title: Electromagnetic metal localization for removal of retained hardware in children.
abstract: Retained hardware embedded deep in soft tissues or overgrown with bone poses a challenge to the surgeon assigned to its removal. A prototype of a hand-held electromagnetic metal detector-locater was used to localize retained hardware. Stainless-steel pins, screws, plates, and staples were located in 21 consecutive hardware removal procedures in 19 pediatric patients. Time to find the hardware, length of incision, blood loss, tissue maceration, and operative time were minimized. This preliminary study suggests that a metal locater may be a valuable tool when retained hardware is not palpable or readily apparent.
authors.affiliation: Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Los Angeles Unit, California.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Funahashi
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Grogan
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Watts
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008670:Metals
chemical_list: D008670:Metals