Magnet Implantation into a Dice Game Dealer's Digital Tips with Late Thumb Tip Infection: An Iatrogenic Criminal Operation

Authors

  • Arthi Kruavit Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
  • Surawej Numhom Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

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.

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Published

2008-07-31

How to Cite

1.
Kruavit A, Numhom S. Magnet Implantation into a Dice Game Dealer’s Digital Tips with Late Thumb Tip Infection: An Iatrogenic Criminal Operation. Thai J Surg [Internet]. 2008 Jul. 31 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];29(3):97-100. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ThaiJSurg/article/view/241036

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Original Articles