Use of instillation-suction technique in treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.

Willenegger's closed instillation-suction technique for the treatment of chronic bone infection is described in which infected bone is first exposed and all sequestra removed. Two drainage tubes are perforated, inserted and brought out through the skin between 3 and 4 cm from the wound. The perforated portions of the tubes are laid close to the infected area and the wound closed in layers. One tube is connected to a drip bottle containing antibiotic solution and the second to a continuous suction pump. Closed continuous steady flow instillation-suction is thus established. The results of 28 cases are presented out of which 26 cases showed clinical resolution of the infection.