“Push back” technique: A simple method to remove broken drill bit from the proximal femur

Figure 1 Langenbeck retractor is inserted with its blade tip facing proximally and advanced well beyond the medial cortex of femur (in this example a 15 mm × 45 mm retractor is shown, in clinical practice a 10 mm x 30 mm or smaller retractor is preferable).

Figure 2 Retractor blade is rotated by 90°.

Figure 3 Drill bit is pushed back by the blade of the retractor.

Figure 4 Image intensifier view of the technique.