title: Tension chylothorax following pneumonectomy.
abstract: Post-pneumonectomy chylothorax is an uncommon complication following surgery, with an estimated incidence of less than 0.7%. Post-pneumonectomy tension chylothorax, where rapid accumulation of chyle in the post-pneumonectomy space results in hemodynamic compromise, is exceedingly rare, with just 7 cases previously reported. All prior cases of tension chylothorax were managed operatively with decompressive chest tube placement followed by open thoracic duct repair. Our case is the first reported tension chylothorax to be managed conservatively by thoracostomy drainage coupled with a period of parenteral nutrition followed by a medium chain triglyceride-restricted diet.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Hemang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Francis C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Craig E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Daniels
keywords: Chylothorax; lung cancer; pneumonectomy; tension chylothorax