title: [Chylothorax after blunt thoracic trauma].
abstract: The diagnosis of chylothorax following blunt chest trauma is rare, only few cases have been reported. We describe three patients with chylothorax following blunt chest trauma. Conservative treatment consists of drainage, in severe cases mechanical ventilation with PEEP and total parenteral nutrition. In case of persisting and/or increasing chylus production, thoracotomy and ligation of the thoracic duct may be required. In all of our patients thoracostomy was the definite therapeutic modality, no thoracotomy was necessary.
authors.affiliation: Departement Chirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Platz
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Simmen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heinzelmann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kohler
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Trentz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003422:Critical Care; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Chylothorax nach stumpfem Thoraxtrauma.