[Treatment for pinch-off syndrome using a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; report of a case]

Use of a central venous catheter (CVC) may be complicated by a catheter fracture, causing an embolism. Pinch-off syndrome is a recognized complication that develops from the use of implantable subclavian venous access devices. Although rare, as it occurs in only 0.8% of the reported cases, the condition can appear as a complication secondary to the insertion of a CVC. We experienced a case of CVC division in a 26-year-old male who had a CVC implanted through the subclavian vein. We failed in our attempt to remove the catheter fragment using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). If no complication occur over a long-term, it is highly possible that the catheter fragment will become adhered to the vessel wall. Therefore, it may not be necessary to remove the fragment in those cases.