ArticleBMC surgery2015
Metal implant removal: benefits and drawbacks--a patient survey.
Article in BMC surgery, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 62 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
62 citing papers in PubMed, 184 citations in OpenAlex.
- Comparison between headless compression screws and tension band wires for the fixation of medial malleolar fractures: a prospective randomized trial.Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery · 2022Trial
- Considerations for removal of cephalomedullary screws and blades following intertrochanteric femoral fracture healing: a narrative review.EFORT open reviews · 2026Review
- ESTES recommendations regarding distal radius fractures.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2026Review
- [Spontaneous facet joint fusion and stability assessment following isolated posterior internal fixation for lumbar burst fractures].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2026Article
- Review
- Biomechanical implications of femoral neck system removal following femoral neck fracture treatment in low bone mineral density conditions.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Functional outcome in mini-fragment plating of the fibula in unstable ankle fractures.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2025Article
- Advancements in biomaterials and bioactive solutions for lumbar spine fusion cages: Current trends and future perspectives.Bioactive materials · 2025Review
- Hybrid-manufactured silicon nitride coated CFR-PEKK: A candidate biomaterial for trauma plate applications?Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials · 2025Article
- Implant removal: benefits and drawbacks - Results of a survey with five hundred participants from the Italian Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (SIOT) and comparison with other international trends.International orthopaedics · 2025Article
- Lag screw versus no lag screw in surgery for Weber B ankle fractures: impact on recovery and surgical outcomes.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2025Article
- Diverse Views and Practices on the Handling of Explanted Hardware Highlights the Need for Standardized Management.Orthopaedic surgery · 2025Article
- Magnesium versus titanium headless compression screws for fixation of a Hoffa-type fracture - a biomechanical in-vitro study.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Article
- Usefulness of using pure β-TCP bone substitute (Neobone) in post-orthopedic implant removal procedures.PloS one · 2025Article
- Design of internal fixation implants for fracture: A review.Journal of orthopaedic translation · 2025Review
- Removing hardware from anterior approaches following acetabular fractures: a challenging yet indicated procedure.International orthopaedics · 2025Article
- Ultrasound guidance in the surgical removal of internal fixators after complete healing of limb fractures.BMC surgery · 2024Article
- Non-surgical treatment of lateral malleolar fractures is safe: long-term follow-up of a comprehensive treatment algorithm.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2024Article
- An overview of magnesium-based implants in orthopaedics and a prospect of its application in spine fusion.Bioactive materials · 2024Review
- Percutaneous removal of hardware after orthopedic surgery: Is it safe? and What are patients saying?European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie · 2024Article
2 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundHardware removals are among the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. Current literature offers little data concerning postoperative patient satisfaction. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the patients' point of view on implant removal.
methodsWe surveyed patients of a German level one trauma center, who underwent hardware removal in 2009 and 2010, with regard to their personal experiences on implant removal. Exclusively, data obtained out of the survey were analyzed.
resultsIn 332 patients surveyed, most hardware removals were performed at the ankle joint (21%) followed by the wrist (15%). The most frequent indication was a doctor's recommendation (68%), followed by pain (31%) and impaired function (31%). Patient reported complication rate of implant removal was 10%. Importantly, after implant removal because of pain or impaired function patients reported an improvement in function (72%) as well as decreased pain (96%). 96% of all responding patients and 66% of the patients who suffered from subsequent complications would opt for surgical implant removal again.
conclusionIn summary, despite the challenging and frequently troublesome nature of surgical hardware removal our data contradicts the widely held view that implant removal is often without a positive effect on the patients. These findings may influence the surgeons' attitude towards implant removal and their day-to-day routine in patient counseling.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.