title: Successful management of post-esophagectomy chylothorax/chyloperitoneum by etilefrine.
abstract: Post-operative chylothorax and chyloperitoneum resulting from a thoracic duct injury are possible complications of esophagectomy for carcinoma. Management of such conditions includes conservative methods (pleural drainage, chyle flow reduction and supportive nutrition) and surgery. Etilefrine, a sympathomimetic drug used in the management of postural hypotension, also causes smooth muscle contraction of the thoracic duct. We successfully treated three patients with post-esophagectomy chylothorax and chyloperitoneum using intravenous etilefrine. Etilefrine infusion allowed chyle flow resolution in a few days without any side-effects. As result of this experience, we believe that etilefrine deserves to be considered as an alternative therapy in the management of post-esophagectomy chylothorax/chyloperitoneum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive and General Surgery, University Hospital, Lille, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guillem
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Billeret
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Houcke
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Triboulet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002915:Chylous Ascites / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005039:Etilefrine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000293:injuries
chemical_list: D013566:Sympathomimetics; D005039:Etilefrine