[Treatment concept in infected bone and soft-tissue defects]

The first priority when treating infected bone and soft-tissue defects is the maintenance or reconstruction of vitality, vascularity and stability. This means that when signs of infection are apparent, this is an immediate indication for operative revision with protective preparations on the tissue and radical debridement. Treatment of the soft-tissue damage is carried out with local or microsurgically connected muscle flaps. As for stability, in early infection the retention of well-bonded implants is often possible. If not, it is often necessary to change over to external fixation. Reconstruction of bone damage is carried out after the infection recedes, and complete healing is finally achieved by further treatment changes to conservative means or further stabilizing treatment.