Accidental superior vena cava access to central venous system lately disclosed by thoracotomy

Abstract

We report the case of a 51-year-old woman who underwent hemicolectomy for colon cancer and subsequent hepatic metastasectomy for liver metastases. Right percutaneous infraclavicular subclavian venous port catheterization was performed during the initial operation for chemotherapy. She received chemotherapy after each operation with no reported complications. During a right thoracotomy for lung metastases 2 years after the catheter placement, we noticed the catheter perforating the right subclavian vein and directly entering the superior vena cava. To prevent hemorrhaging during catheter removal, we initially performed the lung metastasectomy, after which we decided to intrathoracically remove the catheter. No complication was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first of its kind to be reported in the published literature.