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Biomedical subjects

T Rüedi

Publications and source records attributed to T Rüedi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Intraoperative distraction in the treatment of complex nonunions of the radius.

Two unique cases of complex nonunions of the radius are presented. Each was characterized by bone loss, disruption of the distal radioulnar joint, and loss of axial alignment. Indirect reduction and lengthening of the radius were accomplished intraoperatively with the use of a femoral distractor, and the nonunion was treated with autogenous iliac crest graft and a long AO/ASIF dynamic compression plate. A functional result occurred in each case.

Adult

[Relations of Theodor Kocher with the "International Society of Surgery". His role as the 1st congress president].

With the aim of promoting progress in surgery through the friendly exchange of views and experience, the first International Society of Surgery was founded at Brussels in 1902, hereby helping to overcome the narrow boundaries of that times' nationalism. At its first congress, the "International Society of Surgery (ISS)", otherwise known by its French name "Société Internationale de Chirurgie (SIC)", numbered already 638 members, amongst them the most important surgeons from all over the world. Theodor Kocher was the president of the first congress, held at Brussels in 1905, and was also responsible for the choice of topics. His presidential address clearly reflected the high aims the Society set itself. Kocher's personal and professional authority, his surgical skill, which he liked so much to communicate to his colleagues, and his internationally minded thinking shaped the young society. He remained in the international committee of the ISS until his death in 1917.

Europe

[Temporary balloon catheter occlusion for control of bleeding of a blunt injury of the proximal axillary artery. Case report and review of the literature].

We describe the successful placement of an intra-arterial balloon catheter by a femoral approach in order to occlude the proximal arterial end and to control massive bleeding in a patient with rupture of the left axillary artery after blunt scapulo-thoracic dissociation. To our knowledge this technique has so far not been reported in Europe. It allows rapid control of bleeding, minimizes blood loss and markedly facilitates pre- and perioperative management in selected cases. The authors review the relevant literature dealing with this topic.

Adult

[Evaluation and treatment principles of open fractures].

The evaluation and treatment of fractures with severe soft tissue involvement requires much experience and knowledge in the handling of the soft parts and in the technique of operative fracture fixation. The mechanism of injury correlates with the energy involved, which in-turn must influence our plan of treatment. We tend today to preceed in different steps that must be planned ahead. Wound debridement and simple fracture stabilization in the first instance, soft tissue coverage in the second phase and definitive fracture fixation in the third. The quicker the patient is given the optimal treatment the better the outcome.

First Aid

[Vascular injuries--management in a non-university central hospital].

In a retrospective study the surgically treated vascular injuries (n = 35) of the last 10 years were evaluated. One third of the patients had multiple trauma and in 57% of the cases vascular injury was accompanied by a fracture. All patients (n = 28) except those who underwent delayed amputation (amputation rate 14%) have been followed personally for an average of 5.1 years. 90% of these patients showed an excellent or acceptable longtime result in regard to vascularity, nobody complained of claudication. Diagnosis of a vascular injury was mostly confirmed by direct surgical exploration, only one third of the lesions were diagnosed by arteriogram. A positive signal in Doppler examination does not exclude vascular injury and therefore cannot replace arteriography or exact clinical evaluation.

Adult

Management of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.

A series of 33 children with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus (SFH) were all treated operatively by open reduction and internal fixation or by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. A follow-up study was performed on average 29 months (range 3-63 months) after the injury. In 18 per cent of cases primary neurovascular injury was observed and confirmed at operation. Of these patients 32 had open reduction and internal fixation by K-wires; in only one case was closed reduction and percutaneous pinning attempted. If there was preoperative neurological deficit, the nerves were visualized; however nerve suture was not required in our series. In one case we had to reconstruct both the brachial and radial arteries because of intimal lesions totally occluding the vessels. The average hospital stay was 9 days, including pin removal, which was usually performed about 4-5 weeks later, at the time of plaster removal. By Innocenti's criteria, 27 of 30 patients reviewed had an excellent result; three had a good result and three patients were lost to follow-up. There were no complications due to the operation, such as wound healing problems, infections or nerve lesions. In the light of our experience and of the good results, we recommend that displaced SFH be managed by open reduction and internal K-wire fixation. Percutaneous pinning is a good alternative method when closed reduction is successful at the first attempt.

Bone Nails

Five years' follow-up of severely injured ICU patients.

We conducted a 5-year follow-up study of a group of 461 consecutive trauma patients treated in our Intensive Care Unit from 1980 to 1983. The entry criteria (initial survival and severe injury: ISS greater than or equal to 18) were fulfilled by 233 patients with a mean ISS of 29.3 and mean age of 35.6 years. Data on prehospital care, type and timing of surgery, and hospital and ICU stay were recorded during hospital discharge. The protocol strictly asked for a personal interview and a physical examination. Mailed questionnaires or phone interviews were not allowed. The areas of medical sequelae, aftercare, missed injuries, occupation, insurance, social integration, economics, legal aspects, and traffic involvement were covered. We were able to gather final information from 223 (95.6%) of the 233 cases. Forty-three patients (18.4%) died in the hospital, 13 patients (5.6%) died later, and 167 (76.5%) were eventually seen. Only 10 patients (4.4%) were lost to follow-up. Outcome was judged using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), which was compared with a GOS value given prospectively at the time of hospital discharge. Eighty-nine percent of the survivors were healthy or slightly disabled (GOS 5 and 4), 9% were severely disabled, and only 2% were in a persistent vegetative state. Outcome after 5 years was better than tentatively prognosed at the time of hospital discharge. Ninety-one patients with severe head injuries (AIS 4-5) were additionally tested using the Mini Mental State instrument. This test revealed normal mental functions in 77% and dementia, mostly of a minor degree, in 23% of the head-injured patients. Almost all the early deaths and two thirds of the late deaths were related to severe head injury. Seventy-nine percent of the survivors were working after 5 years. During the post-trauma period, patients experienced reduced social well-being and also changed professional and recreational activities. There appears to be extensive room for improvement in the posthospital recovery phase. We conclude that survivors of critical trauma have a very good chance, after 5 years, of regaining a high quality of life. All efforts at improving trauma survival and quality of trauma care are therefore worthwhile and deserve high priority.

Adolescent

[Emergency screw osteosynthesis of femoral neck fractures].

27 patients with femoral neck fractures have been treated by ORIF with 3 or 4 large cancellous bone screws. The operation has been performed as an emergency intervention within 5 1/2 hours after accident. Anterior arthrotomy in direction of the long axis of the neck for evacuation of the intraarticular hematoma has been performed as a routine. Personal follow-up with X-ray documentation after 18 to 106 months (mean 29.5 months) showed complete rehabilitation in 22 patients and 2 femoral head necroses (7.4%). We conclude that these good results are due to the short interval between accident and operation as well as to the evacuation of the intraarticular hematoma, together with a stable internal fixation and functional rehabilitation.

Adolescent

[Interlocking intramedullary nailing of the femur: is the advantage of early mobilization gained by risking a malposition?].

We report a follow-up of 57 consecutive femoral fractures treated by internal fixation with the AO Universal Interlocking Nall. All fractures (91% follow-up) had healed within a mean of 22 months (range 9-50) after operation. Full weight-bearing was possible after an average of 9 weeks (range 2-20). The only infection occurred after a secondary open lengthening osteotomy. In 5 cases a rotational malposition or length discrepancy had to be corrected shortly after initial surgery. Rotational malposition in excess of 10 degrees occurred in 26% of cases (mostly external rotation) and length discrepancy exceeding 1 cm in 13% (mostly shortening). The frequency of malposition is explained by the absence of rotational or length control during operation. We recommend that malposition be correlated without delay by reoperation.

Adolescent

[Talus fracture. Injury pattern, treatment tactics and results of operation (1980-1989)].

The results of 25 operated talus fractures are presented. 7 of these were peripheral fractures with excellent results, 18 central fractures with only satisfying or even bad outcome. Although we didn't see any avascular necrosis of the talus, almost all patients had pain and slight or even severe signs of arthrosis in the ankle or subtalar joint.

Follow-Up Studies

Results of operative treatment for intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus.

Since 1980 our treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures consists of open reduction with distractor, bone grafting, and internal fixation. Thereby no splints are applied and early postoperative movement is possible. For precise preoperative planning a CT scan is required. Proper timing and careful preoperative planning are essential to prevent soft-tissue complications. In a total of 16 fractures good clinical and radiologic results were achieved in 50% of the cases; results were satisfactory in 25% and poor in 25%. The patients returned to work after an average of 5 months. Only three patients (19%) received disability compensations, which compares favorably with nonoperative treatment. We believe that a majority of comminuted intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus profit from open reduction and internal fixation and that more reliable functional results are achieved than with conservative therapy.

Adult

[Esophageal endoprosthesis in advanced carcinoma. Personal experiences with the endoscopically inserted Häring tube].

The majority of esophageal carcinomas and cancers obstructing the cardia is still beyond surgical cure, and the need for effective palliative therapy is as great as ever. Among the various endoscopic techniques currently available, we prefer inserting prosthetic esophageal tubes and laser therapy. Here, we report our experience with 61 placements of prosthetic tubes in 58 patients. The insertion of the tube was always performed after successful dilatation of the stenosis under intravenous sedation and analgesia. The indications included carcinomas of the esophagus and the cardia, as well as neoplastic strictures after surgery. In seven patients, an additional esophageal-bronchial fistula was present. The median survival was 14 weeks (range: 1 to 60 weeks). 18 patients lived for more than 16 weeks. Six patients died from severe complications due to the endoscopic procedure, 13 patients had minor complications which were treated conservatively. In summary, endoscopic intubation is simple and effective as a palliative treatment for malignant esophageal obstruction. The relative value of intubation compared to laser therapy is not known yet and remains to be determined.

Aged

Intramedullary nailing with interlocking.

The locked or unlocked intramedullary nail is considered today in most institutions the first choice for stabilisation of the majority of closed diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia. In 1st and 2nd degree open fractures of the tibia, the unreamed locked nail may perhaps become the preferred implant. In spite of very favourable results with nailing, not all fracture problems of long bone will be solved with this device. The plate and external fixator will remain indicated in most fractures with meta- and epiphyseal extension as well as in situations in which the intraoperative fluoroscopy is not available. Our experience with the new AO universal femur and tibia nails are being reported.

Bone Nails

[Serial rib fractures: a differentiated treatment concept, illustrated by 59 severely injured intensive care patients].

In a group of 59 consecutive ICU trauma patients with blunt chest injury and considerable injury severity (ISS = 29) a three-staged therapeutic approach was followed, depending seriousness of chest injury, overall injury severity and age. Stage 1: i.v. analgesia and conventional respiratory therapy. Stage 2: continuous epidural analgesia (local anesthetics and opiates) and intermittent CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) by face mask. Stage 3: Endotracheal intubation and internal pneumatic stabilization of the chest, preferably spontaneous breathing. Only 44% of the patients needed intubation, and none died. The authors recommend this three-step approach towards blunt chest injury and serial rib fractures.

Combined Modality Therapy

[Post-traumatic osteitis. The acute infection].

The acute infection is defined as bacterial growth within the surgical wound, that may occur within days to weeks after initial surgery but before bone union. The chances of complete recovery after an acute soft tissue inflammation are closely related to the interval between initial surgery and first signs of infection, the early recognition of the complication, the type of bacteria involved and the therapeutic measures. The first symptoms of an impending infection are the classical clinical ones of any inflammation: tenderness, swelling and reddening. All imaging procedures are of little or no value. The therapy consists of very aggressive and, if required, repeated wound revisions with debridement of all necrotic tissue, removal of loose bone fragments or loose implant material, wash-outs with antiseptic solutions (e.g. Taurolin) or even deposition of gentamycin beads. Systemic antibiotics may be added temporarily. The in- or external fixation devices must provide stable fracture fixation and the bone as well as the soft tissue envelope must be well vascularized.

Acute Disease

[Abdominal tuberculosis and open lung tuberculosis caused by mycobacterium bovis].

Abdominal tuberculosis is a rare disease in Western countries and remains difficult to diagnose. The most frequent symptoms are abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, vomiting, constipation and/or diarrhea. Clinical findings include abdominal tenderness, a palpable mass (often in the right fossa due to ileocecal infection), paleness, cachexia and ascites. Suggested radiological investigations include plain abdominal film, upper GI-series and barium enema. Chest X-rays often show signs of either active or inactive tuberculosis. Sputum and gastric juice should be cultured. Coloscopy serves to sample specimens for histology and bacteriology and may help to confirm the diagnosis, which is, however, not ruled out by negative findings. The same holds good for peritoneal biopsy and laparoscopy. Bowel perforation and ileus are frequent complications and always require surgery, whereas uncomplicated cases can be treated by drugs only.

Adolescent

The treatment of displaced metaphyseal fractures with screws and wiring systems.

Within the context of modern fracture fixation, buttress plates have traditionally played an important role in stabilizing both intraarticular and extraarticular displaced metaphyseal fractures. While plating has substantially improved the assurance of union and functional recovery in these fractures, there is some interference with physiologic blood supply to the regions of the fracture and, consequently, to the biological elements of healing. This article outlines alternative methods of treatment for these fractures using screws and wiring systems with little, if any, loss of stability. Patients must be selected carefully and must have large fracture fragments and normal or near normal mineralization of their bones. When screw and wiring methods can be used, there is less tissue dissection and, consequently, less interference with the physiologic fracture healing process.

Adult