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An unusual case of chylothorax is described in a 4-year-old child after repair of a ventricular septal defect and ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus through a median sternotomy. Left chylothorax developed after a latent period of six days and was treated initially with continuous drainage and parenteral supplementation of proteins and lipids. Operative intervention with oversewing of the site of the leak in the anterior mediastinum proved necessary after three weeks. The anatomical variations of the thoracic duct are outlined to explain the occurrence of chylothorax after diverse intrathoracic operations. The physiological effects of a thoracic duct fistula and various aspects of management are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thirty patients with severe preoperative pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery pressure range 90-165 mmHg, mean 118 mmHg) were reviewed following single mitral valve replacement, with prosthetic valves, within the last 10 years (1964-74). The early and late mortality for this group was no different from that of the total series of mitral valve replacements performed over the same period. Marked postoperative clinical improvement was accompanied by corresponding radiological and electrocardiographic changes. In addition there was a statistically highly significant haemodynamic improvement in the 21 survivors (mean survival time 5 1/2 years). At recatheterization the mean pulmonary artery pressure was 41-5%, the mean wedge pressure 46-3%, and the transpulmonary gradient (PAm-LAm) 36-1% of the preoperative values. It is concluded that gross pulmonary hypertension is not per se a contraindication to mitral valve replacement surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]