[Use of Schwamm Garamycin in surgery of the hand]

The authors describe several case-records where Garamycin Schwamm was used primarily to prevent infection in recent injuries of the hand. They mention also the possibility to administer it secondarily in the treatment of chronic infection. The high local gentamycin concentration, the haemostatic effect of the collagen carrier and its favourable influence on wound healing are found in particular in recent hand injuries with a highly contaminated wound. Secondarily Garamycin is used as a supplement of surgery in chronic infections of soft tissues or the skeleton. Treatment and prevention of infection in surgery of the hand is of major importance for the resulting function of the hand and minimalization of the number of reconstruction operations.