[Removal of osteosynthetic implants].
BACKGROUND
Removals of fracture implants constitute a considerable share of orthopaedic operations and take up significant hospital resources. In the Norwegian basic fracture course, guidelines are given on indications for removal as well as minimum function time for implants. Indications for implant removal are, however, relative, and we wanted to study actual practice in this field in Norway.


METHODS
An inquiry was made to Norwegian hospitals in spring 2000 concerning their current practice for implant removal.


RESULTS
Most hospitals follow the suggestions given but there is still great variation, especially in age limits for routine removal of all implants, which range from 15 to 70 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Implant removal is desirable after fracture healing but it requires a surgical procedure with a certain morbidity and incidence of complications. Lack of strict criteria for removal may explain varying practice. We conclude that there should be a uniform practice for implant removal in Norwegian hospitals. More research is warranted on the possible systemic and local long-term effects of implants remaining in situ in order to give more evidence-based indications for implant removal.
Mølster
Anders
A
Haukeland Sykehus/Universitetet i Bergen Arstadveien 17 5009 Bergen. anders.moelster@kir.uib.no
Behring
Jon
J
Gjerdet
Nils Roar
NR
Ekeland
Arne
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires