Utilizing Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Tourniquet Placement for Expedited Diagnosis and Management of Intravenous Cannula Breakage: A Case Report.

The breakage of an intravenous (IV) cannula represents a rare complication associated with peripheral IV cannulation, a prevalent procedure in the civilian and military prehospital setting. Intravenous cannula breakage can lead to further complications including infection, migration, and subsequent embolization. Although fast identification and extraction are essential management components, there are no consensual guidelines for the proper management of this complication. In this report, we present a case involving a 19-year-old soldier who presented to the emergency department following the rupture of an IV cannula during military training. Subsequently, embolization of the cannula fragment occurred because of the patient's discomfort and noncompliance with venous tourniquet usage. This case report delineates the actions taken both on-site and upon the patient's arrival in the emergency room, including the utilization of point-of-care ultrasound as an expedient diagnostic tool for identifying the fragmented cannula swiftly. Additionally, we provide a review of the management approaches detailed in existing literature, with a specific emphasis on the use of venous tourniquet placement as a potential measure for avoiding complications.