Biomedical subjects

Axel Gänsslen

Publications and source records attributed to Axel Gänsslen.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Staged management and outcome of combined pelvic and liver trauma. An international experience of the deadly duo.

Pelvic fracture associated with liver trauma is not an uncommon injury combination in multiple trauma and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of this specific patient group, to describe the diagnostic and treatment protocols and finally to analyse risk factors associated with mortality. Data were collected over a 6-year period, ending in 2001. The pelvic injury was graded according to the Tile classification system and the hepatic injury was scored using the organ injury scale (OIS). Treatment protocol, associated injuries, complications, length of ICU/Hospital stay and mortality were recorded and analysed. A total of 140 patients (40% female) with a mean age of 35.1+/-15.9 years and a median ISS of 41 were included in this study. The overall mortality rate was 40.7%. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed age, initial blood pressure, transfusion requirement as well as the severity of head, chest, spleen and liver injury as independent parameters predicting reduced survival rates. This deadly duo of injuries presents a challenge to the trauma surgeon. Rapid assessment and treatment is required to prevent death by haemorrhage. The presence of concomitant injuries renders the patient very sensitive to ongoing or additional physiological disturbance. The principles of 'damage control surgery' must be applied to avoid complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation of unstable pelvic injuries by conventional fluoroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Closed reduction and retention of translatory unstable pelvic injuries (type C injuries), in order to restore the form and function of the posterior pelvis by percutaneous iliosacral screw osteosynthesis, using conventional fluoroscopy. INDICATIONS: Definitive treatment of the posterior pelvis in type C injuries (AO classification) with complete sacral fracture, sacroiliac joint (SI joint) dislocation, transiliac or transsacral dislocation fracture of the SI joint with insignificant small fragment and sacroiliac avulsion injuries which can be reduced almost anatomically in closed technique. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Poor general health, local soft-tissue damage, rotationally unstable type B pelvic injuries as well as type C injuries which cannot be reduced satisfactorily in closed technique. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Closed reduction, stab incision and percutaneous stabilization of the posterior pelvis by transiliosacral screw osteosynthesis, guided by fluoroscopy. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial loading of the injured side with 15 kg for 8-12 weeks with two underarm crutches. Implant removal 6-12 months after injury. RESULTS: 20 patients with a transforaminal sacral fracture consistent with a type C pelvic injury underwent screw fixation with fluoroscopy with 7.3-mm cannulated screws, placed in a transiliosacral position in the vertebral body of S1. The average preoperative displacement of 3.8 mm was decreased by closed reduction to 1.6 mm postoperatively. The average operating time was 55 min, the average screening time 2.22 min. Incorrect screw position with no consequences was observed in three patients; iatrogenic nerve damage was not found. All fractures healed within 3 months.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Retrograde transpubic screw fixation of transpubic instabilities.

OBJECTIVE: Reduction and retention of unstable and/or severely displaced fractures of the upper pubic ramus with an associated risk of injury to the pelvic organs with transpubic screw fixation. Restoration of form and function of the pelvis. INDICATIONS: Injuries to the pelvic ring with displaced and/or unstable fractures of the upper pubic ramus. Stabilization of the anterior column of the acetabulum in isolated fractures of the anterior column. Additional internal fixation as part of the management of acetabular fractures with transverse components, combined with stabilization of the posterior column. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Poor general health, local soft-tissue injury. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Pfannenstiel's incision to achieve open reduction and screw fixation of the pubic ramus under image intensification. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Depending on the general condition of the patient and pelvic ring stability, mobilization on forearm crutches with partial weight bearing (one fifth of body weight) of the side with injury to the posterior pelvic ring. RESULTS: Transpubic screw fixation was performed in 16 patients with displaced fractures of the upper pubic ramus as part of pelvic ring injuries (twice type A, six times type B, eight times type C). Intraoperative complications were not observed. Postoperative complications occurred in two cases (one rectus hernia, one screw pullout with manifestation of chronic osteomyelitis of the pubic ramus). All other fractures healed within 3 months.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed2005

[Internal fixation of sacroiliac joint disruption].

OBJECTIVE: Stabilization of the completely disrupted sacroiliac (SI) joint with two three-hole DC plates. INDICATIONS: Definitive treatment of the posterior pelvic ring in type C injuries (AO classification) with complete SI joint disruption, transiliac or transsacral fracture-dislocation of the SI joint with an insignificant, small fragment. Emergency stabilization of the SI joint following a laparotomy. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Poor general health of patient. Local soft-tissue damage. Rotationally unstable type B pelvic injuries. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Supine. Anterolateral approach to the iliac crest. Subperiosteal detachment of the iliac muscle. Debridement of the SI joint and reduction under direct vision. Stabilization of the SI joint with two three-hole DC plates inserted at an angle of 70-90 degrees. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial weight bearing on the injured side at 15 kg for 8-12 weeks with two forearm crutches. Implant removal 6-12 months after injury provided ankylosis has not occurred. RESULTS: In 27 patients with disruption of the SI joint consistent with a type C injury, the average displacement of the affected SI joint was 16 mm (8-30 mm). Complications relating to the osteosynthesis occurred as a deep infection in one patient, originating from a concomitant acetabular osteosynthesis. Iatrogenic nerve damage (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) was present in two patients. 16 patients were followed up using radiologic techniques (pelvic, possibly inlet and outlet views, computed tomography). 13 SI joints healed in anatomic position. The malalignments observed were relatively slight (2-4 mm). There was no secondary implant failure. Almost all patients (n = 14) showed posttraumatic changes of the SI joint (osteophytes, arthrosis, ankylosis).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[A simple supraacetabular external fixation for pelvic ring fractures].

OBJECTIVE: Closed reduction and maintenance of pelvic ring injuries by external stabilization. INDICATIONS: Emergency management of unstable type B and type C pelvic ring fractures. Definitive treatment of type B injuries. Definitive treatment of the anterior pelvic ring in type C injuries with transpubic instability after posterior internal stabilization. Adjunct stabilization of internal fixation. Stabilization of pelvic ring fractures in children. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Poor general condition. Local soft-tissue damage. Local infection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Bilateral percutaneous insertion of Schanz screws into the supraacetabular area of iliac bone. Closed reduction and stabilization of the pelvic ring by compression and application of a connecting rod under image intensification. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Depending on the patient's condition and the degree of pelvic instability, a change to an open procedure may become necessary. Mobilization of the patient with partial weight bearing (one fifth of body weight) on the side of the injured posterior pelvic ring using forearm crutches, irrespective of the degree of stability of the pelvis. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of 64 supraacetabular external fixator applications to stabilize the anterior pelvic ring in 20 type B and 44 type C injuries. Iatrogenic lesions of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve: 4.5%; all sensory disturbances completely reversed within 1 year. No pin site infection. In two patients (3%) primary perforation of the Schanz screw into the small pelvis not necessitating any treatment. No secondary displacements of the anterior or posterior pelvic ring in type B injuries nor for type C injuries, sacral fractures associated with fractures of the pubic ramus. One pseudarthrosis of the pubic and ischial rami requiring surgical treatment.

Acetabulum↗

PubMed2003

Hemorrhage in pelvic fracture: who needs angiography?

Pelvic fractures are rare but potentially devastating injuries. An understanding of the bony and peripelvic anatomy along with common patterns and the classification of the injury are of critical importance in their management. These form the basis for a general treatment algorithm for pelvic fracture patients. Angiographic embolization is time-consuming and often delayed. Hemodynamic instability with unstable pelvic fracture is therefore best approached with a combination of pelvic emergency stabilization (C-clamp) and surgical hemostasis by pelvic tamponade. This is especially true for critically injured patients in extremis.

Angiography↗

PubMed2003

Computer assisted pelvic surgery: registration based on a modified external fixator.

A fundamental step in Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) is the registration, when the preoperative virtual data and the corresponding operative anatomy of the region of interest are merged. To provide exact landmarks for anatomical registration, a tubular external fixator was modified. Two intact pelvic bones (one artificial foam pelvis and one cadaver specimen) were used for the experimental setup. Registration was carried out using a standardized protocol for anatomy-based registration in the control group; anatomical registration was achieved using a modified external fixator in the study group. This external fixator had titanium fiducials wedged into the fixator carbon tubes serving as landmarks for paired-point registration. The tubes were used for surface registration. The standard anterior pelvis fixator assembly was augmented with additional bilateral tubes oriented towards the posterior, enabling registration of the sacroiliac areas. The accuracy of registration was checked by "reversed verification", where the examiner used only the screen display to control the virtual position of the pointer tip in relation to selected landmarks. By virtual matching, the real distance was measured with a digital caliper. We defined the verification as "accurate" when the residual distance was less than 1 mm; "acceptable" when it was between 1 mm and 2 mm; and "insufficient" when it exceeded 2 mm. The paired T-test with significance levels of p < 0.05 was used for statistical analysis. The anatomical registration based on the external fixator landmarks was statistically as accurate as that obtained using anatomical landmarks on the pelvic bone. This study concludes that the external fixator, a conventional tool in the management of acute traumatic pelvic instability, can also be useful for landmark registration in CAS.

External Fixators↗