[Osteosynthesis of fractures of the hands and feet in children according to the principles of the tension wire device (author's transl)].

Over a period of four years 47 children with fractures of the hand had to be admitted to the hospital. As a rule these fractures are treated conservatively. There are clear-cut principles for surgical treatment. The insertion of a Kirschner-wire is often not performed satisfactorily. In many case a stable osteosynthesis can be achieved with the tension wire. The tension power which acts upon the bone is transformed into a tension vector. Because the eccentric wires are very thin, it is often unnecessary to remove them at a later date.