Retained Sharp Knife Stabbed into the Brain: Technique of Removal and Review of Literature

Abstract

Penetrating brain injuries due to sharp knife are low velocity trauma but need urgent surgical intervention. We discuss a 28-year COVID positive male with left supra orbital penetrating brain injury with a sharp knife. Radiology showed the object entered through the left frontal bone near the key burr point. Reconstructed CT images showed the entry point close to the sylvian fissure and the trajectory was away from it. Craniotomy was done leaving a rim of bone around the knife, dura opened, sylvian veins were seen and the knife was gently pulled out without any additional injury. The patient recovered without any complication. Proper preoperative evaluation and surgical planning is essential in extraction of sharp objects in cases of penetrating brain injuries.