Tension Pneumothorax Following Internal Jugular Cannulation and General Anesthesia

Percutaneous catheterization of the internal jugular vein for central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring is used routinely in the operating room.1 Of the complications attending internal jugular cannulation, tension pneumothorax during general anesthesia is probably one of the most serious.2 Tension pneumothorax associated with internal jugular cannulation has not been previously reported.