From 1970, when Buchholz started incorporating antibiotics in bone cements, until now, many studies have been published supporting the beneficial effects of Palacos R with gentamicin in prevention and therapy of infections in orthopaedic surgery.

Despite the continuously increasing rates of genta-micin-resistant strains, the empirical use of gentamicin was reduced only as far as its systemic administration is concerned, while its local use in addition to bone cements has increased. The latter is justified by the gradual release of the antibiotic and its low toxicity.

We studied during the period of August 2000 to August 2001, 668 operations which were performed with P-G in 6 orthopaedic clinics of KAT hospital (129 total hip arthroplasties, 258 total knee arthroplasties, 29 hip revisions, 11 knee revisions and 241 hip hemiarthroplasties) and 137 operations with simple cement, out of total 1346 operations. All the above surgeries were performed either in 5 classical operational fields or in 2 controlled ventilation ones. The rate of infection was 1,02% in total, and does not differ from the infection rate of the 3rd orthopaedic department of the same hospital that performs the same operations in the same operating rooms without the usage of P-G, with the exception of revisions that P-G was used.

We believe that the high gentamicin-resistant rates of nosocomial microorganisms in combination with the non-complete inhibition of biofilm formation, the negative effect that gentamicin has on bone regeneration and the entailed risk of emergence of resistant organisms to gentamicin because of the continuous and long lasting release of the antibiotic in subtherapeutic concentrations, does not justify the use of Palacos R with gentamicin as prevention of infections. Perhaps the development of other bone-loaded antibiotics, that do not affect the strength of the cement, would be better accepted than gentamicin in the future.

Introduction: The growth plate almost always is involved in periarticular fractures in children. Treatment and prognosis of these fractures depends on the extend of the injury. Reduction has to itle and anatomical while fixation has to be secure and minimal secondary to the small size of epiphysis. The K-wires do not cause so much tissue damage but there is the possibility of sliding suiting in loss of fixation. On the other hand they offer no fracture compression. The use of screws may result in bone collapse. It is also inappropriate for small fragments.

Patients and Methods: From November 1999 untill December of 2001 17 patients with a diagnosis of a periarticular fracture were admitted to the pediatric orthopaedic department of KAT Hospital. There were 9 fractures of the elbow and 8 ankle fractures. Mean age was 12 years (6–14) (11 boys and 6 girls). Plain radiographs and CT were obtained before surgery to evaluate the kind and extend of the fracture. After limited arthrotomy percutaneous fixation was obtained with the use of at least wires 2 FFS wires and then a splint or cast was applied.

Results: FFS screws were removed in 3–6 weeks without anesthesia. In all of the patients the fracture was healed and there was not any infection or loss of reduction. Screws breakage was seen in Datient with no any functional consequences.

Conclusion: The use of FFS allows compressive fixation in periarticular fractures in children. It can be used percutaneously and it can be removed without need for another surgery.