Early recognition of postoperative hematoma formation.

Postoperative hematoma formation must be treated as a potential infection. One fourth of all postoperative hematomas are already contaminated. Ultrasonographical examination is an effective method for early recognition of such postoperative hematomas. Ultrasonic diagnosis on a routine basis is not necessary, but it should be carried out as soon as clinical symptoms appear. Our postoperative late results with only one early and one late infection after 100 postoperative treatments of the hip joint and femoral shaft emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of hematomas.