ZusammenfassungDie Initiative Protokolle in der Kinderrheumatologie (Pro-Kind) der GKJR hat es sich zum Ziel gesetzt, durch Entwicklung von Therapieprotokollen die Behandlung von kindlich-rheumatischen Erkrankungen zu standardisieren und dadurch das Outcome zu verbessern. Seit 2019 wird die Überprüfung der Effektivität dieser standardisierten Protokolle im Rahmen des Projektes „Pro-Kind Rheuma“ vom Gemeinsamen Bundesausschuss (GBA) gefördert. Hierzu werden 500 neu diagnostizierte Patienten mit kindlich-rheumatischen Erkrankungen (Polyartikuläre JIA, Oligoartikuläre JIA, Enthesitis-assoziierte JIA, systemische JIA, juvenile Dermatomyositis, Systemischer Lupus Erythematodes) in einer Registerstudie erfasst und prospektiv über ein Jahr verfolgt. Dieser Artikel möchte über den aktuellen Stand des Projektes informieren. Die derzeitige Rekrutierungszahl (Stand 12/2021) beträgt 275 Patienten.

Background The ProKind Commission of the Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (GKJR) has developed evidence- and consensus-based protocols for the diagnosis and therapy of children and adolescents with defined rheumatic diseases (e.g., [1]). In the ProKind-Rheuma project, it is now investigated whether the protocols are followed in everyday clinical practice and what the treatment-associated outcomes are. Objectives To investigate the mode of treatment and treatment response in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). Methods ProKind-Rheuma is a multicenter prospective non-interventional observational study. Patients with pJIA enrolled until 17/1/2022 were included into this analysis. Treatments and outcomes up to the 3-month follow-up visit (3FU) were analyzed. Disease states were categorized based on the 2021 cJADAS10 cutoffs [2]. Results To date, 18 pediatric rheumatology facilities have participated in ProKind-Rheuma. Data from 203 patients with JIA are available. Of those, 44% have oligoarthritis, 36% polyarthritis, 9% systemic JIA, 6% enthesitis-related arthritis and 3% psoriatic arthritis. In total, 76 patients were diagnosed with pJIA, 38 with already completed 3FU: For 23 patients with pJIA and completed 3FU, we were able to analyze the protocol-defined [1] treatment goal of at least “minimal improvement”. In total, 18 (78%) achieved minimal improvement, 5 (22%) missed it. For 4 of those 5 patients, the underlying MTX therapy was escalated to a bDMARD (3 changed to MTX+bDMARD-combi, 1 to bDMARD-mono). In 3 other patients, therapy was also escalated to an MTX+bDMARD-combi. Between baseline and 3FU, 72% achieved cJADAS10-disease state improvement (Table 1) by at least one category (range 1 - 2), 0% decreased. Table 1. *based on non-missing values At Baseline all At Baseline with 3FU At 3FU Total 76 38 Female, n (%) 58 (76) 30 (79) Age (years), Mdn (IQR) 9 (3-12) 7 (2-12) 7.5 (3-12) Time since diagnosis (months), Mdn (IQR) 0 (0-1) 0 (0-1) 4 (3-4) RF-positivity, n (%) 8 (11) 3 (8) Number of active joints (arthritis), Mdn (IQR) 7 (4-12) 7 (5-12) 2 (0-4) JADAS10 (0-40), Mean (SD) (N BL+3FU = 23) 18.6 (7.4) 19.6 (7.6) 7.2 (4.2) cJADAS10 (0-30), Mean (SD) (N BL+3FU = 29) 16.3 (5.9) 16.7 (6.1) 7.1 (4.1) State of inactive disease (cJADAS10≤2.5), n (%*) 0 (0) 0 (0) 4 (13) State of minimal disease activity (2.516), n (%*) 27 (44) 16 (47) 1 (3) CHAQ (0-3), Mean (SD) 0.8 (0.8) 0.9 (0.8) 0.3 (0.5) Pain (NRS 0 - 10), Mean (SD) 4.3 (3) 4.7 (3) 2.2 (2.7) PedsQL 4.0 total score, Mean (SD) 66.3 (22.2) 65.4 (21.8) 78.4 (17.6) Intraarticular glucocorticoids > 4 joints (ever), n (%) 12 (16) 5 (13) 7 (18) Glucocorticoid pulses (ever), n (%) 22 (29) 12 (32) 13 (34) Methotrexate, n (%) 56 (74) 31 (82) 34 (90) bDMARDs, n (%) 7 (9) 2 (5) 9 (24) Within the first 3 months after diagnosis, the treatment pathways proposed by the ProKind Commission [1] were followed in about three-quarters of patients: i) 5 (13%) received MTX and intra-articular glucocorticoid injections in more than 4 joints (IAGC), but no high-dose intravenous glucocorticoid pulse (HDGC) or bDMARD; ii) 8 (21%) received MTX and HDGC (no bDMARD, no IAGC); iii) 16 (42%) patients received MTX, of whom 4 received a bDMARD up to or at the 3FU (no HDGC, no IAGC). Nine (24%) patients were not treated with MTX or did not fit any of these categories, mostly due to starting bDMARD therapy in conjunction with HDGC or IAGC. Conclusion In the routine care of JIA patients with polyarthritis, the proposed treatment protocol and treat-to-target strategy are followed in most patients. At 3FU, improvements of JADAS10 and other outcomes were evident, with 41% having achieved inactive or minimal active disease. ProKind is funded by the Innovation Fund “Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss”, FKZ: 01VSF18031 References [1]Horneff et al. Pediatric Rheumatology 2017; 15:78 [2]Trincianti et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Nov; 73(11):1966-1975 Acknowledgements We are grateful to all physicians, medical professionals and everyone else who has so far contributed and supported the ProKind-Rheuma project. Moreover, we want to express special gratitude to all patients and their parents for their participation. Disclosure of Interests Sascha Eulert: None declared, Kristina Vollbach: None declared, Klaus Tenbrock: None declared, Jens Klotsche: None declared, Dirk Foell Speakers bureau: Speaker fees/honoraria from Boehringer, Novartis, Werfen and Sobi, Grant/research support from: Novartis and Sobi, Johannes-Peter Haas: None declared, Frank Weller-Heinemann: None declared, Sonja Mrusek: None declared, Prasad Oommen: None declared, Daniel Windschall Speakers bureau: Research support and speakers fee: Pfizer, Novartis, Abbvie, Medac, Sobi, Canon, Grant/research support from: Research support and speakers fee: Pfizer, Novartis, Abbvie, Medac, Sobi, Canon, Kirsten Moenkemoeller: None declared, Tilmann Kallinich: None declared, Markus Hufnagel: None declared, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Addvisory board: Hexal, Novartis, Pfizer, Toni Hospach Consultant of: Advisory board: Sobi, Novartis, Moritz Klaas: None declared, Michael Rühlmann: None declared, Ralf Trauzeddel: None declared, Normi Brueck: None declared, Catharina Schütz: None declared, J. B. Kuemmerle-Deschner: None declared, Ariane Klein: None declared, Kirsten Minden Speakers bureau: Speaker: Pfizer, Novartis, Gerd Horneff: None declared

The Pro-Kind initiative develops therapeutic protocols to standardise and harmonise treatment of patients with paediatric rheumatic diseases in order to improve disease outcome. In 2019, the initiative received funding from the GBA to evaluate the use and effectiveness of the protocols. For this purpose, 500 newly diagnosed patients with childhood rheumatic diseases (polyarticular JIA, oligoarticular JIA, enthesitis-associated JIA, systemic JIA, juvenile dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus) will be enrolled in a registry study and followed prospectively for one year. This article reports the current status of the project.

Objectives Some adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are at increased risk of COVID-19-related death. Excluding post-COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children, children and young people (CYP) are overall less prone to severe COVID-19 and most experience a mild or asymptomatic course. However, it is unknown if CYP with RMDs are more likely to have more severe COVID-19. This analysis aims to describe outcomes among CYP with underlying RMDs with COVID-19. Methods Using the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology COVID-19 Registry, the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry, and the CARRA-sponsored COVID-19 Global Paediatric Rheumatology Database, we obtained data on CYP with RMDs who reported SARS-CoV-2 infection (presumptive or confirmed). Patient characteristics and illness severity were described, and factors associated with COVID-19 hospitalisation were investigated. Results 607 CYP with RMDs <19 years old from 25 different countries with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, the majority with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA; n=378; 62%). Forty-three (7%) patients were hospitalised; three of these patients died. Compared with JIA, diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, vasculitis, or other RMD (OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.7 to 11) or autoinflammatory syndrome (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.1 to 8.6) was associated with hospitalisation, as was obesity (OR 4.0; 95% CI 1.3 to 12). Conclusions This is the most significant investigation to date of COVID-19 in CYP with RMDs. It is important to note that the majority of CYP were not hospitalised, although those with severe systemic RMDs and obesity were more likely to be hospitalised.

OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children and adolescents with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD). Due to their underlying disease as well due to therapeutic immunosuppression, these patients may be at risk for a severe course of COVID-19 or for a flare of the underlying disease triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection.METHODS:Demographic, clinical and treatment data from juvenile patients with RMD as well as data about SARS-CoV-2 infection like test date and method, clinical characteristics, disease course, outcome and impact on the disease activity of the RMD were documented on a specific SARS-CoV-2 questionnaire implemented in the National Paediatric Rheumatology Database (NPRD) in Germany. The survey data were analysed descriptively.RESULTS:From 17 April 2020 to 16 February 2021, data were collected from 76 patients (52% female) with RMD and laboratory-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection with median age of 14 years, diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (58%), autoinflammatory (24%) and connective tissue disease (8%). Fifty-eight patients (76%) received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), 41% biological DMARDs and 11% systemic glucocorticoids. Fifty-eight (76%) had symptoms of COVID-19. Disease course of SARS-CoV-2 infection (classified as asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, life-threatening) was mild and outcome of COVID-19 (classified as recovered, not yet recovered, permanent damage or deceased) was good (recovered) in the majority of patients. Two patients were hospitalised, one of whom required intensive care and died of cardiorespiratory failure. In 84% of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, no relevant increase in disease activity of the RMD was observed.CONCLUSIONS:In our cohort, SARS-CoV-2 infection in juvenile patients with RMD under various medications was mild with good outcome in the majority of cases and does not appear to have a relevant impact on disease activity of the underlying condition.

Background: Mental disorders often begin in the vulnerable phase of adolescence and young adulthood. Young people with chronic diseases are particularly at risk. Early recognition of mental health problems is necessary in order to be able to support those affected in a timely and adequate manner. By implementing a web-based generic screening tool for mental health in routine care, patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and mental health conditions can be identified and provided with targeted treatment. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of mental health conditions in young people with JIA in routine rheumatology care. Methods: Mental health screening is implemented as an add-on module to the National Paediatric Rheumatology Database (NPRD). The current data was gathered over a period of 24 months. Patients complete the screening tool which includes the Patient Health Questionnaire 1 (PHQ-9, score 0-27) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale 2 (GAD-7, score 0-21) via a web-based questionnaire. The cut-off for critical values in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were defined as values ≥ 10. Simultaneously, other data, such as sociodemographic data, disease activity (cJADAS10, score 0-30), functional status (CHAQ, score 0-3) were collected as well. Results: The analysis included 245 patients (75% female) with a mean age of 15.7 years and a mean disease duration of 8.8 years. 38.8% of the patients had oligoarthritis (18.0% OA, persistent/20.8% OA, extended) and 23.3% RF negative polyarthritis. At the time of documentation 49 patients (30.6%) had an inactive disease (cJADAS10 ≤ 1) and 120 (49.4%) no functional limitations (CHAQ = 0). In total, 53 patients (21.6%) had screening values in either GAD-7 or PHD-9 ≥10. Patients with critical mental health screening values showed higher disease activity and more frequent functional limitations than inconspicuous patients (cJADAS10 (mean ± SD): 9.3 ± 6 vs. 4.9 ± 4.9; CHAQ: 0.66 ± 0.6 vs. 0.21 ± 0.42). When compared to males, females were significantly more likely to report either depression or anxiety symptoms (11.7% vs. 24.9%, p = 0.031). 17.6% of all patients with valid items for these data reported to receive psychological support, meaning psychotherapeutic support (14.5%) and/or drug therapy (8.6%). Among those with a critical mental health screening score, 38.7% received psychological support (psychotherapeutic support (35.5%) and/or drug therapy (16.1%)). Conclusion: Every fifth young person with JIA reported mental health problems, however, not even every second of them stated to receive psychological support. The results show that screening for mental health problems during routine adolescent rheumatology care is necessary to provide appropriate and targeted support services to young people with a high burden of illness. References: [1]Löwe B, Unützer J, Callahan CM, Perkins AJ, Kroenke K. Monitoring depression treatment outcomes with the patient health questionnaire-9. Med Care. 2004 Dec;42(12):1194-201. [2]Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006 May 22; 166(10):1092-7. [3]The screening data were collected as part of COACH (Conditions in Adolescents: Implementation and Evaluation of Patient-centred Collaborative Healthcare), a project supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FKZ: 01GL1740F). Disclosure of Interests: Sascha Eulert: None declared, Martina Niewerth: None declared, Jana Hörstermann: None declared, Claudia Sengler: None declared, Daniel Windschall: None declared, Tilmann Kallinich: None declared, Jürgen Grulich-Henn: None declared, Frank Weller-Heinemann Consultant of: Pfizer, Abbvie, Sobi, Roche, Novartis, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Gilead, Novartis, Pfizer, Hexal, BMS, Sanofi, MEDAC, Sandra Hansmann: None declared, Harald Baumeister: None declared, Reinhard Holl: None declared, Doris Staab: None declared, Kirsten Minden: None declared

Background: A serology testing for infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis) is mandatory in tissue donors. In many donors postmortem blood is the only sample available. Even though serological tests and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT) used are validated for postmortem blood, a characterization of those blood samples is not yet established. We therefore investigated the total immunoglobulin G (IgG) content in postmortem blood of tissue donors and compared it to a corresponding antemortem blood sample. Methods: Ante- and postmortem blood samples were obtained from 100 consecutive tissue donors. The total IgG of all samples was measured using an immune-turbidometric test on the AU 480 Chemistry Analyzer (Beckman Coulter). Results: The mean total IgG concentration of antemortem blood samples from all 100 donors was 8.9 g/L ± 3.7 g/L (median 8.9 g/L, range 1.5 to 23.8 g/L). In 80 donors the IgG concentration in the antemortem blood sample was within the normal range with values ≥6 g/L (mean 10.0 g/L ± 3.3 g/L, median 9.3 g/L,). The total IgG concentration of the postmortem blood samples was lower with 7.2 g/L ± 3.2 g/L (median 6.7 g/L, range 0.6 to 18.2 g/L). The difference between the values of the antemortem and postmortem blood samples was 1.7 g/L ± 2.6 g/L (16.3%) (median 1.6 g/L, range –7.7 to 10.1 g/L). In 36 donors this difference was less than 10%, in 23 it was between 10 and 25%, in 33 between 26 and 50%, and in 8 over 50%. In 57 donors the total IgG in the postmortem blood sample was within the normal range with ≥6 g/L, in 53 of them also the value of the antemortem blood sample was within the normal range. No correlation for total IgG was found regarding the donor characteristics (age, sex, disease) and the sample characteristics (hemolysis, postmortem time). Conclusion: Total IgG values in antemortem samples were below the lower limit of 6 g/L in 20% of the cases. Total IgG was significantly lower in the postmortem samples compared to the antemortem samples, while 57% were still above the lower limit. No correlation with the postmortem time could be found. This lowered IgG levels should be payed attention to when using postmortem blood for infectious serology testing. Additional NAT testing should be considered.

Background:It remains unknown whether children and young people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) who acquire COVID-19 infection have a more severe COVID-19 course, due to either underlying disease or immunosuppressive treatments.Objectives:To describe outcomes among children and young people with underlying RMD who acquire COVID-19 infection.Methods:All children and young people <18 years of age with COVID-19 (presumptive or confirmed) reported to the EULAR COVID-19 Database, which collects details regarding RMD diagnosis and treatment, COVID infection and outcomes, between 27 March 2020 and 29 January 2021 (cutoff date for this analysis) were included. Patient characteristics and COVID-19 outcomes are presented.Results:A total of 151 children and young people (age range 2-17 years; Table 1) have been reported to the database from 12 countries; mostly Spain (N=30), France (N=29), Israel (N=29), and Czechia (N=25). Most patients had a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA; N=92; 61%). Other diagnoses were autoinflammatory syndrome (including TRAPS, CAPS, FMF; 12%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (4%). There were 14 (9%) hospitalisations and 1 (0.7%) death reported due to COVID-19. The most commonly reported symptoms were fever (46%), cough (34%), anosmia (19%), and headache (19%). Only 19 (13%) patients reported glucocorticoid use. DMARD therapy was used by 104 (69%) patients; 67 (44%) were on csDMARDs (methotrexate [N=54], antimalarials [N=7]), 45 (30%) on anti-TNF, 9 (6%) on IL-6 inhibitors, and 7 (5%) on IL-1 inhibitors. Among the 145 patients with hospitalisation data, patients on any DMARD therapy (cs/b/tsDMARDs) had similar odds for hospitalisation compared with those not on therapy, adjusted for age (odds ratio 0.7; 95% CI 0.2, 2.4).All PatientsN151GenderFemale94 (62%)Male56 (37%)Unknown1 (<1%)Age, yearsMedian (IQR)12 (8, 15)Range2 to 17Top Rheumatology DiagnosesJuvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)92 (61%)Polyarthritis50 (33%)Oligoarthritis31 (21%)Systemic11 (7%)Autoinflammatory syndrome (e.g.18 (12%)TRAPS, CAPS, FMF)6 (4%)Systemic Lupus ErythematosusComorbiditiesNone stated112 (74%)Obesity9 (6%)Ocular inflammationAsthma9 (6%)3 (2%)Required HospitalisationYes14 (9%)No131 (87%)Missing6 (4%)Top 5 Symptoms ReportedFever69 (46%)Cough51 (34%)Anosmia28 (19%)Headache28 (19%)Fatigue23 (15%)Deaths due to COVID-19Yes1 (<1%)Treatment at onset of COVID-19 infectionGlucocorticoids19 (13%)csDMARDs67 (44%)Methotrexate54 (36%)Antimalarials7 (5%)Mycophenolate5 (3%)bDMARDs64 (42%)Anti-TNF45 (30%)IL-69 (6%)IL-18 (5%)Any DMARD104 (69%)Conclusion:These initial data on outcomes of COVID-19 in paediatric RMDs are very reassuring, with less than 1 in 10 patients reporting hospitalisation. Due to the database design and inherent reporting bias, this is likely an overestimate, suggesting that overall outcomes among this population appear to be generally good, with mild infection. Increasing case reports to the database will allow further exploration of drug- and disease-specific outcomes.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

Background: Although children and adolescents are less likely to develop COVID-19 and generally show milder disease courses, it is unclear what impact the SARS-CoV2 infection has on children and adolescents with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD). Due to their underlying disease as well as therapeutic immunosuppression these patients may be at higher risk of being more severely affected by SARS-CoV2. Furthermore, SARS-CoV2 infection might trigger a flare of the underlying disease. Objectives: To evaluate clinical characteristics and disease course of COVID-19 in children and adolescents with RMD and to analyze possible effects of SARS-CoV2 infection on the underlying disease under different therapeutic regimens. Methods: Data from juvenile patients with RMD recorded via the SARS-CoV2 questionnaire within the National Pediatric Rheumatology Database and the registry for hospitalized children and adolescents with COVID-19 of the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases were analyzed. In addition to age, sex and diagnosis, information was collected about the date and method of a positive SARS-CoV2 testing, reason for testing, on clinical manifestations, disease course, treatment and outcome of COVID-19, on drug therapy at the time of virus detection, on disease activity (NRS 0 – 10, 0 = best) of the underlying disease at the last visit before and after the SARS-CoV2 infection. Results: From April 17 th 2020 until January 25 th 2021, data of 67 patients with RMD and confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection were collected. Mean age was 13.5 ± 3.9 years with equal sex distribution. The majority of patients were diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, 64%), 12 (18%) patients had an autoinflammatory disease (FMF, CAPS, PFAPA, TRAPS) and 5 (7%) a connective tissue disease. Fifty-two patients (78%) were treated with a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), 39% with a biological DMARD and 9% systemic glucocorticoids at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nineteen patients (28%) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 because of typical symptoms, the majority (67%) because of contact to an infected person. PCR was used most often (in 60 %). 52 patients (78%) developed symptoms of COVID-19, 15 patients remained asymptomatic. The most common symptom of COVID-19 was rhinitis (42%) and fever (38%), followed by fatigue (34%), taste/smell disorder (33%), sore throat (27%) and cough (23%). Disease severity was graded as mild in 44 of 52 (85%) symptomatic patients, only two patients were hospitalized, one of whom required intensive care and died of cardiorespiratory failure 3 days after symptom onset. In 22 of 26 (85%) SARS-CoV2-positive patients, no relevant increase in disease activity (difference in NRS ≤ 1 before/after infection) of the underlying disease was observed 31 days after symptom onset (median, IQR 17-52 days). One patient, who had paused tocilizumab for 2 doses, experienced a flare of his seronegative polyarthritis 2 months after asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: In our cohort, the clinical picture of COVID-19 in children and adolescents with RMD was similar to that of healthy peers. The majority of patients showed mild disease course with good outcome under various medications, however, one patient with a severe course of COVID-19 died. In addition, SARS-CoV2 infection does not appear to have a relevant impact on the underlying disease activity, whereas discontinuation of therapy might pose a risk of flare. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.

Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war, die klinisch funktionellen, radiologischen und axiographischen Ergebnisse bei Kiefergelenkfortsatzfrakturen zu evaluieren. Hierzu wurden 164 Patienten mit insgesamt 202 Gelenkfortsatzfrakturen des Unterkiefers untersucht. Hierbei wurden fruh-funktionelle, konservativ immobilisierende und operative Frakturversorgungen mittels Miniplatte oder Wurzburger Zugschrauben-Platte berucksichtigt. Die klinische Befunderhebung diente der Einstufung von Malokklusionen und der Einschatzung von Dysfunktionen. Die radiologischen Untersuchungen ermoglichten die Beurteilung der Fragmentabkippung, des erlittenen Vertikalverlust sowie der Remodellierungs- und Resorptionsvorgange von Gelenkfortsatz und Gelenkpfanne. Die axiographische Darstellung der Gelenkbewegungen wurden auf Limitationen der Protrusions- und Mediotrusionsbahnen und die Veranderungen der horizontalen Kondylenbahnneigung hin analysiert. Nach konservativer Behandlung zeigten sich bis zu 64,0 % Malokklusioneen nach 10 Jahren und langer. Nach operativer Versorgung konnte in bis zu 13,3 % der Falle Malokklusionen gefunden werden. Die Auswertung der klinischen Befunde ergab, dass 7,4 % der konservativ versorgten, 17,5 % nach Miniplattenosteosynthese und 19,0 % nach Wurzburger Zugschrauben-Platte eine „restitutio ad integrum“ erzielten. Der Anteil schwerer Dysfunktionen lag nach konservativer Versorgung bei 19,8 %, nach Miniplattenosteosynthese bei 7,9 % und nach Wurzburger Zugschrauben-Platte bei 6,9 %. Die radiologische Beurteilung der Fragmentachsen, der sekundaren Fragmentabkippungen und des posttraumatischen Verlustes an vertikaler Ramushohe ergab deutliche Vorteile nach operativer Behandlung. Umbauvorgange im Bereich von Fossa und Eminentia articularis traten 3-fach haufiger nach konservativer als nach operativer Behandlung auf. 5,2 % mit Wurzburger Zugschrauben-Platte und 7,9 % mit Miniplatten stabilisierte Frakturen wiesen Resorptionen im Gelenkfortsatzbereich auf. Nach fruh-funktioneller Behandlung lag deren Anteil bei 36,0 %, beziehungsweise bei 67,9 % nach immobilisierender Behandlung. Die axiographischen Aufzeichnungen ergaben 18,9 % limitationsfreier Protrusionsbahnen nach konservativer Versorgung gegenuber 48,8 % nach Reposition und Osteosynthese. Hochgradige Limitationen traten bei bis zu 34,0 % der konservativ behandelten Falle auf. Im operativ versorgten Kollektiv liessen sich bis zu 12,2 % hochgradige Limitationen nachweisen. Die Evaluation der horizontalen Kondylenbahnneigung zeigte bei 28,3 % der konservativ versorgten Gelenke Abflachungen uber 20°, wohingegen 7,3 % nach Miniplattenosteosynthese und 4,9 % nach Wurzburger Zugschrauben-Platte derartige Abflachungen vorwiesen. Zusammenfassend konnen folgende Indikationen zur operativen Versorgung bestatigt werden. Tiefe Gelenkfortsatzfrakturen mit Dislokation uber 30° (Typ II) oder Luxation des kleinen Fragmentes (Typ IV), hohe Gelenkfortsatzfrakturen mit Dislokation (Typ III) bei insuffizienter Stutzzone, zahnlosen Kiefern und doppelseitigen Gelenkfortsatzfrakturen, Luxationsfrakturen des Gelenkfortsatzes eventuell mit Interposition von Weichgewebe (Typ IV + V), dislozierte Kondylusfrakturen mit weiteren Unterkiefer- oder Mittelgesichtsfrakturen. Die im Studienkollektiv nachgewiesenen Regenerationsreserven bei Patienten junger als 12 Jahre belegen den Ausnahmecharakter der operativen Versorgung im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Trotz schlechterer Ausgangssituation besonders bei dislozierten und luxierten Gelenkfortsatzfrakturen konnen mittels operativer Versorgung bessere klinisch funktionelle, radiologische und axiographische Ergebnisse erzielt werden. Die Wurzburger Zugschrauben-Platte ermoglicht eine suffiziente Versorgung der Frakturen im Gelenkfortsatzbereich und vereint hierbei die Vorteile der Miniplatte mit denen der Zugschraube. Sie hat sich dadurch als wertvolle Erganzung bestehender Osteosyntheseverfahren besonders in der Stabilisierung hoher und luxierter Kollumfrakturen durchgesetzt.