title: Unanticipated complication of a malpositioned central venous catheter.
abstract: We report an unusual complication that occurred late in the postoperative period, due to a damaged and malpositioned peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) used for central venous pressure monitoring during esophagocoloplasty and for postoperative parenteral nutrition. On the seventh postoperative day, the development of a leak from the neck wound coincided with the administration of intravenous fluids via the PICC. The leak had occurred as a result of slow erosion of the left internal jugular vein (IJV) by the damaged edges of the catheter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kundra
authors.forename: Bathala V Sai
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Chandran
authors.forename: Kasturi S V K
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Subbarao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000792:Angiography; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D004944:Esophagoplasty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000293:injuries; D019300:Medical Errors; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography