Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is a pen?
- What are the benefits of this operation?
- Are there alternatives to surgery?
- Precautions & warnings
- What are the consequences if you don't have this surgery?
- Process
- What should I do before undergoing a pen removal?
- How is the pen removal process?
- What should I do after having a pen removal?
- Complications
- What complications can occur?
Definition
What is a pen?
Pen is a support tool such as plates, screws, rods and cables. This tool is made of stainless steel or titanium and is used in bone surgeries such as:
help the broken bone get into position while it is healing
permanent bone fuse (arthrodesis)
change the shape of the bones (osteotomy)
After the bone has fully healed, the doctor will recommend surgical removal of the pen. However, the decision remains with the patient.
What are the benefits of this operation?
The benefits of this surgery are:
relieves pain or discomfort caused by inserting a pen
treat infections around the pen
prevents the pen from joining the bone, especially for patients who are still growing
Are there alternatives to surgery?
Pain and discomfort from the pen can be relieved by taking painkillers, avoiding pressure on the pen, and keeping the area warm in cold weather. Infections around the pen can be treated temporarily by taking antibiotics. However, in some cases, the infection cannot be cured without surgical removal of the pen.
Precautions & warnings
What are the consequences if you don't have this surgery?
The infection around the pen can damage the bone and soft tissue. In some cases, the infection can make the patient sick. Discuss with your doctor if you decide not to undergo this examination procedure.
Process
What should I do before undergoing a pen removal?
Make sure you tell your doctor about any medications you are taking and follow the doctor's directions. Before starting this procedure, avoid taking warfarin or clopidogrel. For diabetics, sugar levels should be controlled ahead of the procedure. The doctor will give you instructions on when you can take your medication. For patients who are undergoing blood pressure treatment using beta-blockers, they are allowed to continue taking the medication as usual. For smokers, avoid smoking a few weeks or more before the procedure.
How is the pen removal process?
The medical team will provide a form that the patient must fill out first. This form contains the patient's name and the procedure to be performed. Various anesthetic techniques may be used in this procedure. The surgeon will lift the pen through the same incision when the pen is first inserted. Small screw or wire pins are sometimes harder to find. Therefore, the doctor will make a bigger incision and use the help of an x-ray camera. Pen with a larger size will also be difficult to find if the instrument is covered with scar tissue or bone.
What should I do after having a pen removal?
After having surgery, you are allowed to go home the same day or the next day. Sufferers usually take 6 months or more to fully recover. Sometimes, this surgery doesn't get rid of all of your symptoms. It does not rule out you have to undergo further treatment. This is done if the pain that was felt before the operation still appears.
Complications
What complications can occur?
Every surgical procedure has its own risks. The surgeon will explain all kinds of risks that may occur after surgery. Common complications that can occur after surgery are the aftereffects of anesthesia, excessive bleeding, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Specific complications that may occur after this operation are:
there is still a pen left
nerve damage
bones become weak
there is severe pain, stiffness and loss of ability to move the arms and hands (complex regional pain syndrome)
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
