Diagnosis and Treatment Experience of Traumatic chylothorax / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore diagnosis and treatment of traumatic chylothorax. Methods We summarized 16 cases with traumatic chylothorax from 1385 patients who suffered from thoracic trauma from Dec.1980 to Dec.2001. Among them, 4 cases had left chylothorax, 11 cases had right chylothorax,and 1 case had bilateral chylothorax. 11 cases were treated with conservative therapy and 5 cases were treated by ligation of thoracic duct. Results 2 patients died,and the others were cured. Conclusion Diagnosed early and treated suitably, traumatic chylothorax can readily be cured, otherwise it would be delayed.