Intracranial Migration of K-wire in a Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patient

Abstract

Management of protruded premaxillary segment in bilateral cleft lip and palate cases is a challenge to clinicians, due to various factors, like collapsed lateral alveolar segments and disrupted muscular ring. It is in practice that, the protruding premaxilla is pinned to vomer using a K-wire. The wire is generally removed after 6 to 8 weeks.A 16-year-old female patient with bilateral cleft lip and palate reported for orthodontic treatment. Upon routine investigations, presence of a K-wire that was fixed when patient was around 6 months old, and now had migrated intracranially was made. As K-wire is notorious for its migration to distant places and, that any further impending migration, may in future present a serious problem, the wire was removed after necessary precautions. This case report should be an eye opener and post a caution to general, medical, surgical practitioners and orthodontists.