A technical note on a Major Intra-operative Complication during prophylactic nailing of the Intact Femur – Shaft Penetration

Volume 12 | Issue 4 | Oct-Dec 2017 | Page 24-25 | Mark G Williams, Ashraf Awad


Authers: Mark G Williams [1], Ashraf Awad [1].

[1] Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Torbay Hospital, South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, Torquay. TQ2 7AA. United Kingdom.

Address of Correspondence
Dr. Williams M G,
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Torbay Hospital, South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, Torquay. TQ2 7AA. United Kingdom.
Email: m.williams13@nhs.net


Abstract

Intramedullary nails are principally designed for trauma patients to permit fixation of proximal femur or femoral shaft fractures. Prophylactic femoral nailing is a frequently employed technique for the fixation of impending pathological fractures. We describe the major intraoperative complication of anterior shaft perforation in the intact femur. We encountered perforation of the distal anterior femur in three patients undergoing prophylactic femoral nailing utilising the 11mm Gamma locking intramedullary Nail System (Stryker) and report our experience in terms of technical tips for preventing this complication
Keywords: prophylactic intramedullary nailing, perforation, complication.


References

1. Seligson D. (2015) History of Intramedullary Nailing. In: Rommens P., Hessmann M. (eds) Intramedullary Nailing. Springer, London
2. Anastopoulos G, Chissas D, Dourountakis J, Ntagiopoulos PG, Magnisalis E, Asimakopoulos A, et al. Computer-assisted three-dimensional correlation between the femoral neck-shaft angle and the optimal entry point for antegrade nailing. Injury. 2010;41(3):300-5.
3. Zhao JX, Su XY, Zhao Z, Zhang LC, Mao Z, Zhang H, et al. Predicting the optimal entry point for femoral antegrade nailing using a new measurement approach. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg. 2015;10(10):1557-65.


How to Cite this article : Williams MG, Awad A. A technical note on a major intra-operative complication during prophylactic nailing of the intact femur – shaft penetration. Journal of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Oct-Dec 2017;12(4):24-25.

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