title: [Removal of plates and screws. Tips and tricks for problematic cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This overview article addresses the different ways of explanting plates and screws. Once the decision has been taken to remove plates and screws, the situation is resolved by skilled performance of surgical procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In particular, tips and tricks are offered on how to deal with difficult explantations. In general, implant removal is straightforward and without complications. Special techniques, instruments, tips and tricks are important when implant removal becomes problematic due to screw damage, immovable implants, instrument breakage and suchlike.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article describes procedures that will put the surgeon on a direct route to implant removal. Keeping strictly to the pathway will inevitably turn problematic implant removal into a straightforward procedure.
authors.affiliation: Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Tübingen, Klinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 95, 72076, Tübingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Höntzsch
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Stuby
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D020878:Device Removal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011475:Prosthesis Failure