Magnet Implantation into a Dice Game Dealer's Digital Tips with Late Thumb Tip Infection: An Iatrogenic Criminal Operation
Abstract
We present the case of an unusual foreign body in the hand of a 39-year-old male dice game dealer who cheated his innocent customers by iatrogenic implantation of two magnets into the thumb tip and the middle fingertip of his left hand. The magnets were also implanted inside the dice which were commercially produced directly from the factory and could be legally bought from the market. This criminal act was performed by a medical doctor practicing his profession at his private clinic without conscience and dignity. Eight years later, the patient developed thumb tip infection. The wound healed by secondary intention within two weeks following adequate surgical treatment with proper antibiotics and removal of the magnet. The magnet in the middle fingertip was also removed upon the patient's request. This alarming fac is to receive more public awareness repeatedly and regularly. All medical students and physicians have to learn from somebody else's faults as far as medical ethics is concerned and strictly respect it for life. This criminal operation must not happen in medical practice.
References
2. Hudson DA, de Chalain TMB. Hand infections secondary to fish bone injuries. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 1994;76:99-101.
3. Mousdicas N, Saxe N. Fish-tank granuloma: the first reported case in South Africa. S Afr Med J 1987;71:321-22.
4. Newmeyer WL. Management of sea urchin spines in the hand. J Hand Surg 1988;13A:155-6.
5. Fisher DE, Bryan RS, Neuropathy from old retained foreign bodies (glass) in the forearm: report of a case. Clin Orthop 1971:74:146-8.
6. Wendt JR, Ackley SM. Vascular complications of a foreign body in the hand of an asymptomatic patient. Ann Plast Surg 1995:34:92-4.
7. Yang ss, Bear BJ, Wieland AJ Rupture of flexor pollicis Iongus tendon after 30 years due to migration of a retained foreign body. J Hand Surg (Br) 1995;20(6):803-5.
8. Rainer C, Schoeller T, Wechselberger G, Bauer T, Hussl H. Median nerve injury caused by missed foreign body. Case report. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 2000;34(4):401-3.
9. Wishnitzer R, Laiteerapong T, Hecht O. Subcutaneous implantation of magnets in fingertips of professional gamblers- Case report, J Hand Surg 1981;6:473-4.
10. Spiegel JD, Szabo RM. A protocol for the treatment of severe infections of the hand, J Hand Surg 1988;13A:254-9.
11. Basadre JO, Parry sw. Indications for surgical debridement in 125 human bites to the hand. Arch Surg 1991;126:65-7.
12. Shields C, Patzakis MJ, Meyers MH, Harvey JP Jr. Hand infections secondary to human bites. J Trauma 1975;15:235-6.
13. Chuinard RG, D'Ambrosia RD. Human bite infections of the hand. J Bone Joint Surg 1977;59A:416-8.
14. Mennen U, Howells CJ. Human fight-bite injuries of the hand. A study of 100 cases within 18 months. J Hand Surg 1991;16B:431-5.
15. Gonzalez MH, Papierski P, Hall RF J, Osteomyelitis of the hand after a human bite. J Hand Surg 1993;18A:520-2.
16. Resnick D, Pineda CJ, Weisman MH, Kerr R. Osteomyelitis and septic arthritis of the hand following human bites. Skeletal Radiol 1985;14:263-6.
17. Maloon S, de Beer J de V, Opitz M, et al. Acute flexor tendon sheath infections. J Hand Surg 1990;15A:474-6.
18. Hurst LC, Amadio PC, Badalamente MA, et al. Mycobacterium marinum infections of the hand. J Hand Surg 1987:12A:428-35.
19. Chow SP, Stroebel AB, Lou JHK, Collins RJ. Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand involving deep structures. J Hand Surg 1983;8A:568-73.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Articles must be contributed solely to The Thai Journal of Surgery and when published become the property of the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand. The Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand reserves copyright on all published materials and such materials may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission.