[The creeping post-operative hip joint empyema (author's transl)]

The case histories of 10 patients with chronic empyema of the hip joint following nailing of the femoral neck, respectively following intertrochanteric osteotomy are being described. With only a few exceptions their post-operative course showed no signs of infection. After an interval of between 5 weeks and 2 years their condition deteriorated rapidly. By the time the patients returned to hospital, usually, the joint was already destroyed or septic luxation had occurred. Because of their poor general condition only resection of the femoral head was possible. As an alternative to continuous suction drainage, the implantation of PMMA chains seems to have advantages.