[Etiology and pathophysiology of post-traumatic bone infection]

The present study deals with etiology and pathophysiology of posttraumatic bone infections. Great importance is attached to the description of intracortical transformations. The authors underline that the chronic infection originates in disturbances of blood flow caused primarily in the corticalis by trauma or osteosynthesis. All further pathophysiologic processes have to be considered as an effort made by the organism to heal the damage. The pathophysiologic processes resulting in the different end stages (recovery, persisting necrosis, sequester) are described.