Perforation of the rectum by a Smith-Petersen nail

The use of internal fixation devices in the treatment of hip fractures has proved to be a major advance in modern surgical therapy. However, as with all surgical procedures, many complications of internal fixation have been described (3, 5, 11). Perforation of the rectum by an internal fixation device has only once to our knowledge been previously reported in the literature. This paper is a report of such a case.