Thoracoscopic Excision of Migrated Kirschner Wire to Right Pulmonary Hilum.

Abstract

Kirschner wires are often used for the stabilization of complex fractures. Wire migration is a rare but still recognized complication of its use. A 56-year-old man suffered a clavicle fracture at age 26 that was stabilized with one Kirschner wire, and for 30 years he was asymptomatic. Recently, he presented with cough and right thoracic pain. Chest radiographs revealed migration of the Kirschner wire, and thoracoscopic visualization revealed that the Kirschner wire had penetrated the middle lobe parenchyma and was in close contact with the right auricle. This case study reports the successful thoracoscopic treatment of a rare complication of Kirschner wire migration.