[Extensive emphysema after intramedullary nailing of a pertrochanteric fracture : Life-threatening infection or benign complication].

The development of emphysema after intramedullary nailing can represent an easily manageable complication but in the differential diagnostics it could, however, be a life-threatening infection with Clostridium perfringens. This is a report about the case of an extensive subcutaneous and retroperitoneal emphysema, which developed after intramedullary nailing of a pertrochanteric femoral fracture and where such an infection was suspected.