A rare post-operative thoracic surgery complication: chylothorax
Journal Title: Current Thoracic Surgery - Year 2017, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Chylothorax is defined as the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space. In this report, we discuss the demographic features of patients with post-operative chylothorax, and the treatment approaches used to emphasize the importance of this complication for thoracic surgery. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 13 patients operated between January 2001 and July 2017, and who were diagnosed with chylothorax in the post-operative period, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients’ demographic features, type of surgeries, results of histopathological examination, day of chylothorax diagnosis, and treatment results were recorded. Results: Eight male patients (61.5%) and 5 female patients (38.5%) were included in the study. Chylothorax developed after lobectomy in 9 patients (62.23%), total pleurectomy in 2 patients (15.38%), bilobectomy in 1 patient (7.69%), and pneumonectomy in 1 patient (7.69%). Oral nutrition was discontinued immediately after chylothorax diagnosis, and patients were followed-up with parenteral nutrition. A conservative approach was used in 11 patients (84.61%). Two patients (15.39%) did not respond to medical treatment, and underwent surgery. All patients were successfully treated chylothorax. Conclusions: Chylothorax is a rare but serious post-operative complication after thoracic surgeries. While appropriate conservative treatment leads to recovery in majority of the cases, surgery remains an important option for patients with prolonged drainage and persistent disease.
Authors and Affiliations
Tevfik İlker Akçam, Önder Kavurmacı, Ahmet Kayahan Tekneci, Ayşe Gül Ergönül, Kutsal Turhan, Alpaslan Çakan, Ufuk Çağırıcı
Keywords
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- EP ID EP293436
- DOI 10.26663/cts.2017.0013
- Views 89
- Downloads 0
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