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Objective: The postdoctoral medical lecture qualification (Habilitation) represents the highest academic qualification in Germany, which is successfully completed by approximately 850 candidates in medicine and health sciences per year. However, there is only a limited number of respective academic positions available. In addition, structures in education and society have changed over the last years, challenging the importance of this specific German qualification. The aim of this study was to elicit the opinions of members of German habilitation committees concerning the requirements, processes and the overall importance of the postdoctoral medical lecture qualification. Furthermore we wanted to evaluate potential needs for reforms., Methods: The online survey was conducted asking for biographic parameters, subjective ratings and potential needs for reforms concerning the postdoctoral medical lecture qualification (PLQ)., Results: The PLQ was rated high in significance by 71.3 % of the committee members. According to the medical understanding of the Humboldt triad (research, teaching, patient care), research (94.3 %) and teaching (89.7 %) have been rated as the most important requirements for a PLQ. Asked for the motivation to undertake a PLQ, 91.0 % of the members gave the joy of doing research, 78.2 % the joy of teaching and 65.5 % better career prospects perspectives as their reason. The recognition of a Ph.D. degree as being equivalent to a German PQL was clearly rejected by the survey respondents (58.6 %: no equivalence). The majority is against the abolition of the German PLQ. However, there is a definite desire for reform, preferably concerning internal obstacles such as the dependence on full professors, more transparency in the PLQ process, but also the demand for a federal standard PLQ regulation., Conclusion: From the committee members' point of view the German PLQ has still a role to play and, despite controversy, is still regarded as a timely qualification. However, there is clear-cut evidence for local, national and international reforms in order to create equality of opportunity for the candidates and to open up suitable career options., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Background: The medical dissertation represents an independently processed scientific project. In the field of medicine this has for many years displayed the basis for controversial discussions. The aim of the study presented here was to evaluate the prerequisites of all current promotion regulations in German medical faculties in order to develop a comparability on the basis of a scoring system., Method: An independent analysis of all promotion regulations from German medical faculties for the year 2014 was carried out according to 12 primary outcome measures and a scoring system., Results: The average total score of promotion regulations at 37 German medical faculties was 57.2 points (SD ±9.5) out of a possible 100 scoring points. The highest scores with 72-85 points were achieved by 3 faculties and 5 achieved scores of only 42-45 points. The range of the different criteria tested was broad. While the written thesis, the review process, the examination requirements as well as the grading of the thesis were defined in all regulations, the introduction into good clinical practice, knowledge of methodology as well as a check for plagiarism only seem to play minor roles., Conclusion: The promotion regulations at German medical faculties show a great variation using the scoring system presented here for the first time. Standardized federal promotion regulations might help to establish a structured transparency as well as a national equality of opportunity.

Background: Cutaneous microcirculation has shown to play a key role in wound healing. Although healing disorders are still one of the most common complications in hand surgery, there still exists a lack of scientific research on possible age-related changes in cutaneous microcirculation at the dorsum of hand., Hypothesis: Cutaneous microcirculation at the dorsum of the hand differs significantly between different age groups., Methods: 53 healthy subjects were divided into 2 groups by age (Group A:<40 years, n=31 vs. Group B≥40 years, n=22). All subjects underwent measurement of the microcirculation at the dorsum of the hand with combined laser-Doppler and photo spectrometry., Results: Cutaneous oxygen saturation was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (A: 64.7±9.9% vs. B: 58.3±12.6%; p=0,044). In contrast, blood flow velocity was significantly higher in Group B (A: 43±19.6 AU vs. B: 56.7±21.1 AU; p=0.019)., Conclusion: The hypothesis of this study was confirmed. This is the first study to show significant differences of cutaneous microcirculation at the dorsum of the hand within different age groups. Further clinical trials are needed in order to examine if delayed wound healing can be correlated to impaired cutaneous microcirculation at the dorsum of the hand., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

In this article we describe our experiences in the treatment of chemical burns with Diphoterine(®) solution and Suprathel(®) as a temporary skin substitute material, a treatment which in the past was not commonly used for this pattern of injuries. In the study period from October 2012 to December 2013 we treated five patients (four male and one female including two children and three adults) with chemical burns by decontamination with Diphoterine(®) and wound covering with Suprathel(®). The control group included five patients with similar injury patterns who were treated with Diphoterine(®) and occlusive wound dressings. No wound infections occurred in any of the five cases and no interactions were observed between Suprathel(®) and the chemical substance involved. In four cases the skin areas with IIa-IIb degree damage showed good wound healing and only slight scarring in the follow-up after 3 months and one of the five patients had to be treated surgically. Suprathel(®) can be used as a temporary skin substitute for the treatment of skin burns and is also available for the treatment of chemical burns.

Background: Water jet-assisted liposuction (WAL) and power-assisted liposuction (PAL) are used for autologous fat grafting. This study analyses the viability and particle sizes of fat grafts obtained by these techniques., Patients, Material and Methods: The WAL and PAL techniques were applied in 9 female patients in identical body regions. In order to analyse cell viability, fat grafts were tested via the WST-8 assay and DNA quantification immediately after liposuction. Furthermore, in order to determine particle size, an optically evaluable water-fat emulsion was analysed by macroscopic inspection and light microscopy., Results: The WST-8 assay showed significantly lower extinction values (OD) for use of the WAL technique - corresponding to a lower metabolical activity - compared to PAL liposuction: WAL 1.85±0.56 OD, PAL 2.25±0.57 OD. The quotient of extinction values and cell DNA concentration determined by DNA quantification also indicated statistically significant differences between both systems of liposuction in favour of using power-assisted systems: WAL 0.061±0.023 OD/μg, PAL 0.083±0.029 OD/μg. On the other hand, microscopic and macroscopic analyses showed significantly greater diameters (d) for fat grafts obtained with the PAL technique than by WAL liposuction: dmakroWAL=0.8 mm and dmakroPAL=1.1 mm or, respectively, dmikroWAL 0.89 mm and dmikroPAL=0.93 mm., Conclusion: Power-assisted liposuction obtains fat grafts with a higher metabolical activity than water jet-assisted liposuction. A falsification of extinction values within the WST-8 assay due to diversity of the number of cells was eliminated by additionally implemented DNA quantification. According to the current scientific debate, the particle size of obtained fat grafts is also considered as an important criterion for the success of autologous fat grafting. For clinical use, one should favour techniques which provide the smallest and most viable fat grafts as possible. In our opinion, the significantly lower size of WAL particles compared to the higher viability of PAL grafts indicates a necessity of analysing viability as well as particle size in order to evaluate liposuction systems. Data solely about in vitro viability of fat grafts fail to offer a recommendation for the use of a specific technique., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background: Throughout the recent decade, eccentric training has become a widely accepted therapy option in the conservative treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Nevertheless, current recommendations are missing regarding dosage and duration of eccentric training as well as standardized training protocols., Objectives: Is eccentric training as a conservative treatment in chronic Achilles tendinopathy of beneficial effect versus other conservative treatments? According to the current scientific data, is it possible to recommend dosages and duration of training time of eccentric training?, Study Design: Systematic review of the current scientific literature on eccentric training as a conservative treatment in chronic Achilles tendinopathy according to the PRISMA-guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)., Data Source: National library of Medicine (NLM) between the years 1950 and 2010., Study Eligibility Criteria: Prospective randomised controlled trials (RCT)., Participants: 8 RCTs included 416 subjects with a median number of 42 subjects and a range of 17 to 116 subjects per trial. Median follow-up duration was 12 weeks with a range from 12 to 54 weeks., Results: 124 papers met the eligibility criteria in the NLM, whereas only eight randomised controlled trials were included in this review after screening titles, abstracts and full texts. All included trials demonstrated an improvement in pain after performing equivalent training protocols of eccentric training in chronic Achilles tendinopathy., Limitations: A pooled statistical evaluation of the included trials could not be performed due to different study designs as well as limited documentation of subjects' compliance., Conclusion: In spite of different compliance, effects of eccentric training in conservative treatment of chronic mid-portion-Achilles tendinopathy are promising. Because of the heterogeneous outcome variables (ordinal scale, VAS, FAOS, AOFAS, VISA-A) and the methodological limitations of the trials, no definite recommendation can be published concerning dosage and duration of eccentric training in chronic Achilles tendinopathy., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background: Eccentric training has become a popular treatment for patellar tendinopathy. Aim of this review is to display different exercise prescriptions for patellar tendinopathy, to help clinicians make appropriate choices and identify areas needing further research., Objectives: Is eccentric training as a conservative treatment in chronic patellar tendinopathy of beneficial effect versus other conservative treatments? According to the current scientific data, is it possible to recommend dosages and duration of training time of eccentric training?, Study Design: Systematic review of the current scientific literature on eccentric training as a conservative treatment in chronic Achilles tendinopathy according to the PRISMA-guidelines [Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses]., Data Source: National library of Medicine [NLM] between the years 1950 and 2010., Study Eligibility Criteria: Prospective randomised controlled trials (RCT)., Participants: 7 articles with a total of 165 patients and in which eccentric training was one of the interventions, all published after 2000, were included. The median cohort study size was 20 subjects with a range from 15 to 35 subjects. Median follow-up duration was 12 weeks with a range from 4 to 12 weeks., Results: Encouraging results, but variable study quality, with small numbers or short follow-up periods. The content of the different training programmes varied, but most were home-based programmes with twice daily training for 12 weeks. A number of potentially significant differences were identified in the eccentric programmes used: drop squats or slow eccentric movement, squatting on a 25° decline board or level ground, exercising into tendon pain or short of pain, loading the eccentric phase only or both phases, and progressing with speed then loading or simply loading., Limitations: A pooled statistical evaluation of the included trials could not be performed due to different study designs as well as limited documentation of subjects' compliance., Conclusion: Most studies suggest that eccentric training may have a positive effect, but our ability to recommend a specific protocol is limited. The studies available indicate that the treatment programme should include a 25° decline board and should be performed with some level of discomfort, and that athletes should be removed from sports activity. However, these aspects need further study. Because of the heterogeneous outcome variables (ordinal scale, VAS, VISA-P) and the methodological limitations of the trials, no definite recommendation can be published concerning dosage and duration of eccentric training in chronic Patellar tendinopathy., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Motocross racing is a demanding motorcycling discipline with significant physiological and psychological demands. Upper extremity injuries are frequently encountered. Interestingly, motocross riders present with a significantly stronger left arm, even if the left hand is not dominant. This difference is attributed to the use of the clutch lever with the left hand, which is more frequent in motocross than in Enduro or desert rally. The wrist has been reported to be involved especially among motocross racers in contrast to road racing. Besides wrist fractures, scaphoid fractures have been previously without a detailed analysis of the injury mechanism. We report on three patients suffering scaphoid fractures caused by extreme hyperextension of the wrist during landing after a motocross jump. Two patients presented late three months following the initial trauma (both Herbert type C fractures), while one motocross athlete with a B 2-type scaphoid fracture was admitted to wrist surgery within a week. The B 2-type fracture was treated with open reduction and Herbert-screw fixation, while the C-type fractures were treated by Herbert-screw fixation in addition to a cortico-cancellous bone graft. Within ten weeks after the surgery the patients were back in sport at their given preoperative level. Hyperextension rather than wrist flexion appears as the predominant mechanism of wrist injuries in motocross riders. A more axial impact on the wrist is more likely to produce a radial fracture during the landing phase. Preventive strategies are internal muscular wrist stabilisation using eccentric training and external stabilisation by rigid gloves allowing only limited hyperextension.

Pelvic apophyseal injuries typically involve adolescents, ranging gradually from apophysitis as a chronic traction injury to avulsion fractures after a sudden contraction of a muscle to the immature musculo-skeleton adolescent. While avulsion fractures to the anterior superior iliac spine, the iliac crest and the pubic bone are common, injuries to the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) are only rarely encountered. We report on two 42 and 43-year old male soccer players complaining of groin pain. Both had AIIS avulsion fractures diagnosed by conventional plain x-ray of the pelvis, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. One patient had an acute adductor longus muscle injury with concomitant asymptomatic AIIS avulsion fracture. Conservative treatment of the muscle injury with initial RICE therapy followed by pain-restricted jogging brought him back to sport within four weeks. The other patient had local tenderness and exercise pain at AIIS with a large exostosis on imaging studies mimicking a pseudotumor. Surgical resection was applied and the rectus femoris muscle was reattached. After three months of intensive physical therapy he could be return to sport. Avulsion fractures of the AIIS may cause persistent pain syndrome and mimic a pseudotumor decades after the initial trauma, which can be treated by surgical resection and reattachment of the rectus femoris muscle with good results. Conservative treatment for minor dislocated AIIS avulsion fractures can be effective in sportsmen. Differential diagnosis often involves bony tumors, so patient's soccer history gives important information regarding past avulsion fractures of the pelvis, which often occur during kicking in the adolescence.