Medical Dark Green Blood In The Operating Theatre

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A recent Case Report in The Lancet discusses a rare incident where a man exhibited green blood during surgery, authored by Dr. Stephan Schwarz and Dr. Alana Flexman from St Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia. The phenomenon is attributed to the incorporation of sulfur into hemoglobin, resulting in a compound known as sulfhemoglobin. This unusual case raises concerns for medical professionals, as the sight of green blood can be alarming. Historically, sulfur was used in various treatments, suggesting that green blood is not entirely unprecedented. The discussion also touches on the differences between blood colors in various species, noting that blue blood in some mollusks is due to haemocyanin, while the green hue in this case is a unique result of altered body chemistry.
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The unusual case of a man who produced green blood when undergoing a operation is analysed in a Case Report in this week's edition of The Lancet.

Dr Stephan Schwarz and Dr Alana Flexman, Department of Anaesthesia, St Paul's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada and colleagues performed the operation and authored the Case Report. [continued]
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/73473.php
 
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Wow, that must be very scary, as being the operator. Watching green blood instead of a healthy red is enough to make anyone think twice before continuing.

Interesting case, thanks!.
 
While it is a bit shocking, a hundred years ago people took sulpher as a common cure for several ailments, so green blood has been around for a while. We just are not use to seeing today.
Green blood occurs when a sulphur atom gets incorporated into the oxygen-carrying haemoglobin protein of blood.
 
I thought the only other metal moeity in hemoglobin was copper in the Mollusca... You know - octopus, squid, clams, etc. Interesting.
 
He's one of the crab people!
 
I looked for some reference to a dye being injected that was green in color but did not see such. The sulfur angle is another interesting result of body chemistry.
 
If we get copper instead, wouldn't our blood turn blue?

Blue blood > Green blood.
 
The dark blue blood you are thinking of is because of the protein haemocyanin which is the oxygen carrier in the blood of most molluscs. Its actually colourless when deoxygenated. I'm not sure if there is anything that has naturally green blood.
 
I wish I would get a sample of sulfhemoglobin in the lab...that would be neat to see.
 
  • #10
Of course the guy could have just been a Vulcan.
 
  • #11
If I remember correctly, Spiders naturally have blue blood due to having sulphur instead of iron in the haem group.

Green blood, can't think of any, besides the Statue of Liberty, who is turning greener and greener by the moment.
 

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