Intrapelvic Kirschner wire Migration following Developmental Dysplasia of Hip Surgery and Laparoscopic Removal

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Developmental Dysplasia of Hip (DDH) in children over 18 months often requires Salter innominate osteotomy.
• Kirschner wires (K-wires) are commonly used for graft fixation during this procedure.
• While generally safe, pelvic osteotomies carry potential complications, including rare K-wire migration.

Observation:

• A 2-year-old girl with right-sided DDH underwent femoral shortening and Salter innominate osteotomy.
• Three months post-surgery, she presented with symptoms indicative of intrapelvic K-wire migration.
• This rare complication, intrapelvic K-wire migration, was diagnosed in the pediatric patient.

Findings:

• The case highlights a rare but significant complication: intrapelvic migration of a Kirschner wire.
• Laparoscopic intervention was successfully employed for the removal of the migrated K-wire.
• The patient experienced no further complications following the laparoscopic K-wire removal.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of vigilance for rare complications following pediatric pelvic osteotomies.
• Laparoscopic surgery offers a minimally invasive and effective solution for managing intrapelvic K-wire migration.
• Further research into preventative strategies and early detection of K-wire migration may be warranted.