[Causes of development of chronic osteomyelitis of long tubular bones]

The causes of chronic hematogenic and posttraumatic forms of osteomyelitis of the long tubular bones in 383 patients are analysed. Delayed diagnosis and irrational surgical treatment was the main cause of the development of chronic hematogenic osteomyelitis in 97 patients. The occurrence of chronic osteomyelitis after operative intervention in 84 patients with closed fractures was linked with violation of asepsis and the use of unstable and of poor quality metal fixation devices for osteosynthesis. Operative treatment of closed fractures should be undertaken only in specialized traumatic departments.