Administration of octreotide for management of postoperative high-flow chylothorax.
Chylothorax is a rare complication of adult cardiothoracic surgery that can affect the postoperative course as it can lead to respiratory insufficiency, protein loss, fluid imbalance, and immunodeficiency. We report the case of a 51-year-old man who developed a persistent high-flow chylothorax after replacement of the descending thoracic aorta for an aneurysm. After a week of complete oral intake cessation and total parenteral nutrition, we started administration of octreotide, a somatostatin analog. It led to rapid cessation of chyle production, and the patient was discharged without further complications and chylothorax relapses.
Barili
Fabio
F
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. fabarli@libero.it
Polvani
Gianluca
G
Topkara
Veli K
VK
Dainese
Luca
L
Roberto
Maurizio
M
Aljaber
Emad
E
Bettoni
Massimo
M
Cheema
Faisal H
FH
Trabattuni
Piero
P
Parolapi
Alessandro
A
Spirito
Rita
R
Biglioli
Paolo
P
D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide