Accidental Local Infiltration of Formalin into the Buccal Mucosa: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Formalin is a hazardous chemical, yet it is the choice of fixative for diagnostic pathology. Dental surgeons routinely use formalin for preservation of oral biopsy specimens. Literature search revealed that during regular biopsy procedures, unintentional injection with formalin has occurred, and such rare seven cases have been reported till date. In addition to the literature review, the present article describes first case of accidental local infiltration with formalin into the buccal mucosa during a biopsy procedure, its damaging effect on the oral tissues, subsequent judicious management of the patient and successful tissue reconstruction with collagen membrane.

Dental Negligence: Accidental Administration of Formalin Instead of Local Anesthetic

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] The search also shows up to 9 articles on the accidental injection of formalin as an anesthetic agent during dental treatment procedures. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Formalin accidentally being used as an irrigant for rotary bur during bilateral surgical removal of 3 rd molar has also been documented. 26 All the articles show that once there is an inadvertent injection of formalin, incision at the site with saline lavage is performed followed by placement of a drain at the site.…”

“…Systemic antibiotics, steroids and analgesics are administered and is followed up as the treatment protocol. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] The same protocol was followed in the case presented here.…”

Accidental Intraoral Formalin Injection as Local Anesthetic Agent in an Outreach Activity: A Rare Case Report

“…There was a crowd of more than 200, so one of the authors was taking care of the mob and explaining, other took the patient to nearby pharmacy which was 12 kilometres far. Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash and Betadine mouthwash alternatively [5] Patient was shifted to local primary health centre for monitoring of vital signs. Next Day increasing edema, erythema of face was suggestive of chemical cellulites (Figure 1).…”