Rupture of dental needle with migration to the pterygomaxillary space. Resolution by intraoral lateropharyngeal approach

Authors

  • Sergio Soto Góngora Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Servicio de Cirugía Bucal, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad de México, México. Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, Hospital General La Perla Nezahualcóyotl, Servicio de Cirugía Oral y Maxilofacial. Estado de México, México. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7531-3720
  • Enrique Dario Amarillas Escobar Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Servicio de Cirugía Bucal, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad de México, México. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Licenciatura de Estomatología. Ciudad de México, México. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5311-1746
  • Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Servicio de Cirugía Bucal, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad de México, México. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9462-2721

Keywords:

needle, dental anesthesia, complications.

Abstract

Introduction: The rupture of a dental needle is an uncommon complication and usually happens due to the sudden movement and / or unexpected oral closure of the patient, by bending the needle improperly, by inserting it completely or moving it into the soft tissue, by choosing needles of inadequate caliber and length and by performing inappropriate anesthetic techniques. When the needle cannot be recovered instantly, its three-dimensional imaging location must be established and handling decided. In such a situation, its surgical elimination is the most recommended proposal due to the possibility of migrating and injuring important anatomical structures.

Objective: Conduct a literature review and present a clinical case of dental needle rupture located in the pterygomaxillary space, resolved with a lateropharyngeal intraoral approach.

Case presentation: An 8-year-old male patient, who comes to the consultation for a ruptured dental needle. To obtain its location, a cone-beam computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction was used at closed and open mouth. This test offered greater precision and anatomical correspondence, considering that surgical removal could be performed by an intraoral approach. This was done and during the surgical intervention it was noticed that the needle had migrated to an upper and posterior location, to the pterygomaxillary space. Faced with this situation, his recovery was more complex, in addition to the one that this procedure represents by itself.

Conclusions: Intraoral local anesthesia is not exempt from its own complications such as the rupture of the dental needle. When this event occurs, the result can be very difficult to manage.

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References

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Published

2022-06-16

How to Cite

1.
Soto Góngora S, Amarillas Escobar ED, Pérez Hernández JA. Rupture of dental needle with migration to the pterygomaxillary space. Resolution by intraoral lateropharyngeal approach. Rev Cubana Estomatol [Internet]. 2022 Jun. 16 [cited 2025 Mar. 29];59(2):e3855. Available from: https://revestomatologia.sld.cu/index.php/est/article/view/3855

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 2 (2022): APR- JUN

Section

Case Report

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