Hair-Thread Tourniquet Syndrome: Case Report

Abstract

Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome is a rare but a serious problem characterized by various bodily organs entangled by a strand of hair or some other similar material which causes impairment of drainage of the involved organ, and results in function or organ loss. The first patient was refered to us with fever, irritability and swelling and redness in the right fourth toe. Examination revealed prominent swelling and redness in the right toe with a tight hair tourniquet on the distal phalangeal joint. The hair loop was removed before necrosis has developed, and systemic antibiotherapy was started. The second patient presented with swelling and redness of the right second toe that succesfully recovered after removal of the hair. We have presented these cases in order to point out that hair-thread tourniquet syndrome should be considered in cases referred with similar complaints.