Ultrasound guidance in the surgical removal of internal fixators after complete healing of limb fractures

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether ultrasound guidance can reduce the duration, blood loss volume and invasiveness of surgery for internal fixator removal.

Methods: The clinical data from 35 adults patients who underwent ultrasound-guided surgical removal of internal fixators after complete healing of limb fractures between June 2019 and April 2023 were retrospectively analysed and compared with those from 34 controls who underwent the procedure without ultrasound guidance. Data concerning the patients' demographic and clinical characteristics and surgical sites were collected. Differences in the patients' demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups.

Results: Sixty-nine patients were enrolled in the study. Thirty-five patients underwent surgical removal of internal fixators with ultrasound guidance, and the average intraoperative blood loss volume was 15.17 ± 18.54 ml, average difference between the incision length and scar length was 4.24 ± 1.38 cm, average operation time was 60.66 ± 24.30 min, and average ultrasound assessment time was 10.00 ± 3.90 min. Thirty-four patients underwent surgical removal of internal fixators without ultrasound guidance, and the average blood loss volume was 46.76 ± 90.74 ml, average difference between the incision length and scar length was 2.68 ± 1.04 cm, and average operation time was 80.15 ± 58.84 min. The difference between the incision length and scar length was significant (P < 0.01), as was the difference in the intraoperative blood loss volume (P < 0.05) between the two groups.

Conclusion: Ultrasound is a convenient, noninvasive, radiation-free technique that allows dynamic scanning of multiple sections regardless of patient position. Ultrasound-assisted removal of internal fixators might reduce bleeding and therefore the invasiveness of the procedure. Physicians can use ultrasound for preoperative patient positioning, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative confirmation of complete removal of internal fixators if necessary.