[Acute infection following osteosynthesis]

Local infection manifest within 14 days of internal fixation is usually confined to the soft tissues. Indeed it may initially be taken for a wound-healing reaction. Colonization is either primary in open fractures, peroperative during internal fixation, or haematogenous from a remote focus within the injured patient. Successful treatment demands immediate readmission to hospital and energetic management by the rules of septic surgery, if chronic infection is to be avoided. The stability of internal fixation can then often be preserved.