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Accidental injection with sodium hypochlorite: report of a case
M V Motta1, M A L Chaves-Mendonca, C G Stirton
1Faculdade de Odontologia, Departamento de Odontologia Social, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Aim:
A case is reported in which sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was mistaken for anaesthetic solution and infiltrated into the buccal mucosa during routine root canal treatment.
Summary:
A 1.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, kept in an anaesthetic cartridge, was inadvertently injected in the buccal mucosa of a 56-year-old female during routine root canal treatment. Soft tissue necrosis, labial ptosis and paraesthesia occurred shortly after the injection. Tissues healed with scarring and lip paraesthesia persisted for 3 years.
Key Learning Points:
* NaOCl is highly irritant when introduced into oral tissues. * NaOCl solutions should not be kept in anaesthetic cartridges. * Accidents with NaOCl should be carefully assessed and when appropriate active hospital treatment should be sought. * Early recognition of NaOCl accidents may avert potentially more serious outcomes.
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