Interfragmentary displacement has a main effect on callus formation in fracture healing. To test whether compressive or distractive displacements have a more pronounced effect on new bone formation, a sheep osteotomy model was created whereby the gap tissue was subjected to constant bending displacement. A diaphyseal osteotomy with a gap of 2 mm was created in 18 sheep tibiae and stabilized with a special unilateral actuator-driven external fixator. Two experimental groups with six sheep each received either 10 or 1000 cycles evenly distributed over 24 h. The third group of six sheep served as a control group without actively induced displacement. The amount and direction of cyclic displacement was kept constant throughout the observation period, resulting in 50% compressive and 50'%) distractive displacement within the osteotomy gap. At sacrifice, six weeks after surgery, bending stiffness was measured and new bone formation was assessed radiologically and microradiographically. In all cycled groups, the amount of periosteal callus formation was up to 25 times greater on the compression compared to the distraction side (p < 0.001). The application of the higher number of daily cycles resulted in an up to 10-fold greater amount of periosteal new bone formation on the compression side ( p < 0.012), while the difference on the distraction side was not significant. Ten cycles applied a day were sufficient to create an abundant periosteal callus on the compression side. In the 1000 cycle group, bending stiffness revealed slightly lower values but the difference was not significant. Solid periosteal bridging of the gap was observed in two sheep in the control group, whereas bridging in the cycled groups was observed exclusively at the medullary side. In conclusion, cyclic compressive displacements were found to be superior over distractive displacements. A higher number of enforced and maintained compressive displacements enhanced periosteal callus formation but did not allow bony bridging of the gap.

BackgroundOver the past, the severe thoracic trauma has had decisive influence on the outcome of multiple injured patients. Today, new therapies (e.g. extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), protective ventilation methods and new forms of patient positioning) are available and applied regularly. What impact on the patient’s outcome does the thoracic trauma have today?MethodsProspective data collection of multiple injured patients in a level-I trauma center was performed between 2008 and 2014. Patients with an ISS ≥16 were included and divided into 2 groups: Severe thoracic trauma (STT: AISThorax ≥ 3) and mild thoracic trauma (MTT: AISThorax < 3). In addition to preclinical and trauma room care, detailed information about clinical course and outcome were assessed.ResultsIn total, 529 patients (STT: n = 317; MTT: n = 212) met the in- and exclusion criteria. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was significantly higher in patients of the STT group (STT: 33.5 vs. MTT: 24.7; p < 0.001), while the RISC II Score showed no significant differences (STT: 20.0 vs. MTT: 17.1; p = 0.241). Preclinical data revealed a higher intubation rate, more chest tube insertions and a higher use of catecholamines in the STT group (p < 0.05). Clinically, we found significant differences in the duration of invasive ventilation (STT: 7.3d vs. MTT: 5.4d; p = 0.001) and ICU stay (STT: 12.3d vs. MTT: 9.4d; p < 0.001). While the complication rate was higher for the STT group (sepsis (STT: 11.4% vs. MTT: 5.7%; p = 0.017); lung failure (STT: 23.7% vs. MTT: 12.3%; p = 0,001)), neither the non-adjusted lethality rate (STT: 13.2% vs. MTT: 13.7%; p = 0.493) nor the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) showed significant differences (STT: 0.66 vs. MTT: 0.80; p = 0.397). The multivariate regressive analysis confirmed that severe thoracic trauma is not an independent risk factor for lethality in our patient cohort.ConclusionDespite a higher injury severity, the extended need of emergency measures and a higher rate of complications in injured patients with severe blunt thoracic trauma, no influence on lethality can be proved. The reduction of the complication rate should be a goal for the next decades.

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Our study shows that a huge variability in rehabilitation after Achilles tendon rupture exists. This study shows different strategies in rehabilitation of Achilles tendon ruptures using a convertible vacuum brace system. To improve patient care, further clinical as well as biomechanical studies need to be conducted. This study might serve as basis for prospective randomized controlled trials to optimize rehabilitation for Achilles tendon ruptures.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the true incidence of cervical artery dissections (CeADs) in trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of ≥16, since head-and-neck computed tomography angiogram (CTA) is not a compulsory component of whole-body trauma computed tomography (CT) protocols.Patients and methodsA total of 230 consecutive trauma patients with an ISS of ≥16 admitted to our Level I trauma center during a 24-month period were prospectively included. Standardized whole-body CT in a 256-detector row scanner included a head-and-neck CTA. Incidence, mortality, patient and trauma characteristics, and concomitant injuries were recorded and analyzed retrospectively in patients with carotid artery dissection (CAD) and vertebral artery dissection (VAD).ResultsOf the 230 patients included, 6.5% had a CeAD, 5.2% had a CAD, and 1.7% had a VAD. One patient had both CAD and VAD. For both, CAD and VAD, mortality is 25%. One death was caused by fatal cerebral ischemia due to high-grade CAD. A total of 41.6% of the patients with traumatic CAD and 25% of the patients with VAD had neurological sequelae.ConclusionMandatory head-and-neck CTA yields higher CeAD incidence than reported before. We highly recommend the compulsory inclusion of a head-and-neck CTA to whole-body CT routines for severely injured patients.