Techniques for the removal of broken small-diameter tibial nails: a report of two cases.

The availability of small-diameter interlocking nails for unreamed applications has expanded the indications for intramedullary nailing of open tibial shaft fractures. Smaller diameter nails that are inserted without reaming are mechanically weaker than the larger-diameter nails that are inserted after intramedullary reaming. Potentially, nails with a smaller diameter will fail at a higher rate, creating unique difficulties associated with their removal. This article presents two cases that illustrate solutions to those problems.