NEEDLE IN THE HEART

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 303, 7 December 1931, Page 11

NEEDLE IN THE HEART

LIVING FOR TWO MONTHS. DEATH AFTER OPERATION. How a man accidentally drove a needle into his heart was described at the Westminster Coroner’s Court recently, when Mr. Ingleby Oddie held an inquest on Edward Sell, aged 45, a coach trimmer and upholsterer. It was stated that on August 17, while fastening an upholstered roll on to the observer’s seat of an aeroplane, Sell’s hand slipped, and he accidentally struck himself on the chest, causing a 2in. needle, which he had sticking out of his apron, to enter his chest. On medical advice he went to a hospital on October 12. Dr. John' Taylor, pathologist, said that when the patient was X-rayed the needle was seen to be partly in the heart and partly in the chest. On October 14 a number of surgeons had a consultation, and unanimously decided upon an operation. Another Xray photograph showed that the needle had moved with tho heartbeat. On October 19 Mr. Ivor Back operated, with the patient under gas and ether. An incision 3in. across was made, and the heart was exposed. The surgeon hoped the needle would be sticking out, but it was in tho heart muscle, so he made an incision. The haemorrhage was such that he had to stop the operation and sew up. The patient at first improved, but be died next day, after having a temperature of 106 degrees. Death was due to a punctured wound in the heart caused by the needle, clotting of the left ventricle, and a cerebral embolism. A verdict of “accidental death following an injury received during the man’s employment” was recorded.