Introduction:

Percutaneous catheterization by puncture of a large caliber vein and blood flow known as the central venous catheter (CVC), is a non-invasive procedure and, therefore, it is not free of potential complications that may generate a risk for the life of patients, as it is the secondary iatrogenic pneumothorax.

Objective:

To establish the incidence of secondary iatrogenic pneumothorax as an immediate complication secondary to the insertion of a CVC.

Materials and methods:

This is a prospective, descriptive, observational study of the medical records of patients between 15-60 years of age of both sexes, who were admitted in the different hospitalization services at Dr. Adolfo Pons Hospital from the Social Insurance Institute of Venezuela ―IVSS for its acronym in Spanish― (Maracaibo, Venezuela) during the period between January 2016 and June 2017, patients who required the insertion of a percutaneous catheter for the central venous approach, as an indication for therapeutic management or physiological constants.

Results:

A total of 140 patients were included; in 15.6% (22) the presence of secondary pneumothorax was identified in radiological controls when the subclavian vein was approached.

Conclusions:

It should be considered that secondary pneumothorax represents the most common mechanical complication in central venous catheterization that can put the integrity of the patient at risk. This knowledge is essential to detect this complication by the attending physician and can give the most adequate and appropriate solution to avoid complications and thus achieve better quality medicine.

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