J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2024 Feb;59(1):67-71. 10.4055/jkoa.2024.59.1.67 .

Successful Removal of 30 Years Indwelled Brooker-Wills Tibial Nail without Breaking Distal Metal Fins: A Case Report

• Kim IH
• Kim GJ
• Kim YM
• Kim KH
• Lee DH

• KMID: 2553351
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2024.59.1.67

Abstract

An interlocking intramedullary nail is the most popular device for managing tibial shaft fractures. Interlocking screws should be inserted to prevent rotation at the fracture site, but inserting distal interlocking screws by free hand technique requires time and skill. The BrookerWills tibial nail was designed to stretch out distal metal fins after settling the nail in position. On the other hand, Brooker-Wills nails should be removed for reasons such as chronic osteomyelitis, and folding the distal metal fins is necessary. Nevertheless, many problems arise in this process. Usually, the removal of Brooker-Wills tibial nails is not attempted because of this trouble. The authors tried a new method and could fold the fins successfully in a 30-year-old Brooker-Wills tibial nail, which had to be removed to cure a chronic osteomyelitis around the nail. This paper reports the case of a 72-year-old male with a review of the relevant literature to suggest a useful method.

Keyword

tibia; tibial shaft fracture; Brooker-Wills nail; successful removal