Complications at extraction of the ASIF epiphysiodesis screws.

A retrospective study was performed of 30 consecutive patients operated on with ASIF epiphysiodesis for slipped capital femoral epiphysis. During extraction, complications were encountered in 13/23 patients. A total of 38 screws were removed. Thirteen screws broke and another three screws were embedded in bone, making extensive chiseling of cortical bone necessary before extraction was possible. Due to the frequent complications at extraction, the ASIF epiphysiodesis screw is not suitable for treatment of the slipped capital femoral epiphysis.