Tibial intramedullary implant in a cadaver- A rare case report

Abstract

A rare case of in-situ intramedullary nail was observed in a cadaver during the routine dissection in the Anatomy Department of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur. The case is reported for its utility in teaching not only clinical anatomy but also a good tool in learning instrumentation by trainees in orthopaedic surgery. Intramedullary nail of tibia is an implant placed in the medullary canal of tibia for the treatment of fracture of shaft of tibia. In the present cadaver a proximal and two distal screws were detected in the right tibia. Radiograph of the tibia with in-situ implants was taken. The tibia was sawed to remove the implant due to non availability of appropriate orthopaedic instruments. Such an incidental finding of surgical implants in the cadaver proved beneficial for clinicians and anatomists alike.