How to remove a Küntscher nail with no eye

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Küntscher nail removal is typically straightforward.
• Complications arise when the proximal nail eye is absent or damaged, hindering extraction.
• This absence can result from intraoperative sawing or procedural breakage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an effective technique for removing a Küntscher nail with a lost or damaged proximal eye.
• To address cases where the nail is deeply embedded in the greater trochanter after failed removal attempts.

Main Methods:

• The report details a specific surgical technique developed for difficult Küntscher nail extraction.
• This method was employed in a case where prior removal attempts failed, leading to nail eye loss and burial in the greater trochanter.

Main Results:

• The described technique successfully facilitated the removal of the deeply embedded Küntscher nail.
• The procedure resolved the complication of a lost nail eye and its impaction within the greater trochanter.

Conclusions:

• A specialized technique can overcome challenges in Küntscher nail removal when the proximal eye is compromised.
• This method offers a viable solution for complex cases, preventing further complications and aiding patient recovery.