Chylopericardium after Cardiac Surgery

ABSTRACT

Chylopericardium after intra-thoracic surgery is rare. Its incidence is reported to be between 0.22% and 0.5%[1, 2] following paediatric cardiac surgery, but is not quantified following cardiac surgery in the adult population. A delay in diagnosis can lead to serious consequences with tamponade and death[3]. Chronic lymph leak can also lead to immunosuppresion, hypoproteinemia and malnutrition[3]. The majority of published literatures on this condition after cardiac surgery are in children. There are few reports of chylopericardium in adults following coronary artery bypass grafting and valvular surgery[4–6], and these advocate treatment with either total parental nutrition or surgical intervention. We report on the case of chylopericardium after a trial. Septal defect surgical closure in an adult patient treated successfully by oral dietary manipulation.