Chylothorax : A Case Report

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences, 2012, 1, 4, 115-117.
Published: December 2012
Type: Case Report
Authors: Priti P Shah, Shahaji Deshmukh, Tulshibagwala, and Ravi Kharat

Author(s) affiliations:
Priti P Shah1*, Shahaji Deshmukh2, Tulshibagwala3, Ravi Kharat2

1Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital, Pune, India
2Professor, Department of Surgery, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital, Pune, India
3Visiting Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital, Pune, India

Abstract

Chylothorax, an accumulation of chyle in the pleural cavity, is a rare complication of penetrating or blunt trauma to the neck. It could result from damage to or obstruction of the thoracic duct. Though rare in incidence, chylothorax can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. A milky fluid with a high level of triglycerides in pleural fluid confirms the diagnosis. This report is about a rare case of left chylothorax secondary to bull horn injury on the right side of the neck and its management. A 48-year-old male patient presented with a bull horn injury on the right side of the neck with left side chylothorax. Initial management was conservative with pleural drainage. Later, because of persistent chylous pleural fluid more than 1500-2000 ml/day for more than 5 days, we explored and ligated the thoracic duct in the neck. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was symptom-free at 6 months follow-up. Isolated thoracic duct injury in trauma cases is even rarer. Early diagnosis and timely surgical management save the patient.

Keywords: Chylothorax, Post Operative Day, Thoracic Duct Injury

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