Our objective was to update the evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations for the initial surgical management of upper extremity injuries in patients with suspected multiple and/or severe injuries based on current evidence. This guideline topic is part of the 2025 update of the German Guideline on the Treatment of Patients with Multiple and/or Severe Injuries. MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched to September 2024. Further literature reports were obtained from clinical experts. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies reporting risk-adjusted outcomes were included if they compared early versus delayed surgical treatment for fractures, vascular injuries, or nerve injuries affecting the upper extremities in patients with multiple and/or severe injuries. Studies comparing limb salvage versus amputation or comparing amputation criteria for the upper extremities were also included. We considered patient-relevant outcomes such as mortality and limb salvage, as well as the sensitivity and specificity of scores for predicting upper extremity amputation. Risk of bias was assessed at the outcome level using ROBINS-I for observational studies and AMSTAR-2 for systematic reviews. We used available meta-analyses if possible; alternatively, we synthesised the evidence narratively. We used GRADE to rate the certainty of evidence. Expert consensus was used to develop recommendations and determine their strength. Among 2498 records screened for eligibility, four studies were included. Observational studies addressed the timing of humeral fixation, the timing of revascularisation, or compared limb salvage with amputation. A systematic review evaluated scoring systems for mangled upper limb salvage. Four recommendations were modified, and one consensus-based recommendation was added. All five recommendations achieved strong consensus. The timing of surgical intervention for upper extremity injuries in polytrauma patients should be individualized, based on the patient’s physiological status, injury pattern, and the risks and benefits of early versus delayed surgery. Although early surgery may improve functional outcomes and reduce complications, adequate patient stabilization is essential before proceeding. Limb salvage should be attempted for patients with a MESS score of less than seven, provided the patient is sufficiently stable and depending on the condition of the amputated limb.Although the guideline addresses patients with multiple and/or severe injuries, the scarce evidence, heterogeneity of the included studies and the limited representation of true polytrauma cohorts may restrict the applicability of the findings to the broader critically injured trauma population.

Background: Implants are integral to modern orthopedic surgery. The outcomes are good, but infections remain a serious issue. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), along with Staphylococcus epidermidis, are predominant pathogens responsible for implant-associated infections, as conventional antibiotic treatments often fail due to biofilm formation or the pathogens’ ability to invade cells and to persist intracellularly. Objectives: This study therefore focused on interactions of S. aureus isolates from infected implants with MG63 and SaOS2 osteoblasts by investigating the adhesion, invasion, and the impact on the bioenergetics of osteoblasts. Methods and Results: We found that the ability of S. aureus to adhere to osteoblasts depends on the isolate and was not associated with a single gene or expression pattern of characteristic adhesion proteins, and further, was not correlated with invasion. However, analysis of invasion capabilities identified better invasion conditions for S. aureus isolates with the SaOS2 osteoblastic cells. Interestingly, metabolic activity of osteoblasts remained unaffected by S. aureus infection, indicating cell survival. In contrast, respiration assays revealed an altered mitochondrial bioenergetic turnover in infected cells. While basal as well as maximal respiration in MG63 osteoblasts were not influenced statistically by S. aureus infections, we found increased non-mitochondrial respiration and enhanced glycolytic activity in the osteoblasts, which was again, more pronounced in the SaOS2 osteoblastic cells. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the complexity of S. aureus-host interactions, where both the pathogen and the host cell contribute to intracellular persistence and survival, representing a major factor for therapeutic failures.

Background Parenteral antibiotic administration in the treatment of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) often requires inpatient settings. This is associated with significant costs to the healthcare system. Objective The costs of inpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment (IPAT) and simulated costs of outpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment (OPAT) were compared in patients with PJI. Evaluations were carried out from the perspectives of cost bearers (insurances) and healthcare providers (hospitals). Material and methods The analysis and simulations were performed for all cases with the ICD-10 diagnosis T84 in the treatment year 2015. Results The simulated reduction of 159 bed-days in the 12 patients included in the study resulted in a reduction of the total costs of>18,000& x202f;euro from the perspective of the health insurance. From the perspective of the hospitals the pure proceeds were improved by >22,000x202f;euro. The total costs of OPAT were >57,000& x202f;euro for the health insurance. For hospitals the difference of policlinic proceeds and costs of OPAT showed a loss of >1500x202f;euro. Conclusion For hospitals the OPAT is overall financially advantageous. Further advantages due to opportunity costs seem to be interesting. For cost bearers OPAT is associated with an additional financial expenditure, particularly due to costs of outpatient medication. The private sector should be considered due to the assumed additional burden as well as the assumed patient comfort.

BACKGROUND:While several studies report on accuracy rates of pedicle screws, risk factors associated with inaccurate pedicle screw positioning in patients with thoracolumbar fractures are reported rarely. CT scan as a routine postoperative control is advocated by various authors, however its necessity remains unclear. METHODS:Two hundred forty-five patients were included in this retrospective study. Percutaneous dorsal instrumentation was most commonly performed (n = 201). Classification of Zdichavsky et al. and Rao et al. were used to classify screw misplacement and anterior perforation was further evaluated according to the extent of perforation (< 2 mm; > 2 mm). Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for misplacement of screws. RESULTS:One thousand sixty-eight pedicle screws were inserted in 245 patients. Misplacement was found in 51 screws (4.8%) in 42 patients (17.1%) according to the classification of Zdichavsky et al. and in 75 screws (7.0%) in 64 patients (26.1%) according to the classification of Rao et al.. An anterior perforation of the vertebral cortex was found in 56 screws (5.2%). Multivariate analysis showed fracture location in the upper thoracic (p = 0.048) and lumbar spine (p = 0.013) to be the only independent predictors for screw misplacement. In addition a significant correlation between pedicle diameter and the occurrence of screw malposition was found (p = 0.003). No consequences were drawn from postoperative routine CT in asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION:An overall low rate of screw misplacement was found with fracture location in the upper thoracic and lumbar spine being the only factors independently associated with the risk of screw misplacement. No consequences were drawn from postoperative routine CT in asymptomatic patients. Therefore its use has to be discussed critically.

Cuff tear arthritis and complex proximal humeral fractures are common pathologies that are frequently addressed by the implantation of a reversed shoulder prosthesis. The present cadaveric study aimed to analyze the effect of cement augmentation of the glenoid component on the primary stability in geriatric patients. Cement augmentation of glenoid baseplate screws has an influence on primary stability in reversed shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Glenoid base plates (Delta Xtend, DePuy Synthes, Westchester, USA) were implanted in 6 pairs of formalin-fixated scapulae of 4 female and 2 male donors (average age 83 years). Two angle stable screws were placed at the superior and inferior position. Cement augmentation was performed with 2 ml bone cement (Kyphon, Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA) per screw in right specimens. Afterwards, biomechanical testing with 600 to 1000 N (100 cycles) at a 65° abduction angle was performed. Finally, a load-to-failure analysis was conducted. No implant loosening was observed during cyclic tests from 600 N to 1000 N. In addition no difference in the plastic deformation was detected at 600 N (p = 0.301), 700 N (p = 0.522), 800 N (p = 0.480), 900 N (p = 0.521) and 1000 N (p = 0.748). Load- to- failure analyses revealed implant loosening at 3314 N (SD 823 N) in the cement-augmented implants and at 3059 N (SD 974 N) in scapulae with non-cemented screws (p = 0.522). Cement- augmented fixation of the glenoid component did not result in an increased primary stability in this study. Thus, the application of cement should be critically assessed considering associated risks and increased costs. Basic science study, Controlled laboratory study.

Background: The publication rate of presented abstracts is an important parameter to assess the scientific quality of medical congresses. It has been investigated for many congresses in orthopaedics and traumatology, but until now, it has not been studied for the congress of the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT). The aims of this study were to determine: (1) the publication rate of the EFORT congress, (2) factors that favour publication of abstracts presented at the EFORT congress, (3) the consistency between the congress abstract and publication in relation to authorship. Hypothesis: There are factors that favour publication of abstracts presented at the EFORT congress and there is a high consistency between the congress abstract and publication in relation to authorship. Materials and methods: All 1624 abstracts presented at the EFORT congress in 2011 were included in this study, to allow a 5-year period for publication after the congress. The characteristics of the abstracts presented were studied and the publication rate in peer-reviewed journals was determined using a Medline search. Results: The publication rate for studies presented at the 2011 EFORT congress was 42% (677/1624 abstracts), with a mean of 16 months (-56 to 60 months) between congress and publication. The mean impact factor of the publications was 1.8 (0-7.6). A significantly higher publication rate was found for: oral presentations (52%; 322/617) versus posters (35%; 355/1007) (p < 0.01), experimental studies (53%; 110/208) versus clinical studies (40%; 507/1254) (p < 0.01), and studies with higher levels of evidence of I or II (59%; 144/244) versus studies with lower levels of evidence of III or IV (36%; 362/1005) (p < 0.01). A new author was added in 59% (403/677) of the publications. Discussion: Factors that favour publication of abstracts presented at the EFORT congress are oral presentation, experimental study, and a study with a higher level of evidence of I or II. It is common that a new author is added in the publication. Nevertheless, a high percentage of congress abstracts (58%; 947/1624) remains unpublished. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The publication rate of presented abstracts is an important parameter to assess the scientific quality of medical congresses. It has been investigated for many congresses in orthopaedics and traumatology, but until now it has not been studied for the congress of the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT). The aims of this study were to determine: 1) the publication rate of the EFORT congress, 2) factors that favour publication of abstracts presented at the EFORT congress, 3) the consistency between the congress abstract and publication in relation to authorship. There are factors that favour publication of abstracts presented at the EFORT congress and there is a high consistency between the congress abstract and publication in relation to authorship. All 1624 abstracts presented at the EFORT congress in 2011 were included in this study, to allow a 5-year period for publication after the congress. The characteristics of the abstracts presented were studied and the publication rate in peer-reviewed journals was determined using a Medline search. The publication rate for studies presented at the 2011 EFORT congress was 42% (677/1624 abstracts), with a mean of 16 months (− 56 to 60 months) between congress and publication. The mean impact factor of the publications was 1.8 (0–7.6). A significantly higher publication rate was found for: oral presentations (52%; 322/617) versus posters (35%; 355/1007) (p < 0.01), experimental studies (53%; 110/208) versus clinical studies (40%; 507/1254) (p < 0.01), and studies with higher levels of evidence of I or II (59%; 144/244) versus studies with lower levels of evidence of III or IV (36%; 362/1005) (p < 0.01). A new author was added in 59% (403/677) of the publications. Factors that favour publication of abstracts presented at the EFORT congress are oral presentation, experimental study, and a study with a higher level of evidence of I or II. It is common that a new author is added in the publication. Nevertheless, a high percentage of congress abstracts (58%; 947/1624) remains unpublished. IV, Retrospective study.

Purpose Digital templating is considered a standard for total hip arthroplasty. Different means for the necessary calibration of radiographs are known. While single marker calibration with radiopaque spheres is the most common, it is associated with possible significant deviations from the true magnification of the hip. Notably, fixed magnification factors showed better results. Therefore, a dual-position calibration marker method was simulated and compared to the established methods. Methods First, an empirical fixed magnification factor was identified and applied to a series of radiographs. Second, three magnification factors were generated based on sagittal patient data of 398 CT scans. These methods were compared to the fixed factor. Results The fixed factor was 122.6%. In the clinical application, the error of the fixed factor was 2.5% while the error of the single marker was 5.2%. In the CT cohort, the mean reference factor was 120.5% in females and 120.3% in males. The reference factor was compared to sex-specific means, sex-specific linear functions, and sex-specific cubic functions. The best results were found for the linear regression model with a mean difference of 0.8% from the reference value. No proportional bias was found ( p = 0.623). Conclusion The simulation of the dual-position marker method using the linear regression model showed promising results, superior to all other methods. In future studies, its clinical application should be tested.

Es wird über einen 80-jährigen Patienten berichtet, der sich mit einer symptomatischen Coxarthrose der linken Seite in unserer Klinik vorstellte. Das Besondere an diesem Fall war, dass dem Patienten vor über 50 Jahren ein Küntscher-Nagel in das linke Femur implantiert worden war, welcher zunächst entfernt werden musste, um anschließend die Implantation einer Hüfttotalendoprothese durchzuführen.

Introduction: The optimal treatment of isolated fractures of the greater tuberosity is an important topic of current surgical research. While non-displaced fractures are amenable to conservative treatment, displacement of the fragment can result in rotator cuff malfunction and impingement. For the present study, risk factors predicting secondary fragment displacement were analyzed. Hypothesis: Certain risk factors determine a higher risk of secondary displacement in patients with greater tuberosity fractures. Patients and methods: All patients diagnosed with a fracture of the greater tuberosity and initially treated non-surgically at our Level I trauma center between January 2008 and July 2015 were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were grouped into: no secondary displacement (group 1) and secondary displacement at follow-up (group 2). The following risk factors were analyzed: age, gender, side of fracture, initial displacement, fragment/head ratio, fragment shape, dislocation, concomitant fractures and concomitant fractures to the same extremity. Results: 82 patients (42 male, 40 female) were eligible for further analyses. Median follow-up was 8.0 +/- 39.5 days. Patients with secondary displacement (group 2) were significantly older (group 1: 51.7 +/- 15.5, group 2: 68.3 +/- 14.3; p < 0.001) and had significantly more shoulder dislocations (p = 0.024), whereas gender (p = 0.299), side of fracture (p = 0.189) and fragment/head ratio (p = 0.660) showed no significant different distribution between both groups. Finally, split-type fractures increased the risk of secondary displacement. Discussion: The present study identified age older than 65 years to be an important risk factor for secondary displacement in the conservative management of fractures of the greater tuberosity. Furthermore, fracture type and shoulder dislocations are factors associated with an increased relative risk for secondary displacement. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Das Vorliegen von Abdominalverletzungen hat einen großen Einfluss auf die Mortalität schwerverletzter Patienten. Bei operationspflichtigen Verletzungen gilt die Laparotomie als Therapie der Wahl im Rahmen der frühen operativen Versorgung. Allerdings gibt es zunehmend Hinweise, dass die Laparoskopie eine Alternative im Rahmen der Polytraumaversorgung darstellen kann. Die vorliegende Arbeit analysiert das Verletzungsmuster, die Häufigkeit durchgeführter Laparoskopien sowie das Outcome schwerverletzter Patienten mit Abdominaltrauma. Es wurde eine retrospektive Analyse von 12.447 Patienten auf Basis der TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) durchgeführt. Einschlusskriterien waren ein Injury Severity Score (ISS) von ≥9 und ein Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS; [Abdomen]) ≥1. Die Patienten wurden entsprechend der Therapieform in die Gruppen (1) Laparoskopie, (2) Laparotomie und (3) nichtoperatives Management (NOM) unterteilt. Anschließend wurden die Basisdaten der einzelnen Gruppen beschrieben und das Outcome analysiert. Die Mehrheit der Patienten wurde mittels NOM (52,4 %, n = 6069) behandelt, gefolgt von der Laparotomie (50,6 %, n = 6295) und der Laparoskopie (0,7 %, n = 83). Die meisten Laparoskopien wurden bei Patienten mit einem AIS [Abdomen] ≤ 3 (86,7 %) durchgeführt. Der ISS der Laparoskopie-Gruppe war signifikant geringer als in der Laparotomie-Gruppe und der NOM-Gruppe (ISS: 23,4 vs. 34,5 vs. 28,2; p ≤ 0,001). Die standardisierte Mortalitätsrate (SMR) war in der Laparoskopie-Gruppe geringer als in der Laparotomie-Gruppe und der NOM-Gruppe (SMR: 0,688 vs. 0,931 vs. 0,932; p-Wert = 0,2128), ohne das statistische Signifikanzniveau zu erreichen. Obwohl die Laparoskopie nicht häufig eingesetzt wurde, weisen die Daten auf die Effektivität dieses Verfahrens in der frühen operativen Versorgung schwerverletzter, hämodynamisch stabiler Patienten mit einem (AIS; [Abdomen]) ≤ 3 hin.

The optimal treatment of isolated fractures of the greater tuberosity is an important topic of current surgical research. While non-displaced fractures are amenable to conservative treatment, displacement of the fragment can result in rotator cuff malfunction and impingement. For the present study, risk factors predicting secondary fragment displacement were analyzed. Certain risk factors determine a higher risk of secondary displacement in patients with greater tuberosity fractures. All patients diagnosed with a fracture of the greater tuberosity and initially treated non-surgically at our Level I trauma center between January 2008 and July 2015 were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were grouped into: no secondary displacement (group 1) and secondary displacement at follow-up (group 2). The following risk factors were analyzed: age, gender, side of fracture, initial displacement, fragment/head-ratio, fragment shape, dislocation, concomitant fractures and concomitant fractures to the same extremity. Eighty-two patients (42 male, 40 female) were eligible for further analyses. Median follow up was 8.0 ± 39.5 days. Patients with secondary displacement (group 2) were significantly older (group 1: 51.7 ± 15.5, group 2: 68.3 ± 14.3; p < 0.001) and had significantly more shoulder dislocations (p = 0.024), whereas gender (p = 0.299), side of fracture (p = 0.189) and fragment/head ratio (p = 0.660) showed no significant different distribution between both groups. Finally, split-type fractures increased the risk of secondary displacement. The present study identified age older than 65 years to be an important risk factor for secondary displacement in the conservative management of fractures of the greater tuberosity. Furthermore, fracture type and shoulder dislocations are factors associated with an increased relative risk for secondary displacement. III, Retrospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND Increasing numbers of total joint arthroplasties and consecutive revision surgery are associated with the risk of periprosthetic joint infections (PPJI). Treatment of PPJI is complex and associated with immense socio-economic burden. One treatment aspect is parenteral antiinfective therapy, which usually requires an inpatient setting [Inpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (IPAT)]. An alternative is outpatient parenteral treatment [Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT)]. To conduct a health economic cost-benefit analysis of OPAT, a detailed cost analysis of IPAT and OPAT is required. So far, there is a lack of knowledge on the health economic effects of IPAT and OPAT for PPJI. AIM To review an economic comparison of IPAT and OPAT. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed through Medline following the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS Of 619 identified studies, 174 included information of interest and 21 studies were included for quantitative analysis of OPAT and IPAT costs. Except for one study, all showed relevant cost savings for OPAT compared to IPAT. Costs for IPAT were between 1.10 to 17.34 times higher than those for OPAT. CONCLUSION There are only few reports on OPAT for PPJI. Detailed analyses to support economic or clinical guidelines are therefore limited. There is good clinical evidence supporting economic benefits of OPAT, but more high quality studies are needed for PPJI.

Digital templating for total joint replacement is the current standard. For image calibration, external calibration markers (ECM) are used. However, there are concerns regarding the precision of the method. This study aimed to identify the direct influence of calibration errors on digital templating.

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive cancer with a poor long term prognosis. Neo-adjuvant poly-chemotherapy followed by surgical resection remains the standard treatment, which is restricted by multi-drug resistance. If first-line therapy fails, disease control and patient survival rate drop dramatically. We aimed to identify alternative apoptotic mechanisms induced by the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat in osteosarcoma cells. Saos-2, MG63 and U2-OS osteosarcoma cell lines, the immortalized human osteoblast line hFOB and the mouse embryo osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) were treated with panobinostat. Real time viability and FACS confirmed the cytotoxicity of panobinostat. Cell stress/death related factors were analysed by RT-qPCR and western blot. Cell morphology was assessed by electron microscopy. 10 nM panobinostat caused cell viability arrest and death in all osteosarcoma and osteoblast cells. P21 up-regulation was observed in osteosarcoma cells, while over-expression of p73 was restricted to Saos-2 (TP53-/-). Survivin and Bcl-2 were suppressed by panobinostat. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers BiP, CHOP, ATF4 and ATF6 were induced in osteosarcoma cells. The un-spliced Xbp was no further detectable after treatment. Autophagy players Beclin1, Map1LC3B and UVRAG transcripts over-expressed after 6 hours. Protein levels of Beclin1, Map1LC3B and p62 were up-regulated at 72 hours. DRAM1 was stable. Electron micrographs revealed the fragmentation and the disappearance of the ER and the statistically significant increase of autophagosome vesiculation after treatment. Panobinostat showed a synergistic suppression of survival and promotion of cell death in osteosarcoma cells. Panobinostat offers new perspectives for the treatment of osteosarcoma and other malignant bone tumours.

BackgroundThe incidence of geriatric ankle fractures continues to rise due to demographic changes. While locking plates have become standard implants for injuries of other body regions, clinical studies on their use for geriatric ankle fractures are rare.MethodsTherefore, a retrospective case-control study, including 333 patients with a mean age of 73.5 years was performed. 263 patients underwent operative fixation with one- third tubular plates and 70 were treated with locking plates. Early outcomes and complication rates of locking plates as compared with conventional one- third tubular plates are described.ResultsIn the present study, patients treated with locking plates were older and suffered from more severe fracture patterns. In addition, these patients had more severe comorbidities. Treatment with conventional or locking plate fixation resulted in a comparable complication and revision rate. A matched pair analysis showed significantly more complications and required revision surgeries and a trend towards more implant failures in the group that underwent conventional plating.ConclusionsTherefore, we conclude that precontoured locking plates represent an appropriate treatment option for severe ankle fractures in patients suffering from relevant co-morbidities. Prospective randomized trials are warranted to prove superiority of locking plates for treatment of geriatric ankle fractures.Level 3: Retrospective case- control study.

INTRODUCTION:Cuff tear arthritis and complex proximal humeral fractures are common pathologies that are frequently addressed by the implantation of a reversed shoulder prosthesis. The present cadaveric study aimed to analyze the effect of cement augmentation of the glenoid component on the primary stability in geriatric patients. HYPOTHESIS:Cement augmentation of glenoid baseplate screws has an influence on primary stability in reversed shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Glenoid base plates (Delta Xtend, DePuy Synthes, Westchester, USA) were implanted in 6 pairs of formalin-fixated scapulae of 4 female and 2 male donors (average age 83 years). Two angle stable screws were placed at the superior and inferior position. Cement augmentation was performed with 2ml bone cement (Kyphon, Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA) per screw in right specimens. Afterwards, biomechanical testing with 600 to 1000N (100 cycles) at a 65° abduction angle was performed. Finally, a load-to-failure analysis was conducted. RESULTS:No implant loosening was observed during cyclic tests from 600N to 1000N. In addition no difference in the plastic deformation was detected at 600N (p=0.301), 700N (p=0.522), 800N (p=0.480), 900N (p=0.521) and 1000N (p=0.748). Load-to-failure analyses revealed implant loosening at 3314N (SD 823N) in the cement-augmented implants and at 3059N (SD 974N) in scapulae with non-cemented screws (p=0.522). DISCUSSION:Cement-augmented fixation of the glenoid component did not result in an increased primary stability in this study. Thus, the application of cement should be critically assessed considering associated risks and increased costs. LEVEL OF PROOF:Basic science study, controlled laboratory study.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate a standardised algorithm to assess and treat impaired limb perfusion prior to surgical fixation of geriatric ankle fractures and determine the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in geriatric patients presenting with ankle fractures. Methods Eighty-four patients >65 years pre-operatively diagnosed and treated according to an algorithm (study group) were compared with 84 patients diagnosed and treated before the algorithm was introduced (control group). Results In 14 patients of the study group, clinical noninvasive examination revealed signs of relevant PAD, which was confirmed with computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in nine patients, all of whom had successful angioplasty prior to surgical fixation of the ankle fracture. In three of these patients, PAD had previously been diagnosed. After standardised diagnostics and treatment of malperfusion, a significantly reduced overall and, particularly, wound complication rate was found. Conclusion PAD is an underdiagnosed condition in geriatric patients presenting with ankle fractures. This study underlines the relevance of limb perfusion for adequate wound healing in geriatric ankle fractures. Therefore, special attention should be paid to diagnose and—if indicated—optimise limb perfusion prior to surgical fixation of geriatric ankle fractures.

Background: The care of severely injured patients remains a challenge. Their initial treatment in the emergency room is the essential link between first aid in the field and definitive in-hospital treatment.Methods: We present important elements of the initial in-hospital care of severely injured patients on the basis of pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed and the current German S3 guideline on the care of severely and multiply traumatized patients, which was last updated in 2016.Results: The goal of initial emergency room care is the rapid recognition and prompt treatment of acutely life-threatening injuries in the order of their priority. The initial assessment includes physical examination and ultrasonography according to the FAST concept (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) for the recognition of intraperitoneal hemorrhage. Patients with penetrating chest injuries, massive hematothorax, and/or severe injuries of the heart and lungs undergo emergency thoracotomy; those with signs of hollow viscus perforation undergo emergency laparotomy. If the patient is hemo-dynamically stable, the most important diagnostic procedure that must be performed is computerized tomography with contrast medium. Therapeutic decision-making takes the patient's physiological parameters into account, along with the overall severity of trauma and the complexity of the individual injuries. Depending on the severity of trauma, the immediate goal can be either the prompt restoration of organ structure and function or so-called damage control surgery. The latter focuses, in the acute phase, on hemostasis and on the avoidance of secondary damage such as intra-abdominal contamination or compartment syndrome. It also involves the temporary treatment of fractures with external fixation and the planning of definitive care once the patient's organ functions have been securely stabilized.Conclusion: The care of the severely injured patient should be performed in structured fashion according to the A-B-C-D-E scheme, which involves the securing of the airway, breathing, and circulation, the recognition of neurologic deficits, and whole-body examination by the interdisciplinary team.