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Abstract
Trochanteric entry femoral nails have been widely used for fixation of femoral shaft fractures because of easier identification of the entry point. Young patients usually request removal of the nail after healing of the fracture. We experienced a failure and difficulty in removal of the trochanteric entry nail in two adolescent patients. In the patient in which the nail could be removed with difficulty, dense compact bone was formed through the empty interlocking holes and the nail was held just like a latch. This finding was quite similar to the computed tomography findings of the patient in which the nail could not be removed. In order to remove the nail, the newly formed, dense compact bone in the interlocking holes must be broken and detached from the femur itself. We suggest that dense compact bone through the empty interlocking holes might be a clue for difficult removal of the trochanteric entry nail.
Figures and Tables
Fig. 1
A 16-year-old female patient sustained a left femoral shaft fracture. (A) An initial anteroposterior radiograph shows a transverse fracture of the femoral shaft. (B) Radiographs five years after fixing the fracture using a Sirus femoral nail show fracture healing with remodeling of bridging callus. (C) An anteroposterior radiograph taken after failure to remove the nail shows the presence of the nail without interlocking screws.
Fig. 2
Computed tomography scans show that dense compact bone had formed in the proximal and distal empty interlocking holes of the nail. Dense compact bone was more abundant in the dynamic interlocking hole.
Fig. 3
A 17-year-old male patient sustained a right femoral shaft fracture. (A) An initial anteroposterior radiograph shows a transverse fracture of the femoral shaft. (B) Radiographs taken after exchange nailing using an A2FN show good fixation for hypertrophic nonunion. (C) An anteroposterior radiograph taken after removal of the nail shows fracture healing with bridging callus. (D) Photographs of the removed nail show that dense compact bone formed through the proximal and distal empty interlocking holes.
References
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