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

• Published in: The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 155 - 156
• Main Authors: Freund, E, Nachman, R, Gips, H, Hiss, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-06-2007
• Subjects: Bone Wires; Cardiac Tamponade - etiology; Death, Sudden - etiology; Female; Foreign-Body Migration - complications; Forensic Pathology; Fracture Fixation, Internal - instrumentation; Humans; Humeral Fractures - surgery; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 0195-7910
• DOI: 10.1097/PAF.0b013e31806195a1

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.