[Infectious complications of 227 open fractures of the leg]

Out of 557 open fractures of the leg we have analysed 472 cases in respect of recovery. We tried to discrive the relationship between the infection and the severity of the lesion and the methods of treatment resp. We have analysed also the further course of the infect.on. In our material considerable risk of the infections in the case of open leg fractures was found, since the incidence of all infections corresponded--in accordance with the data of the literature--to 16,7% of the appreciable cases. Significant relationship between the occurrence of infections and the severity of the lesion was found. In the material analysed according to the ACD code the incidence of infections is in the severely injured patients three times as much as in the case of slight or moderately severe groups. The occurrence of posttraumatic osteitis corresponds to 9,11%--this latter is similarly in relation with the severity of the lesion. The infection leads to the protraction of the osseous union,--however, no convincing data were found in the authors' material in respect of the relationship between the infection and the methods of treatment. The course and the proportion of healing of the infected cases correspond to the mean values reported in the literature. On the basis of their great material it is stated by the authors that only in the case of lesions with identical or at the least similar severity comparison of the results of recovery or of the complications is possible and suitable.