Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Hand Surgery - University Hospital Saarland Homburg

About the Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Hand Surgery at University Hospital Saarland Homburg

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Hand Surgery at the University Hospital Saarland Homburg offers the full range of medical services in the areas of its specialization. The department diagnoses and treats adults and young patients with musculoskeletal injuries of any severity and polytrauma. The doctors at the medical facility also provide high-quality medical care to patients with complications from injuries. The department is deservedly proud of its success in treating hand injuries and diseases. More than 1,500 hand surgical procedures are performed here annually on an outpatient and inpatient basis. The department's doctors cooperate closely with orthopedists, surgeons, radiologists, and other specialists to provide patients with effective treatment results, taking into account their individual needs and wishes. The department is certified as a supraregional Trauma Center by the German Trauma Society (DGU) and has a quality certificate from the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (DGOU). The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Tim Pohlemann.

The department's traumatologists often treat pelvic ring and acetabular fractures or a combination of these injuries. Since 2001, more than 820 patients with such injuries have been treated in the department, which is about 80-100 cases per year. Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained, the doctors at the medical facility provide both conservative and surgical treatment, giving preference to conservative therapy whenever possible. For patients with acetabular fractures, skeletal traction is primarily considered. If the injury is severe and bone fragments are found in the joint cavity, it is almost impossible to achieve a good result without surgery. Patients with pelvic ring fractures require bed rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain management, and physiotherapy. However, complex pelvic ring fractures are often treated using surgical techniques.

Doctors have impressive experience in providing medical care for patients with spinal injuries: cervical spine fractures, injuries of the disc and ligamentous complex combined with cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine fractures, vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis and cancers, the formation of false joints and deformities after vertebral fractures. Neurosurgeons and orthopedists can be involved in the therapeutic process whenever required. During the treatment, both conservative and modern surgical techniques are used. If a patient needs an operation, the department's traumatologists strive to perform it using low-traumatic techniques. In addition, the very latest navigation systems are used during spinal interventions to ensure the high safety of surgical procedures.

A special place in clinical practice is given to the treatment of large joint injuries, such as knee, hip, shoulder, and elbow injuries. Such patients are treated in cooperation with orthopedists. Uncomplicated joint fractures can often be treated with plaster casts followed by rehabilitation measures to restore mobility. In the case of severe injuries, arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) may be required. Such surgical procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques, which greatly facilitate and accelerate the postoperative recovery of patients.

In the field of hand surgery, the department offers all treatment options available in modern medicine. Every year, more than 2,000 patients are treated here, and about 1,500 surgical interventions are performed. Particular attention is paid to the treatment of acute injuries and congenital and acquired hand diseases. The department's doctors are also competent in microsurgical reconstructive interventions on the hand after previous injuries and operations.

The department's main clinical activities are as follows:

• Emergency medical care for any type of injury
• Treatment of seriously injured patients and patients with polytrauma
• Treatment of pelvic ring and acetabular fractures
  • Conservative treatment
  • Surgical treatment
• Treatment of spinal injuries in adults and children
  • Conservative treatment
  • Surgical treatment
    • Occipitocervical fusion
    • Second cervical vertebra odontoid screw osteosynthesis (according to the Böhler method)
    • Transarticular screw osteosynthesis for C1 and C2 vertebrae
    • Ventral fusion and osteosynthesis with plates of the cervical spine with or without decompression
    • Dorsal stabilization of the cervical spine with or without decompression
    • Dorsal stabilization of the thoracic/lumbosacral spine with or without posterolateral fusion
    • Revision interventions on the spinal canal for decompression: laminoplasty, hemilaminectomy, or laminectomy
    • Ventral stabilization of the thoracic/lumbar spine through a minimally invasive or endoscopic approach using angled screws
    • Endoscopic or minimally invasive posterior resection with dural compression
    • Cement fixation to stabilize the spine with a decrease in bone mineral density (due to osteopenia or osteoporosis)
    • Balloon kyphoplasty
    • Soft tissue plastic surgery (tissue defect transposition or closure with flaps)
    • Plastic surgery for a cerebrospinal fluid leakage due to injuries
• Treatment of large joint fractures, such as knee, hip, shoulder and elbow fractures
  • Conservative treatment
  • Joint replacement surgery
• Treatment of hand injuries and diseases
  • Conservative therapy
  • Microsurgical interventions
• Other medical services