J Korean Fract Soc.  2013 Oct;26(4):333-337. 10.12671/jkfs.2013.26.4.333.

Breakage of Reamer during Tibia Intramedullary Nailing: A Case Report

• Kwak HY
• Kim JS
• Young KW
• Joh JW
• Hwang SM

• KMID: 2183836
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2013.26.4.333

Abstract

The reamer crack, followed by breakage at its distal part occurred during intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fracture. The broken reamer was trapped in the intramedullary canal, making it very difficult to pull out. We successfully extracted the broken reamer by retrograde impaction through the fracture site and completed intramedullary nailing procedure. Thus, we present this case with a review of the literature.

Keyword

Tibia; Fracture; Intramedullary nailing

MeSH Terms

Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary
Tibia*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Preoperative anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of 37-year-old male patient. The patient was injured from slipping down with external rotation force.

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  Fig. 2 Fluoroscopic radiograph of distal end of the broken reamer.

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  Fig. 3 We successfully pulled out the broken reamer using a guidewire in a retrograde manner through the additional incision over the fracture site.

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  Fig. 4 Broken reamer shaft after removal: Distal and proximal end of broken reamer were twisted and elongated.

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  Fig. 5 Open reduction with bone clamp and internal fixation with intramedullary nail and interlocking screws were performed.

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  Fig. 6 Postoperative anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the tibia.

Reference

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