Breakage of surgical instruments and implants during operative procedures is not uncommon in any surgical discipline. The need for removal and the outcome of leaving the broken instruments and implants in the surgical area have not been described in detail. Few studies have suggested removal if they are lying loosely in the tissues or joint, close to neurovascular structures. Challenges and the amount of time spent in the retrieval of broken instruments and implants are well known among surgeons, so most choose to leave them in situ. We reported a novel method of retrieval of a broken drill bit in the femoral medullary canal during internal fixation of a type C distal femoral fracture.
Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans

Breakage of surgical instruments and implants during operative procedures is not uncommon in any surgical discipline.The need for removal and the outcome of leaving the broken instruments and implants in the surgical area have not been described in detail.Few studies have suggested removal if they are lying loosely in the tissues or joint,close to neurovascular structures.Challenges and the amount of time spent in the retrieval of broken instruments and implants are well known among surgeons,so most choose to leave them in situ.We reported a novel method of retrieval of a broken drill bit in the femoral medullary canal during internal fixation of a type C distal femoral fracture.