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Pseudocyst formation after intertrochanteric fracture fixation: a case report
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pingtung Christian Hospital, Pingtung City.
Summary
A rare complication following hip fracture surgery, two large pseudocysts developed 19 years after internal fixation. This case highlights the potential for delayed complications from orthopedic implants.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Pathology
Background:
- Internal fixation of intertrochanteric fractures using a dynamic hip screw and side plate is a common orthopedic procedure.
- Delayed complications, though rare, can occur years after initial surgery.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old woman presented with two large pseudocysts in her left proximal thigh 19 years post-fixation of an intertrochanteric fracture.
- Imaging revealed voluminous cystic lesions without septa; surgical exploration confirmed pseudocysts with granulation tissue walls.
Findings:
- The pseudocysts' orifices were located near the side plate of the internal fixation device.
- Pathological examination confirmed the cystic structures as pseudocysts, likely resulting from chronic irritation between soft tissue and the implant.
Implications:
- This case represents a rare, previously unreported complication of intertrochanteric fracture fixation.
- Orthopedic surgeons should consider the possibility of late pseudocyst formation as a complication of internal fixation devices.