[Innovative implants -- a prerequisite for biological osteosynthesis]

Biological osteosynthesis is a new paradigm in fracture fixation. In contrast to the conservative mechanical operative period, where exact anatomical and rigid fracture fixation was the ultimate ambition, the new perception in fracture management attaches more importance to the conservation of bone perfusion than to the exact anatomical reduction. Because soft tissue condition and local blood circulation are most important for bone reconstruction and healing of fractures, additional damage of soft tissue caused by operation should ideally be avoided. Consequently surgeons aim at minimally invasive operating techniques using no-touch bone implants. This shift in point of view has also been accommodated by a rapid progress in development of innovative bone implants. Solid medullar nails, novel designs and applications of plates, locking screws and biocompatible titanium implants are some of the implantation techniques which pushed the new concept of biological fracture fixation.