Iatrogenic Injury (iatrogenic + injury)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Iatrogenic tracheal rupture in children: A retrospective study

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2009
Eva-Maria Schedlbauer MD
Abstract Objectives: Iatrogenic injuries to the trachea are rare, but life-threatening complaints. Causes and treatment methods have been described for adults, but there is no literature on aetiology and treatment in children. We performed a retrospective study to examine the frequency, aetiology, and treatment of iatrogenic injuries to the trachea in children and to develop guidelines for their treatment and prevention. Methods: Retrospective study from 2000,2007 at a level I trauma centre. All iatrogenic injuries to the trachea between the cricoid cartilage and the level of the carina in children (ages 0,16) were included in the study. Results: Between 2000 and 2007, 18 tracheal injuries were treated, four of them in children (22%). The primary symptom in all cases was emphysema. Diagnosis was confirmed using flexible endoscopy. In all cases, the cause of the injury was intubation. Two cases of acute injury were treated conservatively by bridging the injury with a tube. Two cases were treated surgically by means of end-to-end anastomosis. In all cases, healing by first intention occurred. No stenoses were observed during follow-up endoscopy. Conclusions: Acute tracheal ruptures in children can be treated conservatively by bridging the rupture with a tube. Injuries to the trachea in which the mucosa is damaged or in which other complications, such as fistulae, are present must be treated surgically. The prognosis for such injuries is good. Laryngoscope, 2009 [source]


Iatrogenic injury in childhood staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 1 2003
SA Holme
Abstract: Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) may cause significant morbidity in children. It is common practice for adhesive occlusive dressings to be used to apply topical local anaesthetic prior to venepuncture. We report two cases in which removal of these dressings from children with SSSS caused injury and discomfort in areas previously free from blistering. We recommend that an alternative method of topical anaesthetic application is used to minimize skin trauma in these patients. [source]


External Security Stitch for Retrograde Cardioplegia Cannula

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 4 2009
Davide Gabbieri M.D.
However, this maneuver is time consuming, often implies the loss of surgical exposure, and exposes again the coronary sinus to the risk of iatrogenic injuries. We describe the use of an external security stitch through the muscular right atrial wall to avoid the displacement of a retrograde cardioplegia catheter and analyze the anatomic conditions which predispose to this complication. [source]


Iatrogenic tracheal rupture in children: A retrospective study

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2009
Eva-Maria Schedlbauer MD
Abstract Objectives: Iatrogenic injuries to the trachea are rare, but life-threatening complaints. Causes and treatment methods have been described for adults, but there is no literature on aetiology and treatment in children. We performed a retrospective study to examine the frequency, aetiology, and treatment of iatrogenic injuries to the trachea in children and to develop guidelines for their treatment and prevention. Methods: Retrospective study from 2000,2007 at a level I trauma centre. All iatrogenic injuries to the trachea between the cricoid cartilage and the level of the carina in children (ages 0,16) were included in the study. Results: Between 2000 and 2007, 18 tracheal injuries were treated, four of them in children (22%). The primary symptom in all cases was emphysema. Diagnosis was confirmed using flexible endoscopy. In all cases, the cause of the injury was intubation. Two cases of acute injury were treated conservatively by bridging the injury with a tube. Two cases were treated surgically by means of end-to-end anastomosis. In all cases, healing by first intention occurred. No stenoses were observed during follow-up endoscopy. Conclusions: Acute tracheal ruptures in children can be treated conservatively by bridging the rupture with a tube. Injuries to the trachea in which the mucosa is damaged or in which other complications, such as fistulae, are present must be treated surgically. The prognosis for such injuries is good. Laryngoscope, 2009 [source]


Communications between the palmar digital branches of the median and ulnar nerves: A study in human fetuses and a review of the literature,

CLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 2 2010
Nadire Unver Dogan
Abstract In this study, median nerves (MNs) and ulnar nerves (UNs) were dissected in 200 palmar sides of hands (left and right) of 100 (50 male, 50 female) spontaneously aborted fetuses with no detectable malformations. The fetuses, whose gestational ages ranged from 13 to 40 weeks, were dissected under an operating microscope. The MN divided first into a lateral ramus and a medial ramus and then formed a common digital nerve. The first common digital nerve trifurcated in all of the studied cases. The branching patterns were classified into two types (Type 1 and Type 2) based on the relationship with the flexor retinaculum (behind/distal of it). A communication branch between the UNs and MNs in the palmar surface of the hand was found in 59 hands (29.5%). The proper palmar digital nerves were numbered from p1 to p10, starting from the radial half of the thumb to the ulnar half of the little finger, and these nerves exhibited six types of variations. The present data obtained from human fetuses will aid in elucidating the developmental anatomy of the nervous system and provide hand surgeons with a more complete anatomical picture to help them to avoid iatrogenic injuries. Clin. Anat. 23:234,241, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Cancer risk from diagnostic radiology in a deliberate self-harm patient

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2010
L. J. Norelli
Norelli LJ, Coates AD, Kovasznay BM. Cancer risk from diagnostic radiology in a deliberate self-harm patient. Objective:, Patients who engage in recurrent deliberate self-harm (DSH) behaviours have increased morbidity and mortality and use emergency services more than others. Unrecognized iatrogenic injury may play a role. Specifically, we call attention to the potential danger of cumulative radiation exposure. Method:, Case presentation and discussion. Results:, A 29-year-old woman with multiple episodes of deliberate foreign body ingestion received over 400 diagnostic radiology examinations during a 12 year period. The patient's calculated total radiation dose reached an average of 20.5 mSv per year, a dose comparable to atomic bomb survivors and nuclear industry workers, populations in which there is a significant excess cancer risk. Conclusion:, Patients with recurrent self-injurious behaviours, frequent users of healthcare services who often undergo repeated medical assessment and treatment, are likely at higher risk for iatrogenic adverse events. Multiple diagnostic radiology examinations have recently come under scrutiny for causing increased lifetime risk of cancer. Healthcare providers, in particular psychiatrists and emergency department physicians, should consider the cumulative risks of radiological procedures when assessing and treating patients with DSH. [source]


Novel Use of a Magnetic Coupling Device to Repair Damage of the Internal Thoracic Artery

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 1 2006
Alexandros Charitou M.D., F.R.C.S.
The device has been primarily used to perform distal coronary anastomoses. We report for the first time the novel use of this magnetic coupling device as a technique to repair iatrogenic injury of the left internal thoracic artery conduit. Technical issues, advantages, disadvantages, and the use of computer tomography angiogram for assessment of the anastomosis are discussed. [source]


Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies in Unilateral Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 6 2003
Stacey L. Halum MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis Although the cricopharyngeus muscle is a ring-like structure, unilateral cricopharyngeal dysfunction can produce significant dysphagia. This entity has not been well described in the literature. The aims of the study were to identify the characteristic findings on videofluoroscopic swallow studies in patients with dysphagia secondary to unilateral cricopharyngeal dysfunction, to note the associated vagal nerve injury, and to evaluate patient outcomes following ipsilateral cricopharyngeal myotomy. Study Design Retrospective clinical investigation. Methods The clinic charts, electromyographic tests, videostroboscopic examinations, and videofluoroscopic swallow studies were reviewed from a series of patients who presented to our institution from 1993 to 2001 with dysphagia and findings on videofluoroscopic swallow studies suggestive of unilateral cricopharyngeal dysfunction on posterior,anterior view. In patients treated with ipsilateral cricopharyngeal myotomy, postoperative findings on swallow studies and patient outcomes were also reviewed. Results Eighteen patients demonstrated findings characteristic of unilateral cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction on videofluoroscopic swallow study. The common feature was a unilateral shelf-like barrier at the cricopharyngeus on the posterior,anterior view with pooling of liquid bolus in the ipsilateral pyriform sinus and episodic shunting to the contralateral side. Eight patients did not have evidence of cricopharyngeal dysfunction (ie, cricopharyngeal bar) on lateral films. Of the 18 patients, 14 had histories consistent with vagal injury secondary to trauma (n = 2), neoplastic involvement (n = 7), iatrogenic injury (n = 2), or central nervous system disease (n = 3). Results of videostroboscopic examinations demonstrated vocal fold motion impairment in 14 patients, and electromyographic test results confirmed unilateral vagal injuries in those who underwent electromyographic testing (n = 6). In the remaining 4 of 18 patients, videostroboscopic examinations demonstrated normal vocal fold abduction but impaired lengthening with a posterior glottic gap, and electromyographic test results (n = 4) indicated unilateral superior laryngeal nerve involvement. Of the 15 patients treated with ipsilateral cricopharyngeal myotomy, 1 patient required postoperative esophageal dilations for an esophageal stricture distal to the cricopharyngeus, whereas the remaining 14 patients had functional resolution of their dysphagia. Conclusion In patients presenting with dysphagia and evidence of unilateral vagal injury, careful assessment of posterior,anterior view on videofluoroscopic swallow study should be included to evaluate for unilateral cricopharyngeal dysfunction. [source]


Iatrogenic vertebral artery injury

ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2005
J. Inamasu
Iatrogenic vertebral artery injury (VAI) results from various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The objective of this article is to provide an update on the mechanism of injury and management of this potentially devastating complication. A literature search was conducted using PubMed. The iatrogenic VAIs were categorized according to each diagnostic or therapeutic procedure responsible for the injury, i.e., central venous catheterization, cervical spine surgery, chiropractic manipulation, diagnostic cerebral angiography, percutaneous nerve block, and radiation therapy. The incidence, mechanisms of injury, and reparative procedures were discussed for each type of procedure. The type of VAI depends largely on the type of procedure. Laceration was the dominant type of acute injury in central venous catheterization and cervical spine surgery. Arteriovenous fistulae and pseudoaneurysms were the delayed complications. Arterial dissection was the dominant injury type in chiropractic manipulation and diagnostic cerebral angiography. Inadvertent arterial injection caused seizures or stroke in percutaneous nerve block. Radiation therapy was responsible for endothelial injury which in turn resulted in delayed stenosis and occlusion of the vertebral artery (VA). The proximal VA was the most vulnerable portion of the artery. Although iatrogenic VAIs are rare, they may actually be more prevalent than had previously been thought. Diagnosis of iatrogenic VAI may not always be easy because of its rarity and deep location, and a high level of suspicion is necessary for its early detection. A precise knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the VA is essential prior to each procedure to prevent its iatrogenic injury. [source]