A new technique for removal of an incarcerated expandable femoral nail.
Removal of intramedullary nails often is relegated to younger surgeons but may be difficult and challenging. We describe difficulties with removal of an incarcerated expandable femoral nail and a new technique for retrograde mobilization of an intramedullary nail through a small infrapatellar incision. No special device was necessary for successful implant removal.


METHODS
Level V, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Liodakis
Emmanouil
E
Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical School Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. manoliodakis@yahoo.gr
Krettek
Christian
C
Kenawey
Mohamed
M
Hankemeier
Stefan
S
D001858:Bone Nails; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D055815:Young Adult