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Case Reports
. 2011:2011:160591.
doi: 10.1155/2011/160591. Epub 2011 Dec 19.

Utilization of the safe surgical dislocation approach of the hip to retrieve a bullet from the femoral head

Ruth Delaney  1 , Maurice Albright, Gleeson Rebello
Affiliations
Case Reports

Utilization of the safe surgical dislocation approach of the hip to retrieve a bullet from the femoral head

Ruth Delaney et al. Case Rep Orthop. 2011.

Abstract

Retained intra-articular missiles from low-velocity handguns can lead to mechanical arthritis, synovitis, and lead toxicity. Various surgical approaches have been described to extract such foreign bodies from the hip joint. We present the case of a 17-year-old male in which the surgical dislocation approach was utilized to retrieve a bullet from the femoral head with a good short-term outcome. This case represents a rare application of the surgical hip dislocation approach for an unusual trauma.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
AP pelvis radiograph showing the bullet in the right femoral head. The tip of the paper clip shows the entry wound.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Axial CT scan of the pelvis shows the location of the bullet in the femoral head with accompanying fracture.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intraoperative picture showing the presence of the bullet in the femoral head.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Intraoperative picture shows defect in femoral head after removal of bullet, prior to trimming and microfracture.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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