Is oral nutritional therapy effective for the treatment of chylothorax? A case report

Nutrition. 2008 Jun;24(6):607-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2008.02.006. Epub 2008 Apr 10.

Abstract

We report a case of a female patient who underwent corrective aortic coarctation surgery that progressed to chylothorax on the fifth postoperative day. Because the patient was clinically stable and had a functioning digestive tract, the nutritional team decided to treat her by oral nutritional support with a low-lipid diet, rich in medium-chain triacylglycerols. After 20 d, the patient returned to her habitual home diet and did not develop pleural spilling, showing full healing of the thoracic duct.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chylothorax / etiology
  • Chylothorax / therapy*
  • Diet, Fat-Restricted*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nutrition Therapy / methods*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triglycerides / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Triglycerides