title: Evaluation of the current treatment concepts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for acute traumatic lesions to the prepatellar and olecranon bursa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although traumatic lacerations of the olecranon (OB) and praepatellar bursae (PB) are common entities often associated with complications, no study could be found on this injury. The aim of this study was to survey the current treatment concepts for acute traumatic laceration of the OB and PB in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  An international online survey was conducted among orthopaedic and trauma surgeons in Germany (TraumaNetwork DGU), Austria (Austrian Society of Trauma (ÖGU) and Orthopaedic (ÖGO) Surgeons) and Switzerland (Swiss Orthopaedic Surgeons and Swiss Society of Infectious Disease (CH)) (n=1967). The survey comprised of five demographical questions, the current treatment concepts were evaluated using a case study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall-response-rate was 16% (12-46%). 88% of the responding physicians were male, aged 47.5 ± 10.2 years with a mean working experience of 20.1 ± 10.6 years. 54% of the surveyed physicians were either senior or chief physicians. Treatment concepts varied significantly between DGU and ÖGO/CH (p=0.02/p=0.006), no significant differences could be found between DGU and ÖGU. Generally, German and Austrian trauma surgeons favoured bursectomy (86.7%/90.9%) and immobilisation (68.3%/77.3%). Austrian orthopaedic surgeons performed fewer bursectomies (69.3%) but had the highest proportion for administering antibiotics (73.9%). Less than 50% of Swiss physicians indicated bursectomy as a treatment option.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, this survey revealed a significant heterogeneity in treatment approaches in Central Europe. Further evidence is needed to identify the best treatment concepts for traumatic lacerations of the OB and PB.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery - Campus Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Nussbaumstrasse 20, 80336 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Sebastian.Baumbach@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sebastian F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Baumbach
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Domaszewski
authors.forename: Hendrick
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wyen
authors.forename: Klaudius
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalcher
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mutschler
authors.forename: Karl-Georg
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Kanz
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001178:Arthroplasty; D001317:Austria; D002061:Bursa, Synovial / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002062:Bursitis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D056740:Olecranon Process / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal