Surgeon versus metalwork--tips to remove a retained intramedullary nail fragment

Alternative Use of the Ilizarov Apparatus Set in Case of Complications During Intramedullary Nail Removal: A Case Report

CASE

We present 2 case reports: the first, a diaphyseal fracture of the humerus treated with a Marchetti nail resulting in a nonunion in 2017. The second, a fracture of the femur treated with a Kuntscher nail in 1989. A gunshot injury to that femur in 2014 evolved in nonunion and displacement. In both cases, the old nails were removed by using pieces of the Ilizarov apparatus.

CONCLUSIONS

In case of complications, the versatility of the Ilizarov apparatus allows us to connect the intramedullary element to the universal extraction system; it proves itself to be an excellent cost-effective extraction system.

Application of Self-Made Connection Device in Intractable Intramedullary Device

BACKGROUND

Intramedullary fixation a standard surgical technique for long bone meta/diaphyseal fractures. There were many difficulties in removal of the intractable intramedullary device. The authors reported a new technique to remove the intractable intramedullary nail by using a self-made connecting device.

METHODS

The subject underwent removal of the intramedullary nail using a self-made connecting device, the core components of which were a caudal connecting rod and a sliding hammer in the common intramedullary nail removal device, and the auxiliary device was mainly a clinically commonly used Kirschner wire (K-wire; diameter 1.5-2.5 mm). In technical procedure, the key point was the connection between the k-wire and the intramedullary device, according to the specific conditions of the intramedullary device.

RESULTS

From 2012 to 2017, a total of 10 cases of intractable intramedullary devices were taken out using this self-made connection device, including 7 cases of tibial intramedullary nails, 1 case of femoral nail, and 1 case of tibial elastic nail. The technique provided satisfactory results, no infection or re-fracture occurred after the.

CONCLUSION

The self-made connecting device may provide new technique for more surgeons in the face of intractable intramedullary device.

A Technical Note for Extracting an Incarcerated Femoral Kuntscher Nail

Introduction:

The use of the Kuntscher nail has been the most important advancement in trauma surgery. One of the problems is the difficulty to remove it. A new extraction technique is described in the present case report.

Case Report:

A 46-year-old man was referred for hip osteoarthritis. He had an acetabulum fracture and a femoral shaft fracture treated 30 years ago with a reamed Kuntscher femoral nail. Lateral hip approach was performed and after attempting to remove the nail with the specific tools being unsuccessful we decided to be more aggressive. Firstly, we performed a simple unicortical osteotomy on the lateral side from the proximal part to below the callus in order to decompress the femoral canal without success. Secondly, a trench in the greater trochanter around the proximal hole was performed to hit the nail from below which was still insufficient and furthermore, the hole broke when hitting the nail so we needed to drill a new hole distally. Finally, the Kuntscher nail was removed. Several cerclages closed the osteotomy and a bone graft was used to close the trench. The patient had a good evolution at one year of follow-up.

Conclusion:

With this case report, we present a new salvage technique to remove an incarcerated Kuntscher nail when all the described methods have failed.

Removal of interlocking intramedullary nail for relieve of knee pain after tibial fracture repair

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of intramedullary nail removal after tibial fracture repair.

METHODS

Sixty patients at our hospital were enrolled in a prospective study and divided into moderate/severe knee pain (visual analog scale (VAS) ≥ 4) and mild/no knee pain (VAS < 4) groups after interlocking intramedullary nailing. Variables studied included the distance from the tip of the nail to the tibial plateau and the front of the tibia on a normalized lateral X-ray, the VAS score of knee and ankle pain, the range of motion of the knee and ankle, and Johner-Wruhs criteria before, 6 weeks after operation, and at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients were followed for a mean of 8.4 (2-17) months. In patients with moderate or severe knee pain intramedullary nail removal led to significant pain reductions ( p < 0.05). A significantly shorter distance from the tip of the nail to the tibial plateau (<10 mm) and the anterior border of tibia (<6 mm) was found in the 24 patients with moderate or severe knee pain. Knee pain VAS scores significantly lowered 6 weeks postoperatively and at the last follow-up, compared to before the operation ( p < 0.05). However, no significant changes occurred with respect to ankle pain VAS scores, range of motion, and Johner-Wruhs criteria ( p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For patients complaining knee pain after interlocking intramedullary nailing of tibial fractures, especially with a short distance from the tip of the nail tail to the tibial plateau (<10 mm) and the anterior border of the tibia (<6 mm) removal of the intramedullary nails relieved the pain significantly.

Removal of the broken femoral nail with T-reamer technique: A three-case report

Nonunion of femoral shaft fracture is an uncommon complication after closed intramedullary nailing which often leading to nail breakage. Removal of the broken femoral nail with closed manner is a challenging procedure for orthopedic surgeons. The removal technique with the T-reamer is a closed method, which does not require either a nonunion site opening or knee exposing. We reported 3 cases of nonunion femoral shaft with broken slotted and non-slotted hollow nail which were successfully removed without any complication. All fractures healed uneventfully without open the fracture site or bone grafting.

Breakage of a Lag Screw of Cephalomedullary Nail: A Technique of Removal

A broken lag screw of the cephalomedullary nail is a rare condition. Removal of the retained lag screw from the femoral head is also very challenging. This article describes a surgical technique and the modified instrument that was available in the operating room for removing the broken implant by closed technique.

Removal of a broken cannulated femoral nail: a novel retrograde impaction technique

This report presents a surgical technique to remove a broken cannulated nail from the femur. A Harrington rod was modified for retrograde impaction of the retained fragment. The broken implant was finally removed without complication. This particular procedure was safe, simple, and promising.

Broken guidewire protruding into the hip joint: A bone endoscopic-assisted retrieval method

Broken implants, especially broken wires at difficult sites, may pose a challenge for the treating orthopedic surgeon. We describe a method for extraction of a broken guidewire that was, protruding into the hip joint following the insertion of a proximal femoral nail. A 35-year-old man with displaced femoral neck fracture with ipsilateral fracture shaft of femur was operated and fixed with long proximal femoral nail. The guidewire of proximal screw broke during the process of drilling. The tip of the 2-cm-long broken guidewire was touching the articular surface. The guidewire was misdirected posteroinferiorly from its path for the insertion of the proximal screw (6.8 mm), this screw was removed and bone endoscopy was performed with a 30° arthroscope. The broken end of the guidewire was located under direct vision. The grasper was introduced with its jaws at the 8 O'clock position and its position was confirmed under a C-arm image intensifier in both anteroposterior and lateral views. The broken end of the guidewire was grasped and it was retrieved. The screw was replaced in its original track to complete the procedure. The fractures united and patient was asymptomatic when last followed-up at 12 months.