Catheter-aided extraction of a steel coil accidentally lodged in the right ventricle.

In one case a steel coil similar to the Gianturco coil accidentally lodged in the outflow tract of the right ventricle during the embolization of a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Extraction of the coil with an intravascular foreign body retrieval set (Cook Inc., Bloomington Ind.) was unsuccessful because the extraction wire broke. An improvised device was then employed, using a Cordis 8 French multipurpose catheter and a single stainless steel wire designed for surgical osteosynthesis. The steel coil was successfully caught by the device and pulled out via the femoral vein.

[Thoracic injuries treated at the surgery clinic in Novi Sad from 1968-1977]. / Povrede grudnog kosa lecene na klinici za hirurske bolesti u Novom Sadu od 1968-1977 g.

The authors analysed 516 injuries of the thorax. treated in a ten year period (1968-1977). These injuries were 2,2% of 23.300 injuries treated by this Clinic during this time period. The etiology shows that 63,9% of these cases were caused through traffic accidents. In 516 of this cases, there were 5% penetrating injuries. A big percent of polytrauma (42,6%), traumatic, haemorrhagic shock (21,5%) and the difficultes in mechanics of breathing or respiration function (61,2%), shows the difficulties and importance of the medical attitude in curing these injuries in peace time, and in war, or during massive injury. The authors have also stressed the necessity of education for professional medical staff, equipment for the staff and its organization during peace time. This also serves the goals for national defence.