Perianale Ulzerationen durch Kaliumpermanganatbäder

Abortifacient power of potassium permanganate rebirth of an archaic myth: Case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Potassium permanganate has been historically used as an abortifacient, but it is now considered an outdated practice. Despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness as an abortifacient, some communities still hold misguided beliefs about its abortifacient properties.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 38-year-old multiparous North African woman. Who experienced excessive vaginal bleeding after using potassium permanganate as an abortifacient. The examination revealed carbonized ulcerated lesions on the vaginal walls and cervix. Once the patient was stabilized, the medical team performed sutures on the vaginal lesions and inserted an intravaginal tampon to arrest the bleeding. The patient was discharged after 72 h.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

In the last century, potassium permanganate was utilized as a method of abortion, but this practice has gradually fallen out of use. Regrettably, due to misinformation and a lack of comprehensive documentation, certain underdeveloped regions persist in employing this unsafe approach. The aim of this report is to inform obstetricians about the harmful effects of potassium permanganate, and the injuries it can cause. Given the scarcity and age of published reports on the subject, this document highlights the crucial importance of proper management to prevent these practices and ensure the safety of the women concerned.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of potassium permanganate in abortion presents serious risks, and despite its outdated nature, false beliefs about its abortifacient properties persist. Raising awareness among healthcare professionals and the general public is crucial in preventing the harmful effects of these erroneous beliefs.

A Rare Case of Anal and Perianal Chemical Burn in a Child due to Potassium Permanganate Crystals

Many chemicals used as medical treatments can cause chemical burns as an untoward side effect. One of such chemicals is potassium permanganate. It is a caustic chemical used as a disinfectant. The most common sites of burn by potassium permanganate are exposed sites like the face and hands. Chemical burns in the perianal and anal region are rare in clinical practice and even sparser in the pediatric age group. In this article, we report a case of perianal and anal chemical burn in an 18-month-old, male child, caused by potassium permanganate crystal applied wrongly for the treatment of pinworm infestation. As a chemical burn in this region can have serious complications, it is necessary to be vigilant when using such chemicals in these cases. Early and timely management in such cases leads to good outcomes. This is the first of such cases of chemical burn caused by potassium permanganate in the anal and perianal region.