K wire: a lethal implant

Authors

  • Ganesan Ganesan Ram Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics Sri Ramachandra Medical collage Chennai
  • Phagal Varthi Vijayaraghavan Professor of Orthopaedics Sri Ramachandra Medical collage Chennai

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-2156.IntJSciRep20150208

Abstract

Pins used to stabilize the acromioclavicular joint have a colourful, interesting history of migrating into remote, life threatening locations such as lungs, spinal cord, the neck, posterior to the carotid sheath and the pleura or close to it. 35 year male 3 year post op K wire fixation acromioclavicular joint came with history of pain in neck was diagnosed with broken K wire in neck. Even though K wire fixation and tension band wiring is one of the modes of treating acromioclavicular dislocation K wire fixation should be kept as the last resort while planning the treatment. Complications of K wire migration can be lethal. Hence K wiring in acromioclavicular joint should be done with utmost caution. 

Keywords: K wire, Acromioclavicular dislocation, Tension band wiring

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Author Biographies

Ganesan Ganesan Ram, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics Sri Ramachandra Medical collage Chennai

Department of orthopaedics

Phagal Varthi Vijayaraghavan, Professor of Orthopaedics Sri Ramachandra Medical collage Chennai

Department of orthopaedics

References

Mazet RJ. Migration of a Kirschner wire from shoulder region into the lung: a report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg. 1943;25A:477-83.

Norell H, Uewelly RC. Migration of a threaded Steinmann pin from an acromioclavicular joint into the spinal canal. J Bone Joint Surg. 1965;47A:1024-6.

Lindsey RW, Gutowski WT. Migration of a broken pin following fixation of the acromioclavicular joint. Orthopedics. 1980;9:413-6.

Eaton R, Sereleth J. Computerized axial tomography, a method of localizing Steinmann pin migration. Orthopedics. 1981;4:1357-60.

Lizaur A, Marco L, Cebrian R. Acute dislocation of the joint. Traumatic anatomy and the importance of deltoid and trapezius. J Bone Joint Surg [Br]. 1994;76:602-6.

Lyons FA, Rockwood CA. Migration of a broken pins used in operation on the shoulder. J Bone Joint Surg. 1990;72A:1262-7.

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Published

2015-05-02

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Section

Case Reports