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. 1976 Oct;31(5):610–616. doi: 10.1136/thx.31.5.610

Chylothorax: report of a case complicating ductus ligation through a median sternotomy, and review.

T K Kaul, W H Bain, M A Turner, K M Taylor
PMCID: PMC470484  PMID: 996825

Abstract

An unusual case of chylothorax is described in a 4-year-old child after repair of a ventricular septal defect and ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus through a median sternotomy. Left chylothorax developed after a latent period of six days and was treated initially with continuous drainage and parenteral supplementation of proteins and lipids. Operative intervention with oversewing of the site of the leak in the anterior mediastinum proved necessary after three weeks. The anatomical variations of the thoracic duct are outlined to explain the occurrence of chylothorax after diverse intrathoracic operations. The physiological effects of a thoracic duct fistula and various aspects of management are reviewed.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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