Transcervical migration of a broken dental needle: a case report and literature review

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2014 Dec;118(6):e161-5. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2014.04.001. Epub 2014 Apr 18.

Abstract

Although needle breakage is a rare event in dentistry, the occurrence can cause significant distress to the patient and the clinician. Taking appropriate measures to prevent this mishap is best. However, when this event occurs, appropriate planning and retrieval of the needle can lessen the detrimental effects. In this report, we document the migration and retrieval of a broken dental needle that traveled from the medial ramus of the mandible to the posterior cervical space. This report emphasizes the importance of proper local anesthesia techniques, as well as preventive measures, localization methods, and the principles of surgical approaches for the removal of broken needles.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Equipment Failure
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Mandible / diagnostic imaging
  • Mandible / surgery*
  • Neck / diagnostic imaging
  • Neck / surgery*
  • Needles / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed