The techniques for repairing and stabilizing bone fractures have been dramatically improving. It is due to the fact that surgeons and technicians have introduced many new advanced surgical tools and materials over the past few decades.
The new and advanced tools are not only more effective but also cost-effective. The K-wire is one such effective tool used for bone fixation procedures. It provides a simple and effective approach for bone fixation or fracture surgery.
Primarily, the purpose of the tool is to hold bone fragments in a stable position until the bones heal properly. However, we see remarkable modifications in the improvement of wire design and its use in today’s procedures.
In this article, you will get to learn about the history and the development of Kirschner wire over time.
What is K-wire?
A Kirschner wire (K-wire) is a stiff, straight wire that is useful for repairing bone fractures. They are also commonly referred to as pins. Surgeons commonly use them during fracture surgeries to help keep the bones in place until they are healed.
Typically, they are useful for treating supracondylar or wrist injuries. The operator may require more than one wire depending on the location and severity of the fracture. These wires are only required temporarily. Surgeons remove them during an outpatient appointment once the bones have healed.
History of K-wires
Kirschner wires have been around for more than a century. It was first developed and used in 1909 by Martin Kirschner who was a German surgeon and the it was named after the same practitioner
In the early years, surgical experts used them for skeletal traction. They apply the wires to the body by hammering them through a pre-drilled hole in the cortex. Kirschner invented another device in 1942 to ease the manual hammering of wires. The drilling technique became the standard technique later on.
Surgeons found that fracture repair is easier with these wires than with screws and plates. This is because of the ease of rapid wire insertion. Moreover, the invention of the wire modifies surgical procedures and reduces operating time. Another plus point of the tool in the fracture procedure is that it lowers the overall cost of the procedure.
With time, there have been many changes in the design of the wire to make surgical procedures more effective.
Development of K-wires
The introduction of antibiotics and the change in operative goals influenced the development of these wires and their insertion devices the most. Although the surgeons considered K-wires as a useful operation material, the room for improvements was always there. That is why, surgeons, over the years, introduced many changes in the wire designs to improve surgical procedures.
Surgeons have conducted many types of research to assess the impact of wire diameter, tip selection, and insertion methods on heat-related complications. After a thorough study, they developed different tips and sizes to accommodate K-wire techniques, surgical procedures, and specific fractures.
The wires are now commonly used in many types of medical surgery. In addition, it has become an indispensable medical instrument extensively used in orthopedic surgical procedures.
How Does the K-Wire Evolution Impact Surgical Procedures?
After the development of the Kirschner wires, surgeons found this technique to be the most successful and beneficial for surgical procedures. It is a fact that very few surgical techniques have had such an immediate and long-term impact as the use of wires in fracture treatment.
The modifications in the wire design make it an ergonomic one because of its superior properties. It is now a versatile tool in the hands of orthopedic and plastic surgeons.
Conclusion
The invention and evolution of K-wire over time has greatly improved bone fixation procedures. Surgeons should keep such surgical tools on hand in order to perform cost-effective and efficient surgeries.
Visit GerMedUSA Inc. to obtain such versatile and valuable surgical instruments. They offer a wide range of instruments made of German stainless steel as they are the manufacturer and supplier of surgery instruments. To provide efficient surgeries, you can get many variations in the tools based on your needs. Furthermore, if any of your requirements are not met, you have the option of getting customized surgical tools from them. So, check out their website to see their diverse collection of surgical and medical instruments.
FAQs
Is It Painful to Have K-Wires Removed?
Surgeons typically remove these wires quickly. Each wire removal takes only one to two seconds. However, patients may experience tugging as well as brief discomfort.
What Are the Possible Complications Related To K-Wires Insertion?
The site of the pin insertion can be a source of infection entering the body. Bacteria can enter the body through the skin and travel along the pin tract, potentially reaching the bone. For this reason, patients with wires are typically instructed on pin care techniques to prevent infection.
