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A patient with traumatic chylothorax
Authors Barkat A, Benbouchta, Karboubi L, Ghanimi, Kabiri M
Received 15 September 2011
Accepted for publication 28 December 2011
Published 14 September 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 759—762
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S26205
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 3
Amina Barkat,1 Ilham Benbouchta,1 Lamia Karboubi,1 Zineb Ghanimi,2 Meryem Kabiri1
1National Reference Center in Neonatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital, Rabat, Morocco; 2University Mohammed V souissi of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
Abstract: Chylothorax refers to the accumulation of chyle in the pleural cavity. Although rare, it is the most frequent cause of pleural effusion in the neonatal period. Its incidence is estimated at one in 15,000 neonates. The causes of chylothorax are multiple, and there are several major types of chylothorax defined by origin, ie, traumatic (and iatrogenic) chylothorax, medical (spontaneous) chylothorax, and congenital chylothorax. A case of neonatal chylothorax following surgery for esophageal atresia and our therapeutic approach to this entity are presented. Conservative therapy with total enteral nutrition and drainage were sufficient. Treatment for chylothorax is essentially medical, ie, pleural drainage, removal of dietary fats, treatment of any medical cause, and use of drugs to reduce production of chyle. In the event of failure or reappearance of a large effusion, surgical treatment is needed.
Keywords: chylothorax, octreotide, somatostatin, children
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