[Early decompression of an osteomyelitic focus in children].

Having carried out experimental and morphologic studies of the properties of metaepiphyseal cartilage the authors determined a correlation between its morphfunctional maturity and the age of the child and proposed a conceptual model of metaepiphyseal osteomyelitis in children of an early age which was based on the thesis of the degree of maturity of the growth plate. With the aim of preventing an injury to the growth area and to the epiphysis as well as the orthopaedic consequences the authors carry on early decompression of the focus of inflammation in the metaphysis. The results of treatment of 28 patients are presented.