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Patients with central apnoea may use electro ventilation, provided their phrenic nerves and diaphragm muscles are normal. A tendency towards better survival has been found, and both an improved quality of life and facilitated nursing have been claimed with electro ventilation compared to mechanical ventilation. The high investment for the device may form a hurdle for fund providers like our hospital administration board. We, therefore, from our first patient onwards, collected clinically meaningful data in a special register of all patients using electro ventilation and their controls on mechanical ventilation. Since 1988 172 patients left our institution dependent on a respiratory device. Of these, all 48 patients with preserved phrenic nerves chose phrenic nerve stimulation. A patient on mechanical ventilation who agreed to participate was chosen as a control (n = 44). All patients were seen at least once a year. 90 patients suffered high tetraplegia, and 2 suffered central apnoea for other reasons. There is a tendency towards better survival, and there is a lower frequency of decubital ulcers (0.02) and respiratory tract infections (p0.000) with electro than with mechanical ventilation. The frequency of respiratory infections turned out to be a better measure of the quality of respiratory care than survival. The resulting decrease in the need for airway nursing, and the reduced incidence of respiratory infections repaid the high investment in electro ventilation within one year in our setting. Informed patients prefer electro to mechanical ventilation; fund providers might also agree with this preference. publishedVersion

To study the mortality, cause and risk indicators of death in German patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, patients with traumatic spinal cord injury admitted to Berufsgenossenschaftliches Trauma Hospital Hamburg between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2018, aged between 16 and 60 with a minimal survival of one year after injury, were included. Further criteria were the absence of life-limiting comorbidities at the time of injury. 223 deceased patients with traumatic spinal cord injury were identified, investigated on and partly compared to the surviving subjects. We aimed to discover specific complications that were related to Spinal Cord Injury and responsible for a possibly limited life expectancy. Data collection was performed during in- and outpatient treatment. A statistical analysis was performed to compare groups. The post-injury life expectancy was 25.0 years with a significant correlation regarding the level of lesion and severity of injury. The leading causes of death were cardiovascular diseases and pneumonia. Bladder cancer was the most common fatal malignant tumor. The life expectancy of patients suffering from traumatic spinal cord injury is limited. The longer a patient survives after injury and the lower the level of lesion, the more likely an age-related cause of death becomes. Bladder cancer is significantly more frequent when compared to the overall distribution of tumor diseases in Germany.

This study aims to assess if there is an evident correlation between fusion length and rehabilitation success after trauma to the cervical spine that could potentially be used to predict functional outcomes. This monocentric study was conducted in the Spinal-Cord-Injury center of the Berufsgenossenschaftliches Klinikum Hamburg. Data sets of 199 patients from the Spinal-Cord-Injury center admitted between the beginning of 2003 and the end of 2018 were subjected to statistical analyses. The Spinal Cord Independence Measure II (SCIM II) difference between admission and discharge was chosen as the primary outcome variable of a multiple linear regression analysis, including several other variables. The length of fusion, SCIM at admission and the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) values at admission could be identified as significant predictors. The cervical fusion length could be identified as an independent predictor of the functional outcome within our model. This correlation most likely mediates for the range of motion as well as partly for injury severity. This is much harder to evaluate in a newly admitted rehabilitation patient than a single numerical value that represents its rehabilitative implications, such as fusion length. Together with an initial assessment of the SCIM and ISNCSCI, it provides a solid basis for outcome prediction.

Study design Cross-sectional explorative observational study. Objectives To identify factors which have an association to the self-perceived Quality of Life (QoL) for persons with acquired spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting Eight specialized SCI-centers in Germany. The GerSCI survey is the German part of the International Spinal Cord Injury Survey (InSCI). Methods Self-disclosure questionnaire, created from the InSCI group, translated and adapted for Germany. The questionnaire collects a very broad range of data and, and due to its design as a self-report, is particularly suitable for the analysis on QoL. Because of the content, which is binding for all participating states, it allows a direct comparability of the results. Included in Germany were 1479 persons with acquired SCI aged 18 years and older. Results Various factors were identified with high associations to QoL, including changeable and unchangeable ones, such as those of particular importance: pain, sleep problems, sexual dysfunction, age, and time since onset of SCI. Some results confirmed reports of previous studies, others were surprising. Conclusion this study provides an important basis for the planned analysis of the InSCI participating countries in the 6 WHO regions. Germany was able to contribute the largest study population. The concrete study design of InSCI allows us to directly compare data and helps us to improve ourselves within the framework of a “learning health system”. Medical measures can be orientated towards the found results, in order to ensure the best possible care and support by the therapeutic team, individually adapted to the person, place of residence and impairment.

Study design Longitudinal study. Objectives To describe the severity of spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D), type and management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, tumor characteristics, and bladder cancer latency period in SCI/D patients. Setting Spinal cord injury centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Methods Data of SCI/D patients diagnosed with bladder cancer were collected between Jan 2012-Dec 2019 in the course of annual surveys in the neuro-urological departments of all 28 centers. Demographic and paralysis-specific data, data on the type and management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, and histopathological tumor characteristics were collected. Results Regarding histopathological tumor characteristics, no significant differences were found in 135 individuals with SCI/D when stratified for bladder management without chronic catheterization, SCI/D severity, and ASIA classification. The mean latency period between the onset of SCI/D and the diagnosis of bladder cancer was significantly longer in patients with catheter-free emptying methods compared to patients with intermittent catheterization, and in patients with LMNL (Lower Motor Neuron Lesion) compared to patients with UMNL (Upper Motor Neuron Lesion). Conclusions Urinary bladder carcinomas are late events in the long-term course of SCI/D. Follow-up and approaches to screening must therefore be intensified with increasing duration of long-term SCI.

Purpose The goal of this study was to provide recent data on incidence of spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Germany. Methods The source of information was data collected via the mandatory submission of ICD-10 GM Codes by German public hospitals after patient discharge. Data from 2013 to 2020 were retrieved from the databases of the Federal Bureau of Statistics. ICD-10 Codes for acute SCI were identified. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi and Excel. Results A total of 10,360 patients were reported, of whom 58.7% suffered from a cervical, 30.8% a thoracic and 10.4% a lumbar lesion. Two peaks in incidence were observed at approximately 30 and 70 years old. A population-size-adjusted overall incidence of 15.73 (SD 0.77) per million per year was calculated. We calculated the incidences in several subpopulations and discovered significantly higher incidences among males and among those over the age of 60. We discovered that differences in age groups mainly concerned injuries of the upper spine, with the incidence in the lumbar spine being similar among age groups. In addition, we found that while the probability of suffering from SCI increases with age, the relative risk of suffering from a complete injury decreases. Conclusions This study closes a long-lasting gap in epidemiological data regarding SCI in Germany, specifically by updating the incidence rates. We found that incidence depends on age, gender and type of lesion. We also provide some new angles for future research, especially considering the relative reduction in complete injuries among the elderly.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Patienten mit einer Querschnittlähmung entwickeln syndromspezifische, viszeralchirurgisch relevante Krankheitsbilder, die im Rahmen des akuten spinalen Schocks auftreten können oder Folge der zumeist progredienten neurogenen Darmfunktionsstörung (NBD) mit Ausbildung eines Colon elongatum und/oder Megakolons sind. Auch die akuten abdominalchirurgischen Notfälle, wie akute Appendizitis, Cholezystitis, Divertikultis oder Ileusbilder, stellen den Kliniker bei untypischer oder teils fehlender Klinik vor diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderungen. Einen zunehmenden Stellenwert nimmt die Ausweitung adipositaschirurgischer Indikationen auf Patienten mit einer Querschnittlähmung ein Ziel der Arbeit Dieser Artikel soll einen Überblick über die speziellen Anforderungen und Aspekte in der Behandlung dieses speziellen Patientenkollektivs geben und die Evidenz querschnittspezifischer viszeralchirurgischer Behandlungen aufzeigen. Material und Methoden Es wurde eine selektive Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken Medline und Cochrane Library in deutscher und englischer Sprache (1985–2020) durchgeführt. Ergebnisse und Diskussion Die klinische Behandlung querschnittgelähmter Patienten erfordert einen profunden Kenntnisstand über die pathophysiologischen Veränderungen bei unterschiedlicher Querschnitthöhe (oberes vs. unteres motorisches Neuron) und die Phasen der Erkrankung (spinaler Schock vs. Langzeitverlauf). Fehlende oder atypische klinische Symptome akuter Erkrankungen verzögern eine rasche Diagnosefindung und machen eine frühzeitige Durchführung gezielter Diagnostik unabdingbar. Die Evidenz der chirurgischen Behandlung der akuten und chronischen Folgen der NBD ist gering und basiert auf Fallserien und „case reports“ ebenso wie die für spezielle Indikationen wie adipositaschirurgische Eingriffe.

Background The aim of the study was to clarify whether clinical and/or urodynamic parameters could be used to infer the probability of neutralizing antibody (NAb) formation as a possible cause of therapy failure (non-response, NR) in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) due to acquired spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) treated with intradetrusor botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) injections. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with SCI/D who underwent both intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxin A injections and the determination of neutralizing antibodies against BoNT-A between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2018. NR was defined as urodynamically confirmed persistent or reappearing NDO. Results A total of 2700 BoNT-A injections in 414 patients were ascertained. In 69 patients with primary NR after the first BoNT-A injection (n = 6) or with secondary NR after more than one BoNT-A injection (n = 63), an antibody analysis was performed. Antibody examination showed 36 (52.2%) negative, 5 (7.2%) borderline and 14 (each 20.3%) each of positive and highly positive values. Subgroup analysis indicated a correlation between NAb formation and the duration of BoNT-A therapy (p = 0.015), the mean number of BoNT-A injections (p = 0.011) and the time interval between BoNT-A applications (p = 0.022). Urodynamic data analysis indicate significant differences with cut-off values of MCC (p = 0.038) and MDP (> 45 cmH2O, p = 0.040). However, in the regression analysis models, the predictive value for the occurrence of NAb was too low (MCC: ROC AUC 0.62, MDP: ROC AUC 0.52) to distinguish with sufficient certainty between NAb-positive and NAb-negative NR patients. Conclusions Despite significant correlations, clinical and urodynamic parameters are only partially suitable for predicting antibody formation against BoNT-A.

Purpose For successful long-term rehabilitation of patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), it is necessary to define the objective requirement for urological aids based on a scientifically validated basis. Methods This was a cross-sectional multicenter study, based on a questionnaire. Data concerning bladder management and daily consumption of urological appliances for patients with NLUTD in a community setting were collected through a standardized survey. Results Seven hundred and sixty-seven records were analyzed: 543 males, 221 females (N/A = 3). Patients using intermittent catheterization (n= 608) required 5.06 (mean) single-use catheters per day. Out of them, 94 (15.5%) required additional pads (mean: 2.29 per day), 34 patients (5.6%) additionally used pants (mean: 2.55 per day) and 46 patients (7.6%) utilized condom catheters (mean: 3.81 per day) between catheterizations. Among all, 126 patients (16.4%) used pads (mean: 5.03 per day), and 51 patients (6.6%) used pants (mean: 3.03 per day). Women needed both pads (p

Life expectancy for people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing due to advances in treatment methods and in neuro-urology. Thus, developing urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is gaining importance. Single-centre retrospective evaluation of consecutive in- and out-patient data with spinal cord injury between January 1st, 1998 and December 31st, 2018 was carried out and data were compared with UBC data of the German population from the German Centre for Cancer Registry Data at Robert Koch Institute. A total of 37 (4 female, 33 male) out of 7004 patients with SCI were diagnosed with histologically proven UBC (median follow-up 85 months). Median age at UBC diagnosis was 54.0 years (general population: 74 years). The SCI patients had significantly (p

Radical cystectomy in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) provides numerous additional difficulties, compared to able-bodied people. Therefore, it is important to obtain information from an experienced team about optimally managing these patients.Surgical procedures, based on the experience of 12 radical cystectomies in SCI patients with bladder cancer between January 1st, 2001, and December 31st, 2020, were recorded and the operative and perioperative clinical data were evaluated. Surgery was performed in a high-volume center by the surgeon most experienced in radical cystectomies, assisted by the neuro-urologist, involved in the care of the patient from the spinal cord center. Furthermore, a checklist based on the experience of the surgeon and the assisting neuro-urologist was developed.SCI patients mostly suffered from an advanced disease and were always operated by the same team. The hospital stays ranged from 23 to 134 days (median 42 days). Four of the patients suffered from a postoperative paralytic ileus. Otherwise, both the operation time and the intraoperative blood loss as well as intraoperative and postoperative complications were basically comparable with those in able-bodied patients. The special features of radical cystectomy in SCI bladder cancer patients are described. Furthermore, a checklist addressing preoperative red flags, intra-operative challenges and post-operative challenges is presented.Radical cystectomy in SCI patients should be performed in a high-volume department by the most experienced surgical team. The inclusion of the urologist caring for the patient from the spinal cord injury center is highly recommended.

INTRODUCTION: For individuals with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) the risk of developing a stone in the upper urinary tract is up to six times higher than in the able-bodied population. Upper urinary tract carcinomas, in general, are rare and account for only 5–10% of all urinary tract carcinomas. It is believed that chronic upper urinary tract irritation caused by e.g., kidney stones or recurrent upper urinary tract infections may be associated with an increased risk of renal squamous cell carcinoma (RSCC). CASE PRESENTATION: We report on a 64-year-old male who suffered a spinal cord injury in 1981 resulting in a complete sensory and motor impairment below T6, AIS A. Recurrent left-sided kidney stone disease had to be treated repeatedly from 1984 onwards. Despite repeated surgical attempts, it was ultimately not possible to achieve stone clearance in the long term. Within the concept of life-long surveillance of SCI/D, the patient was examined regularly, including ultrasound examinations of the kidneys. Six months after the last control examination, the patient was admitted to our hospital with a locally advanced tumor of the left kidney, so that only the option of palliative treatment remained. Histologically an RSCC was found. DISCUSSION: As people with SCI/D have a higher risk of developing kidney stones, it is of utmost importance to check regularly for stone disease and, if necessary, treat with the aim of long-term stone clearance in order to protect renal function and to avert potentially malignant changes at an early stage.

Zur Zusammenhangsbeurteilung traumatisch bedingter Querschnittlahmungen und Jahre spater auftretender Harnblasenkarzinome gibt es keine aussagefahige Literatur. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist der Vorschlag fur eine Konvention, die auf der Grundlage des aktuellen medizinisch-wissenschaftlichen Kenntnisstandes den Gutachtern, der gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung und den Sozialgerichten Anhaltspunkte zur Beurteilung der Zusammenhangsfrage liefert. Die Grundlage der vorgeschlagenen Konvention bildet eine Studie des BG Klinikums Hamburg, die von April 1998 bis Marz 2017 durchgefuhrt wurde: 32 der 6432 stationar oder ambulant behandelten querschnittgelahmten Patienten waren an einem Harnblasenkarzinom erkrankt. Zudem wurde die zu dieser Thematik bislang publizierte Literatur einbezogen. Harnblasenkarzinome treten bei querschnittgelahmten Patienten im Vergleich zur Allgemeinbevolkerung in wesentlich jungeren Jahren auf, sie weisen bei Erstdiagnose deutlich haufiger einen muskelinvasiven Tumor und ein hoheres Grading auf, und der Anteil der Plattenepithelkarzinome ist stark erhoht. Entsprechend ist die Uberlebenszeit erschreckend schlecht. Fur die Begutachtung wurde eine Matrix erstellt, die Einflussfaktoren erfasst, die fur oder gegen eine Anerkennung eines Zusammenhanges zwischen Querschnittlahmung und Harnblasenkarzinom sprechen, und diese Faktoren wurden nach ihrer Bedeutung gewichtet. Harnblasentumoren bei Querschnittpatienten unterscheiden sich offenbar erheblich von denen der Nicht-Gelahmten. Diese Unterschiede verkurzen drastisch die Uberlebenszeiten. Diese Beobachtungen werden durch eine Studie bei Patienten mit Spina bifida bestatigt. Sie deuten auf bislang histopathologisch nicht fassbare Differenzen hin.

Patients with paraplegia develop syndrome-specific complications relevant to visceral surgery, which occur in the context of the acute spinal shock or as a consequence of the progressive neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) with the formation of an elongated colon and/or megacolon. Moreover, acute abdominal emergencies, such as acute appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis and ileus images, pose particular challenges for the clinician when the clinical signs are atypical or even absent. The expansion of indications for obesity surgery to include patients with a paraplegic syndrome, whose independence and quality of life can be impaired due to the restricted mobility, especially by obesity, is becoming increasingly more important.This article provides an overview of the special requirements and aspects in the treatment of this special patient collective and to show the evidence of paraplegia-specific visceral surgery treatment.Targeted literature search in Medline and Cochrane library (German and English, 1985-2020).The clinical treatment of paraplegic patients requires in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiological changes at the different height of the paraplegia (upper versus lower motor neuron) and the phase of the disease (spinal shock versus long-term course). Missing or atypical clinical symptoms of acute diseases delay a quick diagnosis and make early diagnosis essential. The evidence for surgical treatment of the acute and chronic consequences of NBD is based on small retrospective series and case reports, as is that for special indications such as obesity surgery.HINTERGRUND: Patienten mit einer Querschnittlähmung entwickeln syndromspezifische, viszeralchirurgisch relevante Krankheitsbilder, die im Rahmen des akuten spinalen Schocks auftreten können oder Folge der zumeist progredienten neurogenen Darmfunktionsstörung (NBD) mit Ausbildung eines Colon elongatum und/oder Megakolons sind. Auch die akuten abdominalchirurgischen Notfälle, wie akute Appendizitis, Cholezystitis, Divertikultis oder Ileusbilder, stellen den Kliniker bei untypischer oder teils fehlender Klinik vor diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderungen. Einen zunehmenden Stellenwert nimmt die Ausweitung adipositaschirurgischer Indikationen auf Patienten mit einer Querschnittlähmung ein ZIEL DER ARBEIT: Dieser Artikel soll einen Überblick über die speziellen Anforderungen und Aspekte in der Behandlung dieses speziellen Patientenkollektivs geben und die Evidenz querschnittspezifischer viszeralchirurgischer Behandlungen aufzeigen.Es wurde eine selektive Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken Medline und Cochrane Library in deutscher und englischer Sprache (1985–2020) durchgeführt.Die klinische Behandlung querschnittgelähmter Patienten erfordert einen profunden Kenntnisstand über die pathophysiologischen Veränderungen bei unterschiedlicher Querschnitthöhe (oberes vs. unteres motorisches Neuron) und die Phasen der Erkrankung (spinaler Schock vs. Langzeitverlauf). Fehlende oder atypische klinische Symptome akuter Erkrankungen verzögern eine rasche Diagnosefindung und machen eine frühzeitige Durchführung gezielter Diagnostik unabdingbar. Die Evidenz der chirurgischen Behandlung der akuten und chronischen Folgen der NBD ist gering und basiert auf Fallserien und „case reports“ ebenso wie die für spezielle Indikationen wie adipositaschirurgische Eingriffe.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. OBJECTIVES: To compare histopathological findings and the long-term course of SCI patients with bladder cancer found incidentally at the initial urological workup to those diagnosed with bladder cancer many years after the onset of SCI. SETTING: Spinal cord injury center in Germany. METHODS: Data and follow-up of consecutive in- and out-patients with SCI admitted at a tertiary spinal cord injury center between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2018 were screened retrospectively. All patients with acquired SCI were evaluated for pathological findings in the urinary bladder present at the time of SCI on the initial urological workup. Data of 37 long-term SCI patients from the same center with diagnosed bladder cancer and data of the general German population served as reference groups. Descriptive statistics were applied. RESULTS: In total, four patients with bladder cancer at initial urological workup were assessed. They all had non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Two of the patients were cystectomized 34 and 106 months after first bladder cancer diagnosis, due to relapsing tumor and progressive renal failure, respectively. In both cases no tumor was found in the resected bladder. All four patients are currently alive with no tumor and a mean follow-up of 105 months. CONCLUSIONS: In incidental bladder cancer observed at the initial urological workup after acquired SCI, the duration of SCI, at least in the first 5 years, does not noticeably contribute to a poor prognosis, i.e., progression to muscle invasive bladder cancer (≥T2) or a higher grading (G3).

Background Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is also a combat-related injury that is increasing in modern warfare. The aim of this work is to inform medical experts regarding the different course of bladder cancer in able-bodied patients compared with SCI patients based on the latest medical scientific knowledge, and to present decision-making aids for the assessment of bladder cancer as a late sequela of traumatic SCI. Methods A study conducted between January 1998 and December 2019 in the BG Trauma Hospital Hamburg formed the basis for the decision-making aids. Urinary bladder cancer was diagnosed in 40 out of 7396 treated outpatient and inpatient SCI patients. General patient information, latency period, age at initial diagnosis, type of bladder management and survival of SCI patients with bladder cancer were collected and analysed. T category, grading and tumour entity in these patients were compared with those in the general population. Relevant bladder cancer risk factors in SCI patients were analysed. Furthermore, relevant published literature was taken into consideration. Results Initial diagnosis of urinary bladder cancer in SCI patients occurs at a mean age of 56.4 years (SD ± 10.7 years), i.e., approximately 20 years earlier as compared with the general population. These bladder cancers are significantly more frequently muscle invasive (i.e., T category ≥ T2) and present a higher grade at initial diagnosis. Furthermore, SCI patients show a significantly higher proportion of the more aggressive squamous cell carcinoma than that of the general population in areas not endemic for the tropical disease schistosomiasis. Consequently, the survival time is extremely unfavourable. A very important finding, for practical reasons is that, in the Hamburg study as well as in the literature, urinary bladder cancer is more frequently observed after 10 years or more of SCI. Based on these findings, a matrix was compiled where the various influencing factors, either for or against the recognition of an association between SCI and urinary bladder cancer, were weighted according to their relevance. Conclusions The results showed that urinary bladder cancer in SCI patients differs considerably from that in able-bodied patients. The presented algorithm is an important aid in everyday clinical practice for assessing the correlation between SCI and bladder cancer.

Purpose For successful long-term rehabilitation of patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), it is necessary to define the objective requirement for urological aids based on a scientifically validated basis. Methods This was a cross-sectional multicenter study, based on a questionnaire. Data concerning bladder management and daily consumption of urological appliances for patients with NLUTD in a community setting were collected through a standardized survey. Results Seven hundred and sixty-seven records were analyzed: 543 males, 221 females (N/A = 3). Patients using intermittent catheterization (n= 608) required 5.06 (mean) single-use catheters per day. Out of them, 94 (15.5%) required additional pads (mean: 2.29 per day), 34 patients (5.6%) additionally used pants (mean: 2.55 per day) and 46 patients (7.6%) utilized condom catheters (mean: 3.81 per day) between catheterizations. Among all, 126 patients (16.4%) used pads (mean: 5.03 per day), and 51 patients (6.6%) used pants (mean: 3.03 per day). Women needed both pads (p

Background. Neutralization of central nervous system neurite growth inhibitory factors, for example, Nogo-A, is a promising approach to improving recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). In animal SCI models, intrathecal delivery of anti-Nogo-A antibodies promoted regenerative neurite growth and functional recovery. Objective. This first-in-man study assessed the feasibility, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of the human anti-Nogo-A antibody ATI355 following intrathecal administration in patients with acute, complete traumatic paraplegia and tetraplegia. Methods. Patients (N = 52) started treatment 4 to 60 days postinjury. Four consecutive dose-escalation cohorts received 5 to 30 mg/2.5 mL/day continuous intrathecal ATI355 infusion over 24 hours to 28 days. Following pharmacokinetic evaluation, 2 further cohorts received a bolus regimen (6 intrathecal injections of 22.5 and 45 mg/3 mL, respectively, over 4 weeks). Results. ATI355 was well tolerated up to 1-year follow-up. All patients experienced ≥1 adverse events (AEs). The 581 reported AEs were mostly mild and to be expected following acute SCI. Fifteen patients reported 16 serious AEs, none related to ATI355; one bacterial meningitis case was considered related to intrathecal administration. ATI355 serum levels showed dose-dependency, and intersubject cerebrospinal fluid levels were highly variable after infusion and bolus injection. In 1 paraplegic patient, motor scores improved by 8 points. In tetraplegic patients, mean total motor scores increased, with 3/19 gaining >10 points, and 1/19 27 points at Week 48. Conversion from complete to incomplete SCI occurred in 7/19 patients with tetraplegia. Conclusions. ATI335 was well tolerated in humans; efficacy trials using intrathecal antibody administration may be considered in acute SCI.

The assistive robot system adaptive head motion control for user-friendly support (AMiCUS) has been developed to increase the autonomy of motion impaired people. The six degrees of freedom robot arm with gripper is controlled with head motion and head gestures only, so especially tetraplegics benefit from collaboration with AMiCUS. In this paper, a usability study with a total number of 30 subjects was conducted to validate the AMiCUS interaction technology and design. 24 able-bodied subjects of demographically diverse groups and 6 tetraplegics participated in this paper. All subjects performed different pick and place tasks by controlling AMiCUS. The evaluation of the interaction design was carried out subjectively with a questionnaire as well as objectively by measurement of time, completion rate, and number of trials for correct head gesture performance. The influence of several factors like age, sex, motion impairment, and previous experience on head motion-based human-robot interaction was analyzed. The interaction design has been proven successful in laboratory environment and assessed overall positive by the subjects. The results of the presented paper confirm the usability of the assistive robot AMiCUS. AMiCUS has the potential to benefit tetraplegics by improving their independence in activities of daily living and adapted workplaces.

Ein Erratum zu dieser Publikation wurde veröffentlicht: 10.1007/s00104-021-01364-2

Bis in die 1940er-Jahre fuhrte eine komplette Querschnittlahmung im Bereich der Halswirbelsaule regelhaft innerhalb weniger Tage zum Tod. Wahrend die Mortalitat der Querschnittlahmung heute im Wesentlichen mit der Qualitat der primarversorgenden medizinischen und rehabilitativen Strukturen zusammenhangt, ist die Lebenserwartung der Betroffenen vor allem dadurch bestimmt, ob es gelingt, den Patienten nach der Erstbehandlung in ein funktionierendes soziookonomisches Umfeld zu integrieren und fur den Fall von medizinischen Problemen eine qualifizierte Versorgung anzubieten.

Die akute Verletzung von Wirbelsaule und Ruckenmark kann sowohl isoliert als auch im Rahmen von Mehrfachverletzungen auftreten. Wahrend die Ursache einer Querschnittslahmung vor wenigen Jahrzehnten noch fast ausschlieslich traumatisch war, ist das Verhaltnis von traumatischen zu nicht traumatischen Ursachen in Deutschland derzeit nahezu gleich. Bei der Akutbehandlung der Querschnittslahmung stehen die Wiederherstellung und der Erhalt der Vitalfunktionen, eine gezielte Steuerung der Kreislaufparameter sowie eine Vermeidung eines lagerungs- oder transportbedingten Zusatzschadens im Vordergrund. Dieser Artikel informiert uber die leitliniengerechte Notfallbehandlung von Patienten mit akuter Verletzung von Wirbelsaule und Ruckenmark in der praklinischen Phase.

Life expectancy for people with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) is increasing, due to modern advances in treatment methods and in neuro-urology. However, with the increased life expectancy the risk of developing urinary bladder cancer is gaining importance. How is this patient group different from the general population? Single-centre retrospective evaluation of consecutive patient data with spinal cord injury and proven urinary bladder cancer. Between January 1st 1998 and March 31st 2017, 32 (3 female, 29 male) out of a total of 6432 patients with SCI/D were diagnosed with bladder cancer.The average age at bladder cancer diagnosis was 54.5 years, which is well below the average for bladder cancer cases in the general population (male: 74, female: 75).Twenty-seven patients suffered from urodynamically confirmed neurogenic detrusor overactivity, while five patients (all male) had detrusor acontractility.The median latency period between the onset of SCI/D and tumor diagnosis was 29.5 years. Temporary indwelling catheterisation was found in four patients for only 1.61 % of the overall latency period of all patients.The majority of the patients (n = 27) had transitional cell carcinoma, while five had squamous cell carcinoma. Of the 32 patients, 25 (78 %) had muscle invasive bladder cancer at ≥ T2 at the time of diagnosis. Regarding tumour grading, 23 out of 32 patients showed a histologically poorly differentiated G3 carcinoma; two patients each had G2 and G1 tumours repectively (no information on tumour grading was available in five patients).The median survival for all patients was 11.5 months. The prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma was even worse; 4 out of 5 died within 7 months (median 4 months). The significantly younger age at onset and the frequency of invasive, poorly differentiated tumour at diagnosis indicate that SCI/D influences both bladder cancer risk and prognosis significantly. The latency period between paralysis and tumour disease seems to be a decisive risk parameter.The type of neurogenic bladder dysfunction and the form of bladder drainage do not appear to influence the risk. Long-term indwelling catheter drainage played only a minor role in the investigated patients.Early detection of bladder cancer in patients with spinal cord injury remains a challenge. Die Lebenserwartung für Menschen mit Querschnittlähmung (spinal cord injury/disease; SCI/D) steigt infolge der Fortschritte der paraplegiologischen und neuro-urologischen Behandlungsmethoden. Somit gewinnt jedoch das Risiko, an Harnblasenkrebs zu erkranken, an Bedeutung. Retrospektive Single-Center-Auswertung von konsekutiven Patientendaten mit SCI/D und nachgewiesenem Harnblasenkarzinom. Vom 1. Januar 1998 bis 31. März 2017 wurde bei 32 (3 weiblich, 29 männlich) von insgesamt 6 432 Patienten mit SCI/D ein Harnblasen-Karzinom diagnostiziert. Das Durchschnittsalter bei der Blasenkrebsdiagnose lag mit 54,5 Jahren deutlich unter dem für Blasenkrebsfälle in der Allgemeinbevölkerung (männlich: 74, weiblich: 75 Jahre). 27 Patienten litten an einer urodynamisch bestätigten neurogenen Detrusor-Überaktivität, während 5 Patienten (alle männlich) eine neurogene Akontraktilität des Detrusors aufwiesen.Die mediane Latenzzeit zwischen dem Einsetzen der SCI/D und der Tumordiagnose betrug 29,5 Jahre. Temporäre Dauerkatheterisierungen wurden bei lediglich 4 Patienten für insgesamt nur 1,61 % der Latenzzeit aller Patienten gefunden.Die Mehrzahl der Patienten (n = 27) wies ein Urothelzellkarzinom auf, 5 Patienten hatten ein Plattenepithelkarzinom. 25 Patienten (78 %) hatten zum Zeitpunkt der Diagnose bereits einen muskelinvasiven Tumor ≥ T2. 23 Patienten zeigten ein histologisch schlecht differenziertes G3-Karzinom, zwei Patienten hatten jeweils einen G2- und G1-Tumor (keine Angaben bei 5 Patienten).Das mediane Überleben für alle Patienten betrug 11,5 Monate. Die Prognose der Patienten mit Plattenepithelkarzinom war signifikant noch schlechter, 4 von 5 starben innerhalb von 7 Monaten (Median 4 Monate). Das jüngere Alter bei Beginn der Tumorerkrankung und die Häufigkeit invasiver, schlecht differenzierter Tumoren bei der Diagnose weisen darauf hin, dass das Vorliegen einer SCI/D sowohl Risiko als auch Prognose der Blasentumor-Erkrankung signifikant beeinflussen. Die Latenzzeit zwischen Lähmungseintritt und Tumorerkrankung scheint ein maßgeblicher Risiko-Parameter zu sein.Die Art der neurogenen Blasenfunktionsstörung und des Blasen-Managements scheinen dagegen das Risiko nicht zu beeinflussen. Langzeit-Dauerableitungen der Harnblase spielten bei den untersuchten Patienten nur eine untergeordnete Rolle.Die Früherkennung von Blasenkrebs bei Patienten mit SCI/D bleibt eine Herausforderung.

Retrospective, single centre cohort study. To determine factors associated with ventilator weaning success and failure in patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI); determine length of time and attempts required to wean from the ventilator successfully and determine the incidence of pneumonia. BG Klinikum Hamburg, Level 1 trauma centre, SCI Department, Germany. From 2010 until 2017, 165 consecutive patients with cervical SCI, initially dependent on a ventilator, were included and weaned discontinuously via tracheal cannula. Data related to anthropometric details, neurological injury, respiratory outcomes, and weaning parameters were prospectively recorded in a database and retrospectively analysed. Seventy-nine percent of all patients were successfully weaned from ventilation. Average duration of the complete weaning process was 37 days. Ninety-one percent of the successfully weaned patients completed this on first attempt. Age (>56 years), level of injury (C4 and/or above), vital capacity ( 25 kg/m2), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly decreased the chance of successful weaning. These factors also correlated with a higher number of weaning attempts. High level of injury, older age, and reduced vital capacity also increased the duration of the weaning process. Patients with low vital capacity and concurrent therapy with Baclofen and Dantrolene showed higher rates of pneumonia. We conclude that mentioned factors are associated with weaning outcome and useful for clinical recommendations and patient counselling. These data further support the complexity of ventilator weaning in the SCI population due to associated complications, therefore we recommend conducting weaning of patients with SCI on intensive or intermediate care units (ICU/IMCU) in specialised centres.

Industrial robots as part of highly automated manufacturing are recently developed to cooperative (light-weight) robots. This offers the opportunity of using them as assistance robots and to improve the participation in professional life of disabled or handicapped people such as tetraplegics. Robots under development are located within a cooperation area together with the working person at the same workplace. This cooperation area is an area where the robot and the working person can perform tasks at the same time. Thus, working people and robots are operating in the immediate proximity. Considering the physical restrictions and the limited mobility of tetraplegics, a hands-free robot control could be an appropriate approach for a cooperative assistance robot. To meet these requirements, the research project MeRoSy (human-robot synergy) develops methods for cooperative assistance robots based on the measurement of head movements of the working person. One research objective is to improve the participation in professional life of people with disabilities and, in particular, mobility impaired persons (e.g. wheelchair users or tetraplegics), whose participation in a self-determined working life is denied. This raises the research question, how a human-robot cooperation workplace can be designed for hands-free robot control. Here, the example of a library scenario is demonstrated. In this paper, an empirical study that focuses on the impact of head movement related stress is presented. 12 test subjects with tetraplegia participated in the study. Tetraplegia also known as quadriplegia is the worst type of spinal cord injury. In the experiment, three various basic head movements were examined. Data of the head posture were collected by a motion capture system; muscle activity was measured via surface electromyography and the subjective mental stress was assessed via a mental effort questionnaire. The muscle activity was measured for the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), the upper trapezius (UT) or trapezius pars descendens, and the splenius capitis (SPL) muscle. For this purpose, six non-invasive surface electromyography sensors were mounted on the head and neck area. An analysis of variance shows differentiated muscular strains depending on the type of head movement. Systematically investigating the influence of different basic head movements on the resulting strain is an important issue to relate the research results to other scenarios. At the end of this paper, a conclusion will be drawn and an outlook of future work will be presented.

A high spinal cord injury (SCI) above the fifth cervical level usually results in a severe impairment of the respiratory function. Paralysis of the muscles needed for respiration, foremost the diaphragm muscle, leads to a significant loss of vital capacity with the need of partial or complete mechanical ventilation. Nearly ten percent of all SCI patients need temporary ventilation during initial treatment directly after the impairment. Six percent of this group are in need of permanent artificial ventilation due to unsuccessful weaning attempts.

Worldwide, the average prevalence of spinal cord injury (SCI) is estimated to be 1:1000, and the mean incidence is proposed to be between 4 and 9 cases per 100,000 population per year. Numbers vary substantially for different parts of the world. The mean incidence of SCI in developing countries is estimated to be 25.5/million/year with a range between 2.1 and 130.7/million/year. The incidence of SCI in industrialized countries ranges from 15 in Western Europe to 39/million/year in the USA. Most common causes for traumatic SCI are traffic accidents, falls, and results of violence, whereas the leading causes of non-traumatic SCI (NTSCI) are degenerative diseases and tumors (developed countries) and infections, particularly tuberculosis and HIV (developing countries). The majority of people with traumatic SCI are males (ratio men/women = 3:1), whereas in non-traumatic SCI, genders are almost equally distributed. Worldwide NTSCI increases significantly as well as the number of high-level tetraplegic patients with the need for permanent or artificial ventilation. In general, the percentage of tetraplegic patients has increased and nowadays equals that of paraplegic patients. Additionally, in industrialized countries, the mean age at the time of injury increases continuously, mostly due to older patients also experiencing SCI. The mortality rate in the first phase after SCI is directly linked to the availability and quality of primary care and rehabilitation approaches. Life expectancy is determined by the level of integration into a proper socioeconomic environment after initial treatment and directly related to the availability of qualified medical care in the event of complications such as pressure ulcers or urological problems.

Mit ca. 2000 neuen Fallen/Jahr in Deutschland ist die akute Querschnittlahmung (QSL) aus traumatischer oder nicht traumatischer Ursache quantitativ zwar ein weniger bedeutsames intensivmedizinisches Krankheitsbild als z.B. die Sepsis, gilt aber aufgrund der Auswirkungen auf den Patienten, der Komplexitat der Behandlung und auch der enormen Folgekosten als bedeutsames Krankheitsbild. Auserhalb spezialisierter Zentren besteht oft wenig Routine im Umgang mit Querschnittgelahmten, insbesondere bei hoher Halsmarklahmung. In Abhangigkeit von Lahmungshohe und -ausmas kann es sowohl in der Akutphase als auch in der weiteren stationaren Rehabilitation sowie der hauslichen Umgebung zu Komplikationen kommen, die eine intensivmedizinische Behandlung erfordern. Bei hoher oder ultrahoher QSL stellt die Dauerbeatmungspflicht zudem eine eigenstandige intensivmedizinische Behandlungsform dar, zu der inzwischen mehr Erfahrungen vorliegen. Neuere Therapieoptionen, wie z.B. die Implantation eines Zwerchfellnervenschrittmachers, erfordern die Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema, da heute deutlich mehr Patienten mit (hoher) Querschnittlahmung rehabilitiert werden konnen und deren Lebenserwartung standig steigt.

Mittels des im vorliegenden Beitrag vorgestellten BobScore ist es moglich, die Prozessqualitat in der Rehabilitation unterschiedlicher Gruppen von Patienten mit Querschnittlahmung abzubilden. Das Messverfahren ist multidimensional und kann fur Folgestudien und Fragen der sozialen Reintegration genutzt werden. Durch Einsatz des BobScore werden die Effizienz und die Effektivitat von Rehabilitationsverfahren national und international vergleichbar. Mittels dieses Qualitatsscores ist es moglich, die Ergebnisqualitat wahrend und nach der stationaren Rehabilitationsmasnahme zu messen. Durch das Erfassen der Parameter Schmerz, Energie, Emotionen und soziale Isolation wird in Erganzung zu anderen Scores die Lebensqualitat zuverlassig gemessen und vergleichbar. Mit den Parametern Selbstmanagementhaltung und Selbstvertrauen stehen Messinstrumente fur die in der ICF („international classification of functioning, disability and health“) geforderte Integrationsperspektive zur Verfugung.

Replacement of the cervical intervertebral disc by artificial implants, known as cervical total disc replacement (CTDR), is becoming a generally applied method instead of using the gold standard of the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Hypothetically, the preserved mobility results in the protection of the neighboring segments. There is growing evidence that results in patients who underwent CTDR were not inferior when compared to results in patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The authors report a case of a healthy 53-year-old man who suffered an incomplete paraplegia below C-6 following the dislocation of an artificial CTDR device into the spinal canal with consequent compression of the spinal cord.

Background Stability of threshold currents during long-term use of phrenic nerve stimulation has been questioned. Methods and Results Between January 5, 1988, and March 5, 2008, 49 patients with functional C2-tetraplegia received an Atrostim PNS (Atrotech Ltd., Tampere, Finland) as treatment of their respiratory insufficiency; a follow-up of 35 of such patients was carried out exclusively in our institution for 6.3 (4.44) 0.04–15.75 years (mean [standard deviation (SD)] range). The device employed four-pole sequential nerve stimulation, which provided four threshold currents subsequently evaluated for each phrenic nerve. Stimulation data were prospectively recorded. The differences between threshold currents recorded 1 year after implantation and the last recorded values were 0.33–0.43 (0.44–0.63) 0–2.9 mA. After having excluded the data of eight patients with values >1 mA (= mean + SD), we registered the differences for the remaining patients of 0.15–0.24 (0.14–0.24) 0–0.95 mA, which is just twice the adjustment accuracy of the device. Out of the eight problem cases one had, and two were suspected to have, surgical trauma; all three nerves recovered. In two cases the values steadily increasing over years might have been caused by unspecific foreign body reaction. Two cases with values >1mA for different durations at different electrodes might be caused by biofilm, and one patient displaying steadily increasing values lived, unwilling to live, only 2 years after the implantation. Conclusion Thus, there was no permanent nerve injury and in 77% of the presented cases threshold currents remained stable.

Acute injury to the spine and spinal cord can occur both in isolation as also in the context of multiple injuries. Whereas a few decades ago, the cause of paraplegia was almost exclusively traumatic, the ratio of traumatic to non-traumatic causes in Germany is currently almost equivalent. In acute treatment of spinal cord injury, restoration and maintenance of vital functions, selective control of circulation parameters, and avoidance of positioning or transport-related additional damage are in the foreground. This article provides information on the guideline for emergency treatment of patients with acute injury of the spine and spinal cord in the preclinical phase.

Mono-centric, retrospective study.Analysis of correlation between bladder management and age in respirator-dependant high-tetraplegic patients. Additionally suprapubic catheter (SPC) and intermittent catheterisation (IC) were reviewed concerning urological complications and quality of life (QoL).Level 1 trauma centre.A QoL questionnaire 'International Consultation on Incontinence' (ICIQ-SF) was sent to 56 tetraplegic respirator device-dependant (RDD)-spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Their scores concerning urological morbidity were reviewed. For analysis reasons they were divided in three groups: SPC, IC and others.SPC 38, IC 12 and others 6 patients. Significant difference in age (SPC vs IC=49.9 vs 31.8 years) was observed but no disparity in gender. Within a follow-up period 2-26 years (median 8 years) significant urological complications in patients with IC (P0.05) were ascertained. These were in general minor complications. Especially renal deterioration or bladder cancer was not diagnosed in any of the group. The questionnaire return rate was high (83.9%) with complete answers (SPC=32, IC=11). Self assessment of QoL with ICIQ-SF revealed no significant difference for both groups on low level, but SPC patients tend to score better.In our study, tetraplegic RDD-SCI patients with SPC suffered less urological complications and tend to score a better QoL. Therefore we recommend SPC as a serious alternative for these selected patients and concurrently underline the necessity of close urological surveillance at least annually.

Monocentric cohort study.To investigate the acquisition of knowledge about spinal cord injury (SCI)-related complications in SCI patients.Level 1 trauma center.All patients with a traumatic or non-traumatic SCI were included in the study. Data were collected at admission, post-admission at 1 and 3 months and post-discharge at 6, 18 and 30 months. The discharge of all patients was between 3 and 6 months post-admission. Knowledge about pressure ulcers and bladder management was tested using the 'Knowledge' score. This score has a minimum and maximum of 0 and 20 points. To detect differences across the multiple time intervals, the Friedman test was used. Differences in the number of patients with poor (0-8), average (9-12) and good knowledge (13-20) between the different age classifications (age at injury) were calculated using a χ (2)-test.A total of 214 patients were included. At discharge subjects had increased their knowledge score to 11.2 compared with 5.4 on admission (P0.001). After 30 months, however, the mean score decreased to 10.8 points. At the time of discharge, the number of patients who achieved poor, average or good knowledge were 48 (22.4%), 65 (30.4%) and 101 (47.2%), respectively. Subjects of ∼50 years old and tetraplegics had better (P0.001) knowledge compared with subjects of ∼50 years old and paraplegics, respectively.In this study, less than 50% of SCI patients had good knowledge about bladder management and pressure ulcers after being discharged.

Item does not contain fulltext STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To compare the neurological outcome between paraplegic patients with acute spinal cord ischaemia syndrome (ASCIS) or traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) and to investigate the influence of SCI aetiology on the total Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM)-II score. SETTING: Level 1 trauma centre. METHODS: Initial (0-40 days) and chronic-phase (6-12 months) American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) sensory scores, lower extremity motor score (LEMS) and chronic-phase total SCIM-II scores were analysed. Differences between ASCIS and tSCI patients were calculated using Student's t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. To assess which variables give rise to the prediction of total SCIM-II score, a multiple linear regression analysis was used. These predictor variables included complete (ASIA impairment scale A) or incomplete SCI (AIS B, C, and D), aetiology, age and gender. RESULTS: Out of 93 included patients, 20 ASCIS and 73 tSCI patients were identified. In the complete SCI group, the initial pinprick scores were higher (P

Derzeit wird ein Grosteil der in den Querschnittgelahmtenzentren erbrachten Leistungen mit krankenhausindividuell gestalteten Vertragen vergutet. Dies hat sich aufgrund der Inhomogenitat der Patientengruppen und der Verschiedenartigkeit der krankenhausspezifischen Leistungsangebote als sinnvoll erwiesen. Der Versuch, auch kleinste heterogene Patientengruppen in Fallpauschalen (DRG: „diagnosis related groups“) zu integrieren, gefahrdet die qualifizierte nachhaltige Versorgung gerade der am schwersten betroffenen Patienten.

Monocentric Cohort Study. Development of a multi-dimensional outcome score of the rehabilitation of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Level 1 Trauma centre with large spinal unit. During the rehabilitation of 161 patients with SCI between 2005 and 2007 following outcome parameters were assessed at different time points: functional status, pain, emotion, energy, sleep, social isolation, knowledge and self-management attitude. The results for these parameters were statistically evaluated with regard to different grades of paralysis and analyzed for socio-demographic influence factors. Correlation and factor analysis were then applied to evaluate the dependencies of the parameters and the dimensional structure of the applied score. For all factors a positive trend was found during the course of rehabilitation. Only the functional status is caused by spinal cord lesion. Age, sex and social isolation have no direct influence on the result with regard to functional status. For interactive dependencies of the parameters a three-dimensional structure was found: Success in the parameters, emotion, energy or social status, is independent of success in the parameter functional status. The result of the functional status is, next to the type of spinal injury, mainly influenced by the self-management attitude. The level of knowledge gained during rehabilitation is independent of the success in the other parameters. By the combination of functional, psychological and cognitive parameters into a result score it is possible to determine the quality of a rehabilitation process in its multiple dimensions and for different levels and grades of palsy. By this it is possible to analyze and compare the effectiveness and efficiency of rehabilitation on a national and international level. Longitudinal comparison of the long-term effects of rehabilitation after SCI is also possible, for example, in the course of follow-up examinations. Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (German Statutory Occupational Accident Insurance).

Operative therapy of intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus is an established surgical standard. The aim is an accurate reduction of the fracture with reconstruction of Boehler’s angle, length, axis and subtalar joint surface. Intraoperative 3D-fluoroscopy with the Siremobil Iso-C 3D® mobile C-arm system is a valuable assistant for accurate reconstruction of these anatomical structures. Remaining incongruities can be recognized and corrected intraoperatively. The achieved reduction can be fixed by the advantages of an internal fixator (locked-screw plate interface). In the period of October 2002 until April 2007 we operated 136 patients with intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus by means of anatomical reduction, and internal plate fixator under intraoperative control of 3D-fluoroscopy. All patients were supplied with an orthesis after the operation which allowed weight bearing of 10 kg for 12 weeks for the patients operated between October 2002 and October 2004 (Group A). Transient local osteoporosis was observed in all X-Rays at follow-up after an average of 8,6 months. Therefore we changed our postoperative treatment plan for the patients operated between November 2004 and April 2007 (Group B). Weight bearing started with 20 KG after 6 weeks, was increased to 40 KG after 8 weeks and full weight bearing was allowed after 10 weeks for these patients. In no case a secondary dislocation of the fracture was seen. No bone graft was used. At follow up the average American Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) were 81 for Group_A, compared to 84 for Group B, treated with earlier weight bearing. Autologous bone graft was not necessary even if weight bearing was started after a period of six weeks postoperatively. The combination of 3D-fluoroscopy with locked internal fixation showed promising results. If the rate of patients developing subtalar arthrosis will decrease by this management will have to be shown in long term follow up.

With 2000 new cases/year in Germany spinal cord injury (SCI) is quantitatively less important for intensive care medicine than, e.g., sepsis. But, due to the consequences for the patient, the intricacy of treatment and the enormous costs, it is a significant clinical picture. Outside of specialized centers, routine experience with SCI is largely lacking, particularly in cases of tetraplegia. Dependent on the level of the paralysis, complications in the acute situation, the hospitalization and the rehabilitation are common and need intensive medical care. Lifelong mechanical ventilation is needed in some cases of cervical SCI, for which experience has since grown. New therapeutic options have become implemented (e.g., electrophrenic/diaphragm pacing), have a need to be examined, and extend lifespan in cases of SCI. As a result more patients have a chance for rehabilitation today than in previous decades."