Unusual but completely avoidable complication during central venous catheterization

Central venous catheterization is generally a safe procedure, but several complications such as pneumothorax, arrhythmias, arterial puncture, infection, and thrombosis are known to occur even in the experienced hands. Complications related to guide wire are very rare and mostly relate to the expertise of operating person. We hereby report a rare but completely avoidable complication, that is, complete loss of the guide wire into the subclavian vein which was successfully retrieved by surgery.