Transplantal distal migration of a tibial küntscher nail: About a case at Sylvanus Olympio hospital of Lome

Author(s): Akloa Komlavi Ehlissou Kolima, Konate Sido Mamadou, Kombate Kanfitine Noufanangue, Dellanh Yaovi Yannick and Abalo Anani Grégoire

Abstract: Open leg fractures are a therapeutic challenge because of the complexity of the initial management, the poor choice of immediate immobilization, and the difficult treatment of infectious and bone complications. The use of the kuntscher nail in open fractures ensures precarious stability of the fracture site, and exposing it to complications. We report the case of a trans-plantar distal migration of a kuntsctcher nail in a 43-year-old patient operated 11 years earlier for open leg fracture. Management consisted of nail removal, and treatment of infectious complications. Trans-plantar distal migration of the kuntscher nail is a rare but possible complication. It is favored by bone infection and contributes to the maintenance of the infection. The removal of the nail should be done as soon as possible and replaced with a more stable material if necessary.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2017.v3.i4i.82