Akute posttraumatische Osteitis

Abstract

Acute osteomyelitis, a bacterial infection of the bone and the surrounding soft tissue after an open fracture or surgical treatment, is a severe complication in orthopaedic and trauma surgery. If not treated correctly, it is catastrophic for the patient. The diagnosis is a clinical one. Radical surgery must be performed as early as possible. In most cases it is possible to save the osteosynthesis, but not if a nail is infected or if the infection is combined with instability. © 2008 Springer Medizin Verlag.