[2 cases of pericardial tamponade caused by migration of fracture wires from the sternoclavicular joint].

Two cases of dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint are reported in which migrating nails caused fatal heart tamponade. In both cases death occurred due to fracture nails which had not been bent or secured against migration in some way, and X-ray control had been inadequate. The doctors were charged with manslaughter by negligence since they had not exercised reasonable care as would have been required in those circumstances. As a result of the two attending physicians, trials, it is concluded when that operative osteosynthesis techniques are applied in order to affix dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint, migration of the osteosynthesis material must be prevented by adequate measures and that X-rays have to be taken within short intervals from different planes. Osteosynthesis material should be removed as soon as possible.