A rare and uncommon complication after use of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ): A review of use of H 2 O 2 in orthopaedics

Introduction

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is commonly used in our daily orthopaedic practice because of its antiseptic and haemostatic effects. Common examples include incision and drainage, debridement and preparation of bone bed during cementation procedure. ¹ However, despite its common use, its potential risks are often overlooked. We report a case of subcutaneous emphysema and suspected air embolism to illustrate the risks associated with the use of H₂O₂ and discuss the potential benefits and disadvantages of H₂O₂ in orthopaedics.

Case report

A 71-year-old lady with a history of carcinoma in the left breast 20 years ago and currently in remission was admitted for left shoulder pain with swelling for 2 days. Upon initial examination, she was afebrile. However, her left shoulder joint was swollen with marked pain and had limited motion. Her white cell count was normal, and X-ray of her left shoulder revealed no osteomyelitis or gas collection (Figure 1). In view of these findings, we performed a left shoulder arthrocentesis, and the joint fluid was mildly turbid. Urgent Gram smear revealed the presence of Gram-positive bacteria, and the definitive culture in both the joint fluid and blood yielded methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Her computed tomography (CT) showed a rim enhancing collection over her left shoulder joint with multiple air pockets in the joint space which was suspicious of septic arthritis with concomitant osteomyelitis (Figure 2). In view of these findings, shoulder arthroscopy was performed with 40 mL of pus drained. Penicillin group antibiotics was then started in accordance to the culture sensitivity results.

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Figure 1.

X-Ray of the left shoulder upon admission.

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Figure 2.

Computed tomography (CT) showing collection over the left glenohumeral joint.

Her subsequent treatment required prolonged antibiotics and repetitive debridement due to persistent signs of infection including fluctuating fever, elevated inflammatory markers, continual pus discharge and findings of residual collection on serial imaging.

Upon her last debridement, persistent loculation and turbid fluid was found within her shoulder joint. After adequate drainage and debridement, the wound was irrigated with H₂O₂ (Banitore hydrogen peroxide solution) using a syringe. During H₂O₂ irrigation, the patient’s blood pressure suddenly dropped to 50/30 mmHg with a heart rate of 70 beats/min. There was also an associated loss of end tidal CO₂. Her electrocardiogram (ECG) was initially unremarkable, however she rapidly developed pulseless electrical activity with cardiopulmonary resuscitation initiated and return of spontaneous circulation 1 minute later. Post-operatively, she was transferred to our intensive care unit (ICU) for further care.

Post-operatively, her blood gas showed metabolic acidosis with a pH of 7.27, her lactate was elevated at 3.4 mmol/L (normal value 0.7–2.1 mmol/L). Cardiac workup showed a mildly elevated troponin level of 46.4 ng/L (normal value <14ng/L), however serial ECG did not show any evidence of arrhythmia, myocardial infraction or pulmonary embolism. Moreover, bedside echocardiogram showed a mildly dilated right ventricle with a preserved ejection fraction of 50% with no gas bubbles detected in the cardiac chambers, and there were no features to suggest myocardial infarction or ischaemia. CT pulmonary angiogram was performed, which revealed a small right upper lobe subsegmental thrombus pulmonary embolism with a large amount of subcutaneous emphysema over the left shoulder (Figure 3).

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Figure 3.

Computed tomography (CT) showing subcutaneous emphysema over the left shoulder and a small right upper lobe subsegmental thrombus pulmonary embolism.

Based on the history and clinical findings, our intensivist managed the patient with the working diagnosis of air embolism. She later developed multi-organ dysfunction and was placed on inotropic support, temporary haemodialysis and ventilator support. Her vitals and blood parameters later improved, and she was able to wean off life support 2 days after admission to ICU.

She was eventually discharged to the general ward with continual management of her residual left shoulder wound with intravenous antibiotics and wound dressing. Her inflammatory markers normalized after 6 weeks of antibiotics and her wound eventually healed after a bedside excision of the residual sinus tract at 3 months after discharge from ICU.

Discussion

Despite gas bubbles were not detected from our patient’s echocardiogram and CT, our anaesthetist and intensivist had felt that the cause of this patient’s intraoperative deterioration was most likely air embolism as a result of administration of H₂O₂ based upon the timing of events and the presence of subcutaneous emphysema on her post-operative CT. Another possibility that can account for her sudden deterioration includes pulmonary embolism by thrombus. However, this is unlikely since the thrombus on the CT was small and only occluded a single peripheral artery. Commonly, a major trunk of the pulmonary vasculature has to be occluded by a large thrombus to trigger a cardiac arrest. Furthermore, such cardiac arrest by thrombus occlusion is unlikely to revert as quickly as in our case due to the time required for thrombus resolution. ² One can argue that a primary cardiac event (not a result of air embolism or thrombus pulmonary embolism) could be accountable for her deterioration based on her troponin elevation, however we must note that she had a relatively normal ECG and echocardiogram thus making it unlikely.

Application of H₂O₂ to human tissue causes it to rapidly decompose into oxygen and water. ^{2 –5} It has been reported that as little as 1 mL of 3% H₂O₂ can release up to 10 mL of oxygen. ⁴

2H 2 O 2 = 2H 2 O + O 2

Risks

Despite its benefits in antisepsis and care of chronic wounds, prior literature has shown the potential risk of intraoperative use of H₂O₂. Cases of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumocephalus, air embolism, respiratory and cardiac arrests have been reported. ^2,4 Patients with cardiac shunts (foramen ovale, atrial or ventricular septal defect) are at even higher risk of air embolism resulting in lethal cardiac or respiratory events. ⁵ Prior authors have cautioned the use of H₂O₂ in confined spaces due to increased risk of air embolization. ^1,2,4 It is believed that the sudden production of gas in an enclosed area results in increased pressure, thereby forcing gas into the blood stream. This situation can be worsened if the enclosed area has poor haemostasis, providing easy access of gas into the circulatory system. ⁴

Air embolism from H₂O₂ may occur during application of H₂O₂ or when the limb tourniquet is removed allowing gas bubbles to reach the systemic circulation. If air embolism involves the limb, it will present with features of acute limb ischemia; if the pulmonary circulation is involved, there may be a drop in blood pressure associated with decrease in end tidal CO₂ and respiratory or cardiac arrest. Multi-organ failure can occur due to the ischaemic insults from the blocked vessels as seen in our patient. ⁴

In the event of air embolization, immediate treatment by the orthopaedic surgeon involves cessation of H₂O₂ irrigation, suction of the gas bubbles and application of saline to dilute and minimize the gas-producing chemical reaction. ⁴ If the episode of embolism occurs after the release of the tourniquet, the tourniquet should be reinflated immediately to prevent further dissipation of gas bubbles into the systemic circulation. ⁵ Anaesthetic management should include discontinuation of nitrous oxide, as this has shown to increase the gas bubble up to fourfold in size ⁵ and to immediately institute 100% oxygen therapy. ⁴ The patient should be placed in a left lateral recumbent head down position (Figure 4) to prevent gas bubbles from entering the pulmonary circulation. This position also facilitates the placement of a central line to aspirate the gas bubbles in the pulmonary circulation of right heart. ⁴

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Figure 4.

Left lateral recumbent head down position.

Conclusion

H₂O₂ is effective as an antisepsis and in treatment of chronic wounds that may require skin grafting. However to date, there are no studies showing H₂O₂ to be superior to other commonly used antiseptics.

If H₂O₂ is used, several precautions should be undertaken such as avoiding its use in the following situations: confined spaces, areas with significant bleeding or poor haemostatic control. If H₂O₂ were to be used in a wound bed just prior to wound closure, it needs to be rinsed away quickly after its application, placement of a drain prior to wound closure for gas decompression should be considered, and the patient should be monitored closely intraoperatively and post-operatively. ¹

H₂O₂ should not be used for its haemostatic property as its efficacy in humans remains doubtful and the existing bleeding channels provide a portal by which gas can enter into the circulatory system. During femoral canal preparation prior to cementation, the surgeon may opt to use isolated pulsatile lavage with saline rather than H₂O₂ to improve cementation quality. It has been suggested that oxygen liberated from H₂O₂ may be forced into vasculature during cementation and pressurization. ¹

It is important for orthopaedic surgeons to observe safety principles regarding the use of H₂O₂ intraoperatively. Orthopaedic surgeons should be well versed in the risks and the acute management of H₂O₂-associated air embolism. Good communication between the orthopaedic surgeon and the anaesthetist is key in the safe use of H₂O₂.

In conclusion, H₂O₂ is beneficial as an antiseptic and in treatment of chronic wounds; however, it has yet been shown to be more effective than other commonly used antiseptics. Thus, given the potential risks, one may consider using alternative antiseptics. H₂O₂ has been shown to be more effective than saline in cementation, but the use of pulsatile lavage seems to be the most important determining factor in the quality of cementation rather than the solution used. The use of H₂O₂ can result in devastating complications if precautious are not observed.