[Iatrogenic pneumothorax and its forensic evaluation]

Forty-three cases of iatrogenic pneumothorax were kept under follow-up observation, against the background of subclavia puncture, infiltration of dorsal muscles, pleural puncture, stellatum blockage, and Menghini puncture. Complications were successfully eliminated by intercostal pleural drainage in the majority of the above cases. It might be recommendable for lesser complications to prefer puncture of the internal jugular vein to puncture of the subclavian vein. The pneumothorax complication following infiltration of the dorsal musculature was attributable to inadequate technique, which would justify a compensation claim against the hospital.