[Perfectionism or practicability in osteosyntheses--limits of the carefulness responsibility]

The discussion of these complex themas can only partially try to show the way to successful osteosynthesis for not only the patient as also for traumatologists and orthopedic surgeons. "Perfection or practicability"-this question is to be answered so that exaggerated perfection, as seen overall in surgery, is not foundation of the successful result. On the contrary, osteosynthesis procedures conceived so that they are generally practicable and employable for those colleagues who are experienced and have confidence with the material. Perfection should not be isolated as bare organ surgery. At the same time it is clearer that it is not possible to stop the specialization in bone surgery. In its place arises the necessity of an interdisciplinary cooperation of all surgical specialties. These demands will justify our current concept of treatment under the condition that the surgeon realizes his limitations in difficult situations and behaves accordingly. Practicable and even to perfection is however the relationship of the bone surgeon to the patient who is injured in an accident. The professional assessment of the true or the apparent failures after osteosynthesis must observe the written laws. Mistakes, which reveal the ignorance and which grossly contradict the limiting prerequisites of the guidelines for the execution of osteosynthesis are to be appraised as such. The professional consultant, himself, must be so confident with the practice of osteosynthesis so that he can implement an objective and critical estimation of the situation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)