Point to ponder while prescribing phenytoin sodium infusion in septic shock patients: A case-based discussion

Extravasations of many drugs can lead to phlebitis to soft tissue necrosis. Phenytoin sodium has also been implicated for such events in a few case reports with varying success of treatments. We present a case with due consent from the patient party where a single loading dose phenytoin sodium leads to phlebitis and rapidly progressed to gangrene of the hand in a critically ill patient ultimately requiring amputation despite providing possible treatments. The intention of presenting the case is to share our bad experience along with a point to ponder which probably would give an opportunity to critical care physicians to get rid of such avoidable traumatic problem while managing such patients in future.