[Treatment tactics and late results in early infection following osteosynthesis]

Abstract

On the basis of long term results (five to 29 years), the treatment of postoperative wound infection after internal fixation (40 shaft fractures) is outlined. Of decisive importance is the immediate surgical intervention as soon as the first clinical signs of infection become evident.

Procedure: opening of the wound, leaving stable implants in situ, temporary irrigation drainage.

Results: in 31 cases spontaneous bone healing without bone grafting. Only in nine cases a residual infected focus needed cancellous bone grafting (in five of these cases additional surgical stabilisation, in the other four cases the bone itself was already sufficiently stable). In 35 patients full restoration of working capacity; in 33 patients full functional repair.