[Postoperative infection of fractures of the femoral diaphysis treated by osteosynthesis. Long-term outcome].

: The authors have operated on 284 simple fractures, complicated by 12 post-operative infections (4.2 per cent) and 43 compound fractures, complicated by four infections (9.3 per cent). All the fractures were treated by plating. Thirteen of the infected cases have received long-term follow-up - ten after simple fractures and three after compound fractures. Nine out of the ten cases following simple fractures have healed, eight retaining the plate until consolidation and two being considered as infected non-unions. One of these two healed secondarily after fresh fixation and the other is still draining after a second operation, but has united. Two out of the four cases following compound fractures have already healed. The two others were considered as infected non-union and healed after fresh fixation. It is concluded that infection after fracture of the femoral shaft is a serious complication, but healing can be obtained in almost all cases. No amputation was needed.