DELAYED PNEUMOTHORAX AFTER SUBCLAVIAN VEIN CATHETERIZATION AND POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATION!

Delayed pneumothorax may occur after sub-clavian vein catheterization and results from slow accumulation of air in the pleura / space. Thus initial postinsertion chest x-rays may not detect this complication. The addition of positive press-ure ventilation for general anaesthesia may make this complication life threatening. We report three cases and the literature is surveyed. KEY WORDS Complications: delayed pneumothorax. Veins ' subclavian catheterization. Pneumothorax after subclavian vein catheter-ization is a well documented complication that may occur in 1-10 % of all catheter insertions [1]. While it is standard practice to obtain a chest x-ray after catheterization to confirm placement and to exclude complication, initial films may fail to show a pneumothorax. A delayed pneumo-thorax may occur from 8 h to 4 days after insertion. We have experienced three instances in which pneumothorax followed insertion of a central venous catheter and positive pressure ventilation for general anaesthesia