Fatality secondary to misuse of TAC solution

The death of a 7 1/2-month-old girl from the misuse of tetracaine/adrenalin/cocaine solution for wound anesthesia is reported. Ten milliliters of the solution inappropriately came into contact with nasal mucous membranes, causing excessive drug absorption. The patient's death probably was due to cocaine toxicity (post-mortem blood level, 11.9 mg/L).