Aortic perforation following chest tube insertion: an unusual complication

Toktas F., Yumun G., Goncu M. T. , Yalcinkaya S. , Yavuz S.

TURK GOGUS KALP DAMAR CERRAHISI DERGISI-TURKISH JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY, vol.21, no.3, pp.765-768, 2013 (Journal Indexed in SCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 21 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2013.5830
  • Title of Journal : TURK GOGUS KALP DAMAR CERRAHISI DERGISI-TURKISH JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY
  • Page Numbers: pp.765-768

Abstract

Tube thoracostomy is a routine intervention which is used in cardiovascular surgery clinics. Although it is a life-saving intervention in most cases, it has serious complications leading to mortality. We encountered an ascending aortic perforation, an unusual complication following apical chest tube insertion, in a 71-year-old male patient who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in our clinic. This complication was managed successfully and the patient was discharged with a complete recovery. This rare but fatal complication should be considered for the patients undergoing tube thoracostomy, particularly with a toracar. It should also be noticed whether the patients have mediastinal shift in postoperative period.