IMPLANTS FAILURE IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY IN KUT

Talib A Ahmed

doi:10.33762/bsurg.2013.73621

Abstract

TALIB A AHMED MB,ChB, Dip.Orth. Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Al-Karama Teaching Hospital. AL-Kut, IRAQ. Abstract Out of 558 cases of internal fixation of long bones done within five years, 22 cases of implant failure were recorded at Al-Karama Teaching Hospital at Al-Kut city, IRAQ. This is a prospective and retrospective study to review the possible causes of implant failure and their management. This study included sex, age and the coincident diseases of the affected patients. The failure rate in this study was 3.9%. There were 4 females (18.27%) and 18 males (81.54%). Age range of the affected patients was ranged from 19-76 years with average of 34 years. Implants failure in the lower limbs form 77.27%. This study also pointed to the possible error in metallurgy of the fixation implants because we noticed that most of the failed plates are manufactured by one company!

Highlights

The goal of fractures treatment is to obtain anatomical union of fracture compatible with maximal functional return of the patient, for which rigid internal fixation by using appropriate implants is required
From 558 cases of internal fixation I have done within five years, I have 22 cases of implant failure: 3.94%
Mechanical failure of implants fall in three categories: plastic, brittle and fatigue failure

Summary

Introduction

The goal of fractures treatment is to obtain anatomical union of fracture compatible with maximal functional return of the patient, for which rigid internal fixation by using appropriate implants is required. The success of an implant depend on a multiple factors, and is necessary to determine whether failure was inherent to the device or was caused by external factors such as installation, patient co-operation or rate of fracture healing[1]. Implant failures arise mainly from loosening or breakage of the internal fixation device. Because bones are more flexible than metal plates, screwing a metallic plate to bone stiffens it and produces "stress riser" at each end of the plate[2]. In the absence of union, even the strongest metal plates and screws will eventually break or pull out of bone[2]

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Conclusion