Management of chylothorax after blunt chest trauma.
Chylothorax following blunt chest trauma is rare; we found only 19 cases reported. We describe an unusual patient with chylothorax from closed chest injury. The diagnosis is made from thoracentesis or tube thoracostomy fluid. Thoracostomy in the definitive therapeutic modality. Nonoperative or, when necessary, operative treatment of chylothorax after blunt trauma can lead to a successful outcome in 90% of cases.
Department of Surgery, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Wayne State University, Michigan 48201.
S A
SA
Dulchavsky
A M
AM
Ledgerwood
C E
CE
Lucas
D002916:Chylothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*