title: Intracardiac malpositioning of a sternoclavicular fixation wire.
abstract: A case of intracardiac malpositioning of a sternoclavicular Kirschner pin is reported. After an uneventful closed wire-fixation of sternoclavicular subluxation and a normal postanesthetic recovery, a 17-year-old male patient developed opacification of the right hemithorax and signs of internal bleeding. The lateral chest roentgenogram showed one fixation wire protruding deeply into the anterior mediastinum. Sternotomy showed a large pericardial tear communicating with the right pleural cavity and a puncture hole of the right auricle that had caused a blood loss of 3 L into the pleural space. Although the surgical repair was uneventful, the patient eventually died as a sequelae to prolonged cerebral hypoxemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Hyperbaric Surgery, University of Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Smolle-Juettner
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pinter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Friehs
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Szyskowitz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001864:Bone Wires; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000293:injuries; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013247:Sternoclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries*