Seldinger chest drain guidewire retained in the pleural cavity—a never event complication

Abstract

Abstract Intrapleural foreign body is an unusual complication. It most commonly occurs after the trauma but has been rarely seen after diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. We hereby, present an unusual occurrence of a retained guidewire after a chest drain insertion using a Seldinger technique in a patient with coronavirus disease of 2019 pneumonitis. Surgical removal of the guidewire has prevented this foreign body to cause further harm. We further discuss how to identify and prevent such a complication.