Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for primary chylopericardium after orthotopic heart transplantation.
Chylopericardium is a rare complication of cardiac surgical procedures. We describe a 41-year-old woman who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation and developed chylopericardium early in the post-operative period. Because of unsuccessful conservative treatment (pericardiocentesis, pericardial drainage, low-fat diet with medium-chain triglycerides, and total parenteral nutrition), surgical intervention was indicated and the patient successfully underwent right-sided thoracoscopic duct ligation and partial pericardiectomy (pericardial window).
Gelsomino
Sandro
S
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, General Hospital S. Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy. sandrogelsomino@virgilio.com
Morelli
Angelo
A
Porreca
Lorenzo
L
Morocutti
Giorgio
G
Da Col
Paolo
P
Livi
Ugolino
U
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography