Complaints of dizziness after applying anesthetic cream… The cream was removed, but he went into shock and suffered cardiac arrest.
A Chinese woman died while receiving laser treatment to remove birthmarks and birthmarks.
According to a report by Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP), this 27-year-old woman living in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin paid 100,000 yuan (about 19.2 million won) at a private dermatology hospital to remove milk spots (cafe au lait spots) caused by neurofibromatosis. I was receiving laser treatment at the cost above. The incident occurred on October 21 while undergoing the tenth procedure. After applying the anesthetic cream, the woman complained of dizziness. The medical staff quickly removed the cream, but the woman went into shock, convulsed, and suffered cardiac arrest. Although she was taken to another hospital as an emergency, the woman died 10 days later. Medical staff said the woman died from complications related to excessive intracranial pressure. The woman’s body is currently undergoing autopsy.
The woman’s husband claimed that the excessive amount of anesthetic caused an allergic reaction, leading to the woman’s death. According to the woman’s mother’s statement, treatment had previously been discontinued due to severe pain caused by the anesthetic not being applied evenly.
The dermatology hospital defended the case by saying that the numbing cream was used according to standard protocols and that allergy testing was available upon request. The hospital director expressed regret over the woman’s death and said, “If negligence is found, I will take full responsibility.” In China, medical staff who cause the death of a patient through negligence can face up to three years in prison and a fine.
This incident quickly spread on Chinese social media Weibo. A woman claiming to be a friend of the victim said she missed a valuable opportunity to save her friend’s life because the hospital failed to provide appropriate emergency treatment. Some netizens said, “If I hadn’t had the procedure, this tragedy wouldn’t have happened,” and “Beauty is not important compared to health,” while others said, “Cafe au lait spots not only affect appearance, but also have a big impact on mental health.” “It’s crazy,” and “The fault lies with the hospital, not with the woman who received treatment.”
Excessive amounts of local anesthetic used may be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause side effects.
A local anesthetic is a drug that temporarily blocks the activity of nerves that transmit stimulation, preventing sensation in the area to which it is applied. There are various forms such as creams, ointments, and sprays, and as in the case above, they are commonly used to relieve pain before procedures such as laser treatment, hair removal, or tattoo removal.
Local anesthetics are generally safe to use, but if used in excessive amounts, side effects such as blurred vision, tinnitus, metallic taste, dizziness, increased heart rate, headache, fatigue, confusion, muscle cramps, and seizures may occur. In rare cases, allergic reactions such as skin redness, itchiness, hives, or swelling may occur. Mild allergic reactions usually go away on their own over time, but if symptoms persist, you should seek medical attention. In serious cases, anaphylaxis may occur, in which symptoms may include △swollen lips, tongue, and throat △difficulty breathing △dizziness △syncope △abdominal pain △vomiting △diarrhea. In this case, go to the emergency room immediately.
Ingredients such as lidocaine, procaine, benzocaine, and pramoxine are used in local anesthetics. In the case of some local anesthetic ingredients, if used inappropriately, the ingredients seep into the blood vessels through the skin and cause serious problems such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, and breathing difficulties. It may cause side effects.
Deaths resulting from the use of local anesthetic creams are rarely reported worldwide. For example, in 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that the use of excessive amounts of local anesthetics can cause life-threatening side effects if high concentrations of anesthetics enter the bloodstream, and local anesthetics are applied to the legs to reduce the pain of laser hair removal. Two cases of death have been reported. The two women, aged 22 and 25, had their legs wrapped in wraps after applying the cream to increase the effectiveness of the numbing cream, but suffered a seizure, fell into a coma, and later died. In both cases, the anesthetic was purchased at a pharmacy and contained large amounts of the anesthetic ingredients lidocaine and tetracaine. The FDA warns that if these products are widely applied and left on for a long time, more drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, and as skin temperature rises, the amount absorbed into the bloodstream increases.
Side effects caused by the use of local anesthetics are rare, but if they do occur, the possibility of such a fatal situation occurring cannot be ruled out. In order to minimize side effects, you must consult a doctor about the use of anesthetics in skin care or medical procedures, and medical staff must also fully explain possible risks and side effects to patients and have the experience and equipment to respond quickly when unexpected side effects occur. Do it. Additionally, patients must inform the medical staff of any medications they are currently taking, any diseases they have, or any allergies.
Source: kormedi.com