What is a surgical pin?

In this article, any metal piece that is sticking out of your skin after surgery is called a pin. The area where the pin comes out of your skin is called the pin site. This area includes the pin and the skin around it. You must keep the pin site clean to prevent infection.

Why are they called K-wires?

Kirschner wires or K-wires or pins are sterilized, sharpened, smooth stainless steel pins. Introduced in 1909 by Martin Kirschner, the wires are now widely used in orthopedics and other types of medical and veterinary surgery.

Is a K-wire an implant?

K-wires and Steinmann pins are used to provide internal fixation for fractures or osteotomies. In some instances, removal of the implant is planned and the implant is left long to facilitate its removal. In other instances, implant removal is not planned and the implant is cut off at the level of the bone.

Do K wires leave a scar?

When a finger is treated with closed reduction and K-wire fixation, the main advantage isthat there is no scarring from surgical dissection.

How are pins removed from finger?

If pins can be used, they are placed through the skin and into the bone using a special drill. The ends of the pins will remain outside the skin so they can be removed after the fracture heals. Often, if pins cannot be used, tiny screws are used to secure the fracture.

How are K-wires removed?

The K-wires stick out of the skin so that they can be easily removed once the bone has healed. They are covered with a dressing and a plaster cast and you / the patient will not be able to see them; alternatively they may be exposed out of the toe or finger.

Do K-wires leave a scar?

Can K-wires be left in?

K-wires can be buried and left in situ until union or they can be left unburied and require removal after four weeks, with plaster immobilisation until union. There is no consensus as to whether wire burial is preferable or not.

What happens after pins are removed?

Once all the pins are removed, the staff will apply a bandage and wrap. Your child will get another splint or cast if needed. If there is a splint, it may be removable. If it is, follow the staff’s instructions.

What is a Kirschner bone pin?

Kirschner or K Wires Are Surgical Bone Pins. K-wires are often used to stabilize a broken bone and then removed in the office once the fracture has healed. The wires can also be threaded to help prevent movement or backing out of the wire, although that can also make them more difficult to remove.

What is a Kirschner wire used for?

Kirschner wires used to be used more commonly when traction was a common treatment for certain types of fractures. 1 When traction is used, a K-wire is often inserted into a bone to provide a rigid anchor to the bone, and then the weight is pulled on the bone (through the wire) to pull the broken extremity into alignment.

What are K-wires or pins?

What are pins used for in dentistry?

They come in different sizes and are used to hold bone fragments together (pin fixation) or to provide an anchor for skeletal traction. The pins are often driven into the bone through the skin (percutaneous pin fixation) using a power or hand drill.