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[Intrathoracic migration of Kirschner wires]
Lukács Veres1, Regina Kiss, Miklós Boros
1Debreceni Egyetem, Orvos- és Egészségtudományi Centrum Sebészeti Intézet, Mellkassebészeti Központ, Debrecen. veres.lukacs@freemail.hu
Magyar Sebeszet
|December 1, 2009
Summary
Metallic pins used in orthopedic surgery rarely migrate into the chest cavity. This case highlights the importance of removing migrated Kirschner wires to prevent life-threatening complications.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Metallic pins, such as Kirschner wires, are commonly used by orthopedic surgeons for stabilizing bone structures like the clavicle and humerus.
- Pin migration into adjacent body cavities is an infrequent but documented complication.
Observation:
- An elderly female patient experienced recurrent shoulder luxation, necessitating fixation with Kirschner wires.
- A follow-up X-ray and CT scan revealed significant migration of these pins into the right thoracic cavity.
Findings:
- Initial attempts at videothoracoscopic removal were unsuccessful due to dense adhesions within the thoracic cavity.
- Surgical removal via right anterolateral thoracotomy successfully extracted both migrated pins, one from the lung parenchyma and the other near the spinal cord.
- The patient experienced no postoperative complications.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for serious intrathoracic complications from orthopedic hardware migration.
- Prompt surgical intervention is crucial for removing migrated pins to mitigate risks such as organ damage and life-threatening events.
- Further research into preventative measures and optimal management strategies for pin migration is warranted.
