Treatment of spontaneous chylothorax by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: Report of 4 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for treating spontaneous chylothorax. Methods Four patients with spontaneous chylothorax were treated by VATS from April 2000 to October 2003. Results Operations were successfully completed in all the 4 patients. The operative time was 40, 52, 55, and 95 min, respectively (mean, 60.5 min). The postoperative chest drainage time was 3~8 d (mean, 5.2 d). The postoperative hospital stay was 8~13 d (mean, 10.5 d). No severe complications or operative mortality were seen. Conclusions Treatment of spontaneous chylothorax by VATS gives advantages of less invasion and quick recovery.