Treatment of a persistent postoperative chylothorax with somatostatin.
Chylothorax is a rare but potentially serious complication of pediatric cardiac operations. We report the case of a 4-month-old boy who underwent a Senning procedure for correction of D-transposition of the great vessels. A persistent postoperative chylothorax developed, necessitating continuous drainage, despite conservative treatment over 3 weeks. Thereafter, continuous somatostatin infusion for 14 days led to the reduction and finally cessation of chyle production. This treatment allowed early enteral feeding and avoided further surgical intervention.
Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital des Enfants, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. rimensberger-peter@hcuge.ch
P C
PC
Rimensberger
B
B
Müller-Schenker
A
A
Kalangos
M
M
Beghetti
D002913:Chyle / Q000378:metabolism; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004322:Drainage; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019233:Retreatment; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014188:Transposition of Great Vessels / Q000601:surgery
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D013004:Somatostatin