title: [Complex knee injury in polytraumatized patients].
abstract: In polytraumatized patients severe joint injuries represent a special entity because their management is complex and lengthy. The surgeon must decide if limb salvage is indicated and which further surgical steps have to be instituted. The decision for amputation is based on the patient's general condition and the soft-tissue and neurovascular injury. Scoring systems are useful for decision making. Limb salvage is associated with a multistage surgical approach. Priority is given to restoration of sufficient blood supply and soft tissue repair; the indication for fasciotomy covers a wide field. To avoid further compromise to soft tissue and perfusion, temporary joint and fracture stabilization is required. Definitive surgery has to be delayed until the 2 week period, starting between the fifth and tenth day after trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Kaufmann Medical Building-Suite 1010, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. kobbep@upmc.edu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kobbe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frink
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Zelle
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Pape
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000792:Angiography; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007717:Knee / Q000098:blood supply; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D023821:Limb Salvage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012086:Reoperation; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices