Death Due to Intra-aortic Migration of Kirschner Wire From the Clavicle

Abstract

Migration of orthopedic fixation wires into the ascending aorta though a rare occurrence can have devastating consequences. Therefore, prompt recognition, with immediate and cautious retrieval of the implant is paramount in averting these complications.We present a case of a 5-year-old boy with the intra-aortic migration of a K-wire used for the treatment of a right clavicle fracture. He was transferred to us with a history of syncope, chest pain, and shortness of breath 7 days after K-wire placement, which was performed at another hospital. On CT scan, the wire was found to be partially inside the ascending aorta, which was associated with massive hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade. The patient was taken up for emergency surgery for the removal K-wire and for the management of cardiac temponade. However, the patient developed cardiac arrest during the induction of intravenous anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. The K-wire was retrieved from the thorax via thoracotomy. However, the patient died 10 days after the surgery.As the migration of wires and pins during orthopedic surgery can cause potentially fatal complications, these should be used very cautiously, especially for percutaneous treatment of shoulder girdle fractures. The patients with such implants should be followed frequently, both clinically and radiographically. If migration occurs, the patient should be closely monitored for emergent complications and the K-wire should be extracted immediately.

Biodegradable Metallic Wires in Dental and Orthopedic Applications: A Review

“…Drawn wires from titanium (Ti) and its alloys, stainless steels (SSs), and nitinol have been used in different medical devices such as cardiovascular stents [4], coronary guide catheter [5], coil occlusion of the aneurysm [6], Kirschner wires (K-wire) [7], orthodontic archwires [8], ligature wire [9], surgical sutures and versus staples [10]. Based on the application, such devices might be implanted either for a short or long time in the human body and regardless of the duration time, after finishing their mission, they should be removed from the body by a secondary operation.…”

A presentation on EFECE: A new locking and compressing device with Kirschner-wire and a prelımınary study for bıomechanıcal evaluatıon of thıs system  

“…In xation with k-wires, after reduction of the fracture, fragments are xed by passing these straight wires through the bone fragments. The most important restriction of this technique is the forward/backward movement of the fractured fragments along the wire, causing malunion or nonunion (4). After reduction, these wires do not provide compression between the fracture fragments.…”

Unexplained pellets in heart after shotgun wound through the hip: A case report

“…The migration of foreign bodies within the human body is a rare phenomenon. It has been reported that materials such as Kirshner or cerclage wire, which are frequently used in orthopedic surgeries, migrate to different regions from the areas where they are applied, such as the clavicle, patella or olecranon [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. In some rare cases, bullets have been observed to migrate to different regions of the body following a gunshot injury [8][9][10][11].…”