Guidewire damage during cannulated screw fixation for slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Cannulated screw fixation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a standard procedure for the mild to moderately displaced slip. We report six cases in which the guidewire was damaged by a cannulated drill. In five the wire broke off within the femur. The broken wire was retrieved in two of the cases but not in the remaining three. The progress of all six patients was unaffected by this complication.