Pulmonary Vein Puncture During Port Implantation: A Rare and Abnormal Route

This study presents the case of a 56-year-old woman with breast cancer who underwent implanted catheter surgery via the left subclavian vein, under general anesthesia. However, chest radiography revealed the implantation had taken an abnormal route -- the catheter had punctured the pulmonary vein. The implanted catheter was removed and no irreversible complication developed. Most complications related to venepuncture and catheterization have involved the subclavian artery, great artery, or pulmonary artery. Seldom has a case occurred at the left heart level, especially the pulmonary vein. During treatment, physicians should be aware of the risk of a complication, which may lead to a life-threatening event such as pulmonary embolism, stroke, or air-related myocardial infarction. In conclusion, puncture of the pulmonary vein during port implantation is a rare condition with limited treatment suggestions. The successful conservative treatment provided in this case was without long-term impairment, and can be applied in future cases. In all cases, however, the patient needs close observation and monitoring, and the surgical intervention team should always be prepared to provide hemostasis.