Cell-Free and Concentrated Pleural Effusion Reinfusion Therapy for Postoperative Chylothorax / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Chylothorax is a rare but serious complication of thoracic surgery, with a poor prognosis, unless treated properly. We report the case of a 73-year-old man who developed massive chylothorax after thoracic aortic replacement. The patient was initially treated conservatively and during this period, we applied CART (Cell-free and Concentrated Ascites Reinfusion Therapy) method which performed thoracic drainage fluid to keep the patient's condition well. Administration of octreotide was not effective in this case. Thoracic duct ligation was eventually performed after the thoracic duct laceration was confirmed by lymphangiography. The patient recovered well and was discharged with no sign of recurrence.