[Use of pleuro-peritoneal shunt in the treatment of chronic chylothorax]

Pneumonol Alergol Pol. 1998;66(9-10):473-9.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Persistent chylothorax is usually treated by frequent aspirations or intercostal-tube drainage with interpleural installation of chemical or mechanical irritants. In 1986 Denver pleuroperitoneal shunt has been introduced. This is a single-unit silicone rubber conduit consisting of unidirectional valved pumping chamber located between pleural and peritoneal catheters. Manual compression of the shunt is required to achieve active pumping. The described unit is implanted subcutaneously in the lover thoracic and upper abdominal region in the anterior axillary line. We present a 38 year old patient with persistent chylothorax treated successfully by implantation of the described device.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anastomosis, Surgical
  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Chronic Disease
  • Chylothorax / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peritoneum / surgery*
  • Pleura / surgery*
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Treatment Outcome