Korean J Anesthesiol.  2005 Aug;49(2):269-273. 10.4097/kjae.2005.49.2.269.

Hydrohemothorax and Subclavian Artery Laceration during Internal Jugular Vein Cannulation: A case report

• Oh IY
• Kim YI
• Kang HS
• Yang SY
• Lee SK
• Choi HY
• Park CK

• KMID: 2092045
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2005.49.2.269

Abstract

Central venous cannulation via an internal jugular vein has become a common procedure in the management and monitoring of severely ill patients. Although complications such as carotid artery puncture or pneumothorax have been reported, hemothorax is relatively uncommon. We describe a case of hydrohemothorax and subclavian artery laceration which occurred during right internal jugular vein cannulation. A 44-year-old female patient was admitted for laparoscopic adrenalectomy under general anesthesia. For central venous pressure monitoring, central venous cannulation performed. However, dilator overinsertion injured the right subclavian artery. This led to a massive ipsilateral hydrohemothorax requiring thoracotomy for subclavian artery repair. This case suggests that central venous cannulation should be done carefully and improves awareness of the potential for dilator induced injury.

Keyword

central venous cannulation; hydrohemothorax; subclavian artery laceration

MeSH Terms

Adrenalectomy
Adult
Anesthesia, General
Carotid Arteries
Catheterization*
Central Venous Pressure
Female
Hemothorax
Humans
Jugular Veins*
Lacerations*
Pneumothorax
Punctures
Subclavian Artery*
Thoracotomy