Prolonged cutaneous sequelae after intra-arterial injection of propofol

Propofol is a popular drug for the induction of anaesthesia and sedation in the intensive care. Previous cases of inadvertent intra-arterial injection propofol injection have had no more than a few hours of hyperaemia. However in this case, residual cutaneous hyperaemia for 12 days were found after intra-arterial injection. This report also highlights the presence of an aberrant radial artery at a site that is used commonly for intravenous cannulation. Early suspicion should be aroused if the patient complains of pain on injection that is not abolished by lignocaine and if blanching of the hand is seen on injection. A useful precaution is establishing a running intravenous line before the administration of drugs. The literature concerning prevention and treatment of inadvertent intra-arterial injection is discussed.