[The treatment of septic non-union of femoral shaft fractures (author's transl)].

The authors describe their views of management of septic non-union in fractures of the femoral shaft. Since 1967 they have used the same procedures: 1. Surgical clearance of debris in the region of the fracture focus and from sinuses. This clearance must be complete but not too extensive. 2. Closure of the wound with suction drainage or continuous irrigation with antibiotics. 3. Immobilization of the fracture by external fixation. 4. Secondary cancellous bone grafting, in most cases by grafts placed on the medial aspect of the bone. Twenty-eight cases were treated in this way and 27 united. The results are analysed with special reference to residual sinuses, shortening, knee stiffness and functional rehabilitation.