• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.144-151
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• 2011

Objectives : To report the cases of forgotten needles found in the patients' bodies since Dong-guk University Ilsan Hospital opened, and arouse considerable attention to prevent recurrence. Methods : Oriental medical doctors in the hospital has applied acupuncture on patients' bodies in case of need, and the other staffs removed the needles after treatment. Results : All the patients in the cases had cerebrovascular disease with paralysis, aphasia, cognitive disorder and disturbance of consciousness as well as dysphagia requiring gastrotomy tube and dysfunction of respiration requiring tracheal cannula. The pathways the acupuncture needles were passing through are presumed to be transtracheal via the hole of tracheal cannula in two cases, and transgastrointestinal via mouth or the opening of gastrotomy tube. The needle was excreted with stool without any harm to the patient in the latter case, while the impact of the needles on the respiratory system or thorax of the patients in the former two cases is ambiguous. The hospital has taken some measures to prevent recurrence. Conclusions : There are not a few at high-risk of occurrence of forgotten needles that might induce medical problems among patients in oriental medical clinics or hospitals. Authors expect this report arouses all the people involved in the whole procedure of acupuncture treatment, including oriental medical doctors, nurses, nurse-assistants and caregivers considerable attentions to the possible occurrence and risk of forgotten needles.