title: [Hardware removal after spinal instrumentation].
abstract: Because of the increasing number of patients with surgically treated injuries of the spine we more often have to answer the question of indication for hardware removal. In the cervical spine and after anterior instrumentations of the thoracic and lumbar spine hardware removal is only indicated as part of the management of postoperative complications. After dorsal instrumentation for fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine, implant-associated discomfort is possible. In addition, in non-fusion procedures there is the risk of implant failure. In these cases the hardware should be removed. If the consolidation of the fracture is in doubt, a preoperative CT scan is useful.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Tübingen, Eberhard Karls-Universität Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 95, 72076, Tübingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Ochs
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Stuby
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Stöckle
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Badke
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D020878:Device Removal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*