title: Administration of octreotide for management of postoperative high-flow chylothorax.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. fabarli@libero.it
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barili
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Polvani
authors.forename: Veli K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Topkara
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dainese
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberto
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aljaber
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bettoni
authors.forename: Faisal H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trabattuni
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parolapi
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spirito
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Biglioli
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide