FTP1.8 Thoracic spine stab injury with a retained knife: a rare case and the lessons learnt

Abstract A 52-year-old female patient was admitted to the Emergency Department with an isolated thoracic spinal stabbing a retained knife. She haemodynamically stable normal peripheral neurological examination. CT scan 3D image reconstruction showed blade had collided and lodged into T11 vertebrae tip in close proximity but missing cord, aorta inferior vena cava. multidisciplinary team, including anaesthetists vascular, neuro, general surgeons, agreed upon treatment strategy. The knife safely withdrawn operating theatre prone position under sedation local anaesthesia. Following procedure, examination remained normal, MRI revealed no cord injuries. In this case report we discuss initial approach managing patients penetrating injury. We elaborate on role of pre-operative imaging using reconstruction, where possible, assess extent injuries, as well as, importance timely input from specialties based foreign body, how extract it having contingency planning for any potential post withdrawal complications.