[Gangrene of the hand due to accidental intra-arterial injection of floxacilline: about a case].

Floxacilline is a beta-lactam antibiotic of the penicillin class. In our context it is used to fight against infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including staphylococcus aureus. However, floxacilline should be administered with great caution due to its possible side-effects. Our study reports the case of a 6-year old boy who underwent surgery for the treatment of a humeral fracture. The child was treated with injectable floxacilline following a suspected orthopaedic device infection 2 months after surgery. The day after starting antibiotic treatment, the child presented with acute ischemia of the right hand. Then, he was referred to us. Explorations objectified occlusion of the radial artery. The patient underwent relieving fasciotomy and received postoperative heparin. The evolution was marked by gangrene affecting the whole hand. The aim of our study was to educate caregivers about the risk of occurrence of this disastrous complication and about the measures to prevent it.