A SIMPLE METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF A FRACTURED

Fatigue failure of an intramedullary nail may occur if there is delayed or nonunion of the fracture (Zimmerman and Klasen 1983; Winquist, Hansen and Clawson 1984; Bucholz, Ross and Lawrence 1987) and the distal end of the fractured nail is then difficult to remove. Several methods have been described (B#{246}hler1968; Yoslow and LaMont 1986; Mooney, Chabon and Poehling 1991) to which we add a simple and reliable technique. Patients. From 1986 to 1991 we treated five patients with fractured femoral intramedullary nails, all associated with painful delayed union or nonunion. Four nails were of the locking type and one was a K#{252}ntscherpattern. They had been in place for one to four years. Technique. The operation is performed with the patient on a fracture table with image-intensifier control. Th