Implant Removal Surgeries in Orthopaedics: A Prospective Study

Background: It has been cumbersome to explain every patient in OPD who came for implant removal after union of fracture because implant ceases to be important and patients want to get rid of them. But as orthopedic surgeons we are somewhat reluctant in few cases because we know outcomes. From the patient?s point of view it has become a rejection factor in both professional and personal life. In order to remove the social stigma lets study on the various factors related to removal of implants. Methods: Data collected from patient records who are admitted for implant removal. Preoperative and postoperative Xrays were taken. Follow up was done until wound healing or new symptoms developed. Results: Total of 40 patients was studied which had predominantly males (77%). Uninfected (75%) being more than infected removals. Average interval between primary surgery and removal was 3years. Tension band wiring for the patella being the most common implant removed. Conclusion: Implant removals are not needed in all cases. Routine removal should not be performed in ?asymptomatic? patients It should be done in selected cases where there is definitive indication such as pediatric bones with open physes or an infected implant. Never do removals on patient?s force as most of the times we encounter failure to extract the implant. Always arrange for new implants and removal instruments keeping in mind non unions or refracture.