Wolf Strecker

LENGTH AND TORSION OF THE LOWER LIMB

Corrective osteotomies are often planned and performed on the basis of normal anatomical proportions. We have evaluated the length and torsion of the segments of the lower limb in normal individuals, to analyse the differences between left and right sides, and to provide tolerance figures for both length and torsion. We used CT on 355 adult patients and measured length and torsion by the Ulm method. We excluded all patients with evidence of trauma, infection, tumour or any congenital disorder. The mean length of 511 femora was 46.3 +/- 6.4 cm (+/-2SD) and of 513 tibiae 36.9 +/- 5.6 cm; the mean total length of 378 lower limbs was 83.2 +/- 11.4 cm with a tibiofemoral ratio of 1 to 1.26 +/- 0.1. The 99th percentile level for length difference in 178 paired femora was 1.2 cm, in 171 paired tibiae 1.0 cm and in 60 paired lower limbs 1.4 cm. In 505 femora the mean internal torsion was 24.1 +/- 17.4 degrees, and in 504 tibiae the mean external torsion was 34.9 +/- 15.9 degrees. For 352 lower limbs the mean external torsion was 9.8 +/- 11.4 degrees. The mean torsion angle of right and left femora in individuals did not differ significantly, but mean tibial torsion showed a significant difference between right (36.46 degrees of external torsion) and left sides (33.07 degrees of external torsion). For the whole legs torsion on the left was 7.5 +/- 18.2 degrees and 11.8 +/- 18.8 degrees, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a trend to greater internal torsion in femora in association with an increased external torsion in tibiae, but we found no correlation. The 99th percentile value for the difference in 172 paired femora was 13 degrees; in 176 pairs of tibiae it was 14.3 degrees and for 60 paired lower limbs 15.6 degrees. These results will help to plan corrective osteotomies in the lower limbs, and we have re-evaluated the mathematical limits of differences in length and torsion.

Early biochemical characterization of soft-tissue trauma and fracture trauma.

OBJECTIVE The long-term outcome of trauma patients basically depends on the relation between the clearance capacity of the organism, e.g., the lungs, and the antigenic (inflammatory) load in relation to the amount of damaged and perfused tissue. It is necessary to determine quality and quantity of fracture and soft-tissue damage by clinical means as early as possible. It is unknown whether biochemical markers and the impact of soft-tissue trauma correlate and whether there is a predictive value on clinical outcome. METHODS A total of 107 trauma patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected immediately at the site of accident, at hospital admission, and every 2 hours for an interval of 24 hours, then daily. In addition to the biochemical analysis of 20 different substances, the following data were collected and correlated to the laboratory results: Injury Severity Score, polytrauma score of Hannover, modified fracture index, and soft-tissue index. These primary clinical findings as well as the laboratory data were correlated to criteria of clinical outcome such as length of stay in the intensive care unit, length of hospital stay, infections, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, multiple organ failure score according to Goris, and finally to primary (< 72 hours), secondary (> 72 hours), and overall lethality. The determination of individual extent and severity of soft-tissue trauma is based on standard partial body volumes derived from healthy volunteers. In addition, clinical estimation of the degree of soft-tissue damage according to the usual classifications was performed. RESULTS Significant (p > 0.05) correlations were found between fracture as well as soft-tissue trauma and intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, infections, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, multiple organ failure score, serum concentrations/activities of serum interleukin-6 and -8 and creatine kinase during the first 24 hours after trauma. Severe soft-tissue trauma was related to secondary lethality, however, without statistical significance. CONCLUSION The amount of fracture and soft-tissue damage can be estimated early by analysis of serum interleukin-6 and creatine kinase and is of great importance with regard to long-term outcome after trauma.

The Pattern of Preformed Cytokines in Tissues Frequently Affected by Blunt Trauma

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the local concentrations of inflammatory mediators in various tissue types frequently affected by trauma to estimate the role of prestored cytokine release by mechanical tissue trauma in the induction of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The degree of tissue damage, evaluated by its systemic release of inflammatory mediators, represents an important factor concerning the outcome of trauma patients. Clinical trials indicate that the kind of traumatized tissue influences the cytokine pattern measured in patients blood afterwards. However, the tissue-specific mediator composition underlying this systemic mediator release is rarely elucidated. Upon approval of the local IRB/EC, skin, subcutaneous fat, muscle, cancellous bone, and lung tissue were obtained during standard surgical procedures. The protein-based concentrations of Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 were determined in tissue homogenates by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA; n = 60 samples). Albumin was measured to evaluate the degree of blood contamination of tissue samples. IL-6 and IL-8 were consistently detectable in more than 95% of the tissue specimens. Lung and cancellous bone presented by far the highest concentrations of these cytokines, whereas skin, subcutaneous fat, and muscle showed significantly lower levels. IL-10 was not detectable in 88%; IL-12 could not be measured in 63% of the samples. Cytokine concentrations did not correlate with the amount of albumin measured in tissue specimens. Due to their consistent presence at the tissue level, high systemic concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in patients blood, seen after pulmonary trauma, long bone fractures, or soft tissue injury, may be interpreted as an overspill of local trauma mediators. This indicates their relevance in post-traumatic monitoring. Furthermore, albumin is a suitable and necessary indicator to evaluate influences of possible blood contamination in tissue samples.

Die sonographische Bestimmung der Beingeometrie

SummaryPosttraumatic malalignments are a frequent sequlae of IM nailing of lower extremity fractures. Conventional US has proven to be inferior to CT determinations of tibial or femural length and torsion. A new 3-D US method is presented that allows for accurate single step determination of lower extremity length and torsion without ionizing radiation. A regular US machine with a 5 Mhz linear probe is combined with an US localizer. Reference markers affixed to the lower extremity eliminate errors associated with patient postition or motion. The 3-D US method was compared against CT (Ulms method) in the measurement of torsion and length of the tibia and femur in 50 adults and 50 children. In both methods, the maximum diffence of the intraindividual torsional angles and length measurements was 7 degrees and 7 mm. The maximum standard deviation for reproducibility in length measurement was 1.6 mm and 1.5 degrees for angular torsion. The new 3-D US technique was superior to CT in terms of reliabilty and reproducibilty. Clinical advantages of the 3-D US technique include rapidity, independence from patient motion or postioning and the avoidance of ionizing radiation. Indications for 3-D torsional and length determinations include follow -up evaluation of adult and pediatric tibial and femoral fractures, pediatric limb and gait evaluations, and osteotomy planning.ZusammenfassungPosttraumatische Fehlstellungen im Bereich der unteren Extremität sind vor allem nach intramedullärer Stabilisierung keine Seltenheit. Wegen mangelnder Reproduzierbarkeit und Genauigkeit konnte sich die sonographische Torsionswinkel- und Längenmessung nur bedingt gegen den bisherigen „Gold Standard“, die Computertomographie, durchsetzen. Hier wird ein neues sonographisches Meßsystem vorgestellt, das erstmals die Bestimmung der Längen und Torsionen im Bereich der unteren Extremität in einem Untersuchungsgang unter voller Berücksichtigung der dreidimensionalen Beingeometrie erlaubt. Dies wird durch die Kombination eines Ultraschallgeräts mit einem Ultraschallortungssystem erreicht. Referenzsensoren, welche am Unterschenkel des Patienten befestigt werden, machen das System gegen Rotationsbewegungen während der Messung unempfindlich. Die sonographisch ermittelten Torsionen und Winkel wurden bei 50 Kindern und 50 Erwachsenen mit den Ergebnissen der Computertomographie (Ulmer Methode) verglichen. In beiden Kollektiven betrug die größte Abweichung bei der Bestimmung der intraindividuellen Torsionswinkel- und Längendifferenzen 7 ° bzw. 7 mm. Die maximalen Standardabweichungen der Reproduzierbarkeit betragen 1,6 mm bei der Längenmessung und 1,5 ° bei der Torsionswinkelbestimmung. Das vorgestellte sonographische Meßsystem zeichnet sich durch eine zuverlässige und reproduzierbare Torsionswinkel- und Längenbestimmung aus. Die Messungen sind unabhängig von der Patientenlagerung und können schnell und einfach durchgeführt werden. Bewegungen während der Messungen werden registriert und automatisch korrigiert. Mögliche Einsatzbereiche sind die Verlaufskontrollen nach Frakturen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, die Erfassung der Beingeometrie vor Korrekturosteotomien sowie die Qualitätskontrolle noch osteosynthetischer Versorgung von diaphysären Frakturen im Bereich der unteren Extremität.

Buruli Ulcer: A Systemic Disease

We studied a 4-year-old boy from Angola who presented with 2 cutaneous ulcerations of the right hip and osteomyelitis of the left knee and right ankle. Mycobacterium ulcerans disease was confirmed by direct smear examination and by polymerase chain reaction. The patient was treated with antimycobacterial drugs, repeated surgical debridement, skin grafting, and daily hyperbaric oxygenation. Despite significant improvement of the local lesions in response to hyperbaric oxygenation, swelling of the right knee, without associated skin lesions, was noted. Radiological evaluation and open biopsy revealed extensive metaphyseal osteomyelitis of the right distal femur. A 99technetium bone scan revealed an additional focus in the diaphysis of the left humerus, without soft-tissue involvement. This case documents, for the first time (to our knowledge), the systemic spread of M. ulcerans, with subsequent multifocal osteomyelitis and secondary involvement of soft tissues and supports the hypothesis that low tissue oxygen levels promote hematogenous spread of M. ulcerans. Sickle cell anemia, with associated microthrombosis and microinfarction, may have contributed to tissue hypoxia.

Biochemical characterization of individual injury pattern and injury severity

BACKGROUND Estimation of trauma severity currently relies on clinical diagnoses and scoring systems. However, the early estimation of the severity of chest trauma and overall soft tissue trauma (STT) remains insufficient. Traditional trauma scoring systems fail to reflect the individual trauma pattern and severity, neglecting the different outcomes after injuries in different body regions. Therefore, the aim of this prospective study was to detect laboratory markers that may reflect the pattern and extent of individual trauma in the very early phase after injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS In 107 non-selected trauma patients, blood samples were collected almost immediately and then at short intervals after the trauma. In addition to the biochemical analysis of 20 different mediators viewed as potential trauma markers, the following data were correlated with the laboratory results: injury severity score (ISS), polytrauma score (PTS), Ulmer score HTAPE (trauma pattern specific: head (H), thorax (T), abdomen (A), pelvis (P), extremities (E); 0-3 degrees each), multiple organ failure score (MOF), overall, primary and secondary lethality. RESULTS ISS and the severity of head injury were clearly higher in non-survivors (n=17) than in survivors (n=90) (median ISS: 35 versus 18; median severity of head injury (H): 3 versus 1). Whereas head injury was correlated with early death (<or=3 days: r=0.45), late death (>3 days post-trauma) was influenced by thoracic trauma (r=0.15) as well as by soft tissue trauma (STT, r=0.12). Of all investigated mediators, interleukin-6 (IL-6) displayed the highest correlations (r=0.66, P<0.00001) with the extent of chest trauma, followed by correlations with PTS, STT, fracture trauma (FT) and ISS during the first hour after trauma. There was no correlation between IL-6 and head injury. The extent of STT was correlated best to IL-8 (r=0.75), IL-6 (r=0.54), and creatine kinase (CK, r=0.49) plasma concentrations. CONCLUSION In the very early stage after an accident the severity of chest trauma is strongly correlated with the plasma concentration of IL-6, and the extent of overall soft tissue trauma (STT) to plasma concentrations of IL-8, IL-6, and CK.

Torsionskorrekturen nach Marknagelosteosynthesen der unteren Extremität

Intraoperative control of torsion is delicate in intramedullary nailing of femur and tibia fractures. Post-traumatic torsional deformities cause clinical problems if the rotational 0-position, according to the neutral-0-method, cannot be attained or exceeded. The necessary precondition for every indication and planning of corrective osteotomies is conscientious analysis of the geometry of the lower extremities by clinical means, radiography and computed tomography. Operative procedures and techniques of corrective osteotomies in case of torsional deformities after intramedullary nailing are presented. Preoperatively, the intraindividual torsional differences in 15 patients with maltorsions of the femur were 33° (–37/+50) and in 7 patients with maltorsions of the tibia 23° (–21/ +29). Positive signs indicate external and negative signs of internal maltorsions. Postoperatively, the intraindividual torsional differences were 6° (–3/+14) in the femora and 7° (+3/+12) in the tibiae. Therefore, the physiological torsional tolerance of 15° was respected in all 22 patients. Additionally, limb lengthening was realized in 4 patients with shortening after intramedullary nailing of the femur. In 3 patients a one-step procedures with interposition of allogeneic cancellous bone in the osteotomy gap was performed and in one patient continuous callus distraction by external fixation.

Endotoxemia and specific antibody behavior against different endotoxins following multiple injuries

The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of endotoxemia and the influence of endotoxin on specific antibody response after multiple injury. Blood samples were collected from 39 patients (median Injury Severity Score: 20.5) at 0-3 and 6-12 hours, and 1, 3, 5, and 10 days after admission. The endotoxin plasma levels were high at the first time point (mean = 0.421 endotoxin units/mL) and decreased in the later course. Total immunoglobulin levels of IgM, IgG, or IgA were low and increased throughout the observation period. Specific antibodies of the IgM class against two lipid A and four lipopolysaccharide preparations increased transiently but significantly on day 3 and/or day 5. No changes of specific antibody content against endotoxin or lipid A was seen in the IgG or IgA class. The specific antibody content of the different classes against alpha-hemolysin of Staphylococcus aureus did not differ during 10 days after trauma. The specific antibodies of the IgM class reacted with all lipid A and LPS lipopolysaccharide preparations demonstrating cross-reactivity. These results suggest that endotoxin may be a specific stimulator of IgM antiendotoxin antibody secretion following trauma.

Thromboxane — Co-factor of pulmonary disturbances in intramedullary nailing

UNLABELLED Pulmonary complications during and after intramedullary nailing particularly in trauma patients have directed clinical interest to thromboembolic events and metabolic alterations, as found in different methods of fracture stabilisation. In 30 patients (mean age 34 years) isolated, closed or 1 degree open fractures of the tibia were operated on in three groups with reamed nailing (RN; n = 11), unreamed nailing (UN; n = 11) and external fixation (EF; n = 8) respectively. In blood samples of the femoral vein of the fractured limb, a 5-7 fold increase of the thromboxane (TXB2) concentration was found in all patients. However, differences of TXB2 concentrations in the arterial blood after passage of the lungs were conspicuous. The highest arterial TXB2 concentrations were found in connection with RN, followed by UN and finally EF. The transpulmonary TXB2-clearance displayed the following relationship: EF > UN > RN (5.7:4,4:2.2). A similar correlation was found for PGF2 alpha while other arachidonic acid metabolites showed no significant behaviour. TXB2 and PGF2 alpha cause bronchoconstriction, pulmonary vasoconstriction and aggregation of thrombocytes. These pulmonary disturbances may results in ARDS, a feared complication after intramedullary nailing. CONCLUSION Early fracture stabilisation particularly in severely injured patients is an established procedure. To prevent pulmonary disturbances the external fixator is preferrable to the UN and finally the RN. Our data suggest that for the prevention of pulmonary disturbances EF is superior to UN and RN.

Minimal-invasive Implantatentfernung nach retrograder Marknagelung am distalen Femur

ZusammenfassungDie distale Femurmarknagelung ist in den letzten Jahren ein zunehmend gängiges Verfahren geworden. Die Hauptindikationsgebiete der retrograden Femurmarknagelung sind die distalen Femurfrakturen einschließlich der dia- und perkondylären Gelenkfrakturen des distalen Femur, Korrekturosteotomien und periprothetische distale Femurfrakturen nach Kniegelenkimplantation. In der Diskussion ist die Implantatentfernung, welche zu einem erneuten Schaden im Bereich des Kniegelenkes führt. Um den operativen Schaden der Implantatentfernung zu minimieren, wurde eine arthroskopisch gestützte Vorgehensweise gewählt. Die arthroskopisch unterstützte Metallentfernung war bei allen Patienten möglich. Intraoperativ konnten arthroskopisch bei 2/3 der Fälle unauffällige Gelenkverhältnisse gefunden werden.Die arthroskopisch gestützte Entfernung retrograder Marknägel ist eine schonende Vorgehensweise, welche die minimal-invasive Entfernung retrograder Marknägel ermöglicht und dabei mit Hilfe der arthroskopischen Sicht sekundäre Schäden im Bereich des Knies durch schwieriges Aufsuchen des Nageleintritts verhindert. Dieses Verfahren ist so schonend bei der Entfernung retrograder Marknägel des distalen Femur, dass wir die Metallentfernung – mit Ausnahme von periprothetischen Frakturen – bei jüngeren Patienten (<60 Jahre) für indiziert halten.SummaryRecently, the retrograde femoral nailing has become a procedure with increasing acceptance. Indications for the retrograde femur nail are distal femoral fractures including dia- and transcondylar fractures, supracondylar osteotomies and distal periprosthetic femur fractures after total knee joint replacement. Controversial discussion is carried on about the implant removal, which is potentially afflicted with further damage to the knee joint. To minimise the operative damage due to the implant removal, an arthroscopic assisted procedure has been selected. The arthroscopic assisted implant removal was possible in all of our patients. Intraoperatively, 2/3 of the patients showed normal age-related findings of the chondral and meniscal structures.The arthroscopic assisted implant removal is a gentle procedure, which allows minimal invasive extraction of retrograde femur nails and prevents secondary damage to the knee joint due to the otherwise difficult localisation of the implant. The advantages of this procedure concerning gentleness and diagnostic capabilities are as convincing, that we indicate implant removal of retrograde femur nails in all younger patients (<60 years), except in periprosthetic fractures.