Massive hemothorax from injury of an anonymous vein after intercostal chest drain placement: A case report

Placement of an intercostal chest drain (ICD) is an essential procedure in the management of patients with chest injuries. However, ICD placement can have complications. Here, we report a case of massive hemothorax due to injury of an anonymous vein associated with ICD placement.

An 84-year-old man with chronic right pleural effusion from pleuroperitoneal communication presented with dyspnea after a fall. An ICD was placed in the right seventh intercostal area on the middle axillary line. He later complained of chest pain and dyspnea again due to right pneumothorax, and massive hemorrhagic pleural effusion was drained from an additionally placed ICD. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed that bleeding from the parietal pleura traveled along the first ICD and dropped into the intrapleural space. Intraoperatively, there was intramuscular venule bleeding from the right serratus anterior muscle, which was then ligated to stop the bleeding.

An optimal area to place an ICD is termed the "safety triangle", which is determined by the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, and the level of the nipples and the base of the axilla. In this case, the ICD was placed in the seventh intercostal area, which is more than two intercostal distances inferior to the 'safety triangle'.

This case suggested that, even though the vessel was small, a massive, life-threatening hemothorax can occur if an injury is caused by ICD placement. Knowledge of the anatomy necessary for placing an ICD should be reinforced.