Complications of metalwork removal

Sanderson, P. L.; Ryan, Weston; Turner, P. G.

doi:10.1016/0020-1383(92)90121-8

Cited by 155 publications

(122 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

114

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…23 In general, implant removal in adults is mainly reserved for failure or complications of the implant or in case of complaints. 3 However, implant removal after ankle fractures has been associated with high wound complication rates of up to 15 percent 22 and secondly resolution of complaints can be expected in only half of the patients. 2 To date, considering complications after syndesmotic screw removal, there is only information on recurrent diastasis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complications of Syndesmotic Screw Removal

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Currently, the metallic syndesmotic screw is the gold standard in the treatment of syndesmotic disruption. Whether or not this screw needs to be removed remains debatable. The aim of the current study was to determine the complications which occur following routine removal of the syndesmotic screw following operative treatment of unstable ankle fractures. Methods: This was a retrospective study with consecutive cases in a Level-2 Trauma center. All patients with routine removal of a syndesmotic screw, following the treatment of an unstable ankle fracture, between January 1, 2004 and November 30, 2010 were included. Complications recorded were: 1) minor or major wound infection following removal of the syndesmotic screw, 2) recurrent syndesmotic diastasis, and 3) unnecessary removal of a broken screw, not recognized during preoperative planning prior to surgery. Results: A total of 76 patients were included. A wound infection occurred in 9.2% (N=7) of which 2.6% (N=2) were deep infections requiring reoperation. Recurrent syndesmotic diastasis was found in 6.6% (N=5) of patients, and in 6.6% (N=5) screws were broken at the time of implant removal. In the group with recurrent diastasis the screws were removed significantly earlier compared with the group without recurrent diastasis (Mann- Whitney U-test; p= 0.011) and the group with screw breakage had their screws significantly longer in place compared with the group without breakage ( p = 0.038). Conclusion: A total of 22.4% complications occurred upon routine removal of the syndesmotic screw. Removal might therefore be considered only in selected cases with complaints, after a minimum of eight to twelve weeks and using antibiotic prophylaxis during removal. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Study

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complications of Syndesmotic Screw Removal

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…[25][26][27][28] Late infection, metal toxicity, and metal hypersensitivity may develop in cases of retained implants. [28][29][30][31] In younger spine patients, implant removal is relatively common. In support of this surgical practice, vertebral osteopenia thought to be associated with stress shielding has been reported in cases of instrumented spinal fusion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of pedicle screw placement on thoracic trabecular strain

et al. 2005

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Debate is continuing on the need for a routine implant removal in general fracture care [2,3,9,12]. The concerns with regard to retained implants have been summarized by Bostman and Pihlajamaki [2] as late infection, metal toxicity, metal hypersensitivity, corrosion, potential neoplasia and stress-shielding-related osteopenia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%