Florian Debus

Numbers of Severely Injured Patients in Germany. A Retrospective Analysis From the DGU (German Society for Trauma Surgery) Trauma Registry.

BACKGROUND Persons who sustain severe traumatic injury, i.e., those with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 16 or above, go on to suffer major physical, emotional, and socio-economic consequences. It is important to know the incidence of severe trauma so that these patients can be cared for optimally. METHODS Data from the year 2012 on severely injured persons with an ISS of 16 or above were obtained from the trauma registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU) and analyzed. Further information was obtained from the database of the DGU trauma network. The annual incidence of severe trauma was estimated from these data in three different ways. RESULTS An extrapolation of hospital-based data to the German population yielded a figure of 16 742 severely injured persons per year. A population-based estimate from the German federal state of Bavaria yielded a figure of 16 514/year, while an area-based extrapolation using data from 17 established networks yielded a figure of 16 554/year. We added 10% to each of these figures as a correction for assumed underreporting. We conclude that the number of persons who sustained a severe traumatic injury in Germany in 2012 lay between 18 209 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17 751-18 646) and 18 416 (95% CI: 18 156-18 695). This corresponds to an incidence of 0.02% per year. CONCLUSION Data from a prospectively maintained nationwide trauma registry were used for the first time to calculate the annual incidence of severe traumatic injury in Germany: the expected number of severely injured persons per year is 18 200-18 400. Previous extrapolations yielded values in the range of 32 500-35 300. A high variability of documentation practices among supraregional trauma centers may have distorted the estimate, along with other factors. The figures were not normalized for age or sex.

Primary stability of three different iliosacral screw fixation techniques in osteoporotic cadaver specimens—a biomechanical investigation

BACKGROUND The incidence of osteoporotic and insufficiency fractures of the pelvic ring is increasing. Closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with cannulated sacroiliac screws is well-established in the operative treatment of osteoporotic posterior pelvic ring fractures. However, osteoporotic bone quality might lead to the risk of screw loosening. For this reason, cement augmentation of the iliosacral screws is more frequently performed and recommended. PURPOSE The aim of the present biomechanical study was to evaluate the primary stability of three methods of iliosacral screw fixation in human osteoporotic sacrum specimens. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This study used methodical cadaver study. METHODS A total of 15 fresh frozen human cadaveric specimens with osteoporosis were used (os sacrum). After matched pair randomization regarding bone quality (T-score), three operation technique groups were generated: screw fixation (cannulated screws) without cement augmentation (Group A); screw fixation with cement augmentation before screw placement (cannulated screws) (Group B); and screw fixation with perforated screws and cement augmentation after screw placement (Group C). In all specimens both sides of the os sacrum were used for operative treatment, resulting in a group size of 10 specimens per group. One operation technique was used on each side of the sacral bone to compare biomechanical properties in the same bone quality. Pull-out tests were performed with a rate of 6 mm/min. A load versus displacement curve was generated. RESULTS Subgroup 1 (Group A vs. Group B): Screw fixation without cement augmentation: 594.4 N±463.7 and screw fixation with cement augmentation before screw placement: 1,020.8 N±333.3; values were significantly different (p=.025). Subgroup 2 (Group A vs. Group C): Screw fixation without cement augmentation: 641.8 N±242.0 and perforated screw fixation with cement augmentation after screw placement: 1,029.6 N±326.5; values were significantly different (p=.048). Subgroup 3 (Group B vs. Group C): Screw fixation with cement augmentation before screw placement: 804.0 N±515.3 and perforated screw fixation with cement augmentation after screw placement: 889.8 N±503.3; values were not significantly different (p=.472). CONCLUSIONS Regarding iliosacral screw fixation in osteoporotic bone, the primary stability of techniques involving cement augmentation is significantly higher compared with screw fixation without cement augmentation. Perforated screws with the same primary stability as that of conventional screw fixation in combination with cement augmentation might be a promising alternative in reducing complications of cement leakage. These biomechanical results have to be transferred into clinical practice and prove their clinical value.

Implementation of a nationwide trauma network for the care of severely injured patients

BACKGROUND Regional differences in the care of severely injured patients remain problematic in industrial countries. METHODS In 2006, the German Society for Trauma Surgery initiated the foundation of regional networks between trauma centers in a TraumaNetwork (TNW). The TNW consisted of five major elements as follows: (a) a whitebook on the treatment of severely injured patients; (b) evidence-based guidelines (S3); (c) local audits; (d) contracts of interhospital cooperation among all participating hospitals; and (e) TraumaRegister documentation. TNW hospitals are classified according to local audit results as supraregional (STC), regional (RTC), or local (LTC) trauma centers by criteria concerning staff, equipment, admission capacity, and responsibility. RESULTS Five hundred four German trauma centers (TCs) were certified by the end of December 2012. By then, 37 regional TNWs, with a mean of 13.6 TCs, were established, covering approximately 80% of the country’s territory. Of the hospitals, 92 were acknowledged as STCs, 210 as RTCs, and 202 as LTCs. In 2012, 19,124 patients were documented by the certified TCs. Fifty-seven percent of the patients were treated in STCs, 34% in RTCs, and 9% in LTCs. The mean (SD) Injury Severity Score (ISS) was highest in STCs (21 [13]), compared with 18 (12) in RTCs and 16 (10) in LTCs. There were differences in expected mortality (based on Revised Injury Severity Classification) according to the differences in the severity of trauma among the different categories, but in all types, the expected mortality was significantly higher than the observed mortality (differences in STCs, 1.8%; RTCs, 1.4%; LTCs, 2.0%). CONCLUSION According to our findings, it is possible to successfully structure and standardize the care of severely injured patients in a nationwide trauma system. Better outcomes than expected were observed in all categories of TNW hospitals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level III. Therapeutic/care management study, level IV.

Factors influencing the progress of mobilization in hip fracture patients during the early postsurgical period?—A prospective observational study

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine the independent factors influencing mobilization progress after geriatric hip fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS 392 Hip fracture patients older than 60 years were included in this prospective, observational, cohort study. The progress of mobilization was measured with walking ability 4 days post-surgery, ability to climb stairs until discharge and the Tinetti test at discharge. Factors correlated with the progress of mobilization were determined using multivariate analyses. RESULTS The independent factors influencing walking ability 4 days post-surgery were the pre-fracture Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR=0.834, p=0.005), the American Society of Anesthesiologists Score (OR=0.550, p=0.013), pre-fracture Barthel Index ([BI], OR=1.019, p=0.012) and risk for depression, as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale, (OR=0.896, p=0.013). The probability of climbing stairs until discharge was influenced by the patients age (OR=0.840, p<0.001), pre-fracture BI (OR=1.047, p=0.042), cognitive impairment, as measured by the mini mental state examination (OR=1.182 p=0.008), pre surgical hemoglobin (OR=1.026, p=0.044), time until surgery (OR=0.961, p=0.023), duration of surgery (OR=0.982, p=0.014), and surgery type (prosthesis, OR=4.545, p=0.001). Similar variables influenced the Tinetti test ad discharge. CONCLUSION While pre-fracture co-morbidities and function cannot be changed, the treatment of patients with cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms should be optimized. Efforts should be undertaken to ensure early surgery for all hip fractures.

[The TraumaNetzwerk DGU project. Goals, conception, and successes achieved].

In Germany, approximately 35,000 patients with major injuries are treated per year. The treatment of patients suffering from major injuries is both a medical and a logistic challenge. Despite the high-level quality of medical care, regional differences exist due to geographical and infrastructural conditions. In addition, discrepancies in human resources and technical equipment in hospitals influence diagnostics and treatment of severely injured patients. Based on these findings trauma networks of the German Trauma Association were founded to guarantee nationwide high-quality medical care of these patients. This article provides an overview about requirements of all involved professions and establishment of trauma networks considering state-of-the-art communication technology. Moreover, characteristics of the auditing and certification process and planning of the integration of rehabilitation facilities are described.

TraumaNetzwerk DGU®: Optimizing patient flow and management

PURPOSE Caring for severely injured trauma patients is challenging for all medical professionals involved both in the preclinical and in the clinical course of treatment. While the overall quality of care in Germany is high there still are significant regional differences remaining. Reasons are geographical and infrastructural differences as well as variations in personnel and equipment of the hospitals. METHODS To improve state-wide trauma care the German Trauma Society (DGU) initiated the TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®) (TNW) project. The TNW is based on five major components: (a) Whitebook for the treatment of severely injured patients; (b) evidence-based guidelines for the medical care of severe injury; (c) local auditing of participating hospitals; (d) contract of interhospital cooperation; (d) TraumaRegister DGU(®) documentation. RESULTS By the end of 2013, 644 German Trauma Centres (TC) had successfully passed the audit. To that date 44 regional TNWs with a mean of 13.5 TCs had been established and certified. The TNWs cover approximately 90% of the countrys surface. Of those hospitals, 2.3 were acknowledged as Supraregional TC, 5.4 as Regional TC and 6.7 as Lokal TC. Moreover, cross border TNW in cooperation with hospitals in The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria have been established. Preparing for the audit 66% of the hospitals implemented organizational changes (e.g. TraumaRegister DGU(®) documentation and interdisciplinary guidelines), while 60% introduced personnel and 21% structural (e.g. X-ray in the ER) changes. CONCLUSIONS The TraumaNetzwerk DGU(®) project combines the control of common defined standards of care for all participating hospitals (top down) and the possibility of integrating regional cooperation by forming a regional TNW (bottom up). Based on the joint approach of healthcare professionals, it is possible to structure and influence the care of severely injured patients within a nationwide trauma system.

Rehabilitation von Schwerverletzten in Deutschland

BACKGROUND In recent years, there has been an ongoing improvement in the treatment and structural aspects of acute trauma care. Because of the definition of rehabilitation as a post-acute part of the treatment of traumatic injuries, especially in multiple injured patients, there is need to improve the interaction and cooperation between acute care hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. This article gives a survey of the current state of rehabilitation in Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on a directory of rehabilitation clinics and an internet search, all rehabilitation clinics were identified and included in the analysis for clinic location, structural and equipment attributes. RESULTS In total 551 rehabilitation clinics with expertise in the treatment of traumatic and orthopedic injuries were identified. In detail, broad differences between the federal states could be observed. The number of rehabilitation clinics per state ranged from 1 to 136 and the number of beds from 70 to 18040. The average catchment area covered by a rehabilitation clinic is 648 km(2) (range 149-2106 km(2)) with an average of 1584 patients per clinic per year. Of the clinics 68% can treat patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and 62.1% are able to deal with patients who need renal dialyses. Almost all clinics provide an x-ray facility (96.4%) while computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are available in 52.6% and 50.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION The number of rehabilitation clinics available seems to be adequate for all patients with traumatic injuries but there are enormous differences between the federal states. Because rehabilitation is important for the outcome of multiple injured patients, a further improvement of the quality and integration into the regional trauma network seem to be necessary.

Das Polytrauma von Kindern und Jugendlichen

BACKGROUND The number of (seriously) injured children increased again for the first time in 2011. The aim of this study was to analyse differences compared to multiple injured adults and to show the reality of daily treatment. METHODS All cases of the DGU Trauma Registry from the years 1997 to 2010 were examined. The documented cases were divided into different the age groups. The study investigated, e.g. the mechanism of accident, injury pattern, the number of hospital and ICU days, and lethality. RESULTS At 38.8% the largest percentage of severely injured children and adolescents belongs to the group of 16-17 year olds. The group of 0-5 year olds (15.9%) has the lowest percentage. The most common accident cause was traffic accidents (58.5%). The mechanism of accident and the injury patterns changes with age. Younger patients are often treated in supraregional trauma centers (0-5 year olds: 78.2% vs. 16-17 year olds: 73.1% vs. > 65 years: 63.2%). The average lethality rate was 14.8% (16.3% RISC). CONCLUSIONS The percentage of severely injured children in the overall population is only 7.4%. Because the majority of patients are primarily treated in supraregional trauma centers, trauma centers with specialisation in paediatric traumatology are mandatory.

Multiple Trauma and Emergency Room Management

BACKGROUND The care of severely injured patients remains a challenge. Their initial treatment in the emergency room is the essential link between first aid in the field and definitive in-hospital treatment. METHODS We present important elements of the initial in-hospital care of severely injured patients on the basis of pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed and the current German S3 guideline on the care of severely and multiply traumatized patients, which was last updated in 2016. RESULTS The goal of initial emergency room care is the rapid recognition and prompt treatment of acutely life-threatening injuries in the order of their priority. The initial assessment includes physical examination and ultrasonography according to the FAST concept (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) for the recognition of intraperitoneal hemorrhage. Patients with penetrating chest injuries, massive hematothorax, and/or severe injuries of the heart and lungs undergo emergency thoracotomy; those with signs of hollow viscus perforation undergo emergency laparotomy. If the patient is hemo - dynamically stable, the most important diagnostic procedure that must be performed is computerized tomography with contrast medium. Therapeutic decision-making takes the patients physiological parameters into account, along with the overall severity of trauma and the complexity of the individual injuries. Depending on the severity of trauma, the immediate goal can be either the prompt restoration of organ structure and function or so-called damage control surgery. The latter focuses, in the acute phase, on hemostasis and on the avoidance of secondary damage such as intra-abdominal contamination or compartment syndrome. It also involves the temporary treatment of fractures with external fixation and the planning of definitive care once the patients organ functions have been securely stabilized. CONCLUSION The care of the severely injured patient should be performed in structured fashion according to the A-B-C-D-E scheme, which involves the securing of the airway, breathing, and circulation, the recognition of neurologic deficits, and whole-body examination by the interdisciplinary team.

The osseous morphology of nondegenerated shoulders shows no side-related differences in elderly patients: an analysis of 102 computed tomography scans.

BACKGROUND A precise understanding of glenohumeral anatomy is required to optimize preoperative planning in shoulder joint arthroplasty, which is difficult in the presence of degenerative disease. In unilateral disease, the contralateral shoulder can be used as a representation of normal anatomy; however, intrasubject differences in shoulder morphology have not been investigated. METHODS A retrospective study of all patients aged >65 years who received whole body computed tomography at our trauma center from 2010 through 2014 was conducted. Right and left shoulder computed tomography scans were examined, and the following anatomic parameters were measured: humeral head diameter in anteroposterior and axial views, glenoid diameter in anteroposterior and axial views, glenoid surface, scapula neck depth, neck-shaft angle, glenoid inclination, glenoid/head ratio, and glenoid version. Patients with inadequate scan quality, osseous lesions, pre-existing anatomic abnormality, or metallic implant at the shoulder region and significant osteoarthritis were excluded. RESULTS The study analyzed 102 shoulders of 51 patients. Mean age was 71.4 ± 8.2 years. Humeral head and glenoid diameters, scapula neck depth (right, 36 ± 8 mm; left, 36 ± 7 mm; P = .684), glenoid/head ratio (right, 0.6 ± 0.1; left, 0.6 ± 0.0; P = .961), and glenoid surface (right, 790 ± 152 mm(2); left, 754 ± 134 mm(2); P = .215) showed no significant side-related differences. In addition, no significant difference was found regarding the neck-shaft angle (P = .211) and glenoid anteversion or retroversion (right, 65% [n = 33] anteversion and 35% [n = 18] retroversion; left, 69% [n = 35] anteversion and 31% [n = 16] retroversion; P = .417). CONCLUSION There are no significant side-dependent differences in the osseous anatomy of the glenohumeral joint. In patients with unilateral shoulder degeneration, the contralateral shoulder can provide reference values during the planning of shoulder replacement surgery.