaling governing the dermal papilla-epithelial cellular interactions during hair growth and maintenance and the recent progress made towards tissue engineering of human hair follicles.
Wnt signaling plays a central regulatory role across a remarkably diverse range of functions during embryonic development, including those involved in the formation of bone and cartilage. Wnt ...signaling continues to play a critical role in adult osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Disruptions in this highly-conserved and complex system leads to various pathological conditions, including impaired bone healing, autoimmune diseases and malignant degeneration. For reconstructive surgeons, critically sized skeletal defects represent a major challenge. These are frequently associated with significant morbidity in both the recipient and donor sites. The Wnt pathway is an attractive therapeutic target with the potential to directly modulate stem cells responsible for skeletal tissue regeneration and promote bone growth, suggesting that Wnt factors could be used to promote bone healing after trauma. This review summarizes our current understanding of the essential role of the Wnt pathway in bone regeneration and repair.
Over time, we have come to recognize a very complex network of physiological changes enabling wound healing. An immunological process enables the body to distinguish damaged cells and begin a ...cleaning mechanism by separating damaged proteins and cells with matrix metalloproteinases, a complement reaction, and free radicals. A wide variety of cell functions help to rebuild new tissue, dependent on energy provision and oxygen supply. Like in an optimized “bio-reactor,” disturbance can lead to prolonged healing. One of the earliest investigated local factors is the pH of wounds, studied in close relation to the local perfusion, oxygen tension, and lactate concentration. Granulation tissue with the wrong pH can hinder fibroblast and keratinocyte division and proliferation, as well as skin graft takes. Methods for influencing the pH have been tested, such as occlusion and acidification by the topical application of acidic media. In most trials, this has not changed the wound’s pH to an acidic one, but it has reduced the strong alkalinity of deeper or chronic wounds. Energy provision is essential for all repair processes. New insights into the metabolism of cells have changed the definition of lactate from a waste product to an indispensable energy provider in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Neovascularization depends on oxygen provision and lactate, signaling hypoxic conditions even under normoxic conditions. An appropriate pH is necessary for successful skin grafting; hypoxia can change the pH of wounds. This review describes the close interconnections between the local lactate levels, metabolism, healing mechanisms, and pH. Furthermore, it analyzes and evaluates the different possible ways to support metabolism, such as lactate enhancement and pH adjustment. The aim of wound treatment must be the optimization of all these components. Therefore, the role of lactate and its influence on wound healing in acute and chronic wounds will be assessed.
Implant-associated infections depict a major challenge in orthopedics and trauma surgery putting a high burden on the patients and health care systems, strongly requiring improvement of infection ...prevention and of clinical outcomes. One strategy includes the usage of antimicrobial-coated implants. We evaluated outcomes after surgical treatment using a gentamicin-coated nail on (i) treatment success in terms of bone consolidation, (ii) absence of infection, and (iii) patient-reported quality of life in a patient cohort with high risk of infection/reinfection and treatment failure.
Thirteen patients with open tibia fractures (n = 4), non-unions (n = 2), and fracture-related infection (n = 7) treated with a gentamicin-coated intramedullary nail (ETN Protect
) were retrospectively reviewed. Quality of life was evaluated with the EQ-5D, SF-36, and with an ICD-10-based symptom rating (ISR).
At a mean follow-up of 2.8 years, 11 of the 13 patients (84.6%) achieved bone consolidation without any additional surgical intervention, whereas two patients required a revision surgery due to infection and removal of the implant. No specific implant-related side effects were noted. Quality of life scores were significantly lower compared to a German age-matched reference population. The mean ISR scores revealed mild psychological symptom burden on the scale depression.
The use of a gentamicin-coated intramedullary nail seems to be reasonable in open fractures and revision surgery for aseptic non-union or established fracture-related infection to avoid infection complications and to achieve bony union. Despite successful treatment of challenging cases with the gentamicin-treated implant, significantly reduced quality of life after treatment underlines the need of further efforts to improve surgical treatment strategies and psychological support.
Introduction Heading is an integral part of football and frequent media reports and previous studies about potential danger of heading and head trauma in football fuelled discussions. Epidemiological ...data and video analyses regarding headings situation and associated head injuries are still missing in male adult professional football. Methods In a prospective cohort study in the male fourth German football league, 100 official matches of the 2015-2016 season were assessed by video analysis and a standardized protocol. Heading situations and concomitant circumstances as well as incidents with a propensity of injury (critical incidents) were analyzed. Critical incidents (CI) and seasonal reported head injuries were cross-referenced. Results Overall, 11,514 headings were analysed in detail. Video analysis yielded a mean of 5.7 headings per player and match (SD: 1.2; range 0-15). Heading was predominantly performed with the frontal part of the head (76.8%), and nearly two thirds of all headings occurred during defending (65.8%). 71.0% of all headings occured during tacklings, of which 71.9% involved body contact with the opponent player. Video analysis yielded 31 CI on the head due to heading (incidence: 1.02 per 1000 h match exposure and player). 29 CI occurred during heading duels (odds ratio: 5.91), 30 CI with body contact (odds ratio: 28.8) and 6 CI with elbow contact (odds ratio: 6.13). Conclusion Heading frequency in male semi-professional football could be determined with a rate of 5.7 headings per match and field player. Cross referencing CI and seasonal reported head injuries revealed a very low number of reported head injuries. Keywords: Heading, Football, Sports medicine, Concussion, Video analysis
Patellar dislocation and rupture of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) are frequently seen in daily orthopedic practice. Besides initial non-surgical treatment, surgery and subsequent ...rehabilitation are crucial for restoring stability in the femoropatellar joint. This study investigated current rehabilitation strategies after patellar dislocation because knowledge on this topic has been severely limited so far.
The current rehabilitation protocols of 42 orthopedic and trauma surgical institutions were analyzed regarding their recommendations on weight bearing, range of motion (ROM), and use of movement devices and orthosis. All protocols for conservative treatment and postoperative rehabilitation after MPFL reconstruction were compared. Descriptive and statistical analyses were carried out when appropriate.
The different rehabilitation strategies for conservative and surgical treatment after patellar dislocation showed a tendency towards earlier functional rehabilitation after surgical MPFL reconstruction than after conservative treatment. Both surgical and conservative treatment involved initial restrictions in weight bearing, ROM, and use of movement devices and orthosis at the beginning of rehabilitation. The rehab protocols showed a significant earlier full weight bearing after surgical MPFL reconstruction (p > 0.001). Due to the presence of other parameters for early functional treatment, the absence of an indication for using orthosis (surgical: 44%, conservative: 33%; p = 0.515) or start of unlimited ROM of the knee (surgical: 4.9 weeks, conservative: 5.7 weeks; p = 0.076) showed by trend an earlier functional strategy after MPFL reconstruction than after conservative therapy.
Both conservative and surgical treatment after patellar dislocation showed restrictions in the early phase of the rehabilitation. Earlier functional therapy was more common after MPFL reconstruction than after conservative treatment. Further clinical and biomechanical studies on rehabilitation strategies after patellar dislocation are needed to improve patient care und individualized therapy.
Background and Objectives: The standard diagnostic procedure for a patient with a suspected polytrauma injury is computed tomography (CT). In individual cases, however, extended acute imaging using ...magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide valuable and therapy-relevant information. The aim of our cohort study was to find such cases and to describe their characteristics in order to be able to give possible recommendations for MRI application in acute trauma situations. Materials and Methods: In the study period from 2015–2019, an evaluation of the imaging performed on polytrauma patients was carried out. The specific diagnostic and therapeutic criteria of the MRI group were further defined. Results: In total, 580 patients with an ISS ≥16 (injury severity score) were included in the study. Of these 580 patients, 568 patients received a CT scan and 12 patients an MRI scan as part of the initial diagnostic. Altogether, 66.67% of the MRIs took place outside of regular service hours. The main findings for MRI indications were neurological abnormalities with a focus on myelon injuries. Further MRI examinations were performed to rule out vascular injuries. All in all, 58.3% of the MRIs performed resulted in modified therapeutic strategies afterward. Conclusions: MRI in the context of acute diagnostic of a severely injured patient will likely remain reserved for special indications in the future. However, maximum care hospitals with a high flow of severely injured patients should provide 24/7 MR imaging to ensure the best possible care, especially in neurological and blunt vascular injuries.
Successful research and development cooperation between a textile research institute, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research via the Center for Biomaterials and Organ Substitutes, the ...University of Tübingen, and the Burn Center of Marienhospital, Stuttgart, Germany, led to the development of a fully synthetic resorbable temporary epidermal skin substitute for the treatment of burns, burn-like syndromes, donor areas, and chronic wounds. This article describes the demands of the product and the steps that were taken to meet these requirements. The material choice was based on the degradation and full resorption of polylactides to lactic acid and its salts. The structure and morphology of the physical, biological, and degradation properties were selected to increase the angiogenetic abilities, fibroblasts, and extracellular matrix generation. Water vapor permeability and plasticity were adapted for clinical use. The available scientific literature was screened for the use of this product. A clinical application demonstrated pain relief paired with a reduced workload, fast wound healing with a low infection rate, and good cosmetic results. A better understanding of the product's degradation process explained the reduction in systemic oxidative stress shown in clinical investigations compared to other dressings, positively affecting wound healing time and reducing the total area requiring skin grafts. Today, the product is in clinical use in 37 countries. This article describes its development, the indications for product growth over time, and the scientific foundation of treatments.
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