Extravasation injury to the hand by intravenous phenytoin. Report of three cases.
Extravasation of intravenous phenytoin can result in serious soft-tissue complications. Three patients are presented, one of whom lost a hand. Assessment of circulation and early decompression fasciotomies may be necessary in such cases. Caution is recommended in the intravenous administration of phenytoin. Infusions at rates of less than 50 mg/min and education of nursing staff about this potential complication will decrease its incidence.
Rao
V K
VK
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison.
Feldman
P D
PD
Dibbell
D G
DG
D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007511:Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced
D010672:Phenytoin