Related Experiment Videos
[A case report of recurrent self inserted needle in heart]
Y Mochizuki1, Y Sugita, Y Okamura
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
The Japanese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery : Official Publication of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery = Nihon Kyobu Geka Gakkai Zasshi
|July 9, 1998
Summary
A teenage female repeatedly self-inserted needles into her heart and chest wall. Surgical removal was required, sometimes necessitating extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and fluoroscopy for deep cardiac injuries.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- This case report details a rare instance of severe self-inflicted penetrating cardiac injury.
- It highlights the challenges in managing recurrent autolesion with foreign bodies in critical anatomical locations.
Observation:
- A 17-year-old female presented with two separate episodes of inserting multiple needles into her chest wall and heart.
- Initial removal of a right ventricular needle was successful without extracorporeal circulation (ECC).
- A subsequent admission involved six needles, with one requiring ECC and fluoroscopy due to deep cardiac penetration.
Findings:
- Recurrent self-insertion of needles into the heart and chest wall presents a significant clinical challenge.
- The depth and location of foreign bodies dictate the complexity of surgical intervention.
- Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and fluoroscopy are vital tools for managing deep cardiac impalements.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for integrated psychiatric and surgical care in patients with self-harm behaviors involving foreign bodies.
- Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach to address both the physical trauma and underlying psychological distress.
- Further research into the long-term outcomes and management strategies for such complex cases is warranted.