An Alternative Use of Foley Catheters in Ilizarov External Fixation

Abstract

Ann RC ollS urg Engl 2009; 91:5 13-525 522 DISCUSSIONWe haveused this techniqueinfive sequentialpatientstoremove cemented acetabular components, fouro fw hich were well fixed. The average time taken was8m in (range, 3-13 min). In each case,t he component came out with mosto ft he cement mantle attached. There wasl ittle bone loss. In all cases, an uncemented revisions ocket was implanted, witha dditionalb one grafti no ne patient. Postoperativer adiographs were all satisfactory.T his is now the senior author'sf avoured method for extracting aw ellfixed cemented acetabular component. Figure2The medialcompartmentwith pressure from the assistant to the mediala spect of thep opliteal fossa. Note that pathology is easilys een, thus facilitatingr esection. Figure1Illustrating the use of aF oley catheter.We describe as imple technique to aid visualisationo ft he medial meniscus during arthroscopy.T he patient's legi sf lexedo ver the side of theoperating table,with the surgeon exerting aslight valgus strain.T oensure no occult pathology is missed,werecommendthat the assistant performs the simple manoeuvre of pressing the fingertips, exerting only moderate pressure into the medial aspect of the popliteal fossa. This pushes the posterior horn of the meniscus anteriorly and aids the surgeon'sv iew,t hereby easing the procedure shouldresection be required. Thismanoeuvrecan be complimentedby the assistant using their contralateral handt op ush downi na n anteroposteriordirectiononthe patient'sdistal thigh to stabilise the knee. This is illustrated in Figures 1a nd 2. The recommended technique for preventing pin-site infection includess pecially manufacturedI lizarov spongesa nd clips, retailing at £2.24 combined (Iliz sponge and disclip; Smith and Nephew Healthcare,H ull, UK). An alternativef or them ore scrupulouss urgeon cant ake thef orm of ac ut-up urinary