Broken Needle Embedded in the Body during Vascular Puncture

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Surgical Procedures
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Needle breakage is an infrequent complication in medical procedures.
• Commonly associated with dental work, biopsies, and drug abuse.
• Rarely reported during vascular access for blood collection.

Observation:

• An 87-year-old obese female with edema underwent repeated femoral artery punctures for arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA).
• Following blood collection, the needle detached from the syringe upon withdrawal.
• Radiography confirmed the needle fragment lodged in the patient's groin.

Findings:

• Surgical intervention with fluoroscopic guidance successfully located and retrieved the detached needle fragments.
• Obesity and the repetitive nature of punctures were identified as potential risk factors.
• The case represents the first reported instance of needle detachment during vascular puncture for ABGA.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of pre-procedure needle inspection, especially in high-risk patients.
• Suggests that patient factors like obesity may influence needle integrity during procedures.
• Underscores the need for vigilance regarding rare but serious complications in medical device usage.