Management of a High-Pressure Hot-Melt Adhesive Injection Injury

Abstract

We present a case wherein hot-melt adhesive was injected into the finger using a high-pressure industrial glue gun. Unlike hot-melt adhesive contact burns, hot-melt adhesive is hard to remove when it is injected with a high-pressure glue gun, resulting in more severe injury. In our case, initial treatment was not adequate because the patient did not mention any unusual symptoms and the lesion itself did not show any unusual findings. Moreover, because of the absence of symptoms like pain, the patient attended an outpatient visit later than on the scheduled date. As a result, skin necrosis occurred. Surgery was performed to excise the necrotic tissue and remove hot-melt adhesive foreign bodies. One month after the surgery, the wound had completely healed without any complications. The aim of this case report is to highlight the damage associated with high-pressure hot-melt adhesive injection injury, which we believe is not sufficiently perceived by the naked eye. The characteristics of the injected material must be identified at first. And immediate surgical intervention is needed.