Thoracoscopic ultrasonic coagulation of thoracic duct in management of postoperative chylothorax.
Chylothorax is a rare but potentially serious complication of cardiac operations. We report here a 72-year-old man who underwent replacement of a descending aneurysm with a synthetic graft for dissecting aneurysm (IIIa). A persistent postoperative chylothorax developed, which necessitated continuous drainage, despite conservative treatment more than 12 days. Thoracoscopic high-frequency ultrasonic coagulation of the thoracic duct without clipping finally stopped chyle production. This method may be useful from the standpoint of minimal access, rapid recovery, less pain, and a shorter operation.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan. sada@qmed.hosp.go.jp
Sadanori
S
Takeo
Koji
K
Yamazaki
Mikako
M
Takagi
Atsuhiro
A
Nakashima
D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D014465:Ultrasonics