[Ventricular perforation secondary to the insertion of a chest drain by Seldinger technique]

The placement of a chest drain is one of the most common surgical procedures in the hospital setting. It is performed by a large number of physicians of different specialties. Some techniques have made chest drainage more accessible through their speed and simplicity, such as the Seldinger technique. Nevertheless, it is an act that can, like any surgical technique, be the cause of significant morbidity and even mortality. We report the case of a patient who was treated with a thoracic drain using the Seldinger technique for a traumatic pneumothorax secondary to rib fractures. This procedure was complicated by a left ventricular perforation requiring urgent surgical management. We wish to highlight the risk associated with certain techniques described as minimally invasive, as is the case with the Seldinger technique, and to remind that this is not an innocuous procedure that may lead to serious complications. For this reason, it is necessary that the placement of a chest drain be performed by someone experienced, familiar with the equipment, after having read the clinical and radiological information concerning the patient and in compliance with the available guidelines.