[Fatal pelvic vein injury caused by guidewire used with the dynamic hip screw].
There are only a few reports about injury to vital anatomical structures by Kirschner wires in literature. In the case described here the guide wire of the dynamic hip screw caused a fatal injury to the external iliac vein which was not at first evident. The guide wire had obviously become caught up in the combination three-diameter drill and screwed by the drill into the pelvis. After a stable interval the patient suffered circulatory collapse. Emergency treatment and resuscitation attempts followed with no possibility of surgical intervention. The nature of the injury was established and described in a postmortem examination (photos). The distances were measured on the actual bone. The conclusion of the two experts assessing this case was that this rare injury was not due to malpractice.
Siegel
A
A
Endo-Klinik, Holstenstrasse 2, 22767 Hamburg.
Schulz
F
F
Püschel
K
K
D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography