[Pathological fractures of long medullary bones due to malignant tumours: indications for osteosynthesis (author's transl)].

51 cases of pathological fracture, mostly due to metastatic malignant tumours, are reviewed in respect to the methods and results of operative treatment. These results are compared with those of other authors. It is found that resection of the tumour and osteosynthesis combined with the use of bone cement is the best way of treatment to relieve the patients of pain, mobilize them as soon as possible and improve the quality of their short, remaining lifespan. Despite the positive approach towards operative treatment there are some limiting findings which indicate that an operation should not be undertaken in those patients whose estimated survival time is less than the time of recovery and mobilization.