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L Lampl

Publications and source records attributed to L Lampl.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Intraosseous puncture in preclinical emergency medicine. Ten years experience in air rescue service].

INTRODUCTION: The intraosseous puncture (IO) is a fast and safe alternative to the puncture of peripheral veins in emergency situations in children < or =6 years of age. The purpose of this paper is to summarize 10 years of experience on the prehospital use of the IO method by the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) "Christoph 22", Ulm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2005. RESULTS: Out of a total of 9,549 missions, the proportion of children was 11.1%. In 27 children (4.2% of the children < or =6 years of age) an IO puncture was performed. Patients of the IO group were younger (1.0 vs. 3.7 years of age; p<0.001) and showed a higher degree of injury severity (NACA 6 vs. 4; p<0.001) compared to the total children group. In all children of the IO group (100%), the intraosseous puncture was the method of first choice to obtain access to the vascular system by the HEMS team. In 96.4% of these cases (26/27), the first IO puncture attempt was successful - in one child, a second puncture attempt was necessary. A standardized puncture technique was performed using the proximal tibia. The time required for successful placement of the IO infusion line was 60 s or less in all cases. In 37% of the cases (10/27) the IO infusion line was used for induction of general anaesthesia; dosage and onset of administered drugs were described as being equivalent to a peripheral infusion line. In all cases, the IO needle was replaced in-hospital within 2 h by a central or peripheral iv line. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The IO infusion technique is a simple, fast and safe alternative method for emergency access to the vascular system in children < or =6 years of age in the prehospital setting.

Aircraft↗

Factors influencing emergency intubation in the pre-hospital setting--a multicentre study in the German Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

BACKGROUND: Definitive airway control by endotracheal intubation (ETI) is standard of care in pre-hospital airway management. However, there are specific factors that may influence and complicate ETI. METHODS: Prospective, descriptive study at three German Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) over a 1-yr period. We examined the success and complication rate for field intubation performed by trauma anaesthetists. RESULTS: In 342 patients (9.3%) ETI was performed. The overall success rate was 100%; in 87.4% the first attempt was successful, whereas in 11.1% a second and in 1.5% a third ETI attempt was necessary. No patient required a surgical intervention. Limited access to the patient was found upon arrival at the scene in 20.2% of the patients and in 9.6% of the patients at the time of ETI attempt. An orotracheal ETI technique was used in all patients. In the patients in whom only one ETI attempt was necessary for successful intubation, the assessment of ETI conditions was rated 'very good' or 'good' in 94.7%, but in those requiring a second or third ETI attempt this was reduced to 68.6 and 20.0%, respectively. Difficulties encountered during ETI included blood (19.9%), vomit/debris (15.8%) and secretions (13.8%) in the upper airway; anatomical reasons (11.7%), patient position (9.6%) and surrounding conditions (9.1%), making laryngoscopy more difficult. CONCLUSIONS: Despite various factors increasing the difficulties in managing the airway in the field, definitive airway control by ETI seems to be safe practice.

Adolescent↗

[Invasive techniques in emergency medicine. III. Intraosseous punction--an alternative vascular access in paediatric emergencies].

There can be few more daunting challenges for the emergency physician than an infant or small child in shock or cardiac arrest. At the best of times, the combination of small veins and abundant subcutaneous tissue makes vascular access difficult or impossible, even in experienced hands. For these situations, the intraosseous vascular access is an easy, rapid and safe alternative. The intraosseous route is recommended for children < or =6 years of age, where conventional vascular access cannot be timely established. The preferred sites are the medial aspect of the proximal end of the tibia, just below the tibial tuberosity. Access should be obtained with a commercially available intraosseous needle. All emergency drugs and infusion fluids for intravenous usage can safely be infused via the intraosseous route (except hypertonic solutions) and it is not necessary to adjust drug dosage compared to the intravenous route. To avoid complications caused by the intraosseous needle, such as osteomyelitis, it should be replaced within 2 h by a conventional vascular access.

Anesthesia, General↗

[How to assess the severity of the multi-system trauma in the emergency-room -- a critical review].

For more than 30 years various scoring systems have been used as a method to asses the injury severity of multi-system trauma. They have been used as a tool for triage, for emergency-room quality management, for educational reasons or, nowadays, in order to evaluate the cost effectiveness of either a complete hospital or a single department. This review provides the knowledge to score multi-system traumatized patients after their first treatment in the emergency-room. It shows advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of various traumascores which includes knowledge about the used parameters, the type of validation, the medical system in their country of origin, and of course their mathematical background. Relevant examples like physiological trauma scores (GCS, RTS, MEES), anatomic, injury pattern based scores (ISS, NISS, ICISS), biological aspects, mixed scoring systems (PTS, TRISS, ASCOT) and future developments ("Rixen-pattern", RISC) are illustrated. These scores are explained in detail and discussed as to their practicability.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗

[Incidence of severe injuries. Results of a population-based analysis].

It is still unknown exactly how many persons sustain a severe injury (ISS > or =16) in Germany each year. Considering the growing restrictions and the introduction of DRGs, it was necessary to acquire data about this rather resource-intensive aspect of trauma care. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the incidence of severe trauma within a defined population. In a retrospective study all surgical emergencies within a 5-year period (1996-2000) were reviewed. Data on type, pattern, severity of injury, and mortality were extracted from the patients' records. During the study period 454 persons sustained a severe injury (ISS > or =16), 112 individuals died at the scene of the accident, and 64 during the hospital stay. The average ISS of the surviving patients was 27 (ISS 16-75). The calculated incidence of severe trauma was 25/100,000 inhabitants per year. Extrapolated, up to 40,000 persons sustain a severe injury each year in Germany. For the first time, this study has provided data on the incidence of major trauma in Germany. Based on the acquired data and a previous cost analysis, hospital treatment costs for severely injured patients amount to up to 2 billion Euros per year in Germany.

Adolescent↗

[Intensive care within the context of military long-distance transport].

Due to the changed task spectrum of the German Federal Armed Forces with participation in international deployments for UN and NATO the concept of Aeromedical Evacuation (MedEvac) gained a new quality for the Air Force as well as for the Medical Corps. The transport of mostly severely injured or critically ill patients requires both, medical equipment which has to be permanently adapted to the national standard, and qualified intensive-care-personnel. At present, the aircrafts used for such deployments are four C-160 Transall, one CL-601 Challenger and two Airbus A310, which, if necessary, can be equipped with one or more intensive-care "patient transportation units" (PTU). Contrary to the two other aircrafts, the CL-601 Challenger is only equipped for the intensive-care transport of one individual patient. The PTU corresponds to the technical equipment of the intensive care unit of a level-1-trauma centre and ensures an intensive-care therapy on highest level also during longer transportation. The work with this equipment, the characteristics of the long-distance air transport and the special situation of the military deployment causes special demands on the qualifications of the assigned personnel. Primarily planned for the repatriation of injured or ill soldiers, in the mean time, this concept is also essential for the medevac of civilian victims after mass casualties worldwide.

Aircraft↗

[The treatment of necrotizing otitis externa with a combination of surgery, antibiotics, specific immunoglobulins and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Results of the Ulm Treatment Concept].

BACKGROUND: Even today, necrotizing otitis externa is still a life-threatening condition. The standard treatment concepts based on antibiotic therapy, topical treatment and--if necessary--surgical debridement of necrotic tissue, remain ineffective in many cases. In advanced stages, necrotizing otitis externa can therefore be expected to result in severe functional impairment or even a fatal outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe our experience with a multimodal treatment concept that we have been using with great success at the Federal Armed Forces Hospital in Ulm since 1987. This treatment is based on four pillars: 1. Surgical debridement, 2. Use of a combination of antibiotics, and 3. Administration of specific immunoglobulins, accompanied by, 4. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy RESULTS: Over a period of more than 5 years 16 of the 22 patients treated on the basis of this multimodal concept remained free of recurrences. In addition, significant reductions in analgesic use and in the insulin doses needed by diabetic patients were possible. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment concept under scrutiny has proved particularly successful. The various modes involved and the results of this combined therapy are discussed.

Acinetobacter Infections↗

Environmental temperature stress on drugs in prehospital emergency medical service.

BACKGROUND: Drugs used in prehospital emergency medical service (EMS) in principle are subject to the same storage restrictions as hospital-based medications. The prehospital emergency environment however, often exceeds these storage recommendations. Main stress factors are sunlight, vibration and extreme temperature, which may lead to alteration in chemical and physical stability of stored pharmaceuticals, as well as microbiological contamination and concentration enhancement of pharmacological inserts. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to determine the environmental temperature stress upon drugs used in the prehospital EMS under real mission conditions within different types of rescue vehicles (rescue helicopter [HEMS], ambulance [AMB] and emergency physician transport vehicle [EPTV]) during a 'summer' and 'winter' monitoring period (2 months duration each/location: southern Germany). RESULTS: Recorded temperatures varied from -13.2 degrees C to +50.6 degrees C. The recommended maximum storage temperature (+25 degrees C) was exceeded in all rescue vehicles (33-45% of total exposure time), whereas the recommended minimum storage temperature (0 degrees C) only fell short in the EPTV (19% of total exposure time). The daily maximum temperature variations ranged from 19.0 degrees C (winter) to 32.9 degrees C (summer). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that even in a moderate climatic zone, drugs used in prehospital EMS are significantly influenced by temperature stress; furthermore, these results recommend the usage of temperature-controlled drug boxes.

Air Ambulances↗

Tight control of prehospital ventilation by capnography in major trauma victims.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation combined with controlled ventilation of the lungs is an important part of the prehospital management of major trauma victims, but gauging the adequacy of ventilation remains a major problem. METHODS: Ninety-seven major trauma victims who underwent tracheal intubation in the field and controlled ventilation of the lungs during prehospital treatment by a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service were assigned randomly to one of two groups: (1) monitor group (n=57) and (2) monitor-blind group (n=40), according to whether the anaesthetist could or could not see an attached capnograph screen. In the monitor-blind group ventilation was set by using a tidal-volume of 10 ml kg(-1) estimated body weight and an age-appropriate ventilatory frequency. In the monitor group, ventilation was adjusted to achieve target end-tidal carbon dioxide values determined by the 'physiological state' of the trauma victim. Arterial blood gases were measured upon hospital admission while maintaining the ventilation initiated in the field and the Pa(CO(2)) value obtained was used as the determinant of the adequacy of prehospital ventilation. RESULTS: The incidence of 'normoventilation' was significantly higher (63.2 vs 20%; P<0.0001) and the incidence of 'hypoventilation' upon hospital admission was significantly lower (5.3 vs 37.5%; P<0.0001) in the monitor group; patients with severe head and chest trauma and haemodynamically unstable patients and those with a high injury severity score were significantly more likely to be 'normoventilated' upon hospital admission in the monitor group than in the monitor-blind group. CONCLUSIONS: The data support the routine use of prehospital capnographic monitoring using target end-tidal carbon dioxide values adapted to the physiological state of the patient in major trauma victims requiring tracheal intubation in the field.

Adolescent↗

Angioneurotic edemas of the upper aerodigestive tract after ACE-inhibitor treatment.

There are rare cases in which inhibitors of the angiotensin-converting enzyme can cause an angioneurotic edema of the upper aerodigestive tract. The pathomechanism of this side effect depends on an interaction of the drug with hormones regulating vascular permeability, such as the kallikrein kinin system and the prostaglandin system. Angioedema is characterized by subcutaneous or submucosal swellings, which usually affect the lips, soft palate, tongue and larynx. Pathomechanisms, differential diagnosis and treatment of ACE-inhibitor-induced edema of the upper aerodigestive tract are described in three case reports.

Angioedema↗

A prospective study of the quality of pre-hospital emergency ventilation in patients with severe head injury.

BACKGROUND: Pre-hospital endotracheal intubation for the purpose of controlled ventilation may prevent secondary brain injury in patients with severe head injury. In view of the limited monitoring devices utilized in the pre-hospital setting, little is known about the 'quality' of controlled ventilation initiated in the pre-hospital setting. METHODS: Included in this prospective study were 122 trauma patients with severe head injury (abbreviated injury scale score > or = 3). In all cases, the pre-hospital treatment included endotracheal intubation in the field. Upon hospital admission, and maintaining the same ventilation mode and setting initiated in the pre-hospital setting, arterial blood gas samples were taken. RESULTS: 'Optimal' oxygenation (PaO2 > 100 mm Hg) was achieved in 85.2% and 'adequate' ventilation (PaCO2 35-45 mm Hg) in 42.6% of the patients upon hospital admission. 'Optimal' oxygenation as well as 'adequate' ventilation was achieved in 37.7% of the study population. Hypoxaemia (PaO2 < 60 mm Hg) was observed in 2.5%, hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 45 mm Hg) in 16.4%, and hypocapnia (PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg) in 40.9% of the study patients. The incidence of hypocapnia was significantly more frequent in polytraumatized patients. Hypocapnia as well as hypercapnia was significantly more frequent in patients with associated pulmonary contusion. CONCLUSIONS: Endotracheal intubation and controlled ventilation of the lungs initiated in the pre-hospital setting do not guarantee optimal oxygenaton and ventilation in patients with severe head injury.

Adolescent↗

Chestwall resection: a new and simple method for stabilization of extended defects.

OBJECTIVE: Postresectional chestwall defects can usually be stabilized by reconstructions under tension. Only few extended defects require combined stabilizing methods. The one used mostly is Marlex-Sandwich, despite some disadvantages. An alternative method using alloplastic material/metal bar is presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1999, 189 chestwall resections were performed either for infiltrating bronchogenic carcinoma (Type I, n=67), tumors originating from chestwall or bony metastases (Type II, n=88), or local recurrences and infiltration by breast cancer or sequelae of its treatment (Type III, n=34). The standard reconstruction is performed with non-absorbable alloplastic meshes or patches under some degree of tension. For defects exceeding 250 cm(2), usually Type-II cases, a reconstruction under tension is no longer appropriate. Therefore we developed a procedure which we used in six cases. Alloplastic mesh or patch gets sutured in the same way as is done in smaller defects. Then a metal bar (Grob-Stab, Ulrich, Herrlingen/Blaustein, Germany) is threaded through the alloplastic material and is fixed at the adjacent ribs by Parham steel bands (Ethicon, Sommerville, KY, USA). RESULTS: In all cases we achieved excellent stability. All of the patients were extubated on the operating table. There was no morbidity or mortality. In three cases the metal bars were removed after 3, 6 and 16 months postoperatively (dynamization). CONCLUSION: The new procedure is safe, simple and quickly performed. The additional costs are low (160 euro). The patient's comfort is excellent; borderline problems as described for Marlex-Sandwich can be avoided, so that this procedure can be considered as an alternative to Marlex-Sandwich.

Bone Neoplasms↗

[A prospective randomized study on inguinal hernia repair according to the Shouldice technique. Benefits of local anesthesia].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized controlled study was to show whether local anesthesia (LA) leads to a decrease of postoperative pain in inguinal hernia repair in comparison with general anesthesia (AA). METHOD: Sixty volunteer patients were randomly assigned into a LA group and an AA group. All patients had an unilateral primary inguinal hernia and underwent inguinal hernia repair (Shouldice technique). Methods to determine pain were the visual analog scale (VAS), peak flow measurement, the measurement of the FEV1 %, and analgesic consumption. RESULTS: Up to the third postoperative day we measured a decreased pain level in the LA group. The anesthesia procedure was never changed. No essential complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it was concluded that local anesthesia has more advantages than general anesthesia.

Adolescent↗

[Outcome factors in severe skull-brain trauma. A retrospective analysis of 228 (161) patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study outcome from severe head injury (SHI: GCS < or = 8) and to investigate impact of prehospital factors and clinical intensive care parameters on outcome. To compare with former study results (1980-88) of our clinical setting. METHODS: Retrospectively, the history of 228 patients with SHI treated between 1988 and 1995 was looked into. The outcome was measured with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) post intensive care (median 9, min-max 2-77 days) and 6 months after trauma by a questionnaire. The GOS was related to age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS on the scene), prehospital hypotension and hypoxia (HH), intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), intensive therapy including Tromethamine and/or Thiopentone. The rate of infections was determined. RESULTS: Increasing age influences outcome negatively. Prehospital GCS and HH were significantly correlated with outcome. GOS of 30 patients with HH: GOS 1: 53%, GOS 2 + 3: 27%, GOS 4 + 5: 20%. GOS of 40 patients without HH: GOS 1: 25%, GOS 2 + 3: 10%, GOS 4 + 5: 65%. During intensive care the level of CPP (not ICP) as well as tromethamine and/or thiopentone treatment for control of elevated ICP were significantly correlated with outcome. Mortality rate in 32 patients with CPP < 50 mmHq was 69%, in 29 patients with CPP > 50 mmHg only 20%. Patients treated additionally with Tromethamine and Thiopentone because of uncontrollable intracranial hypertension showed a significantly worse outcome: GOS 1: 66%, GOS 2 + 3: 6%, GOS 4 + 5: 28%, compared to those who needed neither Tromethamine nor Thiopentone: GOS 1: 27%, GOS 2 + 3: 18%, GOS 4 + 5: 55%. Thiopentone treatment was not associated with an increased rate of pulmonary and other infections. In comparison to our former outcome study, covering the years 1980-88, we have not seen any improvements in outcome, despite modifications in intensive care protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital hypotension and hypoxia have a significant negative impact on outcome by causing secondary brain damage. Despite various modifications in intensive care therapy an unchanged portion of secondary brain damage will not prove treatable. Therefore, prevention or early aggressive treatment of hypotension and hypoxia is the most promising way of improving outcome after severe head injury at the moment.

Adolescent↗

[Cardiac troponin T as a biochemical marker of myocardial injury early after trauma. Diagnostic value of a qualitative bedside test].

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate within a trauma population the diagnostic value of a qualitative test (TROPT Rapid Assay) for the specific detection of circulating cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in comparison with the traditionally used CK/CK-MB ratio especially in the early in-hospital phase. METHODS: Prospective study in trauma patients over a 12-month period. Multifaceted diagnostic approach to myocardial cell injury based on quantitative as well as qualitative cTnT and CK-MB/CK measurements, electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic (TTE) findings. SETTING: A regional trauma centre, the Federal Armed Forces Medical Centre Ulm, Germany. SUBJECTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients with major blunt trauma admitted to the Federal Armed Forces Medical Centre Ulm between October 1995 and November 1996. RESULTS: The TROPT Rapid Assay results significantly correlated with the results of the quantitative cTnT determinations (P < 0.001; sensitivity 1.0 and 0. 86/specificity 0.96 and 0.94 upon hospital admission and completion of diagnostic procedures). There was no significant correlation between CK-MB/CK ratio and quantitative cTnT findings. Upon hospital admission all patients whose quantitative cTnT measurement showed a positive test result (>/= 0.2 microg/l) also had a positive TROPT Rapid Assay result (negative prediction value 1.0). There was a significant correlation of TROPT Rapid Assay results and the diagnosis of a concomitant rising "chest trauma" (P < 0.002). While a significant correlation between the TROPT Rapid Assay results and specific ECG changes was observed (P < 0.008), the findings relating to CK-MB/CK ratio did not show any significant relation to specific ECG or specific TTE changes. A significant correlation between TROPT Rapid Assay results and myocardial lesion related specific therapeutic interventions was observed (P < 0.01; specificity 1.0, sensitivity 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Within a multifaceted diagnostic approach to blunt cardiac trauma, cTnT should replace CK-MB as the biochemical marker of choice. The TROPT Rapid Assay is a test which rapidly and accurately enables the trauma team to differentiate patients with and without myocardial cell injury. It does not efficiently identify trauma patients at risk for the development of cardiac complications.

Adolescent↗

[Quality of emergency ventilation. A prospective study of trauma patients].

INTRODUCTION: The prehospitaly initiated endotracheal intubation and controlled ventilation, is especially in multi-system-trauma cases, recognized to be the "gold standard". Thus especially in view of the increasing demands being placed upon the quality of prehospital emergency treatment in general, the quality of such prehospital induced ventilation, is becoming of increasing importance. Thereby we must take into consideration the limited possabilities, which are afflicted with a high degree of uncertainess, which we have at our disposal to effectively evaluate the efficiency of emergency ventilation. The purpose of our study within a collective of severely traumatized patients, was to determine the quality of prehospitaly induced ventilation with regards to the adequacy of oxygenation and ventilation and as a result of our findings, to identify areas for procedural optimization. RESULTS: The prospective study over an one year period involved n = 104 trauma cases (male: 79; female: 25/age: 39.8 +/- 20.8 years/ISS: 28.1 +/- 15.3) whose prehospital emergency treatment required and included endotracheal intubation and controlled ventilation. All patients were subject to a prehospital pulse oxymetric monitoring, whereas none were subject to an objectivating apparatus monitoring of ventilation: 94.2% of the patients were upon admission adequately oxygenated (paO2 > 80 mmHg); only one patient was hypoxemic (paO2 < 60 mmHg). 46.2% were adequately ventilated (paCO2: 35-45 mmHg), 43.2% however were hyperventilated (paCO2 < 35 mmHg), and 10.6% hypoventilated (paCO2 > 45 mmHg). A statistical significant relation between hyper-/hypoventilation and the degree of severity of trauma as well as to the individual injury pattern was not evident. However with reference to age: The group of > 60 years of age were significantly more frequently hyperventilated (paCO2 < 30 mmHg: 31.2%; p < 0.05). A noteworthy accumulation of hypoventilation was experienced amongst the group of patients, who during the prehospital treatment phase were hemodynamic instable (shock index > 1). CONCLUSION: In summary it is evident, that as a rule, even very severe traumatized patients can prehospitaly be adequately oxygenated and that such oxygenation can with the assistance of pulse oxymetric monitoring be effectively controlled. Remaining problem is the emergency physicians ability to evaluate and control ventilation. The prehospital determination of minute volume (MV) in accordance with the presently valid recommendation: MV = 100-150 ml/kg body weight, in the majority of trauma cases results in inadequate ventilation. The introduction of an objectifying monitoring method is therefore urgently required.

Adolescent↗

How should we treat malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)?

MPM is an occupational disease with increasing incidence. From 1986 to 1998 we operated 59 patients for MPM: in 11 cases only biopsy or exploration, 23 (stage T1a and T1b) Pleurectomy/Decortication, 22 (stage T2/3) extended pleuropneumonectomy (PPE) with resection of pericardium and diaphragm. In 3 cases we did additionally a chestwall resection. One patient in the PPE-group died postoperatively. Median survival time in the diagnosis/exploration group is 6 months. In the pleurectomy group (earlier stages) 14 months, in the PPE-group 16 months. One patient in the PPE-group survived 68 months, in the pleurectomy group the longest survival was 39 months. Up today 20 patients in the PPE-group died, 12 without any evidence local recurrency. Despite the fact that patients in the pleurectomy group are operated in earlier tumor stages they do not have a longer median survival time. In more than 50 percent only local disease control can be achieved by ePPE. Therefore in my opinion the first operative step must be followed by a second therapeutic step as immune- or gene therapy.

Female↗