LONG-TERM RESULTS IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC POSTTRAUMATIC OSTEOMYELITIS WITH SEPTOPAL BEADS

From 1977 to 1983, 173 patients suffering from chronic posttraumatic osteomyelitis were treated by local debridement and implantation of septopal beads; 102 patients were subsequently evaluated after follow-up periods of between 4 and 10 years. In 89.2% of these cases cure was achieved during the initial hospital stay. In 15.7% further debridements were necessary during the initial hospital stay to manage infection. In 91 patients there was no early recurrence until 1983. After 1983 only 7 patients had late recurrences. At the time of follow up 95 patients (94.5%) did not show any signs of infection. It was necessary for 9 patients to change their profession because of the disease. Full use of the extremity involved was reported by 45 patients, and some slight limitations by 46. In 11 cases the patients could not use the extremity involved in activities of daily living. In mono-infections (87.2%) and in infection with multiple different pathogen chains (82%) Staphylococcus aureus was by far the most common pathogen. Our findings indicate that both the outcome and the prognosis score are significantly better after the treatment regimen used than after other treatment modalities.