Tracheoinnominate artery fistula caused by migration of a Kirschner wire.
Iatrogenic injury is an underreported but potentially devastating complication of orthopedic wire migration. We report a 48-year-old man with a tracheoinnominate artery fistula caused by migration of a Kirschner wire that was inserted for fixation of a left clavicle fracture nine years before. Following surgical removal of the wire and repair of both trachea and innominate artery, the patient recovered eventually. Although migration of orthopedic wire to the trachea has been reported twice in previous literature, such a complication involving both the trachea and arch vessel was not previously described. Physicians who care for patients with orthopedic wires in place should be aware of migration with tracheoinnominate artery fistula and other iatrogenic injuries as potentially lethal complications.
Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital and Dou-liou Branch, Tainan, Taiwan.
Yi-Hsuan
YH
Wu
Chao-Han
CH
Lai
Chawn-Yau
CY
Luo
Yau-Lin
YL
Tseng
D001864:Bone Wires / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology