Intrapelvic Migration of Cephalic Screw: Report of two Cases and Review of the Literature

I. INTRODUCTION

Hip fractures are common in the elderly population, accounting for approximately 50% of fragility fractures, with their incidence progressively increasing due to population aging (1,2).

The intramedullary nail is a widely used device in trauma surgery for the treatment of extracapsular femoral neck fractures, as it is minimally invasive and allows for early weight-bearing in frail patients. However, in approximately 5% of cases, the intramedullary nail fails to achieve proper fixation in these fractures (3).

One potential complication in these fractures is cut-in, which can be classified as either early or late cut-in, depending on the stage at which it occurs. A much rarer complication is the migration of the cephalic screw into the pelvic cavity following fracture fixation, occurring in less than 0.5% of cases (4). Due to its rarity, few cases have been reported in the literature, although the complications can be severe given the anatomical location of the screw (5).

The objective of this study is to analyze two cases of intrapelvic migration, assess treatment strategies and long-term complications, and conduct a literature review of previously reported cases.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted between 2015 and 2022 at our hospital, analyzing cases of cut-in with intrapelvic screw migration as a complication of hip fracture. Two cases of intrapelvic screw migration were identified. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were collected, along with information on complications observed in outpatient follow-ups. Additionally, a literature review of previously reported cases was performed.

Case 1:

An 85-year-old male presented with a right pertrochanteric hip fracture classified as AO type 31 A 13 (Figure 1) following a low-energy fall. The patient was admitted and underwent surgery the following day, consisting of closed reduction and implantation of a short intramedullary nail (Stryker, Michigan, United States) using a Gamma 3 nail (Figure 2). The cephalic screw was inserted into the subchondral bone in a centre-inferior position.

The postoperative course was uneventful; however, at the three-month follow-up, radiographic evaluation revealed cephalic screw migration into the pelvic cavity. The patient had reported a one-week history of progressive groin pain without prior trauma. Radiographic imaging (Figure 3) demonstrated intrapelvic migration of the screw through the medial wall of the acetabulum. A contrast-enhanced CT scan ruled out damage to intrapelvic organs. The screw was found positioned between the bladder and intestines, necessitating surgical removal in collaboration with the general surgery team via open laparotomy.

Following recovery from the initial procedure, a postoperative control radiograph was obtained (Figure 4). In a subsequent surgery, a cemented partial hip prosthesis was implanted (Figure 5). No bone grafting was required for acetabular reconstruction, as the bone defect was minimal.

The patient recovered successfully from the second surgery, without complications during the two-year follow-up, and was able to ambulate without the need for assistive devices.

Figures 1-5: The top left photo shows an AO type 31 A 13 pertrochanteric fracture. The fracture was subsequently treated with a Gamma 3 nail (top right). Mid-section photos display cephalic screw migration during follow-up. The lower left photo shows the removal of the nail and screw during the first surgery, followed by the implantation of a partial hip prosthesis (lower right) in a second surgery

Case 2:

An 83-year-old female with a history of congestive heart failure and poorly controlled diabetes presented to the emergency department with right lower limb pain and functional impairment following a low-energy fall. Radiographs (Figure 6) revealed a right pertrochanteric hip fracture classified as AO type 31 A 13. The patient underwent closed reduction and implantation of a

PFNA nail with a cephalic screw placed in a centre-centre position (Synthes, United States) the following day (Figure 7).

The postoperative course was complicated due to the patient's multiple pre-existing comorbidities. At 20 months, after another low-energy fall, radiographs showed intrapelvic migration of the cephalic screw (cut-in) (Figure 8). The patient had reported isolated groin pain for several months but, due to her comorbidities, had not resumed ambulation and was wheelchair-bound, delaying her medical consultation.

Given the high surgical risk and the fact that she had not ambulated since the initial surgery, the medical team opted for cephalic screw removal while leaving the intramedullary nail in place (Figure 9). This decision was made after an abdominal CT scan ruled out associated complications.

The patient's initial postoperative course was uneventful; however, she ultimately passed away six months later due to her pre-existing comorbidities.

Figures 6-9: The top left photo shows an AO type 31 A 13 pertrochanteric fracture. The fracture was subsequently treated with a Gamma 3 nail (top right). Mid-section photos display cephalic screw migration during follow-up. The lower photos illustrate the isolated removal of the cephalic screw as the chosen treatment, considering the patient's comorbidities

Table 1: Summary of Cases Described in the Literature, Screw Position on Radiographs, and Time from Surgery to Complication

III. DISCUSSION

Intrapelvic migration of the cephalic screw is a rare complication, with few cases reported in the literature. Among these (Table 1), the study by Rebuzzi et al. (4) highlighted that while medial migration is rare (\<0.5%), it is relatively common (43%) when the screw position is considered high-risk. Regarding prevention strategies to avoid biomechanical implant failure, Georgiannos et al. (10) emphasized that achieving an anatomical reduction is key. Additionally, the appropriate cephalic screw size must be selected, maintaining a tip-apex distance (TAD) of \<25 mm. Ideally, the screw should be positioned centrally or inferiorly on radiographs, and proper follow-up is essential to detect complications early.

In many cases, inadequate fracture reduction and improper screw placement, combined with repeated axial loading on an unstable fixation, can lead to displacement of the nail within the femoral canal, producing an effect similar to the "Z-effect."

A similar mechanism was proposed by Weil et al. (20) in their biomechanical study. Some studies have found no significant differences in the need for revision surgery between patients treated with the Gamma 3 nail or the PFNA nail, suggesting that screw placement may be more critical in preventing migration than the implant type itself (21).

Flint et al. (13) analyzed risk factors associated with screw penetration and medial migration, categorizing them into different groups: 1 intraoperative factors related to the surgeon, such as excessive reaming of the femoral head; 2 intraoperative fracture characteristics; 3 implant-related factors, such as screw dysfunction; 4 technical errors, including excessive TAD; and 5 postoperative factors, such as additional trauma. In our cases, the primary reason for failure in the first patient was cephalic screw placement, while in the second case, it was postoperative trauma following a fall.

A detailed clinical history and serial radiographs can aid in the early detection of this complication. In most cases, removal is performed through the previous incision; however, in some instances, due to the intra-abdominal location of the screw, extraction requires open laparotomy or laparoscopy (6), though the risk of injury to major arteries and vital organs remains present. There are also reports of successful cephalic screw removal via an endovascular approach (5). In such cases, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to safely extract osteosynthesis material while minimizing complications, considering both screw location and the patient's comorbidities. In our two cases, one required open laparotomy in collaboration with general surgeons due to the screw's location, while in the second case, removal was possible through the previous hip approach.

Therefore, optimal fracture reduction and proper screw placement are the most crucial steps in reducing the risk of medial migration of the cephalic screw. However, continued follow-up is essential, as the increasing incidence of hip fractures may lead to a rise in this complication, which, despite its rarity, can have severe consequences for the patient.

IV. CONCLUSIONS

Medial migration of the lag screw is an uncommon but significant complication. Its prevention requires optimal fracture reduction and precise screw placement.

Ensuring correct screw insertion is crucial to avoid undesirable displacement. The biomechanics of intramedullary screws facilitate lateral screw sliding; however, in cases of unstable fixation, medial migration may occur.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.