Dangerous body modification: A case report of pulmonary embolism and surgical site bleeding following tongue split procedure

AbstractCosmetic split tongue procedure has become more common among the extreme body modification enthusiasts. Recent media statements addressing the adverse complications of such procedures have generated public interest. A 29-year-old patient presented with pre-syncope symptoms with worsening chest pain 3  days after undergoing a surgical tongue split procedure. Further investigations showed sinus tachycardia with raised troponin levels and imaging confirmed an acute saddle pulmonary embolism (PE) with evidence of a right heart strain and dilatation of the pulmonary artery. She was treated with imm ediate treatment dose of heparin which resulted in bleeding from the tongue surgical site which was managed by cauterisation and suturing. She was placed on long-term warfarin treatment. Two months later, she developed further chest pain, which was diagnosed as pleuritis secondary to the PE. We high light the potential seriousness of the tongue split procedure and describe the dangerous consequences that extreme body modification can pose if the patient is not managed appropriately during the peri-operative period.
Source: Oral Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: CASE REPORT Source Type: research