[Accidents caused by arteritis after fracture or tibial osteotomy]

In five cases of fracture or osteotomy of the tibia complicated by delayed union, non-union or infection, a latent chronic vascular insufficiency was belatedly discovered, often after failure of local treatment. It was responsible for the complication, since, in all the cases, the restoration of arterial patency resulted in healing. A study of the arterial circulation should be made, especially in smokers, when there is delay in union.