title: Removal of an intrathoracic migrated fixation pin by thoracoscopy.
abstract: Migration of orthopedic fixation pins into the thoracic cavity can result in perforation of pulmonary vasculature, aorta, bronchus, atrium, or ventricle. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is tantamount in preventing devastating consequences. A patient who had fixation of a right humeral fracture weeks later had intrathoracic migration of a fixation pin, found by routine postoperative radiographic examination. Because the patient was asymptomatic, we removed the pin with a thoracoscopic operation. The foreign body was retrieved successfully without intraoperative or postoperative complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Denver Health Medical Center, Colorado 80204, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Calkins
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013909:Thorax