Gas embolism after periproctal abscess incision and lavage with hydrogen peroxide − a case report Should the use of hydrogen peroxide in surgery be continued?
Authors:
A. Zatloukal
Authors‘ workplace:
Chirurgická klinika Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava
Published in:
Rozhl. Chir., 2021, roč. 100, č. 1, s. 37-39.
Category:
Case Report
doi:
https://doi.org/10.33699/PIS.2021.100.1.37–39
Overview
Introduction: Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic solution still often used in surgical departments for lavage of wounds. Its use is nevertheless linked to an important risk of gas embolism. Such a case report has not yet been published in the Czech literature and awareness of this danger is low among surgeons.
Case report: The author describes the case of gas embolism in a 40 years old patient after lavage of a periproctal abscess incision with 3% hydrogen peroxide. The lavage resulted in a cardiopulmonary arrest with the need of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Fortunately, the patient recovered without any health consequences.
Conclusion: In the view of important risks and questionable and insufficiently proven benefits it may be the time to possibly reconsider the use of hydrogen peroxide in surgery and replace it with a different antiseptic agent.
Keywords:
hydrogen peroxide − gas embolism − case report
Sources
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Labels
Surgery Orthopaedics Trauma surgeryArticle was published in
Perspectives in Surgery
2021 Issue 1
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