Clinical Failures of Internal Fixation

Since the first attemt of internal fixation not much more than a century ago, implants have come to play an important role in orthopaedic surgery. Yet little has been reported about complications which may result from implant surgery. During the period of May 1980 to April 1984, 32 cases of fixation failures were treated in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym College, Kang Nam Sacred Heart Hospital and results were obtained as follows: 1. The most common area involved femoral shaft, but the highest rate was distal femur. 2. The most common period of failure was between 2 to 4 months postoperatively. 3. The leading cause of failure was remaining defects at fracture site. 4. The authors recommend accurate reduction of fracture and bone graft, if necessary, adequate immobilization postoperatively and co-coperation of patient to avoid failure of implant.