J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2015 Oct;41(5):281-283. 10.5125/jkaoms.2015.41.5.281.

Percutaneous self-injury to the femoral region caused by bur breakage during surgical extraction of a patient's impacted third molar

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Daejeon Dental Hospital, Wonkwang University College of Dentistry, Daejeon, Korea. bck@wku.ac.kr
  • 2Wonkwang Bone Regeneration Research Institute, Daejeon Dental Hospital, Wonkwang University College of Dentistry, Daejeon, Korea.

Abstract

Extraction of an impacted third molar is one of the most frequently performed techniques in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Surgeons can suffer numerous external injuries while extracting a tooth, with percutaneous injuries to the hand being the most commonly reported. In this article, we present a case involving a percutaneous injury of the surgeon's femoral region caused by breakage of the fissure bur connected to the handpiece during extraction of the third molar. We also propose precautions to prevent such injuries and steps to be undertaken when they occur.

Keyword

Tooth extraction; Occupational accidents; Blood-borne pathogens; Infection control; Penetrating wounds

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Occupational
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Hand
Infection Control
Molar, Third*
Surgery, Oral
Tooth
Tooth Extraction
Wounds, Penetrating

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Radiographic findings. The arrow points to the broken bur found in the femoral region of the right leg.

  • Fig. 2 Clinical image shows the surgical removal procedure.


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