Chylothorax as a complication of radical nephrectomy.
We report a case of chylo-retroperitoneum and chylothorax following an uneventful left radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma, and propose the mechanism of an infradiaphragmatic lymphatic injury with fistulous connection into the chest. Treatment with oral medium chain triglycerides was unsuccessful. Subsequently, total parenteral nutrition in conjunction with chest drainage, retroperitoneal drainage and sclerotherapy successfully treated the chylothorax. To our knowledge chylothorax following radical nephrectomy has not been reported previously in the literature.
Cespedes
R D
RD
Department of Urology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.
Peretsman
S J
SJ
Harris
M J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery; D015505:Chest Tubes; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002915:Chylous Ascites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004322:Drainage; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed