An accidental intra-arterial injection of thiopental on the dorsum of the foot--a case report.

Since its maiden clinical use decades back, innumerable instances of accidental intra-arterial injection of the drug have been reported mostly in the upper extremities. We report an accidental intra-arterial injection of thiopental into one of the tributaries of the arterial arch of the dorsum of the foot, but timely and prompt treatment with lidocaine and heparin together with leg rising prevented a gangrenous episode of the extremity and resulted in an uneventful recovery. This report emphasizes the importance of extreme caution while cannulating the veins on the dorsum of the foot. Attention should be focused on the patient's reactions, the feeling of an intense pain and withdrawal of the leg during injection so that timely therapeutic measures are undertaken and the sad episode is prevented.