[Open fracture of the leg with major cutaneous lesions. Imperative character of immediate closure and following possibilities of internal stabilization of the skeleton. Apropos of a continuous series of 20 cases].

The advantages of immediate wound closure in case of open leg wounds, as opposed to delayed repair or the use of greasy dressings, need no longer be proven. Indeed, modern plastic surgery technics have become quite ingenuous, reliable and applicable to most severe skin, lesions (type III as per Cauchoix-Duparc and so--called potential type III). These facts have been confirmed by a study of 20 cases including both types. Moreover, more and more often, immediate wound repair allows for external fixation replacement, typically by osteosynthesis, which is more advantageous from the viewpoint of fracture consolidation. Complications (namely infection rates) have not increased, which is an encouragement for the continued application of this method, which constitutes a departure from usual indications.