[Suction-drainage in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis]

The instillation drainage is a very important part in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis (the débridement of necrotic bone and soft tissue cellulitis, the need of stability, the local antiinfectious treatment, and the plastic reconstruction of soft tissue and bone defects). In acute osteomyelitis under stable conditions the instillation drainage helps spontaneous reossification, in most of these cases bone grafting is not necessary. For the local treatment of an intramedullary infection the closed technique of the instillation drainage is recommended. There must be an exact balance of Ringer's solution in the instillation and drainage system. In the open technique no retention of solution is possible. - Antibiotics can be added to Ringer's solution for the first few days, the more important effect of the instillation drainage is the mechanical cleansing of all infected spaces.