Migration of a Kirschner wire used in the fixation of a subcapital humeral fracture, causing cardiac tamponade: Case report and review of literature

E. Freund, R. Nachman, H. Gips*, J. Hiss

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Metallic pins and wires are frequently used for fixation of fractures and dislocations. Migration is one of the potential complications of such fixation methods. Usually, migration of the pins causes only minor complications, but if the device migrates to a vital cavity, serious damage and even death may ensue.The shoulder girdle is one of the areas in which pins and wires are mostly used, the humeral neck fractures being one of them. We report a case in which a Kirschner wire migrated from a subcapital humeral fracture site into the aorta and pericardium, causing sudden cardiac tamponade and death.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)155-156
Number of pages2
JournalAmerican Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2007

Keywords

  • Cardiac tamponade
  • Kirschner wire
  • Migration
  • Sudden death

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