This book contains the proceedings of an historic sympo sium, the first joint symposium of the Austrian, German and Swiss Trauma Associations and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association of North America. In an effort to bring Euro pean and North American trauma surgeons closer together and foster a free and productive exchange of ideas, these associations chose the meeting of the Austrian, German, and Swiss trauma associations, which was held in Vienna in May of 1991, as the occasion for their first joint session. The Austrian Trauma Association, led by its President, Professor Heinz Kuderna, was the host. The joint symposium of the European and the North American trauma associations, conducted in English, was held concurrently with the regular meeting of the AGS, conducted in German. In order to explore and compare the current concepts in trauma on the two continents, the organizing committee felt that the discussion should focus on an area full of challenge and controversy. Thus the major fractures of the pilon, the talus, and the os calcis were chosen as the topics of discus sion. Each subject was introduced by two keynote speakers, one from Europe and one from North America, who were chosen by their respective trauma associations on the basis of their expertise and distinguished contributions. These presentations were then followed by five or six invited shorter presentations on the subject. At the end of each session, the presenters formed a panel, debated controversial points, and answered questions from the audience.

I - Pilon Fractures

Treatment of Pilon Tibial Fractures: State of the Art
Pilon Fractures of the Distal Tibia: A Test of Surgical Judgment
Morphological Features for Evaluation and Classification of Pilon Tibial Fractures
Tibial Plafond Fractures
Results of Operative Treatment of Pilon Fractures
External Fixation of Severely Comminuted and Open Pilon Fractures
Critical Soft Tissue Conditions in Pilon Fractures
Complications After Pilon Fractures
II - Talus Fractures
Talus Fractures
The Management of Fractures and Dislocations of the Talus
Late Results of Fractures and Fracture-Dislocation After ORIF
Long-Term Results of Displaced Talar Neck Fractures
Severe Foot Trauma in Combination with Talar Injuries
Complications of Talar Fractures
III - Calcaneus Fractures
Biomechanical Considerations in the Hindfoot
Calcaneal Fracture
The Results of Operative Treatment of Displaced Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures Using a CT Scan Classification
Classification and Results of ORIF of Calcaneal Fractures
Comparison of Open Versus Closed Reduction of Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures: A Matched Cohort in Workmen
Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Osteosynthesis: Technique and Results in 265 Calcaneal Fractures
Results of Operative Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures
Dorsoplantar Approach to the Calcaneus
Subtalar Arthrodesis for Treatment of Late Complications Following Calcaneal Fractures.