Tobias Kastenberger

The exclusive use of coagulation factor concentrates enables reversal of coagulopathy and decreases transfusion rates in patients with major blunt trauma

BACKGROUND FFP and coagulation factor concentrates are used to correct trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). However, data on coagulation profiles investigating effects of therapy are scarce. METHODS This is an analysis of 144 patients with major blunt trauma ((ISS)≥15), who were enrolled in a prospective cohort study investigating characteristics and treatment of TIC. Patients who received fibrinogen concentrate and/or prothrombin complex concentrate alone (CF Group) were compared with those additionally receiving FFP transfusions (FFP Group). RESULTS Sixty-six patients exclusively received CF, while 78 patients additionally received FFP. Overall, patients were comparable regarding age, gender and ISS (CF Group, ISS 37 (29, 50); FFP Group ISS 38 (33, 55), p=0.28). Patients treated with CF alone showed sufficient haemostasis and received significantly fewer units of red blood cells (RBC) and platelets than did those also receiving FFP [(RBC 2(0, 4) U vs. 9 (5, 12) U; platelets 0 (0, 0) U vs. 1 (0, 2) U, p<0.001)]. In addition, fewer patients in the CF Group developed multiorgan failure (MOF) (18.2% vs. 37.2%, p=0.01) or sepsis (16.9% vs. 35.9%, p=0.014) than in the FFP Group. Propensity score-matching (n=28 pairs) used to reduce the impact of treatment selection confirmed that additional FFP administration showed no benefit in restoring haemostasis, but was associated with significantly higher transfusion rates for RBC and platelets. CONCLUSION The use of CF alone effectively corrected coagulopathy in patients with severe blunt trauma and concomitantly decreased exposure to allogeneic transfusion, which may translate into improved outcome.

The impact of coagulopathy on the outcome of traumatic epidural hematoma

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of trauma-associated coagulation disorders on the neurological outcome in patients with traumatic epidural hematoma undergoing surgical or non-surgical treatment. A retrospective analysis was performed using prospectively collected data in a consecutive patient series from a level 1 trauma center.MethodsEighty-five patients with traumatic epidural hematoma were identified out of 1,633 patients admitted to our emergency room with traumatic head injuries between October 2004 and December 2008. The following prospectively assessed parameters were analyzed: Glasgow Coma Scale, coagulopathy, presence of skull fractures, additional injuries, the Injury Severity Score, hematoma volume and thickness at admission, hematoma volume progression over time and neurologic symptoms. Furthermore, patients were grouped based on whether they had undergone surgical or non-surgical treatment of the epidural hematoma. Clinical outcome was determined according to the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) at hospital discharge.ResultsPatients with coagulopathy showed significantly lower GOS values compared to patients with intact blood coagulation. Initial and progressive hematoma volumes did not influence neurological outcome. Patients with multiple injuries did not show a worse outcome compared to those with isolated epidural hematoma. There was no difference in patient’s outcome after surgical or non-surgical treatment.ConclusionsPoor outcome after traumatic epidural hematoma was associated with coagulopathy. Progression of epidural hematoma volume was not associated with coagulopathy or with poor neurological outcome. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

Pressure distribution in carpometacarpal joint, due to step-off in operatively treated Bennett's fractures

INTRODUCTION The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of residual articular incongruity after Bennetts fracture on load distribution of the joint surface. Our aim was to investigate whether a residual joint step and the altered load distribution led to negative clinical outcomes or symptomatic degenerative osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-four patients were available for long-term follow-up examination and were contacted by phone, and they returned for follow-up examination. Computed tomography (CT) scans of both carpometacarpal (CMC) joints were performed. CT scans were taken in the sagittal plane of the forearms with a slice thickness of 0.625 mm for three-dimensional reconstruction. The CMC joints were analysed due to a residual step in the joint. Only patients with a residual step-off were included in this study. To determine the areas of maximum density in the joint, CT-osteoabsorptiometry was performed. RESULTS Ten patients had the maximum loading area radial and two patients central. The second major position of mineralization was detected central in four patients, volar-ulnar in two patients, radial in one patient, dorso-radial in one patient, volar in one patient and volar-radial in two patients. CONCLUSION Finally, no higher loading in the area of the beak fragment could be found. The Wagner technique, even if it results in a persistent 1-2-mm intra-articular step-off of the beak fragment, is still the favourable method for the treatment of Bennetts luxation fractures.

Chapter 31 – Vascularized Versus Nonvascularized Bone Grafts

Scaphoid nonunions are well known to be problematic, especially in cases with humpback deformity, long-standing nonunions with cysts and bone loss and fragmented proximal pole, nonunions with several previous surgeries, and nonunions with avascular proximal pole necrosis. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the published evidence for the use of nonvascularized and vascularized bone grafts in problematic scaphoid nonunion. A systematic review was performed with the following defined search strategy on Cochrane search, Pubmed (clinical queries), and Pubmed (Medline): ([scaphoid bone, scaphoid non-union, scaphoid pseudarthrosis, bone graft]). Articles were reviewed and data compiled into tables for analysis. There is still a lack of series that are truly comparable. The main problem is that the preoperative workup varies to a great extent. Fracture characteristics are not reported consistently and are often poorly documented or not examined in the results. Especially the assessment of vascularity of the proximal pole, a supposedly relevant prognostic factor, is not standardized, making it difficult to compare similar groups and hence arrive at clear conclusions. All included studies reported higher union rates using vascularized bone grafts. Nonvascularized bone grafts are used for simple, minimally displaced nonunions as standard treatment. Vascularized bone grafts should be considered in cases of avascular necrosis, long-standing proximal pole pseudarthrosis, or failed previous surgery. In long-standing pseudarthrosis with proximal pole fragmentation and bone loss, vascularized osteochondral grafts from the medial femoral condyle are most favourable.

Time-Dependent Recovery of Outcome Parameters in Ulnar Shortening for Positive Ulnar Variance: A Prospective Case Series

Background: This study evaluates the results of ulnar shortening using the ulna osteotomy locking plate system (UOL; I.T.S. GmbH, Graz, Austria) with special regard to the time-dependent recovery of subjective and objective outcome parameters and surgeons’ experiences. Methods: Ulnar shortening using the UOL was performed on 11 patients (3 men, 8 women) with an average age of 47 ± 19.6 years. Range of motion (ROM) and grip strength were compared with the contralateral hand. Patient-rated outcomes were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) survey for subjective outcomes. Ulnar variance and bony union were assessed using conventional wrist radiographs. The surgeons evaluated intraoperative handling through a standardized feedback form. Results: ROM improved and grip strength increased significantly between preoperative values and final follow-up. Flexion and supination improved significantly between weeks 8 and 12 and grip strength from week 8 onward. Patient-rated outcomes changed significantly with a final DASH score of 14.2 ± 12.4 and a PRWE score of 24.3 ± 17.0. Pain levels improved significantly with no pain at rest and a mean VAS of 0.8 ± 1.2 during activity. The average amount of shortening was 4.0 ± 1.9 mm with a final ulnar variance of 0.2 ± 1.8 mm. All osteotomies healed with 2 cases of delayed union. Conclusions: In ulnar shortening with the UOL, wrist function recovered after an initial decrease from week 8 onward. Subjective outcome parameters showed early recovery and improved continuously over time.

Sesamoid bone transfer for metacarpophalangeal hyperextension instability of the thumb: A CT-osteoabsorptiometry study

BACKGROUND AND AIM Hyperextension instability of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the thumb may result in pain, malfunction, and accelerated osteoarthritis in the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. One method of treatment is sesamoid arthrodesis. The aim of this study is to investigate if a sesamoid transfer as a treatment of hyperextension instability of the thumb MCP joint leads to an altered distribution of the subchondral mineralisation and a negative clinical outcome. METHODS Sesamoid transfer was performed on 12 patients with hyperextension instability of the MCP joint of the thumb. The range of motion (ROM) and radiologic outcome were assessed. Pinch and power grip strength were measured and compared to the nonoperated side. To determine the areas of maximum subchondral mineralisation in the joint, computed tomography (CT)-osteoabsorptiometry was performed to determine the long-term stress distribution within the joint. RESULTS The distributions of the stress zones in the operated and nonoperated thumbs were not statistically different a median of 5 years following the sesamoid transfer procedure. There was no difference in the functional and radiological results between the operated and nonoperated thumbs. CONCLUSION If it is assumed that the nonoperated thumb represents the normal condition for each individual, then it may be deduced that the operation achieves good clinical results, and the distribution of the subchondral mineralisation does not change.

Hand surgery in Austria

In the European history of hand surgery, Austria has an outstanding position. This has been earned by internationally well-known Austrians, who were dedicated to this specialty. Early of the twentieth century Austrian surgeons recognized that a specialized hand surgery education was essential to provide optimal care for hand injuries. The professional spirit and efforts have been continued by Austrian surgeons up to today.

Characteristics and outcome of patients with hypothermic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Experience from a European trauma center

BACKGROUND Aim of the study was to investigate patient characteristics, survival rates and neurological outcome among hypothermic patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) admitted to a trauma center. METHODS A review of patients with OHCA and a core temperature ≤32°C admitted to a trauma center between 2004 and 2016. RESULTS Ninety-six patients (mean temperature 25.8°C±3.9°C) were entered in the study, 37 (39%) of them after avalanche burial. 47% showed return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) prior to hospital admission. Survival with Glasgow-Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale 1 or 2 was achieved in 25% of all patients and was higher in non-avalanche than in avalanche cases (35.6% vs 8.1%, p=0.002). Witnessed cardiac arrest was the most powerful predictor of favourable neurological outcome (RR: 10.8; 95% Confidence Interval: 3.2-37.1; Wald: 14.3; p<0.001), whereas ROSC prior to admission and body core temperature were not associated with survival with favourable neurological outcome. Cerebral CT scan pathology within 12h of admission increased the risk for unfavourable neurological outcome 11.7 fold (RR: 11.7; 95% CI: 3.1-47.5; p<0.001). Favourable neurological outcome was associated lower S 100-binding protein (0.69±0.5μg/l vs 5.8±4.9μg/l, p 0.002) and neuron-specific enolase (34.7±14.2μg/l vs 88.4±42.7μg/l, p 0.004) concentrations on intensive care unit (ICU) admission. CONCLUSIONS Survival with favourable neurological outcome was found in about a third of all hypothermic non-avalanche patients with OHCA admitted to a trauma center.