Detection of foreign bodies in wounds can be difficult. One study showed that 38% of foreign bodies were overlooked at initial examination.<sup>3 Anderson M.A., Newmeyer W.L., Kilgore E.S. Diagnosis and treatment of retained foreign bodies in the hand Am J Surg 1982 ;  144 : 63-67  [cross-ref]

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références</sup> As a category, missed foreign bodies is the second leading cause of lawsuits brought against emergency physicians (14%) and accounts for 5% of all lawsuit settlements.<sup>27 Roberts J. Soft tissue foreign bodies Emerg Med Ambul Care News 1988 ;  10 : 2-6

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références</sup> A retained foreign body can be associated with pain, infection, neurapraxia, and nerve laceration.

Emergency physicians must be alert to the possibility that foreign bodies may be present in soft tissue. No wound is too small to harbor a large foreign body. The history is often misleading<sup>27 Roberts J. Soft tissue foreign bodies Emerg Med Ambul Care News 1988 ;  10 : 2-6

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références</sup> and unreliable because of unclear recollection or impaired mental status secondary to trauma, intoxication, or dementia.