Sodium hypochlorite chemical burn in an endodontist's eye during canal treatment using operating microscope.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

This study describes a case of eye burn induced by sodium hypochlorite used as an irrigant during root canal preparation.

METHODS:

A 24-year-old female endodontist was using an operating microscope during root canal treatment, and as the root canal was irrigated, the pressure cannula burst and the irrigant (3.5% sodium hypochlorite) came into direct contact with her left eye. She immediately sought ophthalmologic emergency care for pain, redness of the cornea, burning sensation, photophobia, intraocular pressure, and blurred vision. The initial treatment consisted of washing the eye with saline solution and administering analgesic and anti-inflammatory (steroid) medications. One day after the accident, a topical demulcent and hydroxypropyl medication were applied to the eyeball (conjunctiva), the eye was bandaged for 24 hours, and rest was prescribed for 7 days. Eight days later, a corneal ulcer was diagnosed, and antibiotic and anti-inflammatory (steroid) medications were used.

RESULTS:

Vision was restored without any sequelae 4 weeks after the accident. The endodontist was instructed to apply control medication (Lagricel; Sophia SA, Caracas, Venezuela) for 3 months and to return for ophthalmologic follow-up every 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sodium hypochlorite is an effective antibacterial irrigant indicated for the treatment of root canal infections. The tissue cytotoxicity highlights the need to inform the patient of the risk factors of accidents and enhance care with individual protection equipment for the patient and the professional during clinical procedures.

• Authors: Desirée C Regalado Farreras, Carlos García Puente, Carlos Estrela
• Journal: Journal of endodontics (J Endod) Vol. 40 Issue 8 Pg. 1275-9 (Aug 2014) ISSN: 1878-3554 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25069948 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Fluoroquinolones
• Mydriatics
• Root Canal Irrigants
• prednisolone acetate
• Prednisolone
• Sodium Hypochlorite
• Cyclopentolate
• Moxifloxacin
• Ibuprofen
• Loteprednol Etabonate

Topics

• Accidents, Occupational
• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Burns, Chemical (etiology)
• Corneal Ulcer (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Cyclopentolate (therapeutic use)
• Dentists
• Eye Burns (chemically induced)
• Female
• Fluoroquinolones (therapeutic use)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Ibuprofen (therapeutic use)
• Loteprednol Etabonate (therapeutic use)
• Microsurgery (instrumentation)
• Moxifloxacin
• Mydriatics (therapeutic use)
• Occupational Diseases (chemically induced)
• Prednisolone (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Root Canal Irrigants (adverse effects)
• Root Canal Preparation (instrumentation)
• Sodium Hypochlorite (adverse effects)
• Therapeutic Irrigation (methods)
• Young Adult