TREATMENT CONCEPT IN INFECTED BONE AND SO FT-TISSUE DAMAGE

The first priority when treating infected bone and soft-tissue defects is the maintenance or reconstruction of vitality, vascularity and sta bility. This means that when signs of infection are apparent, this is an immediate indication for operative revision with protective prepara tions on the tissue and radical debridement. Treatment of the soft-tis sue damage is carried out with local or microsurgically connected musc le flaps. As for stability, in early infection the retention of well-b onded implants is often possible. If not, it is often necessary to cha nge over to external fixation. Reconstruction of bone damage is carrie d out after the infection recedes, and complete healing is finally ach ieved by further treatment changes to conservative means or further st abilizing treatment.