Epinephrine-Induced Digital Vasospasm Reversed by a Phentolamine-Papaverine-Alprostadil Complex: A Case Report |
Sung Hoon Koh, Youngkee You, Jin Soo Kim, Dong Chul Lee, Si Young Roh, Kyung Jin Lee, Min Ki Hong |
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gwangmyeong Sungae Hospital, Gwangmyeong, Korea. drkim@korea.com |
Received: 1 August 2019 • Revised: 18 September 2019 • Accepted: 22 September 2019 |
Abstract |
Epinephrine is widely used to treat severe anaphylaxis. However, the accidental injection of epinephrine into regions containing terminal arteries, such as digits, may cause severe vasospasm, leading to digital ischemia, deepithelialization, wound infection, and potential necrosis. To reverse such epinephrine-induced digital ischemia, phentolamine acts as an antagonist of epinephrine by blocking alpha-receptors. However, since a pure phentolamine drug was not readily available at our hospital, we used Standro (a phentolamine-papaverine-alprostadil complex) as an alternative. Profound ischemia in a patient who accidentally injected epinephrine into her right thumb was promptly reversed after the direct drop of Standro on the puncture site. The wound healed completely after 1 week, without any remarkable sequelae. This case study supports the use of the phentolamine complex for the rapid and safe reversal of epinephrine-induced digital ischemia. |
Key Words:
Vasoconstriction, Fingers, Ischemia, Epinephrine, Phentolamine |
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