Intrathoracic migration of Kirschner wires.

Abstract

Two cases of intrathoracic migration of Kirschner wires are reported. Two wires were used to fix a left clavicle fracture in case 1. Two months later, a chest film showed a broken wire migrating into the mediastinum. A chest computed tomogram revealed the Kirschner wire penetrating into the main pulmonary artery. The broken wire was removed through sternothoracotomy after a pericardiotomy. In case 2, repeated blood-tinged sputum was experienced 5 years and 6 months after Kirschner wire fixation of 2 left clavicle fractures. Chest film showed the migrated wire located in the right thorax. The wire was removed through right thoracotomy. In both cases, the foreign bodies were successfully removed and vascular and pulmonary repair were performed without morbidity.