Frequency of instrument breakage during orthopaedic procedures and its effects on patients.
BACKGROUND
While breakage of an orthopaedic instrument is a relatively rare occurrence, orthopaedic surgeons need to be familiar with this complication and how to deal with it. Relatively little information about this subject has been published.


METHODS
Every case of instrument breakage during orthopaedic procedures performed in two hospitals during a two-year period was documented prospectively. All patients were followed for a postoperative period ranging from twelve to thirty-six months, during which radiographs in two planes were made to assess changes in, or migration of, the broken object.


RESULTS
During the observation period, 11,856 surgical procedures were performed in the two hospitals. The overall rate of instrument breakage was 0.35%. The broken piece was removed in five cases, and the broken instrument was left in situ in thirty-seven cases. During the follow-up period, none of the patients had any symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
In most cases, breakage of an orthopaedic instrument is not a problem. Any instance of instrument breakage should be fully documented in the surgical report.
Pichler
Wolfgang
W
Department of Traumatology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 7a, A-8036 Graz, Austria. wolfgang.pichler@klinikum-graz.at
Mazzurana
Peter
P
Clement
Hans
H
Grechenig
Stephan
S
Mauschitz
Renate
R
Grechenig
Wolfgang
W
D001317:Austria; D001842:Bone and Bones; D020878:Device Removal; D004868:Equipment Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007558:Italy; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome