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Subcutaneous Gas From Hydrogen Peroxide Administration Under Pressure

Subcutaneous Gas From Hydrogen Peroxide Administration Under Pressure Abstract Sir.—Hydrogen peroxide is an irrigant widely used for the cleansing of dirty wounds. Subcutaneous gas caused by the liberation of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide when it is used as an irrigant under pressure is an unusual but potentially serious complication (see also Oberg and Lindsey1) that could be mistaken for an infection secondary to a gas-forming organism. We report two cases to warn physicians that subcutaneous gas can occur if hydrogen peroxide under pressure is used to cleanse wounds. Patient Reports.—Patient 1.—A 3-year-old boy was brought to the hospital pediatric emergency room because of a three-day history of a swollen, tender right arm from a brush burn on concrete. Initial examination by the emergency room physician revealed a 13X15-cm, erythematous, indurated, and swollen area with questionable fluctuance approximately 3.5 cm below the right lateral epicondyle. Incision and drainage produced a minimum of serosanguinous fluid (no frank pus), References 1. Oberg MS, Lindsey D: Do not put hydrogen peroxide or povidone iodine into wounds! AJDC 1987;141:27-28. 2. AMA Drug Evaluations . Chicago, American Medical Association, 1980. 3. Bhat K: Tissue emphysema caused by hydrogen peroxide . Oral Surg 1974;38:304-307.Crossref 4. Harris WE: Unusual endodontic complications: Report of a case . J Am Dent Assoc 1974;83: 358-363. 5. Shovelton DS: Surgical emphysema as a complication of dental operation . Br Dent J 1957; 102:125-129. 6. Rickles NH, Joshi BA: Death from air embolism during root canal therapy . J Am Dent Assoc 1963;67:397-404. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Journal of Diseases of Children American Medical Association

Subcutaneous Gas From Hydrogen Peroxide Administration Under Pressure

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References (6)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0002-922X
DOI
10.1001/archpedi.1987.04460010010002
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract Sir.—Hydrogen peroxide is an irrigant widely used for the cleansing of dirty wounds. Subcutaneous gas caused by the liberation of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide when it is used as an irrigant under pressure is an unusual but potentially serious complication (see also Oberg and Lindsey1) that could be mistaken for an infection secondary to a gas-forming organism. We report two cases to warn physicians that subcutaneous gas can occur if hydrogen peroxide under pressure is used to cleanse wounds. Patient Reports.—Patient 1.—A 3-year-old boy was brought to the hospital pediatric emergency room because of a three-day history of a swollen, tender right arm from a brush burn on concrete. Initial examination by the emergency room physician revealed a 13X15-cm, erythematous, indurated, and swollen area with questionable fluctuance approximately 3.5 cm below the right lateral epicondyle. Incision and drainage produced a minimum of serosanguinous fluid (no frank pus), References 1. Oberg MS, Lindsey D: Do not put hydrogen peroxide or povidone iodine into wounds! AJDC 1987;141:27-28. 2. AMA Drug Evaluations . Chicago, American Medical Association, 1980. 3. Bhat K: Tissue emphysema caused by hydrogen peroxide . Oral Surg 1974;38:304-307.Crossref 4. Harris WE: Unusual endodontic complications: Report of a case . J Am Dent Assoc 1974;83: 358-363. 5. Shovelton DS: Surgical emphysema as a complication of dental operation . Br Dent J 1957; 102:125-129. 6. Rickles NH, Joshi BA: Death from air embolism during root canal therapy . J Am Dent Assoc 1963;67:397-404.

Journal

American Journal of Diseases of Children – American Medical Association

Published: Jan 1, 1987

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