Young woman treated for a very rare case of long sewing needle insertion in the neck without having any neurological and vascular damage. Dean Professor Dr Nirmala appreciated the team of experts for carrying out this complicated procedure and saving the life of the patient.
Coimbatore: A 19 year old female, from Thiyagaraya nagar, Coimbatore, was brought to CMCH casualty with history of self-inflicted suicidal cut injury neck on the 2nd of this month at 4:20 pm.
She had multiple superficial lacerations over the neck, which was treated immediately. She was complaining of neck pain. Hence CT Scan neck was performed. It showed 7.5cm length linear foreign body in right side of neck which was seen penetratingtrachea at the level ofC5 vertebral body and passing between C4-C5 vertebra closely abutting right vertebral artery and right neural foramina at C4-C5 level.

Then on probing the medical history she admitted self introduction of foreign body (large sewing needle) in intention of ending her life. This history she didn’t reveal on admission. Psychiatric evaluation done immediately and the young woman was counselled.
The process of removing this foreign body is complicated and dangerous as it is to do with important neural and vascular channels, which can endanger the life of the patient if not done carefully. A team of experts comprising ENT Surgeon, Neurosurgeons, Vascular surgeon and Anaesthetists had a detailed discussion and decided to perform the procedure.
During the procedure the latest C- Arm X-ray was used to locate the foreign body exactly. Foreign body (large sewing needle) of size 7.5 cm dislodged from trachea and retrieved carefully from neural and vascular structures. Post operation ICU care given. Post operative pain is relieved and the patient is comfortable with normal voice and breathing.
This is a very rare case of long sewing needle insertion in the neck without having any neurological and vascular damage. Dean Professor Dr Nirmala appreciated the team of experts for carrying out this complicated procedure and saving the life of the patient.
She had multiple superficial lacerations over the neck, which was treated immediately. She was complaining of neck pain. Hence CT Scan neck was performed. It showed 7.5cm length linear foreign body in right side of neck which was seen penetratingtrachea at the level ofC5 vertebral body and passing between C4-C5 vertebra closely abutting right vertebral artery and right neural foramina at C4-C5 level.
Then on probing the medical history she admitted self introduction of foreign body (large sewing needle) in intention of ending her life. This history she didn’t reveal on admission. Psychiatric evaluation done immediately and the young woman was counselled.
The process of removing this foreign body is complicated and dangerous as it is to do with important neural and vascular channels, which can endanger the life of the patient if not done carefully. A team of experts comprising ENT Surgeon, Neurosurgeons, Vascular surgeon and Anaesthetists had a detailed discussion and decided to perform the procedure.
During the procedure the latest C- Arm X-ray was used to locate the foreign body exactly. Foreign body (large sewing needle) of size 7.5 cm dislodged from trachea and retrieved carefully from neural and vascular structures. Post operation ICU care given. Post operative pain is relieved and the patient is comfortable with normal voice and breathing.
This is a very rare case of long sewing needle insertion in the neck without having any neurological and vascular damage. Dean Professor Dr Nirmala appreciated the team of experts for carrying out this complicated procedure and saving the life of the patient.