Surgical Technique: Simple Technique for Removing a Locking Recon Plate With Damaged Screw Heads

• DOI: 10.1007/s11999-012-2733-5
• Publication Date: 2012-12-10T15:33:29Z
• Authors: Nirmal Raj Gopina...; Mandeep Singh Dhi...; Rajesh Kumar
• Keywords: Ferrule

The introduction of locking plates in the treatment periarticular fractures was a major breakthrough orthopaedic evolution. Removal these implants is extremely difficult as result cold welding and stripping screw heads.A 31-year-old man had schwannoma left C5-C6 nerve roots upper trunk brachial plexus. One year before presentation he undergone excision lesion through an approach using clavicular osteotomy. osteotomy been fixed with titanium recon plate. While surgically removing implant, only one could be removed. remaining five screws not turned owing to welding; repeated attempts at damaged heads. A large bolt cutter used cut plate between holes, resulting rectangular sections then were unscrewed from bone.Limited literature available regarding techniques for removal. These include carbide drill bit or diamond-tipped burr, high-speed disc, conical extraction screw.Not all centers have specialized instruments such bits remove heads, but usually when cannot welding. technique cutting easily reproducible does require additional soft tissue stripping.