Accidental injection with sodium hypochlorite: report of a case.
OBJECTIVE
A case is reported in which sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was mistaken for anaesthetic solution and infiltrated into the buccal mucosa during routine root canal treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
A 1.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, kept in an anaesthetic cartridge, was inadvertently injected in the buccal mucosa of a 56-year-old female during routine root canal treatment. Soft tissue necrosis, labial ptosis and paraesthesia occurred shortly after the injection. Tissues healed with scarring and lip paraesthesia persisted for 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
* NaOCl is highly irritant when introduced into oral tissues. * NaOCl solutions should not be kept in anaesthetic cartridges. * Accidents with NaOCl should be carefully assessed and when appropriate active hospital treatment should be sought. * Early recognition of NaOCl accidents may avert potentially more serious outcomes.
Motta
M V
MV
Faculdade de Odontologia, Departamento de Odontologia Social, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Chaves-Mendonca
M A L
MA
Stirton
C G
CG
Cardozo
H F
HF
D000059:Accidents; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D009336:Necrosis; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite