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Peritoneal migration of an abdominally implanted epicardial pacemaker: a cause of intestinal obstruction
1C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|December 1, 1995
Insights
A child
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Epicardial pacemakers are implanted for pediatric cardiac conditions.
- Abdominal implantation is a less common but established approach.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old experienced pacemaker erosion and migration.
- The device moved from the abdomen into the peritoneal cavity.
Findings:
- Intraperitoneal pacemaker migration caused partial and complete intestinal obstruction.
- This led to a critical surgical complication.
Implications:
- Abdominal pacemaker erosion is a rare but serious risk.
- Consider pacemaker migration in patients with abdominal pain.
- Prompt diagnosis is vital for managing this life-threatening event.
Abstract:
We report the case of a 10-year-old child with an abdominally implanted epicardial pacemaker that eroded through the peritoneum and migrated to an intraperitoneal location, resulting in partial and then complete intestinal obstruction. This potentially life-threatening complication should be considered when a patient with an abdominally implanted pacemaker presents with abdominal pain.