title: Persistent air-leak after transhiatal oesophagectomy: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transhiatal oesophagectomy is a widely accepted technique for resection of tumours of the lower oesophagus. We present a life-threatening complication associated with the placement of a corrugated neck drain during this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our patient underwent a transhiatal oesophagectomy for a lower oesophageal tumour. He developed persistent bilateral pneumothoraces despite chest drain insertions. Following removal of the corrugated neck drain, both lungs were successfully re-inflated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the authors' knowledge, this serious complication has been described only once before in the medical literature; other surgeons should be made aware of this problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alternative drainage systems should be considered to help prevent this injury. Exercise caution if positioning corrugated drains in the neck.
authors.affiliation: Warwickshire Surgical Research Group, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK. Electronic address: Mashuk.khan@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mashuk A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Shameen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jaunoo
authors.forename: Abheesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Lam C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Tan