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An unusual cause of chylothorax after Norwood stage one reconstruction.

Authors :
Chang YM
Huang SC
Chen SJ
Chang CI
Chen CA
Wu ET
Wang JK
Wu MH
Source :
The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon [Thorac Cardiovasc Surg] 2009 Mar; Vol. 57 (2), pp. 120-2. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Feb 24.
Publication Year :
2009

Abstract

We report an unusual cause of prolonged chylothorax drainage after Norwood stage one reconstruction. This 1-month-old girl's chylous drainage was refractory to medical treatment. Echocardiography revealed thrombosis of the superior vena cava. Upon sternotomy to remove the thrombus, we were surprised to find the ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) tube previously used for selective cerebral perfusion compressing the innominate vein and the pericardium-based aortic arch. We performed a superior vena cava thrombectomy and shortened the ePTFE tube. Her chylothorax subsided gradually. We suggest that external compression of the venous drainage system should be considered in patients with prolonged chylothorax drainage. Once medical treatment fails, early surgical exploration may be helpful to stop the chylothorax.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0171-6425
Volume :
57
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
19241319
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1038668