Transhiatal oesophagectomy is an established technique for resection of tumours of the lower oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction. The authors describe a previously unreported serious complication associated with placement of a corrugated neck drain during transhiatal oesophagectomy. A 63 year old man was admitted for transhiatal oesophagectomy for resection of a lower third oesophageal tumour. Post operatively he developed a left sided pneumothorax which did not improve despite numerous chest drains. The subcutaneous corrugated neck drain was removed with immediate inflation of the lung. We report an important potential complication that surgeons in several specialties should be aware of, especially in the use of corrugated neck drains following transhiatal oesophagectomy.