Surgical Technique on screw removal in case of broken screw in SCFE.
Dr Nathan A. Jacobson M.D., Wayne State University Orthopaedics, 10000 Telegraph Road, Taylor, MI 48124. Email: njacobso@med.wayne.edu. Phone: 661-428-8567 / Fax: 313-3757226.
Introduction: SCFE occurs in 10 per 100,000 in some regions of the United States with the incidence continuing to increase. Percutaneous screw fixation is a well-accepted treatment for this disorder for over 20 years but management of complications is not well elucidated in the literature.
Case Report: We describe a case where a traumatic unstable SCFE that was initially treated with closed reduction and fixation with a single transphyseal screw went on to hardware failure with recurrence of the deformity. The complication was successfully treated with closed reduction and re- cannulating the fractured screw within the epiphysis and extracting it using a conical extraction screw commonly referred to as an “easy out.” Three trans physeal screws were then placed for improved fixation strength. Follow-up at 9 months demonstrates a fused physis and no signs of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
Conclusion: Percutaneous management of SCFE screw breakage is possible utilizing specialized instruments and a precise and gentle manipulation preventing the need for more invasive treatments with their obligatory potential complications profile.
Keywords: Hardware Failure, Slip Recurrence, SCFE, Complication, Conical Extraction Screw, Easy Out.



