Objective: To assess functional outcome and complications in patients with Weber C fracture following syndysmotic screw removed.

Patients & Methods: Forty three consecutive patients with closed Weber C type ankle fractures between 2002–20003 were studied. The syndysmotic screw was removed at 6–12 weeks time post operatively. Postoperative complications and functional outcome were studied.

Results: Following removal of the syndysmotic screw 6 patients had superficial wound infection, 4 patients had pain due to instability, one patient had DVT and one patient had broken screw. The functional outcome using ankle scores compared to the other studies in the literature did not show any significant difference.

Conclusion: Syndysmotic screw removal has significant morbidity. Guidelines with randomised control studies are recommended.

Aims: We reviewed 100 paediatric lateral condylar fractures of the elbow treated with k-wire þxation. We compared the complication rates of wires left percutaneous versus wires buried beneath the skin. Methods: 68 patients had wires left percutaneous and 32 patients had their wires buried. Fractures were classiþed as displaced or undisplaced. Lengths of time for Ôwires in situñ, limb immobilisation and follow up were recorded. All complications of treatment and outcomes were recorded. Results were analysed using Chi-square tests. Results: Buried k-wires stayed in situ longer than percutaneous wires (average 6.7 versus 4.9 weeks). Fracture types along with mean lengths of immobilisation and follow up were similar for both groups. In the Ôburiedñ group 6 (19%) patients wires migrated through the skin although only 1 (3%) case became infected. 1 (3%) patient developed an uncomfortable heterotrophic ossiþcation. In the Ôpercutaneousñ group 20 (29%) patients developed wire infection and/or granulation tissue requiring treatment. 3 (4%) of these cases severely compromised treatment. Delayed union requiring re-operation occurred in 1(1%) patient. Conclusion: Burying the wires after open reduction and þxation of lateral condylar fractures signiþcantly (p=0.0026) reduces the incidence of infection and overgranulation associated with the wires.