Intrathoracic migration of a Kirschner wire

Asymptomatic Migration of a Kirschner Wire from the Proximal Aspect of the Humerus to the Thoracic Cavity: A Case Report

CASE

A 78-year-old man presented with an open fracture of the proximal aspect of the humerus and an axillary artery laceration; the fracture was treated provisionally with Kirschner wires (K-wires). Forty-five days postoperatively, he presented with pin prominence at the lateral aspect of the arm, and was incidentally noted to have migration of a separate K-wire to the left lung. He underwent successful thoracotomy and lung wedge resection for wire removal.

CONCLUSION

K-wires used in the fixation of fractures of the proximal aspect of the humerus may migrate into the thoracic cavity. No modification of this technique, including the use of threaded, terminally bent, or external pins that are visibly secured, eliminates the potential for devastating complications.

An Unusual Case of Kirschner Wire Migration in the Foot

We describe a rare case, never before published, of migration of a Kirschner wire used for fusion of the proximal interphalangeal in a lesser toe in a 67-year-old female into the calcaneum. This patient presented to the orthopedic clinic 6 months after elective surgery complaining of pain in her right foot. Radiographs of the foot revealed that the Kirschner wire had migrated toward the calcaneum. Computed tomography of the right foot demonstrated the Kirschner wire within the calcaneum.