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Biomedical subjects

D Pennig

Publications and source records attributed to D Pennig.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Traumatic dislocation of the hip in young children.

Traumatic dislocation of the hip joint is an uncommon injury in children. The present report on this traumatic emergency is based on the authors' own observations of three cases and a review of the literature. The main problem is the possible development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The crucial therapeutic intervention to avoid this serious complication seems to be immediate, usually closed, reduction under general anaesthesia. A management protocol is presented.

Accidental Falls

[Injury of the pelvic ring and abdominal trauma].

Fractures and disruptions of the pelvic ring are usually found in multiply injured patients and exacerbate the life-threatening character of the concomitant injuries. The main prognostic factors are haemorrhagic complications, abdominal trauma and associated injuries of the urogenital tract. All patients admitted to the Department of Surgery of the University of Münster between July 1985 to December 1989 were analysed with particular reference to pelvic ring instability and the accompanying pelvic and abdominal lesions. Of 27 patients with unstable displaced lesions of the pelvic ring, 9 were female (33.3%) and 18 male (66.7%); the average age was 35.1 years. Multiple trauma was present in 25 patients (92.6%). Associated pelvic or abdominal injuries were found in 15 cases (55.6%) [multiple entries]. In 9 patients (33.3%) there were lesions of the urogenital tract. Injuries to pelvic blood vessels were diagnosed in 3 patients (11.1%). In 2 patients (7.4%) there were lesions of the perineum. A ruptured spleen was found in 4 patients (14.8%), lesions of the liver in 3 patients (11.1%), lacerations of the mesentery in 2 patients (7.4%). Bleeding into the mesentery, lacerations of serosa of the sigmoid colon and contusion of the pancreas were each seen in 1 case (3.7%). In 12 patients (44.4%) laparotomy was performed: The mortality in this series was 22.2% (6 patients). The authors propose a procedure for immediate diagnosis of these associated pelvic and abdominal injuries. The key factor for a favourable outcome is the differentiation between intraabdominal and retroperitoneal bleeding. A treatment algorithm is described. The value of laparotomy, interventional radiology and primary anterior stabilization of the pelvic ring with an external frame is discussed.

Abdominal Injuries

[Heterotopic ossifications from the trauma surgery viewpoint].

A heterotopic ossification is a non-neoplastic bone formation located in the soft tissues (so-called myositis ossificans). Important aspects of this condition, which is not uncommon after trauma or surgical procedures, are discussed from the trauma surgeon's viewpoint. The results of treatment of heterotopic ossifications are frequently unsatisfactory. Therefore, the importance of preventive measures is emphasized.

Fracture Fixation, Internal

A target device for placement of implants in the thoracolumbar pedicles.

Posterior spinal instrumentation with the placement of intrapedicular implants has become an important technique. We have designed a hand-held target device to facilitate the open or percutaneous location and penetration of the thoracolumbar pedicles. A cylindrical pin guide incorporates two metal rings and can be moved under image intensifier control until the rings are superimposed to show correct alignment. The radiation dosage for the surgeon is minimal; the device allowed accurate placement of 106 consecutive pedicle screws.

Equipment Design

[Tuberculosis of the hand].

Skeletal tuberculosis of the hand has become rare. The authors report a 27-year-old female patient with tuberculous osteomyelitis of the middle phalanx of the left ring finger without occupational exposure of the hand and with positive chest roentgenogram. The case shows the diagnostic difficulties of the uncommon manifestation of skeletal tuberculosis in the short tubular bones of the hand. By means of a review of the literature the differential diagnosis, the course and necessary treatment are discussed.

Adult

[The biology of bones and of bone fracture healing].

For the treatment of fractures several systems are available. Biological and biomechanical aspects have to be considered in order to obtain an optimal final result. The vascular supply of the intact and of the fractured bone is reviewed. The role of the fracture hematoma with a low pO2 and a pH below the physiological range are discussed. In bone remodelling tension forces and cyclic loading are important factors in resorption and regeneration. The influence of the periosteum in bone healing after internal fixation is described.

Bone Regeneration

[Indications for interlocking nailing].

For closed diaphyseal fractures of femur and tibia in adults, medullary nailing with interlocking nails has become the treatment of choice. Their use has been extended to certain intraarticular fractures in combination with shaft fractures, compound fractures with low-grade wound contamination, malunion, non-union and pathologic fractures. Locked nailing should be performed as a closed procedure, and callus bone healing should be expected. Fracture hematoma, drill debris and preservation of periosteal circulation are of particular relevance in achieving this. Dynamization by removal of the locking screw(s) opposite the fracture site accelerates the transformation and ossification of early fixation callus.

Bone Nails

[Complementary osteosynthesis and dynamic axial fixation of the distal tibia].

In view of the problems encountered with fractures of the distal tibial shaft, with or without damage to the ankle joint, we have developed a regimen of our own. We reconstruct the fracture by means of simple techniques (K-wires or one to three screws), taking the greatest possible care to avoid damage to the soft tissues. The length and axis of the lower leg are maintained by means of a unilateral fixator, which can also be used for decompression of the ankle joint in a joint-bridging modification. The two components of our regimen complement each other, and we have therefore coined the phrase "complementary osteosynthesis". Evaluation of data in 15 patients who had suffered trauma at least 1 year earlier and in whom the follow-up period was a mean of 86.8 weeks showed that results classified as good or fair can be achieved even in these problematic fractures.

Adult

Genu recurvatum due to partial growth arrest of the proximal tibial physis: correction by callus distraction. Case report.

The formation of a genu recurvatum after partial growth arrest of the proximal tibial physis is uncommon. This contribution deals with the case of a 16 years old male patient who after a direct injury to the proximal tibia four years ago showed a genu recurvatum of 18 degrees. An incomplete upper tibial corticotomy was performed and a hinge type de Bastiani fixator applied. The deformity was corrected at a distraction rate of one millimetre a day. The corticotomy gap filled with callus during the distraction process. The advantages of this concept are omision of iliac crest grafts, maintainance of a full range of knee motion with partial weight bearing during distraction and determination of the final degree of correction with the aid of proper radiographs.

Adolescent

[Use of unilateral external fixation in pediatric femur shaft fracture within the scope of polytrauma].

Femoral fractures in children are mostly managed conservatively. The recommended methods are overhead traction, 90/90 degree traction on a special table (Weber) and skeletal traction in a Thomas splint or on a Brown's frame. This treatment proves cumbersome in most multiply injured children, especially in those with head injury. Due to uncooperative behaviour the fracture is difficult to hold in an acceptable position. Therefore, operative treatment has been favoured by several authors in the past. Over a period of 8 years, 167 adolescent multiple trauma victims were treated in our institution, 48% of whom had sustained femoral fractures. Since June 1985 such fractures have been stabilized with the unilateral De Bastiani external fixator as the primary and definitive treatment. Our first series consists of ten children (eight male, two female) with a total of eleven fractures, aged 3.2-15 years, mean age 8.1 years. Nine fractures were closed and two compound. Nine fractures were fixed on the day of injury and two 2 days after injury. Depending on the patient's age and the level of the fracture, controlled overriding of 10-15 mm was performed to compensate for expected overgrowth. All fractures healed in an average time of 11 weeks. Free hip and knee movement was achieved in all cases 6 weeks after removal of frame. Neither refracture nor deep infection was seen in any of these patients. Compared with internal fixation, use of this device is less invasive and requires a very short operating time. The fixator can be removed as an outpatient procedure with no need for an anaesthetic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

[Insertion of distal screws in interlocking nailing using a new free-hand control device].

While it is technically easy to introduce the proximal screw in interlocking nailing, the torsion of the nail being driven into the medullary canal can make distal locking more difficult. There are two approaches to the insertion of the distal screws: the c-arm-mounted device and the free-hand technique. The Grosse-Kempf c-arm device was introduced in 1978, but it requires modification of the fluoroscopy unit and is time consuming. The free-hand technique has certain disadvantages because of involuntary movement during the change from aiming to drilling. Furthermore, the bulky power drill makes monitoring of the path of the drill bit impossible, and the radiation time can be considerable. A new free-hand distal aiming device for the interlocking nail was therefore designed in our department. The main objectives were to provide a simple, yet precise instrument with few parts that would allow monitoring of the direction during process of penetrating the nail hole. The device consists of two metal rings on both ends of an X-ray translucent cylinder with a central 4-mm hole in it. A pin with a sharp tip (diameter 4 mm, length 160 mm) is inserted through the hole. Using the image intensifier, the device is then placed so that the sharp tip of the pin points to the bone. The device is moved until the two metal rings are superimposed on each other and give the impression of one ring with the nail hole in the middle. On the screen the pin then appears as a dot inside the nail hole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bone Nails

[Polytrauma and femoral fracture].

From 1976 to 1986 1.003 polytraumatized patients were treated at our institution. 88% had suffered fractures of spine, pelvis and limbs. Of particular relevance are the femoral fractures (36% of all cases) in the management of those patients. In not adequately immobilized femoral fractures the rate of general and local complications in this group is elevated. Impaired microcirculation and the required high doses of analgesics can lead to an increased risk of eventually lethal ARDS. From 1976 to 1983 we used the conventional approach and stabilized femoral fractures using plates and IM nails. Due to the time required for the operation, the eventual blood loss and the invasiveness of the operation, we could operate only on 44% of the femoral fractures within the first 24 hours. In 1984 we introduced the DAF device in our service and used it in compound femurs and unstable patients with femoral fractures. In the other cases the locking nail (GK Nail) was used. With this concept we managed to increase the rate of surgery of femoral fractures in polytrauma victims within the first 24 hours to 80%. Further assessment of the date showed a significant drop of 27.3% in mortality, mainly due to a decreased rate in late ARDS-related deaths. The advantage of the DAF concept in the stabilization of these fractures in polytrauma victims we see in the less time consuming fixation, the minimal blood loss, easier ICU care and fewer local complications. The DAF device is used as a definitive management tool and does not generally require a change to another method of fixation.

Bone Nails

Corrective tibial osteotomy for genu recurvatum by callus distraction using an external fixator.

Genu recurvatum due to an osseous abnormality is a condition that rarely requires surgical intervention. When necessary, the operative solution usually considered is an opening wedge osteotomy using bone graft and plate fixation. The donor site (usually the iliac crest) has a well reported morbidity with a further procedure being required to remove the plate. We report two cases treated by a hemicorticotomy and callus distraction (hemicallotasis) of the tibia using an external fixator. Correction was performed under supervision as an out-patient. Hospital stay was short, the morbidity of the donor site was eliminated, further procedures for removal of the plate were unnecessary and mobility of both the patient and his joints was maintained throughout the period of treatment. Satisfactory correction of the deformity was obtained in both cases.

Adult