Alternative Use of the Ilizarov Apparatus Set in Case of Complications During Intramedullary Nail Removal

• DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.20.00030
• Publication Date: 2021-04-21T12:38:29Z
• Authors: Emiliano Malagoli; Alexander Kirienko; Marco Luigi Maria...; Valeria Peschiera; Giovanni Lucchesi
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Femur; Ilizarov Technique; Bone Nails; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; 3. Good health

Case: We present 2 case reports: the first, a diaphyseal fracture of the humerus treated with a Marchetti nail resulting in a nonunion in 2017. The second, a fracture of the femur treated with a Kuntscher nail in 1989. A gunshot injury to that femur in 2014 evolved in nonunion and displacement. In both cases, the old nails were removed by using pieces of the Ilizarov apparatus.

Conclusions: In case of complications, the versatility of the Ilizarov apparatus allows us to connect the intramedullary element to the universal extraction system; it proves itself to be an excellent cost-effective extraction system.