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.
Rimensberger
P C
PC
Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital des Enfants, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. rimensberger-peter@hcuge.ch
Müller-Schenker
B
B
Kalangos
A
A
Beghetti
M
M
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