[Surgical treatment for pulmonary arterial injury caused by sewing needles]

A 41-year-old woman was found lying in her home, which was on fire, and was brought to our hospital by ambulance. Her complaint was severe dyspnea, and a respirator was needed. Contusion and abrasion were present on her anterior chest. A roentgenogram of her chest disclosed cardiac enlargement and two linear metallic shadows. A computed tomographic scan of the chest showed cardiac tamponade and a needle from the chest wall to the main pulmonary artery. Through a median sternotomy approach, the pericardium was opened. About 200 ml of blood was pooled in the pericardium cavity, and a needle was found in the main pulmonary artery. The needle was removed and the bleeding point was closed using suturing with 5-0 prolene without cardiopulmonary bypass.