Abstract

• PURPOSE: To report the difficulties in the process of locking head screw removal due to the stripping of the hexagonal recess of the screw head. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have removed 113 5.0-self tapping locking head screws and 202 3.5-self tapping locking head screws from 34 patients with fracture healing and 5 patients complicated with infection. All of the operations were done by one surgeon. All the screws were placed with the use of torque limiting attachment or driver. RESULTS: All of 113 5.0-self tapping locking head screws were removed without difficulties with an usual manner. 21 out of 202 3.5-self tapping locking head screws were removed with many difficulties due to the stripping of the hexagonal recess. 3 screws were removed successfully with the use of conical extraction screw. 12 screws were taken out by further stripping and destruction of the screw head. In 6 situations where the only one screw was left stripped, the plate was bent around the stripped screw and then it was removed by turning the plate as a handle. One screw was removed with the partial breakage of the near cortex upon lifting the plate after failed attempt of using conical extraction screw. CONCLUSION: Although we have followed the guidelines at the time of insertion we have experienced difficulties in the removal of 3.5 locking head screws due to the stripping of the hexagonal recess. Care should be taken at the time of removal of the locking plate especially for the 3.5 locking screws.
• Key words: LCP (locking compression plate), Removal, Stripping of hexagonal recess

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Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• An inexpensive and rapid method for removal of multiple stripped locking screws following locking plating: A case report
  Won Ro Park, Jae Hoon Jang
  International Journal of Surgery Case Reports.2019; 57: 134.     CrossRef
• Factors affecting accurate drill sleeve insertion in locking compression plates
  J.-J. Kim, J.-W. Kim, H.-S. Yu, H.-S. Lee, H.-K. Oh
  Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research.2013; 99(7): 823.     CrossRef
• Pitfalls and Complications in the Application of the Locking Plate
  Jong-Keon Oh
  Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2007; 20(4): 355.     CrossRef