Biomedical subjects

K Westermann

Publications and source records attributed to K Westermann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Biomechanical qualities of threaded acetabular cups.

We examined 25 different threaded cups using a specific biomechanical procedure. Great differences between the tested cups concerning their biomechanical parameters could be found. There is some evidence that the design of several cups might be inappropriate for stable acetabular fixation, and this may be the reason for early loosening. The new procedure is the first to allow biomechanical assessment of threaded cups by using quantified data, which correspond to long-term stability of the cup.

Acetabulum↗

PubMed2000

Mycoses in AIDS.

Major changes are occurring in the epidemiology of opportunistic infections (OI) in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A marked decrease of minor and major OI was observed and clinical resistance of thrush to antifungal agents became extremely rare. Primary and secondary prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii infections can be stopped; however, the situation is less clear for other OI such as cryptococcosis or endemic mycoses. The epidemiology is dramatically different in the countries which cannot afford the cost of HAART for the majority of patients, such as South Africa. These topics will be discussed in this paper.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1997

[Functional fracture treatment of the forearm. The indications and results].

In a retrospective study from 1986 to 1995, 64 forearm fractures were treated with brace. Clinical and roentgenographic follow-up data were available for 49 patients (76.6%). There were 49.0% ulna shaft, 38.9% radius and 12.2% forearm fractures. The average time to healing was 10.2 weeks. Functional results were excellent in 57.1%, good in 34.7% and poor in 8.2% of cases. Two (4.1%) fractures (radius, forearm shaft) were not considered as healed and were re-operated with plate osteosynthesis. The ideal indication for fracture bracing is ulna shaft fracture. Radius and forearm shaft fractures can also be treated, but patients must be informed about the long time to healing and operative alternatives.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Functional treatment of humeral shaft fractures: indications and results.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effectiveness of closed functional bracing for humeral shaft fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: University. PATIENTS: Eighty-seven patients with humeral shaft fractures. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated with closed functional bracing. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURED: Both subjective and objective criteria were measured. Objective criteria consisted of range of motion and radiographic measurements. Subjective data were recorded using the Hannover Shoulder Score. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of the follow-up group showed no restrictions in the movement of their shoulder and elbow joints. On the basis of subjective criteria, 95% of the patients were content with the functional treatment, 65% claimed to be pain free in their daily activities and at work, and 35% felt pain only when doing vigorous activities or heavy physical work. Although malposition with an angulation greater than 10 degrees was observed in ten patients (12.6%), functional outcome was good or excellent in two thirds of the cases followed up. CONCLUSIONS: When the correct indications are present, functional treatment of humeral shaft fractures has proven to be an excellent method that is both reliable and cost effective.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

[Sarmiento function fracture treatment of the tibia].

Sarmiento's functional brace treatment of tibial bone fractures is introduced and discussed. After fixation with a plaster cast and extension, the injured limb is fitted into a synthetic brace until complete bony union is achieved. Our four years of experience with 73 patients and the distribution of age, sex, localization, and cause are presented, as are the reexamination results. The possible complications and their treatment are demonstrated. The results justify extensive use of this method.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Thromboembolism after hip surgery.

Since 1973 a prospective trial of antithrombotic agents for the prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism was undertaken in 386 high risk patients. Five drugs were employed: 1. A combination of aspirin and dipyridamol (95 patients); 2. Dextran 60 (43 patients); 3. Dihydroergotamine (61 patients); 4. Low dose heparin (63 patients); 5. A combination of dihydroergotamine and low dose heparin (twice daily in 61 patients and three times daily in 63 patients). The patients were investigated by I125 fibrinogen uptake test, phlebography, lung scan and careful clinical evaluation before and after operation. In cases of established thrombosis simultaneous anticoagulation with heparin and coumadin was started. In the first group, 32 (34%) thromboses and three pulmonary emboli were detected of which one patient died. In the dextran group, 24 patients (54%) developed thrombosis and there were no fatal pulmonary emboli. In the low dose heparin group we detected 29 (46%) thromboses and three pulmonary emboli. Only the combination of low dose heparin and dihydroergotamine significantly reduced the incidence of thromboembolic complications-15 (25%) thromboses and no pulmonary emboli. The application of this combination three times a day showed no further improvement but more haemorrhagic complications appeared. Since 1975 no fatal pulmonary emboli have occurred in 720 patients undergoing total hip replacement.

Aspirin↗

PubMed1979