Can octreotide be the first line treatment for chylothorax?
BACKGROUND
Chylothorax is a rare but serious condition with a high rate of morbidity that may lead to death. It may be spontaneous or a complication of cardiac surgery. Treatment of this potentially harmful condition is not well established and may comprise dietary interventions. In order to avoid surgery, somatostatin and octreotide have been recently suggested as new modalities for the treatment of chylothorax.


OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of octreotide for the treatment of chylothorax.


METHODS
Cases reports.


RESULTS
The authors report two cases of chylothorax successfully treated with intravenous infusion of octreotide as an adjunct to conventional treatment. Furthermore, the authors report their last case who were treated successfully with octreotide as the first line drug without diet modification.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that octreotide is effective, noninvasive and safe. It can be used as an optional or first line treatment for chylothorax.
Leelahanon
Sonthakit
S
Division of Cardiovascularthoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Petlek
Wattanasak
W
Sontimuang
Wirachai
W
Pochanart
Pakpoom
P
Tepakorn
Varaporn
V
Ruangpeg
Satit
S
D002675:Child, Preschool; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide