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Das schwere Trauma ist in jedem Lebensalter und besonders bei alten multimorbiden Patienten eine relevante medizinische und okonomische Herausforderung. Die Schwerverletzten erfordern eine Behandlungsfuhrung unter Einbindung interdisziplinarer Kompetenz aus einer Hand durch einen Arzt, der in der Therapie der Verletzung/Grunderkrankung und in der Intensivmedizin gleichermasen spezialisiert ist. Hierfur besonders geeignet ist ein Chirurg/Unfallchirurg mit Weiterbildung in der speziellen chirurgischen Intensivmedizin. Selbstverstandlich muss eine chirurgische Intensivstation durch einen dort hauptamtlich und ausschlieslich tatigen Chirurgen geleitet werden. Die Superspezialisierung in der Kompetenz von Unfallchirurgen hat in anderen Landern (z. B. der USA) zu einer erheblichen Verbesserung des Outcomes gefuhrt. Im Rahmen der Superspezialisierung hat die hierin integrierte Intensivmedizin einen wichtigen Beitrag geleistet. Eine weitere Verbesserung der Traumaversorgung erfordert eine innovative und kompetente Forschung mit dem Fokus nicht nur auf allgemeine intensivmedizinische Masnahmen, z. B. Beatmungsverfahren, sondern auch auf Aspekte, die sich der kausalen Komplexitat der „Trauma-Krankheit“ widmen. Die zusammenhangende, kausale Betrachtung der Traumatisierung mit den pathobiochemischen, pathophysiologischen und immunpathologischen Folgen unter Einbeziehung der unterschiedlichen chirurgisch-therapeutischen Strategien ist der eigentliche zielfuhrende chirurgisch-intensivmedizinische Forschungsansatz. Die Organfunktionsstorungen mussen moglichst in ihrer Entstehung gemindert oder verhindert werden. Auf diesem Forschungsgebiet sind Unfallchirurgen und Chirurgen weltweit fuhrend tatig. Sinnvollerweise gehort die praktische Tatigkeit in der Intensivmedizin in dieses Forschungskonzept hinein.

In the treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) no breakthrough has been achieved so far. In several cases of severe ARDS in multiply injured patients we have seen improvements of lung function by means of continuous body positioning. We therefore compared the effect of kinetic positioning (KIN) on lung function and haemodynamics in ARDS patients with conventional (CON) supine positioning. Pulmonary and systemic haemodynamics were determined on the basis of pulmonary artery catheter measurements. On a daily basis oxygenation ratio (PaO2/FiO2) and pulmonary shunt (Os/Ot. per cent) were calculated. Extravascular lung water (EVLW, ml/kg BW) was determined by the double indicator thermodilution technique. Twenty-two patients were included: KIN, N = 11, CON, N = 11. Mortality from ARDS in KIN patients was 18.2 per cent (N = 2): in CON patients it was 63.6 per cent (N = 7). The oxygenation ratio (PaO2/FiO2) increased significantly in KIN patients from 140 + 45 (day 0) to 237 + 40 (P < 0.05) (day 5); in CON patients no improvement was seen (143 + 48 (day 0). 133 + 44 (day 5); n.s. between groups at day 0: P < 0.05 between groups at day 5). Pulmonary shunt decreased significantly from 26.6 + 4 per cent (day 0) to 12.5 + 2 per cent (day 5) (P < 0.05) in KIN patients and was 36.6 + 6 per cent at day 0 and 31.4 + 2 per cent at day 5 in CON patients (P < 0.05 between groups at day 5).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We investigated whether primary (24 hours) intramedullary stabilization of femoral shaft fractures in multiple trauma patients with severe thoracic injury might be associated with an increased incidence of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A total of 766 patients with multiple trauma admitted to Hannover Medical School between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1991, were investigated retrospectively. Of these, 106 patients met the inclusion criteria: Injury Severity Score18, femoral midshaft fracture treated by intramedullary nailing, primary admission or referral within 8 hours after injury, and no death from head injury or hemorrhagic shock. Two groups were differentiated according to the presence or absence of chest trauma (severe chest trauma = AIS thoraxor =, group T; no severe chest trauma = AIS thorax2, group N). Selection of subgroups according to the time of femur stabilization was group I24 hours after trauma, group II24 hours after trauma. Injury Severity Scores in the four groups were TI: 29.4 (n = 24); TII 31.4 (n = 26); NI 20.1 (n = 33); NII 25.4 (n = 23). In patients without thoracic trauma the ICU time (NI: 7.3 days; NII: 18.0 days) and intubation time (NI: 5.5 days; NII: 11.0 days) were lower in the patients treated primarily (p0.05). In patients with severe chest trauma there was a higher incidence of posttraumatic ARDS (33% versus 7.7%) and mortality (21% versus 4%) when early intramedullary femoral nailing was done. In the absence of severe chest trauma primary intramedullary femoral nailing is beneficial.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

SUMMARY In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that complement activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In a prospective study of polytrauma patients at risk of ARDS (n= 38) complement parameters were determined over a period of 14 days in serial plasma samples (obtained every 6 h during the first 48 h). Polytrauma induced a rapid and remarkable complement activation. Low levels of the complement proteins C3, C4, C1 inhibitor (Cl INH) factor I and factor H during the first 48 h indicated complement consumption in all patients. Elevated C3a levels in the first few hours after injury were associated with the later development of ARDS. A more sensitive indicator than C3a alone was the calculated C3a:C3 ratio discriminating ARDS and non-ARDS patients. A second rise of C3a levels and C3a:C3 ratio from day 4 on paralleled the course of extravascular lung water. To assess the mode of complement activation, the activation-specific protein complexes Cl rCls-Cl INH and C3b(Bb)P were measured in some of the patients. We demonstrate that in the first 48 h complement activation occurred via the alternative pathway only and was later followed by an additional activation via the classical pathway. Our observations suggest that monitoring of C3a and C3 in plasma can identify polytrauma patients at high risk for ARDS at an early stage of the disease.

At our hospital ultrasound (US) is used as an initial screening procedure in all patients with abdominal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of this policy on the detection of ileocecal Crohn's disease. We retrospectively studied all patients with a new diagnosis of ileocecal Crohn's disease from our institute over the period 1990-2001. The final diagnosis was based on clinical follow-up and pathological, surgical, US, and other radiological findings. We noted who referred the patient to the radiology department, what the initial clinical presumption was, and what the first imaging study was. US diagnoses were determined from the initial US report and US findings were registered from the images. There were a total of 47 patients (20 men, 27 women) with a mean age of 30 years and a median age of 27 years (range 14-75 years). In all patients the initial imaging study was an abdominal US. Using US, a confident diagnosis of ileocecal Crohn's disease was made in 35 of the 47 patients, Crohn's disease was suggested among the differential diagnosis in 10, and an incorrect diagnosis was made in 2 patients. In 28 of 47 patients, the referring physician did not consider Crohn's disease when requesting the initial US examination. In eight patients with appendicitis-like symptoms, the US findings strongly influenced the decision to refrain from operation at that point in time. US, when used as a low-threshold diagnostic procedure, is a reliable and noninvasive means for making an early diagnosis of ileocecal Crohn's disease in patients who present with atypical symptoms. It may prevent both unnecessary therapeutic delay as well as unnecessary surgery.

Gut permeability was studied in multiply injured patients with respect to the development of multiple organ failure (MOF). Two groups were defined according to MOF score (threshold 10 points) as to whether MOF developed (group 1; n = 11, four deaths) or did not (group 2; n = 21, no death). Gut permeability was determined from the ratio of urinary excretion of enterally administered lactulose and mannitol. Serum elastase concentrations were also determined. Mean(s.e.m.) gut permeability was abnormal during the entire study (day 1: group 1 5·1(2·1) versus group 2 10·6(4·1) (P not significant; P < 0·001 versus normal volunteers, 0·56(0·24)). An increase on days 3 and 5 correlated with serum elastase levels only in patients in group 1 (rs = 0·71, P < 0·01). Severe injury leads to increased intestinal permeability, which is related to a systemic inflammatory response.

We analyzed the frequency of occurrence of traumatic aortic rupture (TAR) in patients with and without thoracic spinal fractures. Among 4,676 blunt chest trauma victims admitted to the hospital between 1972 and 1988, 148 (3.2%) suffered one or more thoracic vertebral fractures. There were 73 patients with one or more fractures of the first eight thoracic vertebrae (T1 to T8); of these 73, 4 also suffered TAR (5.5%). There were 4,603 patients without fractures of T1 to T8, and 64 of these patients also suffered TAR (1.4%). This difference was significant by the chi2 and Fisher exact tests, p = 0.00378 and p = 0.021003, respectively. Additionally, all 5 patients with TAR and thoracic vertebral fractures died. We conclude that patients with one or more fractures of T1 to T8 have a statistically significant increase in the incidence of TAR.

Multiple organ failure (MOF) is considered to be the leading cause of death after severe trauma. Although there is extensive literature on MOF, little is known about the pattern, sequence, and onset of this clinical syndrome. The first goal of this clinical study was to define MOF; the second was to assess the typical onset, sequence, and pattern of MOF; and the third was to define certain risk factors for the development of MOF in 342 multiple trauma patients. Patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS): > 20 (mean 35.7) were included. Three well established MOF scoring methods were used to give strict definitions of MOF: 11.4% of the total patient population developed MOF, and 88.6% did not. Respiratory failure was most frequent in patients developing MOF (74.4%), and these patients had the highest mortality rate (65.5%) compared to patients with failure of other organ systems (liver, cardiovascular system). Generally, the lung is the first organ to fail after injury (failure after 3.7 +/- 2.8 days). Significant renal failure and the need for dialysis decreased to < 5%; other signs of organ dysfunction (gastric, central nervous system) are difficult to verify. Typical risk factors for the development of MOF after severe trauma are the severity, type, and distribution of injury as well as the indicators of prolonged hemorrhagic shock (elevated lactate levels). The main therapeutic efforts, therefore, should be the effective treatment of traumatic hemorrhagic shock during the initial phase, adequate resuscitation, optimal oxygenation, and early surgical treatment.

In this randomized study we attempt to verify treatment results, rehabilitation and social reintegration of multiple trauma patients. Two to 4 years after the accident a clinical follow-up examination was carried out on 104 multiple trauma patients with an average age of 29.5 years who had 7.7 single injuries. Patients with injuries of the central nervous system still showed neurological disorders in 32%. The initially determined Glasgow Coma Scale did not correlate with the long-term prognosis of neurological disorders. Only 4 of 38 thoracic injuries had functional disorders-these patients had required long-term ventilation therapy (3 weeks). Former abdominal injuries showed no objective disorders in the follow-up. Most of the injuries to the extremities (79.7%) healed without functional disorder. Only patients with lower limb injuries still had complaints. At the time of the checkup 6.7% had still not been able to work (for more than 24 months) and 26.9% for more than 12 months. The disability rate was less than 20% in 64.3%, 7.2% more than 50% and 9.6% more than 80%. Most of these patients had severe head injuries. There was a relationship between reintegration at work and the age of the patients: 49.2% of patients younger than 25 years were working in their previous profession, 26.9% had here re-educated, and only 7.9% were unemployed. However, in the age group older than 25 years, only 29.2% worked in their previous profession and 12.2% had been re-educated. This follow-up study shows that in multiple trauma patients reintegration at work and in social life is possible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In multiple trauma patients the development of pulmonary complications (pneumonia, posttraumatic adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)) represents a major problem and can have a substantial impact on the duration of intensive care treatment as well as on outcome. An association between the timing of stabilisation of long bone fractures and the incidence of pulmonary complications has been discussed. In several studies, primary fracture stabilisation of femoral shaft fractures, preferably by intramedullary stabilisation (Lhowe and Hansen, 1988), was shown to reduce the incidence of pneumonia and ARDS and was therefore advocated (Goris et al., 1982; Tscherne, 1983; Kwasni et al., 1986; Ruedi and Wolff, 1975; Bone et al., 1989; Johnson et al., 1985; Behrmann et al., 1990). Some authors generally recommend primary intramedullary femoral nailing in multiple trauma patients (Bone, 1993).

The reported incidence of myocardial contusion after blunt chest trauma is 7-17%. Only one third of these patients present with significant morbidity. The polytrauma is generally dominated by hypovolemic and traumatic shock. Other causes of hypotension are less common, and may thus be ignored. The standard algorithm of care in multiple trauma care, however, leads to the diagnosis even in these cases, as illustrated by a case of prolonged shock induced by blunt myocardial trauma.

In the last few years there has been increasing evidence that adult respiratory distress syndrome is only part of a much more complex syndrome called multiorgan failure (MOF). Since renal and lung failure have become rare because of our increased understanding of the pathomechanisms involved and the treatment changes, liver dysfunction has been noted more often. In a clinical trial with 38 patients with severe trauma, we investigated liver function using ordinary parameters like the transaminases, bilirubin, etc. To define one group with MOF and one without we used the Goris MOF Score. In both groups glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) was increased initially up to 14 U/l, indicating hypoxia of the liver cells right after trauma. From day 6 on, a second increase up to 12 U/l of GLDH in the MOF group was evidence of liver cell dysfunction. The glutamine oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) level remained normal in both groups after an initial increase of up to 60 U/l in both groups. As 30% of serum GOT is released by muscle cells, the initial peak values could be due to direct muscle trauma, because an initial increase was noted even in the creatinine kinase. A decrease in clotting factor V down to 30% on day 8 in the MOF group indicated that the metabolic synthesis activity of the liver was lower. Bilirubin increased in the MOF group from day 5 on up to 240 mumol/l on the day 14. As this increase was not parallel to the gamma glutamyl transferase (Gamma BT) level, the reason for the bilirubin increase may be dysfunction of the liver cell membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the systemic synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes in patients with multiple trauma. In order to do this, the urinary excretion of leukotriene E4 was assessed in the first 10 days after trauma. 2. Leukotriene E4 was unequivocally identified by g.c.-m.s. in the urine of healthy subjects and patients with multiple trauma after its conversion to 5-hydroxyeicosanoic acid. Leukotriene E4 was routinely isolated from 24 h urine samples by solid-phase extraction followed by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. and was subsequently quantified by r.i.a. 3. Healthy subjects excreted daily 10 ± 3 nmol of leukotriene E4/mol of creatinine (mean ± sem, n = 16) into urine. 4. Patients with multiple trauma who did not develop adult respiratory distress syndrome (n = 7) excreted 76.8 ± 6.7 nmol of leukotriene E4/mol of creatinine (mean ± sem) daily during the first 10 days after trauma, which was significantly (P < 0.01) more than did healthy subjects. 5. Excretion of leukotriene E4 was even more enhanced in three patients with multiple trauma who developed adult respiratory distress syndrome. Maximal amounts of 593 ± 185 nmol of leukotriene E4/mol of creatinine (mean ± sem) were excreted on day 9 after trauma by these three patients, which corresponds to a 7.7- and a 59-fold increase in excretion of leukotriene E4 compared with patients with multiple trauma who did not develop adult respiratory distress syndrome and healthy subjects, respectively. 6. The present study demonstrates an enhanced synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes in patients with multiple trauma, and suggests that cysteinyl leukotrienes are involved in the inflammatory reaction that follows multiple trauma.

The treatment of multiple trauma patients is subdivided into pre-hospital and hospital periods. The hospital period is divided according to diagnostic and therapeutic measures into acute, primary, secondary, and tertiary periods. In the acute period, all life-threatening injuries, e.g., severe abdominal bleeding, are treated. In the primary period, visceral injuries such as bowel rupture and fractures with vessel injuries, open fractures, open joints, severe compartment syndromes, and closed femoral fractures require surgery. In the secondary period, prolonged joint reconstructions, closed fractures of the forearm, and partially reconstructive surgery are performed. In the tertiary period, reconstructive surgery is done (e.g., cancellous bone grafts). Using this regimen in multiple trauma patients, we not only obtain restoration of vital function, but also good restoration of the extremities is achieved.

The chest roentgenograms of 18 patients with ruptured aortas were studied and the radiographic features tabulated. Fifteen patients survived to undergo angiography, and 14 aortograms were available for review. Distortion of the normal aortic contour and blurring of the aortic outline occurred on the initial chest film in each of the 18 cases. Obliteration of the medial left upper lung field and displacement of the superior vena cava to the right were observed in 16 and 15 films, respectively. Increased mediastinal width was not the most common noted abnormality. The mean mediastinal width on 100 cm anteroposterior supine chest film was 8.8 cm. One patient exhibited a mediastinal width within the normal range. Other frequently occurring abnormalities included opacification of the clear space between the aorta and pulmonary artery, obliteration of the distal aortic shadow, and tracheal shift to the right. At aortography nine patients demonstrated both linear radiolucent defects across the aorta and pseudoaneurysm formations, three patients showed only pseudoaneurysms, and two exhibited only linear radiolucent defects.

The influence of trauma and hemorrhagic shock on the non-specific immune system has been pointed out in various experimental studies. Other investigations have also been able to find a relationship between these changes and a higher incidence of post-traumatic complications in the form of organ failure. Our aim was to demonstrate the potential changes in the cellular defense system in a clinical study on multiple trauma patients. The polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) are the main representative of the mobile, non-specific immune system. Our study revealed a significant deterioration of PMNL function after trauma. The metabolic activity and phagocytic function were mainly affected by a decrease in the concentration of so-called "opsonins." The opsonins are important for the identification and engulfment of debris (necrosis, fat emboli and thrombi) and bacterial substances (endotoxin). Next to the opsonin level, a change in the receptor configuration is important for phagocytosis. However, we could not find any substantial evidence of surface receptor alteration. The reticuloendothelial cells (RES), a stationary phagocytic system, also showed a significant reduction in clearance function in these polytraumatized patients. Similar to PMNL, these disturbances were based on the reduction of the opsonine concentration. We were able to demonstrate a significant disturbance in immune function in multiple trauma patients with post-traumatic complications compared to patients with a normal clinical course after injury. Disturbances in the PMNL function (seen after 4 days) were found to appear after the RES disturbances. Systemic interaction between these two phagocytic systems cannot be excluded and further investigation is therefore required.

Multiple trauma is often associated with blunt thoracic injuries. Especially lung contusion can result in respiratory insufficiency and therefore a higher mortality rate. In our prospective study comparing 8 multiple trauma patients with and without associated lung contusion, we found that respiratory function was already significantly disturbed (decrease of paO2/FiO2 and increase of AaDO2, a rise in extravascular lung water (EVLW) both early after trauma and also with a second peak following the 4th day. This group (LK) developed significantly more cases of respiratory distress (ARDS). The disturbance of respiratory function seen initially was interpreted as a consequence of the direct mechanical impact, leading to the formation of interstitial fluid and hematoma. The frequent development of ARDS in the LK-group probably results from a pronounced activation of cellular and humoral mechanisms and therefore an enforced injury of the pulmonary capillary bed. A significant increase of pulmonary infections or the development of sepsis was not seen in the LK-group and is probably not responsible for the higher ARDS-rate in this group.

Hemopneumothorax is a frequent sequel of blunt trauma of the thorax and is easily treated if it occurs without associated injury. As an isolated injury, it is accompanied by a low mortality rate, 2 per cent in this series of 330 patients. The principal treatment for hemopneumothorax was tube thoracostomy with large bore chest tubes. Initial thoracotomy was required for 3.3 per cent of the patients, and late thoracotomy for complications was necessary only in 1.2 per cent of the patients. The over-all mortality rate of 20.3 per cent reflected the many associated injuries. Extrathoracic trauma played a significant role in 44 of the 67 deaths.

We investigated the effects of primary (or = 24 h) intramedullary femoral nailing on lung function and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with multiple trauma. Two groups were separated: the group with primary femoral nailing with reaming (group RFN) was submitted to femoral nailing after reaming of the medullary canal; in the group with unreamed femoral nailing (group UFN) a small-diameter solid nail was inserted without reaming. Lung function was assessed by oxygenation ratio (PaO2/FIO2), and pulmonary hemodynamics by intraoperative pulmonary artery catheter measurements. Central venous blood concentrations of elastase and the platelet count were determined during and 3 days after surgery. Lung function was stable in UFN patients (n = 14), but deteriorated in RFN patients (n = 17) from 353 +/- 24 (PaO2/FIO2 preoperatively) to 260 +/- 28 (PaO2/FIO2 postoperatively) (p0.05) and improved only after 48 hours. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) did not change during surgery in UFN patients; in RFN patients PAP increased from 27.2 +/- 3.1 mm Hg (preoperatively) to 36.3 +/- 4.1 mm Hg (p0.05) upon reaming and normalized 1 hour after insertion of the nail. Femoral nailing after reaming represents a potential risk with respect to lung function disturbances. This might trigger the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), especially in patients at extra risk of this complication (additional lung contusion, "borderline patient"). In these cases unreamed femoral nailing might offer an alternative by allowing primary intramedullary stabilization without the risk of adverse effects to the lung.