Migration of a Kirschner Wire Into the Urinary Bladder: A Case Report

Abstract

Background. Migration of Kirschner wires is a dangerous complication of osteosynthesis, especially when they displace into adjacent anatomical areas. Preventive measures do not eliminate the possibility of this complication. Aim of the study to draw physicians attention to the possibility of asymptomatic migration of a Kirschner wire into the bladder after osteosynthesis of a femoral neck fracture with a bundle of wires Case presentation. We present a case report of a 70-year-old patient with asymptomatic migration of Kirschner wires into the bladder and hip joint cavity, which occurred 5 years after the primary surgery for the fracture of the left femoral neck. To manage the complication, a combination of endoscopic removal of the foreign body from the bladder and open removal from the hip joint followed by total hip replacement were used simultaneously. The surgical intervention was performed without any complications. The patient began rehabilitation the next day after the surgery. Conclusion. Osteosynthesis should be supplemented with preventive measures against the fracture of fixator and its migration. The patient must be dynamically followed up during the treatment period with all necessary monitoring methods (X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, etc.). In case of wire fracture and/or migration, it must be removed immediately. Once the fracture has healed or the period of fixation of the dislocation is over, the wires should also be removed. Preventive measures can avoid the migration of Kirschner wires and related complications.

Keywords

• femoral neck osteosynthesis
• kirschner wires
• migration of wires
• pseudoarthrosis of the femoral neck