Intrathoracic migration of a K-wire after percutaneous fixation of a proximal humerus fracture.
Proximal humerus fractures are common in elderly patients. Not all patient are fit for major surgery. Percutaneous fixation can be a suitable option though surgeons should be aware of the risks and complications. This case is about a 90-year-old woman with a proximal humerus fracture. After closed a...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Trauma Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352644021000303 |
| Summary: | Proximal humerus fractures are common in elderly patients. Not all patient are fit for major surgery. Percutaneous fixation can be a suitable option though surgeons should be aware of the risks and complications. This case is about a 90-year-old woman with a proximal humerus fracture. After closed anatomical reduction we performed percutaneous K-wire fixation of the humerus fracture with a single K-wire. Five days postoperatively the patient experienced increased pain and dyspnea due to a pneumothorax caused by intrathoracic migration of the K-wire. Percutaneous fixation can be a suitable treatment for low-maintenance and fragile patients but surgeons should act with caution. Multiple threaded K-wires with a bend-free end should be used to reduce the risk for loss of repositioning or migration of the K-wire. |
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| ISSN: | 2352-6440 |