[What advantage are there in using gentamycin-PMMA-chains in the treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis, osteoarthritis and soft tissue infections?].

The use of gentamicin-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bead chains permits the depositing of a high dose of gentamicin at the place of the infection. Short indications on the experimental basis and hints regarding the practical application are given. It follows the discussion of the results in 34 patients with chronic posttraumatic osteomyelitis, arthritis due to infection, diabetic and arteriosclerotic gangrene and the infections of the soft tissues. Primary wound healing was achieved in 70%. Discussion of interesting cases. The advantages of the use of gentamicin-PMMA bead chains in infection cases are emphasized.