[Clinical application and results with fixateur externe in septic and aseptic osteosyntheses at the lower extremity (author's transl)].

Osteosynthesis with fixateur externe is indicated in unstable, infected fractures, infected pseudarthroses and defect pseudarthroses, second-degree and third-degree open fractures as well as closed or unstable old fractures and pseudarthroses with marked damage of the soft parts, as well as in all arthrodeses of the knee joint or ankle joint (foot arthrodeses). The main field of application is the shaft of the lower leg with its adjacent joints. To achieve satisfactory stability, mounting should always be three-dimensional and numerous additional details must be taken care of, all of which are described in this article. Whereas in the case of an infection no change of osteosynthesis is permissible after external fixation, it should be considered under certain conditions in the aseptic range. Results and complications after 123 aseptic and 88 septic osteosyntheses with fixateur externe during the last 5 years are described in detail and discussed.