Misplaced Chest Drain: A Narrow Escape

Abstract

Abstract Chest drain is commonly performed lifesaving procedure. Chances of cardiac injury after chest drain placement are more if there is cardiomegaly, dense pleural adhesions, kyphoscoliosis, or post lung injury or surgery. Proper technique, thinner drains and use of image guidance like ultrasound, fluoroscopy or computed tomography can reduce the catastrophic complications. Only 18 cases of cardiac injury following chest drain placement are reported, we present a case of polytrauma who had a near miss cardiac catastrophic event following chest drain placement for pneumothorax. Keywords: Misplaced drain, cardiac injury, intercostal drain (ICD), complication.